NOVEL WEB Chapter 17: Planning Ahead
Once the female employee's nimble fingers flew across the laptop's keyboard, the large digital display in the center of the meeting room flickered to life, projecting a striking 3D model of an imposing building.
After finishing the setup, she walked over to the floor-to-ceiling crystalline glass walls and pulled open the heavy curtains with a sharp tug, allowing brilliant rays of the warm morning sun to stream into the room.
Now, everyone's expressions were clearly visible as they sat in plush leather chairs arranged around the long, polished hardwood table that commanded the space.
Shen Zeming, still standing near the projected 3d building, clapped his hands sharply, the sound cutting through the quiet murmurs and immediately commanding everyone's undivided attention.
"Ahem..." He cleared his throat, his intense obsidian eyes sweeping over the expectant faces before him.
"As everyone is well aware, the Shen family's legacy and our entire chain of enterprises is rooted in the construction industry, which has been the cornerstone of our success for generations."
As he spoke, his voice carried a powerful, self-assured cadence that reverberated through the room. The female employee assisting him seamlessly transitioned the display to a sweeping 3D aerial view of the entire city of Beijing.
"We acquire the land, construct the buildings from the ground up, and are essentially responsible for designing and shaping much of the iconic skyline of this city-
"- an immense undertaking passed down through the generations since the years following World War II." Shen Zeming paused, allowing his words to sink in as the realistic 3D model rotated slowly on the large screen behind him.
"Thanks to the tireless efforts of our esteemed ancestors, we currently own and operate several of the city's largest and most prestigious shopping malls and retail centers, which are managed by my mother, " he continued, his gaze briefly flickering to his elegantly poised mother, Gao Jie.
A warm, proud smile played across her lips, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of pride and disbelief as she marveled at her son's confidence and comprehensive grasp of their vast business holdings.
"Hmph!" However, a derisive snort abruptly pierced the silence, drawing all eyes to Shen Zeming's aunt, Wan Bei, who had rolled her eyes dramatically in response to his commentary.
Undeterred, Shen Zeming plowed forward. "Next, our healthcare division encompasses a rapidly growing network of cutting-edge hospitals and medical facilities located across the city, currently under the excellent leadership and management of my esteemed Uncle Bai."
The 3D display shifted to highlight numerous red building icons scattered throughout the bird's eye view of Beijing's cityscape, representing their healthcare properties.
"Oh Ming'er, you give me far too much credit," his uncle interjected with a modest wave of his hand, though the corners of his mouth twitched upwards into a faint smile at his nephew's praise.
"Nonsense, Uncle. Your contributions are invaluable and deserve even greater recognition," Shen Zeming replied smoothly, his words causing Shen Bai's eyebrows to raise in stunned surprise before the man broke into a rumbling laugh.
"And our extensive operations sourcing and managing the procurement of raw materials across multiple industries is spearheaded by my esteemed Uncle Kang! It's an incredible logistical undertaking!" Shen Zeming's voice rang out, drawing everyone's attention to Mao Kang.
The man remained outwardly calm and composed, much like Shen Zeming's father.
However, there was an intensity in Mao Kang's piercing gaze, as if he could sense Shen Zeming was merely offering prelude to unveiling the real purpose behind his comprehensive overview of their family's vast business.
"While there is certainly wisdom in the old adage 'don't bite off more than you can chew'..." Shen Zeming began, pausing briefly to build suspense.
"What if I presented an opportunity for us to expand our reach even further? To take this multi-generational business to stratospheric new heights?"
With that tantalizing question hanging in the air, he nodded towards the assistant, who obediently tapped a few keys. The sweeping 3D city view on the large display dissolved, replaced by rapidly scrolling dollar signs and animated bar graphs charting projected financial growth.
As the data densely populated the screen, Shen Zeming's eyes scanned the reactions around the room with keen observation.
His father and Uncle Kang maintained impassive expressions betraying neither skepticism nor enthusiasm - at least not yet. His mother, however, gazed upon her son with a look of profound maternal pride, seemingly oblivious to the proposed business opportunity before them.
Then there was Uncle Bai, who had leaned forward in his seat, bushy eyebrows furrowed as his fingers drummed out a pensive rhythm against the glossy hardwood table. Clearly, the gears were turning as he contemplated just how soon this ambitious plan could realistically be set into motion.
What brought the faintest of self-satisfied smiles to Shen Zeming's lips, however, was his aunt's unrestrained reaction. Wan Bei's eyes were wildly wide, glued to the screen as the financial projections danced before her.
An avaricious gleam burned in her eyes, as though he had revealed the location of a priceless, long-buried treasure.
"You mean to invest in the stock markets? What an excellent idea!" Wan Bei blurted out energetically, nodding her vigorous approval in a rare moment of agreeing with her nephew.
The unexpected outburst raised more than a few eyebrows around the room, even causing Gao Jie to shoot her sister-in-law a narrowed, glance.
"Auntie is on the right track, but my ambitions extend even beyond the stock markets," Shen Zeming continued smoothly, undeterred.
"I propose we also aggressively diversify our portfolio by making strategic plays in the highly lucrative global currency markets through forex trading. It is for this very purpose that I have already begun prudently reallocating significant capital from our family's funds."
The tantalizing revelation sparked a surge of murmuring and a torrent of rapid-fire questions that instantly filled the room.
"An intriguing proposition, but the forex markets are notoriously volatile..."
"What's your strategy for mitigating the heightened exposure to risk?"
"How soon can we expect to start seeing returns on this investment?"
Initially prompted by his aunt's overt enthusiasm, the engaged inquiries from his father, uncles, and even his previously skeptical mother, indicated that Shen Zeming had successfully catalyzed their undivided interest.
Throughout the impassioned discussion and back-and-forth volleys of questions, Shen Zeming made sure to keep a watchful eye trained on the family butler hovering silently in the corner.
The older man's expression remained an inscrutable mask, though Shen Zeming noticed the slightest of shifts in his subtle facial tics and mannerisms with each new revelation and development unveiled during the high-stakes meeting.
...
The morning soon bled into the hot afternoon as Shen Zeming at last wrapped up his comprehensive presentation, fielding the final rounds of inquiries.
The follow-up discussion then turned to mapping out a schedule for ongoing monthly and yearly company-wide meetings to ensure seamless execution of his bold initiatives as they moved forward.
As the meeting concluded, an air of palpable impressed surprise hung in the room.
Shen Zeming's innovative vision and the depth of his meticulously prepared answers made it abundantly clear he had been methodically planning and developing these ambitious strategies for their family's empire for an extensive period.
What had begun as skepticism from many had quasi-transformed into an appreciation for his unflinching audacity and eye for high-upside opportunities.
As Shen Zeming rose from his seat, preparing to take his leave, a deep voice called out, giving him pause.
"Ming'er." It was his father, eyes locking with his son, his face creasing into an expression of unmistakable paternal pride. "The celebration in three days' time - you will be permitted to participate."
Even Shen Zeming's mother stood beside her husband, eyes shining with unshed tears of joy as she gazed upon her son.
For a fleeting moment, it seemed she was fighting the urge to abandon decorum and sweep him into a fierce embrace - an impulse clearly restrained by her husband's perpetually stern presence.
"Thank you, Father." Shen Zeming inclined his head respectfully. "I will take great care not to let our family down or invite any embarrassment, as I have before."
His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly as the corners of his mouth curved into the faintest hint of an enigmatic smile.
In the weighted pauses between their terse exchange, Shen Zeming's sharp eyes did not fail to notice the family butler repeatedly stealing furtive glances toward one particular member of their party.
'Interesting,' he mused to himself as he turned on his heel to depart. 'So the real plot has yet to even begin unraveling. This was merely an overture...'