Several days have passed quietly since the property liquidation meeting that shook the Shen family. All the seals, account books and keys to the storehouse of the Jinxiu Pavilion were collected by the "Family Property Liquidation Team" personally managed by the Third Uncle. Liu Shi was confined to the inner courtyard. Although Shen Zhongkang was not punished, he also became a nominal "big master", doing nothing in the mansion all day long and looking listless.
Shen Ruoxin officially joined the liquidation team and, every day, buried herself in the mountain of account books together with Liu, the accountant. The more she delved into it, the more frightened she became. The hole in the Splendid Pavilion was much larger than she had initially estimated. The overstocked second-hand goods almost occupied 70% of the warehouse. Many of them had already gone moldy and infested with insects and could only be disposed of as waste. Externally, not only are there debts owed to suppliers, but there are also several usurious loans borrowed in the name of the silk and satin store. The compound interest has reached an astronomical figure.
This is by no means a simple case of poor management; rather, it is a systematic and almost crazy transfer of assets and accumulation of debts!
"Second Miss, based on the debts that have been cleared out so far and the abandoned inventory that needs to be dealt with, even if all the movable shops and properties are sold, I'm afraid..." It's not certain that this hole can be filled either! Liu, the accountant, looked at the latest compiled figures, his brows knitted with worry and his voice trembling.
Shen Ruoxin put down the writing brush in her hand and rubbed her swollen temples. She knew that what the accountant Liu said was the truth. Although the liquidation team was established and the third uncle was also in charge of supervision, most of the elders of the clan were of advanced age, had limited energy, and were not proficient in the specific business details. What they can do more is to cut losses and hold people accountable, but they are unable to come up with truly effective strategies to turn the situation around. The daily "settlement" is more like a slow preparation for the aftermath of the Splendid Pavilion.
This can't go on! The Splendid Pavilion must not collapse! This is not only the father's hard work and the most important pillar of the Shen family's business, but also the fundamental guarantee for her to make a living in the future and protect her mother's dowry!
She must obtain the true management rights, using the knowledge and experience from her previous life to cut through the tangled mess with a sharp knife and revitalize this dead game.
But the current situation is very delicate. She is a woman and young. It is absolutely impossible for her to hold power directly. Although the Third uncle highly valued her, due to the clan rules and the public opinion, at most he could only ask her to "assist". The nominal successor was still her good-for-nothing elder brother, Shen Zhongkang.
How to break the deadlock?
Shen Ruoxin's gaze once again fell upon the summary list recording losses and debts, and a bold idea gradually took shape.
That night, she asked to see her third uncle.
The study is brightly lit. Uncle SAN looked at his great-niece before him, who seemed even more dejected than before, but her eyes were even sharper. He couldn't help sighing in his heart.
"Ruoxin, it's so late, but what difficulties have you encountered in the liquidation?"
Shen Ruoxin bowed and did not answer directly. Instead, he asked in return, "Third Uncle, given the current situation of the Splendid Pavilion, do the uncles of the liquidation team have any good strategies to bring it back to life?"
Uncle SAN fell silent. After a long while, he slowly shook his head and said, "Difficult!" It's already a great fortune to be able to keep the Shen family from being brought down by debts."
What about the big brother? Shen Ruoxin pressed on, "After all, he is the legitimate heir." But he... Can you shoulder this heavy responsibility?
Uncle SAN's brows furrowed even tighter, eventually turning into a long sigh: "Zhong Kang..." Alas, if he had half your mind and responsibility, I wouldn't have been so troubled.
"Since that's the case," Shen Ruoxin took a deep breath and expressed the idea that had been brewing for a long time, "Third Uncle, the great-niece has an unflattering request. Maybe..." It is the only way at present that can save the Jinxiu Pavilion and also preserve the face of the eldest brother and the Shen family.
"Oh?" Tell me. A trace of curiosity flashed in Uncle SAN's eyes.
The great-niece earnestly requests to sign a "proxy holding agreement" with her eldest brother. Shen Ruoxin's words were astonishing.
"Proxy holding agreement?" It was clearly the first time that Uncle SAN had heard this word.
"Yes." Shen Ruoxin explained, "In name, the Splendid Pavilion still belongs to Big Brother." However, the actual management and operation rights are held by the great-niece on her behalf. All business decisions, including personnel management, purchasing, sales, and accounting transactions, are my responsibility. Correspondingly, all business risks will also be borne by me alone.
Looking at her third uncle's astonished expression, she continued, "In return, if the Jinxiu Pavilion can turn losses into profits in the future, I will voluntarily contribute 10% of the net profit generated each year and hand it over to my eldest brother as his due 'owner's' income." The remaining profits must be used to repay debts, make up for deficits, as well as for the daily turnover and future development of the silk and satin store.
"This..." The third uncle was stunned by this unheard-of proposal. "You take care of it, you bear the risks, and if you make a profit, you still have to give 10% to your elder brother?" What are you after?
"My great-niece neither seeks fame nor profit." " Shen Ruoxin's gaze was candid. "I just want to give the Jinxiu Pavilion a real chance to take a desperate gamble and turn the situation around!" It's also to give the eldest brother a way out, so that he won't completely become the sinner of the Shen family. More pictures... "Preserve the family business left by our father, preserve the foundation for our Shen family to survive and thrive!"
She paused for a moment and intensified her tone: "Third Uncle, in the current situation, if we proceed with the settlement step by step, the outcome is very likely to be selling off the family property, barely repaying debts, and the Splendid Pavilion will vanish into thin air from then on." The eldest brother will also bear the stigma of being a spendthrift and never be able to hold his head high for the rest of his life. And if I take over the operation on my behalf and go all out, there might still be a glimmer of hope! Even... Even if it fails in the end, I will bear the risk of loss alone. At least it won't burden the Shen family with a heavier debt.
These words not only pointed out the pros and cons but also demonstrated responsibility. More importantly, they subtly touched upon what the third uncle was most concerned about in his heart - the family's reputation and the future of his descendants.
Uncle SAN fell silent, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously. He is weighing things up. Shen Ruoxin's proposal broke the norm and could even be described as unconventional. Let an unmarried woman take full charge of the family's core business? This is simply unimaginable in the Shen family, which values rules and regulations.
On the other hand, the current situation of the Splendid Pavilion is indeed extremely perilous. Shen Zhongkang couldn't be relied on, and the liquidation team could only struggle to keep going. Shen Ruoxin's ability and boldness demonstrated during the liquidation process were all witnessed by him. Perhaps, is this really the only way to break the deadlock?
This matter... It's of great significance. I need to discuss with several other elders of the clan and also... I asked Zhong Kang for his opinion. In the end, Uncle SAN neither immediately agreed nor immediately refused.
Shen Ruoxin knew that this was already the best progress. She bowed respectfully, "My great-niece understands." It's just that time is pressing. Every day that the Splendid Pavilion is delayed, there will be an extra bit of danger. I hope my third uncle and all the uncles will make a decision soon.
Over the next two days, the atmosphere in the Shen Mansion became even more delicate. The third uncle separately had private talks with several core elders of the clan and Shen Zhongkang.
The opinions of the elders of the clan are not unified. Some people firmly oppose it, arguing that women's interference in politics goes against ancestral rules, and that Shen Ruoxin is too young to shoulder important responsibilities. Some people are more pragmatic, believing that a dead horse should be a living horse doctor. Instead of waiting for bankruptcy, it would be better for Shen Ruoxin to give it a try. After all, the conditions she proposed seem to do no harm to the family and Shen Zhongkang; instead, they might even bring benefits.
Shen Zhongkang's attitude, however, was the most complicated. On the one hand, he hated Shen Ruoxin for stealing his limelight and making him lose face completely. On the other hand, he was well aware that he was powerless to change the situation. He didn't want to take on the mess of the Splendid Pavilion at all, nor did he dare to do so. The "proxy holding" proposed by Shen Ruoxin still allows for a 10% share of the profit each year. It seems that... Not bad either? At least he doesn't have to take risks and can still get money. As for face... It seems that "my sister takes care of it for me" sounds better than being criticized as a spendthrift.
Ultimately, after the Third uncle's strong opposition and repeated deliberation, a compromise solution was proposed.
At the family meeting convened again, the venue was still that oppressive main hall.
Uncle SAN publicly declared, "After my consultation with all the elders of the clan and with the consent of Zhong Kang." In view of the current special circumstances of Jinxiu Pavilion, in order to save the family business, a "proxy Holding Agreement" is specially established. Shen Ruoxin, on behalf of Shen Zhongkang, will be fully responsible for the daily operation and management of the Jinxiu Pavilion for a period of... Three years.
Three years later, it will be discussed again depending on the business situation. During the period of proxy holding, Ruoxin is required to report the business operation and account situation to the liquidation team every month, and major decisions need to be filed. If the Jinxiu Pavilion can make a profit, 10% of the annual net profit will belong to Zhong Kang. If the management is poor and new losses occur, then Ruoxin... Compensate with his mother's dowry.
Third Uncle's gaze swept over everyone and finally fell on Shen Ruoxin: "Ruoxin, would you be willing to make this military order?"
Shen Ruoxin felt a chill in her heart. For a period of three years, the dowry is guaranteed. This is both an authorization and a heavy shackle. But, she has no way back!
"Great-niece, yes!" She straightened her spine and spoke firmly.
Shen Zhongkang stood aside, his head down, unable to make out his expression. Liu Shi was allowed to sit in the corner as an observer, her face so gloomy that it could drip water. Her gaze towards Shen Ruoxin was filled with resentment and unwillingness. She never expected that after years of painstaking efforts, her food would eventually be taken away by this yellow-haired girl in such a way!
A simple proxy holding agreement was soon drawn up and signed and sealed by both parties.
When Shen Ruoxin took over that thin but over a thousand pounds agreement, she knew that from this moment on, the course of her life would be completely changed. She is no longer the second daughter of the Shen family who only needs to live a peaceful life in the embroidery shop, but the helmsman who bears the rise and fall, honor and disgrace of the entire family.
Whether the road ahead is an abyss or a smooth one remains unknown. But the "proxy agreement" in her hand was the first fulcrum that turned her fate around.