From abandoned baby to CEO

The auditorium of Quancheng Grand Theater is brightly lit.

The city's outstanding entrepreneurs awards ceremony is in progress.

The audience was filled with elites from the business community of Quancheng City. Spotlights flashed from time to time, capturing the wonderful moments of the award recipients on the stage.

"Next, please welcome this year's Youngest Outstanding Entrepreneur winner—Ms. Sun Xue, Chairperson of Xuehua Construction!"

Hearing the host's voice, Sun Xue stood up, bowed slightly, and walked towards the podium with brisk steps amid warm applause and music.

Today, she is wearing a dark blue business suit, with neat short hair and a capable spirit.

Many entrepreneurs in the audience found it hard to imagine that this woman, who was only in her thirties, not only created the "Xuehua Speed" in the construction of the venues for the just-concluded National Games, but also led the company to rise against the trend during the financial crisis that swept across the country.

Deputy Mayor Wang picked up the trophy with a smile on his face and handed it to Sun Xue.

"Mr. Sun, congratulations. You are the youngest winner since the establishment of this award in Quancheng City."

Deputy Mayor Wang lowered his voice, "The provincial leaders are quite satisfied with the construction quality of the National Games venues. Xuehua Construction not only didn't lay off employees or cut salaries during the financial crisis, but also created many new jobs. This is quite remarkable."

"Thank you, Vice Mayor Wang. This is what we should do." Sun Xue bowed slightly and took the trophy with a smile.

At the moment the trophy was handed over, shutter clicks rang out from the audience.

Sun Xue's calm smile and Deputy Mayor Wang's approving gaze were captured in countless shots.

The lights at the Quancheng City Outstanding Entrepreneurs Award Ceremony gradually dimmed and the guests began to leave.

Sun Xue carefully put away the crystal trophy and was about to leave when a staff member trotted up to her and said with a smile:

"Mr. Sun, please stay. Vice Mayor Wang is waiting for you in the conference room and would like to speak with you privately."

"Deputy Mayor Wang is looking for me?" Sun Xue was very surprised.

"Yes, this way please."

Sun Xue was puzzled. She wondered why Deputy Mayor Wang suddenly came to see her.

Confused, she followed the staff to the small meeting room at the back of the auditorium.

Deputy Mayor Wang had taken off his coat and was wearing only a simple white thin sweater. He was standing at the window looking at the city outside.

"Mayor Wang, are you looking for me?" Sun Xue greeted softly.

Deputy Mayor Wang turned around with a warm smile on her face. "Xiao Sun, come and sit down." She personally poured a cup of tea and handed it to Sun Xue. "How do you feel about today's award ceremony?"

"I'm surprised, and I'm very grateful. I know you've given me many opportunities over the years. Without your strong support, I wouldn't be where I am today..."

Sun Xue was speaking from her heart. Without the help of this noble person, her career would not have been so successful.

"Xiao Sun, don't be so modest. This is the honor you deserve." Deputy Mayor Wang waved his hand.

"You delivered the National Games venue construction project in such a short time, and the quality far exceeded standards. During the financial crisis, many companies laid off employees to protect themselves, but your company not only acquired three bankrupt real estate projects, but also collaborated with world-renowned masters and created new jobs... These achievements are obvious to all."

Sun Xue was a little surprised. Nothing could be hidden from Deputy Mayor Wang's eyes.

At the same time, she felt that Vice Mayor Wang's words seemed to have hidden meanings...

As expected, Deputy Mayor Wang changed the subject: "It is precisely because I have seen your outstanding performance that I have a humble request."

An unkind request?

Sun Xue was stunned...

Deputy Mayor Wang sighed helplessly, "There's a state-owned real estate company in the city called Chengtou Construction. You should know about it, right?"

Sun Xue was startled!

Of course she knew about Chengtou Construction, which was once a star enterprise in Quancheng City. But now, she heard that it was on the verge of bankruptcy due to poor management...

Could it be?

Sun Xue couldn't help but think wildly.

"The company is struggling right now. We haven't had any new orders for nearly a year. We have over 300 employees, and our wages are several months in arrears..."

Deputy Mayor Wang looked solemn. Her eyes fell on Sun Xue's face and she said helplessly, "These employees have more than 300 families behind them. It's really a headache..."

Sun Xue remained silent. She had guessed what Vice Mayor Wang meant by that.

"Xiao Sun, I know you've collaborated with the world-renowned architectural master Kramer. If you can take over Chengtou Construction, with the help of the master's design concepts and international perspective, perhaps you can revive this company."

Deputy Mayor Wang looked directly into Sun Xue's eyes, his eyes full of expectation: "I hope you will consider acquiring Chengtou Construction."

Sun Xue's heart sank suddenly!

Acquire Chengtou Construction? That's a well-known mess!

"Mayor Wang, this is a huge decision. I need to...consider it carefully."

"I understand how you feel."

Deputy Mayor Wang nodded and said solemnly, "Xiao Sun, don't overthink it. I sought you out not only because we've known each other for many years, but also because I recognize your sense of responsibility that transcends personal gain. Remember what you said when the National Games project was completed? 'Architecture isn't just cold concrete; it carries human emotions and dreams.'"

These words touched the softest part of Sun Xue's heart.

She recalled that over the years, Vice Mayor Wang had indeed supported her at many critical moments.

When she was struggling to start her own business, it was Vice Mayor Wang who helped coordinate loan after loan. When bidding for National Games projects, it was Vice Mayor Wang who withstood the pressure and gave her a chance. He also provided her with various government subsidies, opportunities to study abroad, and so on.

However, she must consider carefully before acquiring such a company.

"Give me three days." Sun Xue finally promised.

"Okay, Xiao Sun, here are all the information about Urban Investment and Construction." Deputy Mayor Wang pushed a thick document in front of Sun Xue.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I'll wait for your news."

It was almost late at night when Sun Xue returned to the company after a busy day's work, but she was not sleepy at all.

She stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the office, looking at the lights of the city, but she was very conflicted deep down.

From a business perspective, the acquisition of Chengtou Construction was undoubtedly a bad decision.

That company was heavily in debt, had redundant staff, and had a rigid corporate culture. Taking it over would only become a burden to Xuehua Construction.

But Vice Mayor Wang's trust and expectations made it hard for her to refuse...

She opened a drawer and pulled out a yellowed photo. It was a photo of her and Vice Mayor Wang at a meeting two years ago.

At that time, she was still an inexperienced entrepreneur, and Deputy Mayor Wang was the city leader who had just taken charge of the economy.

On the back of the photo, Vice Mayor Wang wrote: "Giving young people with dreams a chance is giving this city a future."

Over the years, Deputy Mayor Wang has been practicing this concept. Within the scope permitted by policies, he has been very partial to her and has been secretly supporting her business.

She didn't tell anyone in the company about this. She knew that once she said she wanted to acquire such a company, no one would support her.

She decided to go to Chengtou Construction to see for herself...

The next morning, she quietly went to Chengtou Construction without notifying anyone. She just walked around the periphery of the factory as an ordinary visitor.

A banner with the words "Unite and strive to create greater glory" still hangs on the dilapidated office building, but the words have faded.

Inside the factory, several master craftsmen were sorting their tools. Their backs looked particularly old in the cold wind of early winter.

"Who are you looking for?" The old security guard stuck his head out of the window.

"Oh... just looking around." Sun Xue smiled. "I heard that this was once the best construction company in Quancheng."

The old man sighed, "That was all in the past! Now we can't even pay salaries. The young people are all looking for new jobs, and we old guys are the only ones left here. What should we do? We've dedicated half our lives to this place, and we really can't bear to leave!"

Sun Xue felt a pang of sadness after hearing the old man's words...