Li Wen shook his head. "This isn't about sincerity. I need that plot of land to build a school.
The number of people from Port City who leave to find work is huge, and education is a major reason for that.
As an important local industry, Furun Group naturally has to contribute to the city."
Everyone was slightly stunned, surprise flashing through their eyes.
No wonder he was so broad-minded. He must have been a veteran.
Miss Huang was silent for a moment before continuing, "How about this? My company in Magic City will provide the funding to build a school somewhere else in the urban district. Sell me that plot of land."
The three bosses immediately chimed in.
"Manager Li, just agree to it. Miss Huang has already made a huge concession."
"This is a great deal. Both sides win. Agree quickly!"
"Li Wen, Miss Huang is giving you face, so you'd better accept it. You can't withstand the wrath of Magic City."
Xu Yi watched the two sides perform their little double act and was left speechless.
As expected, the world really was one giant amateur production.
He had genuinely thought there would be some intense business warfare.
To everyone's surprise, Li Wen shook his head, his tone still firm.
"No!"
"The southwestern urban district has good transportation, making it convenient for children to get to school. Besides, our city's education should be handled by our own city. We don't need Magic City's assistance."
The lifeline had to remain in his own hands.
Miss Huang said, "Then we'll build the school as a joint venture and divide the shares. You take the majority."
"That won't work either."
Miss Huang closed her eyes and said nothing more.
The other three looked extremely unhappy.
To put it bluntly, the three of them had been throwing their weight around by borrowing Miss Huang's status.
Now that Li Wen would not even give her face, was there any hope for the negotiations that followed?
Shen Shi slammed his hand against the table. "Li Wen, don't push your luck. You should understand that although you're the leading enterprise in this city, if Miss Huang really wants to deal with you, it'll be as easy as crushing an ant."
"I know, but I'm not afraid."
"You!"
Gu Feng said, "You're impressive. So noble and high-minded. If you won't consider yourself, then surely you should at least consider your nephew.
"Oh, right~"
Gu Feng chuckled twice. "After all, you aren't related by blood. So you never intended to consider his future either."
"Stop sowing discord!"
Li Wen stood up on the spot, furious.
"Oh? Was I wrong?"
"Xiao Yi, I'm sorry, I..." Li Wen looked at Xu Yi, his face filled with guilt.
His fingernails dug deeply into his flesh as he struggled fiercely inside.
Brother Fan, will you blame me for this?
Xu Yi naturally saw Li Wen's struggle and thoughtfully comforted him. "It's all right, Uncle Li. You've already done more than enough for me. If not for you, I'd probably still be skipping class every day to work part-time."
"Skipping?" Li Wen clenched his fists even tighter.
"Li Wen, you'd have been better off deserting!"
"If anything happens, go to your Uncle Li. He's your father's best friend."
"How wonderful~ Brother Fan took the bullets for you and entrusted his son to you. He must be living a very good life, right?"
Countless voices echoed in Li Wen's mind. Each time they replayed, his face grew paler.
Guilt Points +200 Guilt Points +200 ...
Xu Yi stared wide-eyed in confusion.
What the hell? I only comforted him casually. How did he end up feeling guilty?
"Enough!"
Li Wen suddenly roared, startling everyone.
"I've done enough for them. Xiao Yi, this time, Uncle Li is doing this only for you..."
Xu Yi: "???"
What exactly happened?
This sudden heartfelt declaration has left me completely at a loss.
Li Wen continued, "Xiao Yi, I'll hand Furun Group over to you in the future."
"!!??"
What happened?
Men!
Xu Yi was utterly bewildered. How had he suddenly ended up taking over the group?
Uncle Li, is your heart really that big? Your son isn't your biological son, is he?
You don't have a son... Sorry for the interruption.
"Miss Huang, I can agree to..."
"Uncle Li!"
Li Wen had not finished speaking when Xu Yi interrupted him.
"Uncle Li, don't agree just yet. Let's hear what those three from Huaqing—scratch that—have to say."
Ji Bowen let out a cold laugh. "The matter concerning the three of us is easy to discuss.
"Our three groups will acquire shares in Furun Group. We'll each buy fifteen percent."
Xu Yi could not help snorting. "Are you dreaming? Forty-five percent of the shares? You might as well ask for the chairman's position while you're at it."
Ji Bowen flew into a rage. Why had he never realized how irritating this young man's mouth was before?
"Where did this little brat come from? Go cool off somewhere else."
Li Wen said, "His words are my words."
Negative Emotion Points +50
"Don't even think about buying shares. Furun Group only needs one voice—that of me."
Ji Bowen refused to give up and continued, "Then how about both sides take a step back? Each of us will buy ten percent."
"No."
"Eight percent."
"No."
"Seven percent."
"No."
"We'll pay thirty percent above market price. Still no?"
"No."
Li Wen's repeated refusals completely broke them.
"Why?!"
Shen Shi said, "Li Wen, although Furun Group is an industrial pillar, it's been struggling for a long time, hasn't it? It's in an extremely dangerous period.
"According to what I know, the three hospitals under your subsidiary and one property development have already gone under, haven't they?"
Xu Yi could not help looking at Li Wen.
What? It's been struggling for a long time?
There hasn't been even the slightest news about it outside.
Li Wen did not try to hide it. "That's right."
"Furun Group could very well go bankrupt."
"So what?"
"..."
"Wouldn't it be better to sell the shares to the three of us now? The three of us can help you withstand the risks and get through this crisis. United, we'll be stronger than one person working behind closed doors."
Li Wen nodded. "That's true, but it still won't do."
The three of them simultaneously cursed inwardly.
"Why?" Ji Bowen asked patiently.
"Because I'm going to leave Furun Group to Xiao Yi. If the three of you get involved, Xiao Yi will definitely be manipulated by you.
"I can't pass even the slightest risk on to Xiao Yi."
The three of them were all angered into laughter.
You've really lost your mind.
You actually intend to pass the group on to some brat with no blood relation to you?
"You're talking nonsense! Brother Fan is my brother from another mother and father."
At that moment, Gu Feng asked the fatal question.
"What if the company suddenly goes bankrupt? Do you intend to make this brat shoulder an enormous debt?"
A trace of nervousness flashed through Li Wen's eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
"You don't need to worry about that. The group will naturally get through the crisis."
"Heh heh~ How ridiculous!"
At that moment, the three of them looked at Xu Yi as if they wanted to devour him. If looks could kill, Xu Yi would have died ten thousand times over.
Negative Emotion Points +200 ×3
Xu Yi was also caught between laughter and tears. He was clearly just a poor student who had accidentally wandered into a high-level game.
He had not done anything yet, but he had already become the center of the vortex.
But with the system backing him up, who was he supposed to fear?
The negotiations remained deadlocked. The three exchanged glances and decided to unleash their final trump card.
Before you continue