Li Wen shook his head. "This isn't about sincerity. I need that plot of land to build a school.
"A lot of people from Port City go elsewhere for work, and education is a major reason.
"Furun Group is one of the city's key industries, so naturally, it should contribute to the city."
Everyone was briefly taken aback, surprise flashing in their eyes.
Maybe it was because he was a veteran—his sense of the bigger picture was impressive.
Miss Huang fell silent for a moment before continuing. "How about this? My company in Magic City will fund a school somewhere else in the city center. Sell me your plot of land."
The three bosses chimed in to back her up.
"Manager Li, just agree. Miss Huang has already made a huge concession."
"That's a good deal. It's a win-win for both sides. Hurry up and accept!"
"Li Wen, Miss Huang is giving you a way out. You should take it. You can't handle the wrath of Magic City."
Watching the two sides sing from the same songbook, Xu Yi couldn't help being speechless.
Sure enough, the world was just one big amateur production.
He'd actually thought there would be an intense business showdown.
To everyone's surprise, Li Wen shook his head, his tone still firm.
"No!"
"The southwest district has good transport links, making it convenient for children to get to school. Besides, our city can handle its own education. We don't need Magic City's help."
The lifeblood had to remain in their own hands.
Miss Huang said, "Then let's set up a joint venture for the school. You can take the majority share."
"That won't work either."
Miss Huang closed her eyes and said nothing more.
The other three looked furious.
Put simply, the three of them had been using Miss Huang's status to throw their weight around.
Now that Li Wen wouldn't even show her respect, was there any hope for the negotiations?
Shen Shi slammed the table. "Li Wen, don't push your luck. You should understand that even though you're the leading company 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 so noble, so high-minded. If you won't do it for yourself, shouldn't you at least think of your nephew?
"Oh, right~"
Gu Feng gave a soft laugh. "You're not even related by blood. So you never planned to consider his future, either."
"Stop trying to drive a wedge between us!"
Li Wen was so angry that he shot to his feet.
"Oh? Am I wrong?"
"Xiao Yi, I'm sorry..." Li Wen looked at Xu Yi, his face full of guilt.
His nails dug deep into his palms as he fought a fierce inner battle.
Brother Fan, would you blame me for this?
Xu Yi naturally saw Li Wen's struggle and comforted him gently. "It's okay, Uncle Li. You've already done more than enough for me. If it weren't for you, I'd probably still be skipping class to work part-time every day."
"Skipping?" Li Wen clenched his fists even tighter.
"Li Wen, you might as well have been a deserter!"
"If something happens, go to your Uncle Li. He's your dad's best friend."
"How nice~ Brother Fan took a bullet for you, then entrusted his son to your care. He must be doing just fine, 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, dumbfounded.
What the heck? I just comforted him casually. Why's he feeling guilty now?
"Enough!"
Li Wen suddenly roared, making everyone jump.
"I've done enough for them. Xiao Yi, this time, Uncle Li is doing this only for you..."
Xu Yi: "???"
What exactly had just happened?
That sudden heartfelt declaration had left him completely at a loss.
Li Wen continued, "Xiao Yi, I'll leave Furun Group to you in the future."
"!!??"
What happened?
Man!
Xu Yi was utterly confused. How had he suddenly ended up inheriting the group?
Uncle Li, are you really that open-minded? Your son isn't your biological child, is he?
You don't have a son... Never mind.
"Miss Huang, I can agree to—"
"Uncle Li!"
Li Wen hadn't finished speaking when Xu Yi interrupted him.
"Uncle Li, don't agree just yet. Let's hear what (Huaqing University—crossed out) the three of them have to say."
Ji Bowen sneered. "The matter between us three is easy to negotiate.
"Our three groups want to buy into Furun Group. We'll each purchase 15% of the shares."
Xu Yi couldn't help scoffing. "In your dreams. You want 45% of the shares? Why not just ask for the chairman's seat while you're at it?"
Ji Bowen was furious. How had he not realized before that this young man had such a smart mouth?
"Where'd this little brat come from? Go cool off somewhere."
Li Wen said, "His words are mine."
Negative Emotion Points +50
"Forget buying shares. Furun Group only needs one voice—mine."
Ji Bowen wasn't ready to give up. He continued, "Then let's both make a concession. We'll each buy 10%."
"No."
"8%."
"No."
"7%."
"No."
"We're offering 30% above market price. Still no?"
"No."
Li Wen's repeated refusals drove them over the edge.
"Why?!"
Shen Shi said, "Li Wen, Furun Group may be a pillar of the industry, but it's been on shaky ground for a long time, hasn't it? It's in a very dangerous period.
"From what I've heard, all three of your hospitals and one of your property developments have already shut down, haven't they?"
Xu Yi couldn't help looking at Li Wen.
What? It had been on shaky ground for ages?
How had there been no news about it at all?
Li Wen didn't try to hide it. "That's right."
"Furun Group could very well go bankrupt."
"So what?"
"..."
"Why not sell us the shares now? The three of us can help you share the risk and get through this difficult time. Isn't it better to stand together than to shut yourself away and try to solve everything alone?"
Li Wen nodded. "You're right, but it still won't work."
All three cursed silently.
"Why?" Ji Bowen asked patiently.
"Because I want to leave Furun Group to Xiao Yi. If you three get involved, you'll definitely take advantage of him. I can't pass even the slightest risk on to Xiao Yi."
The three of them were so angry they laughed. Had he completely lost his mind?
He really planned to hand the group to some brat with no blood relation to him?
"Bullshit! Brother Fan is my brother in every way that matters, even if we don't share parents."
Just then, Gu Feng asked a devastating question.
"What if the company suddenly goes bankrupt? Are you planning to saddle this brat with a mountain of debt?"
A trace of nervousness flashed in Li Wen's eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
"Don't worry about that. The group will get through this difficult time."
"Heh, hilarious!"
The three of them looked at Xu Yi as if they wanted to eat him alive. If looks could kill, Xu Yi would have died ten thousand times over.
Negative Emotion Points +200*3
Xu Yi was also at a loss for words. He was just a poor student who'd wandered into a high-stakes situation.
He hadn't even done anything, yet he'd become the center of the storm.
But with the system to back him up, who was he supposed to be afraid of?
The negotiations remained deadlocked. The three exchanged glances and decided to bring out their final trump card.
Before you continue