Setting the Bar High

That evening, he rode with Rosiana to the Kremlin.

For the two of them, it was familiar territory. They did not need staff to guide them and made their way upstairs to Gebliev's office on their own.

After meeting with Gebliev and chatting for a while, they followed him to Putin's office.

It was still that little dining room, still the same four people.

Simple yet tasty food, a relaxed atmosphere for conversation.

Of course, Wang Ye could hardly feel relaxed, because Putin had already brought up Yukos Group.

"Misha, I heard Yukos Group underwent restructuring, and you became its chairman as well as its largest shareholder."

Putin set down his knife and fork, gently wiped his mouth with a napkin, and asked Wang Ye with a smile.

His expression was kind, as though an elder were looking at an accomplished younger generation member with affection...

Yet Wang Ye's heart skipped a beat. His brows drew together as he set down his own knife and fork. After thinking for a moment, he looked up and replied,

"Yes, that did happen.

"Yukos Group has grown to its current scale, and its original ownership structure and operating model are no longer suited to the company's development.

"Therefore, restructuring the ownership structure had become imperative.

"After discussion and communication among the shareholders, everyone generally approved of me, so they elected me as the group's new chairman.

"As for the shares, that was Uncle Khovchenko's intention. He did not want his children to take over Yukos Group, nor did he want to keep the group under his own control forever.

"Uncle often told me that Yukos's success could not be replicated. While it certainly came from his and the employees' efforts, it owed even more to the opportunities of the times, as well as