261: Chapter 260: The Storm Is Approaching 261: Chapter 260: The Storm Is Approaching Dali Group’s headquarters, a majestic skyscraper nearing seventy floors, stood as the central office for one of the Zhou Family’s main industries—a conglomerate listed among the seven wealthiest.
In Donglin City, only the most prominent corporations owned such standalone office towers, their foundations naturally taken for granted.
For a large group, maintaining face was critical; hence, the grandeur and opulence of their headquarters were a given.
On the 66th floor of the Dali Building, in the president’s office, a middle-aged man around fifty was seated at a luxuriously unmatched desk, reviewing plans for Dali’s new product line.
The door to the office opened, and a figure walked in.
The fact he could enter without any announcement meant there were very few with such access.
Zhou Hequan, Dali’s chief executive and the man with the most say in the Zhou Family, looked up.
Seeing the visitor, his face, unusually, broke into a tender smile, “Zhou Tao, you’re here.”
Zhou Tao approached Zhou Hequan with a smile, “Yeah, Dad, I brought you your favorite coffee.
It’s still hot; better enjoy it while you can.” He placed the cup he had just bought from outside on Zhou Hequan’s desk.
Zhou Hequan’s smile grew even wider, “You’re such a filial kid, always the one who brings me the most joy in the family.”
Zhou Tao moved behind Zhou Hequan and skillfully started massaging his shoulders.
From his adeptness, it was clear this was a regular routine.
Enjoying his son’s massage and sipping the coffee his son had fetched, Zhou Hequan’s earlier solemnity vanished, his fatigue evaporated, and his mood lifted significantly, “Zhou Tao, how’s everything at school lately?”
“Pretty good, very good indeed,” Zhou Tao replied.
Zhou Hequan nodded, “That’s good to hear.
You’re graduating soon, and I could use your help at the company.
I’m getting old and don’t have the strength I used to.
Sooner or later, the company will have to be managed by you.”
“Dad, you’re still in your prime; it’s too early to talk about being old.
You could keep going for another twenty years with no problem.
I’m still very young and lack sufficient experience in many aspects.
I should continue to hone my skills at the lower levels for a few more years.
Besides, I’m not the only candidate for succession in the family.
Several people are eyeing your position, and I’d need to achieve some notable success to naturally take over your commanding seal,” Zhou Tao said with a smile, treating the family power struggle as a trivial, commonplace matter.
Zhou Hequan fell silent for a moment, a fierce brilliance flashing in his wolf-like eyes.
Having dominated the business world of Donglin City for so many years, his scheming and aura were undoubtedly formidable.
“As long as I hold this position, the Zhou Family will follow my commands; there’s no turning for others to make comments,” Zhou Hequan said in a deep voice that radiated an undeniable authority.
“Alright, Dad, let’s enjoy the coffee and not talk about these matters,” Zhou Tao suggested.
Zhou Hequan’s countenance finally relaxed, savoring the rare joy of father-son bonding.
After taking a few sips of coffee, Zhou Hequan resumed, “Zhou Tao, you must have something you want to discuss, right?”
With a smile, Zhou Tao didn’t deny it, “You see right through me, Dad.
Here’s the thing, the final partner for our group’s new product strategy—has it been determined?”
Zhou Hequan raised an eyebrow and glanced at Zhou Tao before responding, “I have made a decision; it’s Xinxin Culture and Art.
They managed to secure Huangfu Jing for just ninety million; it was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.”
“Yes, getting Huangfu Jing for ninety million is like a pie falling from the sky—a chance we at Dali Group simply couldn’t refuse.
With Huangfu Jing on board, we can at least guarantee the basic effect brought by her popularity.
Huangfu Jing has never endorsed any product before; this is a first, so the potential chain reaction is uncertain.
No one can guarantee what kind of tsunami it might cause.
It might bring us immense benefits, and most directly, it could help our Dali Group’s new product achieve a groundbreaking victory.
This would also be our first salvo in establishing a firm foothold in a new field.
If we manage to achieve perfection, the profit potential for Dali Group could easily reach tens of billions,” Zhou Tao said with a smile.
Zhou Hequan nodded in satisfaction, “Exactly, your analysis is spot on.
We’re businessmen; when we launch a new product, all we have to consider is the future market share and profit margins.
I have always believed that Huangfu Jing is a powerful asset.
It could also be a great opportunity for our Dali Group’s new product line.
So, do you have any thoughts on this matter?”
“It’s not so much thoughts.
I just have some issues with someone from Xinxin Culture and Art, and I don’t want them to gloat,” Zhou Tao admitted.
Zhou Hequan’s expression became slightly stern, and he looked at Zhou Tao with severity, “So, you want me to give up the cooperation with Xinxin Culture and Art?
Zhou Tao, for us businessmen, there are no eternal enemies or friends, only eternal interests.
Business is business, and personal matters are personal; I don’t want you to bring private grudges into the company.
As you know, this new product we are launching is entering a new field, and you understand how important and influential it is for our Dali Group.
If we don’t do well, losing a billion or two is a trivial matter; I’m afraid we’ll become a laughing stock in Donglin City’s business circles.
It’ll be difficult for us to expand into a new field next time.”
Zhou Tao nodded and said, “Dad, let me explain.
I understand what you’re saying well.
I’m not a child; I won’t act so impulsively.
I’m not saying we should refuse to cooperate with Xinxin Culture and Art, I just want to use this opportunity to get some payback.”
“You mean you want to use this cooperation as a bargaining chip to pressure Xinxin Culture and Art into submission?” Zhou Hequan asked.
“Yes, Dad,” Zhou Tao nodded.
“Humph, nonsense,” Zhou Hequan scolded sternly, “How can a member of the Zhou family resort to such despicable tricks?
I’ve said it before, business is business; don’t mix it with personal emotions.
I don’t agree with this.
Has someone offended you?
Besides this, don’t you have another way to get even?
Our Zhou family has so many connections and networks you can make use of; why would you irrationally suggest such an absurd method?
Zhou Tao, when have you become so muddled?”
Instead of getting angry at Zhou Hequan’s scolding, Zhou Tao replied patiently, “Dad, I certainly don’t intend to involve personal feelings in business.
However, this time I feel like I need to use this move.”
Zhou Hequan fell silent, his deep eyes flashing with complex expressions.
It took a long while before he said, “Give me your reasons.”
“Dad, I remember you taught me when I was young, as long as you can achieve the ultimate victory, any means are permissible.
You know I like the Guo family’s Guo Momo, and you’ve always approved of me pursuing her.
Last week, I suffered a big loss at the hands of someone named Tangyu, which damaged my reputation, and it also caused Guo Momo to become extremely angry with me; she won’t even speak to me now.
I think I’ve lost the chance to pursue Guo Momo.
A member of the Zhou family cannot be slighted like this.
I’ve looked for several opportunities to get even, but that Tangyu is quite skilled, and several times it’s rather me who’s faced losses,” Zhou Tao said.
“Tangyu?
Who is this?
Does Xinxin Culture and Art have such a person?
Isn’t the CEO Zhao Xinxin?” Zhou Hequan asked, frowning.
“Tangyu is an ordinary employee at Xinxin Culture and Art, and the CEO is a woman named Zhao Xinxin.
Although he’s just a minor employee, he’s not simple, and his position in the company is quite special.
Dad, I’ve also investigated that the reason Huangfu Jing agreed to endorse our Dali Group’s new product is because of this Tangyu.
Yesterday, Tangyu went to meet Huangfu Jing, and after he left, he turned the situation around for Xinxin Culture and Art.
I suppose old Duan has also reported this situation to you.
I don’t know what kind of power he has that even Huangfu Jing agreed to this endorsement contract.
But I’m sure this guy is definitely not ordinary, and ordinary tactics just won’t work against him,” Zhou Tao explained.
Zhou Hequan’s expression finally softened, and he asked with some interest, “Have you investigated this Tangyu?
What’s his background?
We don’t have such forces in Donglin City, do we?”
Zhou Tao shook his head, “That’s right, Dad, there’s no such force in Donglin City, and certainly not in Capital City either.
I’ve looked into his background; he comes from a remote rural area, with absolutely no influential background.
He might have some connection to the Lin Group, but at most as a distant relative or something.
Apart from that, there’s nothing else.
He’s very skilled; not just me, but several other people have suffered losses at his hands, like the Wang Family’s Wang Ba.
Moreover, he has a good relationship with the Guo Family’s Guo Momo and the Zhao family girl.
So with ordinary methods, I can’t deal with him.
If he were just an ordinary person, I would have taken care of him already.
How could the Zhou family’s face be tarnished by him?
So, Dad, after much thought, I figured maybe I could use this opportunity to make him fall in line.”
Zhou Hequan was silent again, his profound gaze inscrutable.
Zhou Tao stood quietly to the side, not disrupting his father’s thoughts.
After a while, Zhou Hequan looked up, a sharp glint in his eyes, “Are you sure this will make him submit?
As you mentioned, he is just an ordinary employee.”
“Yes, Dad, he has an unclear, intimate relationship with the CEO of Xinxin Culture and Art, Zhao Xinxin, and since he was willing to secure Huangfu Jing for Zhao Xinxin, this suggests Huangfu Jing’s importance to him.
Moreover, during this competition, Shengshi Media’s Zhang Guoli has been in constant friction with Xinxin Culture and Art, and Tangyu has had a few clashes with Zhang Guoli.
He dared to offend Zhang just for Zhao Xinxin’s sake; I believe if I use this case as leverage, he will definitely submit,” Zhou Tao said confidently.
“Alright, Zhou Tao, since that’s the case, I’ll give you an opportunity.
Although this practice is contemptible, I know your character.
You’ve thought it through so thoroughly; if I don’t let you do this, it might become a thorn in your side.
In the end, it’s your own path to consider.
I can’t be of much help in this regard,” Zhou Hequan nodded.
Zhou Tao smiled with a sly expression, “Thanks, Dad.
Don’t worry, I am your son; I will definitely not disappoint you.”
“Haha!” Father and son laughed together.