469: Chapter 469: How About Two Billion 469: Chapter 469: How About Two Billion Sitting in the RV, Tangyu looked at Zhou Jie, whom he had not seen for a few days, with a great interest.
It had only been a few days, but he seemed to have changed completely.
Previously, Zhou Jie in the Zhou Family didn’t stand out, always outshone by Zhou Tao.
When people used to talk about the eldest son of the Zhou Family, the first person they thought of was definitely Zhou Tao.
But now, times had changed.
Zhou Jie had suddenly become the eldest son of the Zhou Family and the successor to the next family head.
This time, the family upheaval initiated by Zhou Jie and his father was successful in seizing control over the management of the Zhou Family.
Currently, Zhou Jie was no longer the ignorant man he used to be; just the presence he commanded was incomparable to before.
His vehicle was a luxurious, extended Cadillac that resembled a top-notch RV, with two black Audis as escorts, and currently eight bodyguards by his side.
Today, he still carried the demeanor of an influential young master.
Today, just as Tangyu left the residential area and before he could hastily stop a taxi, he had been invited into the car by two bodyguards.
The car didn’t stop but kept moving slowly on the road; however, sitting in the car, Tangyu couldn’t see the outside scene.
“Well done, faster than I had imagined,” Tangyu said casually.
Zhou Jie smiled, looking at Tangyu, “Let’s cut to the chase, I think you know why I wanted to meet you today,” he said.
“I know, you want to treat me to a meal to express your gratitude, right?” Tangyu said with a feigned smile.
Zhou Jie’s expression slightly darkened, and he smirked, “Then I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you, I won’t treat you to a meal.
However, gratitude is still necessary.
Name your price, give me all the photos and negatives you have, and from then on, we have no further dealings, each going our own way.
This would benefit both you and me, what do you say?”
Tangyu curled his lip; he had naturally guessed Zhou Jie’s intention already.
It was to eliminate future troubles so he and his father could secure their position in the Zhou Family.
At the same time, they wanted to ensure that the reputation of the Zhou Family was not affected, so their family’s businesses could continue to thrive.
Keeping this major threat around, Zhou Jie naturally wouldn’t feel at ease.
No one wants their vulnerability in the hands of others, and the principle of eliminating future problems is understood by all.
For a great family, what matters most is the family’s reputation, which also ties into the enterprise’s reputation.
Clearly speaking, if those photos were leaked, it would inevitably cause a sensation, which would be a severe blow to the reputation of the Zhou Family, making them the laughingstock of Donglin City, and reducing their standing in society, causing them to be squeezed out by various powers in Donglin City.
The chain reaction this would cause is massive and would surely affect the enterprises under the Zhou Family, subsequently impacting the stocks.
If someone took advantage of this situation, it is imaginable that the loss to the Zhou Family would be devastating, an unbearable blow for Zhou Jie and his father.
After all, they had just taken over the major power of the Zhou Family, and bringing Zhou Jie into a crisis now would likely allow the third son of the Zhou Family to snatch the power.
At this time, what Zhou Jie and his father needed most was to stabilize their troops and slowly win over their subordinates to secure their position.
“It sounds not so good, your gratitude lacks sincerity, and I really dislike your condescending tone.
Money, for me, holds no great lure,” Tangyu said.
Zhou Jie’s face changed again, his eyes flickered with a strange light, but he quickly masked it, putting on a slight smile again, “Fine, then state your conditions, we can discuss everything.
I did come today with sincere gratitude.
It’s just a bit inconvenient to dine out, since there are many prying eyes and I wouldn’t want to stir up unnecessary trouble; I believe you can understand this.
You are now a hero of Donglin City, you’d attract a lot of attention wherever you go, and going to public places with you, it might be hard to enjoy a meal.”
“Conditions?” Tangyu chuckled lightly, shaking his head, “What if my condition is for your businesses to cooperate more with Xinxin Culture and Art in the future?”
Zhou Jie immediately shook his head, “That’s impossible.
Your Xinxin Culture and Art is still too weak in many areas.
This time, our Dali Group agreed to collaborate with you because you secured Huangfu Jing as the spokeswoman; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been feasible.
The contract that was signed, well, that’s it.
In the future, absolutely impossible, I can’t trade our Dali Group’s interests for this deal.
You can propose another condition, name a price for money, anything else is negotiable.”
Tangyu knew Zhou Jie wouldn’t agree to such a condition, and since he didn’t agree, there was nothing more to discuss.
The hesitation he had initially felt was no longer necessary.
“What price can you offer me then?” Tangyu asked.
Zhou Jie’s lips curled into a slight smile, “Ten million.”
Tangyu laughed, looking derisively at Zhou Jie, whose expression changed slightly, “What, too little?
Ten million is more than the annual profit of your Xinxin Culture and Art.
Ten million isn’t a lot, but it’s enough for you to live on for half a lifetime.
What, you’re not satisfied?”
“Satisfied?
Since you think that way, then let’s end today’s conversation here, it’s meaningless to talk to you.
It seems I’ve overestimated you,” Tangyu said.
Zhou Jie’s face looked uncomfortable, his mouth twitching as he stretched out his hand to stop Tangyu, “Fine, then name your price, will that do?”
“If those photos get out, the impact and loss to your Zhou Family would be huge, which I have roughly calculated for you.
I think a loss of at least several billion is inevitable.
Just a slight drop in the stocks of your Dali Group could lead to a significant financial loss, do you think these photos could cause your Zhou Family’s stock to drop a few points?
Or perhaps, even more?” Tangyu said with a light laugh.
Zhou Jie actually had no real skills; he was not as capable as Zhou Tao.
Zhou Jie’s expression suddenly turned ugly, and he could barely mask the anger in his eyes as he looked at Tangyu, “Tangyu, what exactly do you want?
Don’t go too far, know when to stop.
Don’t think that a small hold over me will make me tolerate everything from you.
Either name your price quickly or do as you please.”
Tangyu was quite displeased with Zhou Jie’s tone.
Did he really think he could suppress him with power?
Ridiculous, he didn’t even check how even Zhou Tao and his son had obediently accepted defeat, not daring to provoke him, and here was Zhou Jie thinking he had any significant influence, trying to threaten him?
Threats were what Tangyu least tolerated; he didn’t care about money at all.
“Name a price, you say?
Then make it twenty billion,” Tangyu said.
“What?” Zhou Jie nearly jumped out of his chair, staring at Tangyu with a face full of uncontrollable fury, as if he could devour him, “Humph, absurd, absolutely delusional.
I can give you at most twenty million, take it or leave it.
If not, we’ll just see who can outsmart whom.”
“Since that’s the case, there’s nothing more to discuss, let’s stop here,” Tangyu said.
“Humph, Tangyu, you will regret this,” Zhou Jie snorted coldly and angrily.
He pressed a button, and the car quickly came to a stop.
Tangyu sneered, the corners of his mouth curling up almost imperceptibly.
He opened the door and stepped out, one foot out of the car, and just as he was about to take another step, he suddenly grabbed Zhou Jie, pulling him harshly out of the car.
Zhou Jie’s expression drastically changed, the slight smile on his face completely vanishing, replaced with a shade of sheer terror.
Knowing Tangyu’s strength, as Zhou Tao had been crippled by him, how could he himself fare better?
If Tangyu really resorted to violence, he definitely wouldn’t come out on top.
As soon as Tangyu stepped out, he scanned the surroundings and sure enough, eight bodyguards armed with iron rods had surrounded them, clearly a trap laid by Zhou Jie.
If Tangyu had agreed to hand everything over, Zhou Jie would let him walk.
If not, they would take it by force.
These bodyguards, clearly top-notch fighters, held their weapons menacingly.
Tangyu had foreseen this move from Zhou Jie, so he was well-prepared.
The eight bodyguards hesitated, seeing Zhou Jie held hostage by Tangyu, their movements pausing as they watched warily.
“Humph, you think such child’s play could trick me?
You’re even more ignorant than Zhou Tao.
With such small tricks, you think you can contend with me?” Tangyu said, looking at Zhou Jie.
Zhou Jie was somewhat shaken by this, truly believing in Tangyu’s capabilities.
He had thought that his current status would provide him more confidence.
He believed his trap was foolproof, yet he had not expected it to be figured out.
“Humph, so what if you figured it out?
What if we come to blows?
Do you really think I am afraid of you, Tangyu?
If you’re wise, let me go now, and maybe you can still walk out of here fine today.
Otherwise, you won’t be leaving here on your feet,” Zhou Jie threatened angrily.
Tangyu shook his head, his mouth curving into a smile, “I am sure I can leave here just fine, but what I can assure you is that you won’t be leaving on your feet.
Since you prefer to lie down, I will certainly accommodate you.” With that, Tangyu kicked Zhou Jie’s knee, causing a chilling sound of breaking bones.
“Aaah—” Zhou Jie screamed in agony, his leg buckling, about to fall, only to be firmly gripped by the neck by Tangyu’s strong hand.
Zhou Jie’s face twisted grotesquely, his flesh trembling with pain.
“Oh, can’t handle it?
This is just the beginning.
I said you’d leave lying down, and I always keep my word.
Lying down might feel a bit more comfortable for you, don’t be anxious, I will grant your wish,” Tangyu said casually, yet to Zhou Jie, he seemed like a ruthless demon.
A sense of fear finally rose in Zhou Jie’s heart, regretting provoking this devil.
He inadvertently had set a trap for himself, a grave miscalculation.
Damn it, truly detestable.
“Crack!”
Decisive in his action, Tangyu delivered another heavy kick, causing the other knee of Zhou Jie to crack similarly.
Both of Zhou Jie’s legs gave out, unable to support any weight, as bouts of piercing pain surged up, turning his face purplish.
His neck still firmly gripped by Tangyu, causing his face to turn both red and purple, a completely pitiful sight, no trace of the young master’s demeanor left.
The eight bodyguards, witnessing this bloody scene, squinted their eyes.