"Rong Minghao, fifty-three. Net worth 5.3 Million, increased to 16.5 Million after taking Gu'Ai square. Former investor at Gu."
Gu Yuxuan sat at the head of the table in the boardroom. Eleven investors occupied the other seats. All heads were turned to the board where the projector was displaying Rong Minghao's picture.
"Mr Gu, Rong Minghao once accompanied you to build Gu'Ai square. Not only was he an investor but you considered him a partner. But he betrayed you and stole the very thing your trust was built on." The man next to him said.
"Sir, I believe you already know how to deal with him." A man three seats away said.
"All the business owners within Gu'Ai square had been contacted." Gu Yuxuan spoke. "We'll cover all their losses for a year if they shut their business down.
Commotion quickly filled the room.
"Mr Gu, are you sure that's the correct step to take?"
"Right, if we do that Gu'Ai square might lose its good reputation forever."
"A contract valid for a year is signed between the company and the business, but only six months rent needs to be paid." Gu Yuxuan continued. "Even if the business couldn't pay for the next six months, the space can't be rented out to someone else if the contract period hasn't ended.
"Mr Gu, please share your thoughts with us. Even if we don't understand, we trust you."
"The business owners are three months into their six-months rent. If everyone closes their shop, Rong Minghao won't lose anything yet, but panic will kick in and he will try to convince the owners to open. After three months, that's when things will become chaotic."
"But why not let the business owners remain open since they only have three months left to pay rent?"
"Because in three months, they'll lose their biggest support." Gu Yuxuan said.
"The customers", the man next to him said.
"Destroying everything."
"Mr Gu, if your plan succeeds. Rebuilding what you are about to destroy will be ten times harder. You're willing to make the sacrifice?"
"Also, there'll be no guarantee it will prosper the way it did in a hundred years"
"Even if we trust you, we're terrified. This could ruin everything."
"I'm aware of all your worries", Gu Yuxuan said. "And there's a ninety-eight percent probability that it might all happen."
Everyone exchanged nervous glances.
"But I can work with the two percent. We have survived bankruptcy before, right? What else can possibly stop us from achieving what we want."
The tense air visibly cleared and proud smiles filled the table.
"Mr Gu is right. Even if we fail, we're only losing money for a short time, we can always get it back."
"Right", everyone agreed simultaneously, filling the room with cheerful chatter.
"We trust you Mr Gu. Loss or win, we'll stand by you."
Gu Yuxuan scanned through all the faces around the table, before he stood up and walked out. Leaving them to enjoy the moment of building up their courage before the storm actually started.
Zimo saw Gu Yuxuan walking down the hallway and waited for him to enter his office before also going after him.
Gu Yuxuan was looking at a small white board that was standing close to the glass wall. Diagram upon diagram was drawn on it, that would take a normal person almost a month to figure out.
"Is this investigation or revenge?" Zimo asked. "So many names. You really did your research."
"Remember those five men?"
"You're really going after them?" Zimo asked.
Gu Yuxuan turned to him. "Six years ago, they manipulated my brother into giving each a share of my wealth, worth millions."
"How can your brother be manipulated into doing that?"
"Because I was a threat to him.The youngest succeeding before the eldest"
Zimo's eyes followed Gu Yuxuan as he went to stand in front of the glass wall.
"He thought building connections with these big people would give him the push he needed to surpass me and leave me with nothing."
"Why did he consider you a rival?"
"Because my parents put everything on him."
"What about you?"
"I was the disappointment."
Zimo went to stand next to him, listening attentively.
"They placed all their hopes on him."
"What did you do about it?"
"I bought my first apartment the same year he graduated university."
"You were able to afford that?"
"No", Gu Yuxuan said. "But I did it anyway. One year later I started my own company. He worked for Fu Dong. By year two, I made my first million."
Zimo blinked, stunned. "That fast?"
"I invested everything in more properties and investors started coming to me. The company was booming. This was before the bankruptcy. But then…"
Gu Yuxuan went quiet and looked at Zimo. "Why are you listening so seriously?"
"Huh?"
Gu Yuxuan walked to his desk and sat down.
"And then? You're just gonna stop there?"
"Get out." Gu Yuxuan said.
"Gu Yuxuan, I bet you were terrible at making friends too."
"Investors are more useful."
Zimo rolled his eyes and went to stand next to him, leaning against the table.
"What happened afterwards?" Zimo asked.
"…"
"You fell in love and your brother took over until you came back to your senses. But only to find out you're bankrupt?"
Gu Yuxuan looked at him, leaning back into the chair . "Do you want to know?"
"Hm"
Gu Yuxuan stood up, saying, "Come with me". And Zimo followed him. When they got outside the office, Gu Yuxuan went back in, closed the door and locked it.
"Gu Yuxuan!" Zimo yelled quietly against it. "Despicable!"
The people who were walking past looked at him weirdly. He straightened himself, pulled his clothes neatly and whispered a final sentence at the door.
"I'll get you back for this."
Gu Yuxuan, still behind the door, smiled faintly. "Fool", he murmured.