Xu Chun raised an eyelid, glancing at Huang Yu and Fang Shunli's expressions. He cursed inwardly, "I can only contribute a maximum of 5 billion. Any more and I won't be able to explain it to the board."
That would still leave 1 billion. The Lin family definitely wouldn't contribute 1 billion; they'd still need a scapegoat, a sucker.
"Then I'll personally contribute another 1 billion. I want half of the gas station." Huang Yu wasn't stingy, seizing the opportunity to make an exorbitant demand.
Xu Chun raised an eyelid. "Young Master Yu, isn't that a bit too much?" His unspoken displeasure was clear; being too greedy wouldn't bring any benefit.
"Too much? I don't think it's too much at all. Either we split it in half, or we don't do this project." Huang Yu didn't back down, instead adding a hint of threat. "The Bolin Group can provide high-quality oil; you don't need to worry about rising oil prices."
"Alright, but I want 70% of the construction." Xu Chun seized the opportunity to make his demands. Real estate was indeed profitable, but the foundation was the construction teams. Without construction, how could there be any properties to sell? This is a considerable income; why not seize the market and let others have it?
"Okay, the remaining three floors will go to Shunli. You've worked hard too." Huang Yu, full of confidence, began distributing profits, easily redistributing the industry's gains in the process. They also created a platform, first inviting celebrities from the entertainment industry, then bringing in some foreign babes, building up the platform through every possible channel. They were doing exactly what Zhao An's platform was doing, determined to crush him.
While the Bai family villa was still filled with laughter and joy, the Huang family's courtyard was brightly lit. Business had been busy lately, and they were working quite late. Furthermore, Huang Yu had cultivated relationships with several large conglomerates: three in Europe, two in the Middle East, one in Japan, one in South Korea, and one in the United States. This was practically a conglomerate alliance; no wonder they were so aggressive towards the Bai family—their sheer strength on paper was enough to intimidate.
Inside the Huang family's courtyard house, Huang Meng's face was grim. He arrived at the family residence, but no one greeted him; they all ignored him. People with no status, and who would surely be purged later, what did they care about fratricide? That was all nonsense. Why keep them alive for the New Year?
Seeing the family members showing him no respect, Huang Meng sneered inwardly. His wife, Fang Shuiling, was attending Bai Qingyang's birthday banquet, while he was left to eat the leftovers. It was clear their marriage was in turmoil.
Ignoring everyone else, Huang Meng went to the patriarch's study, which was also his father's office. Inside, his mother, Zhou Haiming, was still discussing something with his father, Huang Li. They both frowned imperceptibly when he entered.
Zhou Haiming asked in a gentle tone, "What is it?"
"I want five million. I want to go on a trip abroad to relax," Huang Meng said, his face still expressionless, seemingly devoid of emotion.
"It's good for him to go out and relax. I'll transfer ten million to you later. Do you have anything else to say?" Zhou Haiming didn't speak harshly; after all, he was her son. Even if he was a eunuch, he was still her son, born after ten months of pregnancy. There was no reason to hold a grudge.
Huang Li, however, was not so patient. He snorted in a gloomy tone, "Now that you have the money, behave yourself. Don't cause trouble, don't waste time, and speak quickly if you have something to say."
"Nothing else." Huang Meng was extremely disgusted with his father and turned to leave.
Bang! The door slammed shut. Huang Li slammed his hand on the table. "He's gone too far! What kind of attitude is that!"
"Sigh, forget it, honey. Let him be. He's quite pitiful. Nobody wanted this to happen. I'll give him the money now so he can go out and relax. That way, it won't affect Huang Yu's plans." Zhou Haiming shook her head. Both were her children; it was just a matter of who felt more pain.
Huang Meng walked straight through the residence to the old house at the back to pay his respects to his grandfather, Old Master Huang. Having to greet the bodyguards at the gate just to see his grandfather was incredibly humiliating. If Huang Yu came, he could simply enter without even a word; that was the difference, the disparity.
After waiting a long time, medical staff finally came to allow Huang Meng to enter, which greatly displeased him. Moreover, even upon entering, he was subjected to a body search, making him feel like he was there to commit a crime.
Old Master Huang sat in a wicker chair reading a newspaper. Beside him was a pot of boiling water, kept warm for making tea. The steaming tea was placed on the table, within easy reach. When Huang Meng entered, he didn't even lift an eyelid, nor did he utter a single word.
Huang Meng was furious. It was this old man who ruled with absolute power, handing over his business to Huang Yu, that foolish brother, with just a single sentence. The situation was beyond his control, so he lowered his head and said, "Grandpa, I want to travel abroad for a while to relax. It's to say goodbye."
"Hmm." Old Master Huang continued reading his newspaper, saying nothing. Silence was the best deterrent; speaking would be pointless.
A hint of murderous intent flashed in Huang Meng's eyes. He stepped forward and poured tea for Old Master Huang. "Grandpa, if you feel unwell and need a doctor, please let me know. I'll ask Zhao An to come see you." As he spoke, a small, colorless, odorless test tube of medicine was poured into the cup. "Grandpa, please have some tea."
"Hmm, if you have nothing else to do, you can leave." Old Master Huang didn't even glance at his grandson. Since he had already offended him, and his grandson dared to be unhappy, then he wouldn't be so lenient.
Huang Meng thought the same thing: this old bastard should die sooner rather than later. "Okay, Grandpa, I'm leaving now. Take care." He turned and left, and at the corner, he tucked the empty test tube into his anus to avoid detection.
The drug he'd just administered was a slow-acting medication; it would take effect in two weeks, and then it wouldn't be detectable. Besides, Grandpa Huang was already ninety years old, and while he seemed as spry and simple as a man, what if something went wrong? No one would suspect a thing!