Yu Mengzhi snapped back to reality, her excitement surging uncontrollably.
Su Jinghui said gleefully, "That's excellent. Mr. Wen, please state any requests you have. Gou Chen will absolutely do our best to meet your expectations."
Wen Fulai cast a cold glance at Su Jinghui.
This fellow occasionally disparaged his benefactor Chen Jinzhao, clearly indicating his poor character.
"I'm just afraid my requests might be too stringent for your group to fulfill," Wen Fulai said, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
Yu Mengzhi immediately made a decision.
No matter what conditions Wen Fulai proposed, she would strive to satisfy them.
Wen Fulai reiterated his previous two shortcomings. Yu Mengzhi quickly replied, "Please rest assured, Mr. Wen. As long as you join Gou Chen, I will inform my grandfather, and he will personally address these two points."
"I don't doubt the capabilities of Old Master Yu, but you might not be able to meet the third point."
"Please be direct, Mr. Wen."
Yu Mengzhi was eager to get started, ready for a grand undertaking.
Wen Fulai let out a cold snort, his gaze falling on Su Jinghui. "The third condition is simple: remove people like Su Jinghui. I do not wish to work with someone like him. If your company cannot even fulfill such a simple request, then there is nothing more to discuss."
Su Jinghui's face turned ashen.
He had never imagined that Wen Fulai's condition would be to oust him.
If not for Wen Fulai's status as a renowned figure in biochemistry, he would have truly believed this was a setup by Yu Mengzhi.
Yu Mengzhi also found herself in a difficult position.
This was not something she could decide on her own. Su Jinghui's grandfather was a close friend of Old Master Yu, and removing Su Jinghui would surely incur the displeasure of Old Master Su, who might even complain to Old Master Yu.
Wen Fulai, seeing Yu Mengzhi's expression, guessed some of the situation.
However, this was his fundamental requirement. If the company was rife with factions and power was dispersed, it could lead to a situation where orders were constantly changed, hindering technological iteration.
It would be even more detrimental to the company's long-term development.
Especially for a company of Gou Chen's relatively smaller scale, internal strife was the most fatal.
Yu Mengzhi first glanced at Su Jinghui, then turned to Wen Fulai and said, "Mr. Wen, could you give me seven days? If I cannot accomplish this within seven days, I will voluntarily withdraw."
"Yu Mengzhi, are you crazy?" Su Jinghui hissed.
Yu Mengzhi, as if she hadn't heard Su Jinghui's roar, continued, "Within these seven days, I will clear all obstacles for your joining!"
Wen Fulai nodded. "Then I shall await your good news."
"Captain Chen..."
"Do you happen to have time to join me for a drink?"
Chen Jinzhao first looked at Yu Mengzhi. Whether he had time depended on the female CEO's decision. After receiving a positive nod from Yu Mengzhi, he smiled and said, "Then I shall respectfully accept your invitation."
The two left the office.
Yu Mengzhi glanced at Su Jinghui and returned to her office without a word.
Su Jinghui wanted to say something but ultimately refrained from a public outburst, considering the impact. He walked into Yu Mengzhi's office with a dark expression.
"Yu Mengzhi, what exactly are you doing?!" Su Jinghui demanded, displeased.
"Are you going to kick me out for an outsider? Even if you agree, my grandfather won't!"
"Don't forget, Gou Chen isn't solely yours."
The establishment of Gou Chen Group was quite complex. In short, it wasn't entirely controlled by the Yu family. Initially, Yu Lingxiao held 51% of the shares, while the Su family controlled 49%.
However, Yu Lingxiao later gifted 20% of his shares to his granddaughter, Yu Mengzhi.
As a result.
Su Jinghui's grandfather became the largest shareholder.
Of course.
Yu Mengzhi and Yu Lingxiao were aligned, and they could be considered one entity. However, the Su family held veto power on major decisions.
Removing Su Jinghui was almost impossible.
This was precisely why Su Jinghui was so confident; he knew this was an extremely difficult task.
Yu Mengzhi was also troubled.
If Wen Fulai could join Gou Chen Group, Gou Chen might experience rapid development.
Her only recourse now was to involve Yu Lingxiao.
Facing the incessant chatter of Su Jinghui, Yu Mengzhi could only say coldly, "Reflect on your contributions to the company over the past few years. If you truly consider the company's long-term interests, you should voluntarily step aside. Your Su family controls 49% of the shares; you will still be able to profit significantly from the group in the future."
"Yu Mengzhi, you're dreaming!" Su Jinghui naturally refused.
"I'm making it clear today: even if your grandfather made the request, I wouldn't leave."
With that, Su Jinghui slammed the door and left.
Yu Mengzhi rubbed her temples and picked up the phone to call Yu Lingxiao, but after a moment's thought, she didn't.
In two days, she would be bringing Chen Jinzhao home to meet the elder. It wouldn't be too late to discuss it then.
As for Chen Jinzhao...
How many more secrets did this man have that she didn't know?
Who would have thought that a security guard would know the academically renowned Wen Fulai?
If Wen Fulai eventually joined Gou Chen Group, Chen Jinzhao would undoubtedly be the primary contributor.
At that time.
Wen Fulai and Chen Jinzhao arrived at a small restaurant near the company.
They didn't order expensive alcohol but a bottle of Erguotou. After taking a sip, Wen Fulai's face contorted like a chrysanthemum. "Hahaha, this is the taste! I remember it so clearly."
That year.
Wen Fulai was conducting scientific research abroad when he was kidnapped and taken to a war-torn region to research biological and chemical toxins.
This severely violated Wen Fulai's will. He did not want to do such a disreputable deed, and thus he was mistreated by those fanatical bandits.
It was also that year.
Chen Jinzhao and his team descended like divine soldiers, penetrating thirty kilometers into enemy territory, rescuing Wen Fulai from the enemy camp.
Wen Fulai had never forgotten Chen Jinzhao's heroic figure.
Recalling the past, Chen Jinzhao took a sip of Erguotou and waved his hand, saying, "We soldiers follow the orders of our superiors. Protecting researchers like you is our duty."
Although he said that, Wen Fulai knew that superiors had also issued other orders – to retreat when facing insurmountable odds.
But Chen Jinzhao had never retreated.
He had risked his life to rescue him from the enemy camp, even sustaining several gunshot wounds.
This was why he considered Chen Jinzhao his benefactor.
However.
Wen Fulai was also puzzled.
How had the once spirited Chen Jinzhao fallen to being a mere security guard at a group?
"Captain Chen, what has happened all these years? I feel that the intimidating light in your eyes is no longer there," Wen Fulai asked.
Chen Jinzhao's expression faltered. He raised his cup and downed the strong liquor again.
"The past is in the past. Why bring it up again?"