The conference room fell into absolute silence due to Gong Weimin's thunderous rage, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
None of those present had expected that just moments ago, when Gong Chengbin was promoted to director, the atmosphere had been peaceful, with no one even showing up to object.
Yet, in the blink of an eye, Gong Weimin had transformed into a roaring tiger.
The man being questioned by Gong Weimin was Wang Qi, one of the veterans who had built the company alongside Gong Weimin. He was a senior director and held three percent of the company's shares.
Though only three percent, Wanhe Group's current market value was nearly fifty billion, making Wang Qi's shares worth a staggering 1.5 billion.
But at this moment, Wang Qi, worth billions, lowered his head under Gong Weimin's interrogation, not even daring to make eye contact.
"Old Wang, considering you followed me from the very beginning of our venture, I will buy your shares in Wanhe Group at market price."
Gong Weimin's tone softened slightly.
Wang Qi looked up at this. "Buy my shares?"
"Old Wang, this is my bottom line. If you don't agree, then don't blame me for handing over all the evidence I have. You'll not only be ruined, but you might also face imprisonment!"
Gong Weimin knew what the other man was thinking and shook his head at him.
Wang Qi instinctively glanced at some people at the conference table. Those he looked at either pretended not to see him, looking straight ahead, or lowered their heads like ostriches. Not a single person stood up to speak for him.
Then, as he was about to turn to look at someone else again.
"Director Wang, I believe the Chairman has been very merciful. You are advanced in years; if not for yourself, you should at least think of your descendants."
The one who spoke was Gong Chengjun.
After hearing his words, Wang Qi's expression immediately turned unsightly.
"I apologize, Chairman. I am willing to sell my shares. I will personally send the transfer documents to you another day. I am feeling unwell, so I will take my leave."
Whether it was fear of the imprisonment Gong Weimin had mentioned or heeding Gong Chengjun's counsel, Wang Qi quickly agreed to sell his shares.
After Wang Qi left, Gong Weimin spoke again, "Wanhe Group was founded by me. I treat it like my own child. Anyone who dares to plot against it must first ask if I agree."
"Don't think I'm useless just because I'm old! Here, I want to tell certain people, if you dare to cross the line again, I will show no mercy!"
After speaking, Gong Weimin gave a meaningful glance at Gong Chengjun, who had spoken earlier.
When Gong Chengjun saw Gong Weimin looking at him, he quickly showed a fawning expression, his face trembling as if he hadn't recovered from Gong Weimin's earlier rage.
"Today's meeting is adjourned. Dismissed."
Gong Weimin stood up and was the first to leave the conference room.
Only after he left did someone dare to speak in the quiet room.
However, everyone's faces still showed a look of lingering shock, clearly greatly surprised by what had just transpired.
"Young Master Bin, the Chairman requests your presence."
Just as Gong Chengbin stood up, the assistant who had left with Gong Weimin returned and approached him, saying, "Young Master Bin, the Chairman requests your presence."
Gong Chengbin paused for a moment, clearly not expecting his father to summon him.
However, after regaining his composure, he nodded and said he would be there shortly.
Gong Weimin's assistant bowed and turned to leave.
After everyone else had left the conference room, Gong Chengjun punched the conference table, his face contorted in ferocity.
"Old man, one day, I will personally..."
Gong Chengjun did not finish his sentence. He let out a cold snort and walked out of the conference room.
Meanwhile, Gong Chengbin arrived at the Chairman's office, located on the same floor as the conference room.
As soon as he arrived, the assistant, who had been waiting, immediately opened the office door for him.
"Chairman."
Upon entering the office, Gong Chengbin spoke.
Gong Weimin, seated behind his desk, did not respond. Instead, he swiftly signed a pile of documents on his desk and then instructed the assistant beside him to take them out.
After the assistant left, Gong Weimin stood up and led Gong Chengbin to the floor-to-ceiling window on the other side of the office.
"A Bin, do you think Dad is like the sun in the sky, setting in the west?"
Gong Chengbin didn't quite grasp Gong Weimin's meaning. He spoke loudly, "Dad! What are you saying? Your health has fully recovered. The company still relies on you to control the situation."
"Heh heh, I know my health better than anyone. But even if I am setting in the west, the afterglow of the sun is enough to make anyone who dares to stare at it regret it!"
Gong Weimin's voice was not loud, but it carried a sense of authority.
After all, having held a high position for so long, such authority came naturally.
"Alright, go sit down."
Gong Weimin gestured towards the sofa nearby.
After Gong Weimin sat down, Gong Chengbin naturally picked up the teapot on the table, poured tea into the cup on Gong Weimin's coffee table, and placed it in front of him.
"A Bin, you know, I've always known you to be a gentle child, not one to fight for things. As for your brother, he is strong-willed, and once he sets his mind on something, even I cannot change it."
"Originally, I had planned to hand the company over to your brother after I pass on, and then give you a portion of wealth that would allow you to live a life of leisure."
"But now, it seems my previous plan is not feasible."
Gong Weimin picked up his teacup, blew on it, and took a slow sip.
After putting down the teacup, he looked at Gong Chengbin before him and said slowly.
"Dad! People change. Perhaps before, I wasn't qualified for you to value me or entrust the company to me. But after experiencing certain things, I want to try. Regardless of the outcome, at least I will have tried and won't have regrets. Moreover, continuous appeasement will only lead to further escalation!"
If it were the old Gong Chengbin, given the opportunity for a private chat with Gong Weimin, he would have eagerly revealed everything about how Gong Chengjun had oppressed him, even going so far as to hire assassins to kill him, and asked his father to seek justice for him.
But now, Gong Chengbin had grown considerably. He wanted to become strong on his own and fight for what was rightfully his.
As for what Gong Chengjun had done to him before, Gong Chengbin would repay him in kind when the time was right.
"Good! Good! Very good! Since you have the will, I support you. Go ahead and do it boldly. No one can predict what the future holds."
Seeing the greatly changed Gong Chengbin, Gong Weimin felt very pleased.
He had always favored his eldest son, Gong Chengjun, and considered his second son, Gong Chengbin, a lost cause.
However, when he learned that Gong Chengjun, in league with some people in the company, had attempted a clandestine takeover while he was seriously ill, Gong Weimin was furious.
Subsequently, an investigation revealed even more shocking results.
The reason he hadn't acted immediately was twofold: first, Gong Chengjun was his son; second, Gong Chengjun had been managing the company for many years and enjoyed considerable prestige. Directly removing him would have had a significant impact on the company.
Therefore, Gong Weimin had summoned Gong Chengbin alone, intending to give him an opportunity.
Of course, this opportunity was also contingent on Gong Chengbin's remarkable success with Tiankun Group.
If Gong Chengbin had remained the hopeless individual he once was, then no matter how angry Gong Weimin was, he would have had to hand the company over to Gong Chengjun, as only he could ensure the company's survival in the fiercely competitive business world.
Now, seeing Gong Chengbin's determined spirit, Gong Weimin had a different plan in mind.
After chatting for a while longer, Gong Weimin said he had other matters to attend to and asked Gong Chengbin to leave.