Inheritance of Two Trillion

Chapter 1102: Chapter 1102: This Joke, Not So Funny

The business reception, located in a bustling European metropolis, was hosted by a globally renowned conglomerate—the Zhenbei Group. Both the organizers and the guests from across the ocean were, in a sense, ”family,” all belonging to this world-class financial federation.

In fact, looking at the proportion of attendees, aside from those within the Zhenbei Group’s large system, the ”external” guests were not many, constituting only about one-third of the total.

Naturally, these individuals were either local celebrities or from esteemed Business Families.

One of the most popular figures present was a man in his fifties with an Asian face, square cheeks, and bright eyes. His name was Xu Yuncong.

People frequently approached him to initiate conversations about cooperation and business deals.

It should be noted that Xu Yuncong was one of the regional managers of the Zhenbei Group’s Greater China Region, overseeing the group’s industries across several provinces.

Today’s China was developing rapidly and, even amidst a global economic downturn, it was still maintaining robust growth.

Naturally, it was favored by businesspeople from all over the world.

Mr. Xu, faced with a steady stream of networking and conversation, seemed to handle it all with ease.

His elegance and composure were indeed admirable.

After chatting with several business magnates who had just left, Xu Yuncong took a breath before he heard someone calling to him from nearby, ”Mr. Xu?”

The voice was speaking perfect Mandarin.

Having spoken English all evening, Xu was a bit tired, so hearing his native language felt somewhat comforting.

Xu smiled as he turned, only to find the person greeting him was a Caucasian.

This man looked amiable and quite young—especially in comparison to the previous individuals with their graying temples; he was much younger.

”You are... Mr. Kelson, President Kevin,” Xu said with a smile, pausing briefly before he spoke in Mandarin.

Networking was paramount in the business world.

If one couldn’t even remember people, that certainly wouldn’t qualify as a competent businessman.

Like many successful people, Xu had a natural talent for facial recognition, and he could remember people distinctly even after one meeting, despite facing ”similar-looking” foreigners.

”Mr. Xu remembers me, I’m flattered,” Kevin said with a smile, raising his cup.

Xu lifted his cup in response, still smiling, ”Mr. Kevin, your Mandarin is very good, which certainly leaves a lasting impression.”

Xu was commending Kevin, not Kelson, as a company. In this setting, Kelson was not particularly outstanding in terms of company size, scale, or profitability—it was mediocre at best.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xu expected Kevin to talk about cooperation and development like everyone else.

At the same time, his mind was working fast.

Kelson, a media company—if indeed roped in, would be of how much help to the businesses within his jurisdiction?

Also, whether they could use Kelson to break into this market was something worth considering.

However, after pondering for a bit, Xu concluded that cooperating with Kelson might not be as profitable as partnering with the few companies he had spoken with earlier.

Of course, out of habit, Xu still thought about the potential avenues for cooperation between the two parties.

Diligent and creative thinking was what made a qualified businessperson.

Xu always maintained the good habit of being thoughtful.

However, Kevin, in front of him, smiled and refrained from mentioning any cooperation; instead, he started praising Zhenbei Group’s management and the variety of organizational structures they had worldwide, expressing his admiration.

When the conversation turned towards the Greater China Region, Kevin was all praises.

Xu was slightly taken aback. Although he listened patiently with a smile, nodding from time to time, he couldn’t help but feel surprised inside.

Was this young president really using this precious opportunity just to flatter Zhenbei Group’s organizational structure and exemplary systems?

What was he thinking!

Nearby, many guests wanted to engage with Xu or even just listen in, but faced with the rapid Mandarin, they maintained elegant yet politely distant smiles—though their eyes betrayed a hint of confusion.

After standing around for a short while, failing to understand, they left with smiles, intending to come back later.

Xu listened to Kevin for over ten minutes.

If the conversation had any substantive suggestions, that would be one thing, but listening to these clear and rather unremarkable points was tiresome.

Xu had grown frustrated.

”Mr. Kevin, is this really all you wanted to discuss with me until the reception ends?” Xu asked with a smile, seizing a pause in Kevin’s words to interject.

His tone remained polite and was not abrupt, still conveying a level of earnestness—if they were only to talk about this, then they might as well stop!

Kevin responded with a laugh.

The message Bai Xiaosheng wanted him to convey was brief, but the groundwork was essential.

”I’ve heard that within your organizational structure, there’s an interesting regulation, Mr. Xu. Although you’re the regional head, managing several provincial industry heads, if three or more of those heads unite, they can request headquarters to investigate the regional head?”

Since they were already discussing organizational structures and management regulations, Kevin’s mention of this didn’t seem so abrupt.

Xu Yuncong’s smile tightened slightly. ”Mr. Kevin, you even know about this, which is essentially our internal policy!”

Kevin laughed heartily, ”I’m just interested, although it’s your group’s internal regulation, it is not exactly a secret, right?”

”I’m just thinking, Mr. Xu couldn’t possibly ensure that every provincial industry head under him is his own person. Sometimes, even knowing they were planted by someone else, you can’t just get rid of them without good cause, to avoid a confrontation, one must be wary.”

Kevin’s words were somewhat off.

Xu Yuncong’s gaze narrowed but the smile remained.

”However, there’s a benefit, this person can serve as a link, a bridge for convenient communication with peers, or even for doing some business,” Kevin said.

”Mr. Kevin, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Xu Yuncong took a half step forward, his voice lower under the guise of a smile, ”What exactly are you trying to say? Just get to the point.”

Xu Yuncong wanted to get straight to the point.

Kevin smiled, ”I think, if through this bridge, a deal is struck with an equal party, using an insignificant subordinate as a pawn to exchange for a great benefit, you would find it quite appealing, wouldn’t you?”

Xu Yuncong looked at Kevin.

”For instance, sacrificing someone named Shang Wenshu!” Kevin cut to the chase.

Shang Wenshu!

Xu Yuncong’s smile receded, his gaze intense as he stared at Kevin, a hint of sharpness flickering in his eyes.

”Who told you these things, Mr. Kevin?” Xu Yuncong asked in a calm voice, with a grave look in his eyes.

At this point, it was certain that Kevin had an agenda!

”What if I say that I’m friends with Mr. Shang, would you believe me?” Kevin grinned, ”When a friend encounters trouble, as a friend, I have to lend a hand and take a look, isn’t that what they say about the clarity of a bystander’s view?”

”Wow, and when I took a look, it was quite the revelation. I guess you might not like him and have used my friend as a pawn!”

”And then I started thinking, maybe you believe that even if Shang Wenshu leaves, even if his replacement is planted by the opposition, you wouldn’t worry, after all, you can always just dismiss them, right?”

”After all, in your regulation system, it takes three provincial industry heads to be a threat to you!”

”But have you ever considered—” Kevin paused dramatically, ”aside from the known pawn, they may have planted another hidden piece! Once Shang Wenshu’s position is taken, the threat to you becomes very real!”

Xu Yuncong’s eyes flashed sharply, his gaze fixed on Kevin.

”You’ve always thought they’re after Shang Wenshu, at most wanting his position.”

”But have you ever considered whether, if...”

”What they actually want is your position!”

Xu Yuncong’s gaze narrowed, sharp as a knife.

Kevin smiled again, finally revealing the message Bai Xiaosheng had instructed him to convey to Xu Yuncong.

”My friend said, ’Do you think someone like Shang Wenshu is worth such a high price?’”

Xu Yuncong remained silent.

Without speaking, things remained unclear.

Even if suspicions had arisen before, one might have thought it was just overthinking, believing the other party wouldn’t really turn against them.

But if those doubts were voiced by a third party, it felt differently.

If everyone else could see Sima Zhao’s intentions except oneself, it would be incredibly foolish!

Xu Yuncong looked coldly into Kevin’s eyes, staring intently for a full ten seconds.

In his heart, he couldn’t help but quickly go over the whole situation again.

The more he thought, the more abnormal it all seemed.

But could this really be something Kevin figured out on his own?

Kevin claimed to be Shang Wenshu’s friend, analyzing their corporate internal affairs on behalf of a friend, could an outsider see so clearly?

Or was it Shang Wenshu himself who had analyzed it and had Kevin act as a messenger?

Xu Yuncong pondered for a moment, the stormy look on his face suddenly clearing, replaced by a warm smile.

Xu Yuncong even patted Mr. Kevin’s arm, still smiling.

”Mr. Kevin really does consider his friend’s situation, that’s very good!”

”That friend of yours is also very good!”

”Just that the joke you’ve just told isn’t very funny!”