The Wanhe Building, located in the city center, is the headquarters of the Wanhe Group, one of Rongcheng's top ten private enterprises. Standing two hundred meters tall, it is a remarkably modern structure.
The Wanhe Group boasts an annual revenue nearing ten billion, making it a highly reputable listed company.
Today marks the day of the Wanhe Group's shareholders' meeting. Almost all high-level personnel, barring those abroad or with special reasons for absence, are in attendance.
"Old Gu, I heard you've expanded your business into Eastern Europe recently. In a couple more years, will I have to call you President Gu?"
"Are you teasing me after so many years as friends? It's just that my domestic ventures aren't as successful as yours, so I decided to test the waters abroad."
"Haha, did you hear? Old He's son got into a love triangle dispute that ended up in the papers. What a disgrace."
A group of magnates engaged in casual conversation before the meeting commenced.
"Brother."
As Gong Chengbin walked towards the conference room, he happened to spot Gong Chengjun, also heading in the same direction.
Despite the deeply antagonistic relationship between the two brothers in private, a semblance of cordiality was necessary in front of so many outsiders at the shareholders' meeting.
Gong Chengjun, who had been speaking to his assistant with his head turned, looked up upon hearing the voice.
For a fleeting moment, Gong Chengbin caught a glimpse of disgust in his elder brother's eyes, but it quickly vanished as Gong Chengjun donned a refined smile. "Ah Bin, you're here too."
The two brothers then entered the conference room side-by-side.
A few minutes later, Gong Weimin entered the conference room, and his assistant closed the door behind them.
"Esteemed colleagues, today is our monthly shareholders' meeting. As per convention, let us begin by reviewing the company's financial report from last month."
Gong Weimin's address was concise and to the point.
As his words faded, the Chief Financial Officer of the Wanhe Group stood up, bowed slightly to the assembly, and walked to the front of the conference table. He projected the prepared materials onto the screen, commencing his report.
Such reports were a routine occurrence, held once a month, and everyone was accustomed to them.
"The above summarizes the group's financial situation for the past month."
After completing his report, the CFO first looked at Gong Weimin. Upon receiving a subtle nod, he returned to his seat.
Following the established protocol, the directors of each department were next to present their work reports.
However, Gong Weimin remained silent, causing some surprise among those in the conference room.
"This shareholders' meeting will include a personnel change. The Chairman proposes the promotion of Gong Chengbin to the company's board of directors."
Without further delay, the company's Human Resources Director stood up and read out a motion.
Gong Chengbin, as the second son of Chairman Gong Weimin, was naturally known to those present.
The Wanhe Group was, after all, Gong Weimin's family business. Promoting his own son to director was a logical step.
The public announcement was merely a matter of procedure.
Subsequently, the HR Director continued, "If there are no objections, I now declare Gong Chengbin..."
"Hold on!"
Just as the HR Director was about to announce Gong Chengbin's appointment as a director of the Wanhe Group, someone suddenly interjected.
Everyone turned their gaze towards the source of the voice.
"Ordinarily, I should not object to the Chairman's proposal. However, just as there are laws for the nation, there are rules for families. The reason the Wanhe Group has grown so large in Rongcheng is due to our adherence to rules and regulations. Yet, I believe the Chairman's proposal to appoint Gong Chengbin as a director is somewhat inappropriate at this time."
The speaker was an elder in his sixties. Although his hair was streaked with white, he was remarkably spry and showed no signs of age.
He was one of the company's veterans, having been among the earliest followers of Gong Weimin. Though semi-retired now, he remained a senior director of the Wanhe Group.
Seeing that it was he who spoke, Gong Weimin did not interject but merely glanced towards a particular spot in the conference room.
"Uncle Wang, what specifically do you find inappropriate?"
Despite the opposition to his promotion, Gong Chengbin, as the party concerned, maintained a polite demeanor, showing no signs of displeasure.
In response to Gong Chengbin's question, the elder turned to him and said, "Second Young Master, this is not a personal attack on you. However, the company has its rules. To be promoted to director, one must demonstrate tangible achievements. Your tenure in the company is relatively short, and to avoid giving others grounds for criticism, I believe this matter should be postponed."
"Indeed, I also believe this is not the right time and requires further consideration."
"Without rules, there can be no order. How can this be done? Directorship is not a position that can be attained so casually."
Following this, others in the conference room voiced their dissent, and the atmosphere became somewhat strained.
Gong Chengbin couldn't help but glance at Gong Chengjun, who was seated at the other end of the conference room. Gong Chengjun was looking at him with a knowing expression.
"Chairman, since so many people object, I think it would be best to shelve this matter for now."
Gong Chengjun spoke up at this juncture.
Gong Weimin looked at his elder son, then at the individuals who had just voiced their opposition. He smiled and nodded. "Excellent, excellent."
The people who had spoken out were all aligned with Gong Chengjun.
Although Gong Weimin remained the company's chairman, he was advanced in age, and coupled with his near-fatal incident previously, the company's senior executives had long since chosen their allegiances.
In their view, Gong Chengjun, having been with the company for so long and contributing significantly, was the most suitable successor.
While Gong Chengbin was also performing well, his limited experience rendered him unqualified to contend with Gong Chengjun.
As for Gong Weimin, he was well aware that his elder son had garnered considerable support within the company. However, he hadn't expected even Wang Teng, who had once fought alongside him, to align with Gong Chengjun.
"Originally, as Chairman, I have the direct appointment power for proposing a director. However, since many have objected, I cannot act unilaterally. Therefore, I will state this clearly: if Ah Bin can secure thirty percent of the pharmaceutical market share in Rongcheng for Tiankun Group within one month, then he will be promoted to director."
"Very well, today's meeting is adjourned! Meeting dismissed!"
With that, Gong Weimin stood up and left the conference room without even looking at the attendees.
In his opinion, no matter how many people his son had courted, he, as the major shareholder and chairman, held the ultimate power. As long as he remained in his position, no one could truly shake things up.
The reason he hadn't exercised his direct appointment power was simply to spare his elder son, Gong Chengjun, from excessive embarrassment.
Upon seeing his father depart immediately after speaking, Gong Chengjun's expression darkened.
In contrast, Gong Chengbin discreetly made a gun gesture towards Gong Chengjun before smiling and leaving the conference room.
After everyone had vacated the conference room, Gong Chengjun proceeded to slap his assistant several times.
"Useless! Didn't you say that guy was among the top twenty assassins in the country?"
"I spent five million yuan, and Gong Chengbin is still alive and well! Why is that!"
Faced with his master's furious roar, Gong Chengjun's assistant could only lower his head.
He too was perplexed as to how Gong Chengbin had survived an assassination attempt by a top-tier killer. However, with Gong Chengjun in a fit of rage, he could only silently endure the onslaught.