"How is the task I assigned you coming along?"
Gongcheng Jun leaned back against the wide chair, tapping the armrest with his right hand as he looked at the subordinate in front of him.
"Young Master, as per your instructions, I have contacted over seventy percent of the suppliers and contract manufacturers, instructing them to cease cooperation with Tiankun Group. As for the beauty product experts, they won't be able to poach any of them either."
One of Gongcheng Jun's trusted aides was reporting his 'achievements.'
Upon hearing the report, Gongcheng Jun let out a contemptuous smile.
This Gongcheng Bin, did he really think that by some stroke of luck he'd gotten close to Su Hao, he could successfully take a seat on the board of directors?
Did he underestimate him that much?
After years of cultivation and secret maneuvering, Gongcheng Jun already had the support of one-third of the board members.
Of the remaining members, some were wavering, and with a little more effort, he could win them all over.
The only reason Gongcheng Jun hadn't gone too far was that he didn't want to openly fall out with the old man.
However, for Gongcheng Bin to aim for a position on the board was an absolute pipe dream.
Seated in his expansive leather chair, Gongcheng Jun was like an emperor in control of everything.
In his eyes, Wanhe Group was already within his grasp, and anyone who dared to compete with him would meet a gruesome end.
Even his own brother was no exception.
"Right, what about the matter I asked you to investigate? How is that progressing?"
Suddenly, Gongcheng Jun seemed to recall something and asked again.
The subordinate, as if having anticipated the question, immediately handed over a folder that had been prepared.
"Young Master, this contains a list of people who have had contact with second... with Gongcheng Bin in the past few months. The person he interacted with the most is named Du Fei. His detailed information is inside."
The subordinate had almost called him "Second Young Master," but upon seeing Gongcheng Jun's cold gaze, he quickly corrected himself.
A chill ran down his spine. Thankfully, he hadn't blurted it out, or it would have been trouble.
Young Master Gongcheng Jun was ruthless; any mistake by his subordinates would be met with severe punishment.
"Du Fei."
Gongcheng Jun repeated the name and then opened the folder his subordinate had handed him.
As he finished reviewing all of Du Fei's information, a chilling glint flickered in his eyes.
...
"Dr. Lu, this is a formula my friend gave me. He said that once this formula is produced, it will absolutely blow away all other beauty products on the market. I'm handing it over to you now."
As soon as Gongcheng Bin returned to the company, he immediately convened a meeting of the company's R&D elites.
Seated beside him was Dr. Lu, the chief scientist of the company's R&D department.
Dr. Lu, under fifty years old, was a former R&D expert for a well-known international brand, lured to Tiankun Group with a substantial sum.
However, developing a new, blockbuster beauty product was extremely difficult.
Therefore, even an expert like Dr. Lu hadn't achieved this since joining the company.
After hearing Gongcheng Bin's words, Dr. Lu adjusted his thick-rimmed glasses and scoffed, "Chairman Gongcheng, theoretically, you are the head of the company, and from observing your dedication and staying at the company these past few days, I can see you're a good leader. But do you honestly believe your friend's claim that this formula, once produced, will dominate all beauty products on the market?"
If it were anyone else, they wouldn't dare speak to Gongcheng Bin in such a tone, given his position as chairman.
But Dr. Lu was different. He had been heavily recruited, and as a technical authority, he had no need to worry about Gongcheng Bin's feelings.
The others in the conference room had also harbored some doubts about Gongcheng Bin's confident pronouncements, but out of respect for his position as chairman, they hadn't spoken up.
However, with Dr. Lu's opening, they felt no further need to hold back.
"Chairman, may I ask what your friend does? Is he also an R&D professional? Which company did he work for previously? What products has he developed?"
"To be frank, Chairman, your friend has likely been deceived. If a formula existed that could instantly outperform all beauty products on the market, people would willingly pay ten billion for it."
"I understand you're eager to achieve results, Chairman, but R&D takes time. Please give us a little more time. I believe that under Dr. Lu's leadership, we will not disappoint you."
"Chairman, please do not rush things."
A wave of dissent filled the conference room; no one believed Gongcheng Bin.
Seeing himself repeatedly questioned, Gongcheng Bin grew anxious. In his heart, Du Fei would never deceive him.
Moreover, Du Fei had saved his life twice. Without Du Fei, he wouldn't even be alive, let alone sitting here.
*Huuu.*
Despite his urgency, Gongcheng Bin understood that these people were the R&D elites of the company, and he had to consider their perspectives.
"Dr. Lu, I know my words were a bit exaggerated just now, but please believe me, my friend has never lied to me. For the company to rise, these two formulas are crucial for us."
Gongcheng Bin took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his emotions, and spoke to Dr. Lu, who was seated closest to him, in a gentle tone.
Dr. Lu was the leader of all the R&D personnel; if he could convince him, the rest would naturally follow.
"Chairman, since you say the company's rise hinges on these two formulas, then by all means, have people work on them. Coming to me is completely superfluous."
Dr. Lu had already been somewhat displeased by Gongcheng Bin's earlier remarks, and hearing him say the company's rise depended on these formulas now struck him as even more offensive.
Did Gongcheng Bin's words imply a criticism of his lack of achievements?
With this thought, Dr. Lu's tone could hardly be pleasant.
Gongcheng Bin hadn't expected his words to be misunderstood by Dr. Lu.
"Dr. Lu, that's not what I meant, actually I was..."
"Chairman, I'm suddenly feeling unwell. I may not be able to attend the rest of the meeting."
Gongcheng Bin tried to explain to Dr. Lu, but the latter directly stated he was feeling unwell.
Although Gongcheng Bin knew perfectly well that Dr. Lu was not sick at all, revealing this now would only escalate the conflict.
So, Gongcheng Bin nodded, and Dr. Lu rose and left the conference room.
Following Dr. Lu's departure, several others began to leave, these being the individuals Dr. Lu had brought with him when he was recruited.
Gongcheng Bin waved his hand, signaling for them to leave if they wished.
"Cheng Qing! You will be in charge of these two formulas. Don't look at me like that. From now on, I will stay with you day and night until the formulas are produced!"
Under normal circumstances, Gongcheng Bin would never have done anything to offend Dr. Lu if he had shown such an attitude.
But now, the situation was critical. If the company didn't launch a hit product soon, not only would the company be in trouble, but his aspiration to become a director at Wanhe Group would also be completely dashed.
So, Gongcheng Bin gritted his teeth and pointed at someone sitting in the corner of the conference room.
The person initially wanted to refuse, but with Gongcheng Bin having spoken so forcefully, he could only nod reluctantly.
"It's all or nothing. Du Fei, this time, I'm staking my entire future on you," Gongcheng Bin thought silently.