273: Chapter 272 Zhou Tao’s Conditions 273: Chapter 272 Zhou Tao’s Conditions Tangyu also fell silent, and everyone else followed suit.
In such a situation, there really wasn’t much they could do except wait, unable to think of any other solution.
At this moment, the person who felt the biggest drop in spirits was probably Zhao Xinxin, who had come to work today in high spirits, fully prepared for the press conference for Dali’s new product.
But she had not expected to receive such bad news.
Although she was not a woman who lacked confidence, she was indeed starting to worry now.
Failing at the moment of success was the most unbearable thing.
Liu Shanshan suddenly walked in and said to Tangyu, “That guy named Zhou Tao is downstairs, he says he wants to see you.”
“No need to see him,” Tangyu frowned, but then a thought flashed through his mind.
“He said you would definitely meet with him,” Liu Shanshan added.
She had been standing outside the door the whole time and had heard everything Xinxin had said; she knew the current situation.
Tangyu’s eyes brightened, and he immediately swept out of the office, leaving Zhao Xinxin and the others with odd expressions on their faces, but at this moment, no one was concerned about Tangyu anymore.
Watching Tangyu’s receding figure, Zhao Xinxin’s eyes also flickered with unusual colors.
Upon descending the stairs, he saw a dominating Hummer parked there, with Zhou Tao nowhere in sight.
“Get in!” The burly man in the driver’s seat, wearing sunglasses, barked at Tangyu.
Tangyu glanced at him and got into the car, “Where’s Zhou Tao?”
“Less nonsense, you’ll know when we get there,” the burly man snapped impatiently, and started the car.
Tangyu was annoyed, but he could only bear it for the time being.
In any case, he would meet with Zhou Tao first to see what tricks he was playing.
This matter must be related to him.
Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of the Dali Group building.
Seeing this place, Tangyu was certain that this matter was orchestrated by Zhou Tao.
It seemed that the Dali Group was indeed owned by the Zhou family, Zhou Tao’s family.
Tangyu had learned from Guo Momo that Zhou Tao’s identity was that of one of the seven wealthy heirs of the Zhou family.
As one of the seven wealthy families, owing the Dali Group was not at all surprising.
The wealth of such colossal families was indeed staggering, and Tangyu had not previously realized that the Dali Group belonged to the Zhou family.
Typically, family businesses were named after their family surnames, like Lin Group or Wang Group.
“Follow me,” the burly man was still quite cold towards Tangyu, treating him as if he were a police escorting a prisoner.
Following the burly man, they went straight to the topmost rooftop terrace of the building.
The Dali Group skyscraper soared more than seventy floors, reaching over two hundred meters in height.
Standing on this open-air rooftop gave one the sensation of being atop Mount Tai, overlooking all the common people below.
Gazing out, almost the entire Donglin SN District could be seen.
The skyscrapers that looked tall from the street now seemed much smaller from this vantage point.
The cars moving on the streets appeared insignificantly small, like ants.
This feeling was very peculiar and could make one’s spirit soar triumphantly.
To stand upon a precipitous ridge and see the mountains dwarfed.
If someone were to fall from this height, Tangyu mused, they’d probably end up looking worse than a persimmon crushed under a car wheel, a faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
His gaze swept over the area, and he saw a swimming pool in the center of the rooftop terrace, with loungers and other facilities nearby.
Zhou Tao was reclining on a large chair, his back to Tangyu.
A bikini-clad beauty was feeding him grapes, and another bikini beauty swam in the pool.
Zhou Tao’s gaze was fixed on the woman in the water.
Such a life, indeed, was the ultimate indulgence.
It wasn’t until Tangyu approached Zhou Tao that he slowly turned his head to give Tangyu a glance, the arc of his smile betraying his attitude as the absolute controller, looking down on Tangyu with an air of superiority, as if lording over all living things from on high.
Zhou Tao was very comfortable, his heart swelling with pleasure, as the deep-seated vengeance in his heart could finally be savored today.
Seeing Tangyu coming obediently, he felt even more smug.
Humph, what does it matter how skilled you are physically?
Once I find the chance, I can still crush you.
Keep acting tough, and today you’ll have to submit to me anyway.
Even if you are a dragon, today I, Zhou Tao, will treat you like a serpent to be stepped on.
Zhou Tao waved off the bikini-clad woman beside him, and she immediately understood, setting down the fruit platter and leaping into the pool like a mermaid.
Sitting here, watching two bikini beauties swim was, without doubt, a pleasurable experience.
Seeing Zhou Tao’s smug expression, Tangyu couldn’t help but feel annoyed, wanting to stomp on him.
There were no other chairs or stools around aside from Zhou Tao’s large lounge; Tangyu knew this was Zhou Tao’s doing, not planning to let him sit and talk.
Such petty manipulations were truly irritating.
The last thing Tangyu needed was to see such a self-important, lofty young master flaunting his status.
The name burly man stood behind Zhou Tao like a javelin, yet his vigilant gaze never left Tangyu even for an instant.
Zhou Tao was indeed cautious in his actions.
Not only had he brought Tangyu into his territory, but he also had a skilled bodyguard closely protecting him.
The corner of Tangyu’s mouth lifted slightly, revealing an imperceptible sneer; Zhou Tao’s caution also meant that he still had fear in his heart.
“How do you like my place?” Zhou Tao asked casually, as if boasting about his luxurious lifestyle to someone else.
Tangyu spoke indifferently, “Indeed, luxurious enjoyment.”
“Hmph.” Zhou Tao was not quite satisfied with this response, shaking his finger at Tangyu, he said, “You’re wrong, this is not called luxury, nor is it enjoyment, perhaps for you it is.
But for me, it’s just my most ordinary life.
True luxury is beyond your imagination.”
Tangyu curled his lip, looking at Zhou Tao unhappily, “Are you flaunting your superiority to me?”
In the face of Tangyu’s tone, Zhou Tao didn’t show any anger; instead, he smiled and said, “You can understand it that way if you like.
I just want to tell you there’s a big gap between you and me.
Money, to me, is just a number, several hundred million doesn’t catch my eye.
Provoking me is the most unwise thing you’ve done in your life.”
Such a tone indeed made Tangyu feel very uncomfortable.
Wasn’t the implication that giving up Huangfu Jing and earning a few hundred million less didn’t bother him at all?
Wasn’t this an overt threat to Tangyu?
Or rather, a most direct warning.
“Are you warning me?” Tangyu said coolly.
Zhou Tao smiled, “You could take it as a warning.
I like dealing with smart people, and it seems you’re not stupid.”
“I don’t like dealing with idiots, and your behavior is idiotic,” Tangyu said.
Zhou Tao’s expression instantly darkened, a few shades of coldness flashed across his face, but he quickly recovered, “I admire your courage, yet I pity your foolishness.
I just said you were smart, but it seems I need to reassess that.
A wise man adapts to circumstances.
Clearly, you still have no clue about the situation.
Do you really think you’re qualified to play with me?
You have repeatedly embarrassed me.
Do you really think you’ll have good days ahead?
Honestly, you’re a bit too green to play with me.”
“Hmph, play with you?
You’re too full of yourself.
You’re not worth my targeting because I don’t even consider you,” Tangyu sneered.
He was generally easy-going, but when he wasn’t, he could become very daunting.
Zhou Tao had indeed thoroughly angered him.
Seeing that Tangyu still dared to talk back and confront him so brazenly, Zhou Tao was also seething with rage.
Zhou Tao curled his lip, touching his lips with his finger and revealing a sinister smile, “Intelligence is a gift from heaven, stupidity is self-inflicted misfortune.
Congratulations, you’ve successfully angered me.
Next, I’ll show you what cruelty is, and what it means to beg for mercy.”
“Oh really?
Then I’m looking forward to it,” Tangyu remained defiant.
Zhou Tao hadn’t expected Tangyu’s spine to be so stiff; his previous good mood faded away.
At this moment, he hated he couldn’t throw Tangyu out of here.
How dare he still be so arrogant?
What gave him the confidence?
Could it be that he doesn’t care at all about the life or death of Xinxin Culture and Art?
“Although I’m not sure what your relationship with Zhao Xinxin is, you seem to care about her, right?
If you’re not a fool, you should know it was me who stopped the Dali new product case.
I can give up your contract, or I can demand it.
All of it depends on what you do.
I think, you wouldn’t want to see Zhao Xinxin sad and upset, right?
I can guarantee that if you don’t satisfy me today, I will bankrupt Xinxin Culture and Art in a short time.
If you don’t believe in my ability, then feel free,” Zhou Tao said, looking as if he had Tangyu completely under his control.
Tangyu sneered internally, thinking Zhou Tao could eat him up just like that?
This Zhou Tao, truly a brainless rich second generation.
With such tactics, he really held himself in high regard.
“What’s your condition?” Tangyu pretended to look serious, indeed curious what kind of ‘generous’ conditions Zhou Tao would propose.
As expected, upon hearing Tangyu ‘soften’ up, Zhou Tao’s smile deepened, “That’s more like it.
Why make things so rigid, right?
I can give the Dali new product case to Xinxin Culture and Art, but you need to do a few things to satisfy me.
First, I want you to kneel and apologize to me, second, I want you to slap yourself twice.
Third, respectfully tell me: ‘Young Master Zhou, I was wrong.
Please forgive me with your magnanimous heart.’ Alright, just these three things.
As long as you do them sincerely, the Dali new product case will be yours.”
Seeing a glint of cunning flash deep in Zhou Tao’s eyes, Tangyu realized this guy was playing dirty—a game that even if Tangyu complied, Zhou Tao wouldn’t necessarily honor the deal with Xinxin Culture and Art.
Since he dared to play, Tangyu would certainly accompany him to the end.
Tangyu smirked coldly and pointed at Zhou Tao, “You’re the idiot, and you think everyone else is as stupid as you?”
“Hm!”
Zhou Tao’s face turned icy cold, his eyes shooting sharp daggers at Tangyu.
He still dared to speak such wild words?
Zhou Tao, with his face turning white with anger, had the urge to kill Tangyu.
This guy truly dared not to take him seriously at all.
Fine, Tangyu, if I let you walk out of here safely today, then my name isn’t Zhou Tao.
He swore silently in his heart, itching to bite Tangyu to death—he had never been called an idiot straight to his face, and certainly not twice.
If anyone ever did, they wouldn’t be left unharmed.