Chapter 1030: Join If You Can’t Beat Them

Above, a single statement.

Below, the one carrying out orders is running tirelessly.

This is Zhang Qiang’s current situation.

A casual word from Xu Shaochen had him contacting the Great Wilderness Group’s upper management.

But he’s just a bodyguard. Which of those high-ups would even acknowledge him? After all, compared to the many bodyguards of the Huo family, he’s just an ordinary employee.

Yet, Zhang Qiang isn’t a bodyguard for nothing.

He navigated through many connections and exerted great effort to finally get a chance to meet the Vice Chairman of the Great Wilderness Group.

He’s smart and knows who to look for.

For such backstabbing matters, naturally, you go to the second-in-command.

Because the third-in-command might not aim to be the first, but the second-in-command certainly isn’t content being perpetual number two.

The second-in-command of the Great Wilderness Group is Zhao Pin.

Just turned forty this year, it’s the prime of his life.

This is Zhang Qiang’s fourth meeting with Zhao Pin.

Zhao Pin had a crew cut and wore a meticulously kept black suit, exuding a sharp aura from behind his desk.

Such a person doesn’t look like a caretaker but rather someone meant to expand territories.

But because of Huo Shen’s suppression, he appeared stable and disciplined in the Great Wilderness Group.

“Speak, what’s the matter?”

Zhao Pin asked, his tone indifferent, without any emotional fluctuations.

“Director Zhao, may I ask, are you really content staying confined in the Great Wilderness, watching other enterprises gain nationwide and even global recognition over and over?”

Zhang Qiang bit his lip, mustering courage to first speak a shocking statement.

Because typically only by shocking the other party can you get them interested enough to listen to your following nonsense.

“How I conduct my affairs isn’t for a bodyguard like you to dictate, nor do you have the qualifications to point fingers, so who supports you?”

Zhao Pin looked at Zhang Qiang and spoke calmly, neither moved by nor underestimating Zhang Qiang’s words.

His interest lay in who was behind Zhang Qiang.

“Behind me is Xu Shaochen, Mr. Xu.”

Zhang Qiang started to ride on Xu Shaochen’s coattails, feeling safe with him as a protector.

“Xu Shaochen?”

Zhao Pin narrowed his eyes for the first time focusing seriously on Zhang Qiang. After a moment, he chuckled lightly, “You have some nerve tricking Director Huo. If he finds out, you’re dead.”

Zhang Qiang was somewhat overwhelmed by Zhao Pin’s aura. Although he was the one actively approaching, the conversation’s flow was always in Zhao Pin’s hands.

“Director Zhao, you’re a smart man. There’s no point in saying such things. Is Director Huo truly not afraid of offending Mr. Xu, now that he’s in Jiangzhou? Do you think he can return? Even if he could, does he still have the capital to settle scores with me?”

Zhang Qiang, holding his ground, spoke while resisting Zhao Pin’s mountainous presence.

“The Great Wilderness Group was founded by Director Huo.”

Zhao Pin tapped on the table.

Zhang Qiang’s eyes lit up, “Director Zhao, that’s incorrect. Although Director Huo founded the Great Wilderness Group, it was you and other leaders who expanded and brightened it.”

“Without you, the Great Wilderness Group wouldn’t be where it is today, nor would Huo Shen be here.”

“The Great Wilderness Group is young, ripe for growth and expansion, but Director Huo insists on staying put. Surely, more than just Director Zhao feels discontent.”

“Mr. Xu mentioned, if Director Zhao lacks funds, he can provide them. The Great Wilderness Group could also hitch a ride on the Xu Corporation’s fast track.”

Xu Shaochen never mentioned this. Zhang Qiang made it up, needing credit to establish himself in Xu Shaochen’s eyes.

Initially, Xu Shaochen’s condition for him was, once the task was complete, to send him abroad under a new identity.

But now he didn’t want to go abroad. He feared Xu Shaochen hadn’t prepared to send him abroad but to silence him.

Thus, he needed to plan a backup. If he couldn’t beat them, he should join them.

Clear thinking. No issues.

Zhao Pin asked, “Conditions?”

He didn’t believe there was a free lunch. Money and power given, he wanted to know the cost.

“There’s only one condition: add ‘Xu Corporation’ before the Great Wilderness Group. Otherwise, why would the Xu Corporation’s fast track be used for the Great Wilderness?”

After overcoming initial nervousness and fear, Zhang Qiang was handling it more skillfully.

“Alright, but I must have absolute control over the company.”

Zhao Pin agreed. Adding ‘Xu Corporation’ meant it became a subsidiary of the Xu Corporation.

As long as he controlled the company, names didn’t matter.

As for shares allocated to Xu Corporation, they’d come from Huo Shen’s existing shares. He didn’t care about others’ assets.

“In that case, I congratulate Director Zhao on the transfer in advance.”

Zhang Qiang exhaled, having exceeded Xu Shaochen’s assignment.

Not only did he cause trouble in Huo Shen’s backyard,

but he also brought the Great Wilderness Group under the Xu Corporation’s umbrella, thus proving his value.

Being Xu Shaochen’s subordinate isn’t bad, right?

Living is a tough task.

He fully understood the benefits of having a strong backing.

Without Xu Shaochen,

he might have been killed by Zhao Pin by the second line to show loyalty to Huo Shen.

………………

Jiangzhou.

The parking lot of Chen Yu Grand Hotel was filled with luxury cars of all kinds.

Luxury cars like Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, and Ferraris lined even the road outside.

Tonight was Xu Shaochen’s birthday.

Receiving an invitation was a sign of status and prestige.

Those without invitations were trying everything to get one.

Inside Chen Yu Grand Hotel, the atmosphere was festive.

Yet, Xu Shaochen, the star of the event, was absent.

He was waiting outside an art academy to pick up his precious daughter.

With her mother not at home, the task of caring for his daughter fell on him.

In Huo Xiao’s classroom,

“Xiaoxiao, your dad’s birthday is tonight, can you take me? I want to see how rich people celebrate.”

Her friend Bai Ya nudged Huo Xiao’s arm, pleading.

“Sure, why not.”

Huo Xiao replied casually. She knew her younger dad doted on her.

Surely, he wouldn’t mind her bringing a friend to celebrate.

“By the way, Xiaoxiao, how rich is your younger dad?”

Bai Ya looked at Xiaoxiao with envy, never before envying someone for a beautiful mom that made her a rich second-generation.

Huo Xiao tilted her head, “I’m not clear. I guess he’s just a rich second-generation. I don’t know much.”

These women only cared about makeup and handbags. Had they read the news, they’d know how awesome her younger dad truly was.