So after pondering for a moment, he said to his two confidants, "What do you think, is there any way for us to ride his coattails and make a fortune too?"

Upon hearing Zhang Yonghao's words, Vice President Wang and the Chief Financial Officer couldn't help but exchange glances.

The Chief Financial Officer hesitantly said, "We're supposed to push Chen Yan out of the game, aren't we?"

"We're enemies with him, how can we make money off him?"

Zhang Yonghao heard this and felt it made sense.

He suddenly frowned deeply.

In fact, it's not that easy for a business to make money, especially for businesses like Toutiao in their development stage.

At such times, a business is at its hottest and is the darling of capital.

But... the managers of a company can only enjoy the vanity and fame this adoration brings, they cannot reap real benefits.

Because they are the managers of the company, they must give investors confidence.

And how do you give confidence?

The simplest way is not to cash out shares.

That is to say, the managers and the company share a fate; the better the company develops, the more the managers' net worth will increase, and the more money they will get in the future.

But if the company dies, then the managers are basically just starting a business for nothing and won't get any real benefits.

So even though Zhang Yonghao's net worth was in the billions, he actually didn't have much cash. At most, he could just improve his lifestyle a little.

He wanted to earn money in the future, but he also wanted cash now.

This presented a paradox.

And this was why he was so envious of Chen Yan's ability to make money.

After all, running a business is not as easy as making money in finance.

Moreover... couldn't he, like Chen Yan, make a big business while making a killing?

Possibly sensing Zhang Yonghao's mood, Vice President Wang's eyes darted about before he abruptly spoke up, "Actually... it's not impossible."

Upon hearing Vice President Wang's words, Zhang Yonghao's eyes lit up, and he looked towards him.

Vice President Wang said, "Actually, our hostilities with Chen Yan aren't public."

"Right now, you two are still in the honeymoon phase,"

"Otherwise, we just delay our plan a bit, and you take this opportunity to have a chat with him, asking him to take us under his wing,"

"Afterward, we ride the wave with him, then give him the boot."

Vice President Wang's words shocked the Chief Financial Officer, "This... Can we do that?"

Zhang Yonghao also frowned and said, "Right. That won't work."

The Chief Financial Officer breathed a sigh of relief.

He felt this strategy was too devious.

It was completely devoid of any morality.

First, to use someone to make money and then when you're done, kick them to the curb.

Is this what people do?

However, he felt fortunate that Zhang Yonghao hadn't agreed to the idea. This gave him some peace of mind.

But just then, all of a sudden, Zhang Yonghao spoke again.

He said, "Isn't the risk of this method too great?"

"What if Chen Yan finds out we're harboring ulterior motives, and decides to screw us over?"

The Chief Financial Officer's heart lurched again. What? You think the risk is too high, not that it's too heartless?

The Chief Financial Officer didn't know what to say.

He had always thought he was on the same wavelength as Zhang Yonghao and Vice President Wang, but now he felt... there was a difference.

Although he was also cunning, at least he had some semblance of a bottom line.

Vice President Wang and Zhang Yonghao, oblivious to the Chief Financial Officer's thoughts, continued their discussion.

Vice President Wang said with a smile, "How would he find out?"

"Only the three of us know about this plan,"

"And adding the one or two others who know we're secretly teaming up with Zhao Group,"

"Among them, who would leak information to Chen Yan?"

With that, he glanced at the Chief Financial Officer.

Obviously, besides Vice President Wang, there were only two people in the room; Zhang Yonghao, being the executor of the plan, certainly wouldn't leak it, so... that left only one person.

Seeing this, Zhang Yonghao also looked at the Chief Financial Officer.

Although the Chief Financial Officer had experienced a shattering of his worldview a moment ago, now, faced with the other two, he hurriedly waved his hands to show loyalty, "I won't leak anything. Why would I?"

Seeing this, Zhang Yonghao stood up with a smile, walked over, and patted the Chief Financial Officer's shoulder, saying, "Lao Zhang, look, no need to be nervous."

"The business world is like a battlefield, inherently cruel. You either eat or be eaten. It all comes down to who has a higher level of skill and better strategies."

"And besides..."

He continued, patting the Chief Financial Officer's shoulder, "This is our chance."

"If things go well, each of us could make a few billion off this deal."

Hearing Zhang Yonghao's words, the Chief Financial Officer was taken aback, "Where would we get so much money from?"

Zhang Yonghao gave a mysterious smile, "We have much more money than the average person sees..."

He did not clarify directly, instead he said, "Okay. I need to plan this out well, to ensure it's foolproof."

"In a couple of days, after I've discussed it with Chen Yan, it won't be too late for us to talk."

After speaking, he pointed at the two, instructing, "But this matter must be kept strictly confidential..."

At first, because this matter only concerned Zhang Yonghao, the Chief Financial Officer had been internally criticising it. But now, realizing he could also make money from it, his attitude made a complete 180-degree turn, his face breaking into a smile, "No problem. My lips are sealed."

Vice President Wang and Zhang Yonghao exchanged a glance, both smiling knowingly...

.....

Meanwhile, Qin Ming and He Mengxue were also en route to Pang Wenbo's place.

The question He Mengxue had just asked had gone unanswered.

Qin Ming pretended to be deaf and used the "In One Ear, Out the Other" skill from "Scumbag 108 Tactics" to gloss over it.

He Mengxue also realized her slip of the tongue and didn't pursue the matter.

Since they had no car in Tiandu, they simply took a taxi to Pang Wenbo's home.

On the way, Qin Ming introduced Pang Wenbo to He Mengxue, "Sis, Pang Wenbo is the company's Chief Technical Officer and the mastermind behind the core AI algorithm of our team."

"Normally, such a technical whiz should be quite dull and simple,"

"But he... well, he's a bit different."

He Mengxue glanced at him and asked, "What's wrong with him? Is he strange?"

Qin Ming chuckled, "He is indeed a bit odd."

"The thing about him is, even though he appears serious on the outside, he's kind of lecherous and perverted on the inside,"

"So, if he seems overly enthusiastic towards you at first, don't get annoyed."

"But he's also a shrewd guy; once he knows who you are, he probably won't dare entertain any thoughts."

He Mengxue nodded in understanding, "Full of lust, but no guts, right?"

Qin Ming nodded with a laugh, "You could say that."

"Still, he's not a bad guy, seems to be quite an interesting character."

The two chatted about Pang Wenbo's background all the way to his home.

After getting out of the taxi and walking to Pang Wenbo's place, Qin Ming continued explaining, "I bet Brother Chen wanted to meet me yesterday and will want to today as well."

"That's why I arranged to play games at Pang Wenbo's house today."

He Mengxue nodded her head.

Qin Ming, obviously familiar with Pang Wenbo's residence, led He Mengxue through the complex with ease to the building entrance and rang the doorbell.

Moments later, before the intercom could respond, the entrance door opened.

Qin Ming and He Mengxue entered and made their way to the fourth floor.

The door to the east unit on the fourth floor was already open, with a plump head poking out.

Upon seeing Qin Ming, the owner of the head's chubby cheeks immediately broke into a grin.

Then his gaze fell on He Mengxue.

His eyes momentarily brightened, but he soon displayed a look of disinterest and returned his focus to Qin Ming.

Greeting them, he said, "Qin Ming, what took you so long? Here to freeload a meal?"

Qin Ming laughed, "How could that be? Neither of us can cook. We'd end up ordering takeout anyway, right?"

The plump man glanced at He Mengxue and asked, "Didn't you bring someone to cook?"

Qin Ming's expression changed, and he quickly coughed as he introduced, "This is my cousin, He Mengxue, the young mistress of the He family from Qin Island, and also the General Manager of our company."

Hearing Qin Ming's introduction, the plump figure was taken aback, then... "So... can she actually cook or not?"

Qin Ming: ....

He Mengxue: ....

Taking a deep breath, He Mengxue said, "Yes. I'll cook for you guys later."

Clearly indifferent towards He Mengxue, the plump man seemed content with her answer and quickly grabbed Qin Ming's arm, dragging him inside, "Come on, come check out my new collectible! I'm telling you, I spent a good amount of money on it!"

Dragged away by the man, Qin Ming could only offer He Mengxue an apologetic expression.

He Mengxue took another deep breath and then entered the room.

Meanwhile, Qin Ming and Pang Wenbo were in the study, admiring a figurine while conversing in low voices.

Qin Ming said, "You're audacious. I've never seen anyone dare to speak to my sister like that."

Fiddling with an expensive, risqué figurine, Pang Wenbo nonchalantly replied, "Chen hasn't spoken to her like that either?"

Qin Ming looked at him surprisingly, "You know?"

Pointing to his head, Pang Wenbo replied irritably, "I'm not an idiot. When you guys took shares in our company, I had to look into your backgrounds."

Seeing the surprise in Qin Ming's eyes, Pang Wenbo continued, "So why should I act overly attentive or overly polite towards her?"

"Then when I go back, Chen might suspect I have designs on your sister."

"Even if he doesn't see me as a threat. You know, these rich guys have a lot of twisted thoughts, who knows, they might think my intentions are wrong."

"Hence, it's best for me to act this way."

"It's safer for everyone."

After a moment of shock, Qin Ming gave a thumbs-up, "Didn't expect you to be so perceptive, huh?"

Pleased with the praise, Pang Wenbo cracked a grin and disclosed his real reason, "Actually... it's also because your sister is totally not my type."

"She's too much of a dominatrix for me. I prefer petite and cute."

Saying this, he poked Qin Ming, "By the way, what about the lolita girlfriend you were going to introduce me to? How's that going?"

"I've been waiting a long time."

Qin Ming spoke exasperatedly, "Do you think those kinds of girls come by so easily? I need to take my time to find one and seriously vet them."

"If you end up with a minor, you could be sent away for three years."

Pang Wenbo snickered, looking indeed a bit lecherous...

"Anyhow, my lifelong happiness is in your hands, so be diligent about it, okay?"

Qin Ming assured, "Don't worry."

.......

......

Meanwhile, at the Hilton Hotel Presidential Suite.

An unusual scent filled the room.

Clothes were strewn all over the floor, and the bedsheets and blankets appeared extremely disheveled....

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