Living in a county town, starting as a stock market maker...

The rooftop Chinese restaurant at Hegang International Hotel features private rooms made of rosewood.

A large mahogany round table, big enough to seat twenty people.

But at this moment, only two people were sitting at the table.

The table was set with a full set of imperial cuisine, the aroma of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall rich and intense, mingled with the sweetness of steamed grouper. Every dish was exquisite.

But no one touched their chopsticks.

This didn't seem like a dinner party; it was more like a trap.

Gu Ming looked at Shen Guodong sitting in the main seat and thought to himself that this was quite a grand affair, but it was still uncertain who would be the loser.

Shen Guodong was dressed in a dark Tang suit today, with a smile on his face. He personally opened a bottle of aged Moutai and filled the crystal glass in front of Gu Ming.

That posture was as if he were entertaining a junior he greatly admired.

Just a few days ago they were attacking me with public opinion, and today they're acting like nothing happened? Their attitude has changed so quickly.

Shen Guodong raised his glass with a confident air.

"Xiao Gu, what happened a few days ago was because my subordinates didn't understand the situation and were too eager to get things done, which caused some trouble for you and your company."

"I've already had them remove all the false reports. This toast is my way of apologizing as your elder."

He wanted to downplay the seriousness of the matter and absolve himself of all responsibility.

A smile immediately appeared on Gu Ming's face, and he quickly picked up his wine glass.

"Chairman Shen, you're being too harsh. You are an elder and a senior, and it's an honor to receive your attention. It's just a few casual words, nothing at all."

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

The spicy liquor burned my throat.

Gu Ming found the scene ridiculous.

The two drank a few glasses of wine, but didn't touch a single dish.

Shen Guodong finally put down his chopsticks and clapped his hands lightly.

There was a knock on the door of the private room.

Zhao Kai, the investment manager from before, pushed open the door and entered.

He was much more restrained today, but his eyes still held a hint of resentment as he looked at Gu Ming. He respectfully handed a revised contract to Shen Guodong.

Now, let's get to the main point.

Shen Guodong didn't look at the contract; he simply wiped his mouth with a napkin and then gently pushed the contract in front of Gu Ming.

"Xiao Gu, it's not easy for young people to start a business. They lack funds, resources, and connections."

Shen Guodong's tone was gentle, but his words carried a sense of pressure.

"I value talent. I especially admire young people like you who dare to fight and take risks."

He held up five fingers.

Five million.

"We'll buy 30% of your Star Media shares."

"In addition, my Skyhawk Capital needs a seat on the board of directors and veto power over all of your company's S-level projects."

Even though Gu Ming had anticipated that the other party would propose harsh conditions, he did not expect it to be like this.

Five million?

Buy 30% of the shares?

Do they also want a veto right?

This is not an investment, it's outright robbery, it's an insult.

He's here to steal the fruits of others' labor.

They used public opinion to suppress me, offered a hypocritical apology, and finally bought out my future with an insulting price.

They really went to extremes.

I considered you my rival, yet you insulted me like this?

Zhao Kai stood to the side, watching the changing expressions on Gu Ming's face, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips.

How about that? Stunned, aren't you?

In front of a big shot like Chairman Shen, your little bit of cleverness is nothing!

This is the power of Beijing's elite capital! They can make you live, or they can make you die!

Giving you five million is an honor!

Shen Guodong leisurely picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and waited.

He waited for Gu Ming to accept all of this in a humiliating way.

Enjoy the feeling of being in control.

however.

He didn't see the expression he wanted to see.

All the expressions on Gu Ming's face vanished in a mere second.

Instead, a radiant smile appeared.

He smiled.

He actually laughed?

Shen Guodong and Zhao Kai were both stunned.

Is this kid crazy or stupid?

While they were still wondering, Gu Ming made his move.

He didn't touch the contract, but instead turned to the side and took out another document from his briefcase.

The document was thin, with a white cover, a simple design, and a few words printed on it.

Digital Life Project Business Plan

Gu Ming pushed the proposal to the center of the mahogany round table, right next to the investment contract.

"Chairman Shen."

Gu Ming spoke, his voice not loud, but very clear.

"I accept your five million on behalf of my new team."

Zhao Kai was taken aback, then revealed a disdainful expression.

"30% of the shares are also acceptable."

Gu Ming's next words, however, caused Zhao Kai's smile to freeze on his face.

"However, it's not Star Media."

He pointed to his brand-new business plan.

"This money will be used entirely as seed funding for our new company, Digital Life, which we are co-founding with Professor Zhang Lide's team at Harbin Institute of Technology."

"This company will focus on the research and development and operation of hyper-realistic virtual idols, creating a brand new era of digital entertainment."

"As for Star Media..."

Gu Ming leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and looked at Shen Guodong, whose expression was beginning to change.

"Personally, I welcome Skyhawk Capital to conduct Series A financing for our company based on the fair market value."

He paused for a moment, then spoke.

"My initial valuation of our company is 200 million."

"I wonder if Chairman Shen would be interested?"

……

The private room was completely silent.

Zhao Kai's mouth gaped open, his mind completely blank.

What...what did he just hear?

Two hundred million?!

This kid values ​​his lousy company at 200 million?!

How dare he!

The smile on Shen Guodong's face vanished.

"you mean……"

"My five million is only good enough for your... new project that's still just a drawing on paper..."

"As seed money?"

Zhao Kai was so frightened that he held his breath.

He knew that Chairman Shen was angry.

This kid's finished.

Gu Ming did not back down; instead, he leaned forward slightly to meet Shen Guodong's gaze.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

Gu Ming's smile remained unchanged.

"Chairman Shen, you're mistaken."

"It's the seed wheel."

"The ball you cast today..."

"It was an era."

The words fell.

A long silence fell over the private room once again.

Shen Guodong stared intently at Gu Ming.

He wanted to find a clue in the young man's face.

but.

There was nothing there.

He saw calm eyes, and the ambition hidden deep within them.

That was a look he had only ever seen in his youth, and in the eyes of people like him.

a long time.

It went on for so long that Zhao Kai was almost out of breath.

Shen Guodong's tense body suddenly relaxed.

He slowly leaned back into his armchair.

His facial expression softened.

"Ha ha……"

He suddenly chuckled softly.

Then, the laughter grew louder and louder, until it finally turned into a burst of laughter that echoed throughout the entire private room!

"Hahahaha—!"

"good!"

"What a... what an era!"