章 47: Old Friend
Three years ago, Blake mortgaged his only house and managed to borrow over three million yuan, scraping together a total of five million to start a company.
The company mainly dealt in machines for cinemas, KTVs, and other entertainment venues in third- and fourth-tier cities, providing the machines, dolls, and maintenance services. In return, these venues provided the space, power, equipment cleaning, and daily upkeep.
Initially working alone, Blake enlisted his girlfriend Qu to handle finances, while his childhood friend Gu managed customer calls and maintenance. Blake invested the money and effort, holding 60% of the shares, while Gu and Qu each held 20%.
At first, things went well. Although the company was small, Blake worked tirelessly, visiting three counties daily, targeting busy locations like malls, cinemas, and KTVs. Gu and Qu managed internal operations, handling inventory, customer communication, and ensuring timely maintenance.
As profits stabilized, the business expanded to seventy or eighty counties. However, Blake, who spent his days working hard outside, didn't foresee that Qu and Gu, constantly facing each other in the office, would not only start an affair but also conspire to take over the company.
Gu, who grew increasingly dissatisfied with his 20% share, and Qu, who wanted to enjoy the rising income instead of reinvesting it, teamed up. They tricked Blake into signing a share transfer agreement hidden under a regular contract, effectively ousting him from his own company. Blake ended up penniless and in debt.
Blake fought a legal battle for a year, but with his limited resources and their preparedness, he ultimately lost. With no other option, he attempted suicide by consuming pesticide. Meanwhile, the company, having undergone a second round of financing, was on the brink of going public.
Blake's relentless efforts had laid a solid foundation for the company's growth, only for others to reap the benefits. Gu and Qu, recognizing the company's potential, saw countless business opportunities ahead. With a large customer base, even starting a small popcorn factory and offering commissions to cinema managers could guarantee profits.
For Qu, the plan was simple: once the company went public, she would sell off part of her shares for quick cash, retain some for annual dividends, and live comfortably. This is why her threat to sell her shares frustrated Gu.
Financing and going public could drive the company's growth, but mishandling could also lead to losing control. Gu and Qu had bonded over shared interests, even marrying to secure their hold over the company and resist external capital.
"That wretched woman, once I secure my position in the company and get her shares, I'll kick her out," Gu fumed, biting his cigarette in anger. Despite their mutual animosity, they needed to put on a good show for their wedding.
Gu, freshly groomed and having arranged for a planning company and makeup team, left his newly decorated home to pick up Qu from her hotel.
Both originally from outside Shanghai, they bought a house in the city but followed traditional wedding procedures. Qu got ready in a hotel, and Gu picked her up to take her home before heading to the banquet venue.
Gu, skilled in networking, had made numerous friends in Shanghai within a year, preparing to leverage these connections as the company neared its public offering.
A leading Aston Martin sports car, followed by more than ten BMW 5 Series cars, made up a procession that, while not the most luxurious, was youthful and impressive enough. Accompanied by the beating of gongs and drums, the lively procession made its way from home to the hotel.
The hotel entrance had already been decorated with a red carpet, inflatable arches, and exquisite European-style flower baskets lining both sides. Relatives and friends holding celebratory cannons and streamers waited for the convoy to slowly approach, ready to welcome the bride and groom.
With less than fifty meters to the hotel, another convoy appeared from the side street. Leading this new convoy was a Rolls-Royce Phantom, followed by a fleet of red Ferrari sports cars, numbering thirty or forty in total. Coincidentally, just as Gu's convoy was about to enter the hotel, this new convoy blocked the road at the entrance.
"What's going on?" Gu, sitting in the lead car, felt a sudden jolt of unease. Having the wedding procession blocked at the entrance was an ominous sign. No one from the opposing convoy stepped out to explain; they just eerily stopped at the hotel entrance.
People from Gu's side quickly confirmed with the hotel staff if there was another wedding booked today. The hotel staff, just as confused, repeatedly confirmed that there was only one wedding scheduled.
After a few minutes of stalemate, a relative of Gu, along with some hotel staff, approached the Rolls-Royce to inquire about the situation.
"Excuse me, we're here for a wedding. Could you please let us pass?" said the hotel staff, knocking on the car window, while Gu's relative handed over a red envelope. According to Chinese custom, red envelopes are given on joyous occasions to ensure good fortune and avoid trouble.
"I'm here for the wedding too. The bride and groom are old friends of mine," Blake said, rolling down the window with a slight smile before stepping out of the car.
Blake had deliberately dressed up for the occasion, sporting custom-made British-style leather shoes, a branded casual suit by a European designer, and a confident smile that complemented his tall and slender figure.
His appearance immediately drew everyone's attention. The current Blake was a far cry from his former self. Not only had he changed his soul, but his daily interactions with Tony Stark in the Marvel world and attendance at numerous high-end gatherings had polished his demeanor. Combined with his wealth and power, his aura and confidence were unmatched.
"Sir, could you please move your car to let the wedding procession pass?" the hotel staff politely asked Blake.
Blake smiled slightly in the direction of the lead car. "I'll move it in a moment, just waiting for my gift to arrive first."
Just as he finished speaking, over ten large pickup trucks appeared out of nowhere. Each truck bed was filled with white wreaths, with photos of the bride and groom printed in the center of each wreath. The pickup trucks parked illegally in the middle of the road, and numerous burly men in black suits, clearly looking like troublemakers, emerged from the trucks.
Each man held two wreaths, marching aggressively toward the hotel entrance.
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