Chapter 20 - Mysterious File (1/2)
The city lights were beautifully in contrast with the dark night. From above, in the 67th floor, where the CEO of Xiong Corp resided, a large screen was opened and a figure of an old man could be seen. The old man in the screen was playing go. He was facing the camera, it looked like he was playing with someone on the other side of the screen. In front of the large screen, an old man with same table of go in front him was playing. They were playing by themselves.
”Are you winning? I think I'm losing against myself.” The old man in the screen said.
”Of course, I never lost against myself. That'll be stupid.” The old man in the couch said.
”Hahaha! Pardon me for being stupid. You're still the same old Xiong with the same rude mouth of yours.” The old man in the screen laughed. He was not a bit offended by what the other old man said.
”And you're still the same, stupid old Guan.”
”Old Xiong, I know you did not contact me just to offend me. You're not that bored aren't you?”
”Of course. Xiong corp. still doing great. I called you because I have some matter to change in our deal last time.”
”Last time? The only deal we made is the marriage arrangement for your eldest granddaughter and my youngest grandson.”
”That's what I'm talking about.”
”Oh, what is it? Do you want to introduce them to each other now? I already sent my grandson to that school. I still want to let them meet first by themselves.”
”Have you told him who is his fiancé?”
”Not yet, it is his mission to know. Why asking?”
”I made a deal with my granddaughter.”
Old Guan stopped moving his go, and looked at old Xiong on his screen.
”That's news. Since when did you make deals with youngsters? Do you suddenly realized to become a filial grandfather?”
Old Xiong glared at him.
”Of course not. I just realized that maybe I don't need your help anymore.”
Old Guan raised his eyebrow.
”What do you mean?”
”Do you want to know what deal I agreed from my granddaughter?” Old Guan noticed the arrogant tone of his old friend. This made him curious.
”Don't make it a suspense. Just said it already.”
” Well, Zhi'er proposed that she will create her own company and make it big in four years. Do you know what I consider big? She even said that it will reach in my ears.That's how confident she is. You know me, old Guan, I will never invest to a company that was only a drawing. How much more a company made by a 16 year old? But I felt it. I have a hunch that this granddaughter of mine would surprise me. I want to see how far she can grow. Maybe, I can finally find my rightful heir.”
”So? What does it have to do to our previous deal?”
”Well, there is a condition. If she win, made her company big enough to gain my attention, then she would choose her way in her life, hands off.”
”Hmm..it means you cannot invade any decisions in her life including marriage.”
”Yes, you're not stupid after all.” Actually Old Guan was not stupid, how could an owner of Guan group that was internationally famous be stupid? He just had a low EQ.
And Old Xiong, who grew together with him knew his secret.
”So you are saying that you want to break our deal for that agreement between you and your granddaughter?”
”Well, if she manage to be successful. But if not our deal will come in then.”
”So I'm like your second plan ha? Your heartless as always. But you know me old Xiong---”
”I already sent the contract to your email. Just fax it to me after you signed it.” Old Xiong knew what this old and crafty Guan wants. He need to coax this old man.
Old Guan told something in his secretary and minutes later the secretary bring some doc.u.ments. Old Guan read the content. After the last page, he laughed.
”Hahahaha! You are really confident towards your granddaughter aren't you? To compensate me with a billion project! I tried to talk to you this project for three months but you never blinked! Now, you invest with billions! Hahaha! Remember, this compensation is only for breaking the deal nothing more. ” Then old Guan laughed again.
”I know, if she fail, she has to marry the man I chose for him. Besides she is a Xiong. I will give her a chance to prove herself. This chance wasn't even given to any of my kin. ”
”Hahaha! Why don't we make a bet? 100 million.”
”Fine. But let's raise it. It's too small.”
”500 M?”
”1 Billion.” Old Xiong said with straight face.
”What?! That's how confident you are to your granddaughter?!”
”2 Billion. I'm not confident. She is a Xiong. A billion or two is not what she's worth.”
Billions for them was only a part of their money. Both were owners of Big company internationally. They could spend billions without even blinking an eye. But for these two old man, losing a penny for the other was like losing their whole company to the other. That's how competitive they were to each other.
”Fine! You and your beliefs! How can I win them?! So what side you are betting?” Old Guan gave up. Well, two billion was not big for him. But it was still a money. But it was ok, he thought this time was a win-win situation for him. He got the billion project from his old friend, he could win 2 billion, he would get a granddaughter-in-law, and he could tease this serious old man once he lost.
However, little did he know that he was the one who will be in this situation.
”Of course, on my granddaughter's side. The blood of Xiong runs in her.” Old Xiong said with pride.
”Then I'll take the other side. I don't quite believe that your granddaughter who haven't seen the business world will be successful. She has so much to learn. Even the harsh reality.”
”En. That's what I thought, but I want to see what she can do.,I'll believe in her for now.”
Silence was heard afterwards.
Then Old Guan asked.
”When is your Xiong Corp anniversary?”
”Two weeks from now. Are you going this year?”
”I don't plan to. But I want to see your bold granddaughter that managed you to waste your money.”
”Then see it for yourself. ”