Tycoon: From Rags to Riches

"Chairman Gu, this is Qi Min."

"She’s the General Manager of our Zhen Cui Group and has outstanding business capabilities."

"Her contributions have been indispensable to Zhen Cui Group’s growth and prosperity over the years."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Gu Heng, Hu Jilin turned and beckoned over the woman in the white business suit standing at the front of the group of executives, introducing her to Gu Heng.

"Chairman Gu, it’s a pleasure."

The woman had chin-length hair and carried herself with an air of decisive efficiency. She walked briskly to Gu Heng and inclined her head slightly in greeting.

Her demeanor was respectful, yet held a hint of self-possession.

"Manager Qi, I hope we can work together to bring Zhen Cui Group to even greater heights in the future!"

Gu Heng shook her hand with a smile.

"As long as you trust in me, Chairman Gu, I will give it my all."

Qi Min bowed slightly, her answer direct and concise.

The two exchanged a few brief words. Afterward, Hu Jilin proceeded to introduce the other key members of Zhen Cui Group’s core management to Gu Heng one by one.

Finally, surrounded by the crowd, Gu Heng and Hu Jilin made their way toward Zhen Cui Group’s main conference room.

Along the way, many of Zhen Cui Group’s regular employees saw the new boss arrive and cast curious glances from their desks.

And while the employees were curiously sizing up the new boss, Gu Heng was likewise observing Zhen Cui Group’s office environment.

The Beichun International Financial Center was a major office building completed just early this year, and Zhen Cui Group had only recently moved its headquarters here, so the internal office environment was essentially brand new.

The overall decor might not be described as luxurious, but for a second-tier city like Beichun, it was already of a remarkably high standard among private enterprises.

Gu Heng observed as they walked, while Hu Jilin provided a running commentary.

Flanked by the group, they soon arrived in front of the main conference room.

Upon reaching the door, the middle managers all tactfully stopped, knowing that what was to follow was not for them to witness.

"Chairman Gu, please, after you..."

Qi Min stood at the entrance, respectfully welcoming Gu Heng.

"Alright."

Gu Heng nodded lightly, but instead of entering the conference room immediately, he turned with a smile in his eyes. His gaze traveled over the crowd and landed precisely on Fan Hong.

"Manager Fan, please join us."

Gu Heng’s clear voice carried, causing everyone to instinctively turn their gazes toward Fan Hong at the back. Even Qi Min and Hu Jilin looked over with a hint of surprise.

"Holy shit!"

"Old Fan, you were telling the truth!"

"Don’t forget me when you’re rich and famous!"

Standing next to Fan Hong, Xu Liang’s eyes were wide as saucers, and he was practically trembling with excitement.

Everyone in the company knew he and Fan Hong were the closest of friends!

Now that Fan Hong’s career was about to take off, it meant he’d have someone powerful to lean on in the company. A promotion and a raise were just around the corner!

"Ah, yes..."

"Coming, coming."

Fan Hong hadn’t expected to be singled out by name in front of all the company’s middle and senior managers. Having weathered so many storms in his life, he knew exactly what Gu Heng’s gesture meant.

Suppressing his inner excitement, he lowered his head and quickly walked out from the crowd.

The envious stares from those around him were almost palpable.

Seeing Fan Hong approach, Gu Heng gave him a smiling nod but said nothing more, taking the lead and stepping into the conference room.

...

"Chairman Hu, these are the share transfer agreement and the commercial confidentiality agreement I commissioned from Jun Cheng Law Firm. Please see if there are any issues with the content."

After both parties were seated, Gu Heng didn’t waste any time with small talk. He directly and efficiently had Yang Wenjie present the legal documents their firm had prepared.

"Of course."

Hu Jilin had also brought his private lawyers today, but there were only two of them—a far cry from the formidable lineup on Gu Heng’s side.

Right now, facing the scrutiny of heavyweights like Yang Wenjie, who were famous throughout the national legal community, they felt their scalps tingle as if they were sitting on pins and needles.

"Reviewing these two legal documents may take some time."

Gu Heng, seated at the head of the long conference table, looked questioningly at Hu Jilin to his right and suggested, "Chairman Hu, how about we have Manager Qi give me a detailed overview of Zhen Cui Group’s current situation in the meantime?"

"No problem."

Hu Jilin quickly instructed Qi Min, "Manager Qi, please proceed as Chairman Gu suggests."

"Understood."

Qi Min nodded. She then efficiently rose and walked to the end of the long table, instructing an assistant to turn on the projector and display the presentation she had prepared in advance.

"Chairman Gu, our Zhen Cui Group was founded in 2006. ’Zhen’ represents ultimate quality, and ’Cui’ signifies refined craftsmanship. It is by upholding this philosophy that we have gradually developed Zhen Cui Group into a leading enterprise in Ji Province’s catering industry."

"Currently, Zhen Cui Group owns six major restaurant brands and eight directly-operated restaurants: Chao Yu, Yuan Zhi, Zhenhai, Sushi Yun, Cloud Vase, and Banquet Fusion. Among these, Sushi Yun Omakase, Zhenhai Seafood Restaurant, and Banquet Fusion restaurant are located on properties we own."

"Our Zhen Cui Group has an in-house creative kitchen that periodically updates the menus for our six restaurant brands. We strive to ensure that every returning customer is greeted with new surprises and new experiences."

"At the same time, Zhen Cui Group maintains stable, long-term partnerships with seafood companies from Australia, Europe, North America, and other countries, as well as domestic seafood enterprises in cities like Bin City, Zhanjiang, Peng City, and Lai Province, ensuring that our daily ingredients are always absolutely fresh, clean, and hygienic..."

Standing at the end of the conference table, Qi Min presented the contents of her PowerPoint while detailing the specifics of the entire Zhen Cui Group for Gu Heng.

It was clear that Qi Min had put great care into preparing this report and presentation. She knew all the latest data by heart and delivered her report without needing to consult her notes.

Gu Heng sat composedly at the head of the table, looking calm and steady.

To his right sat Hu Jilin, a famous figure in the entire Ji Province catering industry. To his left sat Yang Wenjie, a famous figure in the entire Ji Province legal industry.

Normally, either of these two men would be the center of attention wherever they went.

Today, however, both were willingly playing second fiddle.

From his corner, Fan Hong watched Gu Heng, whose entire demeanor had transformed, his eyes filled with emotion.

"Manager Fan, how do you know Chairman Gu?"

Just then, a senior executive sitting next to Fan Hong leaned over and asked quietly, his curiosity piqued.

Hearing the question, Fan Hong gave a somewhat humble smile. "The Chairman and I go way back. It’s just that he’s a man who values old ties. The past isn’t worth mentioning."

"Oh..."

"I see."

Everyone in the conference room today was sharp as a tack. The moment the executive heard Fan Hong’s reply, he understood that Fan Hong didn’t want to elaborate and tactfully refrained from asking further.

Fan Hong turned his head and refocused his gaze on the front of the room.

’The Gu Heng of today is the new chairman of Zhen Cui Group.’

’As for the Gu Heng of the past... I’ll just keep that memory buried in my heart forever.’

’All people need to do is revere him.’

Besides, he had never intended to demand repayment for his past kindness.

Years ago, when he had humbled himself to bring Gu Heng into his restaurant, he had done it simply because he pitied Gu Heng and saw a shadow of his former self in the young man. He just wanted to give him a hand, as it was within his power to do so.

He never imagined that a simple act of kindness from back then would be repaid so quickly.

’Is this what they call karma?’

Fan Hong’s gaze fell on Qi Min at the front of the room, and his thoughts began to drift...