Chapter 172: Retirement Planning

"Wait... Brother Huang, isn't this a bit too abrupt?"
Su Hao was completely stunned, his face filled with disbelief.
"I'm not joking, Hao, I'm serious about this."
Huang Fengwen's usually nonchalant face was now filled with unprecedented seriousness.
"The speed at which you've made money for me is outrageous.
Do the math yourself, the bonuses you've received these past few times, converted into Fanghuan shares, are already equal to mine."
That was the truth.
Since the funds Su Hao was managing ballooned to the tens of billions, his performance bonuses had become astronomical.
But a problem arose—to withdraw this money to pay Su Hao's bonuses, it would have to be drawn from the funds he was managing.
In Su Hao's view, every penny now was ammunition for the next capital storm, and he was absolutely unwilling to withdraw from the funds pool.
So, after some back and forth, both sides reached a gentleman's agreement:
The bonus would be partly cash, and the majority would be converted into equity in Fanghuan Investment.
"But the problem is, you're making money faster than a printing press!" Huang Fengwen took a sip of his drink, his tone tinged with amusement and exasperation.
"I was originally thinking of spinning off an investment subsidiary for you, letting you be your own boss.
But then I thought, isn't that just pointless?
Even if I gave you all the shares of a subsidiary, wouldn't it still be a subsidiary of 'Fanghuan Investment'?
In the end, you'd only get scraps. I can't do that; it's too unfair!"
“Brother Huang, actually, I wouldn’t mind getting shares in a branch company. Really.”
“You don’t mind? I do!” Huang Fengwen waved his hand, displaying the magnanimity of a seasoned gangster.
“What kind of nonsense is this? Making it sound like I’m some petty jerk.
Afraid you’ll become too powerful, he’s just making empty promises and setting up a branch company to fool you. That’s so underhanded!
My brother Huang Fengwen can’t be treated like this!”
Su Hao felt a warmth in his heart. This older brother was really going after himself, but he genuinely didn’t care at all.
"But then again, suddenly making me chairman... isn't that a bit of a leap?
If you hand over the position to me, what will you do?"
"Me? Hahaha! Of course, I'll retire gracefully and go home to play games and enjoy life!"
Huang Fengwen burst into a hearty laugh upon hearing this,
"Then I'll be slaying monsters and grinding dungeons every day, easily carrying you through the game! Wahahaha!"
But Su Hao felt that this was just Huang Fengwen joking.
This guy was the kind of person who loved his career to the core. Let him retire to play games?
In less than three days, he could acquire the game company, then personally become a planner, teaching those young guys how to make games.
"Just kidding," Huang Fengwen's laughter subsided, his tone becoming steady again.
"It's not like I'm asking you to step up immediately. You're still young and inexperienced; you need someone to act as your 'shield,' don't you?"
One was the director of the trading department, the other the chairman of the company.
But the burdens they carried were worlds apart.
Huang Fengwen has always been the face of Fanghuan Investment, the unsung hero standing at the forefront.
He's been the one charging ahead under the spotlight at shareholder meetings and press conferences, shielding Su Hao from all the open and covert attacks.
But once Huang Fengwen steps down, and another unpleasant situation like the last one requiring a shareholder meeting arises, it will be Su Hao who steps forward, subjected to countless cameras and scrutinizing eyes.
“Being the head of a company means taking on all the responsibility. To put it bluntly, if anything goes wrong in the company, you, as the boss, have to clean up the mess and take the blame.”
Huang Fengwen lit a cigarette, his words growing heavier through the swirling smoke.
“It’s the same principle as in a game. If some clueless guild member causes trouble outside, isn’t it always me, the guild leader, who has to step in, posting online and apologizing?”
Of course, in reality, there are always so many incompetent fools who only want to be “emperors” and enjoy power, completely shirking responsibility. That’s one of the reasons the world is so messed up.
And Huang Fengwen despised those kinds of people the most.
Su Hao knew very well that the reason he could be a hands-off manager, single-mindedly dominating the investment market, was because he had Huang Fengwen, this mountain, supporting him.
"Just go for it with confidence, I'll take care of everything!"
Huang Fengwen had said this to him more than once.
With such a powerful figure backing him up, how could Su Hao not feel at ease?
"But, Hao," Huang Fengwen's tone suddenly changed, filled with emotion,
"People are different. Everyone's vision, or rather, their 'capacity,' is innate."
My "capacity," Huang Fengwen's, is like a bowl; at most, it can only hold this medium-sized private equity firm, that's the limit.
But you, kid… you're not a bowl, you're a basin! No, an ocean!
You're destined to leave a lasting mark on the history of world finance—a peerless tyrant!
No, you've already begun writing it.
Therefore, you can't remain just a trading department director forever.”
“Hey, Brother Huang, look at what you're saying. In my heart, you're like a mountain.”
“Don't flatter me,” Huang Fengwen shook his head, a complex mix of melancholy and relief in his eyes.
“I once had grand ambitions, I dreamed of building a conglomerate, but in the end, I realized my 'capacity' was only so big, not enough to hold that ocean.
Especially after seeing you, Ah Hao… I finally understand what it means to be a 'hidden dragon in the abyss, its roar sure to shake the heavens'!”
"Those who truly achieve great things are fundamentally different!"
In Su Hao's mind, Huang Fengwen was like a wall sheltering him from the wind and rain, a towering mountain protecting him completely.
This was true in the gaming guild. It was also true at Fang Huan Investment.
But now, this wall, this mountain, seemed to be showing signs of crumbling.
"As long as you continue to invest, continue to earn like this, it won't be long before your shareholding surpasses mine.
So, although not now, you need to be aware of this and prepare yourself mentally."
Huang Fengwen patted him on the shoulder.
"I've already spoken to the old guys on the board about this, and they all agree.
You, Su Hao, taking that position is what everyone wants.
Anyone who dares to utter a single word of criticism will be drowned in their spittle without me even lifting a finger!
When the time is right, I'll make room for you in that position immediately."
It seemed Huang Fengwen was determined.
Without Huang Fengwen, Fanghuan Investment…
The thought of this weighed heavily on Su Hao's heart, like a giant boulder.
"So... you're really going to completely let go and not care about things here anymore?"
"Didn't I just say? I'm going to enjoy my retirement!" Huang Fengwen regained his cheerful demeanor.
"Thanks to you, kid, I've earned more money in this life than I could ever spend in the next. I need to spend it all quickly, otherwise I won't have the passion to spend money when I'm old.
From now on, I'll travel around, watching my little sapling, Ah Hao, grow into a towering tree. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Hehe."
"Judging from your tone, you've already made retirement plans?"
"Of course. After you take over, I plan to go abroad for a while."
Huang Fengwen's trips abroad in his life have all been for business trips, constantly spinning like a top. He's never really gone on a proper trip for leisure.
"It's time to experience that leisurely, carefree life. Travel, relax, live abroad for a while, experience the evils of capitalism."
"Where do you want to go?"
"Singapore. Isn't that place supposedly a paradise for the rich?"
Singapore.
A country known as the land of the wealthy, a financial capital, a tax haven.
Whether it's the tax policies, financial infrastructure, living environment, business convenience, or the luxury residences tailored for the ultra-rich.
The Singaporean government is extremely serious about "finding ways to attract the rich."
If you have money, you can enjoy emperor-like treatment there.
If you have money, it is paradise in the literal sense.
However, for some reason, the moment the name "Singapore" entered his ears, Su Hao's body inexplicably trembled slightly.
A strange premonition, a sudden whiff of blood wafting from afar.