Chapter 179: A Two-Way Race!

Today is a pivotal day, a day worthy of being recorded in the annals of Fanghuan's history.
On this day, Fanghuan Investment will complete its astonishing transformation from a private equity firm to a massive conglomerate.
Simultaneously, the inauguration ceremony of the group's first chairman of the board will announce the arrival of a new era to the world.
And for this reason, the inauguration ceremony venue is practically bursting at the seams.
"Chairman Huang, you've been promoted to Chairman of the Board of Directors today! This has to be a grand affair!"
Su Hao, standing beside Huang Fengwen, said cheerfully.
Normally, for such an inauguration ceremony, a few senior executives from the company's management, subsidiaries, and close partners would suffice.
But today, it's a scene of utter disarray; every conceivable figure in the business world has flocked here.
And, unexpectedly, a "big shot" has infiltrated the crowd.
"Congratulations! Chairman Huang, today is your big day, hahaha!"
A hearty laugh rang out. Huang Fengwen turned around and hurriedly went to greet him:
"Chairman Qin! You're such a busy man, why did you have to make the trip in person..."
It was none other than Qin Han, the head of Jiangjin Group!
"Of course I had to come!" Qin Han warmly shook Huang Fengwen's hand.
"We were comrades-in-arms back then, fighting side by side, sharing a revolutionary friendship!
Besides, our two families will have many more opportunities to cooperate in the future, how could I not come and support you?"
As he spoke, Qin Han's sharp gaze seemingly casually swept past Huang Fengwen's shoulder and landed on Su Hao behind him.
"But speaking of which, I've heard about it.
This time, your Fanghuan Investment's astonishing move in the crude oil trading sector has completely swallowed up the entire shipping industry.
This move... could it be another masterpiece by our brother Su?"
"Hey, Chairman Qin, don't even mention it!" Huang Fengwen waved his hand, feigning a headache, his face showing a mix of helplessness and boastfulness.
"This old man was just thinking of retiring and enjoying his retirement.
Who knew this kid, good heavens, would suddenly create a whole group for me.
And he insists on keeping me in this position. Tell me, isn't that unfair?"
"Retire? Chairman Huang, you're in your prime, what kind of retirement are you talking about! Haha!"
Qin Han laughed heartily, his tone shifting, his eyes flashing with undisguised covetousness.
"But speaking of which, it's still a bit of a pity.
If you really retire, my dear Su, I'll definitely bring him back to our Jiangjin Group without hesitation!"
His eyes gleamed, his demeanor anything but joking!
Moreover, the constant use of "my dear Su" made Huang Fengwen feel a pang of jealousy; it just didn't sit right with him.
It felt like his prized cabbage, nurtured for years, was being eyed by a pig.
"Hey, judging from your tone, Chairman Qin, you really dote on our Su Hao!"
Huang Fengwen subtly took a half-step forward, shielding Su Hao behind him like a mother hen protecting her chicks, and said with a chuckle,
"Looks like I'll have to keep a closer eye on this kid from now on. Oh, right, I forgot to mention, he's not the department director anymore."
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"Well, he practically pushed me into the chairmanship of the group's board of directors, so someone has to take over my position as chairman of the investment company, right?"
Huang Fengwen announced cheerfully.
"Although it hasn't been officially announced yet, once the ceremony is over and all these messy things are sorted out, we'll prepare to hold a board meeting.
The process is a bit troublesome, but it's just a matter of time. Hehe."
Su Hao personally pushed Huang Fengwen into the position of chairman of the group's board of directors, so naturally, only he is qualified to take over Fanghuan Investment's empire.
The company's directors were already convinced and even jointly recommended him.
In their view, anyone other than Su Hao, this prodigy, sitting in this position would be an insult to the company!
Qin Han smiled meaningfully upon hearing this:
"Good heavens... I see now.
The future Chairman Su was afraid you'd quit, so he tied you to this position!
And you didn't hesitate, you retaliated by using the chairmanship of Fang Huan Investment to lock him in tight!
You've both put golden handcuffs on each other... a two-way street!"
"Not at all, how could I possibly bind him? If this kid wants to leave, he can just walk away anytime."
"You say that, but I think the rope binding him is tied in a tight knot."
"Hehe, Chairman Qin is joking."
Invisible arcs of electricity seemed to crackle in the air.
The two old foxes, each ruling a vast business empire, clasped hands, their faces smiling, but their eyes locked in a fierce battle, neither willing to back down.
"In short, I wish Fanghuan Group a bright future and boundless success!"
Qin Han released his hand first, resuming the usual mutual flattery.
"To be honest, I'm quite looking forward to seeing how far this giant ship, Fanghuan, can sail."
"Thank you for your kind words. I also hope that our friendship with Jiangjin Group can grow into an unsinkable aircraft carrier!"
After this exchange of subtle, understated flattery, Huang Fengwen took a deep breath and walked onto the main stage of the auditorium.
The moment he stood there, Huang Fengwen was filled with mixed emotions:
Good heavens, there's really no turning back now!
The spotlight was as scorching as the sun. Below the stage, thousands upon thousands of eyes converged into a sea of ​​stars, and Huang Fengwen was at the center of this sea of ​​stars.
Among the surging crowd, one gaze was particularly intense and bright.
It was Su Hao.
That kid was standing in the crowd, his eyes sparkling.
He grinned widely, his smile brighter than anyone else's.
That heartfelt joy and excitement could be felt from afar.
Huang Fengwen looked at him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
'Thanks to this kid, I'm actually getting to experience being the chairman of a group's board of directors for a while now…'
Huang Fengwen had navigated the business world for half his life, meeting countless people, but no one had ever earned his complete trust like Su Hao.
It was a trust so deep that he could entrust his back, even his life, without reservation.
At this age, Huang Fengwen finally understood:
The greatest fortune in life isn't money or power, but having someone by your side…
someone you trust even more than yourself.
That's the strongest trump card in the world, the most reliable support.
That, then, is the ultimate blessing in life.
From this perspective, Huang Fengwen is undoubtedly a blessed man, favored by heaven.
Thinking this, he straightened his back, facing the audience, his voice booming like a bell:
"I hereby solemnly promise that the future Fanghuan Group will never become a family business dominated by one person, but a true value platform belonging to all shareholders!
We will use this as our foundation to radiate Fanghuan's influence globally, striving to become a world-class corporate group!
To this end, we will fight for it our entire lives, never ceasing!"
This was not empty talk, not just grand pronouncements for show.
Huang Fengwen knew he didn't have the ability on his own.
But—he looked at the young man in the audience who was leading the applause and cheers, his face flushed with excitement.
'That kid, he can do it!'
As long as Su Hao is there, he definitely can!
He firmly believed that Su Hao, this prodigy, could definitely lead Fang Huan across mountains and seas to finally stand at the top of the world!