Chapter 456: Giving roses leaves a lingering fragrance on the hand.

“You think this amount is too much, right?” Su Hao looked up at Li Huilin.
“Yes, Chairman Su. We just donated a large sum to Africa not long ago.
Now we're doing this again, on such a large scale…”
Li Huilin's meaning was clear: charity is a good thing, but we shouldn't be taken advantage of; we should act within our means.
But Su Hao's intuition screamed a completely different answer.
“The more good deeds we do, the better,” Su Hao's lips curled into a meaningful smile.
“Besides, if we're going to do it, let's do it big, let the whole world see our ambition. How about this…”
He picked up a pen and drew a large “×2” on the application list.
“Double it.”
“Huh?” Li Huilin's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"Double all the donations and supplies listed here!
Also, once we acquire the operating rights to Yason, immediately airdrop 'Fanghuan Coins' to all disaster victims, allowing them to freely purchase any supplies they need directly through Yason's platform!"
This wasn't just a hunch.
Even without this premonition, Su Hao would have done it anyway.
Giving roses leaves a lingering fragrance.
Sharing doubles happiness.
He firmly believed this.
***
"These cunning beasts! They're actually using our country's disaster to buy people's hearts!"
President Aiden of Country M angrily slammed a report on the table.
On the report's cover, Fanghuan Investment's logo resembled a mocking grimace.
The unprecedented winter storm "Elliott" plunged the entire Country M into a national-level disaster, leaving everyone in a state of chaos.
Fanghuan Investment precisely seized this window of opportunity, taking advantage of everyone's attention being drawn to the natural disaster to cleanly and decisively seize control of Asia's operations!
That wasn't enough!
These bastards even exploited the disaster victims' most vulnerable moment, massively distributing their "Fanghuan Coins," using money and supplies to lure, and even coerce, the victims into using Asia's platform to consolidate their market position!
"But... Mr. Aiden, the scale of Fanghuan's donation this time is indeed... no small amount; it's become global news.
Nearly a billion US dollars in cash and supplies... this is quite a gesture..."
Secretary-General John whispered a reminder.
Other companies, even top multinational corporations, would consider donating a few million US dollars at most.
But Fanghuan, as if mocking everyone's pettiness, casually tossed out a billion US dollars, without even blinking.
Demonstrating a crushing victory, showing what "dimensional reduction attack" truly means.
“That’s precisely their most insidious aspect!” Aiden said grimly.
“With a mere billion dollars, they leveraged Amazon, a company worth hundreds of billions!
And incidentally, they gilded themselves with the image of 'saviors.' They made a killing on this deal!”
That’s why Aiden called them beasts.
With the entire nation immersed in grief, such a massive donation would undoubtedly become the most dazzling light, and public opinion and gratitude would naturally surge towards them like a tidal wave.
"Furthermore, BlackRock and Vanguard are also fueling the fire behind the scenes, pouring money into the media to lavishly beautify Fang Huan's image.
As for social media… needless to say, 'Picpic' and 'FaceWeb' are now their weapons of public opinion; any negative comments about Fang Huan are immediately choked up and deleted."
Legally, Fang Huan's acquisition of Asia Pacific should be subject to antitrust proceedings.
But now, looking at the overwhelming public opinion, who dares to bring it up?
Even members of Congress are hesitant after seeing Fang Huan's terrifyingly high approval ratings.
With the election approaching, no one dares to offend the "god of wealth" and "savior" at this critical juncture.
If they really anger Fang Huan, and he launches a "retaliatory layoff" or uses financial means to trigger a crisis, they won't just lose votes, but their entire political career.
“Are we just going to stand by and watch them do whatever they want? From private military contractors to now Yason…
How long are we going to tolerate them? John, I can't take it anymore!”
Aiden decided that this time, he would fight Fang Huan to the bitter end, no matter the cost!
“…”
Aiden noticed that his secretary, John, was bowing his head, silent.
“John? Are you listening? Why aren't you speaking?”
John remained silent for a long time before finally raising his head, his face as pale as paper, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
“Mr. Aiden… I’m very sorry… I think… I want to resign from my position as secretary.”
“!?!”
Aiden was struck dumb, and abruptly stood up.
"W-what? Why so suddenly? Have I done something to upset you?"
"No, no. It's just... I'm tired. You know, in this position, usually no one can last more than two years."
"But we've worked together very well! If you need leave, just say so, and I'll approve it immediately!"
"It's not because of that."
John's eyes were filled with unprecedented fear.
"To be honest... Mr. Aiden, I'm tired, and I'm scared."
"Scared? Scared of what?"
"Fang Huan." John's teeth chattered as he uttered the name.
“Reports from Nigeria… all the politicians who opposed Fang Huan have ‘disappeared.’
On the surface, it seems like they’ve been caught up in internal strife, but you and I both know…
Fang Huan has begun using his private army to carry out ‘physical elimination’ globally.”
Aiden rushed over and grabbed his shoulder: “Calm down, John! That’s Nigeria! This is the US!”
“No! There’s no difference anymore!”
John shook his head violently, shaking off Aiden’s hand.
“Mr. Aiden, haven’t you seen it yet?
They’ve controlled social media, controlled the news media, controlled Wall Street’s financial capital!
They can easily manipulate public opinion!
What happened in Nigeria will soon happen in the US!”
“…”
“I have family to take care of, Mr. Aiden!
What if… what if I implicate my family because I opposed them…
What will I do? I don’t want to think about it!”
"Lately, I've been having nightmares every night, dreaming about those...disappeared Nigerian politicians! And then I dream about my children..."
John lowered his head deeply, tears streaming down his face.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Aiden. I also have things I must protect. I...I can't bear this fear anymore.
I'm truly...truly sorry. I will arrange a successor as soon as possible."
With that, John turned resolutely and fled the office as if being chased by a demon.
"..."
Aiden reached out, but couldn't grasp anything.
He stared blankly at John's departing figure, speechless.
The once unyielding, steely man who had stood firm on the battlefield now fled like a terrified child.
Aiden slumped helplessly into his chair.
The office was deathly silent, broken only by his heavy breathing.
The world seemed to spin; a sharp buzzing filled his ears, and his vision blurred.
At this moment, he felt abandoned by the entire world.
As if he were all alone, facing a…
colossal beast slowly rising from the abyss, about to devour everything!