Chapter 71: Scaring Yourself!

"Chairman! It's almost time, the car is waiting downstairs."
The secretary's voice broke the silence in the office.
"Oh, I see, coming right away."
Huang Fengwen, this chairman who had weathered many storms in the business world...
His heart felt like it was stuffed with a damp rag, a tightness that hadn't eased since early morning.
He kept thinking, "What on earth happened to that kid Su Hao? Why did he insist on not letting me leave?"
Yesterday in the president's office, business was going well, when Su Hao suddenly acted like he was possessed by some evil spirit.
He grabbed his arm, veins bulging on his forehead, refusing to let him go to the Middle East.
And the reason?
It was laughable!
He said the expansion for the game they played was getting an update!
He said all the guild brats were assembled, just waiting for him, the guild leader, to raid the new dungeon together!
This is utterly ridiculous!
If this excuse held water, pigs could fly and perform Thomas Flair!
"But the way that kid looked at me back then...it didn't seem like he was just bluffing...something's definitely up!"
Huang Fengwen's brows furrowed, utterly perplexed.
But what could it be?
He racked his brains but couldn't figure it out.
He couldn't possibly cancel this crucial trip to Saudi Arabia, a project vital to the company's future, just for a crappy game, could he?
That would be insane!
If Huang Fengwen actually did that, he'd be completely out of his mind!
This trip to Saudi Arabia is incredibly important!
Saudi Arabia is opening its stock market this year, and not only that, they've announced plans for aggressive global investment through their sovereign wealth fund!
With this news, isn't this a golden opportunity to pick up gold everywhere?
This is practically a pack of wolves vying for supremacy; whoever strikes first gets to snatch the most lucrative piece!
It's said that international financial giants are all itching to get in on the action.
Huang Fengwen's company, though just a fledgling compared to these behemoths,
is also determined to seize the initiative!
Even if it's just grabbing a bone to gnaw on, securing a favorable position would be beneficial!
"Chairman Huang, you've arrived."
"Oh, Lao Liu. How are the preparations going?"
Huang Fengwen looked at his capable lieutenant, Managing Director Liu Zhuo.
"Chairman Huang! Don't worry. As soon as we arrive in Riyadh, I've already arranged a meeting with key figures from the sovereign wealth fund to scout things out."
"Alright, I trust you to handle things."
Huang Fengwen was still a little uneasy and casually asked:
"But speaking of which, is Riyadh a safe place?"
"Oh my, Chairman Huang, you're overthinking it! It's not just safe, it's practically impregnable!"
Liu Zhuo waved his hand, spittle flying,
"That's the capital of Saudi Arabia! Think about it, Saudi Arabia is the undisputed leader in the Middle East!
How could the security of their own capital be anything but solid? It has to be like an iron barrel!"
"Are you worried about what's happening in Yemen?" Old Liu asked.
Recently, Saudi Arabia has rolled up its sleeves and personally intervened in the Yemeni civil war.
They even launched an air campaign codenamed "Operation Storm," causing quite a stir.
Saudi Arabia and Iran have never gotten along.
It's clear to everyone that Saudi Arabia isn't really fighting in Yemen; they're using Yemen as a pretext to indirectly challenge Iran!
Because of this, several arms depots belonging to Iranian-backed armed groups have been destroyed by Saudi Arabia.
The entire Middle East is filled with a tense, volatile atmosphere.
"But you know what, Chairman Huang, you know what? Oil-producing countries are oil-producing countries, they really have plenty of resources!"
Liu Zhuo clicked his tongue in amazement.
"Logically speaking, with war breaking out, shouldn't oil prices skyrocket?
But look at Saudi Arabia, there's been hardly any movement.
Oil prices have even dropped a bit! It's really strange!"
Normally, when war breaks out, gold prices soar, and oil prices can break through all ceilings.
But this time, firstly, the scale of the conflict is relatively controllable, and secondly, Saudi Arabia itself is one of the world's top oil producers, with deep pockets, managing to keep oil prices under control.
"So, you can rest assured about security!"
Liu Zhuo patted his chest confidently.
"If they fight, it'll be a game of make-believe in Yemen.
To put it bluntly, it's just Saudi Arabia and Iran using Yemen as a makeshift arena to engage in some indirect, haphazard fighting!
Their own territory is perfectly safe!"
The words may be crude, but the logic is sound.
The Yemeni civil war, in essence, is a power struggle between two regional giants, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
While their own homeland remains peaceful and prosperous.
The only ones suffering are the ordinary Yemeni people, whose homes are almost completely destroyed.
"So, Mr. Huang, don't worry about security.
Even if Iran had the guts of a bear and the gall of a leopard, it wouldn't dare to directly attack the Saudi capital.
That would be like handing a knife to Uncle Sam, offering him a pretext for military intervention.
Unless the Iranian leadership collectively lost their minds, they would never do something so stupid."
Liu Zhuo's analysis was logical and insightful.
"Hmm, that's true," Huang Fengwen nodded.
The conclusion was clear: Saudi Arabia is perfectly safe!
Anyone who dares to attack Saudi Arabia would be declaring war on the United States. Few countries in the world have that kind of "courage" and "strength."
Even so, Su Hao's words were like a fishbone—not big, but stuck in his throat, causing him considerable discomfort.
That kid is usually very clever; everyone in the company knows he has a sharp eye.
Every project he invests in has made him a fortune.
Could he not understand the importance of this trip to Saudi Arabia?
But why would he have such an absurd thought as, "I'll go to the Middle East next time, play games with me first"?
"Um... Lao Liu," Huang Fengwen asked almost unconsciously.
"How about we postpone our meeting with the Saudis...?"
"Huh? Chairman Huang, you're not kidding, are you?" Liu Zhuo was stunned, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets.
"This was a really difficult appointment! We got there first, and that's why they made the arrangement."
"If we change our minds and postpone it, it's hard to say whether they'll still want to see us!
They might just leave us hanging!"
"...That's true." Huang Fengwen sighed.
Well, it seems Huang can't do it.
"Chairman Huang, is something on your mind?" Liu Zhuo asked cautiously, observing his expression.
"Since earlier, I've noticed your expression hasn't been quite right."
"Hmm? Nothing!"
Huang Fengwen abruptly shook his head, as if trying to shake off all those chaotic thoughts.
Yeah, what could possibly be wrong?
He's just scaring himself!
He's probably been working non-stop lately, too tired, and his mind isn't clear.
That kid Su Hao, he's probably under a lot of work pressure too, just wanting to relax with his older brother and play a few games.
Yeah, that must be it!
Once he gets back safely from this business trip, he'll play with him to his heart's content, right?
Yeah, that's settled!