Chapter 142: Chapter 141: He’s Not Even Worth My Toe (8/10)
Hearing Qi Jianhong’s words, Gu Bai laughed again, but this smile didn’t carry any friendliness in their eyes.
Not laughing for too long, Mr. Gu Bai looked at the several entertainment industry moguls in front of him, then at Wu Qian sitting in the corner with a hopeful face, and slowly said, "President Qi, I acknowledge what you said, just like him, I’m a young person too."
Hearing this, Qi Jianhong thought Gu Bai had the intention to negotiate, but then Gu Bai continued, "However, you overlooked one thing.
He is Wu Qian, and I am Gu Bai!
He can’t even measure up to my little toe!
I, Gu Bai, am not an unreasonable person. If this matter were with other employees of my company, I could completely accept your way of handling it. After all, you are the seniors, and I would definitely give the face that should be given. However, this situation is different.
Peng Shiba may just be a small internet celebrity, perhaps nothing in your eyes, but as my woman, from the day she followed me, she represents my face. Wu Qian dared to touch her, it’s like slapping my face.
Dare I ask President Qi, if someone dared to slap your face, what would you do?"
Upon hearing Gu Bai’s words, everyone in the room showed different reactions.
Listening to Gu Bai’s words, Peng Shiba’s eyes gradually turned red. Originally, her purpose in approaching Gu Bai was to cling to success, but she didn’t expect Gu Bai, for such a small internet celebrity, to confront the entertainment moguls so strongly. Peng Shiba admits she is quite opportunistic, but after all, she is just an 18-year-old girl. Which young girl doesn’t have romantic dreams? Isn’t the Gu Bai in front of her the prince who would only appear in her dreams? At this moment, status or titles no longer matter. In her heart, as long as Gu Bai is willing, she would happily be his canary for life.
Peng Shiba’s affection for Gu Bai directly jumped from 80 to 90.
As for Principal Wang, it seemed like he was meeting Gu Bai for the first time. In his impression, Gu Bai was a nice guy with a good temper, easy to get along with, and never did anything aggressively confrontational. However, today completely overturned Principal Wang’s previous perception of him. At Gu Bai’s level, no one is truly easy to get along with. Normally treating people politely is just basic etiquette. When something truly affects him, he reveals his fangs.
As for Wu Qian, although Gu Bai said he can’t even measure up to his toe, he still dared not make a sound. Although this drinking session was set up for his sake, he had no qualifications to speak here.
Qi Jianhong and Chen Long exchanged a glance, and then Qi spoke again, "So, President Gu, does this mean there’s no room for reconciliation?"
"No."
Those two simple words directly conveyed Gu Bai’s entire attitude.
Seeing Gu Bai’s attitude, Qi Jianhong also gradually grew angry. As the president of a billion-dollar group, everyone usually treated him with respect, and yet this young guy in his twenties constantly showed him no face. Even a clay figurine has some fire, let alone the pampered Qi Jianhong.
"What if I say I want to protect Wu Qian?"
Qi Jianhong looked at the handsome and charismatic Gu Bai in front of him, speaking word by word.
Gu Bai smiled slightly, assuming a rogue posture, gently pinching Peng Shiba’s round cheek next to him, and then casually shrugged his shoulders.
"President Qi, wanting to protect Wu Qian, this is something I considered before coming here. In my expectations, he is your artist; you want to protect him, which is only natural."
"So what does President Gu plan to do?"
"President Gu should know that my Black Swan Capital is already expanding into the entertainment industry, right? Let me put it this way: in the future, our Black Swan Capital will engage in all the businesses under your company. Any project you might want to do, we will also do. Does this explanation make my point clear to President Qi?"
Upon hearing this, Qi Jianhong chuckled. His Yao Lai Group had been entrenched in the entertainment industry for so many years. Did Gu Bai really think that just being a newcomer in the capital sector could compete with him in the business arena? Such talk seemed like foolish dreams.
"So, President Gu plans to compete with our Yao Lai Group?"
Gu Bai had Peng Shiba pour him a glass of water and said with a smile, "President Qi still doesn’t understand what I mean, so let me clarify further. From now on, in every project that your Yaolai Film and Television participates in, you put in 100 million, and I’ll put in 200 million. Whichever company you want to collaborate with, I will offer a higher price and snatch the cooperation over. Everyone does business and runs companies for the sake of profit. You want to protect Wu Qian because he’s your cash cow. So, since that’s the case, I’ll willingly lose money so that you earn nothing. Is this explanation clear for President Qi?
Currently, Black Swan Capital has almost 9 billion in cash flow on our books. That should be enough to play with President Qi for a while, right? If not, I have another 10 billion at the Construction Bank. I’m ready to play with you with 20 billion. Does President Qi think I’m being generous enough? Again, to repeat what I just said, I’m a young person with youthful vigor, hoping you seniors can bear with me.
As for whether I’m joking with you, let me give you an example. A few days ago, there was a scandalous singer named Lu Meng who temporarily hiked prices on my internet festival and refused to perform. Just yesterday, our Black Swan Capital acquired Lu Meng’s agency, and now her contract is in my hands.
So, President Qi, you should never think I’m someone with great magnanimity. I’m just a petty man with a long memory. To vent my anger, I’d be willing to spend any amount of money."
Although Gu Bai’s tone was light, in Qi Jianhong’s ears, it weighed heavily.
Business is all about mutual gain. If a giant company really competes with him regardless of cost, even if he wins, it would be a Pyrrhic victory. Not to mention this giant has enough cash flow to shake half of the entertainment industry. If Gu Bai really means what he says, he doesn’t even need to throw 20 billion in; just 5 billion would cause major issues for his company.
He didn’t know if Gu Bai cared about this 5 billion, but he, Qi Jianhong, certainly did!
"Youthful vigor should be nurtured. I believe President Gu can produce this kind of money, but have you considered your ancestors? Would they let you mess around like this?"
"This matter won’t trouble you, President Qi. They taught me from a young age never to let myself suffer, so rest assured, it won’t be me who loses out in the end.
If President Gu doesn’t believe what I’m saying, then we’ll see it unfold slowly. After I finish playing with this 20 billion, if your Yaolai Film and Television hasn’t gone down, then I’ll shamelessly ask for another 20 billion and keep playing with President Qi until we’re fully satisfied. Of course, President Qi can treat me as just talking nonsense."
The Gu Bai in front of him no longer had the gentle and courteous demeanor he had before, now seeming as roguish as ever.
This was a posture Gu Bai deliberately displayed. Even when Principal Wang got angry, he only resorted to public outbursts, calling people "stupid paratroopers." Compared to that, Gu Bai’s approach should be considered quite tactful, right?
After listening to Gu Bai, Qi Jianhong was silent for two minutes before speaking slowly, "President Gu, some things don’t need to go this far. We’re all businesspeople. There’s no need for a fight to the death."
In his tone, Qi Jianhong had already conceded.
He knew Gu Bai wasn’t lying and indeed could bring out 20 billion.
Although unsure if Gu Bai would really act as outrageously as he claimed, Qi Jianhong couldn’t bet, nor did he dare to.
If things really reached that point, he’d ultimately lose everything. As for Wu Qian, he simply wasn’t worth it.