Tonight, there was good food and wine, and everyone drank heartily. The atmosphere was right, so no one held back. They toasted each other enthusiastically.

After a few rounds, everyone except Liu Wei and I were drunk. Some people couldn't handle their liquor and left early, while those who stayed had passed out.

Liu Wei was quite drunk, but still conscious. He refilled our glasses and said to me, "Brother Chenguang, let's do it!"

I stopped his glass. "Liu Wei, let's hold off on this one. I have something very important to tell you."

Liu Wei waved his hand. "Let's finish this drink first."

I looked at him seriously, my tone hardening. "Liu Wei, this is urgent. I wanted to talk to you during the day, but you weren't around. This is very important to me and can't wait any longer."

Liu Wei rarely saw me so serious. He sobered up considerably, quickly put down his glass, and asked seriously, "Urgent? What's wrong? Tell your brother. If you need anything, just ask. Don't be polite."

"Liu Wei, before I say anything else, I want to thank you for your hospitality and for saving a place for me at the new company. But my life direction has changed, and I can't go back to the old path. In other words, I appreciate everything you've done for me, but I won't be returning to our group."

Liu Wei paused, then sighed. "Brother, I know you have the ability to find a broader stage and space. I know I can't keep you, but I really hope you'll consider working with us for a while. Maybe you'll change your mind."

I shook my head and patted Liu Wei's shoulder. "Liu Wei, you misunderstand me. I'm not planning to change jobs or start another business. I'm grateful for everything you've done, with no complaints. Right now, I have something very important to do, and it's urgent. I can't tell you what it is, but I really need your support."

Seeing that I was determined to leave, Liu Wei stopped trying to persuade me. He changed his tone, adding a hint of resignation. "Tell me, what do you need me to do? How can I support you?"

Seeing that Liu Wei was no longer insisting, I breathed a sigh of relief and gave an embarrassed smile. I cut to the chase. "I urgently need two million RMB in cash. I want to cash out my shares."

When I left the startup company, I entrusted all my operating rights to Liu Wei, who accepted them all. Since then, Liu Wei has been responsible for all the company's affairs, and he facilitated the subsequent acquisition.

From my conversation with Liu Wei at the dinner table, I concluded that he had kept my share intact, so I had the confidence to say what followed.

Liu Wei explained, "You currently hold the same number of shares as me. If you cash them all out, it would be worth about twenty to thirty million. But I feel the future of the internet is bright. I suggest you don't cash out. If you need money urgently, I can scrape together two million to lend you. When you're done, you can come back to..."

Liu Wei still wanted me to return to the team, but he didn't want to use the loan as a pretext, as that would feel like coercion.

"Liu Wei, let's make a deal. I'll transfer all my shares to you, and you just need to give me two million RMB in cash." I offered a very tempting exchange that Liu Wei found incredible.

Liu Wei sobered up instantly, his emotions stirring. He almost stumbled off his chair. "What did you say?"

I repeated the offer to exchange my shares for two million.

"Are you sure? Are you out of your mind? That's... tens of millions!" Liu Wei's eyes widened in disbelief.

"I'm sure, Liu Wei. Over the past year, through your management and operations, you've increased our assets several times over. I haven't participated at all, but I've made tens of millions passively. This money is actually what you deserve, but you're a man of principle and integrity. You didn't take the money, but kept it for me. I'm grateful, but I also feel ashamed."

I took a sip of tea and continued, "I only need two million RMB in cash right now. This two million is more important than the tens of millions of shares I have. So, I'm asking you to do me this favor."

"Also..." I added, "I probably won't be returning to Tianjing City in the future, and I won't be working in the internet industry anymore. I hope you take care of yourself in the future."

Liu Wei was stunned, momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.

Liu Wei didn't ask what I was going to do with the two million. He understood that my decision was the result of careful consideration and wasn't a whim or ill-considered.

"Okay, brother, tell me, when do you need the money?"

"As soon as possible."

"Okay, let's finish this drink, and I'll start raising the funds right away."

Liu Wei and I drank the last glass, and then Liu Wei started calling around, contacting various banks to withdraw cash. In less than half an hour, the bank card with two million was placed in front of me.

Liu Wei intended to put the card directly into my hand, but I refused.

"I won't take this money until I sign the share transfer agreement. This is a transaction, not charity."

I really didn't want to owe him too much.

Seeing my insistence, Liu Wei had no choice but to call the company's legal counsel and friends from the law firm. Under their witness, I transferred all my shares in the new company to Liu Wei.

Only after all this was done did I accept Liu Wei's card.

"Brother, are you sure this is what you want?"

"I'm sure."

"Okay, then I wish you all the best. If you ever want to come back, you're always welcome."

I gently hugged the portly Liu Wei and said thank you.

At this time, besides the few who had left, there were six people left at the table, including Liu Yuan and He Qiang. They were all unconscious, sleeping soundly. Some were sleeping on the table, others under it.