Chapter 267

"What the hell?"

"Are you kidding me?"

"How could there be so much?"

"My God, 220 million!!"

"Impossible! Impossible!"

"I estimated 20 million, and he gets 10 times that?"

One by one, they found it hard to believe, simply unable to trust their own eyes and ears.

"What kind of charm does this Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu have?"

"Wan Chai, Central and Western District—are these people crazy? Donating so much money? Aren't they afraid of being scammed? Afraid of Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu embezzling it?!"

At Li Huanggua's villa,

Li Huanggua spat out his drink, staring at the TV screen in shock.

"How could there be so much?"

He thought 10 million would be the absolute limit, because he knew human nature well.

Wait... when was the last time I said that?

It seems it was when his ParknShop supermarkets were being boycotted; he had been very confident then, saying he knew human nature well, and thought that giving away a box of eggs would attract the customers back.

The result was a harsh slap in the face from reality.

Li Huanggua was stunned for a moment.

"Why does human nature stop working when it comes to Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu?"

Li Huanggua was bewildered.

Over at Tycoon Zheng's place,

Pfft~~~

He was just drinking water when he heard Wen Huixin say 220 million, and he was completely stunned.

"How could there be so much?"

Tycoon Zheng had already estimated on the high side, thinking that even if Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu could raise 20 million, it would count as a win for him!

As it turned out, it was 11 times that!

That's completely outrageous!

What's even more outrageous is that Tycoon Zheng had personally watched Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu come up with the idea on the spur of the moment; from the plan to the door-to-door promotion to the fundraising, the entire process took no more than 26 hours, including a 10-hour gap.

Just like that, it had already reached 220 million.

If Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu had been given more time to fundraise, wouldn't he have been able to raise even more?

"Hiss, hiss, hiss~~~"

"This kid..."

On the other side,

At a certain villa,

Tycoon Li Ji was also sitting on the sofa, watching the TV.

Because of the auction today, he was also full of curiosity about this matter, so he had been waiting for the 10:00 PM news.

"10 million at most, that's the limit."

Tycoon Li Ji thought to himself.

Then...

"220 million?"

When the answer was announced, Tycoon Li Ji's jaw dropped.

He was shocked into silence.

"This kid..."

Terrifyingly formidable~~

TVB and ATV news continued,

The footage was still the lively scene of people queuing to donate,

Wen Huixin's voice continued:

"According to data provided by the Five-Star Charity Foundation, a total of 224,214 people participated in this fundraising drive."

"They account for one-third of the total population of Wan Chai and Central and Western District!"

"The donation rate is extremely high!"

"And the average donation per person: 979 HKD!"

"Here, we have felt the enthusiasm of the neighbors for doing good deeds; they are still very keen on charity. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and highest respect to all the citizens who participated in the fundraising."

Seeing this,

Many charity foundations couldn't help but feel tempted.

This money, isn't it coming in too easily?

The Li Foundation incident just happened!

This so-called Five-Star Charity Foundation is only a foundation with a scale of a few million; how can it raise so much money?

What does this mean?

It means the citizens are still foolish and have too much money!

If I did it, I could do it too!

That's 220 million!

If their own charity organization raised that much money, they could pocket over 100 million HKD.

Luxury yachts, clubs, overseas travel...

Slurp!

Drooling!

Some senior executives of charity organizations were already unable to resist the urge to act.

Li Huanggua's villa.

Hearing the number reported on TV, he finally realized a problem.

The number of people, the support rate—it's too high!

It's simply unbelievable!

Thinking back to the fact that the ParknShop supermarket in Causeway Bay is still deserted, with no more than 100 customers a day.

"So, charity must be done well!"

"This Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's popularity is too strong!"

At this moment, Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu was already about to launch his supermarket plan, and the situation between the two competitors had already formed.

Even if he wanted to ease tensions, there was no way.

"So, I only have two options left..."

"First, do charity, do it seriously!"

"At the same time, I must contact that Tan Meili and develop her into one of my own!"

Thinking of this, he called his secretary:

"How is the progress on the Tan Meili matter now?"

"We are investigating, Boss. Her whereabouts are always uncertain. I wanted to bribe her assistant, but her assistant is from Causeway Bay and has high loyalty to the Five-Star Group."

Boss Li: "As soon as possible... but keep it confidential!"

Secretary: "I understand, Boss."

Tycoon Zheng, seeing the number of donors and the average donation amount, also roughly understood what kind of strategy Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu was using.

Charity—Humanity—Support Rate!

The more he thought about it, the more alarmed he became.

No one had ever walked this path before, because of—'Human Nature'!

If you are good to others, they will become greedy and want more benefits from you.

A little kindness brings gratitude, but too much brings resentment!

Therefore, the fact that Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu could succeed made it seem very extraordinary.

"Very good!"

"This kid... is incredible!"

He called his secretary to give instructions:

"Help me invite this Mr. Guan to see if he has time to come to my house for a meal."

A home dinner invitation!

This kind of invitation represents recognition of Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's ability. He wanted to get closer.

He added: "Once the time is set, call Ah Chun back and have him attend the dinner as well."

Secretary: "Okay."

A new day,

Mr. Ni Ming, the leader of the Republican Party, had breakfast early in the morning and then headed to his law firm.

"Mr. Ni, here are today's newspapers."

The female secretary took a stack of newspapers from the passenger seat and handed them to Ni Ming.

"There are two noteworthy news items today."

"One is that Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu, whom you invited to dinner last time, has acquired the Mingxin Hospital."

"In addition, he also organized an event yesterday, mobilizing a total of 220,000 citizens."

220,000 people?

Ni Ming's eyes lit up.

For Ni Ming, who was running for Legislative Councilor, he was very sensitive to numbers.

He picked up the newspaper and started reading.

"New Owner of Mingxin Hospital Born, Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu Successfully Wins Auction" — "Oriental Daily News"

"Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu Wins Mingxin Hospital Auction, Medical Territory Expands Again" — "Sing Tao Daily"

Skip...

Skip...

And then there's,

"Mr. Guan's Charity Fundraising, Citizens' Love Like a Tide, Total Reaches 220 Million" — "Sing Pao"

"Fundraising Event Unprecedented, 220 Million in Donations Boost Medical Care" — "Wen Wei Po"

Ni Ming flipped to the last newspaper and started reading.

After finishing, his eyes were excited.

"I didn't expect this Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu to be able to mobilize so many people to fundraise!"

"Then couldn't I find him to help me get votes?"

"As long as he is willing to help, the 2 direct election seats for Legislative Councilor in the Central/South/West District and the 2 in the East District (Wan Chai, North Point, Chai Wan), a total of 4, would be easy to get!"

Thinking of this, he said to the female secretary: "Today you go visit Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu in person and invite him to dinner on my behalf, at the Peninsula Hotel! This is your most important task today!"

The female secretary nodded: "Okay! I will definitely get it done!"

At this time,

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu went downstairs.

Downstairs, Ah Xing and Li Jie were eating breakfast at the rice noodle roll shop.

"Brother Zu!" "Brother Zu!"

Greetings rang out from restaurants, roads, and everywhere.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu nodded in acknowledgment, entered the rice noodle roll shop, ordered two portions of meat and egg rolls, and a bowl of pork offal and wolfberry leaf soup, and waited.

"Ah Xing, Xiao Min starts her exams tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, starts tomorrow."

Fang Min is taking the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE), usually referred to as A-Level. Students take the HKALE in Form 7 (after two years of matriculation following Form 5) and use the results to apply for full-time university programs through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS). This is one of the ways for students to enter university.

Exams in May, results in July...

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu: "Good, I'll give you 7 days off, accompany her well for the exams, and take her on a trip after the exams."

Ah Xing was pleasantly surprised: "Really?"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu: "Of course."

Ah Xing hurriedly kowtowed: "I'll go through fire and water for you, Brother Zu!"

!.

Then he hurriedly called Fang Min to tell her that since she had exams tomorrow, she didn't need to go to school today.

"Slap~~~"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu interrupted the call: "Are you stupid? Wait until she finishes the exams to call. What if she fails? Wouldn't she be unable to get into university?"

Ah Xing heard this and hurriedly hung up the phone.

At this time,

Two reporters ran in from outside.

"Mr. Guan..."

"Mr. Guan is eating breakfast here."

Click, click, click, they took a burst of photos of Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu and the rice noodle rolls:

The headline was already thought of: "Tycoon Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu Raised 220 Million Yesterday, Today He's So Poor He's Eating Rice Noodle Rolls at a Wild Shop"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu: "..."

"Mr. Guan, can we interview you?"

"Mr. Guan..."

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu hurriedly interrupted: "For the interview, let's talk after we finish breakfast, and please don't disturb the boss's business."

The two reporters still didn't listen and kept shouting for an interview.

Then...

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~~~ A group of Hong Xing lackeys and neighbors appeared from nowhere and dragged these reporters who couldn't read the room out.

Where do you think this is?

This is Causeway Bay, you dare to challenge Brother Zu's authority in Causeway Bay?!

Soon the rice noodle rolls and wolfberry leaf soup were ready and served.

6 minutes later, breakfast was finished.

Quite a few reporters had already arrived outside.

"Mr. Guan!"

"Mr. Guan, regarding this fundraising, being able to raise 220 million, what does Mr. Guan have to say?"

"I am very grateful for the support of the neighbors, and I will also fulfill my promise diligently, trying my best to use the donations where they are truly needed."

"Mr. Guan, why are you able to get the support of so many neighbors?"

"As long as you do charity seriously and exchange sincerity for sincerity, all charity organizations can do it."

"Mr. Guan, do you mean that the richest man Li did not exchange sincerity for sincerity, which is why ParknShop supermarkets are now being boycotted and have no customers?"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu: "..."

You're looking for trouble, kid!

Seeing that Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu didn't answer, the reporters thought: Silence is consent!

So the reporters brewed up a headline:

"Mr. Guan Hints: Richest Man Li's Charity is Hypocritical and Insincere"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu glanced at the words written by these reporters and almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.

Morality is declining!

Where is morality? Where is the license plate number... uh, sorry, I exposed my true nature all of a sudden.

After shaking off these reporters, he returned to the Five-Star Group building.

"Ring, ring, ring~~~~"

Just at this moment,

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's mobile phone rang, an unfamiliar number.

But Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's number had always been kept secret.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu answered,

"Hello, Mr. Guan, I am Mr. Zheng Tong's secretary. The boss would like to invite you to the boss's villa for a meal. I wonder if Mr. Guan has time."

"Sure, if Mr. Zheng doesn't mind the intrusion..."

"How about tonight?"

"Okay."

Hanging up the phone, Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu called Sister Ruan Mei: "My dear Mrs. Guan, I wonder if you have time to go to Tycoon Zheng's place for dinner tonight~~~"

After chatting with Sister Ruan Mei,

Ring, ring, ring~~~

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's phone rang again.

It was Brother B.

"Haha~~ Ah Zu, congratulations! Do you have time tonight to have a meal together?"

"Brother B, I'm sorry, I have an appointment to go to Tycoon Zheng's house for dinner tonight."

"What? Tycoon Zheng? Is that the Tycoon Zheng of the gold and jewelry business?"

"Yes."

"Hiss, hiss, hiss~~~~~"

On the other end of the phone came a chorus of gasps.

Mong Kok,

Over at Tai Lo B's, Chen Ho Nam, Da Tian Er, and others had come to Mong Kok to find Tai Lo B.

Last night's news made them feel more and more that Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu was flying higher and higher on his ascent, and as they looked up, they felt he was getting further and further away.

So, they hurriedly found Brother B to see if they could reconnect.

And since Chen Ho Nam and Tai Lo B had washed their hands of crime, they could now be considered to have come ashore, and had a certain confidence to follow Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu to make a living.

As a result,

They made a phone call and heard the news: "I'm going to Tycoon Zheng's house for dinner tonight."

Thump~~~~

Chen Ho Nam and the others almost knelt down.

Tears streaming down their faces!

Isn't that one of the new Four Great Families of Hong Kong?

Brother Zu is awesome (voice cracking)!

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's voice came again at this time: "I have an appointment with Tycoon Zheng tonight, I'm sorry I can't decline."

Tai Lo B, Chen Ho Nam, and the others: No, no, no~~~ don't decline, we wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare!

They were scared.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu: "How about tomorrow night? I'll go to Mong Kok tomorrow night and treat you all to dinner."

Tai Lo B, Chen Ho Nam, and the others were flattered.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu is having dinner with Tycoon Zheng...

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu is having dinner with us...

Approximately equal to:

We are having dinner with Tycoon Zheng!

We are awesome!

And on the other side,

Repulse Bay villa.

The second largest shareholder of Mingxin Hospital, Lin Decheng, because of last night's news, anxiously called to notify the other shareholders. (Uncle of Lei Zhilan in "I Am a Thief")

They held a meeting at his villa this morning.

At 9:00, the agreed time, many shareholders arrived one after another.

Then the atmosphere was lively, with smiles, serving tea and coffee, and chatting about business.

As they talked, Lin Decheng began to get serious.

"Everyone!"

"Everyone should understand that the reason I called everyone here today is because of that Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu."

"Everyone saw the news last night; that Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu keeps saying he wants to use those donations to offset medical expenses."

"In other words, he borrowed money from the neighbors to buy 63% of Mingxin Hospital's shares, and in the end, we have to help him pay it back."

"I just want to ask one thing: Why?!"

"He can do charity, but don't drag us into it; we invested in the hospital and still want to make money, don't you agree?!"

Lin Decheng's words were met with agreement from seven or eight shareholders.

They were extremely indignant.

"That's right, he wants to do charity, and he's forcing me to do charity, losing my money!"

"I absolutely will not agree!"

"Yes, I don't agree either!"

For a time, they were of one mind, twisted into a single rope.

Lin Decheng was satisfied.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu, oh Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu,

You think having 63% of the shares is useful.

As long as I and the shareholders oppose it, don't even think about making the hospital do any charity!

This Lin Decheng is treacherous and greedy, with poor character; even Lei Youcai (Lei Zhilan's father) shakes his head when he sees him.

The recent thing he did was to default on workers' wages, and then he was protested against by employees; and then? Lin Decheng wasn't afraid at all; he directly deregistered the company. ("I Am a Thief")

How could a person like him be willing to be occupied by Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu and turned into a charity institution?

"Tomorrow, we must unite our front!"

"Absolutely cannot back down!"

The shareholders said one after another:

"Yes!"

"Support!"

"Boss Lin, tomorrow you will be the leader!"

Lin Decheng: "???"

He hurriedly shook his head: "No, no, no, there is no leader, everyone is a leader!"

——————

PS: Quite a few book friends said they have the same birthday yesterday, congratulations to all.

Also asking for monthly tickets. You give the monthly tickets first, and I swear I will add updates these few days!

(End of chapter)