534: Chapter 529: It's not about trust, it's just a transaction.

He set down his teacup, the bottom of which made a light sound as it met the tabletop.

"Boss Wei, the fire is already burning your eyebrows."

"I am not here to rob you."

"I am here to put out the fire."

"However, the price for extinguishing the fire is ownership of the entire blaze."

Wei Guoliang's chest heaved violently, his heavy breathing exceptionally clear in the quiet private room.

He wanted to retort.

But he could not find a single reason to refute it.

What Shen Yan said was the truth.

A bloody truth that he could not escape.

"Hua Teng Decoration is the effort of my entire life."

His voice carried a hint of pleading.

"I understand."

Shen Yan nodded, leaning slightly forward.

"That is why I am giving you a chance to save it."

"A bankrupt and liquidated Hua Teng Decoration holds no value for me."

"What I want is a top-tier team capable of fighting tough battles and securing projects like Shen Yan Plaza."

"A Hua Teng Decoration personally led by you, Wei Guoliang."

These words were like a faint glimmer of light, illuminating the boundless darkness in Wei Guoliang's heart.

He stared blankly at Shen Yan.

The other man's gaze was as calm as still water, revealing no discernible emotion.

But it was precisely this calmness that made him feel an irresistible force.

"Your terms."

Wei Guoliang finally relented, like a deflated ball.

"Hua Teng Decoration will undergo asset restructuring."

"I will inject five hundred million in capital in my personal capacity."

"Three hundred million of that will be used to repay all your debts, including Bank loans, outstanding payments to suppliers, and unpaid Employee wages."

"The remaining two hundred million will serve as working capital for the company's subsequent development."

Shen Yan held up one finger.

"In exchange, I require fifty-one percent of Hua Teng Decoration's equity."

Wei Guoliang's pupils contracted sharply.

Fifty-one percent.

This meant the control of the company would completely change hands.

He would change from the boss to the largest shareholder and the professional manager.

"You..."

He was about to say something, but Shen Yan raised a hand to interrupt him.

"You will continue to serve as the General Manager of Hua Teng Decoration, fully responsible for all business operations of the company."

"I will not interfere with any of your specific work."

"HR Staff, Finance Department, project management—it will still be up to you."

"I only require one thing."

"Results."

Shen Yan's gaze swept over Wei Guoliang, then landed on his calloused hands.

"What I am buying is your craftsmanship, your brand name, and the loyalty of your brothers working under you."

"Not an empty shell."

"Boss Wei, you are a smart man."

"Do you think it's more worthwhile to sink with this ship that is about to capsize, or to replace it with a sturdier engine and set sail again?"

Silence fell again in the private room.

Feng Yuanshan's action of fiddling with walnuts also stopped.

He, too, was shocked by Shen Yan's boldness.

Five hundred million.

Without batting an eye.

This was no longer an acquisition; it was practically a blood transfusion.

Wei Guoliang kept his head down, so no one could see his expression.

His shoulders were trembling slightly.

After a long pause.

He looked up, his eyes bloodshot.

"How can I trust you?"

"I am just a small boss driven into a corner. Boss Shen, your business is vast. I am afraid..."

He feared that in the end, he wouldn't even be able to keep his forty-nine percent.

He feared that his decades of effort would be completely devoured.

"Trust?"

Shen Yan seemed to hear an interesting word.

"Boss Wei, there is no trust between us."

"This is a transaction."

"You exchange your professional ability and team for a chance to rise again."

"I use my capital and resources to obtain a top-tier construction team that I can command."

"As for guarantees..."

Shen Yan took out a voice recorder from his pocket and gently placed it on the table, pushing it toward Wei Guoliang.

"Now, I will give you a plan."

"After you listen to it, you will know how to choose."

Wei Guoliang looked at the small voice recorder and swallowed.

Shen Yan's voice rang out, neither rushed nor slow.

"First, Wang Zhen from Hongtai Real Estate."

"Chasing debt is the least efficient method."

"Tomorrow morning, Hua Teng Decoration will release a bounty notice through official channels."

"A reward of ten million for information leading to Wang Zhen's whereabouts. Once confirmed, the claimant will receive the bounty."

"The funds will be provided by me."

Wei Guoliang was startled.

"What's the use of that? He's already gone."

"It is useful."

A coldness curled the corner of Shen Yan's mouth.

"Ten million is enough to make Wang Zhen a startled bird in every place he might possibly hide in the country."

"He will realize that no matter if it's his relatives, friends, or former subordinates, the way they look at him will change."

"This will force him to act rashly, making it easier for him to expose himself."

"But that is not the main point."

"The main point is that we want the entire city, and even the entire national construction industry, to know."

"First, that Wang Zhen owes you money."

"Second, that Hua Teng Decoration has the financial strength to offer a ten-million-dollar bounty for him."

"What will others think?"

"They will think that Hua Teng Decoration has a backer behind them that they cannot afford to offend."

"In the future, who will dare to easily withhold your project payments?"

Wei Guoliang's breathing became rapid.

He understood.

This move was to strike the snake by beating the grass, killing two birds with one stone.

It could both recover debt and establish authority.

"Second, the Bank loans and the workers' wages."

"Before nine o'clock tomorrow morning, three hundred million in funds will be transferred to the company account you specify."

"The first thing you do is repay the Bank loan."

"The second thing is to gather all the Employees for a meeting."

"Pay them double the wages owed."

"Tell them that for the brothers who stay, everyone's salary will increase by thirty percent starting next month."

"The company will pay the highest tier of five insurances and one housing fund contribution for all master craftsmen with over five years of service."

Wei Guoliang's eyes widened.

Double wages?

A thirty percent general salary increase?

This scale...

"Doing this, the cost is too high!"

"It's not high."

Shen Yan said lightly.

"Human hearts are the most expensive thing in the world, and also the cheapest thing."

"You use money to buy back the absolute loyalty of hundreds of your brothers."

"This deal is a huge profit."

"Third, those three master craftsmen poached by 'Golden Mantis'."

"No need to invite them back."

"Tomorrow, you release the news that Hua Teng Decoration is hiring master carpenters, masons, and painters at high salaries, with compensation twenty percent higher than the terms offered by Golden Mantis."

"I want Golden Mantis to know that digging food out of my Shen Yan's bowl comes with a price."

"I want their people to start thinking about jumping ship to you."

Every word Shen Yan spoke was like a bullet, precisely hitting the most vulnerable and most desired spot in Wei Guoliang's heart.

He was not a pure businessman.

He was a craftsman.

What he cared about most was his brand name and the brothers who ate because of him.