Is there not a single comforting word coming out of your mouth

This time, major cosmetics groups suffered a great loss.

Originally, two small business spies were sent by the Japanese Shiseido Company on behalf of the American Laudai Company and they also bribed a few others.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy to steal the formula.

Even if you deliberately let someone steal it, you have to follow basic logic.

If it's too easy, people won't believe it.

As a result,

The people who stole the formula were tempted by the money, which Cao Gongzi (Cao Cheng) didn't expect before. Plans can't keep up with changes. Life is full of surprises.

Fortunately, the result didn't change much.

It's a pity...

The stolen formula was useless and couldn't be used to produce the X Essence.

At the same time, they offended TC Company.

Now, if it weren't for the contract, TC would never continue to sell the X Essence to them.

If TC stopped selling now, it would have to pay a large amount of compensation according to the contract.

So,

TC had to swallow the bitter pill and continue to supply the X Essence to these groups. After all, although you suspected these people, you had no evidence to confirm that they were the ones who stole it. You couldn't even win a lawsuit. In the end, you could only sell them the stock solution.

But the relationship was indeed broken, and TC's delivery was very slow.

It seemed to be on purpose.

They would give a little from time to time, anyway, delivering according to the latest time stipulated in the contract. It made everyone very uncomfortable, but they could do nothing about it.

Because of this, the leaders of these groups kept urging the research institute to see if they had cracked the formula.

It was delaying their money - making!

Although the stock prices were still rising, once the contract with TC expired and the formula hadn't been developed, once the news was announced, the stock prices would surely plummet.

In short, they were very anxious.

At the same time, they kept sending negotiators to TC Company. Firstly, they explained the issue of the formula, saying that they didn't send anyone and the theft of the formula had nothing to do with them.

Secondly, they urged TC to increase the supply, even if the raw material prices went up.

There was huge profit in this.

Once you've experienced the joy of making money, no one can stand the time of not making money.

It's a kind of torture.

Unfortunately, TC was unmoved. That General Manager Li was like a broken - record, always saying the same few words: No, won't sell, can't, don't want, won't raise the price, impossible!

The professional negotiation team was getting angry. They were so frustrated but didn't dare to lose their temper directly in front of General Manager Li.

They just thought that it was this country that saved General Manager Li.

If it were outside, the families behind them had countless ways to make him spit out the whole company, and then he would disappear in some unknown canyon and pass away.

...

Unfortunately, these people had no idea.

They didn't have much time left, at most three months.

Then all the arrangements could come to an end.

That would be the real 'business war'.

Cao Cheng could take over all the top - end markets in one go...

Of course,

It was an exaggeration to say so. It was impossible to take 100%, but Cao Gongzi was quite confident about taking over more than 50%.

What does it mean to have a market share of more than 50% in the high - end market?

It's like the Apple mobile phones in the future. At its peak, it only had such a market share.

It was very exaggerated.

It seemed that the whole world was using this mobile phone, from bosses to street - walkers, everyone had one!

You'd have to go back to the peak era of Nokia to find a mobile phone company with such achievements.

When that time came.

The market value of tens of billions, hundreds of billions, or even trillions would be unstoppable.

Even if there were downturns in the future, it couldn't be held back.

After all, this industry made cash flow too aggressively.

...

...

In a blink of an eye, it was Chinese New Year's Eve in February.

Just because Cao Gongzi didn't show up didn't mean he wasn't popular.

A hot search titled 'On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Cao Cheng invites the whole nation to watch a movie' was trending high.

Everyone, whether they knew him or not, knew about it.

The box - office records were constantly being refreshed.

The box - office, which had already shown signs of decline and it was even uncertain whether it could reach 800 million, now exceeded 800 million in just one day and was still rising.

This movie was expected to break the 1 - billion mark.

Pao'er was jealous.

He was also angry.

This year was supposed to be Pao'er's year.

Normally, with one of his earthquake - themed movies, he could make more than 600 million, and with 'If You Are the One 2', he could easily break through 1 billion.

He would definitely be the director with 1 - billion box - office this year.

Just ask... throughout history... who else?

But then...

How shameless, that guy surnamed Cao.

Because of Cao's involvement, 'If You Are the One 2' became a big loser. Its box - office had just exceeded 200 million, and he even inflated it a bit.

Even so... the combined box - office of the two movies was only a little over 800 million.

It was still less than that of 'Let the Bullets Fly'.

Pao'er said, "What's the point of inflating the box - office?"

Cao Cheng replied, "Jealous?"

"What am I jealous of? Have the guts to compete fairly!"

"Sure, I don't care about competing. I only invited the whole nation to watch the movie after I was sure to beat you this year. It's a treat for my fans and the audience. If I had done this earlier, you would have lost long ago, Pao'er."

"Alright then."

"Run a lap first to show your sincerity. Otherwise, why should I continue to bet with you? Because you don't keep your word? Or because of your rotten teeth?"

"..."

Pao'er didn't reply.

Run?

Go to hell.

Does he think I don't have any dignity?

Moreover, it's so cold outside. If I go out and run a lap without clothes, I'll freeze to death.

I'm already in my fifties, okay.

There's no way I'll run.

However...

Pao'er was not willing to admit defeat.

Pao'er thought for a while and said to his wife, Old Xu, "How about finding someone to act as a go - between... and inviting him to dinner? I'll apologize to him in person. I'm not willing to admit defeat. I want to continue the bet. I can accept apologizing privately, but I'll never run in public."

His wife, Old Xu, nodded and said, "You should have thought like this earlier. You're such an adult, why are you so stubborn? Is face more important than money?"

"Face!"

"..."

Old Xu rolled her eyes and said, "Isn't it also losing face to apologize?"

Pao'er said, "Apologizing is less embarrassing than running in public. It's a matter of weighing the pros and cons. Anyway, I'm not reconciled. I want to continue the bet. There will always be a day when this guy apologizes to me."

"I don't think there's much hope," Old Xu shook her head. "He's very tricky."

Pao'er snorted and said, "Don't boost other people's morale and undermine our own. I don't believe it. When I was making movies, he was still playing with mud."

After that,

Pao'er found Director Wang of Huaxiong. He hoped that Director Wang could act as an intermediary and arrange a meeting.

Director Wang had met Cao Gongzi before. Although there had been some unpleasantness between them, there was no deep - seated hatred.

Later, there were also some small - scale collaborations.

After all, they were all businessmen.

Moreover, Director Wang was much more sensible than his useless younger brother. He knew who he could offend and who he couldn't.

Especially after Cao Gongzi got a girlfriend, some top - level figures in the Beijing circle had spread the word not to offend him.

Director Wang had also heard this news, so he didn't want to get involved in the matter between Pao'er and Cao Gongzi.

So, Director Wang wanted to reject Pao'er.

Although he had a good relationship with Pao'er and valued him very much, he felt that he shouldn't get involved.

But Pao'er had always been persistent since he was young.

Director Wang politely declined, but Pao'er started to block Director Wang's people at his doorstep every day since the third day of the Lunar New Year.

In the end, Director Wang had no choice but to make a phone call.

Pao'er was also there listening.

Young Master Cao said, "Oh, what brings you to my phone line?"

Listen to that.

Is this even human speech?

I can’t understand a damn word.

If you can’t talk like a normal person, don’t force it, alright?

Director Wang shook his head in silent exasperation, mentally roasting him.

But on the surface, he just laughed. "Director Cao, you busy? Got time to grab a meal together?"

Young Master Cao chuckled. "What? Pao'er got to you?"

"..." Director Wang side-eyed the grinning Pao'er beside him and sighed. "Director Cao, you’ve got a sharp ear. One sentence and you already figured it out."

"Obviously. That guy’s definitely pissed but too lazy to put in the work, so he got someone to set up a meeting, apologize in private, and then keep betting against me to win back his pride." Cao Cheng snorted.

The words from the phone hit Pao'er like a truck, leaving him stunned.

How the hell… how the hell did you know?

Did you plant bugs in my house?

Damn it.

Old Xu, my wife—she betrayed me.

Pao'er was floored.

Cao Cheng continued, "No surprises here—Pao'er’s right next to you, isn’t he?"

Director Wang laughed. "You got me. Want to talk to him? Honestly, this whole thing’s just publicity. We make a show of bickering, but in the end, nobody really loses. No hard feelings."

"No hard feelings at all. I just think he’s ugly, and looking at him annoys me."

"..." Director Wang barely held back a laugh.

Pao'er’s face darkened. You bastard… attacking my looks now?

So what if I’m ugly?

Did I eat your damn rice?

"Director Cao, how’s it going?" Pao'er forced a smile while cursing him internally.

Cao Cheng said, "Pao'er, don’t grin. I bet you’re cussing me out in your head right now."

"No, no—"

"Honestly, I don’t care if you are. I’ve cussed you out too. But forget about dinner—seeing you would kill my appetite. Unless your wife… nah, she’s getting up there in age too. Anyway, you wanna keep betting, right?"

Pao'er was seething.

You son of a—

Not a single pleasant word comes out of your mouth, huh?

Pao'er cursed inwardly but kept his tone polite. "Yeah."

"Alright, here’s the deal. Keep making movies. If any one of your films ever beats Director Jiang’s Bullet, I’ll publicly apologize to you." Cao Cheng smirked.

Pao'er’s interest was piqued.

This was a golden opportunity.

Sure, ten billion was a lot, but inflation was a thing.

Movies used to make tens of millions—now they hit billions.

Twenty billion in the future? Not impossible.

But Pao'er knew Cao Cheng wouldn’t just hand him an easy win. There had to be a catch.

Sure enough—

"Of course," Cao Cheng added, "To keep it fair with inflation, I’ll give you six years. Any film before 2017 that tops Bullet counts. After 2017, no dice—money’s value changes too much by then. Deal, Pao'er?"

"Six years. You get six shots at beating me. Can’t say I’m being unfair. You in?"

Pao'er shot back, "Bet. Why wouldn’t I?"

"Good, it’s settled. If you win, I apologize. But if you lose… what then?" Cao Cheng countered.

Fair point.

A bet needs stakes on both sides.

Pao'er gritted his teeth. "If I lose, I’ll direct a movie for you—for free."

Director Wang raised an eyebrow.

Even he didn’t get that kind of offer.

Cao Cheng scoffed. "You drunk on fake booze? If you lose, it means you’re mediocre. Why would I want your free movie? You think you’re the only director in the world? Hell, I’d think twice even if you paid me to hire you."

"..."

"..."

Humiliation.

Pao'er nearly smashed Director Wang’s phone on the spot.

Director Wang realized—

That logic was airtight.

You win? I apologize.

You lose? Why would I want your lousy movie?

I’d rather not.