“Oh, you misunderstood me, Mr. Chairman. I’m not looking for a partnership… it’s more like… I’m interested in buying the project from your government entirely.” Taking a sip from his beverage, Virus mouthed in a calm tone.
“What!” Hearing that, the Chairman was no longer capable of keeping himself calm as he shouted in indignation, “Young man, don’t you think you’re crossing a line here even just by suggesting it?”
Nonetheless, not bothered by his exasperation or rude remarks at all, Virus added, “Why would I? Please listen to everything I have to say before jumping at conclusions.”
Then, he went on almost immediately, “I’m not asking you or your government to pass along the project for free here… as a matter of fact, it couldn’t be far from it!”
“What do you mean?” Barely keeping his anger under control, the Chairman questioned. However, a frown was still apparent over his forehead.
Meanwhile, both the golden beauty and Amara were silently enjoying their food while also listening to their entertaining conversation simultaneously.
“According to my investigations, the ‘Shanghai Municipal Investment Group’ will need a budget of more than 2 billion dollars for this project to bore fruit in the first place, but I’m pretty sure you already knew that,” after a brief silence, he voiced further, “so here’s my offer. Put those 2 billion dollars back into your own pockets. On top of that, I’m willing to purchase everything from you guys for 2 more billion dollars!”
To this, the Chairman could only query speechlessly, “You mean…?”
Nodding his head in confirmation, Virus delineated more, “Yes, not only would your group keep the 2 billion dollar budget for themselves, but I’m also putting 2 more billion dollars above that! That’s an instant 100 percent profit for your municipal investment group! I mean… this is probably one of the best and yet worst deals in the entire history of mankind.” Patting the table before him once, Virus concluded, “Best for you, of course, and probably worst for me.”
Certainly, Virus could have offered a single billion dollars or even less, however, he did not do that. Because he clearly understood the fact that now the Chinese government was willing to spend a ‘2 billion dollars’ capital on this particular project, their foresight was at least targeting beyond the initial money they were putting forth.
Thus, offering any less than that amount, for example, one single billion dollars (50% profit) wouldn’t have moved the Chairman in the first place at all. Because he was aware that the future gains they were going to make from that building were far above that. Maybe it couldn’t even compare to it. That high.
However, now that Virus was offering twice the initial amount, it was at least tempting enough for him to consider the offer.
So gazing upon the Chairman’s impressed face at this point, Virus knew that his words were already having an effect on him, so he promptly decided to strike again while the iron was hot just like a whispering devil, “Think about it. What does your group even have to lose? I mean, you’ve barely initiated the construction at the site at this phase. Furthermore, you can just take this 2 billion dollar I’m offering you and go somewhere else instead and build an even better and taller skyscraper there! The only disadvantage you’re facing is the loss of a rather good hot spot for building this skyscraper, but then again… who says that’s the only great spot in Shanghai?”
And with that, the final defense lines of the Chairman seemed to have been broken through. However, being the shrewd man he was, he couldn’t help but say, “Hmm… you’re right on point Chairman Vee. But there is one thing that’s confusing me a great deal.”
“And what’s that?”
“Why would you go through so much trouble and such a great loss for this location? I mean, as you said previously, you could just build another skyscraper somewhere else and save these 2 billion dollars… but why-“
Already being more than wise to the direction the Chairman was heading at, interrupting him in the middle of his sentence, he uttered, “It’s really simple if you think about it. I’m doing this because I ‘can’. As straightforward as that.”
This response in return, however, forced the Chairman’s eyes to pop open in dismay as he vocalized in absolute disbelief, “Because… you can? Are you for real? You’re going to throw away two billion dollars just because you ‘can’?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s too good to be true.”
“…” Looking into his eyes, Virus knew that the other person was having difficulty believing his words, even worse, he was starting to get suspicious regarding the entire deal altogether.
‘Sigh, this is how the mindset of businessmen work, to them, there’s no free lunch in the world. And due to that saying, he’s thinking that there has to be at least some hidden agenda from the part of the ‘proposer’ of this particular trade. Me.’ As this notion went through Virus’ brain, shaking his head helplessly, he decided, ‘So how about I just make a hidden agenda.’
Having made a choice, abruptly, Virus started laughing out loud like a villain, “Hahahaha…” then stopping at last after seeing the Chairman’s funny face which was screaming ‘I knew it!’, he began talking, “I apologize for being rude like that. Haha… it’s just that… as expected of such a wise mind. To be truthful, I do indeed have an ulterior motive in making this deal.”
As if he was already expecting that, nodding his head in return, the Chairman uttered, “Just as I thought. And what would that be exactly, if I may ask?”
To that question, Virus began replying almost instantly, “Honestly, I’m trying to make a good impression on your government through this deal. This money is like my gift for the Chinese government before I enter your borders officially and start doing business here.”
Noticing the Chairman’s eyes shining brilliantly in total comprehension, a tickled grin crept over Virus’ face as he went on, “Yes, as you’ve realized already, I’m going to officially root a branch of my corporation here in Shanghai, a branch that’s nearly as important as my headquarters in New York. You know what, I might even make this place my new headquarters.”
“So I’m sure you can understand why I’m doing this… to make a good impression on the government and to make you guys stop being defensive against a behemoth called the Virus industries.” And just like that, Virus brought his act to an end.
