Chapter 148: Don't Even Think About Staying in the Company

In this era, the number of billionaires was not particularly large.

Ever since Su Mu successfully squeezed his way into that "one percent" circle, he had gained a much deeper appreciation of the formidable influence commanded by the super-rich.

One hundred million dollars certainly did not qualify someone as a super-rich individual. Only those who ranked among the top fifty on the Forbes Four Hundred list could truly be called super-rich, with personal net worths typically starting at five hundred million dollars. Mr. An Wang, who founded Wang Laboratories, was one such figure, and that middle-aged gentleman surnamed Li from Hong Kong was another.

Possessing five hundred million dollars in real estate and antiques was entirely different from being a super-rich individual who owned a company valued at five hundred million dollars. Usually, the latter wielded far greater influence. They commanded workforces, provided jobs for society, and paid massive amounts in taxes, which naturally gave them the right to speak with authority.

Su Mu had already experienced the preliminary joys of being wealthy, but not yet profoundly so. At least, when Mr. Sena was told about Li Tzar-kai's father, he immediately knew who it was, whereas Su Mu himself was still a nobody—even among the numerous employees of the supermarket, not a single one had ever heard his name.

Seemingly slight as this difference might be, it was a chasm that many people could not cross in a lifetime.

Before Mr. Sam Walton became the newly crowned world's richest man, not many people had heard of him. But now, President Ronald Reagan himself invited him to visit the White House.

A net worth of ten million was merely a starting point. While those who reached this wealth bracket were not extremely rare, they were by no means scarce worldwide, and they could hardly claim any real influence. Having just achieved financial independence, they did not yet need to concern themselves with "big toys" like private jets or massive luxury yachts, though buying a helicopter was well within reach.

Having tasted the sweetness of success, one naturally craved more. As he ate lobster at a small restaurant, Su Mu answered with a smile: "I understand, but who can I trust one hundred percent when it comes to cooperation?

If this attempt succeeds, I will retain controlling interest, and I will be very careful when appointing senior executives. I know his son's personality—as long as I help him make money, he won't meddle in the business affairs."

"Perhaps I could invest in you," Mr. Sena suddenly said.

"As it happens, I have some spare cash on hand. A few years ago, I bought some shares in Berkshire Hathaway. Mr. Buffett is remarkable, but recently, sensing that the market conditions were unfavorable, I cashed out a portion.

Don't get me wrong, I never normally interfere in my clients' businesses, but after looking over the financial statements yesterday, I felt that your supermarket has a lot of potential."

When they first met, Mr. Sena had considered Su Mu merely a very lucky kid. His perspective only shifted last night after hearing Su Mu outline his plan—specifically, the ruthless strategy being deployed today.

He could have come up with it himself, but one had to remember that Su Mu was only seventeen years old and had already invested in two such successful companies. Leaving aside his sharp intellect, the most crucial thing was that Su Mu had recognized the growth potential of Go-Buy Supermarket, especially since Walmart's success had already proven the infinite potential of the retail sector.

Tipping his head toward Mr. Sena, Su Mu delivered a rather sharp remark: "It's a good thing I signed an agreement with you beforehand, so I don't have to worry about you holding onto my shares and refusing to hand them over. You really were eyeing my company all along.

Sorry, I must decline. You are far too shrewd, and I would definitely get the raw end of the deal if I negotiated financing with you. I was originally planning to seek external financing based on a valuation of twenty million dollars, and you certainly wouldn't agree to those terms."

"Hahaha!"

Stretching out hands stained with oil and garlic sauce, Mr. Sena burst into hearty laughter and replied: "Hearing you say that makes me want to invest even more! You've got the scent of those Wall Street fellows about you. You're very likely to make a massive fortune!"

"What scent? The smell of US dollars?"

"No. Like sewer rats, hiding in dark corners, wanting to take a bite the moment they see food, and fleeing instantly at the slightest hint of trouble!"

The description was a bit too vivid. Su Mu's imagination conjured up the stench of a sewer, making him lose his appetite for the lobster. He shook his head and said: "How can you make a comparison like that? I went to Wall Street last year, and many of the successful people in suits looked like they were doing quite well.

As for the financing, that will have to wait until I secure my shares in Go-Buy. Don't forget that Han is still calling the shots right now, and we still don't know whether he will agree to our demands."

That was very true.

Mr. Sena's sudden impulse to invest was not urgent, so he simply shook his head and dropped the subject.

A good company never lacked potential investors. Before he genuinely required a large sum of capital, Su Mu did not intend to take on too much financing. He was still harboring daydreams that his Penguin company would rake in huge profits, eliminating the need for outside investment altogether.

However, considering that there were still many industries with ample potential worthy of investment, he needed to keep capital on hand to seize the right opportunities. Coupled with the understanding that one should not put all their eggs in one basket, he felt that proper financing was quite necessary to accelerate Go-Buy's growth...

While the three of them were happily dining on lobster, Boss Han was so worried he couldn't even sleep.

He had been quite thrilled moving into his new house during the day, but after returning home, his face was cast in deep gloom.

Thinking it over and over, he finally consoled himself that this wasn't solely his problem; there was another major shareholder to help shoulder the burden. If the supermarket really went under, both of them would be completely ruined.

Good fortune never seemed to cross Su Mu's path, but the moment trouble struck, Su Mu was the very first person that came to mind.

The most urgent task right now was to plug the financial deficit, as long as he could convince the suppliers that the company had cash so they would continue extending credit for goods next time.

At that thought, he recalled Karl Helberg and felt a burning hatred!

The guy had written in his letter that he liked Boss Han's wife and had retaliated against the company because he couldn't have her. Upon learning about that, his own shrew of a wife had actually acted quite smug about it!

Boss Han ended up hating his wife right along with him.

...

The next day.

Around noon, Su Mu received a startling piece of news from his mother.

His mother was supposed to have gone to work—it was true they had moved to Beverly Hills, but Su Mu's mother hadn't lost her job at the supermarket.

In her own words: "Seeing so much merchandise being sold every day gives me peace of mind."

Unable to reach Su Mu, Boss Han had cast his crooked ideas onto Su Mu's mother. At that moment, Su Mu asked in a voice laced with shock: "What?"

"He gets himself into trouble and wants our family to mortgage our shares and take out a loan to lend money to the supermarket so he can pay off his debts? Does he have any shame left? Why doesn't he mortgage his own shares instead of asking us to scramble for money?"

His mother said with a troubled expression: "Boss Han is in a tough spot too. If the company collapses, our family won't make any money either. It's not like he isn't paying us back; he's just borrowing it temporarily and will return it to us in two months at most."

Su Mu was so angry he laughed. Last time, the man had tried to treat him like a fool, and now he was trying it a second time?!

If Boss Han had possessed an ounce of backbone and mortgaged his own assets to plug the gap, Su Mu wouldn't have said a word; he would have acknowledged that the man still had some spine.

Instead, he wanted Su Mu's family to take out loans while not putting up a single cent of his own. What kind of nonsense was that?

Suppressing his anger and choosing not to vent to his mother, he took two deep breaths and said: "Mom, don't go to work for the next few days. That fellow harbors malicious intentions. He tried to cheat our family last time, and he's doing the exact same thing now.

Why should our family be the ones scrambling for funds? Just because he thinks you and Dad are honest and easy to push around! Partnering with someone like this makes my heart run cold. This time, there's no way he's staying in the company..."