“We welcome everyone to the Shengrong Group’s Spring Banquet this year. Among those present are my friends, employees who have contributed to the group’s development, and my family members. I’m delighted that everyone could…”

The opening was filled with conventional pleasantries.

Regardless of the company’s annual meeting, the top executives’ speeches were all similarly formulaic.

Though lacking originality, it was a necessary procedure.

Those listening below showed no signs of impatience as they heard Du Shengrong summarize the company’s achievements from the previous year and outline the prospects for the current year, finally approaching the main topic.

“Last year, I called Zhaohui and Zhaoji to my study and gave each of them a check for 20 million Hong Kong dollars. I told them that I was already in my sixties, and while I was still serving as the chairman of Shengrong Group, I didn’t know how many more years I could continue. They are Du Shengrong’s sons, so naturally, they should inherit my business… Of course, if neither has the talent for business, I won’t force them.”

Some people applauded as Du Shengrong spoke these words, while Du Zhaohui wanted to roll his eyes.

It was true that the old man had given them checks for 20 million Hong Kong dollars last year, but he had never spoken such warm words.

Nevertheless, Du Zhaohui joined in the applause, even more enthusiastically than Du Zhaoji beside him.

As the winner, one must show grace.

Du Zhaoji was also applauding, though no one could tell what he was thinking.

Du Shengrong looked at the two brothers with fatherly affection:

“They’re both too young. I often wonder who is qualified to be my successor, who can manage such a large enterprise and be responsible for every employee of Shengrong Group. They still lack much experience. No son of Du Shengrong is useless. Given the same 20 million Hong Kong dollar check, whoever can achieve greater success within a year will receive 5% of the group’s shares as a reward. Being born as Du Shengrong’s son may be luck from previous lives, but being my son doesn’t automatically guarantee inheriting my wealth. I came to Hong Kong penniless and built everything from scratch. Now they’re born into prosperity. If they want more, they must show me their capabilities!”

Someone below sighed, “Mr. Du is truly thoughtful.”

The succession issue wasn’t just Du Shengrong’s concern.

Whether it was a large corporation or just a small tea restaurant, such worries existed.

Only with proper successors could wealth be passed down through generations.

Without suitable heirs, what would happen to the earned money? Would it all be spent before death?

For a group of Shengrong’s scale, where Du Shengrong owned over 50% of shares, such wealth would be difficult to squander even intentionally.

Though Xia Xiaolan disliked how Du Shengrong raised his sons like insects in a cage, she admitted that his crude but effective method would work.

Under the high-pressure environment of the Du family, truly idle wastrels could never rise to the top.

The one who eventually emerged would certainly be the heir Du Shengrong wanted.

Take Du Zhaohui, for instance. If he were truly Du Shengrong’s only son, he would have continued dating starlets and living as a playboy without pressure, then married when he tired of that lifestyle, living off the group’s annual dividends. Why struggle when you’re already life’s biggest winner through birth?

Wait, that wasn’t right. Her thoughts had been led astray by Du Shengrong.

By the time Xia Xiaolan came back to her senses, Du Shengrong had already summarized both sons’ achievements over the past year, drawing waves of amazement from the audience.

“Chairman Du, both young masters have performed so excellently. Who did you ultimately judge as the winner?”

Du Zhaoji was only 23 this year. The second young master who studied at a prestigious foreign university was truly exceptional, opening a factory in Thailand and investing in shopping malls in mainland China. This certainly couldn’t have been accomplished with just 20 million Hong Kong dollars.

To operate on such a large scale, besides the initial capital from Du Shengrong, Du Zhaoji must have raised funds himself.

Regardless of how he raised the money, being able to sustain these businesses was Du Zhaoji’s capability.

Considering Du Zhaoji’s age and his business degree from a prestigious school, most people would be more than satisfied with such an excellent son.

But no, this wasn’t about satisfaction.

Above Du Zhaoji was his reformed playboy brother, Du Zhaohui!

Before Du Shengrong could answer, someone else couldn’t help but ask:

“No wonder Hong Kong media reported last year that the eldest young master was selling his houses and cars, claiming he lost tens of millions in Macau gambling. Those reports were false. Young Master was raising funds to launch the ‘Shengrong Plaza’ project?”

Du Zhaoji was truly unfortunate.

Just lacking a bit of luck.

The factories in Thailand plus the mainland shopping malls were enough to prove Du Zhaoji’s excellence.

But the project Du Zhaohui created was simply too dazzling. Beyond the anticipated actual benefits, there were many invisible advantages.

The promotional slogan alone claimed it would be Asia’s premier electronic plaza, and naming it ‘Shengrong Plaza’… Wasn’t that a clear demonstration of Du Zhaohui’s “filial piety”?

Du Shengrong indeed showed a smile:

“Zhaohui has always been playful, unlike Zhaoji who has been studious and reassuring. However, in this competition, Zhaohui’s determination to go all-in has truly impressed me.”

Selling houses and cars for gambling debts would make one a wastrel.

Selling houses and cars to raise project startup funds – if the project failed, it would be reckless; if it succeeded, it would surely bring praise.

Du Zhaohui had already won.

With things said to this point, Du Shengrong’s attitude became increasingly clear.

After comparison, Shengrong Plaza had gained the upper hand.

Du Zhaoji’s choice of Asia and Zhu Suizhou couldn’t be called wrong… it was just that the timing was too late. The Asian project had only been established for half a year, far too short to show its brilliance!

At another table, the second concubine’s face showed not a hint of a smile.

Liu Keying gritted her teeth.

Though she had anticipated this, the thought of that wolf cub Du Zhaohui receiving 5% of the group’s shares made her heart burn with anguish.

5% of the group’s shares was no small amount.

It was an enormous sum of money.

More terrifying was that this was a signal flare – whoever received these 5% shares was practically the Du family’s publicly acknowledged heir, who would receive Du Shengrong’s full cultivation in the future.

Liu Tianquan’s cheeks trembled as he lowered his head to hide the ferocity in his eyes.

Du Zhaohui’s victory benefited no one; everyone feared his future retribution once he took power!

Du Shengrong cared nothing for such concerns. Having kept everyone in suspense, he was ready to announce the winner. Why should he consider anyone else’s feelings?

Whoever wanted shares needed to demonstrate their ability!

Shengrong Plaza was indeed an eye-catching project. Those who weren’t convinced could only watch Du Zhaohui become the winner as Du Shengrong resolutely fulfilled his promise:

“In this competition, the ultimate victor is Zhaohui. I will transfer 5% of the group’s shares to him as a reward.”

The venue erupted in applause!

Everyone congratulated Du Zhaohui and praised Du Shengrong’s wisdom.

Du Zhaohui thought to himself, after a year of living frugally, getting these 5% shares was well-deserved!

He looked toward Xia Xiaolan, who didn’t hesitate to raise her glass to him, mouthing “congratulations.” Du Zhaohui’s joy instantly doubled!