243: Chapter 242 The Judgment of Five Hundred Million

Just as Wang Shuo was working diligently, racing against time, a piece of news began to circulate quietly online.

"Exposure: Who Did Frontier Technology Offend?"

The article was very brief, only a hundred or so words, exposing a document from the perspective of an ordinary person that made them feel their worldview had been shattered.

It was a photo of an entire contract.

It was this photo that drew everyone's attention, and people began to frantically repost and comment.

At eight in the morning, just as Wang Shuo was heading to HUST, a well-known influencer finally stepped forward, reposted the expository post, and added their own commentary.

"Shocking: Such Malice, Whose Cake Did Frontier Technology Really Touch?"

"As an industry insider, I am deeply shocked by this. I had originally speculated that behind the launch of a mature product must be a mature supply chain and suppliers; ensuring the timely delivery of products is a basic requirement that every conscientious and moral enterprise must meet.

However, the capabilities currently displayed by Frontier Technology Company seem to raise many questions. Of course, they have also paid the price of being caught in a whirlpool of public opinion for this. According to basic data from the official Frontier Technology forum, Frontier Technology's capital chain is already on the verge of breaking, and the pressure for refunds is immense. Once they can no longer support it, this pearl at the pinnacle of Artificial Intelligence that has just risen will fall at the very beginning of its ascent.

But now it seems there is more to this matter than meets the eye. The inside story exposed by this document makes me shudder. As a citizen of Huaxia, I cannot help but ask: why such behavior? How exactly did Frontier Technology offend you?"

The situation spiraled out of control.

By noon, this news had surpassed zero egg and topped the trending search list.

Below the list were comments from netizens.

"Shameless! They dare to use such tactics, and are actually able to use them? Where are the national laws? Why aren't they doing anything about it!"

"And there are lawyers saying this is a normal acquisition? Pfft, who are you trying to gross out? Can't we distinguish between malicious competition and a normal acquisition?"

"I strongly suggest a thorough investigation of this enterprise!"

"There are so many disgusting terms, and yet it's still called a normal acquisition?"

...

In the official Frontier Technology forum, as this news fermented, it was also a scene of intense activity.

Girl Under the Thumb: "I knew there was a hidden story behind this. Now it seems Frontier Technology has indeed encountered difficulties."

Not Heartbroken by Eggs: "I have always stood on the side of Frontier Technology. Unless someone else can create the same Artificial Intelligence, I will not change my original intention."

Light of Huaxia: "I fear some people can no longer sit still. Everyone, just watch, within half a day, this headline will be covered up by other headlines. I'm posting this as proof!"

Cute Little Phoenix: "If it weren't for the fact that you can only order with an ID card, I would order a hundred! Support Frontier Technology! Frontier Technology will never retreat!"

...

In a villa in Donghai City.

Wu Xie quietly looked at the tablet in his hand. After a while, he let out a soft laugh, placed the tablet on the coffee table, and said to the Female Assistant who had been by his side: "Well done, but it's not enough."

"Find a few people to continue exposing things. Expose the founding time of this acquisition company, its shareholder composition, consultant team, the capital behind it, and the acquisition contracts with several other Frontier Technology suppliers. Even if I can't make it go bankrupt, I want to make it stink."

"Understood, Young Master."

The Female Assistant nodded gently, noted Wu Xie's requests in her notebook, then took out a document and handed it to Wu Xie.

"Read it to me."

Wu Xie closed his eyes and gave a faint instruction.

Inside, he was calculating when he could also get an Artificial Intelligence like the one in the online video.

He had to prop Wang Shuo up. If he fell, when would he be able to enjoy the services of Artificial Intelligence?

"Regarding the investment contract between you and Frontier Technology, it was rejected by the Board of Directors."

"What was the reason?"

"The reason is that the investment risk is high, the rate of return is unclear, and..." The Female Assistant glanced at Wu Xie: "Your authority and level are insufficient to mobilize these funds."

"Heh." Wu Xie laughed: "Those old fogies. This company will sooner or later be ruined in their hands."

The Female Assistant hesitated: "Young Master, we..."

"Since they don't agree, then forget it. Besides, I wasn't planning on letting them invest anyway."

Wu Xie took out his phone and dialed a number.

After a few rings, the call connected, and a vigorous, aged voice came through.

"Haha, Little Milk Stick, what do you need me for?"

Wu Xie had black lines all over his face.

"Great-Grandfather, can you please not always call me by my nickname?"

"Haha, did I call you by your nickname again? Sigh, I'm old, my memory isn't good, you have to understand."

Wu Xie was speechless and couldn't help but cover his forehead with his hand. He glanced at the Female Assistant, who was pretending not to hear anything, and lowered his voice: "Great-Grandfather, I want to discuss something with you."

"You want to discuss something with me? Haha, it's rare that you have something to discuss with me other than asking for money. Very good, you have grown up." Great-Grandfather sighed with emotion and asked: "Go ahead, what is it?"

Wu Xie coughed and said: "Can you... lend me some money?"

There was silence on the other end, and immediately after, Wu Xie heard the beeping sound from the receiver.

This...

Wu Xie had black lines all over his face and called again. This time, the ringing lasted longer. When it connected again, the same voice came through.

"Oh, Wu Xie, the signal was bad just now. What did you say?"

"Great-Grandfather." Wu Xie emphasized his voice: "For this money, I'll pay you interest! Double!"

"Hmm... lending money is not impossible." Great-Grandfather's aged voice carried a hint of caution: "Tell me, Little Milk Stick, how much?"

"500 million."

The phone hung up again.

Wu Xie: "..."

The Female Assistant couldn't help but laugh out loud. Seeing Wu Xie look at her, she quickly covered her mouth, but just by looking at her twitching cheeks, one knew that she still couldn't hold it in.

Wu Xie endured the headache. This money had to be borrowed. In the whole family, only his Great-Grandfather could cough up 500 million at once. Others... Wu Xie had thought about it, but with more people, there would be more complications, and his popularity in the family wasn't exactly great.

He dialed the number again.

This time, it took a long time for the call to connect.

"Great-Grandfather!!!" Wu Xie said in a low, measured tone: "Can you please let me finish?"

"Little Milk Stick, are you talking about Vietnamese Dong or Indian Rupees?"

"Of course it's RMB!"

"500 million RMB." Great-Grandfather's voice was uncharacteristically low: "Do you know how much money that is? I want to know the purpose of you borrowing this money."

"Great-Grandfather, I have a legitimate purpose. Have you heard of Frontier Technology?"

"I am just old, not deaf, nor crazy." The aged voice revealed a hint of reproach, then said: "I have heard of this company you mentioned, and I was planning to send someone to make contact. Since you have already made contact, tell me your judgment."

Wu Xie felt a slight warmth in his heart; he knew this was his Great-Grandfather looking out for him.

"Great-Grandfather, allow me to explain the specific details when I return, but for now, an investment of 500 million is my judgment."

The other side was silent for a moment.

"How confident are you in recovering the investment?"

The voice on the other side was very low.

Wu Xie also became serious and said in a deep voice: "Great-Grandfather, to be honest, my confidence is less than ten percent."

Daring to invest 500 million with less than ten percent confidence was indeed a grand gesture.

The other side remained silent, until Wu Xie thought his Great-Grandfather had hung up again and was about to check his phone, when the voice came through again.

"Investment is your personal behavior, it is not appropriate for me to ask too much. Since you have already decided, I will not say anything more."

"But, since I am lending this 500 million to you, the accounts between us must be clear. Little Milk Stick, don't say I'm bullying you. I will lend you this 500 million, and I won't ask for your interest, but I want thirty percent of your investment dividends."

"No matter how much it is, give me thirty percent."

Wu Xie raised his eyebrows slightly. He only held one percent of the shares; the dividends weren't much to begin with. If he gave his Great-Grandfather another thirty percent, when would he be able to recover his costs?

But then again, double the interest on 500 million a year would be quite a significant expense.

Furthermore, what Great-Grandfather agreed to was that no matter how much it was, he would only get thirty percent.

In other words, even if he only received ten yuan in dividends, he would only need to give him three yuan. If there were no subsequent dividends, then he wouldn't need to pay anything.

If Frontier Technology were to die halfway, this distribution method would undoubtedly be the most favorable for him.

Was Great-Grandfather... afraid that he wouldn't be able to pay back the interest?

Wu Xie pondered for a moment and said in a low voice: "Great-Grandfather, I appreciate your kindness, but I have confidence in my judgment. I will pay you double the interest, and as for the dividends, I have other plans."

"Very good." Great-Grandfather's voice was full of pleasure: "An investor, an investor, invests in others and also in oneself; invests capital and also confidence. If you don't even have confidence in yourself, then this investment is not worth making. Little Milk Stick, you have truly grown up."

"I will lend you this 500 million, the interest will be at four percent monthly, the term is five years, and the interest will only be accrued but not repaid within two years."

Wu Xie smiled; his Great-Grandfather still loved him.

"However, since we are investing, I might as well invest some to test the waters. In the future, you can come to me to borrow money at any time, but I only have one requirement for lending money: for all the returns you make from investing the money you borrowed from me, I, or rather the Wu family, will take fifty percent."

Wu Xie couldn't help but be speechless. As expected, Great-Grandfather was still the same Great-Grandfather he knew. Being old and such, that was all just an excuse, right? All an excuse, right?