Chapter 131: Meat Delivered to the Doorstep

Sigh, what does it mean to be unable to make money even when you have it? This is the perfect example!

"I know that Mr. Zhao came here today to find Chang Yu to repay the favor from that day. Why not choose a different way to show your gratitude, Mr. Zhao?" Katerina suggested.

*My goal isn't just to repay the favor; I mainly want him by my side to keep me safe!* Zhao Dasheng shouted in his heart.

He had been terrified by a recent string of dangers. First, he was inexplicably beaten up, and to this day, there was no trace of the perpetrators. Then, the cruise ship he was on capsized, and he nearly lost his life. Now, he felt insecure every single day, desperate to find a bodyguard with elite skills like Chang Yu to protect him. No matter how dangerous the outside world was, as long as he could ensure his own safety, that would be enough.

"May I ask what kind of secret organization you belong to?" Zhao Dasheng asked with difficulty. "I previously entrusted people to look into my benefactor's files, but I found absolutely nothing... Later, I contacted a big shot in the provincial public security system, only to be told that the records were top-secret and I had no authority to view them. If someone with that kind of influence doesn't have the clearance to access the files, then looking across the entire province, I'm afraid there are very few people who know the benefactor's true identity. If I hadn't asked Fatty Wang, I really wouldn't have been able to find this place, so I'm just curious..."

"Don't ask what you shouldn't, and don't say what you shouldn't," Katerina said mercilessly. "Knowing too much won't do you any good."

Zhao Dasheng fell silent. He recalled that day when he had just jumped from the life raft to the shore; a group of soldiers had immediately taken him away. The television staff who were rescued with him were taken as well. They were kept under secret control, locked in a pitch-black, airtight room. He was told he would only be released if he signed a stack of non-disclosure agreements. If he refused, he would have to stay in prison until he died of old age. Thinking about it now... it was truly chilling!

Zhao Dasheng couldn't help but shiver, his face showing traces of lingering fear. Since that day, he had developed a certain dread toward the secret organization those soldiers belonged to. If he wasn't mistaken, both Katerina, who stood before him, and his savior, Chang Yu, were members of this very organization. Although Zhao Dasheng still couldn't figure out exactly what it was, he guessed that the backing behind this secret group must be incredibly powerful—perhaps even heaven-reaching. At the very least, Chang Yu’s high-level security clearance was not something a standard government agency could establish.

Therefore, Zhao Dasheng’s visit today wasn't just to repay a debt; he had his own hidden agenda. He wanted to get closer to Chang Yu. If he could really get on Chang Yu’s "boat," wouldn't that mean he could potentially build a connection with the secret organization behind him? In all honesty, Zhao Dasheng was already a highly successful businessman; for him, there was no room left to climb higher.

If he wanted to continue elevating his social status and accomplish things he couldn't before, he needed help from the official side. Perhaps the secret organization Chang Yu belonged to could provide him with some protection and support.

Thinking of this, Zhao Dasheng spoke again: "That is truly a pity. I had hoped to have the chance to work with my benefactor in the future. Since that's the case, I’ll simply choose a different way to repay you."

"Among the many real estate properties I own, there is a five-star hotel called the Habsburg. The decor is incredibly luxurious, and its location is right by the Song River—it is a true five-star riverside hotel. Every year, countless dignitaries and wealthy businessmen dine, conduct business, and stay there, and the profits are quite substantial."

As he said this, Zhao Dasheng paused. At that moment, Chang Yu sensed Zhao's intention, and a gleam of excitement sparked in his eyes. Like a hound that had caught the scent of money, Chang Yu straightened his posture.

"I have decided to transfer five percent of the shares of this five-star hotel to you, my benefactor."

"Don't underestimate this five percent stake; it brings in roughly two million in dividends every year!" Fearing that Chang Yu might not understand the nuances, Zhao Dasheng quickly added an explanation.

This was practically free money. It meant that even if Chang Yu did nothing, he could lie back and earn a massive sum of two million! Zhao Dasheng actually had his own calculations: by associating with a "big shot" with such a mysterious background, his business would have an extra layer of protection, right? That was how he had operated in the past; the reason his business had grown so large was entirely due to this method of "sharing profits with others."

*It doesn't matter if I, Zhao Dasheng, have no background. If I find a few people who do and get rich together, don't I have a background then?* In this way, if anyone tried to cause trouble, he wouldn't even need to act; a group of shareholders would fight to solve the problem for him just to protect their own interests.

"What are you standing there for? Say yes quickly!" Yang Yang, seeing Chang Yu still looking dazed and open-mouthed, as if he hadn't recovered from the shock, felt anxious for him. He gave Chang Yu a nudge, reminding him to accept the offer immediately.

"This..." Chang Yu began to hesitate, mostly afraid that his organization wouldn't approve.

"You don't need to worry about the Bureau," Katerina reminded him at the right moment. "Holding shares just requires waiting for dividends; it doesn't affect your primary duties, nor does it take up your time. Many of your colleagues in the Bureau actually have similar situations... as long as it doesn't interfere with work, the Bureau generally doesn't care."

Having said that, she pulled Chang Yu aside and whispered, "This Zhao Dasheng is not like Fatty Wang. He has plenty of money and doesn't care about a few shares. Besides, he has no personal friendship with you, so you don't need to feel embarrassed about accepting them out of politeness. Moreover... you saved his life; it is only right that he shows his appreciation. Now that he has brought the money to your doorstep, if you still refuse, you must be out of your mind!"

"Since this is Mr. Zhao’s heartfelt intention, I suppose I shouldn't refuse any longer," Chang Yu said, agreeing without further hesitation. "If I keep declining, Mr. Zhao might start to think I’m not giving him face."

There was no reason to refuse money that was essentially given away.

Furthermore... Chang Yu not only lacked a friendship with Zhao Dasheng, but they also had some minor past grievances. Chang Yu had no need to save money for him, and he did, in fact, need the money right now.

"That's the spirit! That's the spirit!" Zhao Dasheng beamed, his face crinkling like a chrysanthemum in full bloom. He wasn't afraid of Chang Yu asking for money, nor was he afraid of him making exorbitant demands. What he feared most was Chang Yu refusing the money. If he didn't take it, Zhao Dasheng wouldn't be able to sleep at night. The bigger the "big shot," the more they feared owing favors.

He quickly pulled a document from his briefcase and handed it to Chang Yu, fearing that if he were a second too slow, Chang Yu might change his mind. "This is a share transfer agreement. As long as you sign here, those five percent of the shares are yours!"

Chang Yu took the contract and glanced over it. Having never signed anything like it before, he was confused and couldn't grasp the key points. He felt that he recognized every single character on the page, yet when combined, he couldn't understand a single sentence. There were simply too many technical terms; he couldn't exactly look them up in a dictionary one by one.

"Let me see." Katerina took the contract from Chang Yu's hand and carefully scrutinized it word for word. After a long while, she handed it back to him. "The contract is fine. Just sign it. Besides, what kind of status does Mr. Zhao hold? He wouldn't stoop to using underhanded tactics in a contract."

"Exactly, exactly!" Zhao Dasheng added with a laugh, showing no signs of being offended by the suspicion. "It’s only natural for a benefactor to worry about traps in a contract; I understand that. But this document is genuinely without any issues, so please feel free to sign. Heaven is my witness, I wouldn't try to deceive you, my benefactor!"

*I'm not afraid of you deceiving me,* Chang Yu muttered to himself. *If you dared to try, I wouldn't even need to intervene; the Disaster Relief Bureau behind me would be the first to make your life difficult.*

*Swish, swish, swish!*

Chang Yu took the pen and signed his name in the blank space provided for the transferee.

"Congratulations, benefactor." Once everything was settled, Zhao Dasheng gripped Chang Yu's hand enthusiastically. "From today on, you are the fourth shareholder of the Habsburg Hotel!"

"I’ve just become a shareholder of a five-star hotel?" The surprise was so sudden that a sense of unreality welled up in Chang Yu's heart. He felt lightheaded and anxious, as if he were living in a dream. He had been poor for so long that becoming rich overnight made it hard to feel real. It was like a toad ascending to the heavens—it was hard to adjust.

Come to think of it, this is the tragedy of the poor.