In her heart, she couldn't help but admit that her little brother was undeniably handsome. A mischievous smile played on her lips as she adjusted the camera to focus more on Liu Yong, ensuring that he dominated the live broadcast room, allowing his fans to get a clear view of his captivating features.
"He's incredibly handsome!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine admiration.
"Handsome doesn't even begin to describe it. Just look at the wristwatch he's wearing. It's a limited edition worldwide, worth over 8 million," remarked another person, unable to contain their awe.
"No way! It's unfathomable to be both handsome and incredibly wealthy," responded someone else in disbelief.
As tens of thousands of fans tuned in to the live broadcast, some recognized the watch as something extraordinary, while others pieced together Liu Yong's true identity.
| "Oh my god, he must be the boss of the Global Shipping Group. I had my doubts initially, but seeing such an expensive timepiece confirms it," exclaimed a fan who connected the dots.
"Yes, indeed. This is our boss, and I am an employee of the Global Shipping Group," chimed in another, affirming the speculation.
The live broadcast room erupted into a frenzy, the atmosphere electrified with excitement and curiosity. Xiaoqing, taken aback by the unexpected events, never anticipated hosting a live broadcast outside the Universal Building. It seemed luck was on her side as she stumbled upon the boss himself.
The live broadcast room became scorching hot, buzzing with comments and reactions. Xiaoqing felt a mix of surprise and joy, realizing that fortune had smiled upon her that day.
Summoning her courage, she mustered the confidence to greet Liu Yong directly, "Mr. Liu, hello!"
Liu Yong was taken aback, astonished that this enchanting broadcaster knew him, although he couldn't recall ever meeting her. Xiaoqing, noticing his confusion, quickly explained, "Mr Liu, it's not that I recognized you personally, but my fans were the ones who identified you."
Understanding her explanation, Liu Yong glanced at her mobile phone and observed the immense popularity of the live broadcast. He smiled at the screen, waved his hand in acknowledgment, and swiftly made his way out, discreetly slipping away from the spotlight.
Pouting and stomping her feet coquettishly, Xiaoqing couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment. After all, she, too, was a beautiful woman deserving of attention.
"Hmph! I didn't even get his WeChat account. How am I supposed to explain to my fans? This beauty is too unlucky," she muttered, realizing that Liu Yong had already left.
Not far away, his car stood parked. He Qiang, the driver, accompanied Liu Yong, swiftly driving them away from the scene. Liu Yong had no desire for fame or to become an internet sensation. Maintaining a low profile was always his preference.
As they arrived at Huahai International Garden, a community nearing completion, Liu Yong's attention was diverted by a call from Qiu Yang.
"Boss, Shi Wanquan, the head of Proton Ocean Shipping Group, personally sent a greeting card and wishes to invite you for an afternoon tea," Qiu Yang informed.
Proton Ocean Shipping Group, headed by Shi Wanquan!
Liu Yong swiftly surmised the situation. Not long ago, a Proton Group ship had fallen victim to piracy off the Persian Gulf. Reports indicated that the pirates demanded a staggering $50 million in ransom.
Eighty percent of his hunch told him it was related to this incident.
Understanding the circumstances, Liu Yong instructed, "Inform him that I am available this afternoon."
Acknowledging the order, Qiu Yang replied, "Certainly, boss."
Shi Wanquan anxiously waited in a private room in a high-end teahouse near the Global Shipping Group. He had personally sent an invitation to the Global Shipping Group, but he couldn't shake off his uneasiness with no apparent response.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed, and he received a text message stating, "Please wait. Our boss will be available this afternoon."
Instantly, Shi Wanquan's face lit up with joy. Although the message didn't specify the exact time of Liu Yong's arrival, it was clear that he would indeed come during the afternoon.
Swiftly, he instructed the teahouse staff to prepare a dedicated room, arranging the finest tea, exquisite snacks, and the freshest fruits to ensure a memorable meeting.
Hours ticked by, and finally, after four or five long hours, Liu Yong arrived at nearly 4:00 in the afternoon. Spotting Liu Yong's entrance, Shi Wanquan rushed to greet him, filled with genuine delight. His demeanour was humble, more akin to a younger brother meeting an older brother than a conversation between equals.
"Mr. Liu, hello! It's an honor to meet you," Shi Wanquan beamed with reverence.
Liu Yong responded with a faint smile, "You must be Shi Wanquan from Proton, correct?"
"Yes, yes! That's me," Shi Wanquan answered with the enthusiasm of a devoted follower. It was clear that he regarded Liu Yong with the utmost respect.
Sitting, Liu Yong watched as Shi Wanquan hurriedly prepared the tea, warmly attending to him. Liu Yong's tone was composed as he said, "Let's get straight to the point. What brings you here?"
In the early days of Universal, Proton Group had tried in vain to suppress them, resorting to underhanded tactics. Those actions left a lasting impression on Liu Yong.
Apologizing profusely, Shi Wanquan finally reached the crux of the matter. "Mr. Liu, we've run into misfortune. One of our ships was hijacked by pirates in the Persian Gulf. They demanded a $50 million ransom within 24 hours, leaving us with no room for negotiation."
Sighing, Shi Wanquan continued, "We have no idea how to secure $50 million. That's why I've come to implore you for assistance."
Liu Yong chuckled, amused by the turn of events. Gone were the arrogance and past grievances. Shi Wanquan, bowing his head, assumed the role of a subordinate who had made a mistake.
Waving away the need for further apologies, Liu Yong said, "Alright, enough with the apologies. Just tell me how you want me to help."
Shi Wanquan pleaded, "Mr. Liu, could you lend us $50 million for one month? We'll pay you back at a monthly interest rate of two percent."
Liu Yong shook his head, dismissing the idea. "If you're looking to borrow money, then let's drop the pretense."
In truth, Shi Wanquan's request was a desperate attempt. Nevertheless, he hoped for a stroke of luck, a chance that Liu Yong might consider his proposal.
Regrettably, for Shi Wanquan, luck was not on his side.
Disheartened but undeterred, Shi Wanquan continued his plea, "Alternatively, if you're interested, we are willing to sell our oil tankers 'Lianyong' and 'Liansheng.' They are both less than five years old and have a maximum load capacity of 120,000 tons of crude oil."
"Sell the ships?" Liu Yong repeated, surprised by Proton Group's willingness to part with their vessels.
Indeed, this was an excellent opportunity. If Proton Group sold their ships, its strength would gradually weaken, further strengthening Global Shipping Group. It was an outcome that Liu Yong found highly favourable.
After contemplating, Liu Yong replied, "I'm open to purchasing your two ships, but the price must be reasonable."
"Of course, certainly," Shi Wanquan eagerly assured. "We understand that the price must be lower than the market value. However, we have a condition: we require immediate payment."
With such haste to sell the ships, it was clear that the price would not be favourable. Typically, two second-hand ships of this calibre, with 70% new condition, could be sold at 600 to 650 million yuan.
Liu Yong proposed a price of 500 million yuan, intending to buy the two ships at a lower cost. Surprisingly, Shi Wanquan agreed to the offer, emphasizing the need for an immediate contract signing and payment.
Accepting the deal, Liu Yong felt a sense of satisfaction. It was practically a windfall of nearly 100 million yuan, considering the ships' price was at least 100 million yuan lower than the market rate.
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