Living in a county town, starting as a stock market maker...

This question is difficult to answer.

Gu Ming did not answer immediately; he looked out the window at the night.

The company had barely been listed when an internal power struggle began.

He sensed that Su Qingying's breathing was somewhat rapid.

She was waiting for an answer that would put her mind at ease.

Gu Ming turned around and looked into her eyes. He didn't answer, but calmly asked a question in return.

"Qingying, do you know what the word 'holding' in Xingchen Holdings means?"

Su Qingying was stunned.

She didn't expect Gu Ming to respond with business terms.

"Holding a controlling stake means having control and decision-making power," she answered instinctively.

"Yes and no."

Gu Ming smiled and walked behind his desk to sit down.

"For me, holding a controlling stake is about balance."

"Star Holdings needs three core members: me, you, and Lian."

"You are the company's rule, ensuring the company's stability."

"And Lian is the driving force of the company, ensuring that the company will not miss any opportunities."

"And I," Gu Ming tapped his finger on the table, "am the one who decides the company's direction and pace."

So, do you still feel the need to make a choice?

Su Qingying was stunned.

She looked at the man in front of her, into his eyes, and was deeply moved.

He didn't answer directly, but he gave her the answer.

He turned the issue of the two women into a strategic issue for the company's future.

He didn't choose either of them, but told her that both of them were important to the company.

Su Qingying's heart calmed down.

Then, she felt convinced.

She gave a wry smile and shook her head: "Gu Ming, that's not what I meant."

"I know," Gu Ming interrupted her, "but that's all I can say."

His gaze was direct. "Qingying, we shouldn't confuse our careers with our personalities."

"I can promise you that your position as CEO is unshakeable."

This sentence touched Su Qingying even more.

What she wants is recognition of her value.

"I understand." Su Qingying took a deep breath and regained her composure.

A conflict erupted at the strategic meeting on the second day.

The conference focused on the commercialization path of the virtual idol "Zero".

"I propose launching the 'Zero' global tour concert plan," Shen Li'an said first, looking very charismatic in a black suit.

"We will hold four holographic virtual concerts in New York, London, Tokyo, and Dubai to announce to the world that the era of digital life has arrived."

Her plan is ambitious and requires a lot of funding.

"I object."

Su Qingying's voice wasn't loud, but it was very clear.

"The brand value of 'Zero' lies in its mystique and scarcity. A large-scale tour would dilute her brand value and turn her from special to ordinary."

She adjusted her glasses, and a series of data models appeared on the PowerPoint presentation.

"According to our calculations, 'Zero' should currently collaborate with luxury brands and art museums to launch limited-edition digital collectibles and online experiences. This will allow us to maintain our high-end positioning while also generating cash returns."

The two men had significant differences: one wanted prestige, the other wanted profits.

"Xiao Su, your vision is limited to financial statements," Shen Lian retorted. "We are creating an era. I want the whole world to remember 'Zero' and Star Holdings. This little bit of publicity cost is nothing."

"Chairman Shen, this company doesn't belong to your family." Su Qingying's tone turned cold. "Investments must be accountable to shareholders. As CEO, I must prevent decisions that harm the company's interests."

"You!" Shen Lian'an's face flushed red.

She hates it when people associate her with her father.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense.

Shen Lian's assistant came in and whispered a few words in her ear.

Shen Lian'an's expression changed.

She glanced at Su Qingying, gave a cold laugh, and stood up.

"Very good, Director Su is very responsible." Her words were loaded with meaning, "Since you think my proposal is not mature enough, then show us your cooperation proposal."

After saying that, she walked out of the conference room.

Half an hour later.

In Su Qingying's office, her assistant rushed in, her face pale.

"Mr. Su, the Centre Pompidou in France, which we contacted, has informed us that the cooperation approval process has been postponed indefinitely."

Su Qingying asked, "What reason?"

"They said they received a risk warning from Shen's Group's European headquarters, suggesting that a background check of at least six months be conducted on the cooperation project with the emerging Asian technology company."

Su Qingying's body swayed slightly.

It's the Shen family.

She understood the meaning behind Shen Lian'an's look when she left.

For the first time, the heiress of that chaebol revealed the side of herself that belonged to that family.

She wasn't acting out of spite; she was declaring war on herself in a direct way.

This is not a business dispute; it is a power struggle.

……

Late at night.

Only one desk lamp was lit in Gu Ming's office.

He looked at the two women in front of him; one had a cold expression, and the other had red-rimmed eyes, but her heart was calm.

Everything is going as expected.

Shen Lian has become more aggressive.

"So, you want me to judge who's right and who's wrong?" Gu Ming's voice was calm.

"She'll stop at nothing." Su Qingying was furious.

"She looked down on me first," Shen Lian retorted.

That's enough.

Gu Ming interrupted them.

He stood up, walked to the whiteboard, and picked up a pen.

"I will not take sides."

"Because all your ideas are valuable, yet all are foolish."

He drew two circles on the whiteboard, one with the line above it and the other with the line below it.

"Starting tomorrow, the company will form two teams. Team A, led by Su Qingying, will advance your online art gallery project."

"Group B will be led by Shen Li'an. Start your global tour plan."

"I will give you the same budget and time. In a month, let the data speak for itself."

"The KPI is simple," Gu Ming tapped the whiteboard with his pen, "whoever can bring greater and more positive business value to 'zero' will have their proposal become the company's main strategy for the future."

"I don't care what methods you use. You are free to do whatever you want within the legal framework."

He turned around, looked at the two stunned women, and smiled.

"Welcome to the Business School. The first lesson is called 'The Winner Takes All'."

……

Late at night, in a private lounge.

Gu Ming and Su Qingying sat facing each other, their glasses filled with whiskey.

"You're forcing us to compete," Su Qingying said, her voice sounding tired.

"No," Gu Ming swirled his wine glass, "I'm forcing you to evolve."

"Qingying, you are excellent, but you rely too much on the rules. Lian likes to break the rules. I need a team that can both establish and break the rules."

He looked at her with sincere eyes, "Your position is important, but you need someone to constantly remind you that complacency is dangerous."

Su Qingying fell silent. She admitted that Gu Ming was right. The shock Shen Lian had given her today had served as a wake-up call.

Another late night, in Gu Ming's office.

Shen Lian curled up on the sofa.

"Was I being too harsh?" she asked softly.

"Yes," Gu Ming replied.

Shen Lian'an's eyes reddened.

"But," Gu Ming said, "I like it."

Shen Lian raised her head.

"Lian, remember this: in business, excess is not a flaw, naivety is." Gu Ming walked up to her and handed her a glass of hot milk.

"What you did today has made you a true player. I need your methods because your opponents will be even more ruthless."

Shen Lian looked at him with a complicated expression.

Under Gu Ming's arrangement, an internal struggle turned into a mutually beneficial confrontation exercise.

Su Qingying's online plan gained attention thanks to Shen Lian'an's offline pre-launch efforts.

Shen Lian'an's offline tour also avoided wasting costs thanks to the data support from Su Qingying's team.

A month later, a comprehensive solution combining online and offline methods was developed.

The two raised their glasses and smiled at the celebration party.

But they all knew that the competition had already begun.

After the party ended, Gu Ming prepared to leave.

Shen Lian called out to him, leaning close to Gu Ming's ear, her breath reeking of alcohol.

She said one sentence.

Oh, right, I forgot to tell you.

"My dad said he wants to talk to you about the engagement."