Chapter 79: Resolute Measures

"Are you all determined to sell your shares to Tianwei?" Yu Qian looked at the middle-aged man with an unpleasant expression.

The man's name was Wu Jinhao, and he held ten percent of the shares.

"I've already decided to sell my shares to Tianwei," Wu Jinhao replied firmly.

Seeing that Wu Jinhao had made up his mind, Yu Qian knew there was no persuading him. She swept her gaze over the other shareholders.

"Uncle Yang, are you also planning to sell your shares to Tianwei?" she asked a man in his fifties. "You know well that Tianwei has always been our rival at Yuanfu Catering Group."

Uncle Yang gave a bitter smile. "Qian, I'm helpless. We all have our reasons—there's no choice but to sell to Tianwei."

"Uncle Yang, Yuanfu Catering Group was built by you and my father. Are you really going to hand it over, and to our sworn enemy at that?" Yu Qian said, unwilling to accept it.

Among the shareholders, Uncle Yang was a senior figure, holding fifteen percent of the shares, making him the second largest shareholder. If even he sold his shares, Yu Qian's forty percent stake would be threatened.

"Yu Qian, stop clinging to false hope. We can't compete with Tianwei—they've already bribed people at the top," said another slightly overweight middle-aged man.

"It's not that we want to sell, but we've been forced into it. Try to understand our predicament," a middle-aged woman added bitterly.

Yu Qian looked at them, bewildered.

"Have you all decided to sell your shares to Tianwei?" Yu Qian asked again.

Uncle Yang and the other shareholders nodded. They had all agreed on this before coming.

"How much did Tianwei offer you?" Yu Qian asked.

"Together, we hold sixty percent of the shares. Tianwei offered one billion," Uncle Yang said with a bitter smile.

The other shareholders looked uncomfortable, resentment in their hearts.

Their shares were worth at least one and a half billion, yet Tianwei offered only one billion, slashing the price mercilessly. Though furious, they were left with no choice.

"Are you all insane? You're selling your shares for a billion?" Yu Qian shouted angrily.

Shares worth one and a half billion, gone for a billion—these people were truly willing to give it up.

Yu Qian was seething.

"Qian, we're being forced. We have to sell to Tianwei as they demand," Uncle Yang said, shaking his head with a bitter smile. "The shares are valuable, but compared to our lives, we'd rather choose the latter."

Yu Qian frowned, perplexed. "What exactly happened?"

Uncle Yang sighed and said, "Today my granddaughter was nearly run over after school, then threatened. If I don’t sell my shares to Tianwei, her safety can't be guaranteed."

"That's nothing compared to my situation. My wife and son had dog blood poured on them today, scared so badly they ended up in the hospital," the overweight man said with lingering fear. "I don't want to lose my family, so selling the shares is the safest route."

"My home was sprayed with red paint, threatened. My family is terrified—I can't risk their safety."

The other shareholders recounted the troubles they’d faced recently.

For the sake of their families, they chose to sell to Tianwei. The price was low, but it was better than losing their lives. Besides, the money would be enough for a comfortable retirement.

"Have you considered calling the police?" Yu Qian asked.

"Hmph, call the police and my family will die faster," Wu Jinhao said coldly. "Do you know who they are? They're underworld figures in Jiangcheng—untouchable, with connections everywhere. How can we fight them?"

"Exactly. We don’t want to go up against those gangsters. They're desperate and dangerous."

"The money’s less, but it’s enough for us to live on."

Hearing this, Yu Qian felt almost hopeless.

The adversary was the underworld—far beyond their reach. They threatened families openly, unafraid of the police.

Which meant someone in the police force was helping them.

The incident at Yuanfu Catering Group’s construction site was proof enough.

"Sell your shares to me. I'll pay one point one billion," Yang Fan spoke up.

Everyone turned to Yang Fan, curiosity in their eyes. Who was he?

"As for the threats you've suffered, I can solve them," Yang Fan said, looking around at the shareholders. "Sell your Yuanfu Group shares to me, and I guarantee you won't be threatened again."

"Young man, you certainly speak boldly. The other side is Jiangcheng's underworld, not some minor gang," Uncle Yang said, glancing at Yang Fan.

"They're nothing but scum—nothing to fear. I guarantee your safety," Yang Fan said confidently. "Sell me your shares, earn a little more, and there’s no reason not to."

Tianwei offered one billion; Yang Fan offered one point one billion—a better deal for them.

With Yang Fan’s guarantee, several shareholders were tempted.

"If you can really ensure our families' safety, we'll sell our shares to you," Uncle Yang declared first.

Seeing Uncle Yang take the lead, a few others followed suit.

"Are you all out of your minds? You're believing this kid?" Wu Jinhao shouted at them. "The enemy is Jiangcheng’s underworld, ruthless and deadly. If we don’t sell, they’ll kill us and dump our bodies!"

Wu Jinhao’s outburst made Uncle Yang and the others hesitate again—they didn’t know Yang Fan well.

"Kid, I advise you not to get involved. You can't handle those gangsters," Wu Jinhao said with disdain to Yang Fan. "One day you might disappear and no one will even know."

Yang Fan’s gaze locked onto Wu Jinhao, his presence suddenly intimidating as he strode over.

Before Wu Jinhao could react, Yang Fan slammed his head onto the table.

With a bang, the table dented under Wu Jinhao’s skull.

Yang Fan pulled out a steel pen and drove it through Wu Jinhao’s hand.

"Ah..."

Wu Jinhao’s hand was pinned to the table, blood streaming, and he screamed in agony.

Everyone was terrified by the scene, staring at Yang Fan in horror.

Yu Qian hadn’t expected Yang Fan to act so suddenly, unsure how to intervene.

Yang Fan’s eyes, cold and dangerous, swept over the shareholders. "If you don’t sell your shares to me, none of you will leave this room. Try it if you don’t believe me."

His voice was chilling, making everyone shudder involuntarily.

Seeing Yang Fan resort to force, Yu Qian worried he might escalate the situation.

Under Yang Fan’s intimidating gaze, Uncle Yang and the others dared not make a sound.

"Speak—what did they offer you?" Yang Fan said coldly, staring at Wu Jinhao.

From the beginning, Yang Fan had watched everyone closely, and he’d found Wu Jinhao the most suspicious.

When Yang Fan offered to buy the shares, Wu Jinhao stood up to oppose him.

That only confirmed Yang Fan’s suspicions about Wu Jinhao.