How can I justify myself as a Magnate if I don't indulge myself?

```

In the following few hours, Gu Heng listened to the detailed negotiations and almost couldn’t resist dozing off...

This Secretary Gao was a tough character...

He continuously took notes of the key information during the negotiations, writing page after page, a rough estimate of several thousand characters, yet he did not show any signs of fatigue, still focused intently...

Seeing this, Gu Heng couldn’t help but sigh inwardly...

No wonder someone like him could be the mayor’s secretary. Just the skill of documenting meeting materials alone, there probably aren’t many who could surpass him, right?

Finally...

The negotiation finally ended, and Takamura Zaiming, acting as the general representative of this negotiation, stood up and addressed Gu Heng, "Mr. Gu, we will handle all matters by July 15th and sign the share transfer agreement with your company on July 16th for a proposed price of 35 billion.

The first installment will be 10 billion on July 16, 2024.

The second installment will be 12.5 billion on July 16, 2025.

The third installment will be 12.5 billion on July 16, 2026.

If any of these payments are overdue, our side reserves the right to terminate the transaction and to reclaim the shares for 60% of the transaction value.

If you have no objections, we can begin the handover process starting tomorrow."

Gu Heng stood up, smiling, "Pleasure doing business with you."

"Pleasure doing business with you."

Although they said "pleasure doing business with you," the group of shareholders led by Takamura Zaiming did not feel the slightest bit of pleasure...

In the entire transaction, they had suffered enough losses—how could they be happy?

However, fortunately, although they had suffered a loss, the Hushang municipal government did not go too far for the sake of maintaining influence. They only lost tens of billions, and since the building had already earned them two to three hundred billion and was now being sold for three hundred fifty billion, the loss was still acceptable...

But towards Gu Heng, who had the audacity to act smug after obtaining a bargain, they had not a single shred of courtesy. Once the negotiations ended, they all left the meeting room to report back to their respective companies...

On the other side, the moment the meeting ended, Secretary Gao was already covering a phone on the side to report...

Seeing his utterly respectful posture even through the phone, Gu Heng could guess whom he was speaking to. After all, being the secretary to the mayor, who else in Shanghai could command such a demeanor? For this reason, Gu Heng very tactfully chose not to disturb him, waiting quietly on the side.

Finally...

A few minutes later...

Secretary Gao hung up the phone, and Gu Heng immediately approached him.

"Secretary Gao, thank you for this time."

Secretary Gao replied with a smile and a dismissive wave, "It’s not related to me. Our municipal government just played the role of an intermediary, this is your market’s free trading behavior."

Gu Heng also smiled and didn’t continue the conversation.

Some things are clear in the heart, and there’s no need to put them on the table for discussion.

Suddenly...

After organizing the documents, he smiled at Gu Heng again, "Mr. Gu, do you perhaps have some time?"

Gu Heng: "Hmm? Secretary Gao, is there something else?"

Secretary Gao quickly waved his hand, "It’s not me, but when I reported to Mr. Chu just now, he asked me to inquire with you about your availability. He happens to be free at this time slot and wishes to meet with you, an outstanding entrepreneur.

Of course, it’s nothing serious. Mr. Chu specifically mentioned it, just a simple meeting. If you’re busy, Mr. Gu, you are welcome to attend to your business first."

Gu Heng was taken aback at first...

Then he hurriedly replied, "Not busy at all. The only matter I need to handle in Shanghai is this acquisition case, and now that it’s nearly concluded, the people below can take care of it."

Busy?

What a joke!

This is a person of such stature that, not just in Hua Country but even on a global scale, they are significant influential figures.

It’s not about whether I’m not busy. Even if I was truly swamped, how could I possibly refuse? If you offend such a high-profile figure, no matter if you are a billionaire or a multi-billionaire, in Hua Country you would not end up with good prospects...

```

Moreover, he was able to take such a big advantage this time, entirely thanks to a favor from this big shot. It was both reasonable and proper for him to pay a visit.

Secretary Gao knew full well that Gu Heng could not refuse, and with a smile, he said, "Good, good, Mr. Gu, would you ride with me then? We are going to the government building. Your car is too eye-catching and might cause some unnecessary trouble."

"No problem."

Saying this, the two headed toward the elevator. As for bodyguards and the like, they were all left behind.

The place he was going to now could be said without exaggeration to be the safest place in all of Shanghai. Was there any need to bring bodyguards?

...

...

The traffic in Shanghai was terrible.

Although Lujiazui was not far from the People’s Building of the government, a few kilometers’ drive took over twenty minutes...

Moreover, Secretary Gao’s car was quite uncomfortable, with too little space. Sitting in the passenger seat, he couldn’t even fully stretch his legs...

The back seat might have been more comfortable, but Gu Heng did not take it...

If Gu Heng were to sit in the back, wouldn’t that imply that Secretary Gao was at his service?

If it were an ordinary secretary, it would not matter...

But the Secretary Gao before him was no ordinary one...

Despite addressing Gu Heng with respect, in a power-orientated country like Hua Country, his status was not lower than Gu Heng’s, only higher...

Just one step away from a bigger "step" based solely on his current level, not to mention being Mr. Chu’s absolute direct line, Gu Heng might not understand the twists and turns of politics, but he knew full well that trying to act superior in front of him would be utterly foolish...

"Mr. Gu, we’ve arrived."

After parking the car, Secretary Gao led Gu Heng straight into the building.

Gu Heng was somewhat curiously looking around at the people coming and going...

He had just recently come out of the government building in Wanghu County; in terms of facilities, the Hushang Government building was only larger in size, not more upscale. However, Gu Heng was well aware that it wasn’t so much about the building but the people inside it...

To put it bluntly, picking any person from inside and throwing them into Wanghu County would probably leave the locals gasping for air because of the difference in rank...

If it weren’t for the system, he might never have had the chance to even come close to these people in his entire life...

A few minutes later...

Under Secretary Gao’s guidance, Gu Heng arrived at the door of an office.

Secretary Gao knocked on the office door as if it were routine, but Gu Heng couldn’t help but take a deep breath...

Despite his great wealth, the inherent commoner’s mentality within Gu Heng made it hard for him to adjust, and thinking of the person behind the door, he felt nerves he seldom experienced since acquiring the system...

"Come in."

Secretary Gao pushed the door open, first inviting Gu Heng inside before following him in.

"Mr. Chu, the negotiation for the acquisition of the Hushang Financial Center by IDE Capital is almost complete. Here are the detailed documents."

Saying this, he gently placed the meeting documents on the desk.

After giving a brief report on work, Secretary Gao continued, "This is Mr. Gu Heng, Chairman of IDE Capital."

The elderly man, who had been absorbed in reviewing documents, finally raised his head and scrutinized Gu Heng closely...

Gu Heng couldn’t help but meet his gaze for a moment, but within less than two seconds, Gu Heng conceded and involuntarily lowered his eyes slightly...

The Mr. Chu in front of him was dressed in a simple cadre uniform, probably in his sixties, but he was full of vigor, especially because of his long-standing high position, that ineffable aura was beyond description...

Gu Heng had seen plenty of important figures on TV...

He believed they were just ordinary people and had never felt this notion of an oppressively charismatic aura...

But not until now did he understand that if one did not see them with their own eyes, or even spend time alone with them, it would be very difficult to experience this sensation...

Fortunately, this pressure came quickly and left just as swiftly. After a brief look at Gu Heng, the old man withdrew his gaze and turned to Secretary Gao beside him with a smile, "Gao Wen, go pour us two cups of tea, I would like to have a good chat with Mr. Gu."

After speaking, the old man raised his hand, signaling for Gu Heng to sit first.