Within the private chamber, another person was lying in wait. It was a young man. His age was similar to Ye Lingchen and they had some similarities with their appearances.

"Chairman Ye, this is my son, Xia Jun," Director Xia introduced. "This may sound embarrassing. He's at the same age as Chairman Ye, yet the difference between both of you is like heaven and earth. If he had even half your capabilities, I'd be smiling in my dreams."

'Hehe, if he had half my capabilities, he'd be godlike.'

Ye Lingchen retorted silently in his mind. He did not say it out loud. Instead, he merely gave Xia Jun another look.

He could feel some animosity coming from Xia Jun. He was just a young adult after all. It was impossible to completely hide his inner thoughts.

"Chairman Ye, please have a seat!" Director Xia said respectfully.

Ye Lingchen nodded and sat down unreservedly.

"Chairman Ye, Wanrong Technology is the result of decades of effort from us. At first, we were helplessly watching it fall into ruins. Who would've thought you'd be able to turn the situation around. Such capabilities truly left us all humbled," Director Xia continued praising respectfully.

"It's just a simple matter." Ye Lingchen replied coldly.

"It may be a simple matter to you, but it's an impossible feat to us. It's equivalent to saving our lives."

"That's right, Chairman Ye. Although we're no longer in Wanrong, our hearts are still there. If anything were to happen in the future, we'll do all we can!"

They were truly shameless for them to be able to utter such words.

If they really treasured Wanrong that highly, they would not have sold their shares when the company was faced with bankruptcy.

"Sigh, back then, I had no other choice. After all, I have a family to support and was unable to fight alongside Wanrong. Whenever I think of it, it fills me with regret. Fortunately, Chairman Ye was able to save Wanrong. Otherwise, I'd have to spend the rest of my life in regret," Director Xia lamented.

"Everyone, I can understand your feelings. If not for you, Wanrong wouldn't have reached its current state today," lamented Chairman Xu and Chairman Ouyang. They were greatly touched by the display. "Within my heart, we're always brothers in arms!"

"Save the words. Let's drink." Director Xia, with tears in his eyes, raised his cup and downed it in one shot.

"Cheers!"

The three women were having some non-alcoholic drinks while the men had their liquor. They were all moved by the atmosphere, taking part in the drinking session.

Very soon, the dishes were served. Everyone was harmoniously conversing. Director Xia and the rest were busy networking—the scene looked just like a group of old friends gathering for a meal.

Just as everyone was having a good time, Director Xia's tone of voice changed suddenly. "Chairman Ye, now that Wanrong Technology's growth is going well, can you let us collaborate with Wanrong based on our status as the past elders of the company?"

Those words immediately killed the friendly vibe.

He was not looking to join the company as an employee, but wanted a collaboration instead!

His greed was quite voracious.

"Oh? What kind of collaboration?" Ye Lingchen asked with a clear mind.

"Chairman Ye, Wanrong is like our own child. We would naturally do things that benefit our child. As long as Chairman Ye is willing to share Wanrong Technology's technology with us, our company will definitely follow unquestioningly and grow alongside you!" Director Xia replied.

"Uncle, you know the taboo of a technological company is to share its technology with outsiders!" Before Ye Lingchen could respond, Ouyang Qing retorted with a serious expression.

She did not expect Director Xia to come up with such an overbearing request. Although claiming to follow Wanrong's lead unquestioningly, he was instead just trying to steal their technology.

"Niece Ouyang, I'm your uncle. The elders present are also part of the Wanrong family. How can we be considered outsiders? Rest assured, we will never leak the technology to outsiders!" Director Xia clarified immediately.

"That's right. We've been in Wanrong for so many years. If not our merits, our efforts should count. It's too heartless for Wanrong to kick us aside while it's enjoying such glorious times," said one of them.

Chairman Xu's smile disappeared and was replaced with disbelief. His expression darkened. "Everyone, you were all selling your shares willingly back then. Furthermore, we gave you a good price too. What's the meaning of this?"

"Xu Hua! How dare you mention that incident!" Director Xia sneered, dropping his facade. "Why didn't you sell yours then? Back then, you surely knew that Wanrong Technology could still be saved. You knew that this kid had some high-end technology and you just used that chance to kick us off!"

He then pointed at Ye Lingchen. "Surely this kid had some prior agreement with you. You're just throwing us under the bus. Since you're the first aggressor, don't blame us for being merciless!"

"That's right!" The other four men stood up as well. "When we sold off our shares, Wanrong Technology immediately started to change its business model. You're just eyeing our shares and intentionally setting the trap for us!"

Their gazes were ice cold. Chairman Xu and Chairman Ouyang could feel the icy stares on them, fueling their anger.

"Hehe, what a joke." Ye Lingchen could not help but shake his head. "I've indeed purchased some shares from Chairman Xu and Chairman Ouyang at a high price back then, yet they refused the deal. However, they willingly gave me 30 percent of their shares in exchange for me taking actions to save the company. What about you guys? You were all talking about how you would fight for the company's fate together, yet when faced with troubles, your first response was to run away. Now that the company is doing well, you turn around to blame others? Truly laughable."

"Put bluntly, if you guys didn't leave Wanrong Technology back then, the company will surely still be a mess. It would've eventually fallen apart."

"You brat. You have no right to voice out here." Director Xia glared at Ye Lingchen. "Since you dared take actions against us, I'll slowly settle this matter with you!"

"Running away at the first sign of trouble, yet hoping to enjoy the spoils when we're profiting. Dream on." Xu Nan scowled. "At first I still considered you as my elders. I didn't expect you to be so unreasonable."

"Xu Hua, I'm asking you now. Are you sharing the technology or not?" Director Xia stared at Chairman Xu as he asked coldly.

"You're all crazy. This is really disappointing." Chairman Xu shook his head. "We shouldn't work together with differing ideals. Let this meal be a farewell for us. We'll go our separate ways in the future. We're leaving!"

With that, he tried to take his leave. However, just as he was trying to stand, he lost his balance and slumped back down. A look of terror appeared on his face.

"This…"

Xu Nan and the rest were alarmed as well. However, just as they were about to rise, they were faced with a similar situation. At that moment, they were having a mixed feeling of fear and anger.

"Wahahaha, you want to leave? You think it's so easy?" Director Xia raised his head in laughter. He looked at the group with an ugly look on his face. "I'm not here to negotiate with you today. You have to hand over Wanrong Technology's technology even if you're unwilling!"

…