Chapter 384 - 253: Old Husband, Young Wife, Wife-Spoiling Maniac

Yuan Fang said, his posture relaxed.

Lin Chu was taken aback. "You own one hundred percent of the shares?"

'This is... pretty incredible.'

Yuan Fang smiled. "I have my ways. The company does have some honorary shares, but they don't exceed twenty percent. These arrangements are necessary for the business, but there's no need to go into the details with you right now."

"In your third year, when you become the majority shareholder, I will ensure a smooth transition. I can't put that in a contract; it's a matter of character. If you trust me, then you trust me. If not, then let's just consider this a meal between new friends."

"You'll have a two-year integration period, during which I'll be observing you as well. If I decide you're not the right fit, we'll part ways amicably. You'll get your money and shares back, though without interest, of course. What do you think?"

Lin Chu took a deep breath.

'This is... pretty exciting, actually.'

'This has a bit of a gambling element to it.'

When he bought the golf club, he had despised the very idea of honorary shares, terrified of meddling and outside interference.

But now…

For one, times had changed; he had some real power now.

For another, this was a different industry. A security firm could hardly thrive without some form of silent partnership.

The risk was that he could get screwed, if not by Yuan Fang, then by the holders of those honorary shares.

But if managed well, they could be an asset.

After all, the Security Group wasn't his only egg in the basket; he still had his media and retail ventures.

Plus, there was the two-year mutual trial period.

At the same time, his own focus was on overseas expansion. The domestic operation would mainly provide the license, personnel, and other logistical support.

The absolute annual cost, excluding employee salaries, was 1.2 billion—an average of 100 million a month. That amount wasn't really a concern; he could generate it easily enough.

After a quick mental calculation, Lin Chu asked one last question.

"Why is the net profit so low?"

Yuan Fang smiled. "A few charitable projects, an internal nursing home, a kindergarten, a hospital, a school... plus benefits for injured and medically retired employees and some social donations. All that eats up between five hundred million and a billion yuan a year. It's been especially high these last few years."

"This was part of my promise back in the day... never abandon, never give up. The company has a human touch, it has warmth. Our benefits are on par with state-owned enterprises, and our efficiency rivals private ones."

"You can ask Xiaogao about it; he knows the details."

Gao Haitao nodded vigorously. He glanced at Lin Chu, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes.

But he gritted his teeth and explained in detail.

"That's right."

"President Yuan's treatment of us brothers is beyond reproach. My parents get a living stipend from the company every month. It's not a huge amount, about two thousand yuan, but it's enough for their expenses."

"For our kids' education, there's a five hundred yuan monthly stipend for elementary school, a thousand for middle and high school, and fifteen hundred for university. These are official company benefits that everyone receives."

Even though Gao Haitao had witnessed President Lin's own generosity, these detailed benefits were still astonishing. President Yuan had this sense of idealism, but you couldn't force President Lin to feel the same way. That would be like guilt-tripping him.

Lin Chu was both stunned and moved as he listened. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Why haven't I heard of your company before?"

"If I'd heard about you sooner, I would've applied for a job long ago. Then I wouldn't be in this position today."

Lin Chu couldn't help but make a joke.

All three of them burst out laughing.

After the laughter died down, Yuan Fang's expression turned serious. "The security business is certainly high-profit, but it's also high-risk. Most of my employees are military veterans... My original reason for starting this company was to create a path for my brothers-in-arms."

"'Hoard wealth and people scatter; share wealth and people gather.' If you're not willing to spend on your men, why should they be willing to lay down their lives for you?"

Lin Chu nodded.

"I agree. Wholeheartedly."

"I'm going to have to study this system and replicate it at my other companies."

'This system... is definitely worth studying.'

'It's not like I can't afford it, anyway.'

'Spend generously, and you get more 'brothers.' More 'brothers' means more money to generate.'

'A perfect virtuous cycle.'

Yuan Fang was taken aback for a moment, then he smiled as well. He picked up his wine glass and stood, but gestured with his free hand for the others to remain seated. "President Lin, I'd like to propose a toast to you. A toast of genuine respect."

"I'm not just flattering you, and I don't mean anything else by this. I'm just speaking from the heart. I will remember this sentiment. An annual expenditure of hundreds of millions is no small sum for anyone. Your willingness to continue this isn't just empty words—it's a commitment of immense weight. It's social responsibility. It's being answerable to the country above and to every employee below."

"My son—my own flesh and blood—couldn't stand this philosophy. He ran off and hasn't spoken to me in years. Frankly, it's given me a certain view of the younger generation."

"But now, you... Ha. I'll say no more. It's all in the wine."

He tilted his head back and drank it all in one go.

Lin Chu: ...

'Uh…'

'Why is he getting all philosophical on me?'

'But... I guess I can roll with it.'

The ground may be covered in sixpences, but there will always be the moon, shining with a near-eternal brilliance.

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