Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 1116: Interest Above All

Chapter 1116: Chapter 1116: Interest Above All

Du Changhui and Boss Lei left directly, while Luo Jingrong, out of consideration for their relationship, looked back with a bitter smile and said, "Gu Fan, you’re very clever to have guessed all this, but I’m sorry, in business there are only permanent interests. Even if we don’t cooperate with X Fund, others will, and then we will be the ones getting hurt."

Gu Fan challenged, "Then take advantage of the situation now while there’s still time. Quickly inform others, and immediately dump the stocks you hold in your hands. Don’t trust X Fund anymore."

To this, Luo Jingrong shook his head: "Gu Fan, as you also said, we have been through the ups and downs of business for so many years. Do you think our cooperation with X Fund wasn’t thoroughly deliberated?"

Hearing this, Gu Fan realized his complete disappointment: "In pursuit of profit, you really stop at nothing."

Luo Jingrong was indifferent: "Business is like a battlefield. If we aren’t ruthless, we’ll be the ones getting hurt."

Gu Fan simply asked one question in return, "Without integrity, how can you establish yourselves in the marketplace?"

Luo Jingrong couldn’t help laughing, a sneer on his lips: "Gu Fan, you’re still too young. Let me ask you, why does one need to uphold integrity in business? Is it because only by upholding integrity can one succeed in business and, in turn, make money, right?"

"Right?" Gu Fan quickly understood Luo Jingrong’s meaning—so the so-called integrity ultimately serves the purpose of profit? Thus, in the eyes of these businessmen, profit is paramount.

Luo Jingrong disclosed another piece of information: "Gu Fan, as you said, we are at the end of the production chain. We do business directly with consumers. We haven’t failed our consumers, so our business isn’t affected."

Now Gu Fan understood: "I get it. Those who speculate in the stock market with X Fund are all at the end of the production chain, just like you. Those are your competitors. By collaborating with X Fund, you are eliminating these competitors."

Luo Jingrong nodded: "Very good, Gu Fan, you’re really clever to have made these connections. You’re right, not only are we making a profit from the stock market, but we’re also eliminating a lot of competitors. Most importantly, we haven’t broken our trust with consumers or with our business partners who supply us."

Gu Fan scoffed: "Because those who supply you, they are the real business partners you need. These people are not at the end of the production chain, nor have they entered the stock market with X Fund, so they’re not affected."

"Alright, that’s all I can tell you." Luo Jingrong was about to leave but couldn’t help warning before leaving: "Gu Fan, I advise you not to waste your efforts. You must have realized it by now, we three are not the only ones cooperating with X Fund."

Gu Fan showed a look of disdain: "Just for your own selfish interests, you use such methods to eliminate competitors. Do you realize the serious impact of what you’re doing? You’ll leave the local economy riddled with holes, and it will take many years to recover."

Luo Jingrong countered: "Have you ever done business, Gu Fan? If you conducted business with a conscience, your business would have failed by now. You have no right to lecture me here."

"True, I haven’t done much business, nor do I understand the hardships you businessmen face. But I do understand the difficulties of ordinary people. Many don’t harbor grand ambitions to get rich; they just want a stable job to support their families. Yet you want to deprive them of even that." Gu Fan was indignant, slapping the table: "All of you are at the end of the industrial chain, dealing directly with consumers. So, I ask you, by doing this and causing so many companies to fall, impacting the entire production chain, where will the consumers get the income to buy your products?"

As Luo Jingrong faced Gu Fan’s successive questions, his expression gradually darkened, then he swiftly left the place.

Meanwhile, Du Jun, seeing the matter end in such an unsatisfactory way, was very worried: "What should we do, Gu Fan? Now that X Fund is surrounded by powerful partners, how can we fight against them?"

Gu Fan also felt helpless: "Yes, so many trust your father, Boss Lei, and Luo Jingrong. Who would have thought it was a big trap? Even if we ran to tell them the truth, they wouldn’t believe us."

Du Jun sighed: "What can we do then? The first day is almost over, with only two days left. Can we really not stop X Fund?"

"We can only do our best," Gu Fan said with a slight smile, showing a resigned expression. "We’ve done what we can; the rest is up to fate."

Seeing Gu Fan looking unconcerned, Du Jun was puzzled: "You’re not thinking of giving up, are you? Don’t you want to save this city where you were born and raised, the home you so dearly want to defend?"

"Indeed, but I must also have the power to defend it," Gu Fan shrugged, indicating his powerlessness, then added, "Before, I always thought X Fund targeted me, so stopping X Fund and defending my home was my responsibility. Now I know that it was your father, Boss Lei, and Luo Jingrong who, for personal gain and self-interest, conspired with X Fund secretly. So, I’m no longer burdened with that heavy responsibility. If something bad happens to this city later on, it’s their fault, not mine."

"My goodness, you really can change your outlook quickly," Du Jun first was surprised, then he couldn’t help but laugh, "Gu Fan, are you serious? Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. Although you say that, you definitely haven’t given up; you still want to stop them, right?"

"Ha, of course. I simply can’t stand the face of Organization X. The more they act like this, the more I want to fight to the end." That’s right, Gu Fan’s fighting spirit was still alive; he was contemplating another method to counter.

Du Jun also declared his position, "Whatever you’re planning to do, Gu Fan, go ahead. Even though I disagree with my father on this matter, I agree with your viewpoint. Harming one’s own homeland for personal interest, even if you eliminate your competitors, what good is it if you’ve destroyed the market? How can you do business then?"

"Thanks. I didn’t expect we would ever see eye to eye," Gu Fan looked at Du Jun, marveling that two individuals, once at odds, could now unite.

But now wasn’t the time for sentimentality. With limited time, Gu Fan had to pin all his hopes on Li Shi, hoping she could successfully release the press statement.

Suddenly, Gu Fan’s heartbeat became erratic, his mind unsettled, as if sensing impending trouble.

"My goodness, I hope nothing has gone wrong with Li Shi."