Three years ago, Qin Xiao mortgaged his only house.
He also borrowed over three million yuan and pooled another five million yuan to start a company.
The business mainly produced claw machines for cinemas, KTVs, and various entertainment venues in third- and fourth-tier cities, providing machines, plush toys, and maintenance services.
These venues supplied space, electricity, equipment cleaning, and daily maintenance.
At the time, Qin Xiao worked alone, bringing in his girlfriend, Qu Fang, to manage finances, while his brother Guo Xinliang handled company calls, customer relations, and other internal tasks.
Qin Xiao invested both money and effort, holding 60% of the shares, while Guo Xinliang and Qu Fang each held 20%.
At first, things went well. Though the company was small, Qin Xiao worked tirelessly, even risking his life, visiting three counties a day, focusing on crowded areas like shopping centers, cinemas, and KTVs.
Guo Xinliang and Qu Fang handled internal operations—purchasing, shipping, customer communications, and improving the dolls' appearance. If machines malfunctioned or dolls went missing, they quickly organized replacements.
Revenue stabilized and the business expanded to 70–80 counties.
But Qin Xiao never expected that while he was working under the sun and wind every day, Qu Fang and Guo Xinliang were conspiring together in the office.
Not only had they gotten close, but they also planned to take over his company.
The more Guo Xinliang acted like a boss in the office, handling calls, the more dissatisfied he became with his 20% stake.
As profits grew, Qu Fang grew unhappy with Qin Xiao's insistence on withholding dividends, wanting to enjoy life now rather than grow the business.
So the two, who had been in a long-term relationship, disguised a share transfer document as an ordinary contract, tricking the unsuspecting Qin Xiao into signing it.
And just like that, Qin Xiao was ousted from the company.
He ended up penniless, burdened with massive debt.
He spent an entire year looking for someone to sue, but both of them were prepared in advance, and Qin Xiao couldn't even afford a competent lawyer.
Ultimately, he lost the case.
In despair, he attempted suicide.
Meanwhile, over the past year, the company—after a second round of financing—had grown significantly and was about to go public.
Poor Qin Xiao, who had worked tirelessly, developing the market and laying the foundation for the company, could only watch others reap the rewards.
Qu Fang and Guo Xinliang, however, understood the market value of the company thoroughly.
With proper management, the company could have expanded into multiple profitable ventures, leveraging the large client base. Even a small factory producing reasonably priced, good-tasting popcorn for the cinemas could have yielded substantial profits through discounts for store managers.
All the venues were profitable, with a ready customer base.
Qu Fang, on the other hand, was only interested in cashing out when the stock price was high after the company went public, leaving just a small share for annual dividends.
This is why Guo Xinliang felt powerless when Qu Fang talked about transferring shares to others.
Financing and going public could help the company grow rapidly, but mismanagement would hand it to others.
Once management control was lost, no matter how many shares one held, others could gradually dilute them and push you out.
That's why the two of them had clung together from the start, binding their interests through marriage to maintain control and fight for authority over the company.
"You're such a naturally despicable bastard. Once I firmly control the company and take all the shares, I'll kick you out sooner or later!"
Guo Xinliang bit down on a cigarette, a faint squeak escaping his teeth.
Though estranged now, both still wished ill upon the other.
Today, the wedding scene still needed a show.
After coordinating with the event planners and makeup team, Guo Xinliang, freshly styled, left his renovated home to pick up Qu Fang at the hotel.
Neither of them were originally from Shanghai. Though they had bought a house here, it was only to prepare for the wedding.
Qu Fang continued with makeup and wardrobe at the hotel, while Guo Xinliang picked her up and headed to the hotel hosting the banquet.
The company was about to go public, and Guo Xinliang was a skilled socialite.
In just a year in this city, he had made many friends.
Leading the convoy was an Aston Martin coupe, followed by a dozen BMW 5 Series cars.
Though not extravagant, the fleet looked youthful and energetic—impressive enough.
On the way to the hotel, the convoy made a ruckus, drawing attention.
The hotel entrance was decorated with a red carpet, an inflatable arch, and fine European-style floral arrangements on both sides.
Friends and family held ribbons, waiting for the convoy and the bride and groom's entrance.
As the convoy neared within fifty meters of the hotel, another convoy emerged from a side road.
At the front was a Rolls-Royce Phantom, followed by a red Ferrari, totaling thirty to forty vehicles.
Coincidentally, just as Guo Xinliang and his team were about to enter the hotel, they were blocked in front.
"What's happening?"
Guo Xinliang's heart skipped a beat.
Being blocked at the entrance on your wedding day is considered unlucky.
No one from the opposing convoy got out to speak. The cars just stopped oddly in front of the hotel.
Guo Xinliang's team quickly inquired with hotel staff if there were other weddings that day.
The hotel was confused but confirmed repeatedly—they had only booked this banquet.
After a few minutes of stalemate, a relative of Guo Xinliang went with hotel staff to approach the Rolls-Royce.
"Excuse me, we're here for a wedding. Can you make way for us?"
Hotel staff knocked on the car window. Guo Xinliang's relatives quickly offered a red envelope.
According to Chinese custom, on celebratory occasions, a red envelope can clear obstacles, symbolizing luck and wealth.
"I'm here for the wedding. The bride and groom are my old friends," Qin Xiao said, rolling down the window with a smile.
He stepped out of the car, clearly dressed with care, wearing custom-made English leather shoes.
He wore a casual European designer suit, tall and upright, with a confident smile.
The moment he stepped out, all eyes were on him. Qin Xiao now looked completely different.
Moreover, having spent his days in the Marvel world interacting with Tony Stark and attending countless high-end parties, his aura and confidence were unmatched by ordinary people.
"Sir, why didn't you give way to the wedding convoy? You're blocking the bride and groom's cars," hotel staff politely said.
Qin Xiao smiled slightly at the vehicles ahead.
"I'll move. But my gift will arrive first."
No sooner had he finished speaking than over a dozen large pickup trucks appeared out of nowhere.
Each truck carried a white wreath, with ribbons bearing the bride and groom's photos.
The pickups blocked the road, and dozens of burly men in black suits charged forward, each holding two wreaths, their demeanor intimidating, surging toward the hotel entrance.
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