Chapter 35 Goodbye Berlin Road

Chapter 35 Goodbye, Berlin Road

Tan Youming decisively overtook him: "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you discuss it with me?"

"The investigation and evaluation are still underway, followed by multiple layers of review, committee discussions, and final resolutions." With so many procedures, it hadn't even reached that stage, and Shen Zongnian couldn't guarantee he would ultimately be chosen.

"Then recalling Qiao Rui isn't meant for him to be stationed in Northern Europe?" If Shen Zongnian had answered yes, Tan Youming would have magnanimously let the matter drop.

But this time, Shen Zongnian didn't give him the answer he wanted: "This requires assessment and decision by the board of directors."

Even with significant authority, Shen Zongnian couldn't make such a unilateral decision.

Tan Youming frowned: "What's there to assess and decide?! The board still listens to you."

Shen Zongnian calmly replied: "The board of directors is not my personal fiefdom."

During the years of internal turmoil at Huantu, Chen Rong's family-style management led to autocracy and corruption. Shen Zongnian had poured immense effort into reforming and rebuilding the structure. At the recent executive meeting, he personally announced that team formation, from top to bottom, would adopt a competitive hiring and voting system. Shen Zongnian could not possibly go back on his own established rules.

"Then why are you fair and democratic with them, but autocratic and domineering with me!" Tan Youming turned and yelled at him, then cursed, "Qiao Rui has seven years of overseas experience right there—it wouldn't take three years for him to turn that region into another South America. Are the people on your board blind? Why are they stirring up trouble for no reason, sacrificing the king to save a pawn?"

He blared the horn furiously, like a beast charging out in a typhoon, and vehicles with ZM license plates on Central Avenue scrambled to get out of the way.

Shen Zongnian hadn't expected such a strong reaction. Frowning, he admonished, "Watch the road."

Tan Youming felt even more that Shen Zongnian was protecting them, growing angrier: "Am I wrong? They're just a bunch of incompetent fools. If you leave, what will happen to Huantu’s projects? What about Jianxin? What about Sunset Island? And then there's the Maritime Trade Association after that."

He didn't realize that what he really wanted to ask was, "What about me?"

The year Shen Zongnian disappeared at fifteen needed no mention; just the thought of it made Tan Youming shiver.

That extreme, cliff-like separation, 709 days and nights without a word, the agonizing, unbearable 5,849 kilometers with no trace—it turned out the traumatic wound from his youth had never healed. It had only become a scar papering over the peace. Now, Shen Zongnian was tearing off the scab once again, and Tan Youming was cut to the core.

Shen Zongnian tried to explain calmly: "Then what's your role? Established projects will proceed step by step without issues, but new projects need to be built from the ground up. Partners and officials have their own requirements and suggestions."

Tan Youming cursed even louder: "Who do they think they are! They’re partners, not clients—do they think they can just poach you? I want to poach you for Pinghai too—will you come? Whatever they can offer you, I can offer too, and even more! A weak, hollow noble side branch really thinks they’re a benefactor."

Truly angry, Tan Youming even cursed his friend: "Felipe dares to play those underhanded tactics with me. We see each other every day in Jing City, and he didn't even give me a hint. What's his intention? And even if they want to poach someone, they have to consider the person’s willingness, right? If you really don't want to go, what can they do?"

He was furious but still looked at Shen Zongnian with hope. This time, however, Shen Zongnian did not compromise: "This is work."

"Work," Tan Youming sneered. He was disappointed but not surprised. "If you don't go, will the project terminate? Will Huantu collapse immediately?" It was merely a matter of how fast the money would come in.

He used to admire Shen Zongnian's ambitious, predatory drive, his relentless pursuit of goals, his unyielding and decisive strength. But now, seeing him prioritize profits over personal relationships, Tan Youming felt Shen Zongnian was like an ungrateful animal—cold-blooded, indifferent, and profit-driven.

"What makes you think you can make this decision on your own? Are you just the CEO of Huantu, a member of the board, the project leader?"

Tan Youming hated that he wouldn't compromise for anyone, wouldn't stay for anyone, hated even more his self-centered, solitary ways, and most of all, hated that he never truly considered himself part of the Tan family. An overseas assignment would last several years—maybe three or four, maybe seven or eight, or even over a decade.

"You're not asking me, not asking Mom and Dad, and don't care about Grandpa and Grandma’s opinions, is that it?"

Shen Zongnian remained as calm as ever, calm to the point of coldness: "When the results come out, I'll explain to the family."

Tan Youming yelled: "That's not an explanation—that's a notification!"

Shen Zongnian frowned. Tan Youming took a light breath and cut him off. What the board, shareholders, and various parties couldn't resolve through their back-and-forth struggles, he arranged clearly in moments: "Fine. Tomorrow, call a board meeting and tell those idiots that my shares in the CEP R&D projects on the mainland—I'll transfer them all to Huantu."

Those were Tan Youming’s personal assets from his early days as an angel investor, not part of the family business.

"That way, Huantu will be the enterprise in Haishi with the most energy sector patents and the broadest scope. Isn't the rush to expand overseas markets about expanding their resource footprint in the new energy sector?"

Shen Zongnian’s gaze froze, his expression stern as he rebuked: "Shut up!"

Tan Youming ignored him and continued ranting: "Also, all my shares, bonds, and virtual trading funds in the energy pool and overseas—I'll transfer them to you for free. You'll become the largest shareholder in the energy network."

He was willing to use everything he had to keep Shen Zongnian: "I've calculated it. With my shares and voting rights combined with yours, even anywhere in Asia, no one in any market will be able to veto you with one vote. No one. In the future, whether it's sellers, associations, or third parties, they'll all fear you. You'll have absolute priority and choice."

Some of those shares were even a gift from Tan Zhongshan for his eighteenth birthday.

"Tan Youming." Shen Zongnian was truly angered and warned him to stop.

"Or I'll provide a guarantee," Tan Youming thought it through thoroughly. The reason they wanted Shen Zongnian over there was likely concern that Huantu wasn't committed enough or the project wasn't stable. "I can use all my assets as collateral—personal and asset guarantees, unlimited joint liability. They can choose whatever they want. If there’s a loss, it’s on me."

"If that’s still not enough, I—I'll focus deeply on this field from now on." Energy wasn't the Tan family’s main focus, but Tan Youming was as determined and confident as when he’d struggled to learn German. "Believe me, within three years, I'll make Jianxin the top in this field. The return on investment will definitely not be lower than this project—"

"Tan Youming," Shen Zongnian couldn't take it anymore and interrupted his ranting, "What exactly are you trying to do?"

"Isn't it obvious what I'm doing?" Tan Youming clenched his jaw, glaring fiercely at him. "I want you to stay in Haishi."

"Why?" Shen Zongnian finally turned to face him, scrutinizing him. "Why must I stay in Haishi?"

Tan Youming acted as if Shen Zongnian had asked an incredibly stupid question, loudly telling him: "Because I'm in Haishi!"

Tan Youming’s chest heaved slightly. He was so self-righteous, so entitled, and so straightforward. Shen Zongnian patiently asked him: "Tan Youming, just because you're in Haishi, I have to be in Haishi too?"

"Yes," Tan Youming had never been so authoritarian, decisive, and unreasonable. "If I'm in Haishi, you don't take a single step away from Haishi!"

Shen Zongnian still asked: "Why?"

Tan Youming frowned: "There's no why."

His physical and psychological instincts clearly told him that Shen Zongnian living with Tan Youming was as natural as Guan Kezhi and Tan Zhongshan’s innate need to raise, educate, and accompany Tan Youming. It was an inherent obligation, a matter-of-course responsibility, with no need for discussion.

"Your home is in Haishi, your family is in Haishi—why do you have to leave?"

It made no sense at all.

From such a young age, their roots had grown together. The time they’d spent together already exceeded half their lives.

Tan Youming’s frank, clear gaze, devoid of any ulterior motives, suddenly made Shen Zongnian unable to continue questioning. He knew he wouldn't get the answer he wanted and didn't wish to coax or pressure.

If he spoke, Tan Youming would retreat step by step, using every chip he had—or didn't have—to keep him.

This wasn't coaxing anymore; it was threats and coercion. Shen Zongnian didn't want any of it. He didn't mind being the villain. After a moment of silence, he said, "Tan Youming."

Tan Youming’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, as if awaiting judgment.

"There's no such logic," Shen Zongnian told him calmly. "If the competitive hiring process is successful, I will follow the board’s decision."

Tan Youming’s clenched hands trembled slightly, but the steering wheel remained steady. He no longer made a scene, only asking: "So you're determined to go?"

Shen Zongnian did not answer.

Tan Youming was quiet for a long moment, then said: "Fine. Then we'll see if you're able to leave when the time comes."

The Bentley was like an out-of-control beast. Berlin Road reached another fork. The flowers in the rain grew denser, the car lights like long rows of lanterns, shrouding the misty world in a layer of mournful beauty.

The upgrade of the island’s No. 1 typhoon warning to No. 3 began with a heavy downpour. The observatory issued a warning: tropical cyclone Chitu was approaching along a spiral trajectory, 20 kilometers away.

A landslide occurred in North Point, with some sections in Admiralty and Central temporarily closed. The public is advised to minimize travel and stay safe.

Shen Zongnian immediately followed up on the production safety measures at the Southern District factory after the meeting, addressing recent weather-related incidents.

Shortly after the Southern District executive left the office, Zhong Manqing entered and said, “Mr. Shen, do you have a moment? Yang Desheng called to discuss the accounts in Lai Chi Kok. Should I put the call through now or schedule another time?”

Shen Zongnian, who hadn’t heard that name in a long time, found it somewhat unusual and said, “Put it through.”

Yang Desheng greeted him and got straight to the point, informing Shen Zongnian that Tan Youming had refused to accept the rent, contract fees, and commission shares from Lai Chi Kok.

Originally, Grandfather Shen had left the shophouses in Lai Chi Kok to Shen Zongnian. That area was once home to Haishi’s largest trading firm. As Shen Zongnian didn’t need it and had started working earlier than Tan Youming, he assigned the rental income and commissions from there to Tan Youming as pocket money.

Before taking over Pinghai, Tan Youming already had substantial funds to engage in angel investing and incubate projects he was passionate about, thanks in part to this arrangement.

It had been so many years that Shen Zongnian had almost forgotten he still owned this property.

“Mr. Shen, without reconciliation and official approval from their side, I can’t proceed with the transfer. There are only two days left until the remittance deadline stated in the contract.”

Since Yang Desheng began managing rentals in this area, he had been submitting accounts and payments quarterly to Tan Youming’s personal accountant. But this time, the recipient refused to accept, directing him to contact the property owner directly.

Yang Desheng, who had never seen anyone turn down money, couldn’t fathom the ways of the wealthy and asked, “Should you communicate with Mr. Tan, or shall I coordinate directly with your finance team to remit the funds to you first?”

Due to typhoon-related repairs on the footbridge near Pinghai, Tan Youming had been staying on-site at the industrial park for several days without returning home.

Shen Zongnian pursed his lips and said, “Continue working with them until the remittance deadline. If all else fails, send the funds to me.”

“…Alright.” Yang Desheng began to suspect this money was a hot potato.

Shen Zongnian added, “There’s no need to mention that you’ve already contacted me.”

It only emphasized that no one seemed to care about this considerable sum of money. Yang Desheng, who was keen to pay what was owed, replied glumly, “Understood, Mr. Shen.”