Chapter 618 - Help from the Old Guan
Guan Gao Huan was taken aback. He looked at the old man and raised his guard up. He had lowered his guard in that slight moment.
The brown-haired man quietly took off his hand from the old man's hold and smiled. "Grandpa, there is no need for you to worry about this young one's thoughts. The past should be put behind us. I only wish for Grandpa to have good health and live with no worries."
Old Guan softly smiled at his grandson's concern.
He really wished that he could live longer and watch his three grandsons marry and have children.
Alas, he was running out of time.
Remembering what the doctor had said that he only had a half year to live before his respiratory system fully collapses, Old Guan's mood plummeted down.
He should spend his remaining time with his grandsons...
"Grandpa..."
Guan Gao Huan's call made Old Guan snap out of his thoughts.
"Yes?"
"Before I learned that you got hospitalized, I actually wanted to share the good news with you. Is today a good time?"
Old Guan nodded his head. "Yes, I'll just be staying here for a while. Listening to you will solve my boredom."
"Then..." Guan Gao Huan smiled. "Grandpa, have you heard the news about Univ One?"
"Univ One... Yes. My people reported to me the appearance of the second ZD World. Why do you mention it?"
ZD World's fame already got the attention of many powerful figures, the legendary families were one of them. But since the creator was SC Company who had connections to both the Xiong family and the Tang family thanks to Linfeng and Jang Shin, the legendary families did not put their fingers on it and just let it grow. The other international powerheads also became more agreeable due to the presence of the other five young kings in the international market.
However, Univ One was different. It had no connection with the legendary families. If it was another time, the four families would have investigated this rising project and look into the person behind it.
And probably, try to acquire Univ One into their faction.
But Univ One's current status and fame was not worthy enough yet for the four families to fight over it. They still had to wait and see if Univ One possessed the right potential to go against ZD World. Furthermore, they could not just go and support Univ One without assurance of absolute profit. If they did, it would be an act of going against the Xiong and Tang family.
Besides, the four families were preparing for another matter. Univ One's appearance was just like fat fish appearing in the river when all this time they were preparing to trap the shark in the sea.
Guan Gao Huan lowered his eyes. "To be honest, Univ One is my creation. Before ZD World appeared, I was already working on Univ One."
"..!!!"
Old Guan was stunned.
He stared at his grandson, whom he always thought was mediocre in talents.
His third grandson who was only in his early twenties created Univ One without the support from the Guan family? That was impossible. Guan Gao Huan had never shown any great achievement or exceptional ability in the past.
Instead, Old Guan expected this kind of great achievement from his second grandson.
"Are you saying that Univ One is solely your creation, or are you an investor? Or maybe you have a partnership with them?"
Old Guan thought that perhaps, his grandson just partnered with the company that made Univ One.
Guan Gao Huan nodded his head. "I indeed partnered with a start-up company and offered them to help me build Univ One. I spent all my money as investment. If I didn't lack investors, I would have launched Univ One earlier than SC. Alas, Zhou Linfeng has the five kings to rely on while I only have myself and the other investors to depend on. When ZD World was launched, to be honest, I was shocked at how similar it is to my Univ One. Imagine my shock back then," Guan Gao Huan sighed with a wry smile, telling the old man half-truths and half-lies.
It was true that he only had himself and other underground companies and investors to rely on. However, the company that made Univ One from scratch was made by Guan Gao Huan through his connections from the underworld. It was another stash of his master and his father, Ming Zhi Yi.
No one exactly knew if it was ZD World or Univ One who came into paper first, but since ZD World was the first to get launched by several months headstart, that was what mattered to the capitalistic world.
Thus, when Guan Gao Huan learned that ZD World was exactly like his Univ One, the project which he had painstakingly build to redeem himself to his master and his tool to win the Guan's heir position, Guan Gao Huan almost went afrenzy.
The appearance of ZD World ruined his path to get his master's appreciation and the Guan's successor position!
It was this simmering anger that pushed Guan Gao Huan to not accept his father and master's order to go under SC wing's and disguise in a cooperation with ZD World.
How could he be under that man who destroyed everything he had worked hard for?!
He could not give up at this moment.
Univ One...
Univ One would surely be a success and it would topple down ZD World!
This was his path to greatness!
He wanted to prove to himself and to everyone else that he could do more. He was better than that butler!
Old Guan could feel his third grandson's restrained anger.
"Univ One, huh... It is a great creation. You managed to get this far without asking help from me. I am quite surprised. But I am proud of you."
Guan Gao Huan looked at the old man's face.
The old man had a rare soft smile on his face.
Unfortunately, the old man's warm gaze did not reach Guan Gao Huan's heart. Or to be precise, it did not penetrate Gunan's dark heart.
The man smiled at his grandfather, although his smile had a hint of sadness within it.
"I am glad to hear that from you, Grandpa. To be honest, I thought I can go far with Univ One. But ZD World's appearance restrained Univ One's wings. I... lost. Totally."
The heartbroken tone filled the air.
The man subtly glanced up at his grandfather, who also showed a sad expression on his face.
"Gao Huan, my grandson."
The old man sighed and reached for his hand again.
"You did not lose. How can you say that you lost when the battle has not yet began? You should actually be glad that you came second to them in this race, because more will definitely come out. You must not be in hurry. Let Univ One grow, and I assure you that in ten years from now, its fame will not be less than ZD World. An international market will never allow for a monopoly, and the pioneer is always the first to be targeted. Your current status is still very promising."
Guan Gao Huan's mask almost broke. The rest of the words did not enter his ears.
Ten... years?!
How could he wait for ten years!
This old man must have already been dead by then and ZD World must have finished their sixth, seventh, or eighth expansion at this rate!
By that time, his father and master must have already crushed Univ One as punishment for going against his order!
He did not have the luxury of ten years!
Guan Gao Huan lowered his long lashes to hide all those thoughts back into his mask.
"Grandpa, I am really thankful for your advice. However, as time passes at this rate, the difference between Univ One and ZD World will just increase. They have recently finished their first expansion. I am losing my confidence..." The man's words slowly disappeared.
Old Guan felt heartache for his grandson.
This was his youngest grandson's proudest creation which he had worked hard for.
"Don't lose confidence. You already proved yourself in turning Univ One to reality. Don't worry, my grandchild. This time, these old bones of mine will help you. With my help, you don't need to worry about money or resources. I can already see how Univ One will thrive and give glory to our Guan Empire."
Guan Gao Huan's eyes flashed. His tensed nerves finally relaxed.
This what he was waiting for.
His timing was really perfect, this cold old man would not extend his hand if it was in another time. The emotional build-up from earlier had some use.
Guan Gao Huan looked at his grandfather with shock, happiness, then concern. "But Grandpa, if you help Univ One, will you not be implicated by the Xiong and Tang family?"
Old Guan shook his head with a smile. "If they know that Univ One came from you, they won't be able to blame me. I am just a grandfather who wants to spoil his grandson once. Besides, they are also willing to spoil their butlers. I can't even spoil my own grandson?"
Guan Gao Huan smiled. Like a joyful grandchild, he showed a happy and moved expression on his face. He slowly and gingerly hugged the old man. "Thank you, Grandpa."
Old Guan's heart softened and he reached out to pat his grandson's back with a soft smile.
"You don't have to worry about the other families. Just focus on Univ One. Those oldies also won't have the time to join in your fight with ZD World."
Guan Gao Huan's eyes flashed. Various thoughts came to his mind.
He separated from the hug and looked at his grandfather with a confused expression.
"What do you mean by that, Grandpa. Is something happening?"
Since his first intention was solved, his second purpose of coming here must be achieved as well.
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