Chapter 264: The Mysterious Grand Prize

The audience erupted in excitement as soon as the host finished speaking.

"Mr. Li is performing?"

"Is this for real? They didn't mention this beforehand!"

"Wow, what will Mr. Li perform? Singing or dancing? If he does a pole dance, it will be hilarious."

"Dream on! Keep your voice down, or someone might report you. You're done for."

...

Regardless of the commotion below, Li Dong had already risen and was walking toward the stage.

He stepped up, bowed slightly to the audience, and took the microphone from the host's hand. With a gentle smile, Li Dong said, "Dear colleagues and friends, please be quiet for a moment. I have a few words to say."

It took a certain level of courage to stir up the crowd, something most people didn't have.

Even if someone wanted to create a ruckus, the store managers kept a close watch, and the crowd quickly quieted down.

Li Dong continued, "It is my honor to be here with all of you today."

"It is also my fortune to have so many outstanding elites join Yuanfang's big family."

"But I want to say one more thing: you won't regret joining Yuanfang for the rest of your lives!"

As soon as Li Dong finished speaking, the audience erupted in cheers.

"Mr. Li, you're absolutely right!"

"Mr. Li, joining Yuanfang is the best decision I've ever made!"

"Mr. Li, you're awesome!"

"Mr. Li, I love you!"

"..."

The cheers grew louder and louder. Li Dong smiled and gestured to the band behind him.

The music on stage slowly began.

Li Dong held the microphone and began to sing, "Life is like a great river…"

"Sometimes calm, sometimes wild…"

"Reality is like a shackle…"

"..."

"I want to fly higher… fly higher…"

...

Li Dong didn't bring any new tricks or perform an unconventional song. He chose to sing Wang Feng's "Fly Higher," which perfectly expressed his current emotions.

His rebirth was an opportunity to break free from the chains of fate.

In this life, he had soared high and would continue to rise. He had that confidence.

Yuanfang would also soar higher, and the employees present today would follow suit, reaching greater heights.

"Fly Higher" by Wang Feng was very popular in 2005, and many people knew the lyrics.

Eventually, more and more employees joined Li Dong in singing.

"I want to fly higher, fly higher!"

"Dance like the storm, break free from the embrace!"

...

Li Dong's singing ability wasn't outstanding, but it was certainly better than Meng Qiping, who was tone-deaf.

By the end of the song, the entire venue was abuzz.

Perhaps it was the added effect of being the boss, but Li Dong's heartfelt performance resonated with the audience.

Though several small singers had already performed earlier, they could leave now as Li Dong's performance captivated everyone's attention.

Most artists had already left, except for Li Qian, who stayed behind.

As she watched Li Dong sing passionately under the dazzling lights, Li Qian realized she didn't know this big guy at all.

He could be fierce and intimidating, but she couldn't deny that at this moment, Li Dong was genuinely charismatic.

Even Li Qian, who had despised him before, felt a vague attraction.

There were many outstanding men in the world, but in Jiangbei, who could compare with Li Dong?

Looking around at the admiring faces, Li Qian sighed softly and left quietly.

Li Dong was growing increasingly distant from her.

Regardless of past grievances, Li Qian let go of them at this moment.

It was truly frightening to oppose such a man; that invisible power seemed to tear her apart, leaving her nowhere to hide.

Taking this step, the past seemed like a fleeting memory, and perhaps there would never be another intersection in the future.

...

Li Qian's departure did not affect anyone.

As Li Dong finished his song, everyone shouted, "Mr. Li, sing another song!"

Li Dong took a deep breath and laughed, "Don't forget, there's still a car waiting for you. As an old man, let me take a break."

"Hahaha…"

Everyone laughed heartily. Though they felt Li Dong was distant before, today he made them feel that the boss was great, the company was great, and everything was great.

Following such a boss would surely make the future interesting.

The final lottery didn't involve the large screen spinning numbers.

Instead, all the remaining prizes were written on slips of paper and placed in a lottery box for everyone to draw.

This time, no one would go home empty-handed; all prizes would be distributed.

The most important prize, of course, was the car.

Everyone drew a slip of paper, including Li Dong and Sun Tao.

Li Dong glanced at his slip and smiled slightly.

Sun Tao, who was next to him, asked, "Mr. Li, what did you get?"

"And you?"

"Laundry powder. I told Manager Shen, why so much laundry powder? Can't you add something else, like soap?"

Shen Qian smiled and said, "Laundry powder is great. Don't give it to me. By the way, I had better luck than you. I won a portable music player. What did you get, Mr. Li?"

Li Dong sighed and said helplessly, "Shen Qian, if I didn't trust you, I'd definitely fire you this time!"

Shen Qian quickly looked at Li Dong's slip and couldn't help exclaiming, "Your luck is incredible! Is this for real?"

Sun Tao leaned over and saw that the slip read "One Accord car."

Sun Tao barely suppressed his laughter and said, "Mr. Li, what do we do now?"

Li Dong scanned the excited crowd and then signaled to a female staff member, "Give this to Manager Qi. Keep it low-key."

Hearing this, Sun Tao and Shen Qian nodded slightly.

The car was of no use to Li Dong and would definitely be given away.

However, senior executives at Yuanfang usually had cars; if not, the company provided them.

Only Qi Yunna's situation was unique. She used to have a company car, but it was taken back when she was demoted.

Now that Li Dong had won a car, giving it to Qi Yunna was the best choice.

Soon after the female staff member left, a wave of astonishment swept through the crowd.

Li Dong turned around and saw Qi Yunna looking at him with a complex expression.

Noting that Li Dong had turned around, Qi Yunna smiled gratefully and then accepted congratulations from the people around her.

The lottery ended, and so did the program.

The annual meeting was drawing to a close, and the two hosts called for everyone to quiet down.

Then they said, "Now, let's invite Mr. Li Dong to give the closing remarks for the 2005 Yuanfang Annual Meeting!"

Li Dong adjusted his clothes and went back on stage.

He raised his hand slightly, signaling everyone to be quiet.

Once the crowd quieted down, Li Dong smiled and said, "Although the annual meeting is about to end, I am not here to deliver a closing speech today. Instead, I have something to announce."

"Do you all remember the mysterious grand prize I mentioned before?"

"Yes!"

The crowd quickly shouted.

They naturally remembered the mysterious grand prize and knew it was the most important prize of the annual meeting.

Based on Li Dong's serious tone, it was clear that this prize was at least as valuable as the car, if not more.

Everyone was excitedly anticipating who would win the grand prize now that the lottery and programs were over.

Even senior executives like Sun Tao were curious about what the mysterious grand prize was.

Li Dong had been mysterious about it, and they hadn't been told what it was.

Shen Qian had asked several times, and Li Dong had always said they would find out at the annual meeting. Now the time had finally come for the reveal.

While others were anxious, Li Dong was calm.

Clearing his throat, he slowly said, "Yuanfang Supermarket was a small store I decided to start in May 2004. The first store, Dongping Store, opened on August 1, 2004, and it's been about a year and a half now…"

"At the beginning, Yuanfang Supermarket's total capital was only three to four million…"

"Now it's January 22, 2006. Yuanfang has a total of 70 stores, one piece of land in Huafu, one piece in the southern suburbs, and 500,000 shares of Baidu…"

"A few days ago, I asked the finance department to estimate that Yuanfang Supermarket, along with the Baidu shares, has a total value of over one billion."

"In just a year and a half, Yuanfang's total assets have increased by 300 times!"

"I want to thank someone here. Someone who has made a tremendous contribution to Yuanfang, someone who has been with me and helped Yuanfang get to where it is today."

"When I was still obscure and when I was being stubborn, he always stood by me and helped Yuanfang grow."

"He deserves the most credit for Yuanfang's success."

"Today, at the beginning of 2006, I have made a decision to fulfill the promise I made to him…"

...

Sun Tao below was stunned.

Everyone's eyes turned to Sun Tao. They knew who Li Dong was talking about.

Sun Tao, who had been with Yuanfang from the very beginning, dedicating all his energy to the company.

In terms of contribution to Yuanfang, even Li Dong admitted that Sun Tao had the greatest role.

Without Sun Tao back then, relying

 on Li Dong, an outsider, Yuanfang would not have achieved its current status.

Back then, Sun Tao was a deputy manager at a Carrefour branch, with a social status far above Li Dong, who was just a high school graduate.

But in the end, Sun Tao became Li Dong's professional manager.

His condition was a ten percent profit share in Yuanfang for three years and ten percent equity after three years.

However, as Yuanfang developed step by step, Sun Tao had little hope for these shares.

Especially after Li Dong had once tested him, Sun Tao no longer mentioned it.

Profit sharing was fine, but he no longer expected shares.

Who would have thought that today, at the annual meeting, in front of so many people, Li Dong would fulfill the promise made back then!

Even regarding the Baidu shares, Li Dong spoke candidly without any concealment.

Sun Tao was too shocked to believe it.

Regardless of whether he believed it or not, Li Dong continued, "I have decided to transfer ten percent of Yuanfang's shares to Manager Sun Tao…"

Shock!

The banquet hall was stunned, not just Sun Tao. Everyone was dumbfounded.

Ten percent of Yuanfang's shares!

Oh my god!

Did they hear it wrong?

Tonight's mysterious grand prize was actually ten percent of Yuanfang's shares, worth over a billion…

Everything felt like a dream; everyone was stunned.

They didn't know Li Dong and Sun Tao's agreement. They only knew that from now on, Sun Tao had become a billionaire.

Tonight, right before their eyes, a billionaire was born!

They knew the grand prize was significant, but no one expected it to be this significant, worth over a billion!

Yuanfang's employees were stunned, as were the guests and suppliers.

Li Dong's classmates were also astonished.

Over a billion in assets, given away just like that, what a display of grandeur!

The banquet hall fell completely silent, only the faint sound of people swallowing could be heard.

After a long time, Sun Tao finally said, "Mr. Li, I can't…"

Li Dong waved his hand, interrupting, "This is what you deserve. I'm already handling the paperwork. We'll sign the contract when you return to the company tomorrow. Starting today, you are a shareholder of Yuanfang."

Sun Tao didn't know what to say.

Reject?

In front of so many people, Li Dong's decision was clearly firm. Rejecting would seem insincere.

But to accept?

Sun Tao felt a bit uneasy. He had contributed to Yuanfang, but it wasn't as significant as Li Dong said.

More importantly, there was one amount of money he couldn't accept.

Thinking of this, Sun Tao gritted his teeth and said, "Mr. Li, in that case, I won't be pretentious. But the Baidu shares are yours alone. I can't take that money!"

In today's Yuanfang, Baidu shares were the big deal.

With Yuanfang estimated at ten billion, Baidu shares alone were worth five billion, accounting for half of the value.

The other money, though Sun Tao felt it was a lot, if truly given, he wouldn't feel guilty.

Baidu shares were different. When Li Dong wanted to buy the stock, Sun Tao had vehemently opposed it, and in the end, Li Dong even had to mortgage his house.

Given that, how could Sun Tao have the face to take the money from those shares?

Li Dong laughed and waved his hand, "We'll discuss that later. For now, let's all congratulate Manager Sun!"

"Congratulations, Manager Sun!"

"Manager Sun, treat us to drinks later."

"Manager Sun, I didn't expect you'd become a billionaire so quickly. You must throw a grand celebration!"

...

Everyone congratulated Sun Tao.

Especially the senior executives, who were particularly excited.

Today, Sun Tao became a shareholder. What about them?

They felt their contributions might not be as great as Sun Tao's, but they were also part of Li Dong's team. Could they expect to be included in the company's future plans, like those in internet groups?

Especially Wang Yue, who, though she had joined the company recently, saw hope in Sun Tao.

If the general manager became a shareholder, didn't she have hope too?

She didn't dare to imagine having the same treatment as Sun Tao, but if Li Dong rewarded shares in the future, she, as the vice president, would surely be included.

Now, Yuanfang, worth ten billion, was just the beginning. It would only get better and more valuable.

This year ten billion, next year twenty billion—nothing was impossible!

If one day Yuanfang surpassed one hundred billion, even a one-percent share would make her a billionaire. Isn't that better than working all her life?

At this moment, all employees, whether leaders or ordinary salespeople, resolved in their hearts.

Following Yuanfang and Li Dong might be the start of changing their destinies!