Forced to Marry a Female Billionaire CEO

Xu Ke couldn't help but let out a wry laugh. Zhou Qingzhi had made his point so preposterously it was clear that whether Xu Ke wanted the shares or not, he had to take them.

Zhou Qingzhi's reasoning was simple. Even if Xu Ke genuinely didn't want them, they couldn't simply not give them. If the mere presence of Zhou Qingyong could prevent them from giving away the shares, wouldn't it make them look insincere? How could they let Zhou Qingyong ruin this hard-won opportunity to bring Xu Ke to their side?

"Brother, if Dr. Xu himself doesn't want them, you can't force him, can you?" Zhou Qingyong countered, his face darkening. With a sneer, he added, "Or is Dr. Xu simply not saying what he truly means?"

Zhou Qingzhi took a deep breath. "What nonsense are you spouting now?" His fists clenched involuntarily, and he was on the verge of throwing a punch.

Xu Ke's eyes grew cold. This bastard is pushing his luck.

"How about this!"

Just then, Ouyang Hao, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up. Everyone turned to look at him.

"This isn't such a big deal, really. There's no need for everyone to be so agitated, and let's not argue," Ouyang Hao began soothingly, then cleared his throat. "The reality is simple: Qingyong doesn't want to give up control, but Qingzhi and the Old Master insist on giving it, and Dr. Xu has to accept it whether he wants to or not."

Xu Ke: ???

What does he mean, 'has to accept it whether he wants to or not'?

Ouyang Hao ignored Xu Ke's puzzled expression and boldly continued, "Since that's the case, the solution is simple. I'll take charge. Just offer thirty percent of Yihe Pharmaceuticals' shares as a welcoming gift. Wouldn't that solve everything?"

Having said that, Ouyang Hao secretly raised an eyebrow at Zhou Qingzhi. The Zhou Family and Xu Ke being on the same boat would naturally benefit the Ouyang Family as well. Ouyang Hao certainly wasn't going to let Xu Ke get away empty-handed. So, no matter the percentage, he was determined to shove those shares into Xu Ke's hands.

"This..." Xu Ke suddenly hesitated.

Meanwhile, Zhou Qingyong took a deep breath and added, "Fine. Of course, I agree. Dr. Xu's life-saving grace must be repaid."

As long as Yihe Pharmaceuticals remained in the Zhou family's control, that was enough. Seeing that Zhou Qingzhi wasn't budging, Ouyang Hao's proposal gave him a perfect excuse to go with the flow and accept.

Upon hearing this, Tang Yingchang immediately pursed his lips. And where was this talk of repaying Mister Xu just a moment ago?

Yet Zhou Qingzhi was still somewhat dissatisfied. "How could thirty percent be enough..." Giving Yihe Pharmaceuticals to Xu Ke entirely was a completely different matter from him just being a major shareholder.

"Uncle Qingzhi, that's enough for me, really," Xu Ke quickly interjected, trying to stop Zhou Qingzhi from arguing further. If Zhou Qingzhi kept arguing, Zhou Qingyong certainly wouldn't back down. And if he had to listen to Zhou Qingyong any longer, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to stop himself from cursing... The situation might get out of hand.

Since Xu Ke had even called him "Uncle," Zhou Qingzhi couldn't insist any further. "This... alright then," he conceded reluctantly.

Seeing the matter was more or less settled, Zhou Qingyong stood up. "Well, in that case, you all can start eating. I have other matters to attend to."

He didn't show Xu Ke an ounce of respect.

Zhou Qingzhi's face was cold, and he remained silent. Zhou Xiuyun sighed. "Alright, you can go ahead," she said.

Zhou Qingyong smiled, bidding farewell to Xu Ke with the smugness of a victor. "Dr. Xu, see you next time."

"If there's a chance," Xu Ke nodded slightly, his response neutral.

After that, Zhou Qingyong left.

After getting into his car, Zhou Qingyong looked down and texted the good news of his successful intervention to his son. Then, looking up at the Zhou Family Mansion, he sneered.

"Someone who leeches off the Wang Family thinks he can get a piece of the Zhou family's fortune? Xu Ke, being greedy isn't your fault. Your mistake was saving my father's life! Just wait. One day, you'll pay a painful price."

VROOM.

Zhou Qingyong started the car and drove away from the Zhou Family Mansion.

After Zhou Qingyong's departure, Zhou Qingzhi and Zhou Xiuyun both apologized. Even Ouyang Hao said he was sorry.

"It's okay. You don't need to apologize. This isn't your fault," Xu Ke said, waving his hand.

"Sigh..." Zhou Qingzhi sighed and suddenly realized, "Actually, I should have thought of this earlier. His son, Xiao Fan, holds a high position at Yihe. He's probably long considered Yihe Pharmaceuticals to be his for the taking. This was my oversight. I'm sorry!"

Xu Ke raised an eyebrow. So that's what this is all about?!

Zhou Qingzhi pondered for a moment. "How about this? We'll switch to a larger company but still offer fifty-three percent of the shares..." He considered that even if Xu Ke got the Yihe shares, he would eventually be infuriated by Zhou Qingyong and his son. It would be better to switch companies before any contract was signed.

Zhou Xiuyun also realized this problem and quickly agreed. "That's right. I remember Baihua Pharmaceuticals is about the same size as Yihe..."

But Xu Ke just smiled and interrupted her. "It's fine, Uncle Qingzhi, Aunt Xiuyun. I quite like the name Yihe. It resonates with me. Let's stick with it! Besides, if we switched companies now, you'd have to restart the entire transfer process you've already made headway on."

Transferring shares in a large company wasn't simple; various procedures, including internal subscriptions, had to be followed. Although the Zhou family's absolute control meant their decision to sell would likely go unchallenged, respecting the company's bylaws and following procedure was still necessary.

Moreover, he had another reason for choosing Yihe…

Xu Ke had always been one to hold a grudge. So, Zhou Qingyong's son works there and already sees Yihe Pharmaceuticals as his personal property? Well, he wasn't about to let that happen.

"This..." Zhou Qingzhi hesitated. "Actually, Baihua Pharmaceuticals could be renamed Yihe Pharmaceuticals..."

Xu Ke didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Forget it. It's really fine."

"Well, okay then." Since Xu Ke insisted, they didn't press the matter further.

"Finally, we can eat!" Ouyang Hao sighed in relief.

At the same time, they also apologized to Tang Yingchang. He just offered a few polite platitudes and let the matter drop.

After the meal, a thirty-percent stake in Yihe Pharmaceuticals was smoothly transferred into Xu Ke's possession. Zhou Qingzhi also led Xu Ke to a room upstairs.

"The reward the Zhou Family announced wasn't just shares, but also treasures. This is a small treasury of sorts, where my father keeps his collection. You can select any three items."

Xu Ke was surprised. "I already have the shares and the invitation..."

Frankly, he knew the Zhou Family's sincerity was significant, but he hadn't expected it to be this substantial!

"That's different. The shares and invitation are just our welcoming gift," Zhou Qingzhi said earnestly. "The treasures you choose are your reward for saving my father. You've earned all of this!"

Seeing Zhou Qingzhi's immense seriousness, Xu Ke could only agree noncommittally for now. "Then... I'll take a look..."

He had already received the Dragon Ring from Zhou Hongsheng, and now he was getting shares, an invitation, and the chance to pick treasures from their vault. Honestly, he felt uneasy accepting rewards he felt he hadn't fully earned, and it was all making him a bit anxious...

Subsequently, Xu Ke followed Zhou Qingzhi into Zhou Hongsheng's study. Behind a bookshelf, there was a small door. Upon opening it, a small storeroom was revealed to Xu Ke.

He was immediately astonished.