Bureau Chief Huang cleared his throat as Liu Hui addressed his intentions directly, stating, "Boss Liu, through our previous actions, you are aware of our sincerity. Although we couldn't truly assist you this time, we still incurred significant costs."

Liu Hui nodded. "I know that. But why didn't you consult with us beforehand? That way, this whole mess wouldn't have happened, letting the Americans walk away with such a huge advantage."

Bureau Chief Huang replied with visible awkwardness, "Those higher-ups simply wanted to give you a surprise, that’s why they acted that way. We know you had some misunderstandings regarding certain domestic matters previously. We were eager to mend the rift between us and show our sincerity, so we acted a bit hastily, which led to us being deceived by the Americans. You can understand our predicament, can't you?"

Liu Hui was momentarily speechless. He had inquired about that rather bizarre incident with the Luo family back home, but the old man Luo’s response had been deliberately vague, as if holding something back. Now, seeing Bureau Chief Huang also speaking in riddles, Liu Hui's mind was filled with questions.

"Bureau Chief Huang, you still haven't mentioned the real reason for your visit today?" Liu Hui prompted.

Bureau Chief Huang blinked, still somewhat embarrassed, and said, "It’s about that old topic—the state still hopes to take an equity stake in your Starry Sky Group. We don't care about the specific percentage; just having a seat on your board of directors is enough for us."

Liu Hui froze, then flared with sudden anger. He hadn't expected the domestic side to be so persistent, still aiming to acquire shares in Starry Sky Group. Just as Liu Hui was about to erupt, a thought flashed through his mind, and he suddenly understood why those domestic heavyweights had secretly contacted the American government, only to be duped in the end.

The reason the domestic leaders negotiated secretly with the US government without informing Starry Sky Group beforehand, even if it meant paying a heavy price to resolve the dispute between Starry Sky Group and the US government, was that they would do so without hesitation. Liu Hui hadn't understood the logic before, but now it was crystal clear.

Simply put, the state hoped to leverage the cost paid in this operation to gain equity in Starry Sky Group. After successfully resolving the issue, they could argue that the state had done Starry Sky Group such a massive favor, even suffering heavy losses to help them, thus making it only right for Starry Sky Group to concede some shares in return. If Starry Sky Group still refused the state’s equity stake afterward, the state could mobilize public opinion to attack Starry Sky Group, accusing them of ingratitude and forgetting their roots. Then, the state would stand on the side of justice and use public pressure to secure the shares.

Otherwise, there was no explaining why they secretly negotiated with the US government, willing to bear significant costs, yet failing to inform Starry Sky Group in advance. What those domestic leaders hadn't anticipated was a major deviation during the actual execution. The cunning Americans concealed the news of their settlement with Starry Sky Group; the Americans turned the situation to their advantage, savagely fleecing the domestic leaders, forcing them to suffer in silence. This was also why Old Man Luo had been reluctant to tell the truth when Liu Hui questioned him.

Having grasped the crux of the matter, Liu Hui felt intensely disappointed and hurt. He had initially believed the domestic side was genuinely helping Starry Sky Group, and the only issue was the inexperience of their negotiators, leading to the deception by the Americans. Therefore, upon learning the news, he had actually felt a touch of gratitude, even considering whether Starry Sky Group should compensate the nation for its losses. But now that he understood the underlying scheme, his heart grew cold, completely extinguishing any possibility of future cooperation with relevant domestic parties.

So, Liu Hui stated, "Bureau Chief Huang, I apologize, but Starry Sky Group’s shares are not for sale. Furthermore, all shares in Starry Sky Group are currently in my possession; we don't have a board of directors here."

Bureau Chief Huang hadn't expected Liu Hui to refuse so bluntly. After all, the state wasn't demanding a specific percentage; Liu Hui could have easily smoothed things over by offering a small number of shares. Yet, Liu Hui refused so outright for some unknown reason.

After his initial shock, Bureau Chief Huang quickly asserted, "Boss Liu, you must realize that our country paid an extremely heavy price for the safety of your Starry Sky Group this time. We have made our efforts and contributions toward protecting the security of Huaxia enterprises. As a Huaxia enterprise, shouldn't you show some token of appreciation to repay the nation’s favor?"

Liu Hui replied, "I'm sorry, but Starry Sky Group operates legally, pays taxes according to regulations, and actively engages in charity to give back to the people. We have fulfilled the obligations incumbent upon a Huaxia enterprise. As for other forms of repayment you mentioned, those are outside the scope of what we should consider."

Bureau Chief Huang finally grew irritated. He declared, "Then let’s put this issue up for public discussion and let the entire nation judge the merits of the case. We helped you when you were in danger, but you show no consideration for the nation’s difficulties. This is repaying kindness with enmity. Are you even a Huaxia enterprise anymore? Do you even have morality flowing in your blood?"

Liu Hui shook his head. "If you truly intend to take this matter to public discussion, Starry Sky Group would welcome it. Then, right and wrong will be immediately clear, because I have always believed that the eyes of the masses are discerning; they won't be easily incited or fooled like those in your news reports."

Hearing Liu Hui's words, Bureau Chief Huang’s demeanor suddenly softened. He said, "Boss Liu, perhaps we should discuss this matter again once both sides have cooled down! Actually, I came today with another matter to discuss with you."

Liu Hui stated, "Let’s drop the matter of equity in Starry Sky Group for now, but I am very interested in hearing about your other business."

Bureau Chief Huang forced a smile. "Boss Liu, you previously agreed to take your 'Starry Sky Desalination Company' public. I came today to update you on the results of our negotiations with those nations and to discuss the specific details regarding this company's IPO."

Liu Hui suddenly smiled. "Bureau Chief Huang, when we reached a settlement agreement with the US government, the US government formally dropped its coercion regarding the listing of our 'Starry Sky Desalination Company,' and they won't pressure you either. Since the basic premise for listing this company is gone, we are no longer planning to take it public."

Bureau Chief Huang panicked upon hearing this, raising his voice. "Boss Liu, you can't do this! You already promised to list this company; that’s what we discussed with those nations, and everything is basically settled. How can you suddenly change your mind?"

Liu Hui said calmly, "This isn't changing my mind. Since America has withdrawn, its allies will naturally withdraw too. Therefore, no one is forcing you to list our company anymore. I am announcing today that the company won't list. The ones who should be anxious aren't the nations and organizations led by the US, but rather the major domestic families and corporations, aren't they?"

Bureau Chief Huang paused, then asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Liu Hui explained, "What I mean is that since the nations and organizations led by the US have stopped pressuring you, the only ones left who strongly desire our listing are certain major domestic families and corporations. Before, it was foreign nations and organizations pressuring you, so we might have considered listing the company to alleviate your pressure. But now, your pressure comes from within the country, so you should resolve that pressure yourselves!"

Bureau Chief Huang asked, puzzled, "What does your company listing or not listing have to do with those major families and corporations?"

Liu Hui sighed. "Bureau Chief Huang, it seems there are things even you don't know domestically. You previously proposed that the nation of Huaxia hold a 20% stake in Starry Sky Desalination Company. But did you know that this 20% stake isn't held directly by the state? It has been broken down and will be purchased and held separately by certain major domestic families and corporations. So, in the end, those shares will belong to those major families and corporations. Although the state nominally holds these shares, in reality, they belong to those domestic giants. Tell me, would I agree to let something like that happen?"

Bureau Chief Huang was stunned. "How is that possible?"

Liu Hui chuckled. "You can ask the big shots behind you when you return to find out if this is true. I don't care about the internal arrangements you have. Since the US has withdrawn, our plan to list 'Starry Sky Desalination Company' is officially terminated. I won't discuss this matter with you again. I hope you will convey my message accurately to those higher-ups. If they still have thoughts or opinions, they can come find me directly."

Bureau Chief Huang was frustrated, muttering to himself, "But in the desalination market, if we don't have a voice, how will our nation solve its water scarcity crisis?"

Liu Hui replied, "Bureau Chief Huang, you don't need to worry about that issue. In the desalination market right now, I am the sole spokesperson. As long as you don't harm my interests, I will provide you with as much fresh water as you need. Who told me to be a Huaxia person? I also wish for my country to become better."

When Bureau Chief Huang left Starry Sky Group, he appeared utterly dazed. He had visited Starry Sky Group today to see Liu Hui, yet he hadn't accomplished a single thing. He had no idea how severely those higher-ups would reprimand him upon his return, or if his official career could even be salvaged. However, Liu Hui felt no sympathy for Bureau Chief Huang—after all, he represented those very people who constantly schemed to lay claim to his company.

The fact that Starry Sky Group could repel the powerful US military on the conventional battlefield had bolstered Liu Hui's confidence. If he didn't fear the mighty United States, why would he fear threats originating from within his own country? This confidence allowed Liu Hui to say no to Bureau Chief Huang and flatly reject both of his proposals. After this conversation with the Bureau Chief, Liu Hui felt a sense of relief, and his vision began to expand beyond national boundaries, growing increasingly vast.

Bureau Chief Huang did not contact Liu Hui again for a long time after his return. However, the domestic situation regarding Starry Sky Group remained unchanged; everything stayed the same as before, so Liu Hui simply stopped dwelling on the matter.

A month later, the rescue operations following the massive earthquake in the United States finally concluded. The US government officially ceased searching for survivors, and all rescue teams dispatched from various countries withdrew from America.

Under the leadership of Liu Decheng, the Starry Sky Charity Foundation continued its efforts at the temporary settlement sites for disaster victims across the US, providing necessary relief supplies and assisting them in rebuilding their homes.

The impact of the Los Angeles mega-quake began to recede slowly. The world had finally returned to its routine; after all, human life must go on, and even the saddest events cannot last forever. Liu Hui turned his attention back to the development of Starry Sky Group.

Over the past month or so, Starry Sky Group had continued to develop steadily. However, due to the impact of the American earthquake, the sales performance of Starry Sky Group’s products hadn't seen much growth during this period, maintaining a lukewarm state.

Liu Hui began reorganizing Starry Sky Group’s product lines, intending to make adjustments and streamline his portfolio.

After more than two years on the market, "Starry Sky Myopia Relief" had sold eight hundred million units, generating total sales of eight hundred billion US dollars—a figure unmatched by any other single product currently available. However, the number of nearsighted individuals in the world was steadily decreasing, and its sales had already significantly declined. It was estimated to remain on the market for perhaps another year before facing delisting.

"Starry Sky Hepatitis B Cure," after more than a year of sales, had moved three hundred million units, totaling three hundred billion US dollars in revenue. The market saturation for this product was barely over half, meaning there was still room for sales growth.

"Starry Sky Diabetes Aid" had also sold two hundred and fifty million units after a year on the market, bringing in two hundred and fifty billion US dollars. This product's market saturation was also just past the halfway mark, indicating further potential for sales increases.

As for the other various specialty products manufactured by Starry Sky Group, their sales volume was also substantial, with total revenue from all products since launch reaching seven hundred billion US dollars.

In just over two years, Starry Sky Group had amassed over two trillion and fifty billion US dollars purely from pharmaceutical sales—an astonishing figure that had essentially bankrupted most of the world’s medical manufacturing enterprises. However, in the pharmaceutical sector now, as the pool of target patients dwindled, the scale of pharma sales would inevitably shrink, meaning medicine would soon cease to be Starry Sky Group's primary industry.

Fortunately, Liu Hui had foreseen this scenario. Even while pharmaceutical sales were at their peak, he had ventured into other sectors such as gourmet food, intimate apparel (stockings), cosmetics, and health supplements. Each of these newly entered industries was fiercely profitable, so even as the pharmaceutical sector began to wane, these other ventures ensured Starry Sky Group could maintain rapid growth.

Currently, "Starry Sky Gourmet Restaurants" had expanded to every corner of the globe, reaching a terrifying total of thirty thousand locations, employing eighty thousand staff. "Starry Sky Gourmet Restaurants" now stabilized monthly sales at fifty billion US dollars, contributing a massive six hundred billion US dollars in annual revenue to Starry Sky Group.

The thermal, cooling underwear (stockings) could move an astounding three point two billion pairs monthly, generating terrifying sales of eighty-three billion US dollars. Calculated annually, this added one trillion US dollars in sales revenue to Starry Sky Group.

The health supplement "Starry Sky Weight Loss Elixir" had also entered a stable phase. After hitting its peak in the first month with seventy-five billion US dollars in sales, subsequent monthly figures gradually declined, now stabilizing around thirty billion US dollars, which would contribute three hundred billion US dollars in annual sales revenue to Starry Sky Group.

The desalination business of "Starry Sky Desalination Company," still in the development phase, was not generating huge income yet. However, this business had the longest lifecycle and attracted the most attention; it was indispensable and remained a sharp knife in Liu Hui’s hand, capable of accomplishing things money couldn't. Furthermore, the quantity of minerals and precious metals extracted during the desalination process had been vast over this period, promising huge profits for Starry Sky Group.

However, cosmetics, which had been aggressively launched a few months prior, showed less impressive results, contributing less than one hundred billion US dollars in sales revenue to Starry Sky Group overall. Liu Hui’s planned follow-up actions in the cosmetics market had been interrupted by the US earthquake, preventing him from executing them fully, resulting in little achievement in that market segment. But as Liu Hui redirected his focus back to the market, his planned combination punch was expected to secure a significant advantage in cosmetics.

Starry Sky Group's product line was not extensive in variety, but its aggressive entry into any sector typically led to the complete collapse of that market, with few other products surviving. This dynamic resulted in the bankruptcy of countless enterprises and the unemployment of numerous workers. Yet, Liu Hui did not wipe the slate clean; each time, he recruited the research elites from the failed industries into his own company, funding their continued research efforts. Everything he possessed now was acquired through trade with the Zerg swarm. If an unforeseen event were to befall the Zerg one day, holding onto these researchers would prevent him from being left high and dry.

Governments worldwide now resented Starry Sky Group the most because its products had crushed many domestic corporations, leading to widespread unemployment. Some nations were preparing to jointly sue Starry Sky Group for suspected monopolistic practices and demand the public release of their production technologies. It was under these circumstances that the US had taken the lead, desperate to obtain Starry Sky Group’s desalination technology, only to be severely taught a lesson, causing the US government to retreat hastily.

Liu Hui had anticipated this possibility. Therefore, he placed enormous orders in those countries and regions affected by Starry Sky Group’s influence, purchasing various goods and materials, indirectly boosting those nations' economies, providing new jobs for the displaced workers, and thus barely suppressing the fury of those governments. Consequently, when those nations saw the US suffer a setback, they wisely kept quiet, temporarily avoiding Starry Sky Group’s sharp edge.

Liu Hui calmed himself and meticulously reviewed the development of Starry Sky Group. He reluctantly realized that the company’s former flagship product—the pharmaceutical line—was on the verge of total decline. This was somewhat Starry Sky Group’s own doing; while their medicines had earned them vast sums, they had also completely cured the patients suffering from those diseases, causing the target consumer base for Starry Sky Group’s pharmaceuticals to shrink rapidly.

In essence, Starry Sky Group had already earned the projected revenue from the pharmaceutical market for the next several decades, all at once. This situation was rather similar to China's real estate market, where the government collected decades of future revenue in one go by selling land. However, Starry Sky Group differed significantly in one aspect: it had other industries to support its development, whereas local governments in China had no second path forward.

Those influenced and aided by Starry Sky Group's products harbored a love-hate relationship with the corporation. Starry Sky Group had not only profited from them but had also crushed their enterprises, rendering them jobless. Yet, on the other hand, the very products of Starry Sky Group had undeniably cured the illnesses afflicting these people, making the world's population physically healthier. It must be recalled that in times past, physical health was something money could not even buy.

Judging by the future trajectory of Starry Sky Group's product industry, its sales volume would gradually shrink, and profits would slowly decline until they reached a very low point. Thus, the downfall of Starry Sky Group's product sector was inevitable; however, this was unavoidable. Fortunately, Starry Sky Group had blossomed across the food, intimate apparel (hosiery), health supplements, and cosmetics industries, which could continue to sustain the high-speed development needs of the corporation.

And next month, Starry Sky Group was poised to enter yet another new sector: hospitals—the very trade that launched Liu Hui. Mei Peng’s long-planned "Starry Sky Terminal Illness Hospital" was fully prepared, awaiting only its official opening next month. With its profound capability to treat all current terminal diseases, the "Starry Sky Terminal Illness Hospital" was certain to become another massive moneymaker for Starry Sky Group.

Although Starry Sky Group had previously manufactured many remarkable effects, it had deliberately overlooked one critical issue: it had never produced any medication capable of curing terminal illnesses, holding this back specifically for the advent of the "Starry Sky Terminal Illness Hospital." If utilized well, this hospital would become another razor-sharp blade in Liu Hui's hand, second only to the "Starry Sky Desalination Company," a blade capable of solving many problems that mere money could not touch.

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