A speech concluded amidst congratulations from many people; most ordinary citizens were happy to see Corona established.
Of course, for those so-called high-society figures, this was not the case.
Corona itself possessed a large amount of Umbrella's resources.
Although Umbrella's bad reputation had caused it to lose a significant portion of its market, due to the replenishment of resources in Zhou Yi's hands, Corona actually saw an increase, not a decrease.
Its market share was even larger than Umbrella's.
To some extent, in terms of market share, it had already surpassed Hammer Industries, ranking only behind the two World-leading enterprises.
Osborn and Stark, only these two elder brothers could firmly suppress the rising Corona.
The rapidly ascending Corona also possessed unlimited potential, a potential that made some people envious and others resentful.
However, Zhou Yi didn't need to care about these people; with his current power and status, there were few things that could shake him.
Some underhanded tricks were even less worth mentioning.
However, some people still needed to maintain good relations with him, such as his troublesome pal, Mr. Tony Stark.
"Seriously, pal.
I really didn't expect that after hiding for so long, you were actually planning such a big project.
You really went to great lengths to surpass the great Stark!"
Through a holographic projection, Tony Stark teased his friend, while also complaining that he had stolen his thunder.
Zhou Yi was currently hogging all the limelight; almost all media outlets were focusing their spotlights on him.
In contrast, Tony Stark, who used to be a media darling, was now somewhat ignored.
This naturally stirred up jealousy and bitterness in Tony, who always had a high opinion of himself.
"Tony, are you jealous?"
Zhou Yi smiled as he took a document to be signed from Ada's hand, and with a flourish, signed his name.
Tony's cheek twitched, and a moment later, he said in a sarcastic Yin and Yang tone.
"Mr. Stark never gets jealous, especially not of a man.
Because I don't like men!"
"I don't either, pal.
Our sexual orientations are perfectly normal, I can assure you of that.
However, is it really that hard for you to concede for once?
I risked my life to achieve such great success; as a friend, shouldn't you congratulate me?"
"Congratulate you for surpassing Mr. Stark, do you think I have a problem with my brain?"
Tony rolled his White eyes at him, his contempt clearly evident.
"Don't think you can gain an advantage over Mr. Stark by twisting words, pal.
My Genius is not something you can measure.
Even if I congratulate you, I'll only congratulate you for getting a huge bargain."
"I've received your congratulations, and I'll show off to Rhodey and the others when I have time."
"Jarvis, did we record this?"
Tony Stark quickly asked his intelligent butler, and after receiving an affirmative answer, he said triumphantly.
"pal, you can't trick the great Mr. Stark; I have evidence to prove my innocence."
"Alright, alright.
You win, Tony!"
Zhou Yi responded with a shrug.
You really can't be serious with the cynical Tony Stark, because once you are serious, you've already lost.
"That's right, you know Stark has never lost, no matter what, Stark will always be the winner!"
Hearing this, Zhou Yi couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
Tony was the kind of person who, if you gave him an inch, he'd take a mile.
To curb Tony's arrogance, he uttered these words.
"I'll be back in New York in two days.
At that time, let's have a match in the ring, and let me see if Mr. Tony Stark, who is always a winner, can be so confident in the boxing ring."
Tony Stark's face instantly turned ashen.
Asking him to go into the ring with Zhou Yi for a round would be less painful than just letting him admit defeat now.
He racked his brains before coming up with such an excuse.
"Ah ha, it's really a bit inconvenient, pal!
I just promised Obadiah that I would go to the Middle East to promote the power of our new Jericho missiles to the U.S.
troops stationed there.
You know, Rhodey is also there.
So I'll reluctantly make the trip.
It's also a way to comfort that poor grunt."
Tony's itinerary made Zhou Yi's heart skip a beat.
After so many years, he had finally waited for this transformative moment he remembered, a transformative moment belonging to Tony Stark.
He expertly hid his expression, pretending to be nonchalant, and said.
"Tony, I remember that place is where a bunch of guys who constantly shout about holy war gather.
You, the representative of wicked capitalism, going there, aren't you afraid of encountering an accident?"
"Don't forget, you are more representative than me now!"
Tony said resentfully, simultaneously pulling up his sleeve to reveal the watch on his arm.
"Besides, I've made many improvements to the things you gave me.
With it, those natives with last-century weapons won't even be able to harm a single hair on me!"
"Alright, alright.
Advanced civilized man, then I wish you a smooth journey!"
Tony, having escaped a predicament, grinned and responded.
"A smooth journey is a given.
I just glanced at your assistant, she's a rare beauty.
So I guess you won't be chatting with me for too long, so that's it.
Talk to you later, and also.
One last thing, pal, well done!"
After saying that, he hung up the call.
Zhou Yi merely shook his head helplessly at Tony's contradictory behavior.
Strange Genius like him were always very willful; sometimes you would feel like you were facing a willful Child.
As a friend, many times you had to accommodate him, and Zhou Yi had been accommodating him for many years.
Now, he had finally waited for an end.
Tony would undergo a transformation, and at that time, he should be easier to get along with than now, right?
People always have to grow up; he had already grown up.
Tony should be close too.
Looking at Zhou Yi, who was lost in thought, Ada Wong, who had been standing by the side, lightly coughed, waking Zhou Yi.
Zhou Yi looked at this little assistant in a lady's suit, bright and charming, cool and capable, and said with a smile.
"Sorry, I got distracted.
Is there anything else to do now?"
Ada Wong walked over with cat-like agile steps, swaying her graceful figure, and placed a document in front of Zhou Yi.
"These are the ancient books and texts you requested to be acquired from all over the World by your subordinates.
They are all packed and ready; you just need to sign for them.
Additionally, the mansion has been renovated, and the underground section has also been reorganized and reactivated; it just needs you, Master, to personally inspect it."
"Well done, Ada.
Your capability truly amazes me.
I think if you continue to perform well in this position, I might even give you the CEO position.
Only you can make me feel at ease."
"That sounds nice, boss.
Do you know how many people in our company are planted by others?
It's not an easy task to integrate them and also prevent them from playing dirty tricks!
Boss, can't you pity me a little?
You know, if a woman works too hard for too long, she'll easily get old."
Ada Wong's face was full of resentment and melancholy; that captivating expression, beneath her stunning beauty, held an indescribable allure.
Even Zhou Yi, who was accustomed to beauty, felt a sense of losing control.
He had to admit, this woman was truly a fairy-like existence.
"Ada, I've placed the most top-tier power in the World before you, for you to command.
Don't you feel even a little bit moved?
Not many people in the World are as generous as I am; I've paid a huge price for you."
Leaning back in his office chair with his eyes closed, Zhou Yi said.
"But this isn't the price I want!"
Ada Wong quietly walked behind him, her slender fingers pressing on Zhou Yi's shoulders.
While kneading solicitously, she whispered in his ear.
"Boss, do you know what I want most?
Why do you keep trying to fob me off with these things?
I'm now tied to you irrevocably, and I won't have any other thoughts!
If this still can't prove my loyalty, I can even give you my most precious thing!"
When Ada said this in her regional Chinese accent, Zhou Yi had to admit his bones went soft.
However, he also knew that this was definitely not from the heart; if he really took away her most precious thing, he would probably have to constantly guard against her schemes in the future.
Control yourself, control yourself.
Only those who have controlled their hearts can be thoroughly trusted by others.
Ada hadn't reached that level yet, so he definitely had to keep her hanging.
"The time isn't right yet, Ada.
Without getting your heart, how dare I give you what you want most?
If a capable woman like you ran away from my side, wouldn't my loss be too great?"
"Boss, you're really annoying!"
"I think so too!"
Having sent away the persistent siren, Zhou Yi rubbed his face.
He continued to ponder his plan.
He now had his territory.
Everything belonging to Umbrella was now nominally his.
And in this city, his word was law; as long as it didn't violate the interests of the majority, even the mayor had no right to obstruct his actions.
So he felt it was time to communicate with Charles and proceed with the second step of the plan.
Charisse was growing up day by day, which, while making him witness the passage of time, also made him realize the urgency of time.
He had to quicken his pace to fulfill the promise he had made to Charisse in his heart.
Thinking of this, he dialed Charles's office number.
He needed to have a good talk with him.
Soon, the call was connected.
However, the person who answered the phone was not Charles, but someone he least wanted to see right now.
Ororo, the woman he had abandoned.
A woman he felt he had wronged.
Even after such a long time, he still couldn't forget.
The rift between them originated from a small betrayal, a betrayal that had gradually faded from his memory with the passage of time.
But the rift between them remained; it was a very difficult obstacle to overcome.
Because what stood between them was no longer just emotional opposition, but principle.
They were not on the same Dao; he had seen it very clearly.