Chapter 16
“What does he mean by that?” Shao Guangjie picked up a piece of fruit with his fork, angrily stuffing it into his mouth. “Does he still want to find someone else to acquire his modification workshop?”
“Since he released signals indicating his willingness to be acquired, many intermediaries have shown interest in him,” Lin Yushu observed Song Qiming from a distance, boredom evident as he counted the business cards he had received. “After all, S-power is indeed a desirable asset.”
“But he only modifies Yong Xing’s cars. Why would other automotive companies join in?” Shao Guangjie furrowed his brows, sounding displeased.
“Of course, they don’t want Yong Xing’s acquisition to go smoothly,” Lin Yushu shrugged. “If S-power is snatched away by another automotive company…”
Lin Yushu didn’t finish his sentence, but he believed that Shao Guangjie, seeing the highly sought-after scene around Song Qiming, already understood what he meant.
If the acquisition ultimately failed to materialize, Yong Xing’s stock price would undoubtedly decline.
However, there was an even worse scenario—a rival automotive company acquiring Song Qiming. That would turn Yong Xing into a complete joke.
So Shao Guangjie’s triumphant attitude was truly unnecessary. Lin Yushu couldn’t express it directly, so he could only bring him to the investor gathering and let him experience it firsthand. Song Qiming still had many options, and at this point, he had no choice but to make concessions.
“Cousin, you’re here too.”
Song Qiming quickly noticed the two of them. Holding a glass of champagne, he approached their table and naturally took a seat next to Lin Yushu, looking at Shao Guangjie across from him. “What about you? Are you also looking for investment projects?”
The rectangular table could only accommodate people on two sides, and Song Qiming and Shao Guangjie were secretly in opposition. Song Qiming’s first reaction was to sit on Lin Yushu’s side, which was quite normal.
“Shao, you don’t need to look for projects,” Lin Yushu took a sip of his tea and took the initiative to speak. “But Mr. Song seems quite eager to sell S-power.”
“It’s not a bad thing to understand the market better,” Song Qiming placed his champagne glass on the table, turning his head to look at Lin Yushu beside him. “Does Manager Lin know how much someone offered me earlier?”
Before Lin Yushu could answer, Shao Guangjie couldn’t hold back his impatience. “How much?”
If Song Qiming really stated a figure, the conversation would completely shift in his favor.
Naturally, Lin Yushu wouldn’t easily give up the upper hand. He immediately interjected, not giving Song Qiming a chance to speak. “Other people’s offers may not be genuine.”
Song Qiming asked, “Why do you say that?”
“Currently, other people’s offers are based on Yong Xing’s need for you. Anyone who wants to make things difficult for Yong Xing has a reason to disrupt negotiation prices,” Lin Yushu calmly explained. “Mr. Song, you should consider if those people who made offers to you would still offer the same price if Yong Xing no longer needs you.”
Song Qiming raised an eyebrow, picked up his glass, and took a sip of wine.
Lin Yushu continued, “Yong Xing has genuine acquisition intentions. Just based on this, you cannot determine whether others genuinely want to acquire you or are simply throwing out random bids.”
Upon hearing these words, Shao Guangjie visibly breathed a sigh of relief. He crossed his right leg over his left, appearing confident and at ease. “That’s right, cousin. Our family genuinely wants to acquire your modification workshop. If Grandfather knew that you were contacting investors everywhere, he would be deeply disappointed.”
“If you’re genuinely sincere, then show some sincerity,” Song Qiming’s attitude changed from earlier. He stood up without much courtesy and said, “I still have another meeting with another potential company tomorrow. You better come up with your final proposal quickly. I don’t have that much time to waste with you.”
After saying that, Song Qiming left the table.
Shao Guangjie was visibly annoyed as he turned to Lin Yushu and said, “What’s wrong with him? Why is it that when you talk to him, he complies, but when I speak to him, he gives me a cold face?”
…So, why did you speak to him in the first place?
“He said he’s been talking to other companies,” Lin Yushu quickly changed the subject. “Are you really not considering his proposed conditions?”
“You mean setting up a subsidiary specifically for him?”
“It’s better than him partnering with another company,” Lin Yushu said. “And even if we set up a subsidiary, he still won’t have any shares in Yong Xing Group.”
“I know, but…” Shao Guangjie furrowed his brow and sighed. “Alright, let me discuss it with my father.”
Shao Guangjie finally showed some willingness to compromise, and Lin Yushu had achieved his purpose in bringing him here.
There was no need to stay any longer. Lin Yushu planned to go to the restroom, so he left with Shao Guangjie. But as he walked towards the food area, someone suddenly called out to him, “Junior.”
…Well, it seems I couldn’t avoid him after all.
“Senior,” Lin Yushu smiled politely. “Long time no see. Have you come back to develop your business in the country?”
Du Yufei looked more mature than before, with no trace of his scholarly demeanor. Every move he made exuded a strong business aura.
“Yes, I’m currently in the strategic investment department of my family’s company,” Du Yufei said. “I heard you’re doing well at Yong Xing, and your family’s business has gone public.”
“Yes,” Lin Yushu didn’t delve into his own affairs and asked, “Is Nanjie Group planning to focus on investments?”
“The hotel industry is not doing well,” Du Yufei said. “Haven’t you noticed that the business of this hotel has declined significantly?”
The investor gathering was held at Nanjie Resort Hotel, which belonged to Du Yufei’s family.
“You’re joking,” Lin Yushu said. “I’ve studied your company’s financial reports.”
“Is that so?” Du Yufei smiled. “Then, would you like to come work for our company? I’m currently short of staff, and you can name your salary.”
“No, thank you,” Lin Yushu also smiled and said, “I already have a good salary.”
Actually, there was no need to say that, but Lin Yushu still did. It gave him a sense of reclaiming his position from the past.
But Du Yufei clearly didn’t understand Lin Yushu’s thoughts. After a brief chat, he returned to the dining area and joined the conversation with others.
After washing his face in the restroom, Lin Yushu looked at his reflection in the mirror and suddenly felt regretful.
He shouldn’t have mentioned his salary earlier. It wasn’t cool at all. Fortunately, Du Yufei didn’t realize that he was still bothered by past events, or else it would have been quite embarrassing.
At that moment, the restroom door suddenly opened from the outside, and a familiar figure walked in.
The person first glanced around the cubicles, confirming that no one else was present, and then approached Lin Yushu, resting one hand on the sink and asking, “Do you really enjoy speaking up for Shao Guangjie?”
Lin Yushu grabbed a tissue and wiped off the water droplets on his face. “First, get things clear. Whose side am I really on?”
“I say one word, and you rebuke me ten times.”
“What else can I do?” Lin Yushu tossed the used tissue into the trash bin. “Am I supposed to rebuke Shao Guangjie? Do I still want a job?”
“So, you take it out on me,” Song Qiming said, handing a tissue to Lin Yushu. “You have some water on your chin.”
Lin Yushu glanced at the mirror and indeed, there was some water. He took the tissue from Song Qiming’s hand and continued to wipe his face. “I didn’t bully you. Don’t speak nonsense.”
Last time Song Qiming spoke nonsense, Lin Yushu directly kicked him out of the house.
“Are you still mad at me?” Song Qiming seemed to remember that incident as well. “My slippers are still at your place.”
“Come over and pick them up yourself tonight,” Lin Yushu finished wiping his face, threw away the tissue, and looked at Song Qiming’s reflection in the mirror. “Are you really going to negotiate with someone tomorrow?”
“No, I just wanted to scare him,” Song Qiming replied truthfully.
“Are you not afraid I’ll tell him?” Lin Yushu asked.
“You brought him to this gathering to make him feel threatened, right?” Song Qiming replied. “I’m just cooperating with you.”
“I didn’t ask you to cooperate,” Lin Yushu turned around, intending to leave. “Just don’t cause any trouble for me.”
“By the way,” Song Qiming caught up with Lin Yushu’s steps. “How did you know I would come today?”
“After the last negotiation, you released so many press releases undermining this acquisition. With such an opportunity today, wouldn’t you come?”
Spreading unfavorable news about the acquisition among investors was much more effective than buying off the media. After all, this was first-hand information. When these pieces of information had an impact on the stock price, Yong Xing Group would have to increase their acquisition price again.
Song Qiming smiled. “You really understand me.”
Lin Yushu reached for the restroom door handle, about to open it. But at that moment, Shao Guangjie’s voice suddenly came from outside.
“Hey, Dad, do you know that Song Qiming is contacting other investors?”
In that instant, Lin Yushu felt like he had been electrocuted. He quickly withdrew his hand. He took a step to the left, then a step to the right, not knowing where to go. In the end, he hurriedly squeezed into the innermost cubicle.
In the split second before closing the door, Song Qiming also squeezed in. Lin Yushu couldn’t push him out in time, so he could only stare at him, using his eyes to ask: Why did you come in?
Song Qiming shrugged and used his eyes to reply: I subconsciously followed.
In the one-square-meter space, there was a large toilet, and the remaining space was barely enough for one person to stand. But now, two grown men were squeezing inside, making it impossible for Lin Yushu to stand properly. He could only awkwardly lean against the corner of the wall.
“Manager Lin?” Sure enough, Shao Guangjie entered the restroom and came in search of Lin Yushu. “Manager Lin, where are you?”
He walked around the cubicle, seeing no response, then returned to the sink and called his father while washing his hands. “I’ll let Manager Lin explain to you later. Anyway, Song Qiming is still considering selling the modified car factory to someone else.”
Lin Yushu held his breath and listened intently to Shao Guangjie’s movements outside. At this moment, the scent of agarwood perfume wafted into his nostrils. He raised his head slightly and saw Song Qiming suddenly leaning in, his ear close to Lin Yushu’s, and whispered, “It’s so small in here.”
Is this the time to talk?!
A surge of anger rushed to Lin Yushu’s chest. He grabbed Song Qiming’s collar, pressed him against the wall, and used a hushed voice, “Because the restroom is for one person!”
Upon hearing this, Song Qiming burst into laughter. Lin Yushu quickly released his hand covering Song Qiming’s mouth, but just in case, he kept Song Qiming pressed against the wall.
“Alright, since it doesn’t affect the shares I hold, I can let him gain some advantage… Okay, we’ll discuss the specifics when I get back… I know, no matter what, I won’t blow up the acquisition negotiations.”
After Shao Guangjie finished his call and left the restroom, Lin Yushu finally breathed a sigh of relief. But only now did he realize that Song Qiming had been holding onto his waist the entire time.
“He seems to have softened his stance,” although there was no one outside anymore, Song Qiming still held Lin Yushu without moving a muscle. “Doesn’t that mean the acquisition is coming together?”
“Mind your own business,” Lin Yushu frowned, restraining the urge to poke Song Qiming’s chest. “First, let go of me.”
