Chapter 39

“Sealing off” sounds simple in words but is actually very complicated to execute.

Yu Xiu is an independent artist, and in order to terminate cooperation with all the brand partners, they can only rely on Shao Hexu’s connections to negotiate with each brand one by one. Shao Hexu will also have to bear the breach of contract penalties on behalf of these brand partners.

Some collaborations were facilitated by Shao Hexu, making them easier to handle. But for most collaborations that are not related to Shao Hexu, it takes a lot of effort to negotiate.

For example, one brand partner agreed to terminate the contract voluntarily but demanded compensation for their future potential earnings on top of Shao Hexu bearing the breach of contract penalties. Naturally, Shao Hexu wouldn’t easily agree to such conditions.

Whenever encountering these “difficult” brand partners, Lin Yushu’s workload increases. As the quasi-CEO of the Shao family, he must control the cost spent on “sealing off Yu Xiu” while considering which assets to sell to pay the substantial penalties.

As for the signed film projects, they are relatively easy to handle since they fall within Shao Hexu’s sphere of influence.

After two busy weeks, Yu Xiu’s presence gradually disappeared from the streets. Shao Hexu has severed the majority of Yu Xiu’s resources, leaving only a few brand partners who have yet to give a clear response. It’s unclear whether they have a close relationship with Yu Xiu or if they are hoping to extract more from Shao Hexu.

“11.7 billion…”

Taking a deep breath, Lin Yushu leaned back in his office chair, feeling exhausted. The amount Shao Hexu is willing to spend on sealing off Yu Xiu depends on the budget range provided by Lin Yushu. As a super-rich like Shao Hexu, perhaps he himself isn’t aware of his true asset value.

Within the premise of not harming the interests of the conglomerate, Lin Yushu tries to provide a higher budget, considering it as his secret help to Yu Xiu.

Once everything settles down, after deducting taxes, the several billion in breach of contract penalties will fall into Yu Xiu’s pocket. Even if he never works again in his life, he won’t have to worry about his livelihood. But it remains to be seen if he can accept such an outcome peacefully…

Lin Yushu’s thoughts were interrupted by the vibration of his phone. He picked it up and saw that it was a call from Du Yufei.

“Senior?” He answered the call and sat up straight.

“Have you been busy lately?” Du Yufei asked. “Seems like a lot has been happening on your side.”

The relationship between Shao Hexu and Yu Xiu isn’t public knowledge. Most people only know that Yu Xiu seems to have offended someone he shouldn’t have and are unaware of the details.

Lin Yushu found it strange and asked, “Senior, are you still concerned about these things?”

“Of course,” Du Yufei replied. “I heard that Yong Xing Real Estate and Fang Tian Real Estate are not splitting up anymore?”

So that’s what it’s about.

Du Yufei must have noticed Shao Hexu’s sincerity, as Fang Lan is no longer insisting on property division issues and restructuring the companies. The cooperation between Yong Xing Real Estate and Fang Tian Real Estate will continue.

With that, the divorce process between the two has progressed exceptionally smoothly, and it is expected to be completed today.

As a result of this divorce drama, Fang Lan became the biggest winner. Shao Hexu didn’t gain anything despite paying over ten billion in breach of contract penalties, and Yu Xiu lost his career, with an uncertain future.

Returning to his thoughts, Lin Yushu said, “Continuing the collaboration is beneficial for both parties.”

“Indeed,” Du Yufei agreed. Then he asked, “Did Yong Xing reclaim those pieces of land that Fang Lan wanted to take away?”

The divorce proceedings between Shao Hexu and Fang Lan weren’t reported in the media every day.

The fact that Du Yufei knew the details implied that he had been closely following the matter.

“That land originally belonged to Yong Xing,” Lin Yushu replied.

“I know that,” Du Yufei chuckled and casually asked, trying not to appear too probing, “Are you still planning to use mortgage financing afterward? Perhaps there could be other uses for it.”

“Oh, so you’re interested in those lands?” Lin Yushu replied jokingly in a casual tone. “Any suggestions, Senior?”

He believed that Du Yufei wouldn’t have called if he didn’t have any intentions.

“I don’t have any specific suggestions. I just wanted to ask if you’ve considered collaborating with Yong Xing and Nan Jie as well?” Du Yufei proposed.

Collaborating on land development?

Lin Yushu’s mind started working, considering the possibilities.

Nan Jie Group is larger in scale than Yong Xing Group, so collaborating with them would be advantageous.

He asked, “Is it a collaboration for development or investment?”

Du Yufei didn’t give a clear answer and said, “Both are possible.”

Although he initiated the idea of collaboration, not specifying the direction implied that this phone call was just to gather information and not a genuine intention to discuss it with Lin Yushu.

“I’ll ask Director Shao and the others about it,” Lin Yushu tactfully decided not to push further. “Let’s see what they think.”

“Sure, I’ll leave it to you, Junior Brother.”

Lin Yushu conveyed the message to Shao Hexu since he is responsible for the real estate matters. However, Shao Hexu has been occupied with many things recently, and it’s uncertain if he has the time and energy to negotiate with Nan Jie Group for collaboration.

The divorce drama between the two bosses has finally come to an end. Today at noon, Lin Yushu decided to go to the company cafeteria for lunch.

He sent a message on his phone, and after a while, Song Qiming appeared in the cafeteria.

“Not busy today?” Song Qiming approached and sat opposite Lin Yushu, both maintaining a natural demeanor, keeping a distant but friendly attitude as ordinary colleagues would.

“I’m done calculating the breach of contract penalties, so there’s not much to do for now,” Lin Yushu replied, looking down at his tray of food and calmly eating.

“How much is it?” Song Qiming’s gaze also fell on his own tray, as if eating was the main task and chatting was secondary.

“11.7 billion,” Lin Yushu swallowed the food in his mouth and whispered the number.

“I thought it wouldn’t exceed ten billion,” Song Qiming picked up a small portion of rice and put it in his mouth.

“It’s the maximum amount,” Lin Yushu said lightly, “But for Shao Hexu, this number is nothing.”

“Right,” Song Qiming responded. Then he suddenly paused eating and lowered his voice, asking, “Do you miss me?”

Lin Yushu was startled, he looked up, and noticing the people around them, he glared at Song Qiming, complaining, “Why would I miss you?”

Breaking the distant atmosphere they maintained for a long time, Song Qiming chuckled lightly and said, “We haven’t seen each other for more than ten hours, shouldn’t we?”

The last time they saw each other was last night at Lin Yushu’s home. Lin Yushu was busy reviewing contracts and searching for amounts, while Song Qiming was beside him, designing the first mass-produced car for S-power.

“We shouldn’t,” Lin Yushu replied sternly, “We’re in the company now, so please be mindful of your identity.”

Besides, even if they weren’t in the company, he hadn’t agreed to Song Qiming’s pursuit. Why should he miss him?

The smile on Song Qiming’s face suddenly disappeared, and Lin Yushu thought that he finally understood the boundaries. However, in the next instant, someone occupied the empty seat beside him.

“What identity should we be mindful of?” Shao Guangjie placed his tray on the table, looking at Lin Yushu beside him, then at Song Qiming across from him. He curiously asked, “Is it what I’m thinking?”

“What are you thinking?” Song Qiming lazily asked, showing no signs of guilt on his face but couldn’t hide his disappointment.

“You’re pursuing our Manager Lin,” Shao Guangjie said.

Fortunately, Lin Yushu wasn’t eating, or else he would have choked.

“President Shao…” Lin Yushu tried to explain, but he couldn’t get a word in.

“It does concern you,” Shao Guangjie furrowed his brows slightly, seemingly surprised by Song Qiming’s attitude. “Doesn’t everyone in the company know that you’re gay? Have you gotten rid of all your rumored boyfriends? And now you’re pursuing our Manager Lin. Do you know how much trouble that could cause him?”

“So, how does it concern you?” Song Qiming’s tone became displeased.

“Well…” Lin Yushu tried to interject but failed.

“You may be new to the company and haven’t figured it out yet,” Shao Guangjie said with a smile, “Manager Lin is under my wing, doing tasks for me. If you go after him, you’re going after me. He already told you to be mindful of your identity. Don’t you understand?”

Lin Yushu: “…”

Shao Guangjie turned back to Lin Yushu and said, “I heard that you went to watch Yu Xiu’s new movie together last time, and it didn’t sit right with me. You said it was to resolve Second Uncle’s family matters, but was it actually his selfish desire to take you to the movies?”

“It’s not like that…” Lin Yushu tried to explain.

“You don’t have to worry about his identity. He’s just the general manager of a subsidiary company under Yong Xing Auto, while I am the CEO of Yong Xing Auto,” Shao Guangjie said. “If he harasses you again, come to me.”

Song Qiming’s face turned dark like a raven, with veins seemingly throbbing on his forehead.

Lin Yushu was afraid that Song Qiming would explode, so he hurriedly explained, “It’s not like that, President Shao. I was just joking with President Song, reminding him to be mindful of his identity.”

This statement implied that he and Song Qiming had a relationship where they could joke with each other, and it meant that Shao Guangjie didn’t need to interfere. But Shao Guangjie seemed very certain that Lin Yushu’s explanation was just a consideration of Song Qiming’s identity. He patted Lin Yushu’s shoulder and said, “I understand. If there’s anything, I’ll handle it.”

…You should handle yourself first.

Lin Yushu was at a loss and could only use his eyes to convey to Song Qiming: Don’t stoop to his level.

However, it was evident that a mere glance couldn’t calm Song Qiming down. He still had an expression of intense anger.

“Um, I’m done eating,” Lin Yushu felt it would be better to leave at this moment. “Please take your time, both of you.”

Shortly after returning to his office, Lin Yushu received a message from Song Qiming.

【Song Qiming: Wowo is about to cause trouble.jpg】

The expression in the sticker showed Wowo with its mouth wide open, looking extremely fierce. But because the whites of its eyes were exposed too much, it inexplicably gave off a sense of being like a goofy dog.

Lin Yushu rarely opened the sticker panel, but this time, he swiped up twice and selected a sticker to send back.

【Lin Yushu: Well-behaved Wowo.jpg】

This sticker was naturally stolen from Song Qiming, and Lin Yushu had used it several times already. It was indeed very useful.

—But it seemed like it wouldn’t work today.

【Song Qiming: Stop pretending to be good.】

【Song Qiming: Didn’t you hear him say that you’re his person?】

He seemed difficult to placate.

【Lin Yushu: Just ignore him.】

【Song Qiming: Where does he get the confidence to be so self-righteous?】

【Song Qiming: Does he know that we slept together?】

Lin Yushu suddenly had the expression of an old person on the subway looking at their phone.

【Lin Yushu: What nonsense are you spouting?】

【Song Qiming: We slept together that night when you had a cold.】

Lin Yushu continued typing in the chat box: Your Chinese has significant problems. That’s not called sleeping together; it’s just sleeping in the same bed…

Before he could finish typing, a notification popped up at the top of the phone screen, indicating that Lin Yushu had received a new email.

Seeing the title of the new email, his heart skipped a beat. He immediately put down his phone, grabbed the mouse, and opened the email on his computer.

Email subject: Personnel Appointment Notice

Recipient: All Company Employees

Email content:

In order to align with the company’s business development strategy, and based on the decision made during the board meeting of Yong Xing Holdings Group Co., Ltd., the following personnel appointment decisions have been made.

Mr. Lin Yushu, an investment manager at the Shao Family Office (hereinafter referred to as the Office), has been diligent and responsible in his work since joining the company, achieving outstanding investment performance. Now, based on the company’s personnel promotion system, he is promoted to the CEO of the Office, fully responsible for all matters, big and small, within the Office.

At the same time, Mr. Zhou Xian, the former CEO of the Office, is relieved of all his duties.

We hope the newly appointed CEO will have even more outstanding performance in future work!

The promotion will take effect from January 1st next year. This announcement is hereby made.

The phone started vibrating incessantly, filled with congratulatory messages for Lin Yushu’s promotion.

Lin Yushu stared at the computer screen for a long time. At the tail end of his one year of knowing Song Qiming, he finally stepped onto a new ladder in his career.

 

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