When Lin Yushu tried to contact familiar media outlets to suppress the reports about Song Qiming and Yu Xiu, he was informed that someone had already taken care of it.
He guessed it was probably Yu Xiu himself because Yu Xiu had always been concerned about these false reports. Although he had gradually faded from the public eye, Yu Xiu’s financial resources were still abundant enough to suppress a few reports without any problem.
In the WeChat conversation, Song Qiming stopped sending question marks. Perhaps he had seen the gossip about himself and Yu Xiu and understood why Lin Yushu was angry.
But he didn’t send any more messages. Lin Yushu kept checking his phone from time to time, and the strange feeling in his heart grew stronger. Why wasn’t Song Qiming coming to comfort him?
No, that’s not right.
As Lin Yushu picked up his phone for the umpteenth time, he suddenly realized why he wanted Song Qiming to comfort him so badly.
Having such thoughts in the workplace was inherently wrong.
He put down his phone, trying to focus on his work. However, at that moment, a familiar figure appeared by the office door.
“General Manager Lin,” Song Qiming knocked on the office door in a businesslike manner. “Do you have a moment? I need to talk to you.”
Colleagues sitting outside craned their necks, as if they had gossip radar installed on their heads.
Just after the scandal broke out, Song Qiming came to find Lin Yushu. As someone had just said, there must be some problem.
Lin Yushu casually shifted his gaze away from Song Qiming and looked down at the notebook in his hand. “I’m a bit busy right now, Mr. Song. How about coming back in the afternoon?”
The notebook contained the recent work highlights, and it didn’t need to be checked at this moment.
“It’s an urgent matter,” Song Qiming walked into the office without paying attention to Lin Yushu’s attempt to keep him out. He closed the door and lowered the blinds, blocking out the prying eyes.
“Did I tell you not to come into my office?” Lin Yushu dropped his aloof facade, frowned unhappily, and said, “If you do this, Shao Guangjie will trouble me again.”
“I said it’s urgent,” Song Qiming walked to the edge of the desk and leaned against it, looking down at Lin Yushu. “Emergency situation, special treatment.”
“What emergency situation?” Lin Yushu asked, confused.
“To comfort you,” Song Qiming raised his hand and pinched Lin Yushu’s cheek. “You’re mad at me.”
What the hell…
Annoying.
Lin Yushu suppressed the blush creeping up his cheeks and maintained his composure. “I’m not that petty.”
Of course, that was a lie. Lin Yushu was indeed petty. He expected Song Qiming to at least say a few more comforting words to him. But Song Qiming said, “That’s good. I knew my baby wouldn’t make a fuss for no reason.”
Lin Yushu: “…”
Stop it, it’s not worth getting worked up over.
Fine, it wasn’t really Song Qiming’s fault.
“Okay, you should go back now,” Lin Yushu said. “Our colleagues outside will start gossiping again.”
“No rush,” Song Qiming remained leaning against the desk without moving. “I have something else to discuss with you.”
“What is it?” Lin Yushu thought that maybe it would be another unexpected romantic attack, so he prepared himself mentally. However, this time Song Qiming brought up something work-related.
“I have a meeting with Shao Hexu this afternoon,” Song Qiming said. “Do you want to come with me?”
“Together?” Lin Yushu subtly raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are you asking me to state my position?”
Until now, even though he was already with Song Qiming, at least on the surface, Lin Yushu still stood on Shao Guangjie’s side.
His reasons were simple. First, Shao Guangjie was the legitimate “crown prince” supported by Shao Zhenbang, and Lin Yushu didn’t want to get involved in the power struggle. Second, only when there were no internal issues within the Shao family, could Yong Xing’s stock price remain stable and the stock options in his hands would not depreciate.
Everything was driven by self-interest.
Lin Yushu already had an idea in his mind, but considering his relationship with Song Qiming, he didn’t directly refuse. He asked, “If I go, how does it help you?”
“It doesn’t,” Song Qiming’s answer didn’t surprise him.
“Since it doesn’t,” Lin Yushu followed up on Song Qiming’s words. “Then what’s the point of me going?”
“Because it’s time,” Song Qiming said, “Nan Jie Group won’t give up the cooperation, so we can only start with Yong Xing. But Shao Hexu knows he can’t win against the board of directors, and he’s already in a semi-giving-up state. I can’t influence him to save that piece of land unless—”
As Lin Yushu heard this, he let out a slow breath and continued, “Unless you step forward and form a united front with him.”
This matter is not like Shao Hexu’s divorce with Fang Lan. Song Qiming, as an outsider, can just casually provide some information.
If he hides in the background and instigates Shao Hexu to reclaim that piece of land, Shao Hexu will definitely suspect his motives and figure out that he also has an interest in that land.
Therefore, the best approach is to be open and honest with Shao Hexu, and directly cooperate with him.
In other words, they have to break ties with Shao Guangjie.
“You,” Lin Yushu said with a headache, “can’t you just stay out of trouble?”
Lin Yushu had anticipated that there would eventually be conflicts between Song Qiming and Shao Guangjie, and even Shao Hexu, once S-power grew and developed.
But he thought that would happen at least three to five years later, and he didn’t need to prepare for it in a hurry. Who would have expected that Song Qiming would start causing trouble so soon after securing his position?
“Should I just watch that piece of land being taken by Nan Jie Group?” Song Qiming frowned and said, “If it were someone else, it wouldn’t matter, but that person is your past crush. I can’t let him succeed.”
Lin Yushu: “…”
Is this person obsessed with his career or love?
“That’s why you want me to go with you,” Lin Yushu connected the dots and said, reclining in his office chair, “to remind me to pick a side.”
Once Shao Hexu realizes that Song Qiming has sided with Shao Guangjie, there will be no room for maneuvering in this matter.
At that time, Lin Yushu won’t be able to maintain a delicate balance like he does now because Shao Guangjie will surely demand a clear stance from him, and he can’t truly help Shao Guangjie.
If it were before, Lin Yushu would have definitely stopped Song Qiming from causing trouble without hesitation.
But since he started a relationship with Song Qiming in a muddled way, his scale of preference has gradually tilted towards his “Wowo’s dad.”
“So, have you made up your mind?” Song Qiming asked.
“If I don’t go,” Lin Yushu made a final struggle, “how would you see me?”
“A scumbag,” Song Qiming quickly responded as if he had already prepared for it. “Someone who doesn’t take responsibility after sleeping with me, someone who only loves money and not his husband, and someone who asks me not to chase after interests while only caring about his own interests…”
“Stop, stop, stop,” Lin Yushu raised his hand to interrupt Song Qiming, frowning at him. “Why are you German guy so good at talking?”
Song Qiming raised an eyebrow, “German guy?”
He accidentally let slip the nickname Lin Yushu had given him.
“Let’s just go,” Lin Yushu brought the conversation back on track in time, “but don’t expect me to be of much help.”
It’s not convenient to meet Shao Hexu in the office.
At 2 p.m. in the afternoon, the three of them arrived at a discreet tea room one after another. Lin Yushu was the last to enter the quiet room. When he entered, Song Qiming was just discussing his plan to build the racetrack.
“Director Shao, General Manager Song,” maintaining a professional demeanor was necessary, so Lin Yushu greeted both of them before sitting next to Song Qiming. After all, this was Song Qiming’s game.
“Mr. Lin, do you also oppose building the resort?” Shao Hexu put down his teacup, sounding somewhat surprised and curious.
“I’m not opposed,” Lin Yushu said, “I just think that building a racetrack represents the image of Yong Xing, while building a resort is more aligned with Nan Jie’s brand. In the long run, the former would be more beneficial to the development of the group.”
Regardless, Lin Yushu tried to maintain objectivity. In case this plan didn’t succeed, he still had an exit strategy.
“Yes, I also think, why build a resort?” Shao Hexu didn’t hide his dissatisfaction with Shao Guangjie. “I think that guy wants to meddle in my company.”
Song Qiming continued, “After all, Nan Jie Group has presented such an opportunity, and Uncle Shao wouldn’t let it slip away.”
“However,” Shao Hexu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked at Song Qiming, “I’m a bit surprised, Qiming. I didn’t expect you to also have your eyes on that piece of land.”
Lin Yushu thought, can he not be surprised?
Every time he learned about Song Qiming’s ambitions, he would be shocked.
“It’s all for the development of the company,” Song Qiming said.
“Alright, since we’re here to discuss business, let’s not use clichéd words,” Shao Hexu straightforwardly said, “What benefits can I get if you want to build the racetrack on my land?”
“There are many benefits,” in front of experienced businessmen, Song Qiming didn’t flinch at all, calmly saying, “Firstly, building a racetrack is a form of resource integration. This way, you can openly get involved in the automotive business. Secondly, once the reputation of the racetrack spreads, it will also enhance your influence within the company.”
“Lastly, and most importantly,” Song Qiming paused and continued, “building a racetrack is a very legitimate reason, which you can use to block Uncle and Nan Jie Group’s cooperation.”
In fact, the first two benefits are not appealing enough and lack persuasiveness.
However, Lin Yushu believed that Shao Hexu would not be willing to hand over the land to Shao Guangjie, even if it was sold at a cheap price.
With just the last point, Shao Hexu would definitely agree to Song Qiming’s proposal.
“You’re right, I do need a reason to convince the other directors,” Shao Hexu said, spinning his empty teacup in his hand. “But do you think building a racetrack can persuade them?”
On one hand, there’s mortgage financing to invest in the entertainment industry. On the other hand, there’s the opportunity to cooperate with Nan Jie Group, which may lead to more potential collaborations in the future. Neither of these options needs to be considered as the two directors from Fantian Real Estate and the neutral external directors will definitely not support Shao Hexu.
He needs a more enticing project to persuade these directors and reject the cooperation with Nan Jie Group. However, building a racetrack is not very enticing either.
Currently, it seems that Nan Jie Group has the upper hand, with the choice between building a racetrack and cooperating with them.
Lin Yushu brought the teacup to his lips and fell into deep thought.
Is there any condition that can make those directors interested?
It seems unlikely.
Whether it’s building a racetrack or a resort, neither can promise actual returns. It all depends on the considerations of each director.
To make all the directors outside of Shao Guangjie’s camp choose the racetrack—almost impossible.
“Whether we can convince them or not, we’ll only know if we try,” Song Qiming said. “I’m not sure myself, but if we don’t try, none of us can stop their cooperation.”
“Yes,” Shao Hexu stopped spinning the teacup and made up his mind. “Let’s go with your plan. As long as we can stop Shao Guangjie, you can use the land however you want.”
Being open and honest had its advantages. Shao Hexu was easily convinced. But a bigger challenge lay ahead.
Just like when they arrived, the three of them did not act together. Shao Hexu was the first to leave the tea room. After he left, Lin Yushu picked up the tea set and brewed another cup of tea. He looked at Song Qiming beside him and asked, “Do you have any ideas?”
“I need more confidence from the market,” Song Qiming rubbed his chin, showing a rare expression of headache. “Otherwise, it will be difficult to get those directors to choose me.”
Lin Yushu immediately understood what Song Qiming meant. “You want them to have more confidence in you.”
After the S-power press conference, Yong Xing’s stock price experienced a significant surge, which boosted market confidence in Song Qiming.
But even so, it didn’t guarantee that those directors would choose him over Nan Jie Group.
“Do you have any ideas?” Song Qiming turned his head and looked at Lin Yushu. “From an investment perspective, how can we persuade those directors?”
“From an investment perspective, I can’t think of anything,” Lin Yushu said, “but…”
He paused for a moment and continued, “There’s one thing that might convince all those external directors.”
“What?” Song Qiming asked.
“The removal of Shao Guangjie from the CEO position.”
This was something that the external directors had attempted before but was blocked by Shao Zhenbang, the major shareholder of Yong Xing Holding Group.
Shao Zhenbang, as the supermajority shareholder, had the power to directly remove directors with his shareholding. Therefore, the matter of removing Shao Guangjie had to be abandoned.
However, if it wasn’t just a simple removal of Shao Guangjie, but instead, a selection between Shao Guangjie and Song Qiming, then Shao Zhenbang wouldn’t be able to intervene easily.
After all, Song Qiming was also a member of the Shao family, and Shao Zhenbang naturally couldn’t show bias, especially considering Song Qiming’s current popularity. He had no reason to be biased.
When Lin Yushu expressed his idea, the tea room instantly fell silent.
A look of undisguised surprise flashed in Song Qiming’s eyes, but it quickly turned into a strong smile.
“What’s with that expression?” Lin Yushu asked.
“I just feel lucky,” Song Qiming smiled and said, “that I could win you over.”
Here it comes again.
Unexpected romantic words.
Lin Yushu had already gotten used to it to some extent but responded slightly awkwardly, “What are you talking about?”
“I underestimated you, sweetheart,” Song Qiming said. “You’re quite daring in your thinking.”
Compared to borrowing billions of dollars from Song Qiming to buy stocks, Lin Yushu’s suggestion was considered conservative.
Jumping from building a racetrack to removing Shao Guangjie, the gap was indeed significant. However, if these two conditions were tied together, the racetrack project seemed to have a higher chance of success.
“I’m just offering suggestions; it’s up to you how to proceed,” Lin Yushu said.
“I know, darling,” Song Qiming said. “Let me think about it, my dear husband.”
Lin Yushu picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea, thinking when this German guy would stop his cheesy habits?
To clarify the relationships:
Shao Zhenbang (majority shareholder)
Eldest son: Shao Hedong, Chairman, Shao Guangjie’s father
Second son: Shao Hexu, Vice Chairman, Yu Xiu’s father
Youngest daughter: Shao Wenqian, Song Qiming’s mother
Grandson: Shao Guangjie, CEO (Chief Executive Officer, executes board decisions, does the work)
The shareholder’s meeting has more power than the board of directors. The shareholder’s meeting can appoint or remove directors, and the board of directors can appoint or remove the CEO.
