Chapter 60

In the evening, Lin Yushu arrived home first. He didn’t cook and ordered two portions of takeout instead. After finishing his own meal, he went over to Song Qiming’s side and started studying the financial reports of Xunjie and Yong Xing.

After a while, the sound of the password lock rang, and Song Qiming appeared at the door, asking, “Have you eaten?”

Lin Yushu didn’t even look up as he replied, “Yes.”

Song Qiming didn’t say much and closed the door behind him.

About an hour later, after Song Qiming had finished his dinner and walked Wowo, he brought his laptop over to Lin Yushu’s side.

The dining table was covered with various documents, including Yong Xing’s cash flow statement and Xunjie’s employee information. The papers were mixed up, and sometimes even Lin Yushu couldn’t read them correctly.

From time to time, Song Qiming took some documents from Lin Yushu’s side as he typed on his laptop.

The room was quiet, filled only with the sounds of flipping papers and typing on the keyboard. The two of them didn’t exchange any words until—

Both their hands reached for the same report.

Their gazes finally met, and Lin Yushu furrowed his brows slightly. He applied a bit of force with his thumb and index finger, but Song Qiming didn’t contest him. Instead, he let go of the report and asked, “Is this what we really want to do?”

“What do you mean?” Lin Yushu casually picked up the report and looked at it.

Song Qiming sighed helplessly and asked, “What does your brother mean?”

Lin Yushu didn’t answer. After seeing the numbers he wanted, he put down the report and looked at Song Qiming, saying, “Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?”

“Tell me.”

“He wants you to separate Yong Xing Motors from the group and sell it to Xunjie,” Lin Yushu left out the part about charm.

“A reverse acquisition?” Song Qiming didn’t seem surprised. “That means he also thinks Xunjie needs Yong Xing.”

“The point is not that,” Lin Yushu said, “you can’t possibly acquire Xunjie anyway.”

“But Xunjie is even less likely to acquire Yong Xing.”

Yong Xing’s total market value was close to $100 billion, and even if they separated the automotive business, the valuation of that part would still be at least $60 billion. Meanwhile, Xunjie’s total market value was only $45 billion. The overall size of Yong Xing was more than twice as large as Xunjie.

“So, you need Xunjie more than they need you,” Lin Yushu looked at another report again, “Xunjie’s problems can also be solved in other ways.”

“For Yong Xing, Xunjie is just one shortcut they can take or not. Of course, you have your perspective, and it’s pointless to discuss this now. Don’t you think?” Song Qiming hit the nail on the head, knowing their different stances.

Lin Yushu put down the report in his hand. “So, what do you suggest?”

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll buy Xunjie’s stocks to see how the market reacts. You can also take a look.”

“Are you going to play hardball?” Lin Yushu furrowed his brows, “Did Shao Hexu and Shao Hedong agree with your plan?”

“I only need Shao Hexu to agree. I handed over the 4S dealership business to him.”

Lin Yushu didn’t know the specifics of the agreement between Song Qiming and Shao Hexu, but he was sure that Shao Hexu didn’t lose out.

“Alright,” Lin Yushu leaned back in his chair, looking at Song Qiming from afar, “Then let the war begin.”

A few days later, in the conference room at Xunjie headquarters.

Lin Yushu was distracted, watching the stock trends on his iPad, seeing red bars fill the screen.

“After the news that Yong Xing wants to acquire Xunjie came out, both stocks have been surging lately,” one executive said.

“If both of our companies can merge, we’ll definitely become a giant in the automotive industry,” another executive said.

“So, do you all agree to be acquired?” Lin Yuzhe asked.

“No, I personally think a merger is possible, but being acquired is not suitable.”

The executives engaged in an intense discussion. Lin Yushu switched pages and re-read the announcement that Yong Xing Group had just issued. Yong Xing Group had already bought 15% of Xunjie Electric Car’s shares.

They were indeed quick.

Although Lin Yushu had prepared a plan for the battle, most of Xunjie’s top executives seemed to be in favor of cooperating with Yong Xing.

They didn’t want to antagonize Yong Xing and preferred to resolve the issues through negotiations.

“What’s your opinion?” Lin Yuzhe turned his head and asked Lin Yushu.

Personally, Lin Yushu didn’t want to see Song Qiming succeed. Although he knew Song Qiming was cunning before they got together, it didn’t make him doubt Song Qiming’s feelings for him.

But why should Song Qiming have everything go his way? Why should he have all the attention?

“Being acquired is definitely not an option,” Lin Yushu turned off his iPad’s screen and said, “A reverse acquisition is also unrealistic.”

“Can’t you convince him?” Lin Yuzhe asked.

“He couldn’t convince me, how can I convince him? Besides, his position is not yet secure, and many things aren’t as he wishes.”

Lin Yuzhe sighed, “So, what’s the situation now? If we don’t act soon, we might really be acquired by him.”

Lin Yushu furrowed his brows, pondering, “With our current size, even if we merge, they will definitely be in the lead.”

“We can negotiate those details later,” Lin Yuzhe said.

“But we can’t negotiate while being passive,” Lin Yushu pondered, “I’ll come up with a plan.”

The meeting wasn’t over yet when Lin Yushu received a call from Zhan Ting.

He was somewhat surprised as he stepped outside the conference room to answer, “Manager Zhan?”

Since Lin Yushu left the company, many of the tasks at home were handed over to Zhan Ting. Lin Yushu believed that Zhan Ting’s call was not for catching up, and as expected, she sighed and said, “I’m getting a headache.”

 

“Lately, Mr. Song has been very irritable, he changed three secretaries in a row. The HR director came to me to complain, but what can I do?”

 

Clearly, Zhan Ting’s way of dealing with this was to come and vent to Lin Yushu.

 

Lin Yushu pursed his lips and asked, “How is he being irritable?”

 

“In meetings, he yells at the executives until they turn red. You haven’t seen that scene.”

 

…How can he yell at people?

 

Although Lin Yushu hadn’t talked to Song Qiming for several days, he still said, “I’ll talk to him later.”

 

“That’s good,” Zhan Ting visibly relaxed and continued, “By the way, I’m just casually asking, have you considered being acquired by Yong Xing?”

 

Lin Yushu was quite surprised that Zhan Ting would inquire about this matter.

 

He suddenly became alert, wondering if Song Qiming was standing beside Zhan Ting?

 

“We are still discussing it,” Lin Yushu said, “Manager Zhan, I have something to attend to, so there’s nothing else. I’ll hang up now.”

 

The call abruptly ended, and Zhan Ting looked at Song Qiming beside her, helpless, “I couldn’t find out.”

 

Song Qiming didn’t show any response, waved his hand, signaling Zhan Ting to leave.

 

However, Zhan Ting didn’t leave immediately. She hesitated and said, “Mr. Song, although I shouldn’t be saying these things, but you guys… should have a calm and peaceful conversation. From what I know about President Lin, he is a very thoughtful person, and you can definitely come to an agreement.”

 

“Mhm.” Song Qiming still didn’t show much emotion, speaking in a flat tone, “I understand.”

 

Today, Lin Yushu was surprised to find that Song Qiming had arrived home before him.

 

On the dining table were three dishes and a soup, and judging by the colors and knife work, it was clear that they were prepared by Song Qiming.

 

Over the past few days, although the two of them were in a cold war, they still had dinner together every day; they just didn’t speak.

 

Today, Lin Yushu still didn’t plan to speak, but Song Qiming couldn’t hold back and asked, “Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

 

“What is there to say?” Lin Yushu ate the passable fish-flavored shredded pork, “To stop you from finding others to inquire about things?”

 

Song Qiming choked, “You could tell from that?”

 

“I’ve known Manager Zhan for a long time, but have you known her longer than I have?” Lin Yushu said indifferently, “If you have anything to say, just come to me directly.”

 

“You’re not talking to me.” Song Qiming placed a piece of steamed spareribs into Lin Yushu’s bowl, “Try this; I started cooking at 3 o’clock this afternoon.”

 

Lin Yushu tasted it and furrowed his brows, “It’s stuck in my teeth.”

 

Even so, he still finished the ribs and then picked up another piece and put it back into his bowl.

 

“Have you finished your discussion?” Song Qiming asked, “If you acquire more than 10% of Xunjie’s shares, Yong Xing will become the largest shareholder.”

 

“That’s if we don’t fight back,” Lin Yushu corrected.

 

“So, are you going to start fighting back?”

 

Up until now, Xunjie had been quiet, so it was no wonder that Song Qiming had Zhan Ting inquire.

 

“We do have a new idea,” Lin Yushu said calmly, “Would you like to hear it?”

 

“Tell me.”

 

“For Xunjie, merging with Yong Xing has many benefits, but it’s not about being acquired.”

 

Compared to an acquisition, a merger would be more acceptable. That was the fact, and Song Qiming wasn’t surprised, “And then?”

 

“We can sign a bet agreement. If you win, then you can acquire Xunjie; but if you lose, the acquisition will change to a merger, and the terms will be determined by us.”

 

With sufficient funds, the acquisition would definitely be more advantageous for Yong Xing.

 

However, Xunjie couldn’t just let Yong Xing acquire it. If both sides really got into a struggle, both would be worse off. Therefore, signing a bet agreement was undoubtedly a good solution.

 

Song Qiming seemed quite interested and asked, “What are the conditions for winning or losing?”

 

“You currently hold 15% of Xunjie’s shares. If Xunjie’s sales reach 450,000 vehicles in the first quarter of this year, you will return 5% of Xunjie’s shares. Otherwise, if it doesn’t reach that number, we will give you 5% of Xunjie’s shares for free.”

 

Song Qiming immediately grasped the logic hidden behind the conditions, “If sales reach 450,000, Xunjie’s stock price will definitely soar, and you’ll return 5% of the shares, so Yong Xing will basically give up on acquiring.”

 

“That’s right,” Lin Yushu didn’t hide anything, “but if they don’t reach it, you will hold 20% of Xunjie’s shares, reducing the cost of your acquisition.”

 

5% of the shares, considering the fluctuation of the stock price, was worth around 2 to 3 billion dollars.

 

“Such a big bet?” Song Qiming raised an eyebrow.

 

“What? Are you afraid?” Lin Yushu asked in response.

 

Song Qiming pondered for a moment and asked, “What is Xunjie’s sales up to now this year?”

 

“180,000 units,” Lin Yushu said, “So your chances of winning are quite high.”

 

“Are you sure?” Song Qiming said with a smile, “During January and February, sales were affected by the Spring Festival, and there were only 180,000 units sold. Are you sure our chances of winning are high?”

 

“Fine, let’s say it’s a fifty-fifty chance,” Lin Yushu changed his statement, “So, do you want to bet?”

 

Song Qiming paused for a moment and said, “I’m in.”

 

After saying that, he added, “But I have a condition.”

 

“What?” Lin Yushu asked.

 

Song Qiming stood up and walked to Lin Yushu’s side, suddenly hugging him, “After eating only vegetarian dishes for so many days, are you trying to starve me?”

 

Due to the suddenness of being lifted, Lin Yushu’s slippers flew off to the side.

 

He hurriedly wrapped his arms around Song Qiming’s neck, “It’s not that. We are still in a cold war, Song Qiming!”

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