How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 443

443. Negotiations in Shenzhen

It was getting late, so Yang Chen left the lab to find Jin Ming.

Since working for Yang Chen, Jin Ming’s income had also increased significantly.

Last year alone, she received a bonus of ten million, a figure she never dared to imagine before.

Including her regular salary and personal investment income, she made at least twenty million last year.

With money, of course, she wanted to live a better life, so Jin Ming bought a small villa worth thirty million.

Jin Ming waited in front of the villa gate. When she saw Yang Chen’s car arriving, she quickly stepped forward to greet him.

“Mr. Yang, you’re here. Park the car inside; there’s still space in the yard,” Jin Ming said with a smile.

Yang Chen nodded and drove the car in.

Jin Ming closed the gate and ran over to open the car door for Yang Chen.

“Hehe… Mr. Yang, what do you think of my new home?” Jin Ming said happily.

Yang Chen: “It’s pretty good; the environment is nice.”

Jin Ming: “I owe it all to your good fortune; otherwise, how could I afford such a villa?”

Yang Chen: “Haha… This is what you deserve. If you didn’t have the ability, I wouldn’t give you such a high salary. You should thank yourself, not me.”

Jin Ming: “Hehe… Mr. Yang always says such nice things. Come on, let me show you around.”

Yang Chen nodded and followed Jin Ming to tour her new home.

Although this villa wasn’t very big, it was well-equipped.

There were three floors above ground, with flowers and plants planted on the balcony, where you could have a barbecue or experience the feeling of camping.

There was also a basement level with a wine cellar and a gym, with an elevator directly connecting the upper and lower floors. Part of the space had a glass roof, so even though it was a basement, the light was good, and it wasn’t damp.

After the tour, Yang Chen praised, “Your new home is very nice. If a family lived here, it would be quite enjoyable to have a barbecue on the rooftop at night.”

Jin Ming: “Hehe… That’s what I’m planning too. It’s just a pity I don’t know when my Mr. Right will discover me. I don’t know when such a life will come.”

Yang Chen: “You’re so beautiful and a little rich woman. Someone will definitely pursue you soon.”

Jin Ming: “Hehe… I hope so. Come on, let’s go upstairs to eat. You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

Yang Chen nodded and followed Jin Ming upstairs to eat.

The two chatted while eating, and Jin Ming took the opportunity to report on the recent situation of Starlight Investment.

After Starlight Investment successively harvested global oil and the US banking industry in the previous months, there had been no new actions.

Some of the money earned from shorting the US banking industry had been converted into gold and sent back, now stored in the vault of the Dragon Country Gold Exchange [China’s official gold exchange].

Because Starlight Investment was frantically buying gold, international gold prices had been soaring.

About 30 billion US dollars remained in the US market that couldn’t be brought back.

Yang Chen wiped his mouth and said, “That’s good. Let’s spend this money in the US. Tomorrow, issue an announcement that Starlight Investment is making a takeover bid to the shareholders of Qiandu Group, offering a 30% premium based on the current stock price. All 30 billion US dollars will be used to acquire Qiandu Group’s shares.”

Jin Ming: “Qiandu Group? Why would Mr. Yang suddenly want to acquire it?”

Yang Chen: “I suddenly realized that I don’t seem to have a say at Qiandu, so I want to acquire some shares. Anyway, that money is hard to get back, so I might as well use it to buy shares in Qiandu Group.”

Jin Ming: “Okay! Then I’ll issue a takeover bid to Qiandu Group tomorrow. Qiandu Group’s current market value should be around 50 billion US dollars. With a 30% premium, 30 billion US dollars can acquire about 45% of the shares. However, that depends on whether the shareholders are willing to sell.”

Yang Chen: “Qiandu Group has become increasingly irrelevant in recent years. The era of dominating search engines is over. Other internet giants have taken away a lot of traffic, and Qiandu Group’s profitable businesses are gradually shrinking. The future may not be too bad, but it’s unlikely to have better development. With a 30% premium, many shareholders will definitely be willing to sell. Or you can contact the major shareholder, Defengjie Company, and ask if they want to sell their 25.8% stake. If they are willing to sell, we don’t have to bother acquiring shares from other shareholders. I just want to have a say in Qiandu Group, not because I’m very optimistic about their future development.”

Jin Ming: “Oh, I understand. Then I know what to do. I’ll call Defengjie Company later to ask if they have any intention of selling their shares.”

Defengjie invested several million US dollars in Qiandu back then. If they accept Starlight Investment’s acquisition price now, they will get 14 billion, a return on investment of several thousand times in 20 years.

Therefore, Yang Chen believed that Defengjie would not miss such an excellent opportunity to cash out and exit.

Jin Ming nodded, and after dinner, she called Marcus, the president of Defengjie.

As soon as Marcus heard that it was a call from Jin Ming, the CEO of Starlight Investment, he happily said, “Hello, Miss Jin. I admire your company’s previous two operations very much and would like to find an opportunity to cooperate with your company. I didn’t expect Miss Jin to call me. It’s truly my honor.”

Jin Ming: “Mr. Marcus, you’re too polite. I’m calling you this time because I have something to discuss with you. We want to acquire the shares of Qiandu Group held by your company. I wonder if your company has any intention of selling?”

Marcus: “It can be discussed. What price can your company offer?”

Jin Ming: “We will acquire all the shares held by your company at a 10% premium based on today’s closing price.”

Marcus was immediately tempted, but he was an old fox and would not easily agree. The necessary bargaining process was still needed.

Marcus: “The price is good, but it’s not enough to impress us. How about this, I’ll call a shareholders’ meeting to discuss it. Once we have a result, I’ll call Miss Jin again. Is that okay?”

Jin Ming: “Of course. I’ll wait for Mr. Marcus’s call.”

Yang Chen was listening next to her. After Jin Ming hung up the phone, he said with a smile, “Leave this matter to you and get it done as soon as possible. It’s getting late; I’m going back.”

Jin Ming: “It’s so late, don’t go back, okay?”

Yang Chen: “Okay, then. Then help me get a room.”

Jin Ming: “You sleep in my room, and I’ll sleep in the guest room.”

Yang Chen: “This is your home. How can I let you sleep in the guest room? I’ll sleep in the guest room.”

Jin Ming immediately pulled Yang Chen upstairs to her bedroom.

“Don’t be polite with me. I’m the host, and I’ll arrange it. I’ll let you sleep here, so you sleep here. It’s settled happily. I’ll go sleep next door. Good night,” Jin Ming said with a smile, then quickly turned and went out.

Yang Chen was indeed a little tired, so he decided to sleep there for the night.

He didn’t know what time it was, but in a daze, Yang Chen felt someone next to him.

He immediately opened his eyes alertly. In the darkness, he felt someone lying on his chest, and then a fragrance entered his nostrils. It was Jin Ming’s scent.

“Why are you sleeping here?” Yang Chen asked softly.

Jin Ming didn’t answer and remained quietly lying on his chest.

Yang Chen was very sleepy and closed his eyes to sleep again.

In the early morning, Jin Ming woke up first.

She was stunned to find herself lying in Yang Chen’s arms.

After carefully recalling the situation last night, she realized that she had habitually entered her bedroom after going to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

“Oh no, am I done for? What should I do now? Should I get up to cook, or should I continue to pretend to be asleep?” Jin Ming thought to herself.

At this moment, Yang Chen said with his eyes closed, “If you’re awake, get up quickly. My arm is a little numb from being pressed down.”

Jin Ming: “Huh? How did you know I was awake?”

Yang Chen: “Your heartbeat obviously accelerated suddenly. I could feel it clearly.”

Jin Ming: “Hehe… I’m sorry. I habitually returned to the master bedroom after going to the bathroom last night. It was too dark in the room, and I thought I was hugging a pillow.”

Yang Chen opened his eyes, and their eyes met. Jin Ming’s face instantly turned red.

“Then what do you mean by not getting up now?” Yang Chen asked with a smile.

Jin Ming: “It feels good; I don’t want to get up.”

Yang Chen: “My arm is numb. You should get up first. When I have time, I’ll come over and let you experience it properly.”

Jin Ming pouted and got up reluctantly.

“Then you sleep for a while longer. I’ll make breakfast and call you when it’s ready,” Jin Ming said happily, then turned and ran out.

Yang Chen moved his right arm and closed his eyes to sleep a little longer.

After a while, Jin Ming hurried back in.

Jin Ming: “Mr. Yang?”

Yang Chen opened his eyes and said, “Yeah, I’m up.”

Jin Ming: “Defengjie President Marcus called me back just now and asked us to go to Shenzhen to talk to Kang Yu’nian, the head of their Dragon Country branch. I also called Kang Yu’nian. He’s only available these two days, and he’s going on a business trip to Xiangjiang [Hong Kong] the day after tomorrow. He asked us to go as soon as possible. What do you think?”

Yang Chen: “Go to Shenzhen? Okay, I’ve been in the lab for more than two months in a row. It’s good to go out and relax. Make an appointment with Kang Yu’nian, and we’ll take a flight over later.”

Jin Ming: “Okay. Then I’ll call him back now to make an appointment. Get up quickly; breakfast is ready.”

Yang Chen nodded, stretched, and got up to eat.

After breakfast, the two went straight to the airport and took the 10:00 AM flight to Shenzhen.

After leaving the airport, the two went straight to the hotel.

Jin Ming booked the hotel, and she actually booked a standard room.

Yang Chen: “Why didn’t you book two rooms?”

Jin Ming: “Two rooms would be too wasteful. One standard room is enough. I believe you won’t do anything bad.”

Yang Chen laughed and said, “I don’t even believe I won’t do anything bad. You dare to believe it?”

Jin Ming: “Yes! I believe you. Let’s go up.”

The two receptionists looked at each other and then showed gossipy smiles.

“Such a beautiful girl is actually so proactive. If I were half as beautiful as her, men would have to kneel and lick me.”

“But the handsome guy is also very handsome, even more handsome than a celebrity. Isn’t there a saying circulating on the internet that you never know how proactive your aloof goddess is in front of a handsome guy?”

“What you said makes sense. If I met such a handsome man, I might also proactively create opportunities for him to sleep with me.”

“Damn! You’re so horny.”

…

At 7:00 PM, Yang Chen and Jin Ming met Kang Yu’nian in the private room of Shenzhen Tang Pavilion.

Kang Yu’nian was just a mouthpiece. He was only acting according to the instructions of the headquarters.

“The order from the headquarters is that we will only consider selling the 25.8% stake in Qiandu Group to Starlight Investment at a premium of at least 30%,” Kang Yu’nian said.

Jin Ming: “A 30% premium? That’s too high, isn’t it? According to the current stock price of Qiandu Group, a 30% premium means we have to pay nearly 4 billion US dollars more. Mr. Kang, don’t you think this is a bit too much?”

Kang Yu’nian: “Haha… Miss Jin, don’t make things difficult for me. You also know the nature of our company. We don’t have the right to make decisions ourselves. Everything has to follow the orders of the headquarters. The bottom line given to me by the headquarters is a 30% premium; otherwise, we won’t sell. I wouldn’t dare to ask you for less. The headquarters wouldn’t agree.”

Jin Ming: “If your headquarters insists on so much, then we can only seek other methods.”

Kang Yu’nian: “If Miss Jin is really sincere about acquiring this part of the equity, you can give a sincere price, and I will report the situation to the headquarters. If Miss Jin insists on a 10% premium, then there is no need to report it.”

Jin Ming: “Our bottom line is a 15% premium. If your headquarters doesn’t agree, then we will start with other shareholders. It’s just a little more troublesome. We are all investors. Everyone knows whether Qiandu Group’s current market value is high or low. I can guarantee that if we acquire the shares held by other shareholders at a 10% premium, they will definitely accept it without hesitation.”

Kang Yu’nian: “Haha… I know what Miss Jin means. How about this, I’ll go out and call the headquarters to report the situation. I’ll give you an answer later. Okay?”

Jin Ming smiled and nodded, saying, “Mr. Kang, please do as you wish.”

After Kang Yu’nian went out, Yang Chen, pretending to be Jin Ming’s assistant, said with a smile, “He will definitely ask for a 20% premium later.”

Jin Ming: “I also think there’s a high probability that they will ask for a 20% premium, which exactly meets your psychological expectations.”

More than ten minutes later, Kang Yu’nian returned.

As expected, Kang Yu’nian said that the headquarters could only accept a minimum premium of 20%. If it was lower than this price, then there was no need to talk about it.

Although this price met Yang Chen’s psychological expectations, he still had to put on a show.

Jin Ming replied with a troubled expression, “Your headquarters is really too greedy. They are not satisfied with a return of several thousand times in 20 years.”

Kang Yu’nian: “Haha… This shows that the people at the headquarters have unique vision. They should earn this money. Does Miss Jin need to ask her boss for instructions?”

Jin Ming: “Of course, I have to call my boss. Mr. Kang, please wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”

These were all negotiation tactics. She had to act when she needed to.

A few minutes later, Jin Ming came back and said with a smile, “Mr. Kang, you can report to your headquarters. My boss is willing to accept the price of a 20% premium to acquire the shares held by you.”

Kang Yu’nian: “Haha… Okay! Then I’ll go back now to prepare a work report and send it to the headquarters. Miss Jin, I’ll leave first. Goodbye.”

Jin Ming nodded and sent Kang Yu’nian out.

After Kang Yu’nian entered the elevator, Jin Ming returned to the private room, closed the door, and high-fived Yang Chen to celebrate.

Yang Chen: “Let’s go. While we still have time, I’ll take you to Mixc City [a high-end shopping mall in China] to stroll around and reward you with something.”

Jin Ming: “Hehe… Thank you, boss. It’s great to be on a business trip with the boss. Things get done, and there are rewards.”

Yang Chen: “Haha… You manage Starlight Investment so well for me. It really saves me a lot of worry. No amount of rewards is too much for you.”

Jin Ming: “Hehe… Then can I pick expensive gifts later?”

Yang Chen: “As long as it’s something in the mall, you can pick whatever you want.”

Jin Ming: “Thank you, boss. Boss is the best. Let’s go, let’s go, hurry up. I can’t wait.”

Jin Ming pulled Yang Chen and quickly left Tang Pavilion to go to Mixc City.

Mixc City, like SKP [another high-end shopping mall in China], gathers international luxury brands. Coming here, you realize that money is nothing.

Although Yang Chen said that she could pick whatever she wanted in this mall, Jin Ming couldn’t really be ignorant and only pick expensive things.

She thought it would be enough to pick an LV [Louis Vuitton] wallet worth ten or eight thousand. It wasn’t too expensive, and the grade was enough. It would allow Yang Chen to fulfill his promise decently without spending too much money.

Jin Ming was focusing on picking a wallet when someone suddenly called her name.

“Jin Ming?”

Jin Ming looked up and saw that it was a friend she had met when she was studying at MIT [Massachusetts Institute of Technology]. Her name was Gao Yan. She used to work in the US and then returned to China. Since then, the two had not seen each other.

“Gao Yan! Oh, what a coincidence. I didn’t expect to meet you here!” Jin Ming said happily and quickly stepped forward to hug Gao Yan.

Gao Yan: “I didn’t expect to meet you here either. Let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Chen Le. He is the president of Weichuang Group’s Dragon Country region. Is this handsome guy your boyfriend?”