Chapter 24 Yushe Company once a week...
The weekly meeting of Youshe Company had just ended when everyone else at the meeting table vanished in a flash. After all, listening to the leader ramble on for more than half an hour was quite an ordeal for their ears.
After collecting the documents he had just used, Sam glanced ahead out of the corner of his eye and caught sight of a figure.
“Silas, we all belong to the same company. It’s too blatant and excessive for you to directly steal a subsidiary’s project.” At this moment, only she and Silas were in the conference room.
Hearing Sam's question, Silas, who had reached the conference room door, stopped and slowly turned around, a smile on his face: "That's a really harsh thing to say." His tone was as sarcastic and affected as ever. "I need to correct you. You are now the investment manager of Youshe, and I am the investment manager of Black Tower Group."
Silas's meaning was self-evident: the two of them were no longer the same people they used to be. A person who had made a mistake and someone who was about to be promoted couldn't be compared. Moreover, the investment manager of the subsidiary and the investment manager of the parent company were not the same at all.
"And it was Speedtech that chose me, chose the parent company. I've emphasized this so many times, how come you still can't remember?" Silas sighed dramatically, looking completely innocent. "No wonder Speedtech didn't choose you because of the acquisition price you offered. Instead of looking for the reasons within yourselves, you're starting to slander the parent company. The chairman will be very upset if he finds out."
The acquisition price offered to Speed Technology in the first round was entirely Song Chaoye's intention, and he even begged her to do so. Customer first is a motto ingrained in the Black Tower Group, so Sam was completely following the customer's wishes. She just didn't expect to be tricked by Song Chaoye.
"Stop trying to intimidate me with the title of president. All you do when something happens is use the president's name to scare people. What's the difference between you and a primary school student trying to tattle?" Sam was probably furious. His face showed little anger, and he didn't hold back at all, directly confronting him.
Silas wasn't angry at her words. He just listened quietly until she finished speaking, then let out a soft chuckle, took a few steps forward, and raised an eyebrow. "You still haven't learned your lesson from that multi-million dollar bond case, Sam. The rule of this world is that as long as you can win, it doesn't matter what means you use. Heroes have never been judged by their origins."
Sam completely disagreed: "These are two different things. How is your behavior any different from that of robbers?"
She added, "You're just a fox borrowing someone's power. Sooner or later, I'll settle this score with you all."
This refers not only to the project that was stolen from the subsidiary this time, but also to the multi-million dollar bond case from back then, which she will get back one by one.
Many employees walked back and forth outside the conference room. Some were carrying documents to print, some were submitting materials to their supervisors for approval, and some were asking the people next to them what to have for lunch. The conference room door was closed, as if isolating these sounds.
Upon closer listening, these subtle sounds still managed to slip in through the crack in the door, slowly reaching the ears of the two people inside. Sam stared at Silas in front of him, his gaze like a torch, just like her last words, once ignited, the flames would spread like wildfire, and sparks would fill the sky.
Silas stared at her silently for a long time before slowly cracking a smile, as if looking through those eyes at how ridiculous she was!
Sam naturally noticed the smile. After working in the workplace for a long time, everyone wears a mask. Over time, they all have the same stern and calculating face. She stared at it as if she wanted to imprint it deeply in her eyes and remember it in her heart. The originally cold and dark conference room seemed to have changed, becoming brighter and clearer.
"Focus."
Li Xingzhou's words and his fencing sword were thrust straight at Huang Shiyu. Just as the tip of the sword was about to touch the mask, Huang Shiyu came to his senses. He was about to exert force with his shoulder to defend and counterattack, but the tip of the sword was already inches away, and it was obviously too late. Huang Shiyu suddenly became alert and resolutely switched to defense and retreat. Just as the tip of the sword was about to touch him, he moved to the side a little and threw his fencing sword out at the same time.
The two swords clashed, but Li Xingzhou's thrust was ineffective.
"Good basic skills."
Li Xingzhou's words of praise reached Huang Shiyu's ears through his mask, his voice sounding somewhat deep.
Thanks, I'll come again.
Every defensive and offensive move in fencing is a test of skill, fundamentals, and reaction time, all of which Huang Shiyu clearly possesses. She joined the school's fencing club in her freshman year and later became the vice president after participating in several competitions. Fencing is one of her few hobbies.
The most fundamental point is that I was quite obsessed with martial arts novels when I was a child, and I often fantasized that one day I could be like the characters in the books, wielding a sword and traveling the world. It was a bit childish, but also very youthful.
"If you can beat me this time, I can help you raise funds for your project."
Huang Shiyu frowned and stared directly at the other person, their eyes silently clashing beneath the mask.
How did Li Xingzhou know that her current project was just missing an angel investor?
"How did you know?" Huang Shiyu asked.
"I overheard it by accident at Xuefangzhai that day."
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Xingzhou took a large lunge forward and thrust his fencing at Huang Shiyu. Seeing the move his opponent was using, Huang Shiyu knew that Li Xingzhou intended to launch a preemptive attack. She immediately made the best judgment, squatted down, and used her elbow to thrust her fencing at Li Xingzhou. As expected, Li Xingzhou noticed and blocked it by turning to the side.
It was clearly another draw.
Huang Shiyu stood up, looking directly at the other person, and said sarcastically, "It's quite an eye-opener that the president of Sunac would do such a petty theft."
She never expected Li Xingzhou to tell her so honestly, without making up any excuses. This scene suddenly reminded her of the blind date he was on at the restaurant, where he also expressed himself so directly when questioned by his date.
"What are you saying? I was discussing business next door the other day, and the soundproofing wasn't good. I overheard you by accident. I didn't mean any harm." Compared to Huang Shiyu's sarcasm, Li Xingzhou's tone was particularly self-righteous.
These words made it difficult for Huang Shiyu to retaliate. She could only think that she would definitely not go to Xuefangzhai next time she discussed business, and would choose a place with more privacy. But then she thought that the balance in her pocket didn't seem to be enough for her to spend.
She channeled this pent-up frustration into a powerful punch from her fencing blade: "Again!"
The training room, which can accommodate four or five people, is filled with the resounding sounds of fencing. On the piste, two people strike and test each other, their silver-white fencing blades gleaming with a cold, eerie light under the lamplight.
The atmosphere was tense, with both sides waiting for an opportunity to make a move.
"So, you didn't lose out on this deal." Li Xingzhou suddenly took a step forward and made a lunge thrusting motion towards Huang Shiyu.
Huang Shiyu, with her sharp eyes, used the tip of her sword and the guard to block the opponent's sword, causing Li Xingzhou's strike to miss.
"Li Xingzhou, are you serious?" This was the first time Huang Shiyu had called him by his full name since their reunion.
"How much are you offering?" Realizing that wasn't quite right, he rephrased, "How much funding are you planning to raise?"
After a while, Li Xingzhou still didn't make a sound. Huang Shiyu locked onto her opponent's forearm and launched an attack. Her fencing technique and footwork were in sync, showing that she dared not let her guard down. After all, after several matches today, Li Xingzhou's fencing skills were obviously very good.
Li Xingzhou's piercing sword tip, along with his words, forcefully interrupted her.
"Listen to me first. I plan to buy five percent of your company's shares for one million US dollars. The rest of the shares are yours to decide how you want to split them with your other two partners. At the same time, I will help you expand your user base and help you build a company. What do you think?"
At this moment, Huang Shiyu's sword tip was a third of the distance away from his opponent. Even if Huang Shiyu exerted extraordinary strength in a bow stance, it would be difficult to hit the front point of his arm. He simply and neatly withdrew his sword and leaned it against his back.
This action means that the fight is temporarily suspended.
She looked at the other person and sheathed her sword, asking, "Why did you help me?"
She really didn't understand Li Xingzhou's actions.
He only wants five percent, which means the decision-making power is still in her hands. Li Xingzhou cannot directly interfere with the company's development decisions; she has absolute say.
This plan was undoubtedly the one that Huang Shiyu liked best, but she didn't understand why Li Xingzhou wanted to help her.
The two were working on projects in the same field, which should have been completely contradictory. She couldn't understand why Li Xingzhou would want to cultivate a potential rival for her.
Although she hasn't shown much potential yet, it's hard to say what will happen in time.
Li Xingzhou took off his rubber gloves, his gaze shifting from the gloves to Huang Shiyu's face after she removed her mask. Under the light, her sweaty face shone like it was studded with pearls. He swallowed, his voice hoarse, perhaps because he hadn't had water for a long time.
“I’m not trying to help you. I’m a businessman too. I only do things that benefit myself. I think you understand that.”
He was not lying, because it would be disrespectful to a fully committed opponent, and also disrespectful to Hwang Si-woo's abilities.
He overheard the gist of it next door that day; Huang Shiyu's project was excellent, and if implemented properly, it could benefit humanity.
The fencing hall was brightly lit, making their gazes exceptionally clear. Huang Shiyu's eyes were still adjusting from the darkness to the light, so she squinted for a moment. Just as she was about to reply to Li Xingzhou, her phone, which was placed on a table not far away, rang.
Huang Shiyu walked outside the kendo path, reached out and grabbed the phone from the table, his previously calm eyes suddenly brightening.
It was Zhang Jingyan calling.
She answered the phone immediately, and before she could even say a greeting, Zhang Jingyan's voice came through the other end the moment the call connected.
"Did I disturb you at this time?"
Hearing Zhang Jingyan's gentle voice as always, Huang Shiyu couldn't help but smile, after all, it was his idol who had taken the initiative to call him.
"No, is there something wrong?"
“I’ve thought about it carefully, and I think your project is excellent. I wonder if you’d be willing to sell it to me?” As if afraid she would refuse, he continued, “Don’t worry about the price. I’ll offer five million US dollars. What do you think?”
Huang Shiyu wondered if she had a grudge against the number five? She had seen far too many fives this year.
"What did she say?"
Unbeknownst to him, Li Xingzhou had already come to Huang Shiyu's side and was looking down at her.
Hearing the sudden sound beside him, Huang Shiyu's daydreams vanished instantly at his direct words.
Without even looking up, she simply and quietly repeated what Zhang Jingyan had said on the phone: "She said she bought my project directly for five million US dollars. What do you think?"
In fact, she did this to test whether Li Xingzhou truly wanted to help her.
"Huang Shiyu." He called her name. He had just finished strenuous exercise, and his voice was like a bewitching wine, intoxicating Huang Shiyu. She felt a little dizzy at the moment, but his next words immediately brought her back to her senses.
“You’re not a seven or eight-year-old child anymore, so I won’t emphasize some things to you.”
His gaze fell on Huang Shiyu's face. His dark pupils, under the bright light, seemed to be covered by a black cloth, making it seem as if all his emotions were shrouded in that black cloth.
"Don't sell your value off cheaply."
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Author's Note: Wow! Our Xiao Zhou's mouth has improved! Keep up the good work!!
And could the author shamelessly ask you guys to add this work to your collection? [Please, please!]
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