Return to 88: Starting from Marrying My Sister-in-law

"Brother Lu, you were right, we ran into that guy."

"So what if there's a car crash?"

"No, how come you're not surprised at all? Let me tell you, Xiao and I went to inquire together. Not only did that guy not back down, he's also going head-to-head with us. He's out of the running for the exclusive title sponsorship of the Asian Games broadcast, but he's bought every single episode of that historical drama 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' that you've got your eye on. He even agreed with us to buy all 84 episodes of commercial breaks. Won't there be another fierce battle going on? Aren't you worried?"

What's the use of worrying?

Lu Yang tapped the coffee table in front of him, a wide smile spreading across his face. "Besides, this is exactly what I wanted to see. Thanks for passing on the message, brother. See you in Pengcheng."

With that, Lu Yang hung up the phone.

At that moment, a middle-aged man sitting opposite him also revealed his face.

It turned out to be Jiang Wanli, whom Mu Qizhong had just used as a target on the phone.

He scoffed, "You asked me out just for this? Do you expect me to be grateful?"

He thought Lu Yang had asked him out to put on a show, to tell him that he had spent over 2000 million yuan a few days ago on an advertisement in the TV series "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," and that this guy in front of him deserved some of the credit.

Without this guy's endorsement, I wouldn't have invested in advertising for all 84 episodes at once. And if the show really does become a ratings hit as this guy predicted, then it would be more cost-effective for me to buy the whole series at once.

Because if he followed his previous plan, he would only buy the first 15 episodes, or at most 30 episodes, and then make further plans if the ratings were good after the show aired. However, if he followed this kid's guess and the show became a huge hit as soon as it aired, achieving unprecedented ratings, then if he wanted to take on the advertising for the remaining 60 or 50 episodes, he would probably have to spend even more money.

So, do I owe someone a favor?

Jiang Wanli clearly didn't want to admit to this.

Lu Yang had no intention of making him acknowledge this debt.

The show hasn't even aired yet, and this hasn't even happened. As for this coincidental phone call, let the other party think whatever they want.

With a faint smile on his face, Lu Yang said, "I've known you, my brother, for so many years. Apart from a little conflict over the execution of this company, we don't need to be so confrontational in private, do we?"

Lu Yang's relaxed demeanor startled Jiang Wanli.

I have no idea what Lu Yang is up to.

So he simply turned pale, stopped talking, picked up the coffee in front of him (which hadn't even had a spoonful of sugar in it), and gulped it down in one go, like drinking tea.

Then his face was so sore it was almost distorted.

He snorted coldly.

He slammed the empty cup down on the table with a thud.

"I really don't know what's so interesting about this. It's better to just drink tea. It's just a bunch of fake foreigners who like to teach what they've learned on the spot..."

They were practically right to explicitly criticize Lu Yang for being a Westernizer.

After all, it was Lu Yang who invited him to this coffee shop.

Of course, he said this to change the subject and cover up his embarrassment.

Lu Yang smiled faintly, picked up the coffee cup on the table, smelled it, smacked his lips, then put it back down. He carefully opened the sugar box and added a small spoonful of sugar to the coffee.

Although some people prefer bitter coffee, Lu Yang still prefers strong coffee with a little bit of caramel added.

I picked it up again and took a small sip.

Lu Yang put down his coffee cup, his expression returning to formality, and said, "Using foreign things for Chinese purposes and learning from their strengths to make up for our weaknesses is what we should be doing. Why bother arguing about which tastes better, old brother, coffee or tea?"

I can use anything that can be of use to me, regardless of whether it now belongs entirely to me.

Lu Yang is also demonstrating through his actions that he will not deliberately target Wan Yan Electronics just because he is not currently in charge of the company.

Conversely, if the outcome is favorable to Wan Yan Electronics, he will still try to make it happen.

Just like this time.

Jiang Wanli's expression softened slightly, and he stopped deliberately targeting Lu Yang. He poured himself a glass of water to rinse his mouth, frowned, and said, "Speak, what do you want to ask me out?"

This guy didn't come to the shareholders' meeting a few days ago, he sent a secretary instead. Now that the shareholders' meeting is over, he deliberately came over and even asked me out for coffee. What does he mean by that?
Little did he know that Lu Yang wasn't there for him at all, but rather to meet his old flame.

Unfortunately, I just came out of Du Lingling's residential area today.

Du Lingling had already left Xingcheng in the morning to take up her post in Ganzhou, a city in the neighboring province.

Lu Yang, now living in the city, has no relatives or friends left.

After much deliberation, he decided that before leaving, he still needed to meet with the chairman and president of Wanyan Electronics.

After all, we used to be old friends.

Lu Yang slowly picked up his coffee cup and took another small sip. Then, frowning, he put the coffee down again, added a small spoonful of sugar, and stirred it as he said, "Hmm, it seems I still can't handle bitterness. Life is already bitter enough, why make it harder for myself? What do you think, brother?"

Jiang Wanli was well aware that Lu Yang's words had a hidden meaning.

But he didn't want to take the bait.

He snorted coldly and said, "Get to the point. I don't have time for your nonsense. If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."

He then tried to get up.

Lu Yang beckoned him to sit down, "Since you want to hear some honest words, then I'll say something from the heart..."

"It's the truth."

"Whether you're telling the truth or not, name your price, what are your conditions before you'll even budge?"

A single sentence was earth-shattering.

Jiang Wanli's expression changed instantly, and he slammed his hand on the table. "What do you mean?"

Lu Yang looked regretfully at the coffee stains that had been spilled all over the table after he had just taken a small sip and finally adjusted it to his liking. He complained, "Why are you angry, brother? Look, what a waste of my coffee. I haven't even drunk it yet."

Jiang Wanli's wrinkles deepened, and in his eyes, Lu Yang's current reaction made him look like a rogue.

What do you mean by "Why should my older brother get angry?"

How can I not get angry?

They've all come after me.

His face was ashen, and he roared in a low voice, "Don't waste your time, I'm not handing the company over to you."

Lu Yang took out tissues and wiped the water stains off the table. He then carefully wiped the marks he had accidentally touched on his sleeve as well. He threw the tissues into the trash can, and only after finishing did he turn around and say:

"Brother, you're wrong again. In business, we can't make promises we can't keep. Think about it, you only own 31% of Wanyan Electronics. The other 20% that will help you secure your position as chairman and president is held by Mr. Sun Yansheng overseas."

What kind of person is he?

"Hehe, older brother, you should know this better than I do. I only contacted you first because of our friendship. But if you don't even want to listen, then I'll go talk to Mr. Sun. Do you think Mr. Sun will be interested after hearing my offer?"

What lies before Jiang Wanli is Lu Yang's open scheme.

simple.

But it really works.

If Jiang Wanli's face was just ashen just now, it was now as red as if he had drunk too much. He was furious and his anger was rising. "Despicable! You will not succeed. Mr. Sun is my friend. He will definitely stand on my side."

As Jiang Wanli spoke, he braced his hands on the table, as if he had transformed into a tiger ready to devour someone.

Lu Yang calmly stood up.

Instead of imitating him, he also placed his hands on the table to increase his imposing presence.

He simply took out a white handkerchief from his shirt pocket, carefully wiped his hands and even the spaces between his fingers, and said, head down, word by word, "That's not necessarily true."

talking.

He tossed the white handkerchief he had used to wipe his hands onto the table.

It was as if it were a declaration of war.

He left without looking back.

Jiang Wanli stood there, stunned, staring blankly at the white handkerchief that Lu Yang had thrown on the table. It seemed particularly glaring to him, and his temples throbbed with pain. Suddenly, he roared and overturned the table. Before the waiter and the owner could come over to cause trouble, he pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket, threw it on the ground, and turned to leave.

Lu Yang's words before he left were like a thorn stuck in his heart.

It made every step he took excruciatingly painful.

It wasn't that Lu Yang was being unreasonable, nor that his words were without merit; rather, it was that his words made perfect sense.

Hit his weak spot.

This triggered a sudden surge of his sense of crisis.

At this moment, he finally understood that he had always been sitting on a volcano, with no safety at all. His so-called chairman and president positions could be taken away at any time. Even if he made Wanyan Electronics successful and even better, what difference would it make?

Can this situation be changed?

It can't be changed.

He had long seen through the profit-seeking nature of capital. Before he met Mr. Sun Yansheng, before he planned to set up Wanyan Electronics Company, and before he made VCD players, he and the man he just mentioned were longtime friends and close acquaintances despite their age difference. But everything changed because of their partnership in founding this company.

It's not just others.

Even he was the same.

Although Sun Yansheng and he were not on good terms, and both of them came from technical backgrounds and had many topics to discuss, it did not mean that he did not love money. On the contrary, these overseas Chinese businessmen abroad had a higher understanding of capital than domestic businessmen.

Faced with absolute self-interest.

Their methods will only become more ruthless.

With this terrible feeling in his heart, he got into the car and then made a difficult phone call to Sun Yansheng overseas.

Of course, after making the call.

My mood didn't improve much.

He didn't dare tell Sun Yansheng everything Lu Yang had just threatened him with, but instead probed the other side indirectly.

But the result of the test only made him feel even colder.

This overseas CEO, Mr. Sun, has actually begun planning to sell his shares in Wanyan Electronics in China.

If it weren't for Jiang Wanli, he wouldn't have made money in the past two years, and wouldn't have been able to grow Wanyan Electronics into a large and powerful company, dominating the domestic VCD player market.

These shares are currently worthless, failing to meet the expectations of the investors.

Otherwise, Mr. Sun might have already cashed out.

And that's what capitalists are like, real capitalists. Now Jiang Wanli is thinking that he's been muddling through these past two years, failing to manage the company well, but he actually did the right thing by sheer luck. Otherwise, he, as chairman and president, would have been ousted long ago.

After all, he has been able to maintain his position thanks to Sun Yansheng's support.

Only then can they surpass Lu Yang in terms of shareholding.

If he were to change shareholders, he might not be able to get their support again. Besides, it seems that Lu Yang has already been trying to take over the shares of Wan Yan Electronics held by Mr. Sun Yansheng.

How to do?
This afternoon's meeting in the coffee shop made him realize that no matter how well or poorly he does, whether he succeeds or fails at Wan Yan Electronics, the final outcome will be the same.

We all need to make room for others.

The only difference is the way they leave – whether they leave with the respect of their colleagues or are slinked off the stage.

He took several deep breaths, lit a cigarette in the car, and puffed on it repeatedly, each puff being forceful. He finished the cigarette in a few puffs, until it was almost burning his hand, reaching the edge of the filter. Only then did he grit his teeth and use his palm to extinguish the still-sparkling cigarette butt.

"drive."

He said through gritted teeth.

The driver in the front seat quickly started the car and stepped on the gas.

They didn't dare to say a word.

How bad was the boss's mood? He actually stubbed out his cigarette with his hand, his face contorted in pain, without making a sound. Just looking at him made me feel sorry for him.

Jiang Wanli, however, was in the back row and made a phone call to the company. "The plan remains unchanged. Hurry up and shoot our commercial, send it to CCTV for review, and let them broadcast it as scheduled."

Now that things have come to this, he has no choice but to take a gamble, no matter what.

We can't just raise our hands and surrender, can we?
The only chance now is to build Wanyan Electronics into a very strong company within the next two years, strong enough to persuade Sun Yansheng not to sell his shares in Wanyan Electronics for the time being.

Capital is always about making money.

As long as the other party can see it, not selling is better than selling, and not selling will earn more money in the future than selling!

Only with this confidence can we gain confidence.

Only then could he find an opportunity to use his Wanyan Electronics shares as collateral to obtain a loan from a bank to acquire the Wanyan Electronics shares held by Sun Yansheng.

It's very difficult, extremely difficult. You could say he has no chance at all.

But if we don't try, won't we lose even this one in ten chance?
Just as Jiang Wanli made up his mind to compete with Lu Yang one last time.

Meanwhile, Lu Yang had already boarded a plane back to Beijing… (End of Chapter)