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

"Bullshit! What do you mean by 'remaining calm'!"

Mou Qizhong's face flushed red as Xiao Jun touched a raw nerve. He slammed his fist on the stone table, making the teacups clatter. "Your sister-in-law and I are a loving couple..."

He swallowed the words back, his beard trembling with anger.

Because, to be honest, he's the one who should be most worried about his wife cheating.

Who told him to be an older man with a younger woman?
Furthermore, as he's gotten older these past few years, his hair has turned mostly white, and the nightly revelry has long since drained his body, leaving him no longer as vigorous as before. He often feels guilty when faced with his young wife's insatiable demands...

Lu Yang's footsteps as he entered the garden promptly broke the awkward stalemate.

His cold gaze swept over Xiao Jun, whose face was flushed, and Mu Qizhong, whose face was ashen, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"Wow, it's quite lively here? I can hear 'live turtle' and 'green hat' coming from over the courtyard wall,"

Lu Yang strolled to the rattan chair, his voice low but sharp as ice, looking at his brother-in-law, whose face was etched with embarrassment, with a half-smile.

"Mr. Xiao, this divorce is quite a big deal, isn't it?"

Xiao Jun was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instantly bristling with anger. Even when faced with Lu Yang's sudden intrusion, he refused to admit that his decision to divorce was wrong.

She pursed her lips and said, "I really don't like hearing that. How can you say it's a small entourage?"

"Why don't you try?"

"I'm working so hard outside, and she's doing this to me, turning me into a 'postpartum recovery coach'! Right there in my bedroom, on my bed, and I caught her red-handed! If I don't leave her now, this green on my head could turn into a dye shop!"

He was breathing heavily, his eyes bloodshot with humiliation and anger.

"Caught red-handed?"

Lu Yang raised an eyebrow, his tone devoid of emotion, and said calmly, "So? How was the divorce agreement signed? This time, Zhao's daughter was in the wrong and didn't ask for an exorbitant amount?"

"She dares?!"

Xiao Jun retorted, "She wants a son, and she even wants to split my house and stocks! She's dreaming! She knows perfectly well..."

His voice suddenly rose and then fell, filled with gnashing hatred and frustration, as he said, "She knew perfectly well that back then, to appease her, I promised to transfer 10% of the Little Prodigy's shares to my son's name, just waiting for him to come of age so that the shares would be given to her! What a damn dream!"

Mu Qizhong finally found an opening to speak, pointing at Xiao Jun and urgently saying to Lu Yang, "So this kid did something 'clever'! He gets the child, but he gave the Zhao family the remaining 8% of Little Prodigy's shares that he had the right to dispose of as compensation!"

He trembled with rage, and said sarcastically, "They even signed some bullshit agreement, saying that the 8% voting rights belong to Xiao Jun, and cannot be changed within three years or one year after the listing! Brother Lu, listen to this! Moving core equity at this critical juncture! Isn't this planting a time bomb?! The listing is just one step away from completion!"

The key issue is that this voting right is only valid for a maximum of three years, or even less than three years, only one year. What happens when the time is up?
The stock of Little Prodigy Company was one of his most prized assets, which he planned to pass down to his family. However, if he followed the way this kid surnamed Xiao did and did not clear out his stock within one or three years of the company's listing, then any unexpected event could happen, and it would become a one-off deal.

"8%?!"

Lu Yang's forward-leaning body instantly tensed like a bow, his eyes flashing with a cold light as he stared intently at Xiao Jun: "Has your brain been flattened by a green hat?! To whom? Your wife?! Or the Zhao family?!"

Not to mention that a major change in the equity structure by core shareholders on the eve of listing requires detailed disclosure, such changes are very likely to trigger in-depth regulatory inquiries, questioning the stability of corporate governance, the reliability of management, and whether there are any undisclosed disputes, which could seriously delay or even hinder the IPO process.

The mere fact that investor confidence collapses once the news gets out is a major concern. Investors, especially Wall Street institutions, are most wary of management causing equity turmoil due to personal issues, particularly scandals, on the eve of an IPO. Xiao Jun's "green hat" scandal, coupled with mishandling of equity, will become perfect ammunition for short-selling institutions, severely damaging market confidence and leading to significant valuation losses or even IPO failure.

Who should bear this responsibility?
Xiao Jun's expression changed, but he still refused to admit defeat and said, "Of course she's my wife, ptooey, she's my ex-wife. What does it have to do with the Zhao family?"

Lu Yang stared into Xiao Jun's eyes, confirming that the Zhao family was not involved or scheming in this matter. It was simply a matter of the couple's relationship breaking down due to infidelity, making it impossible for them to coexist and tolerate each other living under the same roof. The only option they had was to divorce.

I have some plans in mind.

So he feigned some helplessness and said, "You may have forgotten that our IPO application was submitted to the New York Stock Exchange, Wall Street, in North America. According to the Series C investment agreement and the listing financing performance-based agreement we signed with Goldman Sachs, before the listing plan is approved, the minimum joint shareholding requirement of all core management personnel must exceed 15%. If we violate the agreement and cause the IPO to fail, it will trigger punitive clauses, and all losses will be borne by the company's management, which means you, Xiao Jun, will bear the responsibility. Do you think you can bear this responsibility?"

Xiao Jun was dumbfounded: There's such a rule?!
Lu Yang turned to Mu Qizhong and said, "Request a board meeting. After all shareholders vote in favor, issue a document declaring the equity transfer agreement signed by this kid invalid, ordering its return within a specified period, and requiring compensation to his ex-wife in other ways. Otherwise, the board has the right to dismiss this kid from his position as company president..."

Now full of confidence, Mu Qizhong was so happy with Lu Yang's support that he almost clapped and said, "Good, good, good, let's get on it. I told you all along that bullshit plan of exchanging equity for custody was completely unworkable."

He patted Xiao Jun on the shoulder, whose face was sallow from staying up too late, and said, "Don't even think about it. Think about it carefully, and see if there are any other ways to win custody of the child from your silly wife."

Xiao Jun was furious and pushed his hand away.

Lacking confidence, he opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single word.

Lu Yang shook his head.

The method mentioned earlier is good, but it may not be able to get unanimous approval at the board meeting and may not have legal effect.

Don't forget that the Zhao family is also a member of the board of directors and has a voting right.

This is also the hidden danger caused by Lu Yang's decision to massively reduce his holdings of Xiaoshentong shares in order to make his actions less unsightly and to cash out some cash for other purposes.

"That's all."

"I'll think of something."

Lu Yang took out his phone and called the company secretary who had been newly assigned to him: "Nini, there's something I need to tell you..."

"...Immediately implement emergency crisis public relations plan, order the group's legal and financial teams to work overtime tonight to review the legal loopholes in the agreement, especially the feasibility of 'voting rights retention' and its acceptance by the SEC."

"...requesting the underwriters to postpone submitting supplementary documents to the SEC in order to allow time for internal processing of this matter."

"...We began drafting tiered contingency plans, strictly requiring all participants to maintain confidentiality and sign confidentiality agreements. We also prepared a unified statement to reassure key investors and legal statements in case of any leaks..."

"...That's all. Before you leave work, hurry to the president's office and find your sister Wei Shu. Tell her it was me who said to ask her to put aside her other work for now..."

After making the call, Lu Yang breathed a sigh of relief and mentally reviewed the situation.

It was confirmed that there were no mistakes in the arrangements. Mu Qizhong and Xiao Jun, who were standing nearby, didn't even dare to breathe loudly, especially Xiao Jun, who finally realized how rough and reckless he had been in handling the divorce.

Lu Yang put down his phone and stared at Xiao Jun for another ten seconds.

His unreliable, cheap brother-in-law looked at him with an embarrassed smile.

"Laugh at Mao Xiao."

Lu Yang couldn't help but laugh and scold, "If it weren't for your sister, I wouldn't bother giving you advice. Just dismiss you as president and replace you with someone else. It would save you a lot of trouble."

Mu Qizhong, who was standing next to him, immediately brightened up after hearing this.

That's a great idea!

I was just about to say: How about we do it this way, I'll do it.

Xiao Jun had already glared at him fiercely from the side, then looked at Lu Yang with a flattering smile and said, "No, please don't! I'll call you brother, so this time you absolutely have to help me... Youyou..."

He was just about to mention his sister's name to increase his leverage.

Lu Yang interrupted him, glared at him and said, "Don't mention Youyou. If you mention Youyou again, I won't help you. This matter has nothing to do with her. Let her stay home and rest during her pregnancy."

Qian Youyou is over 30 weeks pregnant, in the second trimester and approaching the third trimester. She has long since shed most of her mundane duties at the company.

She is in a state of comfortably resting at home during her pregnancy.

Therefore, Mr. Qian, who had just undergone cerebral hemorrhage surgery this year and whose health had only just begun to recover, had to return to work in a wheelchair to help his daughter get the company back on track.

After all, the Qian family is currently in a precarious situation.

The previous birthday banquet incident has already caused internal conflicts within the Qian family to erupt. Although some people have been dealt with, there is still a group of people who cannot be dealt with in a short period of time.

These cousins, uncles, nephews, and others of Mr. Qian not only own a certain number of shares in the company, but also hold important positions. After years of operation, the company's situation is so complex that any change in one aspect can have far-reaching consequences. Mrs. Qian alone is no longer able to support the company, so Mr. Qian has to return to the helm and rely on his strong prestige to temporarily stabilize the situation.

In this situation, Xiao Jun is facing divorce proceedings again. This time, he has lost more than half of his shares in Xiao Shentong. Even Qian Shi can't help him. Even if he disturbs Qian Youyou, who is at home taking care of her pregnancy, what can he do besides having an extra person to worry about for no reason?
Seeing that Lu Yang was angry, Xiao Jun quickly slapped his mouth to show that he absolutely did not mean it that way.

I misspoke just now.

"Um...brother-in-law...no, Brother Lu, please don't mind me, I was wrong. My sister is at home taking care of her pregnancy and can't help much, so how could I tell her..."

Lu Yang's expression softened slightly.

After thinking for a moment, he said with a serious expression, "Since the Zhao family did not participate in your divorce this time, I think there is still room for reconciliation. Even if the marriage is over, nothing can be changed or salvaged. I guess you don't want that either, but the compensation plan can be discussed again. How about this, you invite your sister-in-law out, and I will talk to her. She should be a reasonable person."

Xiao Jun opened his mouth, looking unwilling, given his bad temper.

If he hadn't been forced into this situation, he would never have wanted to contact that woman again, not even once, let alone take the initiative to call that cheating wife.

At this moment, Mu Qizhong glanced at him and decided to help him out. "How about this? My wife and Xiao's wife are quite familiar with each other. The two families often have meals and travel together. Why don't I have my wife call her and ask her to come out and meet us?"

People who share similar traits are more likely to empathize with each other.

Lu Yang nodded: "That's fine. Let's arrange the meeting place at your private club, Lao Mou. Find a secluded room. It's our own territory, so we don't have to worry about being overheard."

After listening, Mu Qizhong nodded solemnly.

Show understanding.

The saying goes, "If things are not kept secret, one will lose one's life."

When dealing with a scandal involving a company worth billions, no amount of caution is excessive when it comes to ensuring the smooth IPO of such a company.

Only a fool would consider it a private matter.

They thought they could handle it privately, but now they're completely ruined.

This isn't the end... You see... it'll be me and Brother Lu who have to clean up your mess!
Just as he picked up the phone, he was about to call his wife.

Mu Qizhong winked smugly at Xiao Jun.

After half an hour.

Lu Yang held a series of asset certificates provided to him by Xiao Jun, including more than a dozen properties, four or five luxury cars, a cruise ship, and a little over 300 million yuan in cash...

These are all the assets jointly owned by the couple, excluding the child prodigy's 18% share.

What Lu Yang needs to do next is to use these fixed assets, along with the limited cash on hand and a huge IOU that Xiao Jun just wrote, to exchange for Xiao Jun's wife voluntarily giving up her right to divide the shares of Xiao Jun's Little Prodigy Company after the divorce.

Thus, in the quiet tea room.

"Sister-in-law, I'll still call you sister-in-law for now. I'm very sorry about your divorce from Brother Xiao, but I'm here today on behalf of the board of directors to talk to you. The board of directors will not accept, and cannot accept, the division of property after your divorce..."

The company is about to undergo IPO review... We can't afford any problems...

Sister-in-law, you don't want your shares to go down the drain in the end, do you?

And... the Zhao family behind you, the Zhao Group, is also one of the shareholders of our little prodigy. To put it nicely, everyone is hoping the company can go public soon...

I'm putting this out there: anyone who causes trouble at this time... will be the enemy of all shareholders...

"Sister-in-law, take a look at this first, and these... these dozens of properties, plus these cars... The cash isn't much, but I've already had Brother Xiao write you an IOU and assessed the value of your shares. I'll guarantee this payment; you should be able to trust my reputation, Lu. We'll pay it off in three installments over three years... What do you think?"

Lu Yang was confident. ... (End of Chapter)