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

The hustle and bustle of Shenzhen Airport late at night was shut out by the heavy soundproof doors of the VIP area, leaving only the low hum of the central air conditioning and faint background music.

Lu Yang, flanked by Xiao Jiu and Da Jun, entered the luxuriously decorated reception room. He deliberately suppressed the fatigue of the long flight, replacing it with the calmness and sharpness honed by years of experience in the business world.

Shenzhen Pengcheng International Airport General Manager Du Mingwei had already stood up to greet them.

He was around fifty years old, slightly overweight, with a neatly slicked-back hairstyle and an exaggeratedly enthusiastic smile on his face. He quickly stepped forward and extended both hands: "Oh! Mr. Lu! You've worked so hard! I'm so sorry to trouble you so late at night!"

Lu Yang shook his hand lightly, his tone calm yet polite: "Mr. Du, you're too kind. It's all for the development of Pengcheng."

His gaze swept across the meeting room. Besides Du Mingwei, there was a middle-aged man in a dark suit, looking somewhat reserved and capable, standing to the side holding a thick folder. He was clearly Du Mingwei's assistant or a member of the audit team.

The absence of other senior executives from Shenzhen Airlines suggests that the meeting was more of a preliminary exploration and communication of intent by Du Mingwei on behalf of a certain opinion or a deeper background.

"President Lu, please have a seat! Xiao Zhang, quickly pour President Lu some tea! The best pre-Qingming Longjing!" Du Mingwei solicitously invited Lu Yang to sit on the main sofa, while he himself sat on a side armchair, adopting a very humble posture.

Gong Ping'an and Da Jun stood like two silent mountains, naturally occupying a position not far behind Lu Yang, their eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Lu Yang didn't stand on ceremony. After sitting down, he accepted the hot tea served by his assistant, Xiao Zhang, and after gently blowing away the foam, he got straight to the point: "President Du, this invitation so late at night must be because the Shenzhen Airlines equity transfer has been settled? Has Huatong's attitude been clear?"

He got straight to the point, skipping unnecessary pleasantries and implying that he knew the key player was Huatong, not the airport itself.

Du Mingwei's smile froze for a moment, clearly not expecting Lu Yang to be so direct.

He quickly composed himself, leaning forward slightly and lowering his voice, which carried a sense of intimate sharing of a secret: "President Lu is indeed very perceptive! That's right! Huatong Company has indeed made up its mind!"

He cleared his throat, his expression becoming serious: "Huatong Company, as one of the founding shareholders of Shenzhen Airlines, holds 25% of the shares. Now, due to their own strategic transformation and capital operation needs, they have officially decided to sell this portion of their equity!"

Du Mingwei stared intently at Lu Yang's expression, not missing a single subtle change. "Although there have been some rumors about this outside, Huatong's senior management has just officially authorized me as their representative to make initial contact and find suitable potential buyers."

He paused, then posed the most crucial question, his tone both tentative and expectant: "Mr. Lu, I know you have a broad vision and a grand perspective. I wonder... are you interested in this 25% stake in Shenzhen Airlines?"

He didn't immediately offer a price, but instead confirmed the other party's intentions first, which shows his shrewdness in negotiation.

"If you're interested in taking it on, then we can discuss the specific plan, price, and necessary conditions in detail. If..."

He then changed the subject, leaving room for maneuver, "If Mr. Lu doesn't have any plans in this regard for the time being, that's fine too. Huatong will proceed with the process of listing and transferring this 25% stake to find a buyer in the market."

Having said all that, the ball was now at Lu Yang's feet.

Lu Nini stood quietly not far behind Lu Yang's sofa, holding a pen and a notebook, ready to jot down key points at any time.

Lu Yang picked up his teacup, took a sip of the warm Longjing tea, and the aroma spread across his tongue. He put down the teacup, leaned back into the soft sofa, relaxed, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's.

Without the slightest hesitation, he stated his position directly: "Of course I am interested."

“Shenzhen Airlines is based in Shenzhen, backed by the huge market of the Pearl River Delta and the future blueprint of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong aviation hub. Its strategic significance is self-evident. Being able to participate in it and help its development is not only a business opportunity, but also a responsibility to the local community.”

“However, Mr. Du,” Lu Yang looked directly at Du Mingwei, his gaze carrying a subtle sense of pressure, “interests are interests, and business is business. I, Lu Yang, will never be a sucker.”

He leaned forward slightly, tapping his finger lightly on the armrest of the sofa, his tone calm yet his words clear: "As far as I know, Shenzhen Airlines' current fleet size is only about 20 aircraft at most, and its main aircraft types are the 737 and A320 series of short- and medium-range passenger planes. Given the current context of rapid expansion and numerous giants in the domestic civil aviation industry, the 'actual value' of such an asset size and market positioning has a clear upper limit."

Lu Yang paused, his sharp gaze sweeping across Du Mingwei's face: "And now, the rumors I've heard about Shenzhen Airlines' 'market valuation' seem to have far exceeded its actual value. It's good that capital is optimistic about the future, but an excessively high premium... is tantamount to transferring huge future risks and uncertainties to the buyer in advance. If it were you, Mr. Du, would you easily agree to such a deal?"

Lu Yang didn't make empty promises about low prices. Instead, he started with fundamentals and analysis, directly addressing the core pain point of inflated valuations. This demonstrated his profound insight into Shenzhen Airlines and the entire civil aviation market, proving he was not a fool who was simply throwing money away.

Du Mingwei's smile froze, replaced by a hint of embarrassment and a sense of awkwardness at having his truth exposed.

He rubbed his hands together and quickly explained, his tone reassuring and eager to dispel any concerns: "President Lu! You're being too polite! You're being too cautious! Don't worry! How could we possibly try to take advantage of you? Absolutely not!"

He straightened his back, his expression becoming solemn, even carrying a hint of the seriousness of "conveying the superior's will": "Based on the clear instructions and spirit of the relevant parties,"

He vaguely touched upon the decision-making level, but his intention was clear: "If you, Mr. Lu, as the representative of the most powerful and visionary private enterprise in Shenzhen, are truly willing to join Senior Airlines and build it into one of the benchmark regional private airlines in the Pearl River Delta and even the whole country, representing a high level of market-oriented operation..."

Du Mingwei deliberately emphasized the phrases "regional private airline" and "market-oriented operation," implying that Lu Yang's investment might bring about an opportunity for institutional reform and official endorsement.

"Therefore, we will certainly be as sincere as possible in terms of the equity transfer price! We guarantee you the most reasonable and transparent price, which will absolutely not exceed the current fair market valuation! We can even consider the special circumstances of introducing strategic partners to strive for more favorable terms! Everything is negotiable!"

He emphasized the words "we can talk," which once again demonstrated a strong willingness to cooperate and room for price flexibility.

Lu Yang listened quietly, his face revealing neither joy nor anger. He remained silent for a few seconds, as if weighing the sincerity and sincerity in Du Mingwei's words.

The atmosphere in the VIP room was somewhat stagnant, with only the faint sound of the air conditioning vents.

After a moment, Lu Yang nodded slightly and leaned back on the sofa, relaxing his body: "Okay then."

Those two words were like an all-clear signal, instantly relaxing Du Mingwei's tense nerves and restoring his smile to his face: "That's great! President Lu is indeed a wise and straightforward person!"

Lu Yang had no intention of delving into the details with Du Mingwei. He turned his head and looked at Lu Nini, who had been standing quietly behind him: "Nini."

“Chairman, I’m here.” Lu Nini immediately stepped forward.

"You should coordinate with General Manager Du and obtain as much detail as possible all of Huatong Company's preliminary intentions regarding the transfer of Shenzhen Airlines' equity, including financial statement summaries and asset appraisal reports."

Lu Yang instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument, "After you get back, prepare a clear report overnight."

"Understood!" Lu Nini nodded in agreement.

Lu Yang turned his gaze back to Du Mingwei, his tone calm yet carrying an unquestionable authority: "President Du, I will not personally participate in the tedious matters such as the specific negotiation details, price negotiations, and legal clauses."

Du Mingwei's smile faltered slightly, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Lu Yang explained, “Shenzhen Airlines is the flagship of Pengcheng Airlines, carrying the high expectations of the government and the important task of local development. It has a special background. Century Group is rooted in Pengcheng and is a local enterprise, so it is even more important to maintain harmonious relationships with all parties.”

He paused, his voice steady, "For a group boss like me to personally get involved in haggling over every penny would make me seem petty, and if things go wrong and damage our relationship, it would be detrimental to Shenzhen Airlines' future collaborative development. That's not the situation I want."

He then offered a solution: "Therefore, starting tomorrow, Ms. Wei Shu, the president of our Century Group, will represent me in conducting the subsequent formal negotiations with Huatong Company. She will be my full representative, her opinion is my opinion, and the final decision she makes will be confirmed by my signature."

"President Wei?!" Du Mingwei's eyes lit up. Far from being disappointed, he showed a hint of admiration and understanding. "Oh my! So it was the Iron Lady President Wei who personally took charge! That's perfect! President Lu, you are truly magnanimous! You know how to recognize and appoint talent!"

Wei Shu is known in Shenzhen's business circles as the "Iron Lady" and "Female General." She is famous for her sharp style, excellent professional skills, and strong yet intelligent negotiation skills. She is in charge of the daily operations of Century Group, whose assets are approaching 10 billion yuan, and carries considerable weight.

Having her negotiate on behalf of the company would demonstrate Century Group's commitment to the matter, maximize its interests from a professional standpoint, and leave room for maneuver for Lu Yang, thus avoiding a potentially deadlocked situation if the top leadership directly confronted the company.

This is indeed the safest and most efficient arrangement.

"Don't worry, Mr. Lu!" Du Mingwei patted his chest and assured him, "Tomorrow morning, I will personally lead a team to the Century Group headquarters to meet with President Wei! I will make sure to hand over all the information and materials from the previous discussions in detail and without reservation! How to proceed from here on out is entirely up to President Wei!"

"Okay." Lu Yang nodded in satisfaction and stood up. "Then I'll have to trouble you, President Du. Wei Shu will handle the follow-up matters directly with you. She will also report to me promptly on any major developments or matters of principle."

"Of course! Of course!" Du Mingwei replied repeatedly, and stood up as well. "President Lu must be tired from your journey, let me see you out!"

"No need, Mr. Du, please stay." Lu Yang waved his hand, declining Du Mingwei's offer to see him off. He needed to leave as soon as possible, not to engage in further pleasantries. Stepping out of the brightly lit VIP room and feeling the cool night air of Shenzhen again, Lu Yang finally let out a long sigh of relief, a wave of undeniable fatigue washing over him.

After a dozen or so hours of intercontinental flight, followed by a business negotiation brimming with information and witty exchanges, even he was somewhat exhausted.

Lu Yang saw Yin Mingyue holding her still-sleeping son, quietly waiting for him beside the car.

Da Gang had already opened the car door.

"Brother, I'll organize the information tonight," Lu Nini said softly from the side.

"Yes, you've worked hard. You should go back and rest early too. Just give the documents to your sister Wei Shu tomorrow morning. There's no rush, it won't take an hour or two," Lu Yang instructed, his voice slightly hoarse.

He walked to the car, and Yin Mingyue immediately looked at him with concern. Without asking about the outcome of the negotiations, she simply said softly, "You must be exhausted. Get in the car quickly."

Lu Yang nodded and carefully took his heavy, sleeping son from her arms. The little guy unconsciously smacked his lips in his sleep, his warm little body nestled in his father's arms, bringing a sense of reassuring peace. He held his son and helped Yin Mingyue into the spacious and comfortable back seat.

"Go home," Lu Yang instructed Da Gang, who was sitting in the front row.

The car smoothly drove away from the airport and merged into the empty city streets late at night.

Lu Yang leaned back on the soft headrest, holding his son in his arms and his wife beside him. His tense nerves finally relaxed completely. The colorful lights outside the window rushed past, reflecting on his profile as he rested with his eyes closed. Until the hustle and bustle of Pengcheng Airport in the middle of the night gradually faded away, Lu Yang's family finally returned to the peaceful haven of their villa on the hillside.

The fatigue of the journey washed over them like a tide, and after a quick wash, he and Yin Mingyue soon fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, around noon, sunlight streamed into the bedroom through the gaps in the heavy curtains.

Lu Yang, unusually, embraced his wife, enjoying a moment of laziness, trying to dispel the fatigue brought on by the long flight and jet lag.

Just then, the phone on the bedside table vibrated at an inopportune moment, and the name "Wei Shu" flashed on the screen.

Lu Yang frowned, gently loosened his arm, picked up the phone, walked to the window, and answered in a low voice, "Hello, Sister Wei Shu, is there something you need?"

Wei Shu's voice came through the phone, as calm and efficient as ever, without any small talk: "Boss, sorry to bother you. Regarding Huatong Company's sale of its 25% stake in Shenzhen Airlines, General Manager Du Mingwei brought his team and detailed information over this morning. We had initial contact and exchanged opinions."

Lu Yang hummed in agreement, signaling her to continue.

He could picture the scene in the Century Group's top-floor office right now: Wei Shu must be sitting behind a large desk, focused, with Du Mingwei, the airport's general manager, sitting opposite him. The two were cautiously probing each other in a game involving hundreds of millions of yuan.

"The situation with Huatong Company is basically consistent with what Du Mingwei said last night," Wei Shu said calmly and clearly. "On the surface, it's a private enterprise, but after tracing the equity structure, you can indeed see vague traces of state-owned enterprise and military backgrounds. As one of the founding shareholders of Shenzhen Airlines, their introduction of private capital back then had more symbolic significance than actual management participation. Now they plan to sell, mainly for two reasons: First, in response to the latest policy guidance from higher authorities regarding state-owned enterprises 'focusing on their main business and reducing layers,' they are divesting non-core assets; second, and more importantly, with the rapid development of the domestic civil aviation market in the past two years and the favorable outlook from capital, Shenzhen Airlines' valuation has soared, increasing several times since its inception. At this time, cashing out at a high price and leaving is a strategic choice that conforms to commercial logic for them."

Lu Yang listened quietly, his gaze fixed on Pengcheng bathed in the morning light outside the window.

Capital always has the keenest sense of smell, and Huatong's timing in making its move at this moment is perfect.

"Du Mingwei, representing Huatong, gave their overall valuation of Shenzhen Airlines: RMB 13.5 billion."

Wei Shu stated the figures in a completely flat tone, "Based on this, the initial asking price for their directly held 25% stake was 3.375 million RMB."

A valuation of 13.5 billion?
Lu Yang quickly made a mental calculation.

According to the information he had Lu Nini gather temporarily, Shenzhen Airlines' current fleet size is indeed only about 20 aircraft, mainly short- and medium-haul aircraft such as Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, and its route coverage is mainly concentrated in South China and some domestic trunk lines.

Given the current rapid expansion of the civil aviation industry and the presence of numerous giants, a valuation of 13.5 billion is indeed, as he said last night, somewhat of a premium.

The excess is mainly in the value of licenses, route resources, and future growth expectations.

"Did they voluntarily create room for negotiation?" Lu Yang asked.

“Yes.” Wei Shu’s answer confirmed his judgment. “Du Mingwei’s attitude was fairly honest, and he didn’t seem to be asking for an exorbitant price. He clearly stated that if Century Group, as a pure and powerful private enterprise, is willing to invest in Shenzhen Airlines and help it develop into a representative regional private aviation force in the Pearl River Delta and even the whole country, Huatong is willing to offer a ‘reasonable’ price that does not exceed the market valuation. This ‘reasonable’ price is our room for negotiation.”

Wei Shu paused for a moment before offering his professional assessment: "Boss, in my personal opinion, while the overall valuation of 13.5 billion is somewhat high in the current market environment, considering Shenzhen Airlines' locational advantages—based in Shenzhen, radiating throughout the Pearl River Delta, with a relatively mature operating system and scarce civil aviation license resources—this price is still within an acceptable range and is not entirely unrealistic. The key lies in the specific pricing of this 25% stake."

She then presented the negotiation results: "After initial negotiations, Du Mingwei verbally promised to reduce the price by 2000 million RMB from their initial offer of 3.375 million RMB. In other words, the final intended transaction price can be locked at 3.175 million RMB. The premise is that we need to confirm the intention and start the formal process within a relatively short period of time."

3.175 million! That's 2000 million lower than the initial offer, which is not a small amount. It reflects Wei Shu's negotiating skills and Huatong's eagerness to get rid of the deal.

Lu Yang did not hesitate at all.

"You can make the decision." Lu Yang's voice was full of trust and relaxation. "You are my perfect female CEO. Now the entire business community in Pengcheng knows that you are my 'Iron Lady' and 'Female General,' steering this great ship of Century for me. In negotiations of specific amounts like this, you and Ping An are both my right-hand women. I trust your professional judgment. If you think 3.175 million is appropriate, then we'll settle on 3.175 million!"

These words are both a high compliment and an absolute authorization.

He was telling Wei Shu, and indirectly telling Du Mingwei and the forces behind Huatong, that Century Group was serious about this matter, that Wei Shu was the decision-maker, that she had full autonomy, and that she represented Lu Yang's will.

Wei Shu on the other end of the phone seemed to pause for half a second.

Even through the phone line, Lu Yang could imagine the faint, almost imperceptible emotional fluctuation that might have crossed her usually calm face.

To receive such unreserved trust and high praise from one's boss is a tremendous affirmation for any professional manager.

“Understood, boss.” Wei Shu’s voice remained steady, but seemed to have gained a touch more warmth. “Thank you for your trust. I will be responsible for following up on all the subsequent details, including legal and financial due diligence, as well as the final signing of the equity transfer agreement. I will ensure that this transaction is completed compliantly and efficiently.”

"Yes, thank you for your hard work." Lu Yang nodded. "You are in charge of all the specific details. Report to me again if there are any major directional issues."

“Okay. Also,” Wei Shu added, “Du Mingwei wants a clear answer from us as soon as possible so that they can suspend their plan to publicly list the property for sale. I suggest that we sign a non-binding letter of intent this afternoon to lock in the price and our right of first refusal.”

“Okay, do it your way.” Lu Yang had no objection.

"Understood. Boss, you can rest now. I won't disturb you any longer." Wei Shu acted decisively, and after confirming, she prepared to end the call.

“Wait a minute,” Lu Yang said, a smile playing on his lips as he remembered something. “Du Mingwei, the airport general manager, is quite enthusiastic about facilitating this deal.”

Wei Shu seemed to chuckle softly on the other end of the phone, with a knowing look: "Huatong's acquisition of Shenzhen Airlines shares, regardless of who ultimately acquires them, will require approval from the Civil Aviation Administration and the local government for any changes to Shenzhen Airlines' shareholding structure once the deal is finalized. As the head of Pengcheng Airport, Shenzhen Airlines is one of Du Mingwei's most important base airlines. The stability of the airline's shareholding and the qualifications of the new shareholder are directly related to the overall operation and development of his airport. Of course, he hopes to introduce a shareholder like Century Group, which is powerful, has deep local roots, and is 'rule-abiding,' to avoid the uncertainties brought about by the introduction of uncontrollable external capital. He is protecting his own 'territory'."

"Ah, I see. You're quite perceptive." Lu Yang said knowingly. "Alright, go and do it."

After hanging up the phone, Lu Yang stood by the window, watching Xiao Jiu, Da Jun, and the others doing their morning exercises in the garden downstairs.

For 3.175 million RMB, Shenzhen Airlines acquired a 25% stake! This is not just a financial investment, but also a ticket to the core circle of China's civil aviation industry and a new link deeply tied to local government.

Although Shenzhen Airlines is small, as a base airline based in Shenzhen, its strategic significance far outweighs its book value.

With it, Century Group's foundation in Shenzhen and even southern China will become even more unshakeable.

He glanced back at his wife, who was still fast asleep on the bed with a serene expression, and felt a sense of peace and contentment in his heart.

Outside lies a multi-million dollar business game, while at home is a warm and welcoming haven within easy reach.

To be in control of the overall situation, to trust capable people, to remotely manage the wealth at his disposal, and to enjoy life—this is the state of being he pursued after his rebirth. (End of Chapter)