Since we are both reborn, of course I would choose the rich woman!

Chapter 270 Good food is worth waiting for (6k views, please subscribe)

Because of the inheritance dispute, the relationship between Lee Yong-jin and Lee Jae-young is not just bad, but extremely tense.

In fact, Lee Yong-jin's ambition was not so great as to take over the entire Samsung Group, because she knew that the Samsung Group did not actually belong to the Lee family.

She only hoped to gain some decision-making power within the Samsung Group, as well as her share of the wealth.

Therefore, while Lee Jae-young was launching a fierce attack, Lee Yong-jin thought of establishing an overseas fund pool and striving to cultivate her own small territory through the beauty and medical and life health industries.

But Lee Jae-young kept pressing him.

He intends to use his position as head of the Samsung Group to reclaim many of the assets belonging to the group.

He didn't even intend to let go of the original artworks in the Shilla Hotel.

So when Li Zai Rong came to him and ridiculously asked her to be the "price" for "winning over" Lü Yao, Li Rong felt disgusted, but she still smiled and said, "It's probably not appropriate for me to get involved in this. After all, I'm so much older than Lü She. How could he possibly be interested in me?"

"Don't you have a lot of young girls working for you? Some of them are even popular in the Silla entertainment industry. You can let them give it a try."

She even had the time to give Lee Jae-young advice.

Of course, the main reason she was able to help Li Zairong come up with ideas so easily was that Lü Yao would not be fooled by such a simple "honey trap".

Lu Yao was surrounded by many beautiful women, each with their own unique charm and outstanding temperament. Even the top stars in the Silla entertainment industry might not be able to outshine the beauties vying for his attention.

As for those celebrities below the top tier who have undergone cosmetic surgery, they don't have anything particularly outstanding in terms of appearance or temperament, and they probably wouldn't even catch Lü Yao's eye.

Not to mention that Lü Yao himself is a very wary person.

Therefore, even if those outstanding female celebrities from the Silla entertainment industry came in person, the most they would do was get to know each other and have some fun.

How to win over Lü Yao?
Unrealistic.

Surprisingly, Lee Jae-young also realized this.

Lee Jae-young said, "I've investigated this Lü Yao, including the women around him. These women are generally older and have been of great help to his career. So I don't think the ordinary women in the entertainment industry can attract Lü Yao."

“But you are different. Your status, figure and appearance are all top-notch. Even though you are much older than him, it is clear that Lü Yao likes this kind of thing. Your success rate is much higher.”

Li Rongzhen felt utterly disgusted.

Is this person really my brother?
He's so ordinary yet so confident.

Although Li Rongzhen and Lü Yao had already had some things happen between them, she still couldn't be sure if she had truly won Lü Yao over.

in contrast.

She felt, on the contrary, that she was being manipulated.

So Lee Yong-jin stopped talking, only staring at Lee Jae-yong with a faint, fake smile on her face.

Lee Jae-yong felt a little uneasy under the stare and couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, stop staring at me like that. This is a life-or-death moment for Samsung Group. If you can help me bring Lu Yao over and bring down CJ Electronics, I promise to transfer a portion of Samsung Electronics' shares to you."

"At the same time, I will never use any means to acquire or expel you, including Shilla Hotel and the two subsidiaries Samsung Life and Samsung SDS."

As he spoke, Lee Jae-young leaned forward and pressed down on Lee Yong-jin's hand, which was resting on the armrest of the sofa: "We are siblings, and the future of Samsung Group needs us to protect it together!"

Lee Rongzhen maintained that creepy smile on her face.

Are we now saying that we need to protect Samsung's future together?

When I launched the acquisition last year, using connections and capital to try and take away all the assets in my hands, how could I not have imagined that Samsung's future would also need me to protect it?

Li Rongzhen almost vomited from disgust.

But she withdrew her hand and leaned forward, almost touching Lee Jae-yong's face: "I find it hard to believe you just by talking, brother."

Lee Jae-yong calmly said, "I will transfer a portion of the shares to your name in the next few days. After you have completed the task, I will transfer the remaining shares to you. If you can obtain the research materials that Liang Bosong left for Lü Yao, then I will sign an agreement regarding all the assets in the Shilla Hotel, Samsung Life, and Samsung SDS, and I will not interfere."

Li Rongzhen shrank back this time: "Then I'll wait for your good news. I need to rest."

She began to order the guests to leave.

Lee Jae-young stood up with a gloomy expression, buttoned up his suit jacket, and left Lee Yong-jin's suite.

After the funeral, Lee Jae-young left Dongdaemun by private jet. He was going back to transfer some of his Samsung Electronics shares to Lee Yong-jin so that she could start working.

Three days later, the share transfer agreement was completed, and Lee Yong-jin's holdings of Samsung Electronics shares finally increased slightly.

Having received the benefits, Li Rongzhen began to actively contact Lü Yao, just as Li Zairong had instructed.

She knew that Lee Jae-yong had definitely planted surveillance around her. Whether she did anything or not, Lee Jae-yong was well aware of it. And if he could transfer the shares, he would naturally have a way to get them back.

Li Rongzhen, who remained in Dongda Jingcheng, began to meet with Lü Yao.

At a coffee shop near the Lü Yao Hotel, Lü Yao met with Li Rongzhen at her invitation.

Although the two had already communicated quite a bit in private, when Lü Yao arrived, he still pretended not to be particularly familiar with Li Rongzhen and greeted her, saying, "President Li, is there something you need from this sudden invitation?"

Lee Yong-jin tilted her head to look at Lu Yao. In the stylish coffee shop, Lu Yao's casual attire exuded a youthful vibe that was completely different from his time in Silla.

It's clear that Lü Yao is much more relaxed now that he's back at Dongda University.

Li Rongzhen smiled and said, "If there's nothing special, can't I invite you out for a chat? Although our previous collaboration didn't work out and even ended up being a bit unpleasant, from a personal perspective, I really want to be friends with you."

When Lü Yao heard Li Rongzhen say this, he knew that something was wrong with Li Rongzhen.

He thought for a moment and smiled, "I keep my public and private matters separate. Although we are not business partners, I have no problem being friends with you in private. It is my honor to have such a mature and wise woman as a friend."

Li Rongzhen exclaimed with great surprise, "Really? That's wonderful!"

“Actually, we can also be partners. Although you are the president of CJ Electronics and hold a very important share in CJ Electronics, CJ Electronics is still an empty shell at present, and the amount of capital required is very large.”

"Of course, I know money is not an issue for you, but the time cost involved is also enormous."

Lee Yong-jin said as if reciting a prepared statement: "A few days ago, our Samsung chairman talked to me and said that he would very much welcome you to join Samsung Electronics."

Lü Yao tilted his head, looking at Li Rongzhen with a playful expression: "Are you serious?"

Lee Yong-jin's expression and tone revealed no flaws: "If you are willing to join Samsung Electronics, the terms and conditions are negotiable."

Lü Yao narrowed his eyes.

He even sensed sincerity in Li Rongzhen's words.

So she really intends to bring herself into the Samsung Group?

What are her plans?

However, Lü Yao's original plan would not waver. He guessed that Li Rongzhen was unaware of these things, which was why she wanted him to abandon CJ Electronics and join Samsung Electronics.

Lu Yao politely declined, saying, "I am truly flattered by your and Samsung Electronics' invitation. But I would like to ask, does the Samsung Group have a high regard for people who lack business integrity?"

Li Rongzhen was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and replied, "They probably don't like it."

Lü Yao nodded: "I also dislike people who lack business integrity, so I won't become that kind of person. Let's leave it at that, and reschedule for another day."

After saying that, Lü Yao got up and left.

Watching Lü Yao's departing figure, Li Rongzhen sighed helplessly, "Take care."

……

When the night was deep and quiet, Li Rongzhen had waited all day but had not received a message from Lü Yao with any questions. Feeling uneasy, she finally sent a message to Lü Yao before midnight: "President Lü, I would like to explain what happened today to you."

A few minutes later, Lü Yao sent a message: "Go ahead."

Li Rongzhen immediately told Lü Yao everything about the deal she made with Li Zairong.

After reading the long string of explanations, Lü Yao felt a strange sense of absurdity. Was this really the way a brother should act? Indeed, the greater the family fortune, the less familial affection there was.

He replied, "However, you could have told me before you arranged to meet me."

Li Rongzhen praised him via text message: "When you received my message through normal channels, with your intelligence, you would definitely have immediately realized that something was going on, so I believe you will play this role well with me."

"Most importantly, I don't know if Lee Jae-yong has planted any spies around me. I have to get things done before he can relax his surveillance on me a little."

Lu Yao sent a message saying, "But when you invited me to join Samsung Electronics today, your demeanor and tone didn't seem like you were acting."

Lee Yong-jin smiled and said, "Yes, I really hope you can join Samsung so that we can work together better."

Lü Yao: "I don't think so."

“Partnering with CJ Electronics is a better solution.” Lee Yong-jin replied, “I understand. Lee Jae-yong messaged me later today, asking how things were going. I told him the situation, and he didn’t question me much, just told me to keep going.”

This shows that Lee Jae-yong had other ways to corroborate Lee Yong-jin's actions.

Lu Yao countered, "Do you need me to help you continue acting?"

Lee Rongzhen: "If that's possible, that would be wonderful."

Lü Yao did not reply to Li Rongzhen's message.

After putting down his phone, Lü Yao looked at Lin Yongzhen in the suite and smiled, "Li Rongzhen wants to play a dating game with me. Do you think she might have other motives?"

Lin Yongzhen wore a deep red satin silk slip dress tonight, which reflected a captivating sheen under the hotel's dim lighting.

She lay on the bed, her two long, white, snake-like legs swaying playfully and aimlessly. Hearing Lü Yao's words, she propped her head up and laughed, "You seem to be a little too wary of that Ms. Li."

Lu Yao slumped in the sofa: "Shouldn't I be wary of her?"

Li Rongzhen is a woman who is difficult to control, and you should never offend her.

Given the spoiled and reckless nature of the Silla chaebol group, Lü Yao was genuinely worried that they might do something unexpected.

Take Lee Jae-young for example. Despite being born into a chaebol family and having the best education, advisors, and staff, his actions in the development of the Samsung Group are simply baffling.

First, they used screen panels to strangle global high-end mobile phone brands. This has already happened this year. Lu Yao saw online that Samsung cut off the supply of screens to Xiaomi because Dr. Zhou, a senior executive of Xiaomi Group, offended senior executives of Samsung China, so the supply of screens was cut off.

But that's just ridiculous.

For a businessman, as long as there is profit to be made, whether or not he offends someone is irrelevant; at most, it's just a matter of a drink.

What's more, after this incident, Lei Jun personally went to Shilla to apologize, but Samsung stubbornly refused to budge, stating directly—want high-end screens? Maybe in two years.

If even after Lei Jun's efforts, Samsung still doesn't appreciate it, then the purpose of cutting off the supply to mobile phone manufacturers is simply to block the screen supply of globally renowned mobile phone brands, delay the launch of high-end models from these brands, and give Samsung its own opportunity to become the world's number one mobile phone manufacturer.

Therefore, between 2016 and 2018, Samsung not only held Xiaomi back, but also other mobile phone brands such as Huawei and Apple.

However, Huawei had already been investing in and supporting BOE as early as 2012. Although Huawei was expanding rapidly in 2016, its main revenue-generating business was still the construction of signal base stations and other consumer electronics products in niche vertical fields.

Apple also began supporting LG in 2016 and has been cooperating with panel manufacturers such as BOE.

The chip manufacturing business was almost entirely handed over to TSMC and Qualcomm, gradually reducing reliance on Samsung.

This was actually the beginning of Samsung's decline.

When the Samsung battery scandal broke out, followed by the Silla confidante scandal, Lee Jae-young was overwhelmed by the long-prepared Lee Yong-jin and was even sent to prison in 2020. In order to get out as soon as possible, Lee Jae-young spared no effort to "spend money lavishly", taking out 1 trillion Silla won to build multiple hospitals so that ordinary people could have access to medical care.

They donated 2.5 works of art and antiques, including many numbered Silla national treasures, as well as original paintings by famous Western artists such as Chagall, Monet, and Picasso.

According to incomplete statistics, during the two years that Lee Jae-young was embroiled in lawsuits, more than 60 percent of the enormous wealth that the Lee family had seized from the Samsung Group was spent.

The Li siblings were a pair of madmen, one mentally unstable and the other mentally unstable...

Who knows what kind of deadly things they might do? It's only right to be wary of people who are impossible to understand or control.

Lin Yongzhen tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying, "Anyway, you're already back at Dongda University. You hardly need to get involved in anything anymore. With two countries between you, it's very difficult for Li Rongzhen to directly influence you, no matter how unpredictable she is. Just appease her for a while."

"Most women are easily coaxed."

Lü Yao smiled and said, "That's something I'm very good at."

In the following days, Lü Yao began acting, frequently contacting Li Rongzhen. Their relationship seemed to grow closer, and they even went to the hotel several times.

However, Lü Yao has not yet agreed to the cooperation.

Almost two weeks later, during a meeting, Lü Yao said somewhat displeasedly, "Let's not talk about this anymore. We can be friends, but we still need to keep business matters separate."

After saying this, Lü Yao turned and left.

This statement quickly reached Lee Jae-young, and even Lee Jae-hyun knew what Lee Yong-jin was doing.

However, Lee Jae-hyun was much more shrewd than Lee Jae-young. He did not criticize Lee Yong-jin, nor did he express gratitude for Lu Yao's adherence to business integrity. Instead, he contacted Lu Yao more and more frequently, and every few days he would find some rare overseas watches, shares, famous paintings and the like to give to Lu Yao.

It was after Lü Yao stormed off and stopped paying attention to Li Rongzhen that Li Rongzhen set off to return to Silla.

In Silla, thanks to the investments of more than ten Silla conglomerates, as well as the support of international semiconductor research institutions and internationally renowned semiconductor research experts, CJ Electronics' industrial park is still under construction, but its research capabilities have already demonstrated their strength.

This caused CJ Group's stock to continue its upward trend, while Samsung Group's stock began to fluctuate.

While Samsung touts that its technology remains highly advanced, it is also ramping up its supply of high-end products to competitors, applying more high-end products to its own mobile phones.

Samsung incorporated a dual-curved screen into its flagship Galaxy S6 edge, released in March 2015. The phone's beautiful design won the hearts of many users and successfully stimulated demand for curved-screen phones.

Therefore, Samsung began to devote more resources to the application and improvement of curved screens.

Samsung is currently investing heavily in advertising to promote their masterpiece – the Galaxy S7 series phones.

This flagship phone also features a curved screen design, with a very rounded and technologically advanced appearance. In a time when most phones have large, flat screens, the rounded, curved screen is more technologically advanced and artistic.

Lü Yao was also aware of this phone.

When this phone was first released, it even surpassed Apple in popularity, becoming a popular choice for many Chinese people when they were upgrading their phones. This phone also enabled Samsung to successfully return to the top spot in single-unit sales of Android phones next year.

Despite the blow of the battery scandal, Samsung, in the face of adversity, released the Samsung S8, a true work of art, the following year.

The phone's Infinity Display was so stunning upon its release that even Apple had to reluctantly continue sourcing screens from Samsung.

At that time, Apple's phones even had internal tiers based on the difference in screen size.

Apple products using Samsung screens were considered high-end, while those using LG or BOE screens were considered low-end. Apple's strategy of launching multiple products at once also matured around that time.

But this kind of maturity was not Apple's original intention.

At the time, they had no choice; the screen panel was being controlled, so they could only use this tiered system to filter users.

By generating buzz around new products that had not yet been released, Samsung Group managed to stabilize its stock price, but this laid the groundwork for its later decline.

As a result of this operation, many friendly forces that were accidentally injured complained bitterly.

Among them is Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi Group.

Samsung's supply strategy this time is even more tense than when Lü Yao was studying abroad. Since the supply policy tightened, coupled with the big argument between Dr. Zhou from the Xiaomi team and the head of Samsung's East China region, Lei Jun has been so anxious that he hasn't been able to sleep well for a long time.

He personally made three trips to Silla, but each time he failed to meet with any of Samsung's top executives.

Just as Lü Yao was preparing to leave Beijing, he received a call from President Lei.

On the phone, Lei's thick Xiantao accent rang out: "President Lü, oh dear, I was in Xinluo for a while, and I just got back when I heard you were in Beijing. Do you have some time? Let's find a place to sit down."

Lü Yao laughed and said, "President Lei, you've come at the perfect time. I was just planning to go back to Shangnan next year. Where are you? I'll come find you."

Mr. Lei laughed and said, "Then it's better to be lucky than early. I'll definitely come to pick you up in person."

When Lü Yao arrived at a luxurious private room in a whiskey bar in Beijing in Lei's car, Lei personally poured him a drink. As he poured, he said, "Our Xiaomi Group has recently encountered some difficulties. Originally, these matters should not have troubled you, Mr. Lü, but I have contacted many people and pulled many strings, but to no avail. That's why I had no choice but to come to you, Mr. Lü."

Lu Yao took Lei's wine glass and said with a smile, "You're being too polite. If I'm not mistaken, it's because of the screen supply?"

Lei smiled, both surprised and taking it for granted: "Yes, our partner in charge of the supply chain has fallen out with Samsung over some issues, and Samsung has decided to stop supplying us."

"Especially the supply of high-end screen panels."

Lei Jun sighed and said, "To be honest, Xiaomi plans to target the high-end market next year. Our R&D department is working hard to develop a flagship model that can compete in the high-end market. This phone will use a Samsung screen panel, and at this stage, only Samsung's screen panels can live up to the 'high-end' label."

Thanks to the positive reviews and high user recognition of the Samsung S6, Xiaomi must upgrade its components to justify the higher prices it wants to command if it wants to break into the high-end market.

As Lü Yao listened to Lei Zong's story, he was actually gathering relevant information about the future in his mind.

Between 2016 and 2018, Android phones experienced a major explosion in full-screen and curved screen designs; however, Apple, the leading mobile phone brand, did not release its first full-screen phone, the iPhone X, until the end of 2017, which was almost 2018.

The mature Face ID, the smooth operating system, and even the notch screen, which was initially criticized for being ugly but was quickly imitated by everyone, all made the iPhone X a near-epoch-making product in the Apple series.

Therefore, in Lü Yao's view, good food is never too late to cook.

Instead of rushing to serve a poorly made dish that will damage your reputation, it's better to carefully prepare a dish that can withstand scrutiny.

After Lu Yao finished gathering information and organizing his thoughts, Lei, who was beside him, continued, "Mr. Lu, I heard that you went to Shilla recently, and that you got quite close to Samsung and CJ there. What do you think..."

"Could you help me mediate between them?"

(End of this chapter)