On a weekend afternoon, like most companies, the Red Sun Talent Agency wasn't handling any important business. The employees, having been busy all week, were now relaxed and planning their weekends.
However, Xiao Yawen was an exception; she was more tense than ever. Despite the simplicity of Ge Lü Shi's documents and accounts, she had been reviewing them meticulously from 12:30 PM to after 5 PM, filling three pages with notes and key questions. Through the company documents and financial statements, she gained a basic understanding of the company's structure, operations, and market prospects.
From the four round-trip tickets to Shenzhen, two accommodation invoices from Yuexiu Garden Hotel, and the share transfer agreements signed by Ye, Feng, and Liu, she inferred that Ouyang Xue and Ye Xiaoming received the lawsuit from Le Sheng on the 16th, went to Shenzhen for reconciliation on the 17th, and the shares were transferred the same day they returned to the ancient city on the 18th.
It wasn't hard to imagine the pessimism Ye, Feng, and Liu felt about the lawsuit and the company's future, nor was it difficult to picture Ouyang Xue's mood when she signed the share transfer agreement.
Xiao Yawen found Liu Bing's employment contract with Ge Lü Shi incomprehensible. From the timing, paper, and handwriting, it was clear it was signed simultaneously with the share transfer agreements. Considering Ouyang Xue's involvement in forming the company, advancing funds for the other three shareholders, accepting their share withdrawals, and signing the employment contract with Liu Bing, she gained some insight into Ouyang Xue.
As the workday neared its end, Xiao Yawen organized the company materials and walked to the center of the office, saying, "Attention, everyone. I have an announcement."
Her colleagues turned their attention to her.
"Tomorrow is the weekend. Who has a home digital video camera I can borrow? I need it urgently. I have experience with the Sony 330, so you don't need to teach me how to use it..."
A male colleague interrupted, "I have a low-end Samsung camera. You can use it."
A female colleague stood up, "That old thing? I have a 330. You don't even need the manual. Yawen, come home with me after work and take it."
Xiao Yawen thanked both colleagues.
Another female colleague stood up, "Everyone, I have news too."
The colleagues turned their attention to her.
"I announce that Comrade Yawen is in love!"
Everyone laughed.
The female colleague asked, "Yawen is using a camera to record her happiest moments, and just a thank you won't do, right?"
Everyone replied, "No way!"
The colleague continued, "What should we do?"
Everyone said, "Big feast!"
Xiao Yawen said, "Everyone, we started this in the wrong order today."
Everyone responded, "Any complaints should come after the feast."
Yawen laughed, "Alright, dinner on Monday after work, same place."
With laughter, it was time to clock out.
Yawen and the colleague who lent her the digital camera went downstairs, where Ouyang Xue was already waiting. Yawen explained that they would first pick up the camera from her colleague's home, and since Ouyang Xue didn't know the way, Yawen drove.
In the rush hour traffic, it took 40 minutes to reach a residential area. They parked in front of a white building.
Yawen said to her colleague, "I'll wait here."
The colleague insisted, "Come up for a while, have dinner, it's no trouble."
Yawen declined, "No, I have things to do. Another time."
Seeing no other option, the colleague went upstairs and returned a few minutes later with the camera bag, "The battery is fully charged. You can use it right away. The charger, software, and cables are all in the bag."
Yawen placed the bag in the car, "Thanks. See you."
Leaving the community, they joined the traffic, heading to Yawen's place.
Yawen asked, "Did you buy the things?"
Ouyang Xue replied, "Yes, they're in the trunk. What do you want for dinner?"
Yawen said, "You're my guest, you decide."
Ouyang Xue said, "I'd rather talk about the lawsuit first. Have you reviewed the materials?"
Yawen replied, "Yes, and I'm heading to the ancient city tomorrow."
Surprised, Ouyang Xue asked, "Why? What do you need the camera for?"
Yawen explained, "To gather evidence in Wang Miao Village and document the production process."
Ouyang Xue asked, "You have a plan?"
Yawen said, "It's not about me having a plan. Knowing Ding, he wouldn't have foreseen the lawsuit without preparing for it. This lawsuit is likely part of a bigger plan. If I don't handle it, Xiaodan probably will."
Ouyang Xue said, "Yawen, you're amazing! What do you think my brother's goal is with this lawsuit?"
Yawen replied, "At the very least, through media coverage, the lawsuit will highlight Ge Lü Shi's low-cost, high-quality products and boost brand awareness. If Le Sheng loses, cooperation might be their only option, leading to a period of rapid growth for Ge Lü Shi."
Ouyang Xue said, "I didn't see it that way."
Yawen smiled, "You weren't looking. You weren't focused on this. I agree with Ding; the lawsuit isn't complicated. It's just about presenting the evidence clearly."
Engrossed in conversation, Yawen didn't notice the traffic light change at a junction. As the green light turned red, she braked hard, but inertia carried the car past the stop line. An officer immediately signaled her to pull over.
Yawen laughed, "See? Getting ahead of myself, and the universe gives me a lesson."
Ouyang Xue placed a hundred-yuan bill on the dashboard, "You're on company business. This is a company expense."
Yawen returned the money, "The company asked me to do the job, not break the law." She pulled over, and the officer, busy with another vehicle, temporarily ignored them.
Yawen and Ouyang Xue got out and waited by the car.
Yawen said, "Ouyang, can I ask you something inappropriate?"
Ouyang Xue replied, "I don't have anything inappropriate left. Ask away."
Yawen asked, "You're balancing the ancient city and Beijing. What's your plan if you win the lawsuit?"
Ouyang Xue said, "That's what worries me. I can't handle it. If we lose, it's simpler. No more worries. Ding says if we win, the company will be valuable, and I can sell or manage it. But who would I sell it to? Who would manage it? I told Ding, I can invest, but I can't manage it. The company will collapse under me. If it stops, Wang Miao Village's production stops too. The villagers can't handle the market alone."
Yawen shook her head, "It's not like that. If you win, you have three options: merging with Le Sheng, hiring a professional manager, or letting Feng Shijie run it. Ding is right. Sell or manage as you wish."
The officer approached, checked her license, noted the violation, and politely issued a ticket.
Yawen paid the fine and continued, "Ouyang, I have a bold idea. If it offends you, I apologize."
Ouyang Xue said, "You haven't said anything yet. What's the apology for?"
Yawen said, "If possible, I'd like to buy a portion of your shares and join your company."
Ouyang Xue paused, then said calmly, "Think it over. I'll take you seriously."
Yawen said, "I thought about it after reviewing the materials. It feels like taking advantage, but if I wait until after the lawsuit, I'll have no chance. So, I want to seize the opportunity now."
Ouyang Xue said, "I'd hug you if we weren't on the street! I came to see you with this intention. I was going to wait until after the lawsuit to ask if you'd take over the company."
The officer interrupted, "Hey! That car needs to move!"
Realizing they were holding up traffic, they quickly got in and drove off.
In the car, Ouyang Xue happily said, "See? Perfect match, both willing!"
Yawen said, "I've got 310,000 yuan."
Ouyang Xue said, "You must wait until after the lawsuit. If we lose, I can't drag you in. You need to hold a controlling stake, or it won't work. Money isn't the issue. You're trusted by both Xiaodan and Ding. I'm relieved if you take over."
Yawen said, "My opportunity lies in the risk of losing. After the lawsuit, people like Ye Xiaoming have the advantage. If the company appreciates, I'll bear more debt; if not, I'll gain undeservedly. My chance is now, before the lawsuit. If I lose, I'll just keep working."
Ouyang Xue thought for a while, "If Le Sheng isn't confident, would they sue? If Ye Xiaoming had your view, would he withdraw? Why the different perspectives?"
Yawen said, "Everyone's stance, mindset, and way of thinking differ. The amount and interpretation of information vary."
Ouyang Xue asked, "A 51% share, worth 650,000 yuan, okay?"
Yawen said, "Two things: First, if it's a 51% transfer, and we lose, I can't repay the debt in my lifetime. Second, whoever holds the majority must keep a share for Feng Shijie. He's the link between the company and Wang Miao Village. Without him, Ge Lü Shi can't go far. After the lawsuit, if we win and collaborate with Le Sheng, we bring him in."
Ouyang Xue said, "Don't worry about me. As long as I don't manage, shares don't matter. I just need my restaurant to survive."
Yawen said, "No, the company needs you, Ouyang Xue."
Ouyang Xue said, "That's just polite talk."
Yawen smiled, "Polite talk doesn't pay the bills. Ge Lü Shi's value lies in its connection with Wang Miao Village. If it fails, I'll turn the audio shop into a restaurant, and with your experience, I won't starve."