Seeing Zhang Yonghao back down, Brother Cao waved his hand at the big man, signaling him to keep his cool.

The big man obediently stopped his threatening behavior and stood aside.

At this moment, Brother Cao smiled and said to Zhang Yonghao in a gentle voice, "Manager Zhang, you see, you're always so impetuous."

"Could you possibly not lose with such a temper at the gambling table?"

"Relax... relax... Let's talk this out slowly."

Though his words seemed meant to comfort, they felt somewhat eerie coming from his mouth.

Maybe it was because his voice was a bit sticky. Despite being a grown man, he would drag out his final syllables, and his voice was also somewhat high-pitched.

Thus, Zhang Yonghao couldn't help but display a look of disgust on his face.

The man clearly caught Zhang Yonghao's expression, but he didn't mind.

He spoke up, "Manager Zhang~ our company is a legitimate one. We have rules for how we do things. If you think we're robbing you, then allow me to explain."

He had clearly made many preparations after stepping out to make a call.

So after saying this, he stood up and began to list one by one the reasons for the loan company driving down the price, "We did some research when we decided we could take your shares. Right now, Headline Technology's valuation is at 30 billion."

"So you think that 1% of the shares should cover 3 billion in loans, right?"

Zhang Yonghao nodded.

Brother Cao said, "But I have to tell you. That valuation isn't the real valuation."

When he saw Zhang Yonghao about to argue, he raised his hand to cut him off and then explained,

"Firstly, this valuation was made during the most recent round of financing."

"But in that round of financing, who was trading with whom?"

He paused for a moment, answering his own question, "The parties involved in the transaction were Headline Technology and an investment fund."

He said, "And who is the actual controller of Headline Technology?"

"It's Chen Yan."

"And the actual controller of that investment fund?"

"Still, Chen Yan."

Upon saying this, he spread his hands and continued, "So, this is clearly a case of money going from the left hand to the right."

"No one in the capital market would recognize such an increase in valuation."

"Because, if we were to calculate like this, I could simply buy my own company's shares. In less than two days, I could drive my company's valuation up to several trillion."

Hearing Brother Cao say this, Zhang Yonghao fell silent.

Clearly, he knew there was indeed something problematic with Chen Yan's round of financing.

Using one's own fund to invest in a company that one controls often leads to an intentionally inflated valuation.

However, he felt that Chen Yan really hadn't intentionally inflated the valuation, Headline Technology was truly worth it.

After all, only he, the person who created the company, knew just how great Headline Technology's potential was.

And valuation is a reflection of potential.

But he couldn't explain any of this, so as the words reached his lips, Zhang Yonghao simply had to shut up.

Seeing him fall silent, Brother Cao nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Since that internally traded valuation provided by Chen Yan is invalidated, then let us start with the valuation from the last round."

"The valuation from the last round was about half a year ago, still bought by Chen Yan, at roughly 20 billion."

"Let's not discuss whether this valuation was inflated for now. We'll just compare the company's circumstances then with the current situation."

"Back then, with the company under your control, the shareholding structure was stable, and the financing was proceeding steadily."

"But now, Chen Yan has taken over your company like a cuckoo usurping the nest. To dilute your shares and strengthen his control, he is bound to be aggressively issuing new shares."

"Just like this time, he directly expanded the shareholding by about 10%, leading to the dilution of all previous shares."

"Although he has increased the valuation this time, the general feeling in the industry is that it's just to calm the stakeholders. There's a good chance that he won't continue increasing the valuation when diluting shares later."

"So if the shares in hand keep getting diluted at the original price, their value is effectively decreasing."

"That's why we definitely can't value Headline Technology at 20 billion."

Zhang Yonghao: .....

Zhang Yonghao felt that he had underestimated this loan company.

He had always considered loan companies to simply rely on money, power, and resources—shady or otherwise—to conduct their grey business.

As far as such companies were concerned, as long as they could lend out money and recoup their funds, that was enough. There wasn't much expertise involved.

But now, it was clear that the other party also had real skills.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have such a deep understanding of the capital market, company financing, valuation, and capital operations....

Perhaps sensing Zhang Yonghao's absolute silence,

The effeminate Brother Cao didn't continue to press on Zhang Yonghao but rather offered some praise.

Brother Cao said, "Of course, it might be fine if we just offered about 1.5 billion."

"But there's another reason we've further lowered the valuation."

"That's because, after all, you are the founder of the company."

"The previous organizational structure, business modules, and personnel were all crafted by you."

"Now that you've left the company and Chen Yan has appointed a newcomer to manage, we're worried."

"No one knows whether the future of this company will improve."

"What if it suddenly goes downhill one day?"

"That would be a huge risk."

"Thus, taking these factors into account, we can really only give each 1% of shares a valuation of one billion."

Listening to this man's words, Zhang Yonghao felt as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly.

Although these words praised him, why did he feel such an urge to argue at this moment?

Especially since, after being ousted from Headline, he had indeed been keeping watch over his former company.

At first, he thought Chen Yan and Qin Ming were just muddling through, convinced that the company would quickly disintegrate without him.

But he quickly found that he had worried over nothing.

The world would keep spinning without anyone, and a company would also continue to thrive without certain people.

The approach Qin Ming took after taking charge of the company was quite impressive.

From initially stabilizing and winning people's hearts to later visiting and inspecting each branch in every country, and then to boldly buying traffic and sneakily attacking the slow-moving competition.

Perhaps others in different industries or companies couldn't see Qin Ming's capabilities.

But Zhang Yonghao, who had once held that position, could see it!

He admitted that even if he were in that position, he couldn't do a better job.

But how could he say that? How could he explain?

Should he tell the loan company, "Trust in Chen Yan, trust in Qin Ming! They're doing better than I ever did! I'm useless! Chen Yan could place anyone in my role, and they'd do just as well as me!"

He still had his pride and couldn't stoop to that.

What's more, he thought that even if he did say it, the other side most likely wouldn't believe him. They would probably suspect Zhang Yonghao was just exaggerating to fetch a higher price for his own shares...

So this loss, the one that Zhang Yonghao had to silently stomach, was truly nauseating....

Seeing, perhaps, his discomfort, Brother Cao sat back in his chair after finishing his explanation.

He crossed his legs in a feminine manner and said to Zhang Yonghao, "Manager Zhang, I've said all I needed to."

"Whether what I said is right or wrong, I believe you understand as well."

"Or, if you think we're incorrect, you can consult with your friends."

"As a billionaire, you surely have many friends."

"They should be able to give you an unbiased opinion."

"Besides, our company isn't really interested in your stocks."

"If you pledge them to us, we will still need to sell them. We've accounted for the process and time costs as part of the discounted price."

"That's why the price is so low."

"When you ask your friends, you can also inquire if they'd be willing to take over at a higher price."

"That way, all three parties benefit."

Hearing Brother Cao's words, Zhang Yonghao let out a slight sigh.

Hadn't he already asked his friends...

Earlier, he had been hiding in the restroom, calling up those wealthy friends who could potentially take over his shares.

But... their opinions were similar to the loan company's.

They were all worried about Chen Yan further diluting the shares, or the collapse of Headline Technology without Zhang Yonghao.

He had thought about finding someone interested in Headline Technology or those who had a grudge against Chen Yan, and trying to sell them his shares.

However, his friends had dissuaded him, believing it was a wasted effort.

Because... those interested in Headline Technology or those holding a grudge against Chen Yan weren't likely interested in such shares.

The reason being that Chen Yan had started as a minority shareholder and, step by step, devoured more shares to become a majority shareholder. He wouldn't make the same mistakes as Zhang Yonghao and would close those loopholes.

So, if anyone tried to enter the fray, they would undoubtedly face a ruthless counterattack and ostracism from Chen Yan.

Everyone wasn't foolish. So naturally, no one would take on such a deal.

After ruling out this plan, Zhang Yonghao had thought about reaching out to the powerful figures who had been supporting him from behind.

Yet, this idea had barely taken shape, even before he had the chance to ask his friends, he rejected it himself.

Because the people supporting him now weren't from the capital markets but rather entities that could not be openly discussed.

Even if those people had some money or owned some industries, they couldn't be seen meddling in a stock dispute that had garnered national attention.

And furthermore... the people supporting him from behind, although powerful, didn't have absolute influence. They had enemies, too.

When they had previously made moves against Chen Yan, they had found a legitimate reason that everyone could accept without fault.

After all, Chen Yan's entertainment industry scandal had been too big, and with the issue involving Headline Technology, there were some flaws indeed.

But if they took shares of Headline Technology, the nature of the matter would change completely.

In such a case, their enemies could easily accuse them of using public power for private gain, for the sake of interests, in their malicious suppression of Chen Yan.

Moreover, Zhang Yonghao and his unseen supporters had come into contact over this incident; they had hardly any interactions or trust prior to that, and their relationship was merely based on cooperation.

Thus, it wasn't realistic to expect help from them now in cleaning up this mess...

Thinking this, Zhang Yonghao felt a tinge of melancholy.

Because he realized that he didn't really have any good options now.

It seemed that no matter whom he turned to, his predicament wouldn't be resolved...

Seeing Zhang Yonghao lost in thought, Brother Cao didn't disturb him. Instead, he patiently sat aside, waiting for Zhang Yonghao to snap back to reality.

And after about four or five minutes, when he saw Zhang Yonghao's eyes clear up, knowing that he had come back to his senses, Brother Cao slowly started to talk again.

He said, "Mr. Zhang, you've thought it through."

"Now what? Have you made your decision? Do you want to use your shares to cover your debts?"

Seeing Brother Cao bring up the idea of using shares to cover debts, Zhang Yonghao rejected it without hesitation once again.

After all, among the few who had named a price, the loan company's offer was the lowest; there was absolutely no need to sell to them.

And seeing Zhang Yonghao's refusal, Brother Cao wasn't annoyed.

He said, "Alright, Mr. Zhang, since you don't plan to offer them to us, you'd better raise the money quickly."

He paused, then added, "But, don't blame me for not reminding you. The loan you took out has interest. Don't delay too long. In the end, if you can't raise enough to repay it, it will look bad on everyone."

Hearing him say this, Zhang Yonghao took a deep breath and then nodded...

Five minutes later, Zhang Yonghao returned to the bathroom.

Standing in front of the mirror, the person reflected nearly looked haggard and wasted to the point of being unrecognizable.

That messy hair, unkempt beard, gaunt face, and grubby complexion made him feel utterly estranged.

He slapped his face hard a few times, then took out his phone and started calling several friends who were still somewhat interested in his stock, wanting to know how much they could offer.

Half an hour later, Zhang Yonghao threw his phone on the counter, bowed his head, turned on the tap, and washed his face a few times.

The cold water splashing on his face gradually calmed his otherwise agitated mood.

His friends were indeed somewhat interested in his shares, but their offers were not high, varying from 1.4 to 1.6 billion.

The reasons for such low prices, aside from those analyzed by the loan company earlier, also included the urgency of Zhang Yonghao's need for cash. They would have to use contacts or reallocate cash urgently.

Moreover, even with the urgent reallocation, it would still take them about 10 days to transfer the money.

After all, two billion in cash is not a small sum for most companies.

However, Zhang Yonghao didn't want to wait that long.

He couldn't stand to see that effeminate Brother Cao and the henchman ready to clench his fists even for a second.

Moreover, the loan he took out had a very high interest rate, with hefty interest accruing by the day. After 10 days, hundreds of millions could vanish.

All that was money!

So, he didn't respond to his friends but instead started pondering an idea he had never seriously considered before: making a deal with his nemesis, Chen Yan.

Although he felt that his current suffering was all thanks to Chen Yan. Although he was extremely reluctant. Although he absolutely detested Chen Yan.

But... he had to admit, when faced with reality, Zhang Yonghao hesitated.

On one hand, there was 1.6 billion, with a 10-day wait.

On the other, there was 3 billion, likely arriving within two to three days.

An internal-external difference of 1.4 billion, with the time reduced by more than a week.

Such a comparison was too tempting for Zhang Yonghao, who had fallen to rock bottom!

Just the thought of having to bow his head to his enemy.

And remembering that he had said he would rather die than deal with Chen Yan.

Zhang Yonghao felt his face burn.

He leaned over the sink, hesitating, hesitating, and hesitating...

And just then, suddenly, "bang, bang, bang!" someone knocked on the bathroom door.

The voice of that brute came from the door, "How are you not out yet! Did you die in there?!"

Hearing those utterly impolite words, and recalling all the humiliation he had suffered today, Zhang Yonghao couldn't hold back anymore!

He yelled at the door, "Shut the hell up! I'll pay back the money in a minute!"

After saying that, he directly picked up his phone, opened WeChat, went to the blocked list, and pulled Chen Yan and his secondary account out...

Chen Yan was almost asleep when he received Zhang Yonghao's call.

Although he had known that Zhang Yonghao would eventually sell him shares,

he was still a little surprised when it actually happened.

Indeed, the system was truly unbeatable.

Such a difficult thing was accomplished so easily.

With that in mind, Chen Yan didn't make things difficult for Zhang Yonghao, let alone made that unreasonable demand for Zhang Yonghao to "die once before getting the money"...

He simply agreed to the terms with Zhang Yonghao.

Three billion for a 1% stake. The transaction would take place the next day.

The next day, Chen Yan, accompanied by his lawyer, prepared the contract and went to meet Zhang Yonghao.

The two signed the contract, then had it notarized to ensure there were no problems before Chen Yan transferred the prearranged three billion.

This officially completed the transaction.

Chen Yan got the shares he wanted, and Zhang Yonghao got the life-saving money.

After repaying his debt of over two billion, he still had eighty to ninety million left—enough to live comfortably for a while, with no problems.

So, after the transfer, Chen Yan also kindly chatted with him for a bit.

The gist of it was to encourage him not to gamble anymore; gambling was not a good thing. It would be better to live with the money or even to start a new business.

Then... Chen Yan always felt that Zhang Yonghao's eyes were shooting fire at him.

Chen Yan didn't know which of his words had offended him again, but after the funds were transferred, Zhang Yonghao immediately hailed a taxi and went back to Gambling City...

Chen Yan: ...

Zhang Yonghao was just an enemy after all, so Chen Yan didn't expend too much energy on him.

After the transaction was confirmed, Chen Yan called Qin Ming and asked him to send someone to handle the business registration changes with the contract and documents.

When Qin Ming received instruction from Chen Yan, he was utterly shocked.

He couldn't fathom how Chen Yan managed to do this!

Buying the most valuable things from your mortal enemy, and those directly related to the hostility between them—it was unbelievable!

Was this not as bizarre as being expelled from Shaolin Temple, cursing them as bald donkeys every day, and then having them come down the mountain to teach you Martial Arts?

Would those bald donkeys deceive him, deliberately teaching him evil skills?

No.

Was Zhang Yonghao deceiving Chen Yan, trying to trick him?

With such worries, Qin Ming personally went to the administrative office with his subordinates for the equity transfer.

All procedures were in order, with the contract, agreements, and proofs presenting no issues. So they smoothly processed the equity transfer.

When they obtained the final confirmation of the share transfer, Qin Ming was dumbfounded...

The matter between Chen Yan and Zhang Yonghao had been gripping the hearts of many people on the Qindong Peninsula and in Tiandu.

Thus, many people had been keeping an eye on Headline Technology's movements.

So when the shares of Headline Technology were changed not long after, many well-informed people received the news.

They were nearly all shocked at the moment they received the message!

It was true!

Everything was true!

Before this, no matter how much Qin Ming spread rumors and how convincing the gossip at that banquet was, everyone's initial reaction was disbelief.

Even later, when many top tycoons discussed the matter, shrouding it with a veil of mystery, everyone still felt it was unlikely to be true.

After all, no matter how much Qin Ming trumped up the situation, one fact was inescapable: if Zhang Yonghao was Chen Yan's man, what exactly would they have to do to make such a huge sacrifice?

So, unless the truth was laid out before everyone, they would not be easily deceived by such rumors.

But now, with the truth right in front of them, Zhang Yonghao's shares had indeed diminished, and Chen Yan's shares had indeed increased. This made it all too easy for everyone to let their imaginations run wild.

This stirred not only many tycoons to probe for information, wanting to know if it was real, wanting to understand what Chen Yan and Zhang Yonghao were up to,

but even He Mengxue herself called...

While receiving the call, Chen Yan was lying relaxed on his presidential suite's massage chair, overseeing the next battle.

Hearing his phone ring, he picked it up and saw that it was He Mengxue's call.

Chen Yan pressed the answer key and put the phone to his ear, leisurely asking, "What's up, Meng Xue?"

He Mengxue's annoyed voice came through the phone, "Chen Yan! You lied to me. You actually told me Zhang Yonghao wasn't your guy. I mentioned it to my dad, and these past few days, I've been laughed at to death."

Hearing He Mengxue's words, Chen Yan chuckled and honestly said, "I didn't lie to you; he really isn't my guy."

He Mengxue still seemed upset as she replied, "Are you still lying to me? Your business with him is already the talk of the town."

"Spread around?" Chen Yan echoed the question.

He Mengxue explained, "Yes. Whether it's Qin Island or the Qindong Peninsula, everyone knows that Zhang Yonghao transferred his shares to you."

"If he's not your guy, then given your current hostile relationship, why in the world would he transfer the shares to you?!"

Chen Yan snorted and replied, "Because I offered a higher price."

He Mengxue: ...

In that instant, He Mengxue couldn't tell whether Chen Yan was being serious or joking.

Sensing her hesitation, Chen Yan posed a question in return, "I won't defend myself, but let me ask you a question."

"Think about it, if Zhang Yonghao really was my man, why would he give me shares now? Wouldn't that just expose our relationship?"

---

The wife had nothing serious last night. It seems to be normal breathlessness during pregnancy. Thanks for everyone's concern.

I wrote 2000 words last night, so I'm updating more today.

I'll try to write more in the next few days to finish soon. If I drag it out any longer, it'll be over the New Year.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.