101: Chapter 101 Liu Qingyan vs. Hu Qian

Lin Yu pointed to the first floor. "This floor is for guest rooms. There are two suites and a servant's room. Mom and Dad have one, and Uncle Li and Aunt Li have the other. On the second floor, I have one, Mu Wan and Jiang Shuying share one, and Vice President Liu Qingyan shares one with this beauty here. On the third floor, Fatty and Huihui have one, and as for the rest, Yu Yi, you guys figure it out."

"Alright!"

The group carried their luggage into the house and tidied up a bit.

"Wanwan, your room with Jiang Shuying is right next to mine," Lin Yu whispered to Mu Wan, the implication being unmistakable.

Mu Wan nodded, blushing.

She pulled Jiang Shuying into their guest room. The room was spacious, decorated in a simple European style with off-white walls and dark walnut furniture. It even had a private balcony overlooking the swimming pool in the yard.

Jiang Shuying walked onto the balcony and took a deep breath of the air, which carried the fresh scent of vegetation. From downstairs came the laughter and chatter of Fatty, Yu Yi, and Yu Er, along with Lin Yu's hearty voice.

This lively atmosphere made her feel both strange and somewhat... at ease.

Mu Wan glanced at the closed door next door; that was Lin Yu's room.

Twenty minutes later, Sister Ma's signature gentle voice rang out: "Mr. Lin, distinguished guests, lunch is ready."

Everyone poured into the dining room from the living room, garden, and guest rooms. Upon entering, everyone couldn't help but exclaim, "Whoa!"

The long marble table in the center of the dining room, which could accommodate twenty people, was already filled with a dazzling array of dishes. The rich, savory sauces of Lu cuisine complemented the fresh, delicate flavors of the seafood:

Scallion-Braised Sea Cucumber: Plump and full, bright red in color, rich in scallion aroma.

Braised Intestines: Layer upon layer, featuring all five flavors—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty—a classic, labor-intensive Lu dish.

Sweet and Sour Carp: Shaped like a "carp leaping over the dragon gate," crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sweet and sour.

Stir-fried Pork Kidney: Expertly sliced, crispy and tender, cooked with perfect heat control.

Braised Pork Belly: Fatty but not greasy, melting in the mouth, a tender dish prepared for the elders.

Steamed Grouper: The fish meat was snow-white, incredibly fresh and tender, retaining the original flavor of the seafood.

Poached Prawns: Large in size, firm in texture, dipped in soy sauce and wasabi, it was delicious enough to make one's eyebrows dance.

And a few refreshing seasonal vegetables, such as baby cabbage in supreme broth, broccoli with minced garlic...

"Sister Ma, your culinary skills are amazing!" Fatty was the first to sit down, his eyes fixed on the food. "Old Lin, this isn't just treating us to a meal; you're trying to stuff us to death!"

Lin Yu smiled and pulled out chairs for the elders before taking the main seat himself. Jiang Shuying, Mu Wan, and Vice President Liu Qingyan sat on either side of him, while Fatty and Huihui sat at the lower end.

"Come, come, don't be polite, everyone start eating!" At Lin Yu's command, the atmosphere instantly became lively.

Fatty didn't stand on ceremony, picking up a piece of sea cucumber and stuffing it into his mouth. "Mmm! This sea cucumber is powerful! Old Lin, you found a good one in Sister Ma!"

Lin Yu laughed and scolded, "You foodie! Gao Yuanyuan hired her."

Mu Wan elegantly picked up a piece of steamed grouper. The fish melted in her mouth, and she nodded slightly. "The fish is very fresh, and the heat is just right. It's about as good as Sister Zhang's cooking."

Vice President Liu Qingyan had a soft spot for the braised pork belly. She picked up a piece and took a small bite. It was fatty but not greasy and melted in her mouth. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction. "This braised pork is even better than what my grandmother makes."

Seeing this, Lin Yu chuckled and immediately picked up the serving chopsticks to put another piece on Vice President Liu Qingyan's plate. "If you like it, eat more. Sister Ma, stew another pot for President Liu tonight."

"No, I need to watch my weight!"

He turned to Jiang Shuying and placed a prawn into her bowl. "Shuying, try this shrimp; it's very fresh."

Jiang Shuying smiled slightly, peeled the shrimp, dipped it in a little soy sauce, and put it in her mouth. "It is indeed delicious, thank you."

He also picked up some refreshing vegetables for Mu Wan.

The elders also praised the meal highly, especially the braised pork, which was tender and flavorful, perfectly suited to their tastes.

"Little Lin, you are living much better than us old folks!" Uncle Li exclaimed. "This house, this food, this..." He glanced at the three beauties and grinned from ear to ear. "This good fortune, tsk tsk tsk!"

Lin Yu smiled and poured tea for the elders. "Uncle Li, Aunt Li, come often in the future. I'll have Sister Ma cook for you every day."

The lunch ended in laughter and joy. Everyone ate until their bellies were round and praised Sister Ma's skills one after another.

After the meal, Jiang Shuying announced the time to gather in the living room, and everyone returned to their rooms for a nap.

Time passed quickly.

At two in the afternoon, Jiang Shuying appeared in the living room on time. She had changed into light summer clothes and was holding a parasol.

"Is everyone ready?" She looked around, her voice crisp. "First stop, Baotu Spring Park."

Lin Yu walked out of his room, having changed into casual clothes, wearing sunglasses, and holding car keys.

"Let's go!" He waved his hand, and everyone followed.

The Phantom, along with two Alphards, slowly drove out of Yu Garden and headed in the direction of Baotu Spring Park.

Meanwhile, Vice President Liu Qingyan and her secretary took another car to meet General Manager Hu at the agreed location.

...

Quan City, Hilton Hotel Executive Lounge.

Outside the window was the bustle of Quan City; inside, the air conditioning was strong, and it was quiet and silent.

General Manager Hu sat upright in the main seat on the leather sofa, dressed in a meticulously tailored high-end deep purple suit, wearing a priceless jade necklace around her neck. Her makeup was exquisite and flawless, and her hair was perfectly pinned back. Although a trace of imperceptible fatigue was hidden deep in her eyes, her back was straight, and she exuded the dignity and oppression of someone who had long held a high position.

As the helmsman of Zhao Group, even though she was at the center of a storm at this moment, she still maintained the dignity of a top wealthy family's hostess.

She was waiting for someone. Someone who could help her resolve the situation, or be devoured by her.

"General Manager Hu, sorry to keep you waiting."

A gentle yet distant voice broke the silence.

General Manager Hu raised her eyes slightly to see a woman in a light gray suit and black-rimmed glasses walking over. The other party looked only in her twenties, with a stunning appearance.

"Are you President Liu?" General Manager Hu did not stand up, but nodded slightly, her tone flat with the reserve of a superior. "Hongtu Capital is famous in the coal transportation industry. Suddenly wanting to cross over into MCN—that's quite an appetite."

"General Manager Hu, you flatter me." Vice President Liu Qingyan did not mind the other party's coldness. She politely extended her hand, her handshake firm and balanced, neither humble nor arrogant. "Real industry is hard to do. Our boss wants to find an industry with fast cash flow to transition into. As the leading MCN in Quan City, Xingyao Media is naturally within our scope of consideration."

"Sit." General Manager Hu pointed to the sofa opposite and signaled the waiter to pour water. "Since President Liu is here, you must have done your homework. Although Xingyao Media has had some turbulence recently, the foundation is still there. Over three hundred signed influencers, two top accounts with over 100 million Douyin followers, and those hundreds of luxury live-streaming rooms... As long as the price is right, I can consider transferring the controlling stake."

Vice President Liu Qingyan did not rush to reply, but leisurely took a thick stack of documents from her briefcase and placed them gently on the table.

"General Manager Hu, this is the due diligence report I had people prepare over the last two days."

Vice President Liu Qingyan pushed up her glasses, her tone as flat as if she were reading a eulogy. "Xingyao Media currently has 312 signed artists, but because of Zhao Tai's 'unspoken rules' scandal, 150 have already sent letters demanding contract termination. Your pride and joy, the 'Number One Big V on Douyin,' lost 500,000 followers during last night's live stream, and the brands are currently claiming liquidated damages. As for those luxury live-streaming rooms you mentioned..."

She looked up, staring through her lenses at General Manager Hu's calm face, and said indifferently, "Moreover, due to tax issues, your Big V accounts have already been traffic-restricted by the platform and are even facing the risk of being banned. In the eyes of capital, traffic that cannot be monetized is a negative asset."

General Manager Hu's fingers tapped the armrest gently, the rhythm steady, but her eyes grew slightly colder. "President Liu, doing business is about looking to the future. Zhao Tai's incident was an accident. Xingyao's licenses, guild rankings, and those copyrights are all solid assets. Using these old, stale matters to drive down the price—isn't that a bit petty?"

"General Manager Hu, the essence of business is value exchange, not monetizing sentiment." Vice President Liu Qingyan chuckled, a hint of mockery in her smile. "The core of an MCN is 'people.' Now that the people have run away and the accounts are ruined, what you have left in your hands is just an empty shell company and a pile of expiring artist contracts."

She leaned forward, crossing her hands on the table, the sense of oppression increasing sharply. "To be honest, although Hongtu Capital wants to enter the influencer economy, our boss is a cautious person. If it weren't for General Manager Hu personally coming forward, I wouldn't have come to Quan City at all. After all, buying a studio in Hangzhou would be safer than taking over this mess at Xingyao."

General Manager Hu was silent for a moment. She knew the other party was speaking the truth; Xingyao's valuation was currently plummeting like a cliff. But she could not show panic, or she would be eaten by the other party, bones and all.

"Then give me a price." General Manager Hu's voice was cold, as if she were discussing an insignificant commodity.

"Thirty million." Vice President Liu Qingyan calmly gave the quote. "Cash. And I want a 'clean shell'."

"Thirty million?" General Manager Hu laughed in anger. She set down the teacup in her hand, making a crisp sound. "Vice President Liu Qingyan, are you trying to dismiss a beggar? A single top account at Xingyao Media is worth more than that! And our guild ranking—that was bought with real money!"

"The accounts could be banned at any time, and the guild rankings were faked; the platform is currently investigating." Vice President Liu Qingyan coldly interrupted her. "My point is, this thirty million buys Xingyao Media's 'Internet Culture Business License,' 'Radio and Television Program Production and Operation License,' as well as your guild backend data on Yingke and Douyin, and the residual value of the renovation of those hundreds of live-streaming rooms. As for debts, lawsuits, artist compensation, and that rotten Zhao Tai, you handle them all yourselves."

General Manager Hu's eyes instantly became as sharp as knives.

She understood. Vice President Liu Qingyan was helping her "sever the tail to survive."

Xingyao Media was now a hot potato; nobody would dare buy it with its debts. Vice President Liu Qingyan was willing to pay thirty million in cash for a "clean" shell. Although the price was ridiculously low, this thirty million was real, life-saving money! Moreover, if the company was sold, the artist termination fees and the Tax Bureau fines would have nothing to do with her, General Manager Hu anymore!

This was a trade. Using the "corpse" of Xingyao Media to exchange for a "way out" for Yayun Culture.

"President Liu, thirty million is a bit insulting." General Manager Hu took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in her heart. "Fifty million. A penny less, and we will restructure it ourselves."

"General Manager Hu, my patience is limited." Vice President Liu Qingyan looked at the watch on her wrist. "Tomorrow at 10 AM, there is an auction for a batch of idle land owned by Renhetang in Quan City. If we can't reach a deal on Xingyao Media, I'll go bid on the land. After all, doing real industry is much safer than running an influencer company."

After saying this, Vice President Liu Qingyan closed the file and made a move to get up and leave.

General Manager Hu stared intently at Vice President Liu Qingyan's back.

She was gambling. Gambling that Vice President Liu Qingyan wouldn't dare return empty-handed.

But Vice President Liu Qingyan's steps did not pause in the slightest, and her hand was already on the doorknob.

"Wait a moment."

General Manager Hu finally spoke. Her voice carried a hint of fatigue.

"Deal."

General Manager Hu squeezed these two words out from between her teeth. She looked at Vice President Liu Qingyan, her eyes complex. "Thirty million, cash. But I need your guarantee that after the acquisition, all of Xingyao Media's debts will have nothing to do with the Zhao Group."

"Of course." Vice President Liu Qingyan sat back down and took a pre-prepared contract from her bag. "The contract is very clear: after the equity transfer is completed, all rights and liabilities of Xingyao Media will be assumed by the new shareholder. Of course, those invisible landmines, such as Zhao Tai's mess, as long as they don't implicate the listed company entity, we will 'handle them properly'."

General Manager Hu didn't even look at the contract; she flipped directly to the last page and signed her name.

The stroke was sharp and powerful, piercing through the paper.

"Happy to cooperate, General Manager Hu." Vice President Liu Qingyan smiled and extended her hand.

"Happy..." General Manager Hu bitterly squeezed out a smile. In that smile was the bleakness of a wealthy family in decline.

An hour later, Vice President Liu Qingyan and General Manager Hu walked out of the notary office. General Manager Hu looked at the transferred funds, got into her car, and left.

Vice President Liu Qingyan took off her black-rimmed glasses, revealing a pair of cold, sharp eyes.

She took out her phone and dialed President Wang Ya's number.

"President Wang Ya, it's done. Thirty million, clean shell. General Manager Hu signed and notarized."

On the other end of the line, President Wang Ya's voice carried a smile. "Well done. Tomorrow morning, General Manager Ding will lead people to move into Xingyao Media. As for the Zhao Group..."

"As for the Zhao Group," Vice President Liu Qingyan hooked the corner of her mouth into a cold arc, "Once the news of Xingyao Media's change of ownership is announced tomorrow, those female influencers who were bullied by Zhao Tai won't let him off easily."

Hanging up the phone, Vice President Liu Qingyan got into the Alphard and said to the driver, "Back to Yu Garden."

...

At 3 PM, it was the hottest time of the midsummer day.

Three Alphards parked steadily in the north gate parking lot of Baotu Spring Park. As soon as the sliding doors opened, a rolling current of air carrying heat waves rushed toward them, as if the door of an oven had been opened. The asphalt road surface had been baked until it was somewhat soft, and the air was filled with the scent of vegetation scorched by the high temperature. Even the chirping of cicadas in the distance seemed exceptionally noisy, calling out "Zhi liao—zhi liao—" as if cheering on the sweltering weather.