384: Arriving at the Ugly Group

Whispers echoed in every corner of the office area as surprise, curiosity, speculation, and worry... all sorts of emotions spread among the employees.

Lei Jun's appearance was like a massive boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up layers of ripples.

Many people secretly took out their phones to take photos, but they were stopped by the accompanying executives and Lei Ying's cold gaze.

Wang Xing personally greeted them at the elevator entrance, his attitude warm yet steady.

“Miss Lei Jun, welcome, welcome! You've had a long journey!”

He sized Lei Jun up carefully, inwardly surprised by her youth and outstanding appearance. However, what impressed him even more was her composure, which surpassed her age, and the faint, indifferent aura of someone who had long held a high position.

Lei Ying and Lei Yue by her side were clearly no ordinary characters either.

“Chairman Wang, I have heard much about you,” Lei Jun said with a smile as she shook his hand, her tone calm.

After the pleasantries, Wang Xing personally accompanied Lei Jun on a tour of the Ugly Group headquarters.

They visited core areas such as the iconic battle culture wall, the big data real-time dispatch center, and the R&D labs.

Wang Xing gave a detailed explanation, showcasing Ugly Group's technical strength and operational scale while also subtly revealing the challenges the company faced and its future strategic direction.

As he introduced the company, he carefully observed Lei Jun's reaction.

Lei Jun listened intently, occasionally asking questions that hit the mark, showing that she was by no means ignorant of the internet and local life services business.

However, she maintained a faint smile throughout, showing no particular likes or inclinations.

This made Wang Xing feel even more uncertain.

Was she actually interested, or was she merely being polite?

During the tour, wherever they went, employees cast curious and reverent glances, and their work seemed to become a bit more serious.

“The Chairman is accompanying her personally! What a high-level reception!”

“It seems it really is that Lei Jun!”

“What is she actually here for? Is it really a pre-acquisition inspection?”

“Doesn't look like it? Feels more like a friendly visit?”

“Friendly? A big shot of this level doesn't visit for no reason!”

“Let's pray it's not a hostile takeover...”

“I feel like even our President Wang is a bit nervous...”

After the tour, Wang Xing invited Lei Jun to a private room in a top-tier, highly exclusive membership-only restaurant in the Imperial Capital.

Outside the massive floor-to-ceiling windows was the glittering night view of the Imperial Capital, while the interior was elegantly and luxuriously furnished.

Only five people were seated: Wang Xing, one of his core deputies, Lei Jun, Lei Ying, and Lei Yue.

Lei Ying was like a statue.

Lei Yue sat to the side of Lei Jun.

As the banquet began, the atmosphere was initially quite harmonious.

Wang Xing did his best to liven things up, introducing the dishes, talking about industry anecdotes, and tentatively asking for Lei Jun's views on some cutting-edge technologies. Lei Jun responded appropriately but didn't say much.

After a few rounds of drinks, Wang Xing felt the groundwork was laid and it was time to get to the point.

He set down his glass, leaned forward slightly, and said with a sincere smile.

“Miss Lei Jun is young and promising with a unique vision. It's truly admirable that you could establish a presence in so many of the world's top companies in such a short time.

I wonder what your insights are for the future of the domestic internet, especially in the local life services sector where our Ugly Group operates? Or rather, is there any possibility of cooperation?”

He asked very tactfully, but his intention was already obvious: Do you want to enter this field? How do you want to enter? Can we cooperate?

Lei Jun picked up her wine glass, gently swirling the deep red liquid inside, her gaze calmly fixed on Wang Xing.

Through the tour just now and the conversation at this moment, she fully understood Wang Xing's intentions.

He wasn't seeking deep cooperation; he was worried and testing her.

He was worried that one of her targets was Ugly Group.

She smiled slightly and decided to be direct, saving them from unnecessary suspicion and beating around the bush.

She set down her glass, her voice clear and flat: “Chairman Wang overpraises me. I wouldn't call them 'insights.' As for Ugly Group...”

She paused, seeing Wang Xing and his deputy prick up their ears, clearly becoming tense.

“I have no plans to acquire Ugly Group for the time being. You can rest assured, Chairman Wang.”

These words were like a clap of thunder. Though her tone was flat, it exploded in the hearts of Wang Xing and his deputy!

Wang Xing was stunned for a moment, and then a massive sense of relief instantly swept through his entire body!

The weight that had been pressing on his chest for days seemed to have been lifted all at once!

His biggest fear had been personally denied by the other party!

It wasn't just polite talk, but such a direct and clear statement!

He could almost not control the expression on his face, instinctively wanting to laugh out loud.

He forced himself to steady his mind, but the surprise and relief in his eyes still leaked out.

The deputy beside him was the same; his tense shoulders visibly relaxed, and he quietly wiped away non-existent sweat from his forehead.

“Oh! Miss Lei Jun! Those words... really...”

Wang Xing was somewhat incoherent with excitement. He suddenly picked up a full glass of white liquor from the decanter in front of him, stood up, and said with extreme solemnity.

“On behalf of everyone at Ugly Group, I, Wang Xing, thank Miss Lei Jun for her candor! Your words are worth a thousand pieces of gold! I'll drink to that, please suit yourself!”

With that, he tilted his head back and downed the entire glass of high-proof liquor in one go. He drank so quickly and fiercely that his face instantly turned red, but his eyes were exceptionally bright.

This was sincere gratitude and relaxation.

Lei Jun merely picked up her wine glass, took a symbolic small sip, and nodded: “You are too kind, Chairman Wang.”

Wang Xing sat down, still feeling emotional.

With his biggest concern eliminated, his mind became active again.

Since they weren't enemies, could they become friends or even allies?

If he could establish cooperation with this upstart who held multiple resources, even if only symbolically, it would be a huge benefit for Ugly Group.

Taking advantage of the alcohol and his excitement, he continued.

“Miss Lei Jun, you see, since you have no... well, that kind of intention toward our field.

Then, could there be broader room for cooperation between us?

Your resources combined with Ugly Group's scenarios and traffic would surely create a massive synergy!”

He looked at Lei Jun expectantly, hoping for a positive response.

The smile on Lei Jun's face faded.

Cooperation? She had no interest.

She set down her knife and fork.

“We'll talk about cooperation later.”

Wang Xing wanted to push further, but Lei Jun's expression turned cold.

Because of the change in Lei Jun's tone and demeanor, the atmosphere in the private room instantly dropped from warm to freezing point.

Wang Xing's full-hearted enthusiasm and expectations were as if doused by a bucket of ice water, getting stuck in his throat.

The excitement and flush on his face quickly receded, replaced by a hint of startle and... panic.

Only then did he suddenly realize that he might have been too anxious, perhaps even losing his composure just now.

The young lady before him was not some ordinary investor he could move or lead by the nose with a few nice words and a glass of wine.

She was a super-predator who could easily influence multiple trillion-dollar enterprises and held staggering amounts of capital!