9: Chapter 9: Capital's Favor and Ironclad Defense

Spark Technology's strategic decision to establish three wholly-owned subsidiaries and launch self-research on core components was like a powerful shockwave, once again shaking the capital market. Combined with the previous dazzling Q3 Financial Report, all the positive news converged into an unstoppable torrent.

Major brokerage research institutes worked through the night to produce research reports, each title more exaggerated than the last:

"Spark Technology: Vertical Integration Forges the Foundation of a King; Target Price Seen as High as 8 Yuan!"

"From Products to Ecosystem: Analyzing Spark Technology's Trillion-Dollar Gene"

"Strongly Recommended: The Future Overlord of the Drone Field Has Taken Shape"

Institutional investors, hot money, retail investors... all eyes were focused on this stock that had created a miracle. After experiencing the first wave of consecutive limit-up gains following the release of the financial report, ST Spark's stock price took a brief breather before starting a new upward trend, stimulated by the positive news of the "industrial chain layout." The stock price firmly stood above 6 yuan and continued to fluctuate upward, with incredibly active trading volume. Spark Technology had undoubtedly become the brightest star in the A-share market, bar none.

In this feast of capital, the first to come knocking was an old friend, Zhao Feng.

This time, he didn't have an appointment and went straight to Su Chen's office, his face brimming with unconcealed joy and amazement.

"Brother Su! I really regret it now!" Zhao Feng plopped down on the sofa and poured himself a cup of tea, complaining half-seriously, "Back then, for that fifty million bet, I should have gritted my teeth and asked for 10% more equity! How many months has it been? It's already a five billion market value! I, Zhao Feng, have been looking at projects for over a decade, and I've never misjudged something so 'ridiculously'!"

Su Chen smiled and sat across from him. "President Zhao, you flatter me. It was just luck."

"This isn't luck!" Zhao Feng waved his hand, his expression turning serious. "Product, market, strategy—every step has been calculated and interconnected. Especially this move to establish subsidiaries and self-develop core components—it was brilliant! This is the vision of someone who truly wants to achieve great things." He leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Brother Su, for the next round of financing, you must give priority to our Dingfeng! The valuation is negotiable; I can even introduce you to more strategic resources. Given our relationship, you have to give me this chance to deepen our bond."

Zhao Feng's attitude was sincere, and he kept his posture low. His investment had been a timely help, and he had remained a supportive ally since. Su Chen had a good impression of him and responded honestly, "Rest assured, President Zhao. When Spark needs funds and resources, Dingfeng will definitely be one of our preferred partners."

After seeing off a satisfied Zhao Feng, Su Chen knew that the more complex capital games had only just begun.

Sure enough, a few days later, that mysterious financial broker, Zhou Tianyu, appeared again. Unlike Zhao Feng's casualness, Zhou Tianyu's visit was full of formal, commercial ceremony.

He made an appointment and brought an assistant carrying a briefcase to meet with Su Chen and CFO Shen Nanpeng in a luxuriously decorated private club box.

After some pleasantries, Zhou Tianyu cut straight to the chase. He took an elegantly produced letter of intent from his assistant and pushed it in front of Su Chen.

"President Su, President Shen. Let's not beat around the bush." A professional, inscrutable smile played on Zhou Tianyu's face. "I am representing my client to formally issue an investment intent to Spark Technology. We are willing to invest 2 billion rmb to acquire a 20% stake in Spark Technology."

Two billion for twenty percent!

This meant the other party's valuation of Spark Technology had reached ten billion rmb! This was nearly double the current secondary market valuation! It was a premium that was hard to refuse.

Shen Nanpeng's pupils contracted slightly. As the CFO, he knew all too well the allure of this offer. It would allow early investors (like Zhao Feng) to gain huge returns and provide the company with a massive amount of cash to support its strategic expansion for years.

Zhou Tianyu carefully observed Su Chen's expression and slowly added, "Our capital is long-term and patient. We believe in the potential of you, President Su, and the Spark team. We hope to accompany the company's growth as a quiet financial investor. Of course, we will also introduce international-level strategic resources and market channels to the company at the appropriate time."

The terms were generous, and the posture seemed low-key.

But Su Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He gently pushed the letter of intent back to Zhou Tianyu, his tone calm but indisputable. "Thank you, Mr. Zhou, and the capital behind you for your interest. However, Spark Technology currently has no plans to bring in such large-scale financial investors. We prefer to rely on our own cash flow and business expansion to support our development."

Rejected?

Although Shen Nanpeng was a bit surprised, he didn't speak, choosing to trust Su Chen's judgment.

The smile on Zhou Tianyu's face froze for a split second, and a flash of hard-to-detect sinister intent flickered in his eyes, but he quickly regained his profound look. He didn't persist or show any displeasure; instead, he gave a light chuckle and took back the letter of intent.

"President Su truly has lofty ambitions; I'm impressed." He stood up and straightened his suit. "However, the capital market is volatile. It's always better to have one more friend than one more enemy. I believe we will meet again."

He reached out and shook hands with Su Chen; his fingertips were icy cold. Leaving behind those meaningful words, he turned and left with his assistant.

Back at the company, Su Chen immediately summoned Lin Wan, Shen Nanpeng, and Liang Zhen.

"The capital behind Zhou Tianyu has unclear intentions and ill will," Su Chen said, getting straight to the point. "Two billion for twenty percent—it looks generous, but in reality, it's likely a sugar-coated poison pill. Once we let them in, with their power and methods, we'll likely become passive in the board of directors and company strategy, or even be sidelined. Spark must keep control firmly in its own hands."

Shen Nanpeng pushed up his glasses and agreed. "President Su is wise. Such high-premium acquisitions often come with gambling agreements or subsequent capital operation requirements. The risk is extremely high. Rejecting it was the right choice."

Liang Zhen's voice was steady and cold. "I will immediately begin a comprehensive investigation into Zhou Tianyu and his associates and assess the subsequent methods they might employ. At the same time, I suggest we start drafting a pre-plan against hostile takeovers."

"Not only must we defend, but we must also take the initiative," Su Chen's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "President Shen, you will take the lead, with Liang Zhen assisting, to formally establish 'Spark Investment.' Its mission is not simple financial investment, but to invest in and acquire startups in the consumer electronics field that possess innovative technologies or core resources, centered around our core business. We want to build an industrial ecosystem with Spark at its heart, creating a wider and deeper moat!"

"Understood!" Shen Nanpeng and Liang Zhen responded in unison. This was a more forward-looking and aggressive capital strategy.

While Su Chen was busy building the ironclad capital defense, the system interface in his mind flashed autonomously again, this time with a deep blue light.

A new line of information slowly emerged:

[Phase Task Prepared: Lead a miniature technological revolution.]

[Task Reward: Unlock the "Basic Industrial Mother Machine" catalog.]

"Industrial Mother Machine?!"

Su Chen's heart shook violently. He certainly knew the weight of those words! They were the machines that made machines, the foundation of all industry, and the ultimate yardstick for measuring a country's manufacturing level! From a tiny screw to a space shuttle, everything relied on Industrial Mother Machines—that is, high-end machine tools!

The system's goal had actually shifted from consumer-grade products at the start directly toward the cornerstone field of industrial manufacturing!

This was no longer just business competition; it seemed he was being asked to leverage the industrial development of the entire country, and even the world!

A magnificent yet unknown and challenging new picture slowly unfolded before Su Chen. Where would the flames of Spark ignite next?