Full Cup of Water - Chap 21

After breaking up with Su Zhong, Xin Qianyu developed an undeniable fighting spirit.

Or rather, Xin Qianyu had always fought hard. Previously, he used that fighting spirit on Su Zhong, so it did not seem like he fought hard. Now that Su Zhong was no longer around, he devoted all his energy to overseas projects, and soon revealed his brilliance.

Xin Qianyu became the president of the overseas business unit. Within a year, he presided over the acquisition of a high-end private education group in Malaysia, realizing the first step of Yuzhuo’s overseas expansion.

The successful completion of this USD500 million project allowed Xin Qianyu to gain a foothold in the Yuzhuo Group and become well-known in the industry. He began to hear less of “you really have a good grandfather/good mother” and more of “your grandfather/your mother are so blessed”.

After completing that project, Xin Qianyu carried out the acquisition of an education group in Singapore without stopping to rest.

Of course at the same time, Xin Simu was not idle. She knew that overseas projects were important, but the group was based in China, and domestic projects were fundamental. She worked very hard in this regard. Additionally, the efforts of smart people were generally very effective.

Xin Qianyu and Xin Simu were like two horses, pulling the carriage of the Yuzhuo Group side by side and galloping forward quickly.

And since they were individually in charge of domestic and foreign matters, they were in harmony for the time being, maintaining a calm peacefulness on the surface.

However, this tranquility was broken the following year.

This year could be called the “magic year”, with frequent occurrences of black swan incidents. Xin Qianyu was stunned when he watched the news of the two circuit breakers of US stocks. Su Zhong’s name suddenly flashed through his mind. His private equity fund would not be affected, right?

After this thought flashed by, Xin Qianyu’s heart jumped suddenly. Why would I think of this?

He shook his head quickly. Why are you worrying about him? I should just care about myself!

Affected by the black swan incident, all schools under the Yuzhuo Group were closed, and their business was suspended. Originally, everyone hoped that the overseas schools would bring income, but soon overseas schools also began to suspend classes.

The long-term suspension of classes and setbacks in the enrollment business posed a huge challenge to the group’s cash flow. Originally, companies like Yuzhuo Group have a very healthy cash flow. However, the problem was that the group recently invested heavily in the acquisition of the two overseas education groups. At first, they could still have hoped the expansion of the group would bring considerable income. But because of sudden changes, the group had fallen into an extremely passive situation.

To this end, the old man immediately stopped the overseas expansion plan and shifted his focus to the listing plan.

In fact, Yuzhuo Group had been planning to go public for several years but had never put it into action. Even the consulting company had not been officially engaged. This was mainly because the old man had a lot of concerns. Unlike most founders, his first worry was not losing control of the company. What he was most concerned about was a question raised by all the consulting companies. “Your company’s family atmosphere is too strong. If you want to go public, you have to change your way.”

The old man was a person who valued kinship and clan, and it was difficult for him to strike a clean sheet with his brothers and those who had newly joined.

It was only now that he made up his mind.

The resolution was not made by him but by the market environment.

Because the group was now losing serious blood, if it did not find a way to get back the blood as soon as possible, it would be a big problem.

The old man announced at the board meeting that he would accelerate the listing and raise funds as soon as possible to overcome the difficulties.

Both Xin Qianyu and Xin Simu naturally volunteered to be in charge of listing matters.

Xin Qianyu said his advantage was that he could talk the talk. “Although I am young, I’ve handled two major events and made acquisitions. So, I have experience in finance…”

“Acquisition and listing are two different things.” Xin Simu’s tone was soft, but what she said was very unceremonious. “Moreover, it’s brave for you to recommend yourself like this, but if you don’t have a detailed plan, it’s just a young man’s impulse.”

Xin Qianyu raised his eyebrows slightly. “Does Xiao Mu Jie have any detailed plans?”

“I dare not say it, but it has already taken shape.” Xin Simu took out a thick proposal. “This is a plan I have drafted after the past six months of consulting with some industry insiders and comparing many opinions.”

After seeing Xin Simu produce a complete plan, Xin Qianyu’s face changed slightly. He knew that he had fallen behind this time.

After hearing Xin Simu say “the past six months”, Xin Qianyu felt unprecedented pressure.

In the past two years, Xin Qianyu had been running around for acquisition projects, flying domestically and abroad, so busy that his feet were not touched by dust. How could he have free time to think about this? But Xin Simu was different. She guarded the domestic base camp. Although she was busy, her work was routine. Therefore, she had more time and energy to prepare for the listing plan.

A few years ago, when the old man talked about going public, Xin Simu kept it in view and remembered it. Having encountered the Black Swan incident in the past half a year, Xin Simu relied on her keen intuition to judge that the group’s capital flow was likely to go wrong, and listing for emergency relief would become an inevitable move. She immediately focused on consulting and listing, and spent more than half a year brainstorming to produce a beautiful plan.

While Xin Qianyu felt caught off guard, he also had a kind of respect for Xin Simu. Older ginger is indeed spicier. Your Xiao Mu Jie is your Xiao Mu Jie.

Xin Simu’s plan was very detailed, and what was even rarer were her keen senses and proactive spirit. The old man looked through it and was quite satisfied. “So you’ll handle the listing?”

Xin Simu was about to nod happily, but without giving up, Xin Qianyu objected. “I think this plan is still quite rough, and there are still some unfinished parts…”

“This is just a prototype. It’s a first draft, so of course, it’s not perfect.” Xinsmu smiled faintly. “But at least there is a prototype, right?”

Xin Simu’s words “At least there is a prototype” were derogatory, and it meant: At least I have a prototype. You have wool. How dare you challenge me?

Xin Qianyu said, “I actually have some ideas, but I couldn’t put it in writing when flying between Malaysia and Singapore. How about I show you a plan within this month?”

Xin Simu frowned and was about to object, but Xin Mu said, “Yes, more opinions are good. Brainstorming! Besides, Xiao Mu, your plan was made in more than half a year. Are you afraid of being defeated by a plan written by our Xiaoyu in a month?”

Xin Mu’s words were not welcomed, but she was an elder, and Xin Simu could only tolerate it. However, Xin Simu’s father was Xin Mu’s eldest brother, so he did not have to endure Xin Mu. He confronted her on the spot. “What could be written in a month? Time is life, and our group is losing money daily, which we can’t afford.”

Xin Mu arched eyebrows rose, and she was about to refute, but the old man made the final decision. “Alright, stop arguing. Since Xiaoyu has an idea, we should also listen to it, so let’s do it in half a month. Xiaoyu and Xiaomu each produce a report, and the board of directors vote on a resolution. Is it fair and democratic enough?”

Now that the old man had spoken, everyone nodded in agreement.

In front of everyone, Xin Mu naturally showed full confidence in her son, but when the meeting was over, Xin Mu pulled Xin Qianyu and said, “Do you really have a way to come up with a better plan?”

“I have nothing!” Xin Qianyu stopped pretending and said honestly, “I’ve been so busy with overseas projects these days that I don’t even have time to wipe my butt. How could I have the time to think about this?”

Xin Mu’s eyes widened. “Then you said you had an idea!”

“I can’t just be defeated without fighting!” Xin Qianyu spread his hands.

Xin Mu smiled. “True. That’s my good son.”

As she spoke, Xin Mu paused and said, “Doesn’t Zhu Pu’s girlfriend do this? You should go and talk to her.”

It was really evil to say that, not long after Xin Qianyu broke up, Zhu Pu got a girlfriend, as if he had sucked up Xin Qianyu’s luck.

Xin Mu did not pay enough attention to Zhu Pu, thinking that Zhu Pu’s girlfriend belonged to the financial industry, but she did not. Zhu Pu’s girlfriend’s name was Michelle, and she was actually a financial reporter.

However, after breaking up with Su Zhong, Xin Qianyu did not know many people in this industry and was only in contact with Michelle.

He asked Michelle to recommend a few reliable consultants.

Michelle laughed when she heard Xin Qianyu’s words. “You want to come up with an eye-catching plan in half a month? What level of genius does the consultant who can help you do this have to be?”

Xin Qianyu smiled and said, “I don’t need him to write a ‘from scratch’ document, as long as it has some standards and can be modified based on Xin Simu’s plan.”

Michelle frowned when she heard the words. “If you just make changes to Xin Simu’s plan and hand it in, you’ll definitely not get support.”

“What are you talking about? Am I that kind of plagiarism dog?” Xin Qianyu said. “I just want a template. The core thing will still be mine.”

“Okay.” Michelle looked at her phone. “It just so happens that there is an industry gathering tonight. I’ll bring you over to meet a few consultants. You can choose whoever pleases you.”

The last time Xin Qianyu attended such a party was in Manhattan two years ago.

With Su Zhong, he attended a gathering of financial giants where he played the role of an incompetent vase. At that time, no one regarded him as an independent person, and his identity was only “Su Zhong’s male companion.”

But today, when he arrived here, he was full of bluster. Although he was not yet able to stand shoulder to shoulder with Wall Street tycoons, the recent mergers and acquisitions had given him a bit of fame on Financial Street in his home country.

People in the financial industry had very smart noses. Many consultants knew that Yuzhuo Group had plans to go public in the near future. Therefore, the consultants greeted Xin Qianyu when they saw him, their eyes full of expectation, like motorcycle taxis at a train station.

Xin Qianyu smiled and accepted their card, then turned around and asked for Michelle’s opinion in a low voice. Michelle said, “These are all very good. Why don’t you pick the most handsome one?”

“So superficial?” Xin Qianyu was startled.

“It’s not being superficial. It’s feng shui. Do you understand? First is fate, second is luck and third is feng shui.” Michelle said with a serious expression. “Handsome people generally have good looks, good luck, and prosperous wealth!”

Xin Qianyu could not help laughing when he heard this overseas graduate student say such superstitious things. “Are you serious?”

“Of course!” Michelle nodded like she was pounding garlic. It was fun trying to explain the importance of appearance with metaphysics.

But Xin Qianyu said, “Don’t joke around. Just introduce to me a reliable one.”

“Ah, I have a good candidate.” Michelle took Xin Qianyu to the other end of the venue. “A good personality and serious about doing things. The most important thing is–”

“Handsome?” Xin Qianyu asked.

Michelle nodded nonchalantly. “You know me so well.”

Michelle pulled Xin Qianyu through the crowd and accidentally bumped into an unexpected person. Xin Qianyu blinked, and a cold chuckle emerged from the corner of his mouth. “Isn’t this David?”

David was a little surprised when he saw Xin Qianyu, but he also heard that Yuzhuo Group was anxious to go public, so he narrowed his eyes and smiled neutrally. Despite the word “big” in David‘s name, he was very small-minded. If it were not for this, he would not have blocked Su Zhong in the first place. And Su Zhong not only avoided his blockage but also got to the top, which really hit David’s face hard, to the point where David still harboured grudges. Remembering that Xin Qianyu had also stood by Su Zhong’s side and sneered at him, David hated even Xin Qianyu.

David raised his chin. “Oh, isn’t this the young master of Yuzhuo?”

Many people there were very polite to Xin Qianyu, the “Young Master of Yuzhuo”, not because of how powerful the Yuzhuo Group was, but because the Yuzhuo Group was preparing to go public, and many people were wondering if they could get a piece of the action. But David did not have to bend his waist to Xin Qianyu for this piece of action. After all, David was a buyer, backed by a large company and held a high position. Naturally, he was fearlessly arrogant.

David said uncaringly, “Yuzhuo Group’s finances are very tight now, right? No wonder it’s in a hurry to go public for money. In fact, it takes time and effort to go public and might not necessarily be successful. So why don’t you come to me? Maybe I’m willing to invest and help your Yuzhuo Group solve your urgent needs.”

Xin Qianyu sneered. “Well, if I need to, I’ll definitely look for your boss.”

——The implication was that you, a worker, are not qualified to challenge me!

David also sneered. “Our boss wouldn’t even glance at something with the scale of Yuzhuo. However, as an employee, I can still make decisions regarding billions of dollars, unlike your small household, where billions of dollars are just a matter of financial ruin!”

This was very rude, and Xin Qianyu was a little annoyed when he heard it. But Michelle whispered, “What David said is true.”

Xin Qianyu thought to himself, Do you think I don’t know? But even if you lose to others, you don’t lose your front, okay!

Xin Qianyu straightened. “Oh, since that’s the case, does Brother David have tens of billions in net worth?”

David choked. His company was rich, but it was not his. Although tens of billions of dollars could pass through David’s hands, it could not enter David’s pocket!

Taking advantage of David’s lack of words, Xin Qianyu stopped fighting, turned around and left with Michelle arrogantly, leaving behind the rear view of his graceful figure.

When Michelle and Xin Qianyu walked to the other end, the crowd suddenly became a lot quieter, and many people stopped talking and looked towards the same direction.

The focus of their gaze was on a long-overdue guest.

The man was dressed in a snow-white suit, and the crystal light fell on his face, giving him a calm beauty of isolation from the mortal world.

Seeing him, Xin Qianyu’s breathing seemed to stop suddenly.

Michelle leaned into Xin Qianyu’s ear and said, “You don’t know, but this person’s name is Su Zhong. He’s awesome.”