Chapter 282: Xia Zhengguang Signs
"How about this amount?"
Xia Zhengguang held up one hand, showing the number to Mr. Shen.
"Of course."
Seeing Xia Zhengguang’s gesture, the corner of Mr. Shen’s mouth lifted in a slight smile.
"So, when can we sign the contract and finalize the deal?"
The Xia family’s company might be in a slump, but buying their shares was still no small expense.
Besides, it was five percent. It might not sound like a lot, but its market value was substantial.
"I’ve already prepared the contract. As soon as you sign it, Mr. Xia, we can complete the transaction right away."
’Anyway, the person behind me is putting up the money, so the amount makes no difference to me.’
’No matter what Xia Zhengguang is thinking, my only goal is to get him to sell even more shares.’
"I’ll look over the contract right now!"
Right now, Xia Zhengguang was desperate to sell his shares and plug the financial holes in the Xia family’s company.
He had run out of options.
Mr. Shen handed the contract to Xia Zhengguang.
The contract itself was perfectly fine. However, who he transferred the shares to *after* Xia Zhengguang sold them to him was none of Xia Zhengguang’s business.
Xia Zhengguang started reading the contract, page by page. As expected, he didn’t find any issues.
"Mr. Shen, the contract looks fine. If I sign now, can you transfer the money to me right away?"
"Of course. I’m a man who prides himself on his integrity."
Mr. Shen gave Xia Zhengguang a firm, positive answer without the slightest hint of guilt.
At these words, Xia Zhengguang’s eyes lit up. After confirming one last time that there were no issues with the contract, he signed his name.
After signing, Xia Zhengguang looked at Mr. Shen with an expectant gaze.
Mr. Shen knew exactly what he was thinking.
"No need to rush. I’ll just give the bank a call, and they’ll transfer the money to you right away."
With that, Mr. Shen took out his phone and leisurely called the bank.
He and Mo Bin had arranged this in advance; as soon as he called, the bank would transfer the funds to Xia Zhengguang.
The Xia family company’s stock was worth about 50 billion in total. One percentage point of shares was worth about 500 million, so the five points Xia Zhengguang was selling amounted to 2.5 billion. (Author’s note: I’m not sure if this is how it’s calculated. Please don’t overthink it if it’s wrong.)
However, compared to the massive deficit the Xia family’s company was facing, this was just a drop in the bucket.
Xia Zhengguang watched Mr. Shen’s every move. He even grew tense during the slightest pause in Mr. Shen’s conversation with the bank.
However, Mr. Shen didn’t keep him waiting long. He quickly finished his call and hung up.
"I’ve called the bank. You should keep an eye out for the deposit notification, Mr. Xia."
But a 2.5 billion transfer would certainly have to go through multiple levels of review at the bank; it wouldn’t be instantaneous.
Xia Zhengguang certainly wasn’t going to let him leave until the money arrived, so he kept his eyes glued on Mr. Shen.
"Mr. Shen, did the bank say when the money would be deposited?"
Every second that passed made Xia Zhengguang more anxious.
"It’s surely being processed now. You can be a little more patient, Mr. Xia. There’s no need to be in such a hurry."
Mr. Shen took another sip of his black coffee.
’Of course, *you’re* not the one whose company is in trouble. It’s easy for you to talk.’
"Mr. Shen, do you have any plans for these shares now that you’ve acquired them?"
Xia Zhengguang’s plan was to sell a small stake to buy the Xia family’s company a little more time. Once he found a solution to his problems, he would buy the shares back.
"Hmm? No plans in particular."
’Of course I’m not going to tell him the truth. He’d definitely throw a fit.’
’Once I transfer these shares to Mr. Lu, I can relax and follow his arrangements to go abroad.’
The two waited for nearly half an hour before a deposit notification finally popped up on Xia Zhengguang’s phone.
By this point, Mr. Shen had finished his black coffee.
"I take it you’ve received the deposit notification, Mr. Xia?"
Seeing the way Xia Zhengguang’s eyes were gleaming, Mr. Shen knew the notification had arrived.
Two and a half billion. It was a sum he could never have imagined in his lifetime. Realizing this was the money from the shares he’d just swindled out of Xia Zhengguang, Mr. Shen’s heart pounded with excitement.
’But now’s not the time to get carried away. I have to keep my composure.’
"Yes, I received it. I hope you won’t mention what happened today to anyone, Mr. Shen."
Xia Zhengguang himself owned 40% of the shares, and his son, Xia Zhiyun, owned 11%. Together, they held exactly 51%, giving the father-son duo absolute control over the company.
But now that he had sold off 5%, he no longer had that absolute majority.
However, as long as no one found out, he was still the largest shareholder with 40%.
"I’m afraid I can’t promise you that."
’This was a transaction based on mutual and voluntary consent. I didn’t ask him to keep it a secret, so what right does he have to ask me?’
’Not that I have any interest in running around telling everyone. I’ll let Xia Zhengguang gloat for a few more days. Sooner or later, his own stupidity will be his complete undoing.’
’I have no idea how he managed to build up his company in the first place. With that brain of his? A block of tofu is smarter than he is.’
Hearing Mr. Shen’s refusal, Xia Zhengguang frowned slightly but didn’t lose his temper.
’Anyone who can produce 2.5 billion on the spot is not someone to be trifled with.’
"Then please, do your best not to discuss it with others."
Deals like this—the buying and selling of shares—were generally done discreetly; no one would go around announcing it publicly.
"As long as no one asks, I won’t bring it up."
That was a promise Mr. Shen could make.
Hearing Mr. Shen’s words, Xia Zhengguang breathed a small sigh of relief. As long as he wouldn’t be the one to spread the news, it was good enough.
’As long as I don’t say anything, and he doesn’t bring it up, no one will find out for a while.’
’If no one finds out, it’s as if my share count never changed.’
Now that he had the money, Xia Zhengguang didn’t want to linger. He said a quick farewell to Mr. Shen and left the café.
Only after Xia Zhengguang was gone did Mr. Shen take out his phone to call Mo Bin.
Mr. Shen answered to Mo Bin, and Mo Bin answered to Lu Yunque.
When Mo Bin answered Mr. Shen’s call, his heart was pounding with excitement.
After all this time, the matter of the shares was finally settled.
After confirming that Xia Zhengguang had left, Mo Bin told Mr. Shen to bring the contract to the Lu Group.
Mr. Shen was also eager to transfer the shares. Holding on to the contract made him feel uneasy.
Mr. Shen left the café, hailed a cab straight to the Lu Group Building, and after he announced himself at the reception desk, Mo Bin came down to greet him.
"Mr. Shen, it’s been a while."
Mo Bin smiled and extended his hand toward Mr. Shen.
Mr. Shen shook it, replying, "It has been a while! A while indeed!"
"The President has been waiting for you."
Mr. Shen followed Mo Bin into the elevator, and a few moments later, it arrived at the top floor.
Lu Yunque was sitting in his office chair. When he saw Mr. Shen enter with Mo Bin, holding the share transfer agreement, he was in an excellent mood.
"You’ve worked hard, Mr. Shen."
’After going to all this trouble, I’ve finally managed to help Yun Zijin out a bit.’
"Not at all, not at all. It’s just as we agreed."
Seeing Lu Yunque treat him with such courtesy, Mr. Shen was a little starstruck.