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Chapter 426: Chapter 345 Qi Yan’s Concerns (Subscribe!)_1
"Come in."
Tang Qing turned around and said, revealing a hint of ’majesty’ in his tone.
He is the boss after all.
He needs to have some sort of domineering air about him.
The door was pushed open, and a pretty figure appeared. To his surprise, it was Qi Yan. She had maintained her purple hair all this time, and her unconventional style of dressing also suited her, in Tang Qing’s opinion, given her profession in design. Conforming to norms just wasn’t as convincing.
She looked good this way.
Upon seeing Qi Yan, the ’who else but me’ attitude of Tang Qing instantly disappeared.
"So it’s Sister Yan, what’s up?" Tang Qing asked with a full smile on his face.
The Qi Yan standing before him seemed somewhat different than usual, lacking her characteristic laid-back attitude, and appearing to be in two minds about something.
"I have... a bit of a problem." Qi Yan hesitated after shutting the door behind her.
"Sister Yan, why are you stammering, just spit it out already." Tang Qing urged.
"Little boss, I wanted to say that the shares you gave me initially were too much. I feel a bit undeserving." Qi Yan inhaled deeply and said. She used to feel fortunate and believed her efforts justified her rewards.
However, as the market value of Sheng Tang keeps climbing, her shares are rising in value exponentially. She has already made the ranks of the multi-millionaires, causing her some sleepless nights. She felt like she was taking undue advantage of Tang Qing.
"You’re talking about that? It’s not much, just a mere 5%." Tang Qing had thought it was something serious. In order to retain Qi Yan, he had given up 5% of his Sheng Tang shares and ensured they wouldn’t be diluted for three years.
But was it too much?
Not really.
Qi Yan’s effort was worth the price.
Tang Qing would never oust shareholders simply because the company grew larger.
Moreover, Tang Qing had absolute control, owning 95% of the shares. Under any circumstances, even if the company went public, which was unlikely at the moment, Qi Yan’s equity held no threat.
He would only have to share dividends with Qi Yan.
Regarding money.
Tang Qing didn’t consider it a big deal. Besides, Qi Yan had helped Sheng Tang grow from a two-person setup to what it is today.
"But the company’s market value has exceeded 500 million. The value of my shares has crossed 25 million RMB. It will likely rise even more, and I’m a bit afraid." Qi Yan insisted.
Afraid?
Tang Qing asked in confusion: "Afraid of what?"
"Afraid I’m making too much, and you will want to drive me away." Qi Yan replied meekly. This was a complete departure from her usual bold persona.
Hearing this, Tang Qing burst into hearty laughter. "Ha, ha, Sister Yan, what are you thinking? Why would I drive you away just over these shares?"
"This is as much as 25 million! You said there won’t be any dilution for three years. After three years, it might even be 250 million." Qi Yan said, looking into Tang Qing’s eyes. Although this seemed exaggerated, it wasn’t impossible since Sheng Tang had only spent half a year to get to its current position.
All Tang Qing could do was reply, "Alright, Sister Yan, to be honest, I didn’t expect the company to develop this rapidly. However, whatever I say, I stick by my word - it won’t change. As long as you continue to help the company grow, you deserve these shares. Even if your shares are worth a few hundred million, I don’t care about the money." He ended his statement with a display of swagger.
Well, there was his domineering attitude.
"Calling me fat is making me short of breath." Qi Yan glared at Tang Qing unhappily. Having heard Tang Qing’s assurances, she felt a weight lift off her chest. When it came to Sheng Tang, she didn’t want to leave or quarrel with Tang Qing over money.
On matters of mutual interest.
It’s better to be open and honest; otherwise, it gets awkward for everyone.
"Hehe, that’s the Sister Yan I know. If things get too serious, life becomes boring." Tang Qing laughed.
"Oh really? Using me for your amusement?"
Qi Yan grabbed Tang Qing’s ear in mock anger and growled.
"No, no, no, just joking. Please forgive my little foolishness." Tang Qing hurriedly pleaded for mercy.
"Hmm, I’ll let you off this time, considering the money." Qi Yan didn’t exert too much force; she let go of his ear and spoke.
"Yes, yes, yes. Long live Money the Great!" Tang Qing responded.
"I better get back to work, or else I won’t be able to justify my pay. Sigh, I’ve been so busy recently that I’ve developed crows-feet." Qi Yan sighed. She was already 27—youth was fading.
"No worries, makeup does wonders." Tang Qing mumbled.
"What did you say?" Qi Yan gave him a cold smile.
"I said Sister Yan looks good even without makeup." Tang Qing hurriedly corrected himself.
"Of course, I am naturally beautiful. I’m leaving now."
Qi Yan huffed and left.
She then turned around to leave Tang Qing’s office.
Watching Qi Yan shut the door behind her, Tang Qing shook his head with a smile. Women can be overly suspicious; even when shares become more valuable, they don’t want them, but even if you don’t want them, I will insist on giving them to you. Such a ’masochist’.
So what if he got his ’ear pulled’?
This just made life complete.
The path of a loner.
Off to play somewhere else.
Glancing at his wristwatch.
Seeing that it was getting late, Tang Qing hurriedly asked Sun Chao to take him home.
Someone was still holding an umbrella in the rain.
Tang Qing felt somewhat justified.
Such is the terribly materialistic society, and the terrible inertia within it.
...
The next day.
Monday.
It is the day that Sheng Tang Group was established. In fact, there’s no need for any ceremony to mark the establishment of Sheng Tang Group, simply changing the plaque at the main gate would suffice, and Tang Qing didn’t want to trouble himself with it.
However, Sheng Tang has been in a strong position recently, advertising nationwide, opening stores everywhere, gaining more and more popularity, with its assets soaring like crazy. As soon as the news of the restructuring of Sheng Tang Group was reported to the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, the city leaders specifically asked when it would be.
With those queries, Yang Kai just had to hold a ceremony, even though he has always stayed low-key.
Moreover, Yang Kai felt that it was necessary to hold such event, as it would provide an opportunity to get to know more leaders, which would be beneficial for the future development of Sheng Tang in Qingyan City.
What he didn’t expect, however, was that Tang Qing would excuse himself from the busy scene, choosing to come merely for lunch and drinks. The excuse, "I have something to do," was practically the same as saying "I don’t have time." Yang Kai was a bit overwhelmed, afraid that this could potentially offend a large number of people. He just hoped that Tang Qing had a strong enough background to smooth things over with the upset city big shots.
One of the reasons Tang Qing didn’t want to join the bustle was because he had classes to attend and he wasn’t a fan of playing Taiji with these old foxes. It was mentally exhausting.
On the square.
It was crowed with people.
The professional event arranging company had already set up the stage, the tent, the chairs the day before. All preparations had been completed by yesterday afternoon, and today would simply be about checking for anything amiss.
Yang Kai arrived at the square very early, checked the process with the host one last time, and familiarized himself with the venue. He also rehearsed his speech. The other senior executives of Sheng Tang also arrived early and started to prepare.
On the banner onstage, large characters were written:
"Welcome city leaders to the establishment ceremony of Sheng Tang Group."
"Warmly celebrating the establishment of Sheng Tang Group today."
"Congratulations to Sheng Tang Group on its market value of over 500 million."
The last two points were pulled up using big helium balloons.
Swaying in the wind.
Some people mistakenly thought there was a show, but left as soon as they knew about the content, finding no interesting drama to watch.
Busy until half past nine.
Yang Kai and some others who had nothing to do were relaxing under the shed. It had rained yesterday and today the sun was strong. It looked like it was going to be quite hot at noon. It was indeed the weather of May.
The leaders were supposed to arrive at half-past ten, but they were not expected to be on time.
Yang Kai was chatting with people.
At this moment, a middle-aged man with his followers arrived.
Most of the employees did not recognize him, but Yang Kai did.
He was Feng Hai, Secretary of the Qingyan City Political and Legal Affairs Committee, one of the leaders Yang Kai had invited. He was also one of the three standing committee members of the Municipal Party Committee who had promised to come.
"Secretary Feng, welcome, welcome, I’m Yang Kai, the general manager of Sheng Tang Group," Yang Kai hurried over and extended his hand respectfully.
In compliance with Tang Qing’s request to come early, Feng Hai had arrived early right after his Monday morning meeting.
"So you’re General Manager Yang. It seems I’ve come a bit early," Feng Hai said with a smile. As Dou Jiao’s acquaintance, Tang Qing was considered one of his own. ’Love me, love my dog,’ Feng Hai was also very polite to Yang Kai. Very simply, there’s a powerful boss behind him. After knowing who Chai Ren was, he no longer underestimated Tang Qing.
"Thank you for your special affection for our group," Yang Kai said with obligatory flattery. After all, the principle was to give the leaders face.
"By the way, where’s little Tang?" Feng Hai looked around and didn’t see Tang Qing’s figure.
"Huh? Little Tang?" Yang Kai asked, puzzled, as he couldn’t remember who Little Tang was for a moment.
"Tang Qing, your chairman," Feng Hai explained.
"Ah, oh, our chairman said that he was busy and could only host lunch for the leaders," Yang Kai said, a little embarrassed. He didn’t expect Feng Hai to actually know Tang Qing, but he was also relieved that at least one city leader was appeased.
Feng Hai understood once he thought about it. Tang Qing was just avoiding trouble. He couldn’t help but smile bitterly. It was indeed Tang Qing’s style. Dou Jiao had told him that Tang Qing liked to be a hands-off boss and was loath to be bothered. Unexpectedly, on such an important day, he had gone to attend class.
Well, never mind.
He’s a younger generation after all.
With Dou Jiao’s protection, and the fact that Tang Qing was close to his own son, Feng Hai had to give up, on all accounts.
"All right then, that’s fine. He’s probably in class at school now, it’s Monday after all. It does not matter. I’ll just find a place to sit," Feng Hai said nonchalantly.
PS: Chapter three is here, please vote!
