Chapter 911
What can you do to me?
Inside the office on the top floor of the Century Building, the sound of Mu Qizhong and Xiao Jun's departing footsteps seemed to still carry sparks, crashing heavily into the empty corridor, leaving behind a lingering sense of astonishment and anxiety.
The heavy wooden door was wide open, like a startled, gaping mouth, silently recounting the sudden storm that had just struck.
Lu Yang sat behind his large mahogany desk, the composed smile that had appeared on his face when comforting his friend long gone, replaced by a deep, still expression.
His slender fingers unconsciously tapped the smooth tabletop, producing a soft yet rhythmic "tap, tap" sound. His gaze pierced through the open door, casting a line of rows of buildings on the distant Shenzhen skyline, as if measuring the undercurrents surging beneath this prosperous facade.
Eras have their limitations.
He knows this better than anyone else.
Aside from him, this ill-timed reborn individual, the world's attention was now burning hot on the false prosperity of the internet economy, and almost no one could penetrate this dazzling halo to see the rapidly accumulating, incinerating bubble fuel beneath.
North America, the mecca of the internet.
Since October 1998, the Nasdaq index has soared like a runaway horse, surging 238% in just 17 months.
What drove this astonishing increase was not the companies' actual profitability, but rather the almost manic inflation of valuations, with the price-to-earnings ratio once exceeding an astronomical figure of 69.
What an absurd era this is!
A company can attract the worship of the capital market and its stock price can soar simply by having the magical suffix ".com" in its name.
Barbers and taxi drivers alike are all talking about stocks, as if the secret to wealth is within easy reach.
As a leading internet company, Yahoo's price-to-earnings ratio was pushed to an astonishing 2000 times!
The stock price is still soaring.
Ironically, among the listed companies that fuel this index frenzy, 15% are actually operating at a severe loss. Their existence depends entirely on the hard-earned money of a constant stream of investors dreaming of getting rich quick.
On this side of the Pacific, this fervor is also revered.
Countless domestic internet companies, some only a year or two old and still struggling with huge losses, are eagerly turning their attention to Nasdaq.
Going there to ring the bell for listing on the stock exchange has become their dream feast of "eating big meat".
NetEase is one of them, as are Sina and Sohu, which are known as the three major Chinese portals.
Their IPO process is proceeding at a rapid pace, almost in sync with NetEase, and they are also stuck at this crucial final round of financing.
Mu Qizhong and Xiao Jun, as key participants in the previous round of financing for Sohu and Sina, naturally regarded these two companies as geese about to lay golden eggs.
On the eve of this unprecedented IPO feast, they were not thinking about giving up, but about how to expand their share by all means, hoping to get a bigger slice of the pie when the Nasdaq bell rang.
Lu Yang could see that longing, that determination, very clearly.
Therefore, when they heard that their planned additional investment had not only fallen through, but that their existing shares would also be forcibly diluted and snatched away by an unknown Hong Kong capital firm, the huge gap in benefits and the sudden sense of humiliation were enough to make these two seasoned businessmen lose their composure and become extremely anxious.
Disregarding even basic etiquette, they rushed out as if their "eyes were on fire" to "demand an explanation," a reaction that is all too natural.
Lu Yang stared at the empty doorway and finally shook his head slowly and almost imperceptibly.
In those eyes, there was insight into his friend's situation, an understanding of the greedy nature of capital, and an indescribable, prophetic compassion and detachment.
He didn't say a word.
Some roads must be walked alone; some lessons must be learned firsthand.
“Chairman.” Wei Shu’s voice broke the silence.
She had quietly stepped forward and gently closed the open door, shutting out the noise from the outside world.
She turned around with a worried look on her face, her sharp gaze fixed on Lu Yang. "If I'm not mistaken, this is probably the second young master of the Li family trying to sow discord between you again, isn't it? The methods are still so... direct."
She used "eye drops" rather than "declaration of war," clearly understanding that this was more like a test and provocation by the well-connected young master from Hong Kong against Lu Yang's recent series of "inappropriate" actions, intended to disrupt Lu Yang's camp and embarrass him.
Lu Yang withdrew his gaze from the distance and landed on Wei Shu, his eyes calm and unwavering: "Didn't you already see that? I'm not very optimistic about this seemingly booming and flourishing internet economy. Since I've already proactively reduced my stake in NetEase and secured my profits in advance, why should I jump out and help Lao Mou and Lao Xiao fight for what I think is just a 'mirage'?"
His tone was calm, yet it conveyed an undeniable certainty.
Wei Shu pursed her lips, a hint of struggle etched between her delicate brows.
As one of Lu Yang's most trusted confidantes, she participated in the entire process of the massive cash-out of NetEase's shares and was well aware of Lu Yang's prediction of the risks of the internet bubble.
But Mu Qizhong and Xiao Jun are different.
They are friends the young boss met during his early entrepreneurial journey, true brothers who have gone through thick and thin together and built a genuine friendship that is rare in the world of capital and business.
She hesitated for a moment, but still voiced her concerns: "But Chairman... what if? What if you're wrong? What if this bubble can last a long time, and Sina and Sohu really do see amazing growth after their IPOs? President Mou and President Xiao have suffered such a huge loss this time, losing real money worth of shares, and might even miss out on a chance to get rich... won't they turn around and blame you for standing by today? If this damages the hard-won friendship between you and the two bosses, wouldn't that be... a loss that outweighs the gain?"
Her words were tactful, but the meaning was clear: even if Lu Yang's judgment was correct, losing two true "friends" in the capital field would still be a huge loss.
Human nature is unpredictable, especially when faced with huge gains and losses.
Upon hearing this, Lu Yang's lips curled into a faint smile, carrying a hint of nonchalance.
He leaned back in his chair, relaxed, but his eyes were unusually clear: "If I was wrong, I was wrong. If Sister Wei Shu's friendship is worthless just because I didn't help them deal with that second young master of the Li family today, then that friendship itself is worthless. Such a 'brother' doesn't deserve to be my brother, Lu Yang's brother."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was resolute, carrying an almost cold clarity: "If that's really the case, then we can each go our own way from now on. Forced relationships are never sweet, and forced feelings are never genuine." This decisiveness stemmed from his rebirth, his profound understanding of human nature, and his adherence to his own principles.
He values relationships, but he is never blindly loyal or righteous, and he would never compromise his own judgment and strategy to maintain a false harmony.
Looking at the unwavering determination in Lu Yang's eyes, Wei Shu's worries did not completely dissipate, but she understood the chairman's resolve and bottom line.
She sighed softly and nodded. "I understand, Chairman. That's all we can do." She knew very well that once this young boss made a decision, it was difficult to change it, especially when it came to issues involving core strategies and principles.
finished,
She tidied up the documents on the table, preparing to leave: "Then, Chairman, if there are no other instructions, I'll head out now. I need to have a video conference with Engineer Liu this afternoon to confirm the progress report from the R&D department regarding the new generation DVD decoding chip."
"Okay, you can go ahead and get busy."
Reclining in his office chair, Lu Yang replied.
Then, as if remembering something important, the coldness on his face was instantly replaced by a warm smile, and his tone became relaxed. He straightened up and said, "By the way, your sister-in-law is hosting a banquet at home tonight. Remember to bring my brother Ping An and my precious goddaughter Duo Duo to come over for dinner. Old Gong has been away on business for more than half a year, guarding the safety of the chip industrial park in the remote countryside of Luzhou. He's lost weight from the stress. It's not easy for us to come back and reunite. It's been a long time since we've all gotten together, so let's have a lively get-together and a simple home-cooked meal."
When Lu Yang mentioned the family dinner and his goddaughter, his expression softened genuinely. Gong Ping'an was his most trusted security guard on his entrepreneurial journey, and Sister Wei Shu was his right-hand woman, like a housekeeper. The two families were as close as family.
This warmth is the harbor he cherishes most after battling in the cold business world.
Wei Shu was startled by Lu Yang's use of "Old Gong" and covered her mouth to chuckle. Even after so many years, she still couldn't help but laugh every time she heard it. After she managed to suppress her laughter, a warm smile appeared on her face, sweeping away the solemn atmosphere from before.
He chuckled and said, "Okay, I'll call Lao Gong later and tell him not to dawdle at home cooking tonight. He should tidy up and mop the floor as soon as possible, and take our greedy little girl to her godfather's house to 'snatch' some rich food! Duoduo has been talking about it for days, wanting to eat her godmother's sweet and sour pork ribs."
"Hahahaha!" Lu Yang laughed heartily. "Don't worry, there's plenty of good wine and food! Let your old Gong and our goddaughter Duoduo eat to their hearts' content!"
A few moments of lighthearted laughter echoed through the office.
Wei Shu smiled and said goodbye, turning and leaving the office, gently closing the door behind her.
"Click".
The soft click of the door lock closing was like the sound of a switch being turned on.
The office instantly fell into absolute silence. Sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long streaks of light on the floor, while dust particles floated in the air.
The warm smile on Lu Yang's face vanished as quickly as the tide, and his eyes returned to their sharp, unfathomable depths.
The magnanimity and nonchalance about friendship that I showed when facing Wei Shu just now seemed to be nothing more than a thin veil.
Beneath the veil lies a hunter's composure and a hidden sharpness.
He picked up the cold, hard-edged red landline on the table and, without the slightest hesitation, quickly dialed a number that very few people knew.
The call was answered almost instantly, and a deep, emotionless male voice came from the other end: "Mr. Lu."
Lu Yang's voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable tone of command; every word was crystal clear:
"It's me. Immediately investigate two things: First, what's the name of the Hong Kong company that suddenly entered Sina's last round of financing? Where is it registered? What is its shareholder structure? Who is the actual controller behind it? Second, the same goes for Sohu. Dig up every detail about the Hong Kong company that snatched Mr. Mou's share from Nande Company, including its funding sources and related parties. The more detailed, the better. In particular, find out if they have any direct or indirect connections with the Li family in Hong Kong, especially that second young master."
He once said he would watch from the sidelines.
But he never said he would let things slide or sit idly by while his friends were used as pawns to manipulate him.
If that second young master of the Li family really thinks that using such despicable means will make Lu Yang hesitate to act rashly, or that it is merely to annoy him, then he is sorely mistaken.
If he doesn't react at this moment, it will only embolden the other party and make them even more brazen.
Sure enough, our attention shifted to the port city.
Located on the southern slope of Victoria Peak, along Repulse Bay Road, lies a sprawling, modern yet classically styled detached mansion, the private residence of Li Zekai, the second son of the Li family.
Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows lies a meticulously manicured private garden and an endless sea view, while the interior is extremely luxurious, with expensive Italian furniture and original abstract art pieces adorning the space, all showcasing the owner's immense wealth.
At this moment, Li Zekai was lazily nestled in a large, comfortable white leather sofa in the center of the living room.
She wore a fine dark velvet robe, the neckline casually open, revealing her well-defined collarbones.
Holding a glass of exceptionally fine Bordeaux red wine, I gently swirl it. The deep red liquid clings to the sides of the crystal glass, releasing a rich, fruity aroma.
He squinted slightly, his gaze fixed on the azure sea outside the window, a faint, amused, and self-satisfied smile playing on his lips.
The phone on the coffee table rang crisply, breaking the silence of the room.
Li Zekai picked up the phone unhurriedly, gracefully pressed the answer button, and spoke with his usual condescending languor: "Hello?"
On the other end of the phone came a respectful but slightly nervous voice, which was his trusted confidant in charge of the "special mission" in the mainland: "Young Master, things have been taken care of. The companies we arranged for have successfully intervened in Sina and Sohu and obtained the key share of the last round of financing. The additional investment rights of Mu Qizhong of Nande and Xiao Jun have been replaced by us, and equity dilution is inevitable."
Li Zekai's smile deepened, as if he had everything under control.
He took a sip of red wine, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly as he savored the complex flavors on his tongue.
"Hmm, done cleanly and efficiently." He gave a light compliment, his tone devoid of much emotion, as if he had only accomplished a trivial task.
The confidant on the other end of the phone seemed to hesitate for a moment, lowering his voice even further, with a hint of seeking instructions: "Young Master, regarding the funding sources and backgrounds of these two new companies... should we make some further arrangements to... keep things vague for now? After all, with such swift and precise action targeting Mou and Xiao, those on the mainland, especially that President Lu, will probably soon realize it's us..."
"Blurred?" Li Zekai scoffed as if he had heard something utterly ridiculous, interrupting the other person.
He put down his wine glass, leaned forward slightly, and a sharp, arrogant glint flashed in his eyes. His tone suddenly became firm and full of disdain:
"No need! Absolutely not!" he said decisively, each word carrying an unquestionable arrogance. "I act with integrity! I don't steal or rob, I use real money, and I follow all proper business procedures! This is perfectly normal business behavior! In the market, the highest bidder wins, and you have to accept the consequences—it's only fair!"
He stood up, walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, and looked down at the bustling Hong Kong Island and the vast sea below, as if the entire business world was under his control.
His voice, transmitted over the phone, clearly conveyed his ingrained sense of superiority and his contempt for the "new rich" in mainland China:
"Even if that bumpkin surnamed Mou finds out, that bumpkin surnamed Xiao finds out, or even... that guy surnamed Lu finds out that I, this young master, snatched the business from those two lackeys, so what?"
He deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of "country bumpkin" and "lackey," making it full of insults. "What can they do to me? Sue me? Or dare to come to Hong Kong to settle accounts with me? Ha!"
He let out a short, cold laugh, full of mockery: "Let them investigate! The clearer the better! It would be best if everyone knew that it was me, Li Zekai, who did it! I want them to understand that some rules of the game are not something these nouveau riche from the mainland can easily play! They want to challenge the Li family? They're still too green!"
The confidant on the other end of the phone was clearly taken aback by Li Zekai's undisguised and even provocative words. After a two-second silence, he respectfully replied, "Yes, young master, I understand!"
"Good, I understand." Li Zekai's tone regained its usual nonchalant air of complete control. "Follow up on the rest according to plan, understand?"
"Yes, young master, rest assured, I will take care of it!"
After hanging up the phone, Li Zekai finished the rest of the red wine in his glass in one gulp.
He turned around, his back to the magnificent sea view, his arrogant smile growing even more blatant, his eyes gleaming with calculation and control.
He could almost see Mu Qizhong and Xiao Jun's exasperated yet helpless expressions, and he could even see the wonderful expression on the face of that "60 billionaire" who was currently making waves in Shenzhen, upon hearing the news.
“Lu Yang…” Li Zekai murmured the name, a hint of amusement and contempt in his voice. “Internet finance is booming right now. Sohu and Sina, these two Chinese portal websites, are currently being sought after by Wall Street capital. After their successful listing, their stock prices are bound to skyrocket. Although in the long run there is too much of a bubble, it will definitely not burst anytime soon. Your two right-hand men have been tricked by me and suffered such a big loss. I suppose they are complaining to you, you dog, right? Heh heh, but what can you do to me?”
He walked to the wine cabinet and poured himself another glass of wine.
Outside the window, the surface of Repulse Bay shimmered, seemingly calm yet concealing an impending surge of undercurrents.
Li Zekai raised his glass, pointing it at the void, as if saluting an unseen opponent, or perhaps celebrating having humiliated them. (End of Chapter)