Chapter 925
The Spirited Young Master Xiao
Out of consideration for their past friendship and the fact that the other party was his brother-in-law, Lu Yang decided to give Xiao Jun another chance.
As for whether we can catch it?
It all depends on whether the other party is willing to listen to advice.
An hour later.
At Shekou Port, a luxury yacht, a size or two larger than the surrounding cruise ships, departed the port amidst the sound of its horn, cutting through the azure waters and sailing towards the open sea.
The sunlight reflected off the deck, creating a dazzling effect.
Three men stood facing the wind on the bow deck.
Lu Yang, dressed casually, looked calm; Mu Qizhong wore a flashy Hawaiian shirt, his face bearing his usual smile, as if he loved watching the drama unfold; while Xiao Jun, standing in the middle, wore a sharp designer casual suit, looking smug and high-spirited, as if last night's thrilling bargain-hunting victory had propelled him to the pinnacle of his life, and even the sea breeze couldn't dispel the smugness between his brows.
Behind them, several well-trained crew members were quietly and quickly preparing their fishing gear, including fishing rods, tackle boxes, and bait, laying the groundwork for their upcoming "leisure time."
The sea breeze rustled, stirring my clothes.
After a brief silence, Lu Yang turned to the side, his gaze falling on Xiao Jun. His voice was not loud, but it clearly pierced through the sound of the wind and waves:
"Brother Xiao."
Xiao Jun turned around at the sound of his voice, a triumphant smile on his face: "President Lu, what can I do for you?"
Ignoring the subtle provocation in his tone, Lu Yang cut to the chase with unusual sincerity: "Through yesterday's risky bottom-fishing, you not only recovered your huge previous losses but also made a considerable profit. This certainly requires courage and boldness."
He paused, then changed the subject, his gaze sharpening, "But you've probably felt the effects of the global market downturn recently. The Nasdaq index has fallen by nearly 30% in a month, and that's no accident. The systemic risks in the global financial markets are far from over."
Xiao Jun's smile faded slightly, but it didn't disappear completely. He slightly raised his chin, seemingly waiting for Lu Yang to continue.
"The root cause lies in the market's almost frenzied pursuit of technology stocks and internet concept stocks in the past two years. The bubble was blown too big and too unrealistic."
Lu Yang's voice carried a calmness that understood the essence of things: "The bursting of the bubble is just the beginning. In my opinion, the Nasdaq has been falling for a month, and this is far from the bottom. The market panic and the return of valuations have only just begun."
He looked directly into Xiao Jun's eyes, his tone becoming more serious, carrying an almost warning tone: "If you listen to my advice and stop now, it's not too late."
Xiao Jun frowned almost imperceptibly, but quickly relaxed, with a hint of disdain: "Oh? What are your thoughts, Mr. Lu? I'd like to hear them in detail."
“It’s very simple.” Lu Yang knew that the other party might not listen to his advice, but he still said in a firm voice: “If I were you, I would sell all the Little Prodigy shares I bought from the secondary market right now! I would only keep the original shares that you, as the founding shareholder, hold after the board resolution, or even after all the major shareholders collectively reduce their holdings.”
This proposal is like throwing a boulder into a calm sea.
Xiao Jun's expression changed instantly, and Mu Qizhong also put away his playful smile, his eyes becoming serious. Even the busy crew behind them seemed to sense the tense atmosphere and their movements became much quieter.
Ignoring Xiao Jun's sudden change in expression, Lu Yang continued to calmly analyze the pros and cons: "Of course, there is a price to pay for doing this. The number of shares you have that can be traded and influence the stock price and voting rights will be greatly reduced. I cannot guarantee that those astute capital representatives on the board will not take the opportunity to launch an attack, unite to demand a new board meeting, and use their majority of votes to remove you from your current position as president."
He shifted his tone again, his voice carrying a long-term consideration: "But, Brother Xiao, think about it carefully! Over the years you've invested in Little Prodigy, from the initial angel round to now, even after the recent plunge in the US stock market, your initial return on investment must have been at least over a hundred times, right?"
"This is the wealth myth that so many people dream of!"
"Even if you lose your position as CEO, as long as you hold this huge amount of real money in your hands, the future is bright, and there's nowhere you can't make a comeback?"
"Take a step back and the sea and sky will broaden."
"Moreover, apart from the job risks I just mentioned, this choice itself carries almost no financial risk for you personally! You've secured the vast majority of your gains, putting your money's worth in the bag and leaving you in an invincible position."
Lu Yang's words were clear and powerful, like a precise scalpel, attempting to dissect Xiao Jun's reason, which was blinded by greed and ambition.
He offered a seemingly conciliatory but actually the safest solution: sacrifice empty fame for tangible benefits.
However, Xiao Jun's reaction was completely unexpected by Lu Yang, or rather, it confirmed his deepest worries.
"Hahaha!" Xiao Jun suddenly burst into laughter, the sound of which was somewhat jarring and abrupt in the sea breeze, full of arrogance and disapproval.
"Lu Yang! My dear brother-in-law! I appreciate your kindness! But—"
He abruptly stopped laughing, his eyes sharpening with ambition, like a lion eyeing its prey: "I disagree with your assessment this time! The Nasdaq has been falling for over a month, but yesterday's deep V-shaped rebound, coupled with today's sharp drop, is, in my view, a signal that the market's panic is being released and is about to exhaust itself! The bearish forces have been almost completely depleted! Next, it should be time for a bottoming out and a rebound, with the market climbing back up to recover lost ground!"
He waved his hand forcefully, as if dispelling the "gloom" brought by Lu Yang: "Besides, the cost of the chips I hold is far below the current market price! Even at yesterday's closing price of $40.1, I still have huge profit potential! As long as I can get through these few months, as long as there isn't another more severe systemic stock market crash globally, and as long as Little Prodigy's performance this year can be stabilized and a beautiful year-end report can be delivered! I don't believe that the stock price can be halved again from its current level!"
As Xiao Jun spoke, he became more and more excited, and his voice rose a few decibels. His long-suppressed ambition was finally exposed at this moment: "At that time, my personal holdings of Little Prodigy shares will steadily exceed 15%, making me the new major shareholder after your large-scale reduction of holdings. Once the board of directors is re-elected, I am fully capable and have enough votes to compete for the position of chairman of the board!"
He stared intently at Lu Yang, declaring each word clearly, "I will not give up! Give up my current position? No! What I want is to go further!"
The deck fell into a deathly silence.
The only sounds were the crashing waves against the hull and the howling sea wind.
Mu Qizhong stood beside him, his mouth agape. His expression shifted from surprise to shock, and then to a look of understanding.
He couldn't help but mutter to himself: This kid! He's got quite the appetite! It turns out he's not eyeing the CEO's chair, but the chairman's throne! CEO and chairman, completely controlling the little prodigy? This plan is... If he can really get through these few months and wait for the performance support and rebound, this seemingly crazy ambition actually has a real chance of being realized!
Looking at the almost obsessive flame burning in Xiao Jun's eyes and listening to his resounding "declaration," Lu Yang's last thought of persuading him was completely extinguished.
He slowly, almost imperceptibly, shook his head, a faint trace of pity and utter detachment flashing deep in his eyes.
That's it.
You can't reason with a damned devil. He's already said everything that needed to be said and could be said.
The path was chosen by Xiao Jun himself.
The abyss lay ahead, but alas, the enemy only saw the throne atop the mountain.
Lu Yang's face regained its usual calm, tinged with distance, as if his heartfelt advice had never happened.
He turned to the crew members who were setting up their fishing gear, breaking the tense atmosphere with a light tone:
"All the tools are ready? Looks like we'll have a good haul today." He walked first to the neatly arranged fishing rods, picked one up and weighed it in his hand, then looked at Xiao Jun and Mu Qizhong, a faint smile playing on his lips, not reaching his eyes.
"Fine, since you've already made up your mind, I won't try to persuade you anymore."
"Let's go. Today we won't talk about business, let's just talk about romance and see who can catch more and bigger fish."
When Xiao Jun saw that Lu Yang had taken the initiative to change the subject, seemingly "admitting defeat," the tension he felt from having his ambition exposed instantly dissipated, replaced by even greater smugness.
He laughed heartily, strode over, and boldly agreed, "Alright! Let's have a contest! The loser treats everyone, and the winner can choose any place!"
Mu Qizhong immediately reverted to his peacemaker and spectator persona, rubbing his hands together and laughing, "Yes, yes, yes, let's just talk about romance! We're all good brothers, it doesn't matter who treats us, but..."
He winked slyly, "Brother, I feel pretty lucky today, I still want to win, hahaha!"
Lu Yang smiled faintly and skillfully baited the hook: "Me too."
"A word is settled!"
The three fishing rods were cast out almost simultaneously, the fishing lines cutting through the air and plunging into the depths of the azure sea with the bait.
The sun was shining brightly, and a gentle sea breeze was blowing. The deck seemed to have regained its joyful vacation atmosphere.
Xiao Jun and Mu Qizhong discussed with great interest which bait was more effective, their laughter echoing throughout.
Lu Yang sat quietly at his fishing spot, gazing intently at the distant horizon where the sea met the sky. He seemed to be patiently waiting for a fish to bite, or perhaps he could see a more distant and certain future through the boundless blue sky—a future where the stock price of Little Prodigy was destined to continue its downward spiral, where the warning red lights on Xiao Jun's mortgaged stocks were flashing incessantly, and where he himself had laid out a grand chess game, waiting for the right moment.
The sea breeze, in the end, could not cool the burning flame of ambition in some people's hearts, nor could it take away Lu Yang's cold judgment that he had already seen through everything.
Since that seemingly easy but actually turbulent sea fishing trip, an invisible, cold wall seemed to have separated Lu Yang and Xiao Jun.
Lu Yang did not contact Xiao Jun again. Xiao Jun seemed to be immersed in his grand plan to "turn the tide" and "ascend the throne," or deliberately avoiding the "cold water" from Lu Yang that might shake his confidence again. He also did not contact Lu Yang again.
Even Mu Qizhong, the usual "middleman" who livened up the atmosphere, seemed to have keenly sensed the irreconcilable rift between the two. In subsequent private gatherings, he would either meet with Lu Yang alone to discuss other projects or go out for drinks with Xiao Jun alone, and never invited both of them to attend together again.
That fishing trip, where they "only talked about romance," became their last and only "harmonious" encounter recently.
Beneath the surface calm, turbulent undercurrents are surging.
Nearly two more months passed.
The calendar turned to the day of Qian Xiaohao's first birthday, the son of Lu Yang and Qian Youyou.
The Qian Family Manor, located in the suburbs of Shenzhen, is decorated with a childlike and warm atmosphere.
Colorful balloons floated in the garden, a huge "1" sign stood in the center of the lawn, and various toys and cartoon dolls were scattered among them.
Many members of the Qian family were busy preparing a sumptuous family feast.
The air was filled with the sweet aroma of cake and the fragrance of flowers.
This is the fruit of love between President Lu of Century Group and Qian Youyou, the current head of Qian Group and the group's female president. It is also the first important day in the life of their young master Qian Xiaohao, the only heir of the next generation of Qian Group.
As a member of the Qian clan and receiving a salary from the Qian clan, I naturally have to perform well!
As the hostess of the day, Qian Youyou's face radiated happiness and contentment as she held her son, who was dressed in an exquisite little suit, and received blessings from her mother and relatives.
However, no one noticed that Madam Qian, the previous mistress of the Qian family and the birthday girl's biological grandmother, was unusually absent-minded. Her smile seemed forced, and she kept glancing towards the villa's main gate, as if she were waiting for someone.
Oh, right, the birthday boy's uncle didn't come.
Regardless of the business disagreements and ideological conflicts between Lu Yang and Xiao Jun, the bond of blood cannot be ignored at this moment.
As Qian Xiaohao's maternal uncle, Xiao Jun had no choice but to attend this family dinner, both out of courtesy and obligation.
He had to appear, and he had to bring a generous gift befitting his status and sufficient to demonstrate his uncle's goodwill.
Outside the villa gate, a black luxury car slowly came to a stop.
The driver got out of the car and respectfully opened the back door.
Xiao Jun appeared beside the car. He took a deep breath, straightened his expensive custom-made suit, and tried to put on a gentle smile befitting the occasion, attempting to conceal the faint anxiety or fatigue that might have lingered between his brows from his days of watching the stock market fluctuations.
He carried an exquisitely packaged gift box that looked priceless as he strode towards the door that was filled with laughter and joy.
However, only he himself knew the anxiety and unease he felt at that moment. ... (End of Chapter)