Charm point maxed out, inheriting game assets

”Second, you may not know this, but under our [Zhongshu Group], we also have a chain coffee brand called [Coffee and Time], with 21 self-operated stores across the entire Southwest region. Through cross-shareholding, we can directly merge this brand into [Glimmer Coffee], saving you the massive effort of looking for locations and expanding in a new market.”

”Third, and most importantly, in Glimmer’s future Series B financing, I, as well as the [Zhongshu Group] behind me, can also participate. So, President Xie, what do you think of this cooperation plan...are you satisfied with it?”

He was convinced that no entrepreneur could turn down such a tempting ”big gift package.”

This meeting was something he had carefully orchestrated from the start.

The reason he had the operations director wear down Xie Shuyu’s patience for an hour before he himself appeared fashionably late was, in itself, a negotiation tactic, meant to make the subsequent cooperation go more smoothly.

He wanted results, to add leverage for inheriting the entire [Zhongshu Group] in the future; the bit of business from [Shu Fresh] was far from enough.

And if he could facilitate a deep cooperation with [Glimmer Coffee], this emerging high-potential brand, revitalize the half-dead coffee brand under the group, and even leverage it to enter the national market, it would undoubtedly make his achievements shine even brighter.

He simply hadn’t expected that Xie Shuyu herself would be this beautiful.

Especially that composed, intellectual ”strong woman” aura she carried, which stirred in him a fierce desire to conquer.

He didn’t mind having some ”deeper” cooperation with her.

That was why he put forward the third point of investment temptation.

The hand with which Xie Shuyu was holding her glass paused, and a trace of emotion flashed in her eyes.

She was an extremely rational businesswoman and could naturally calculate clearly the enormous value hidden behind Chen Hao’s words.

Directly swallowing a mature brand with 21 stores meant that [Glimmer Coffee] could, at the lowest cost and fastest speed, instantly secure a bridgehead in the entire Southwest market.

And [Zhongshu Group]’s capital entry meant she would gain a powerful ally with a deep state-owned background and strong local resources.

The temptation was simply too great.

However, after many years in the business world, she could of course see the greed that Chen Hao was hiding.

[Zhongshu Group] was a true behemoth, the absolute leader in the entire Southwest catering sector. Once they entered as a shareholder, they could easily, through capital operations and asymmetric resource advantages, bit by bit dilute and erode, and ultimately completely swallow [Glimmer Coffee].

This kind of ”seeking skin from a tiger” deal was something she had seen far too many times.

Most importantly, Chen Hao’s gaze had, from beginning to end, carried a clinging quality that made her extremely uncomfortable.

Now that she and Tang Song were already together, she would naturally not, for the sake of her career, create any unnecessary entanglements with other men.

Tang Song had already given too much for her; she could not bring him any more trouble.

Thinking of this, all the greed in Xie Shuyu’s heart was instantly doused.

”President Chen, your cooperation proposal is very sincere and very forward-looking as well. Thank you for valuing our Glimmer Coffee so highly.

However, our [Glimmer Coffee]’s Series A investor is a very low-key independent investor.

He has his own clear and forceful plan regarding the company’s equity structure and future development pace.

So... I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you.”

She deftly cast Tang Song as a ”mysterious and domineering” behind-the-scenes big shot, hoping to make the other side more cautious.

”Oh? An independent investor? That does sound quite impressive.” Chen Hao leaned back in his chair and slowly took off his glasses. ”Why don’t you arrange for him to come out, President Xie, and we can talk face to face? I’m sure the strength of our [Zhongshu Group] can win the recognition of any top investor.”

The atmosphere in the reception room gradually grew heavier.

Looking at him, Xie Shuyu said, ”I don’t think...that will be necessary.”

”Heh.” Chen Hao clasped his hands in front of him and leaned back. ”No need to rush to say no, President Xie. After all, Glimmer’s business in the Southwest has only just begun. The road ahead is still long; you can take your time to think about it.”

Xie Shuyu’s expression paused slightly; she naturally heard the subtext in his words.

She also understood that it would be impossible to smoothly cancel the logistics cooperation today.

She took a deep breath, that polite smile once again appearing on her face. ”All right, then I’ll thank you in advance for the reminder, President Chen. I’ve got other engagements, so I’ll be taking my leave.”

Chen Hao stood up, eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her. ”Let’s go, President Xie, I’ll walk you out.”

...

Under the afternoon sun of Rong City, the light fell on her, yet Xie Shuyu felt no warmth at all—only a piercing glare.

”Ring ring—” Her phone suddenly rang.

[Meng Ran]

Xie Shuyu picked up the call. ”Hello, Ranran.”

”Yu, have you finished talking with them? How did it go?”

”We didn’t reach a deal.” Xie Shuyu pressed her dry lips together, a trace of fatigue in her voice. ”And...another problem came up.”

She briefly recounted her conversation with Chen Hao just now.

Meng Ran was silent for a long time before sighing. ”In the end, it’s still because [Glimmer Coffee] is too valuable now and has been targeted. You’ve got [Yunting Essence] on the upstream supply chain, and [Xingyun International Group] on the downstream marketing. Especially Xingyun International—you probably haven’t kept up with it lately. It’s gotten support from big capital and is expanding like crazy right now...”