Grandpa's Wisdom and the System's Hint

In the president's office, Yan Qingyue stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows and told her grandfather on the phone exactly what harsh conditions Huanyu Capital had proposed and what predicament she faced, her voice low and clear.

"...Grandpa, that's the situation."

When she finished, she let out a soft breath, feeling as though the pressure on her shoulders had eased a little. "Huanyu's conditions would practically make us hand over core control.

But if we reject them, we could face an even more dangerous unknown opponent.

The other investors don't have the strength or resources to provide any real security.

I... don't quite know what to do."

On the other end of the line, Old Master Yan fell silent for a moment without answering immediately.

Yan Qingyue could hear his steady breathing and knew her grandfather was thinking it over carefully.

After quite a while, Old Master Yan's voice slowly came through, carrying the composure and wisdom of someone who had weathered life's storms:

"Qingyue, don't be hasty. The games played in business have never been simply black and white.

Huanyu Capital's conditions are harsh, which shows they really do see the enormous value of the Alpha project. It also confirms the substance of your technology.

That's a good thing."

"But..."

He changed tack. "Putting your lifeline in someone else's hands is the worst possible choice.

The Yan Family's business made it this far by standing on its own feet and keeping its core technology firmly in its own hands.

That must never change."

"Then... do we reject Huanyu?"

Yan Qingyue asked, a trace of hesitation in her voice. "But what about the other risks..."

"Rejecting them doesn't mean we have to clash head-on."

Old Master Yan chuckled, a hint of cunning in his voice. "The art of negotiation lies in maneuvering and finding a point of balance.

Huanyu Capital is forceful, but they're not a solid block of iron either. They have factions within their ranks and performance targets to meet.

By proposing such harsh conditions, they're also testing the waters, trying to see where our bottom line is."

"You mean... we can bargain with them?" Yan Qingyue said thoughtfully.

"It's more than just bargaining."

Old Master Yan's voice grew serious. "More importantly, we need to show them our value and... how irreplaceable we are.

We need to make them understand that cooperating with us benefits both sides. Trying to control us will only leave both sides wounded."

"We can make some concessions, such as on board seats and sharing some market channels, but we absolutely cannot give up control over the core technology or our veto power!

That's the bottom line!"

"At the same time..."

The old master continued his advice. "You need to take the initiative instead of just waiting passively.

You can approach other capable investors with relatively clean backgrounds. Even if their terms are a little worse, you still need to send a signal and let Huanyu know they aren't our only option.

Creating competition is the only way to increase our bargaining power."

"Also, as for security..."

Old Master Yan paused thoughtfully. "The Yan Family still has some old connections who can offer support with security and intelligence.

They can't compare to Huanyu's global network, but protecting the core technology and key personnel shouldn't be much of a problem.

You can put your mind at ease about that."

Hearing her grandfather's words, Yan Qingyue suddenly saw the light, as though she had spotted a lamp shining through the fog.

Her grandfather's experience and wisdom helped her find her direction and confidence again.

"I understand, Grandpa!"

Her voice regained its usual calm and resolve. "I know what to do now. We won't give an inch on control over the core technology, but we can be flexible on other points.

At the same time, we'll approach other potential investors and create competition.

For security, we'll rely mainly on the Yan Family's own resources, with outside cooperation as a supplement."

"That's right!"

Old Master Yan smiled with relief. "That's it! Remember, Qingyue, the stronger the opponent, the more important it is to stay calm and keep your composure.

You have the ability and the strength, so there's no need to fear them! Grandpa will always be your strongest support!"

"Thank you, Grandpa!"

A warm current welled up in Yan Qingyue's heart.

After hanging up, she felt much lighter.

She sat back down behind her desk, her gaze sharpening and filling with fighting spirit.

She quickly began formulating a new strategy: how to conduct the next round of negotiations with Huanyu Capital, how to screen and approach other investors, how to strengthen internal security...

Meanwhile, at his workstation outside, Lin Chen was wrestling with his own thoughts.

He turned President Yan's predicament over and over in his mind, and the more he thought about it, the thornier it seemed.

Huanyu Capital is too forceful, and the other investors aren't strong enough... Is there really no way to get the best of both worlds?

System... Big Brother System!

He couldn't help calling out in his mind. We're in real trouble this time! Is there any way you can help President Yan? Help the company?

He hadn't held out much hope. After all, the system had already made it clear that the previous emergency assistance would be its last.

Yet, unexpectedly, the system actually responded!

[Ding—detected host's strong desire for help and the current complex situation.]

[System hint: This system cannot directly intervene in real-world business decisions, but can provide potential directions for reference based on its information database.]

[Suggested direction: The new energy vehicle industry chain.]

[Hint: The government will soon introduce a new round of policies supporting the new energy vehicle industry, estimated within one to three months. The focus will be on key technological fields such as intelligent driving, automotive-grade chips, and high-energy-density batteries.

These fields are closely linked to artificial intelligence technology, and their market prospects are vast. The competitive landscape has yet to fully solidify.]

[Suggestion: The host may pay attention to small and medium-sized companies in these fields that have technological potential but have yet to be fully discovered, or to niche areas where technological breakthroughs may be possible.

This may provide a new way to break through the current predicament or an alternative solution.]

[Note: This hint is free and does not cost any points.]

New energy vehicles?!

Lin Chen froze!

This direction was completely unexpected!

He immediately began searching on his computer.

Sure enough, discussions about new energy vehicles and intelligent driving had been heated over the past few months. A hundred flowers were blooming among the various technological approaches, but no absolute monopoly giant had yet emerged.

Many promising startups and transformation projects at traditional automakers were in urgent need of funding and technical support.

If President Yan's company could apply its advantages in AI technology to intelligent driving or the Internet of Vehicles, wouldn't that open up a brand-new blue ocean?

Not only could this create enormous new value, but it could also, to some extent, disperse the concentrated pressure and risks facing the core Alpha project!

More importantly, if the company could establish an early foothold and achieve a breakthrough in this emerging field, its bargaining power in negotiations with giants like Huanyu Capital would increase dramatically!

That was because the company would represent not just the existing Alpha project, but also enormous future potential in another trillion-yuan market!

That's right! Why do we have to hang ourselves on the single tree of AI infrastructure?

We can open up a second battlefield!

Big Brother System! You're amazing!

This hint is like sending charcoal in the snow!

Lin Chen was so excited he nearly jumped out of his chair!

He couldn't wait to rush into the office and tell President Yan about the idea!

But he quickly calmed down.

No, I can't be so reckless.

I need to organize my thoughts first and find some concrete examples and data to make this proposal more convincing.

And how do I explain suddenly knowing so much about new energy vehicles? I need to come up with a reasonable explanation...

He took a deep breath, forced himself to sit down, and began frantically researching and organizing information about the new energy vehicle industry chain, the current state of intelligent driving technology, potential investment targets, and more.

He planned to find the right moment to present President Yan with this suggestion, which might turn the situation around.

Inside and outside the office, Yan Qingyue and Lin Chen were thinking from different angles, but both were searching for a way forward for the company's future.

A contest with a capital giant and a plan for the future were quietly unfolding.

And this unexpected hint from the system might become the key variable in breaking the deadlock.