Jiang Yixin spent ages searching online and went several rounds with Glutinous Rice Ball, cramming financial knowledge until she finally understood what stock options were.
Oh, so these shares aren't mine yet. I have to wait until my first anniversary at the company before I can buy them with cash, and then I can buy another batch every three months.
Oh, so even after I buy these shares, I can't sell them for cash unless the company buys them back or goes public, at which point I can sell them through a brokerage.
Oh, so even after the company goes public, there's a twelve-month lockup before I can trade them.
Jiang Yixin blinked. Her earlier excitement finally settled down a little.
She rested her head on her desk and couldn't help indulging in a quiet daydream. When will the company go public?
Going public felt so far away.
Just then, a meeting reminder popped up on Jiang Yixin's computer.
[Origin Group Management Alignment Meeting] [Invitee: Group Vice President · Jiang Yixin]
The email's subject line perked Jiang Yixin right up.
Earlier, she had run into Chen Jianye in the break room. Playing the seasoned veteran, Old Chen had told her in a conspiratorial tone, "With a merger like this, there's bound to be organizational restructuring." His manner piqued Jiang Yixin's curiosity. She put down her coffee and snacks and stopped in her tracks.
"Oh? President Chen, what do you mean? Tell me more."
Chen Jianye lowered his voice, looking as though he was about to share something that mustn't leave the room.
"I've been through plenty of these. With a change this big, they have to spell everything out-who manages whom, who reports to whom, and who has a dotted-line reporting relationship with whom. Some people are bound