The Wager

Opening the office door, Liu Yan said to her assistant, Zhang Jing, "Find me a pair of pants that will fit Mr. Chen."

Zhang Jing froze at the request. "President Liu, what do you need pants for?"

Liu Yan blushed a little. "Don't ask so many questions. Just get them. Also, call a board meeting immediately. Everyone is to gather in the conference room in half an hour."

"Yes!"

After closing the door again, Liu Yan smiled at Chen Hao. "Your investment is a major matter, and it isn't something I can decide alone. I'll convene the board in half an hour. Come with me then."

Chen Hao disliked those occasions, but he was already in too deep to back out. He could only brace himself and go. "No problem, but you'd better speak up for me. Otherwise, I might just walk away. It's not hard to find someone to partner with on something like this, after all."

Now that Liu Yan was absolutely certain Chen Hao's furnace ash could miraculously heal wounds in an instant, she was determined to secure it. Blue Light Pharmaceuticals had to get its hands on this product.

Forget selling a ten-percent stake for ten million—she would willingly offer twenty percent. She knew how profoundly this product would affect all of China, and even the entire world.

"You can rest assured, Mr. Chen. I'll do everything I can to help you," Liu Yan promised with unwavering confidence.

Hearing her still call him Mr. Chen, Chen Hao immediately turned on the charm. "Mr. Chen sounds so distant. I'd rather you called me Chen Hao, or Hao."

Liu Yan rolled her eyes at him, then asked, "Chen Hao, can you tell me what that black powder actually is? How much do you have? Is the formula yours?"

Chen Hao smiled. "It's a traditional remedy passed down through generations of our Chen Family. As for the details, I'll tell you when the time is right, but not now."

The formula for such a miraculous medicine was naturally a closely guarded trade secret. Liu Yan took no offense at his caution and merely nodded.

Soon, Zhang Jing came in with a pair of pants.

When she saw the hole over Chen Hao's thigh, then glanced at Liu Yan, an odd smile immediately appeared on her face.

Liu Yan flushed scarlet and took the pants from her. "What are you smiling about? Get out there and prepare for the board meeting."

Chen Hao hurried to smooth things over as well. "Zhang Jing, it's not what you think. There's nothing going on between your boss and me. We didn't do anything. My pants just tore by accident while we were tugging at them."

The first half sounded reassuring enough to Liu Yan, but the second half made her want to find something to stuff into Chen Hao's mouth. "Shut up and change your pants."

Chen Hao raised his eyebrows and started unfastening his clothes. The sudden move startled Liu Yan, and she quickly turned away in embarrassment. "What are you doing?"

"Changing my pants, obviously!" Chen Hao answered shamelessly.

"Who told you to change here? We have a changing room." Liu Yan was so angry that even her ears turned red.

"Then why didn't you say so earlier? I've already taken them off," Chen Hao said without a trace of embarrassment.

Faced with someone as thick-skinned as Chen Hao, Liu Yan had no idea what to do. She could only keep her back to him and urge him to hurry.

Once he had changed, Chen Hao left the office with Liu Yan and headed for the conference room.

On the way, Liu Yan gave him an overview of the company's situation.

Originally, Liu Yan had held a paltry five-percent stake, while her father, who had headed Blue Light Pharmaceuticals, held fifteen percent. Outside investors had owned most of the remaining eighty percent.

Over the past few years, however, Blue Light Pharmaceuticals' fortunes had taken a sharp turn for the worse, and its major shareholders had begun reducing their stakes.

The Liu Family had spent an enormous sum buying those shares back. Although their combined stake had risen to nearly forty percent, the buybacks had also caused serious cash-flow problems for Blue Light Pharmaceuticals.

By the time they reached the conference room, it was already full.

After they took their seats, the others began pointing at Chen Hao and murmuring among themselves, puzzled by the outsider's presence.

Knowing how precious time was, Liu Yan got straight to the point as soon as she sat down. "Thank you to all the Dong and their representatives for attending this meeting. I'll keep this brief. I've called you here because there may be some changes to Blue Light's share ownership."

The moment she finished, a balding old man gave a disdainful laugh. "What, are you planning to sell your shares? If so, I'd be willing to offer five million for your entire stake."

Liu Yan smiled faintly. The balding old man was called Uncle Ming. He was a major shareholder in Blue Light, but he was also a bloodsucker.

When Blue Light Pharmaceuticals had been at its lowest, he had not only refused to help, but had spread rumors and stirred up panic. He had then bought other investors' shares at rock-bottom prices. His faction now held more than thirty percent.

Had the Liu Family not paid a heavy price to buy back the other shares, Liu Yan might no longer have been in control of Blue Light Pharmaceuticals.

"I called this meeting because Mr. Chen Hao here is willing to buy a ten-percent stake in Blue Light for ten million," Liu Yan announced, paying Uncle Ming little heed.

The room immediately broke into discussion.

Once again, Uncle Ming was the first to object. "I disagree. Even at our current market valuation, ten million is nowhere near enough to buy ten percent."

Liu Yan smiled slightly. "Uncle Ming, you just told me that my twenty-percent stake was only worth five million."

That retort left Uncle Ming momentarily speechless. He could only laugh it off. "I was just joking with you."

Treating his words as so much hot air, Liu Yan brushed them aside with a smile. Then she swept her gaze across the room and continued, "Which of you Dong would be willing to sell that ten-percent stake?"

No one present was a fool. Blue Light Pharmaceuticals might have been struggling, but its fixed assets alone were worth at least several hundred million. Even if they sold their shares now, they would fetch far more than that. After a long wait, no one offered to sell.

Liu Yan had anticipated this response. She smiled faintly. "Since none of you are interested, don't say I didn't give you the opportunity."

She then smiled at Chen Hao and extended her hand. "Mr. Chen, I'm willing to sell you ten percent from my own holdings."

Chen Hao was rather surprised by her decision. Liu Yan did not have many shares to spare, and he had offered to invest with the intention of helping her buy back some of the shares held by outsiders, giving her more influence at Blue Light.

He had never expected her to offer her own shares. It suddenly felt as though they were simply moving something from one pocket to the other.

Liu Yan's decision also caught everyone else in the room off guard.

The Liu Family held effective control of Blue Light's operations only because of the size of their combined stake.

If Liu Yan handed ten percent to Chen Hao and he switched sides, she would not merely lose her position as general manager—the entire Liu Family might be forced out.

Most of those present, especially Uncle Ming, were eager to see the Liu Family ousted as soon as possible. At her decision, he quickly applauded his approval. "Excellent! Welcome aboard as a shareholder in Blue Light, Mr. Chen."

Uncle Ming clearly carried considerable weight on the board. Once he took the lead, the other Dong immediately joined in the applause.

Although Chen Hao did not understand Liu Yan's intentions, this was no time to hesitate. He could only shake her hand and agree.

Liu Yan and Chen Hao then signed the share-transfer agreement Zhang Jing had prepared beforehand. From that moment on, Chen Hao was also a member of the board.

As soon as they finished signing, Uncle Ming suddenly spoke again. "Since we're all here today, I might as well ask our General Manager Liu a question. Blue Light Pharmaceuticals is losing money every month. This can't continue. I don't want someone's incompetence dragging the entire company down. If you can't handle the job, step aside and let someone capable take over."

This was not the first time Liu Yan had heard such a pointed attack, so she remained calm, without the slightest anger.

Before she could respond, Chen Hao suddenly gave a mocking laugh. "Did someone forget to brush his teeth? All that crap coming out of his mouth really stinks!"

Bang!

Uncle Ming slammed his palm onto the conference table and pointed at Chen Hao. "What did you say? Don't think owning a few shares gives you the right to run your mouth here. You haven't earned that right."

Chen Hao smiled. "Then I wonder whether you'd dare make a wager with us, Uncle Ming."

Uncle Ming chuckled. "I love a good wager. Tell me, what are the terms?"

"Before the end of the year—in other words, within two months—Blue Light Pharmaceuticals will not only pay off all its external debts, but turn a profit!" Chen Hao declared confidently.

In the past, Liu Yan would have stopped him immediately. Blue Light Pharmaceuticals' losses were no small sum. Forget two months—even two years might not have been enough to get it back on track.

Now, however, things were completely different.

At Chen Hao's words, Uncle Ming immediately led the room in loud laughter. "A newborn calf really has no fear of the tiger! Fine. What are the stakes?"

"All the shares held by us and by you. If we succeed, you must sell your entire stake to the Liu Family at market price. If we lose, all the shares held by me and the Liu Family will go to you. The question is, Uncle Ming, do you have the nerve?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Uncle Ming clapped his hands. "No problem. I just wonder whether Ms. Liu has the authority to make that decision."

Of course, Uncle Ming meant whether Liu Yan had the authority to act on her father's behalf.

"When I took over as general manager, my father entrusted me with full authority over his shares," Liu Yan said. "Do you think I have the right?"

"Good. In that case, I'll play along."