"Mm, I’ll handle this matter well!" She passed the tablet to Chen Cheng, "Brother Cheng, shall I transfer it now?"
Chen Cheng glanced at the amount, confirmed it was correct, and responded, "Okay."
The next day, early in the morning.
Chen Cheng and Xia Yubing showed up at Hoshino Mika’s doorstep.
Xia Yubing was dressed in a black suit today, very solemn, even her high heels were local-fashion compliant, changed into a chunkier heel she had never worn before.
Chen Cheng rang the doorbell, glancing at her beside him, "You even got yourself a pair of glasses?"
Xia Yubing pushed up the rimless glasses on her nose, explaining, "It looks more formal this way."
Chen Cheng chuckled, indeed, good looks are justice.
Even the usually aloof Xia Yubing, in this get-up, was as charming as ever.
Soon, the courtyard gate opened.
Hoshino Mika appeared at the entrance, upon seeing the two, "Mr. Chen, Miss Xia, please come in."
She welcomed them into the house.
Chen Cheng noticed Hoshino Mika looked pale, seemingly not having rested well the night before.
"Did the negotiation not go well?" He probed for information.
Hoshino Mika didn’t attempt to conceal anything, stopping in her tracks, "Mr. Chen, stepmother’s asking price, you probably won’t accept."
Chen Cheng probed further, "How much?"
"She wants a 45% premium." Hoshino Mika paused, "Plus this house."
Chen Cheng’s nostrils flared with a smile, "It seems you really understand your stepmother."
Hoshino Mika forced a smile, "After so many years of living together, I do know what kind of person she is."
Chen Cheng chuckled lowly, remaining silent, and followed Hoshino Mika into the living room.
Inside the living room sat a middle-aged woman, exquisitely dressed, seemingly in her fifties, yet her eyes revealed a hint of shrewdness and calculation.
Upon seeing Chen Cheng and Xia Yubing, the woman slowly stood up, her face showing a professional smile, and even bowed in greeting.
Hoshino Mika introduced her, "Mr. Chen, this is my mother, Yahata Reina."
"Nice to meet you, I am Chen Cheng." Chen Cheng responded politely, yet his gaze scrutinized the woman before him.
Yahata Reina gestured for them to sit and then had the servants serve tea.
Once everything was ready, she began to speak.
Hoshino Mika was about to translate but saw that Xia Yubing, sitting beside Chen Cheng, had already started.
"I heard from Mei Xiang that Mr. Chen is very interested in Xingye Products and wants to acquire some shares?"
Listening to Xia Yubing’s simultaneous translation, Chen Cheng nodded with a smile, "That’s right."
Yahata Reina took a sip from her teacup with a probing tone, "I heard Mr. Chen came this time specifically for 8% of Xingye’s shares."
Chen Cheng nodded again.
She smiled and placed down her teacup, "Then I’ll be straightforward. I am willing to transfer my shares to you, but I have a condition."
"Please go ahead." Chen Cheng gestured for her to continue.
Yahata Reina extended her left hand and rattled off a series of terms.
Xia Yubing seemed a bit stunned.
Chen Cheng turned his head to see her perplexed expression, sensing something ominous.
Xia Yubing replied, "She wants a 50% premium."
Upon hearing her stepmother’s asking price, Hoshino Mika too looked troubled, evidently inconsistent with the news she gathered yesterday night.
An unpleasant argument ensued between the two.
"Mother, you can’t act . The shares you hold were given to you by father. Now that the company is in trouble, you cannot push it further to the brink."
Yahata Reina sneered, her tone holding a hint of disdain, "Mei Xiang, you’re still too naïve. Do you think this Mr. Chen is a good man? He could help you for his interests today, and abandon you for the same tomorrow!"
"I’m doing this to ensure my own interests."
Xia Yubing accurately translated the quarrel between the two for Chen Cheng.
Hoshino Mika wanted to retort but was stopped by Chen Cheng raising his hand.
He turned his gaze toward Yahata Reina, deep and profound, telling Xia Yubing, "Translate my words."
Xia Yubing sat up straighter.
Chen Cheng’s tone was calm yet carried an undeniable authority,
"Mrs. Xingye, I think you have misunderstood, I am not here to learn how to do business from you."
He paused before continuing, "I admit, I am interested in the shares of Xingye Products, but that’s not the reason I must acquire them."
"The reason I am willing to offer this price is because of the friendship between Mei Xiang and me, and I believe in her capability to lead Xingye Products out of difficulties and create even greater value."
He fixed his piercing gaze on Yahata Reina, "If you truly care about the future of Xingye Products, you should understand what the best choice for it is."
Yahata Reina was startled by his imposing aura not expecting such forcefulness from this seemingly young Chinese man.
Xia Yubing relayed Chen Cheng’s message word for word to Yahata Reina.
And Hoshino Mika, who understood Chinese, felt her heart race upon hearing Chen Cheng’s words, a wave of warmth flooding her heart.
She hadn’t expected that, under such pressing circumstances from her stepmother, Chen Cheng would still stand up for her and speak such words on her behalf.
Yahata Reina felt intimidated by Chen Cheng’s momentum and was momentarily speechless.
Chen Cheng didn’t give her a chance to catch her breath; he stood up with a resolute tone:
"Madam, I think there’s no point in continuing this conversation. I’ve come all the way here and have shown my utmost sincerity."
Xia Yubing also stood up, her translation unceasing.
"And you, everything you’ve done, the conditions you’ve put forth, have shown not an ounce of sincerity." He turned to leave without looking back.
"Mr. Chen, please wait a moment!"