Chapter 171: Chapter 156: Rising to Become a Phoenix
My nightclub, MIX, has been in business for over ten years now. I took it over a few years ago, spending over a hundred million in the process. After all these years, I finally managed to earn back the principal and started to see profits. And now, Gu Bai nonchalantly wants me to transfer MIX to him? Wang Quan will never accept this.
"Young Master Wang, don’t be quick to refuse. Hear out my terms."
Although Wang Quan wanted to tell Gu Bai that no condition would be acceptable, he restrained himself and waited patiently for Gu Bai’s next words.
"I can offer you two conditions. Choose whichever you find acceptable. If neither works, it’s alright—we might not do business, but we can still be friends."
Facing Gu Bai, who seemed like a smiling tiger, Wang Quan experienced his slyness firsthand.
"President Gu, please proceed."
"The first condition: offer the entire MIX for 200 million. I will acquire it with cash. I’m sure Young Master Wang has earned back MIX’s original investment by now, and this 200 million will be pure profit. I won’t delay payment. Once the acquisition is complete, the funds will be transferred directly."
Two hundred million is a tempting amount.
But Wang Quan knows that as long as MIX is in his hands, he can earn 200 million within a few years. He’s not the kind to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs, and what’s more, he’s not short of money now. Why should he sell MIX? So, when Gu Bai proposed this, Wang Quan dismissed it internally.
Gu Bai was not surprised by Wang Quan’s reaction; anyone with sense wouldn’t make such a short-sighted choice.
"It seems Young Master Wang isn’t satisfied with this offer. No worries—I have a second option for you."
"To be honest, while acquiring MIX is partly for profit, my intention differs from what you might think. I plan to use MIX as a foundation to create Hua Country’s number one nightclub brand—possibly the top nightclub in all of Asia. As someone who runs nightclubs, Young Master Wang should understand the potential huge profits if this venture succeeds.
Additionally, MIX’s location is a natural advantage. With some modifications, I can achieve my envisioned goal.
Therefore, the second condition is for Young Master Wang to use MIX as a stake to join this project. What do you think?"
Wang Quan wasn’t so easily swayed by Gu Bai’s brief words and instead asked, "The domestic nightclub market is already saturated. What makes President Gu think your idea can be profitable?"
"Because I am Gu Bai."
Gu Bai spoke boldly, but he had reason for his confidence.
He could foresee the development prospects for the next four years, backed by ample funding from the system. As long as he’s not foolish, losing money won’t be on his agenda.
"..."
Gu Bai had spoken; how was Wang Quan supposed to respond?
Gu Bai then voiced the second condition.
"The second condition is to convert MIX into assets for equity. The initial investment for this new CLUB is set at one billion, and based on MIX’s current value, I can offer you a 20% stake."
"President Gu, I’m still not interested in this. If you continue targeting MIX, so be it. You have vast resources and don’t mind; I’m not someone who shies away either. If it eventually results in mutual destruction, even if MIX collapses, it won’t benefit you."
Wang Quan was no longer in the mood to feign politeness.
Converting his nightclub valued at 200 million into a 20% stake was something he wouldn’t do even if he were foolish.
"I guarantee that within five years of the new CLUB’s completion, your 20% share will earn at least 300 million in net dividends. If it doesn’t, after five years, I’ll repurchase your 20% stake at the original price and personally pay you the 300 million dividends. This can be written into the contract and is my utmost sincerity. If Young Master Wang remains dissatisfied, then there’s nothing more to be done."
Gu Bai laid out his final offer.
"Is President Gu serious?"
By these terms, Wang Quan would certainly not lose.
If the new CLUB reaches Gu Bai’s target, his 20% dividends would exceed the current earnings of MIX.
Put another way, even if it falls short, in five years, Gu Bai effectively bids 500 million for his MIX—a de facto votive agreement. Regardless, he wouldn’t suffer losses; after all, achieving a 500 million profit from MIX would take at least 10 years, within which much could happen.
"As I’ve said, I consider Young Master Wang a friend; I wouldn’t jest about this matter."
After some contemplation, Wang Quan said, "If President Gu’s terms hold true, then I accept the second condition. However, I only own 60% of MIX’s shares and need to discuss it with other shareholders."
Upon hearing Wang Quan’s words, Gu Bai gently shook his head.
"You might have misunderstood me. This collaboration invitation is solely for you; no others will join. As for MIX’s internal affairs, I can’t get involved; Young Master Wang, you’ll have to manage that yourself.
The project will kick off within two months, and I can give you two months to buy back all internal shares of MIX."
Following Gu Bai’s statement, Wang Quan understood, and sitting beside him, Lu Mao also comprehended.
These words were aimed precisely at Lu Mao.
Apart from Wang Quan’s 60% share, Lu Mao held a substantial 30%, while the remaining 10% was negligible.
Lu Mao knew that being unscathed by Gu Bai was fortunate enough; dreaming of joining such a large project for benefits? His dreams weren’t that sweet.
What left him unwilling was.
Initially, this nightclub was only worth 170 million, and he spent a full 70 million for a 30% share. Over the years, Wang Quan took the lion’s share of dividends, leaving Lu Mao to recover just over half his investment. Now being ushered out felt like death inside.
But this is the lament of small players.
In the eyes of the ordinary, he might be a billionaire tycoon.
But caught in the whirlpool of interests involving Gu Bai and Wang Quan, he was but a pawn to be discarded at any moment.
The saying goes, one wrong step leads to another.
How he once treated Zeng Yaning is now his retribution, imposed upon him, letting him finally experience Zeng Yaning’s past despair.
On this realization, Lu Mao chuckled bitterly and said, "Understood. I’ll sell my entire 30% share to President Wang shortly."
Though for many years, Lu Mao devotedly managed MIX meticulously,
it weighs little against tangible interests, and Wang Quan too set aside his sympathy, lightly patting Lu Mao’s shoulder.
Witnessing Lu Mao’s compliance, Gu Bai nodded with satisfaction.
As for Wang Quan’s private dealings with him, Gu Bai chose not to intervene. Truthfully, Lu Mao hadn’t offended him seriously; it was mostly verbal conflict from that night. Gu Bai’s motives mostly aligned with fulfilling his promise to Zeng Yaning. As mistakes finally caught up to Lu Mao, there was no need to pursue further.
Upon this reflection, Gu Bai calmly said, "President Lv, once you finalize the transaction with Young Master Wang, leave Kyoto with that money. No matter where you go, your current wealth is enough to indulge in luxury for life."
Even if Gu Bai hadn’t said this, Lu Mao had already entertained the thought.
"Thank you, Young Master Gu, for sparing me. After this, I’ll go abroad and never appear before you or Yaning again. I’ve also come to terms with things; previously, my actions were too drastic. As the same situation repeats over me, I regret it. I intend to donate half of my assets to Zeng Yaning."
After these words, Lu Mao showed a relieved expression.
Whether he truly regrets or fears Gu Bai’s retribution, none of it mattered to Gu Bai anymore.
"You’ll have to discuss this with her yourself, though I’m sure you know—Zeng Yaning loves money but likely won’t accept your charity now. Moreover, she’s now my woman. Even if anything else is lacking for my woman, money will never be part of it."
Then, turning to Wang Quan: "Young Master Wang, I won’t be staying long in Kyoto. For the new CLUB project, I’ll leave Zeng Yaning in charge. Consult her on daily matters; additionally, I’ll assign someone from the headquarters to assist her."
After these words, Lu Mao realized the truth in ’rising above to become a phoenix.’
Because of Gu Bai, Zeng Yaning truly turned into others’ view of a phoenix.