Chapter 136: One Billion to Buy Your Company and Your Person

Chapter 136: One Billion to Buy Your Company and Your Person

Thanks to Meng Xiaozhou’s meticulous management methods and philosophy, Star Peak Entertainment, as a nascent enterprise born less than a month ago, showed none of the typical chaos common to newly established small companies.

Meng Xiaozhou flexibly applied the optimal management system for small and medium-sized enterprises he learned in the United States to Star Peak Entertainment.

He did not apply it rigidly, but adapted it to the situation in China.

The management model was stricter, less humane, and more focused on efficiency. Everyone’s workload was scheduled very full.

Of course, the salary and benefits at Star Peak Entertainment were also 30% higher than the industry average, so although the employees were a bit tired, they had no complaints.

At this moment, the employees at Star Peak’s headquarters, located in the commercial center building in Hanzhou City, were all moving quickly but in an orderly manner.

The green plants in the office hall were lush and verdant.

Each employee’s cubicle was very spacious, with desk items neatly arranged.

File folders, file holders, pen holders, monitors, keyboards, and other items maintained a high degree of consistency in their placement order and angles at each workstation.

This was known in the industry as standardized management, aimed at improving employee efficiency, helping new companies and new employees adapt to work quickly, and fostering a professional corporate culture.

In the chairman’s office.

Chen Feng and Ou Guohua sat opposite each other on wooden chairs.

The two were observing each other.

Ou Junlang was outside participating in events to expand his fame and influence.

It was unclear whether Ou Guohua had timed his visit to deliberately avoid Ou Junlang, to prevent his good-for-nothing son from messing things up, or if it was just a coincidence.

Ou Guohua looked to be about forty years old, much younger than the age promoted online.

Probably because he exercised diligently, his personal condition was maintained extremely well.

Ou Guohua had a standard square face with firm eyes, handsome despite his age, exuding an imposing aura without being angry.

Chen Feng couldn’t help but feel sorry for round-faced, round-bodied Ou Junlang.

Imagine, a father being ten times more handsome than his son. What was that like?

No wonder Fatty Ou didn’t like going home.

If Chen Feng were him, he wouldn’t go back either.

Ou Guohua was also sizing up Chen Feng.

Before coming here, he had actually conducted an in-depth investigation of Chen Feng.

This was a talented young man with a clean background.

He was originally just an ordinary apartment service staff member, but due to suddenly awakening his talents, he quickly stepped into the spotlight, creating amazing works one after another.

Even though Ou Guohua’s perspective was far higher than most, he rarely saw such a sudden rise to this degree.

Before meeting him, he thought talented young people would have some eccentricities, such as being arrogant or looking down on others.

Ou Guohua had seen many such young people and naturally knew how to overpower them in terms of presence.

He had taken time out of his busy schedule to visit personally today, not to visit friends or relatives, but to forcefully take over this company that had bound his son with a management contract.

Now, upon meeting, Ou Guohua felt things might not be as simple as he expected.

Who knew what kind of experiences Chen Feng had since childhood or what education he received? Despite his young age, his every move carried a subtle charm and presence.

He seemed not at all nervous or constrained by Ou Guohua’s status and position.

He appeared relaxed, yet still polite.

This kind of bearing usually did not appear in someone in their twenties.

On the sandalwood table in front of them, the kettle was bubbling, with white steam billowing from its spout.

Chen Feng lifted the teapot with one hand, moved it aside, waited for the water temperature to drop slightly and the bubbling to stop, then began personally brewing Gongfu tea.

In the thousand years after, apart from training and studying, Chen Feng didn’t have many hobbies. Drinking tea was one of them.

Now, his skill in brewing Gongfu tea had become practiced and proficient.

Whether it was controlling the water temperature, the angle and amount of water when brewing, the hand technique when lifting and pouring the teapot, or the rhythm of the water splashing, it all gave a sense of beauty.

Chen Feng really wasn’t deliberately showing off; showing off this skill was useless to him. It was simply because he had drunk and brewed a lot of tea, and now his Gene Awakening Level was too high, so everything he did easily seemed natural and quite charming.

Unexpectedly, this masterful style greatly shocked Ou Guohua.

Ou Guohua was also an old tea drinker and could recognize quality.

“Mr. Chen, your family tradition is profound. Besides music creation, your Gongfu tea skills are also quite accomplished. If I had known Mr. Chen had this skill, I should have brought the treasured stock from my home today to enjoy together,” Ou Guohua remarked with feeling. “Enjoying good tea and discussing good matters, wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

Chen Feng was taken aback and shook his head. “Uncle Ou, you flatter me. I just enjoy drinking it myself and fiddle around a bit. ‘Family tradition’ is an overstatement; I taught myself.”

Actually, Chen Feng really wanted to tell him: Please go back and check your stock carefully. Your treasured stock was brought to our company by your precious son a few days ago!

“Young and accomplished, yet humble and low-key. Mr. Chen, you are quite different from how young people outside are rumored to be,” Ou Guohua praised again.

Chen Feng replied again, “It depends on the person. Regarding my previous dispute with Zhou A, thanks to Uncle Ou and Brother Ou’s support, I owe you a debt of gratitude. Naturally, I should remember the favor.”

Saying this “Brother Ou” made Chen Feng break out in goosebumps.

He usually called Ou Junlang Fatty Ou or just said his name directly.

This “Brother Ou” was given purely out of respect for Ou Guohua’s face.

It never happened before, and don’t expect it in the future either.

“Since you acknowledge my favor, you should naturally understand my difficulties too,” Ou Guohua said, taking a sip of tea with a smile.

Chen Feng put down his teacup, shook his head, and said succinctly, “Sorry, not for sale.”

Ou Guohua was slightly taken aback. “I haven’t even made an offer yet. You won’t even listen?”

Chen Feng continued shaking his head. “I’m not selling the company, and it has nothing to do with how much or how little your offer is, Uncle Ou.”

“If substantial capital has an intent to acquire your company, even if you don’t want to sell, you should appropriately listen to the other party’s offer. After all, it helps to understand your own value more accurately. Your approach isn’t quite in line with business norms; it’s easy to suffer losses in business,” Ou Guohua said, not angry after Chen Feng’s straightforward refusal, but speaking with hidden meaning.

Chen Feng did not deny it. “Yes, so I’m basically not responsible for the company’s operational management decisions; I leave it entirely to my general manager. I know my own limits very well.”

“Mr. Chen, you have an excellent general manager.”

“Thank you for the compliment. I will convey this to him.”

Ou Guohua nodded slightly. “Mr. Chen, you really don’t want to hear my offer?”

“No, I don’t.”

“But my people have already done the preparatory work. If I don’t talk to you once, it seems like their work becomes meaningless. How about giving some face?”

“Face, that must be given. Uncle Ou, please go ahead.”

Ou Guohua extended one finger.

“One hundred million?” Chen Feng asked. “A bit low, isn’t it?”

Ou Guohua shook his head. “No, I’m injecting one billion and only buying fifty-one percent of your company’s shares.”

Chen Feng’s eyelids twitched.

He didn’t want to admit it, but he was indeed somewhat shocked.

Since its establishment, Star Peak Entertainment had indeed achieved many breakthrough developments in a short period.

Whether it was the brands of its own artists or the song copyrights it licensed out, every one was a hit.

The related paid usage authorization system was also set up extremely quickly and had already started profiting at an average weekly intake level of over a million yuan.

But no matter how he calculated, after adding and subtracting everything, Star Peak Entertainment’s monthly net profit rate had barely approached ten million. This was also because many works were released in a short time, causing a temporary surge in revenue.

Under normal circumstances, Star Peak Entertainment’s profit level should have continued to decline and stabilized at a point of several million in the following period.

Ou Guohua’s opening statement essentially valued the company at nearly two billion yuan.

That was quite shocking.

Seeing Chen Feng in a daze, Ou Guohua finally felt a tiny bit of achievement.

This offer wasn’t a decision made in the heat of the moment.

Ou Guohua hadn’t built the empire of Ouhe Group by being ordinary.

What looked like a hasty and careless decision was actually based on a thorough and precise evaluation system.

Chen Feng calculated his own current worth.

But Ou Guohua considered not just the present, but also the future.

He fully grasped Star Peak Entertainment’s current and potential value.

The reason for his acquisition motive was obviously for Ou Junlang.

But Ou Junlang was just an external factor. Once his team completed the investigation, Ou Guohua realized it might be a money-making opportunity.

Star Peak Entertainment and Chen Feng himself being a good investment were the internal reasons.

A ten-billion valuation seemed high, but that was only under current conditions. In the future, there was a real chance that money could turn into much larger gains.

At that moment, what Chen Feng was thinking about was:

Should he just sell the company, take the money, and start fresh?

With billions in startup funds, many past impossibilities became doable.

“So, is my price sincere enough?”

Chen Feng nodded: “Yes.”

“And I guarantee that, except for my useless son who must be taken back, I won’t interfere with your operations or management. This company is still yours to run, because the real value of Star Peak Entertainment isn’t just the famous songs, but also you as the creator. The ten billion I’m offering is to buy not only your company but also you. You must keep writing songs for Star Peak Entertainment for at least ten more years.”

Ou Guohua’s demeanor suddenly became intense, and he spoke very forcefully, as if Star Peak Entertainment was already his.

Chen Feng immediately lost interest.

Get out of here.

Ten billion to buy ten years of my life?

You must be dreaming.

Since selling shares for cash and running off wasn’t possible, there was no point in Chen Feng talking further.

Chen Feng wasn’t stupid. As a shameless copier, he knew with just a thought that as long as he kept copying steadily, Star Peak Entertainment’s value couldn’t just stay at ten billion. Plus, he had Meng Xiaozhou, a capable person to rely on.

Even going by the failed route from the previous timeline, the company’s highest value hit several billion before he foolishly made a sci-fi movie.

I could make that money myself. Only a fool would work for you for free.

Chen Feng no longer saw Ou Guohua as likable or friendly.

No wonder Ou Guohua became a big shot and the pillar of Ouhe Group—a ruthless, decisive old schemer.

He not only wanted to save his son but also to trap me in the deal.

If Chen Feng hadn’t foreseen the future a bit ahead, the temptation might have made him jump into that ten-billion pit.

“Thank you for your favor, Mr. Ou, but I have no plans to sell the company,” Chen Feng said, taking a deep breath. He changed how he addressed the other man, making it more distant.

He decided to refuse more firmly to avoid feeling the pain of ten billion almost within reach but vanishing again. “I know your wish is for Ou Junlang to return to Ouhe Group, right?”

Ou Guohua nodded, half-truthfully: “Yes.”

“Don’t you think that’s unfair to him?”

“How is it unfair? What, taking over from me is beneath him?”

Chen Feng shook his head: “Not exactly. But you never respected his own wishes. Your position is high and powerful, but that’s just your personal will. Forcing it on Ou Junlang isn’t wise. To be honest, his talent isn’t in business management. Forced things don’t work well. Making him go back not only harms him but also Ouhe Group.”

“No, he can learn. People can do anything if they try hard enough.”

“Effort could make him a passable leader for a medium-sized company. But Ouhe Group is worth tens of billions—a national key player. Putting Ou Junlang in your spot would ruin him, you, and the country.”

“Nonsense! What kind of rubbish is that?! Did you tell him to say that? Utter nonsense!” Ou Guohua finally exploded in anger. “He’s avoiding responsibility! Making excuses for his laziness and slacker attitude! Being human means bearing your burdens! Born in my family and enjoying my advantages, he must live up to his duty! His interests should not override his historical duty! Taking over Ouhe Group was a responsibility he had to face!”

Chen Feng paused for a moment.

He seemed truly out-debated.

If he didn’t know how Ou Junlang messed up in business management, Chen Feng might have been persuaded.

If Chen Feng was his old self, he might have backed down.

But now, he could hold his ground.

After all, what Chen Feng carried on his shoulders was likely millions of times heavier than Ou Guohua’s so-called historical duty.

Chen Feng had also seen grand events a thousand years away and carried hope for all humanity.

“Anyway, I’m not selling! Nothing you say will change that, Mr. Ou!”

Chen Feng said expressionlessly and matched the intensity.

Ou Guohua glared: “You…”

The two just looked at each other in silence.

The office fell completely quiet; you could hear a pin drop.

Just then, Meng Xiaozhou, who had been waiting outside, pushed the door and came in.

Chen Feng might resort to a childish tantrum when he couldn’t win an argument, but Meng Xiaozhou had to mop up the mess.

Ou Guohua wasn’t the persistent type either. Seeing that his personal visit had hit a dead end, he quickly recovered and stood up saying: “It seems today isn’t good for discussions. So, you’re General Manager Meng Xiaozhou? Before returning home, I briefly met with Teacher Liu, who asked me to pass on some words to you in person. Let’s go to your office to talk.”

With that, Ou Guohua got up and walked out.

Meng Xiaozhou and Chen Feng exchanged looks, nodded at the same time, understanding exactly what was needed.

The Teacher Liu mentioned by Ou Guohua was indeed Meng Xiaozhou’s mentor from his overseas studies—a highly respected Chinese-American economist.

The top circle was small, and Teacher Liu and Ou Guohua were actually close friends.

The two walked away slowly.

With his amazing hearing, Chen Feng eavesdropped for a bit. His face flushed white and then red.

Fatty Ou’s dad seemed upright, but he was also a sharp, unreasonable tough guy.

Failing to buy my company, he actually dared to poach my key person right to my face—way out of line!

Luckily, Chen Feng had gained Meng Xiaozhou not by money but by kindness. He wasn’t worried about losing him.

About ten minutes later, Meng Xiaozhou knocked and entered the chairman’s office, wiping his sweat.

Chen Feng smiled and asked, “How? Did you get him out?”

Meng Xiaozhou sat down and gulped some tea. “Yes, he was really hard to handle. The pressure was intense.”

Then he looked curiously at Chen Feng. “Chen Feng, how did you stand it? Daring to glare at him like that.”

Chen Feng shrugged. “He’s rich and powerful. But I had my reasons to refuse.”

“No, I mean, didn’t you feel any pressure facing a big figure like that?”

Chen Feng shook his head, “No pressure. Let me put it this way: when a person is already carrying billions of tons on their shoulders, adding a few more pounds doesn’t even register. As for big figures…”

Chen Feng thought about it and ignored himself.

In the next thousand years of human history, Zhong Lei’s level seemed even higher than Ou Guohua’s.

I’ve dealt with bigger figures who were almost helpless from my actions. Why fear Ou Guohua?

While he was thinking this, the gullible Zhong Lei—who got taken advantage of but still helped Chen Feng count the money—pushed the door and walked in.

“Ou Junlang just called me about the situation. Did you and his dad fight? I told you: you’re a creator, not like those sneaky business people. Things would fall apart. You should have had Meng Xiaozhou beside you to state your position from the start.”

Meng Xiaozhou froze and pointed at himself.

“How am I sneaky?”

Zhong Lei covered her mouth, “Oops, misspoke.”

Chen Feng waved his hand, “No distractions. Xiaozhou, tell us how it went?”

Meng Xiaozhou said, “He tried to poach me. I refused.”

Chen Feng and Zhong Lei, who sat next to him, both nodded, “Hmm.”

“Aren’t you curious what he offered?”

Chen Feng shook his head, “Too lazy to ask. Doesn’t matter.”

Zhong Lei added, “Your sister said you remember those who helped you. Once Wanyue graduates, she’ll come to Star Peak Entertainment too. You’d never leave.”

Meng Xiaozhou suddenly felt unimpressed with himself. “Okay. He tried to lecture me and use my teacher to pressure me. The offer was generous. But in the end, I convinced him. He said he’ll wait and reassess Star Peak Entertainment’s value.”

Chen Feng asked curiously, “How did you persuade him? Once he makes a decision, he doesn’t budge. It’s hard to change his mind.”

“I recast the accounts for him. I told him that if you, Chen Feng, could keep your creative ability up, ten billion would be just scrap change for Star Peak Entertainment’s real worth. Since you stick to business logic, you should see that our company isn’t short on cash and doesn’t need financing. We won’t accept funding below ten billion yuan until we hit a growth limit.”

Chen Feng understood.

Meng Xiaozhou used poison to fight poison: if you tried to pressure me with money, I’d shock you back with it.

The hidden meaning in Meng Xiaozhou’s words could be understood as, “Do you think we’re fools? Thinking ten billion is a bargain? Respect your own judgment and our intelligence.”

Chen Feng thought that was only fair.

Zhong Lei, who hadn’t really cared about money before, was now very surprised.

Zhong Lei asked, “Is our company really worth that much?”

Chen Feng beamed. “You alone are worth five billion.”

Zhong Lei punched him lightly. “Cut that out! You didn’t even want me in your company at first!”

Chen Feng stammered, “Uh…”

Ignoring their play-fight, Meng Xiaozhou close by nodded and shook his head.

“I was really just getting what Chen Feng meant. I threw out a sky-high number to discourage him. Of course he didn’t believe it, but we can prove our worth step by step. Putting aside Ouhe Group’s influence, he’s still Ou Junlang’s father. If he blocked us, it could hurt us since many operations rely on Hanzhou’s local resources.”

Everyone agreed.

That made perfect sense.