Chapter 42: Acquisition Signing

With the acquisition deal settled, the dinner with Wan He quickly moved into the "winding down" phase and ended shortly thereafter.

Back in the room, Lin Muqing brewed some hangover tea for Zhou Ming. Wang Yunlong first saw Wan He off and then returned to Zhou Ming's room, happily congratulating him, "Congratulations, Mr. Zhou! You've really impressed me. I never expected you to secure Wan He Fund for just five million. Truly a business genius!"

Wang Yunlong's praise was heartfelt. Initially, their estimate of Wan He Fund's value was around five million, but estimating value and the actual negotiation outcome are entirely different things. Even if a company's situation is poor, a businessman will always try to drive up the price during negotiation. To have Zhou Ming actually settle on five million was astonishing. Wang Yunlong saw it as a miraculous feat.

Zhou Ming smiled, "It's not that extraordinary. I was just negotiating."

Lin Muqing, while massaging Zhou Ming's temples, asked, "Negotiating? Did you intentionally propose a one-million-dollar acquisition price as part of your plan?"

Zhou Ming nodded. Lin Muqing continued, "Why did you choose that price? You must have known Wan He wouldn't accept it, right?"

"Of course, I knew he wouldn't accept it. That's exactly why I proposed it."

Lin Muqing and Wang Yunlong were puzzled by Zhou Ming's reasoning. Zhou Ming explained, "Think about it. For Wan He, no matter what price I propose, he will always be dissatisfied. So why not start with a very low offer and let him gradually increase the price? It's like bargaining in a market. Starting low sets a lower psychological expectation, leading to a more balanced final price."

Wang Yunlong was skeptical, "Business negotiations aren't like buying vegetables in a market."

"Why not?" Zhou Ming retorted. "The principle is the same. It's just the price that differs, but the essence remains."

Lin Muqing laughed, "So, you treated Wan He like a market vendor and Wan He Fund like a cabbage for bargaining?"

Zhou Ming nodded as if it was the most natural thing. Lin Muqing said, "If Wan He heard you say this, he'd probably be heartbroken."

Zhou Ming shrugged, "Well, that's his problem. If he had initially asked for six or seven million, I might have considered it. I might have been willing to agree just to see his sincerity, even if it meant taking a bit of a loss."

Lin Muqing found Zhou Ming's perspective amusing, "Business people aren't that straightforward. They want to push the price up, just as you want to lower it."

"Exactly," Zhou Ming agreed, "It's a mutual game of cat and mouse."

Lin Muqing chuckled and then asked, "By the way, how's the plan I asked you to work on?"

Wang Yunlong responded, "The preliminary plan is done, but the exact proportions and formulas still need fine-tuning."

Zhou Ming emphasized, "This plan is crucial. You need to get it ready as soon as possible. It must maximize the benefits. Do you understand?"

"Rest assured, Mr. Zhou. This is a groundbreaking initiative, and I'll make sure to complete it diligently," Wang Yunlong promised.

---

The signing ceremony for the acquisition of Wan He Fund took place at the Victoria Hotel. Following the local customs in Hong Kong, not only were lawyers present, but media from the city were also invited for the public notarization.

After signing the contract, Wan He invited Zhou Ming, Lin Muqing, and Wang Yunlong for a meal at the hotel. During the dinner, Wan He expressed his feelings to Zhou Ming, "Wan He Fund was founded by me. Its performance has always been good. I wouldn't have sold it if it weren't for the global financial crisis. I see that you're someone with vision and ability. I hope you can make Wan He Fund flourish."

Zhou Ming smiled, "Rest assured, Mr. Wan. I will make sure to fulfill your wishes. But since I've acquired Wan He Fund, it will be renamed under my own name."

"How about Golden Name Fund? I have no objections. I hope the fund can live up to its name and prosper significantly!" Wan He suggested.

"Thank you, Mr. Wan," Zhou Ming raised his glass.

---

After the meal, Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing returned to their room. Zhou Ming was very pleased and told Lin Muqing, "Fantastic! I finally have my own fund company!"

Seeing Zhou Ming's happiness, Lin Muqing also felt happy for him. Reflecting on the past two months since moving to Hong Kong, she realized how extraordinary the journey had been: making ten thousand HKD from gambling in jade, two thousand HKD from the stock market, and then profiting twenty million from futures trading during the global financial crisis, all culminating in the purchase of a fully functional fund company for five million...

It all seemed surreal to Lin Muqing.

Noticing Lin Muqing's dazed expression, Zhou Ming asked, "Muqing, what's wrong? Aren't you happy that I finally have my own company and we won't have to rely on speculative gains anymore?"

Lin Muqing shook her head, "Of course, I'm happy you're making big money. It's just that everything has come so suddenly, it feels like a dream."

Zhou Ming took Lin Muqing's hand and said firmly, "Muqing, I've told you, even if this feels like a dream, when you wake up, I'll work hard to make it a reality!"

Lin Muqing stared at Zhou Ming, her heart fluttering at his determined expression. She quickly looked away to calm herself and then said, "Actually, I was a bit nervous at the signing ceremony. There were so many reporters, cameras, and flashlights. I was afraid of embarrassing myself in front of you."

"Embarrassing yourself?" Zhou Ming said, "My Muqing is so beautiful and graceful, handling everything so well. How could you embarrass yourself? I think everyone there, just like me, was enchanted by you."

"Stop flattering me!" Lin Muqing playfully chided.

"I'm not flattering you. There were other women present, including hotel staff and Wan He's high-level secretaries, but none could compare to you!" Zhou Ming asserted.

"Then tell me, who is more beautiful, me or Zhao Lin?" Lin Muqing suddenly asked.

Zhou Ming was taken aback. He thought it was strange that Lin Muqing, who was receiving a compliment, would bring up Zhao Lin. Had she been harboring jealousy since that day?

Zhou Ming wasn't sure of Lin Muqing's intentions, but he responded, "Of course, you're more beautiful!"

Lin Muqing gave him a skeptical look, "You're just saying that."

Zhou Ming tried to explain, but Lin Muqing interrupted, "But Zhou Ming, I still feel uneasy about acquiring the fund company. I've been following news and expert opinions that suggest the financial storm is so severe it might lead to a prolonged economic downturn. Wan He's fund's value dropped from over ten million to just five million. What if we end up losing money instead?"

"Losing money? Muqing, do you doubt me? I assure you, no matter how severe the economic downturn, even if another Black Monday happens, I can still make money for you!" Zhou Ming confidently stated.

"I certainly believe in your abilities," Lin Muqing said, "But if you're not involved in the daily operations of the fund, and we leave it to Wang Yunlong and his team, I worry they might not handle it well. They might not have the market insight you do."

Zhou Ming reassured her, "Muqing, you should trust them. I'm not saying others aren't capable, but you've seen Wang Yunlong's skills. He tracks market movements daily and can analyze future trends from minute changes. His skills are impressive, as evidenced by the profits he helped us earn."

Lin Muqing still looked worried, "I see your point, but..."

Before she could continue, Zhou Ming added, "Muqing, this financial crisis is unprecedented and unpredictable. Just like the Black Monday, no one knew what would trigger it. I was merely betting, and it happened to be a winning bet."

Zhou Ming thought for a moment and added, "Moreover, I asked Wang Yunlong to prepare a detailed plan. Even if the people Wan He left behind are not competent, with this plan, I can still ensure the fund makes substantial profits."