Zheng Qingshan frowned.
"Xingmeng Technology is now one of the Xu Group's most important subsidiaries. It contributes a significant portion of the company's profits. Would they really give it up?"
Pan Jia smiled.
"That was then. This is now."
"Xingmeng Technology's rapid growth was largely driven by the wars over the past two or three years."
"And now the competition is becoming increasingly fierce."
"Our Tianhe Group has entered the market as well."
"We're backed by the overseas capital giant, the Witt Family."
"What makes the Xu family think they can compete with us?"
"If they sell while the company is still doing well, the shares will fetch a good price."
"But once Xingmeng Technology starts declining, who would still be willing to buy their stock?"
Zheng Qingshan nodded slightly.
What Pan Jia said wasn't without reason.
"Mr. Zheng, business competition is ruthless."
"We've invested a tremendous amount of money."
"We have to get our share of the cake."
"I still have a way out. At worst, I can leave for another country."
"But once your Zheng family has boarded this ship..."
"Do you still have an escape route?"
Zheng Qingshan's expression changed.
The Zheng family hadn't been doing well over the past two months.
After careful analysis, he believed it was probably related to the Xu family and Lin Chen.
There had been conflicts between his family and both Lin Chen and the Xu family.
Even if they weren't deliberately targeting the Zheng family, others might quietly distance themselves from them simply because of those connections.
That alone would inevitably affect the Zheng family's business.
Lin Chen had also grown closer to the Song family.
After much consideration, Zheng Qingshan decided he needed a powerful backer.
Otherwise, the family's situation would only continue to worsen.
That was why he had agreed when Pan Jia approached him.
Her husband's family possessed assets worth several billion euros.
Their strength alone was impressive.
Behind them stood the even more powerful Witt Family.
"I'll contact some people."
Zheng Qingshan said solemnly.
Having chosen this path, he had no choice but to keep walking.
If everything went smoothly, the Zheng family would gain access to the international market.
Their influence would become even greater.
If it failed...
The losses would be devastating.
The pressure on the Zheng family would increase even further.
The entire family business might collapse.
"Mr. Zheng, you can do it."
"As long as we work together, the future will definitely be bright."
Pan Jia smiled.
After speaking, she left.
She was good at coming up with ideas, but carrying them out was Zheng Qingshan's specialty.
She lacked practical experience and might only ruin things if she got directly involved.
After pondering for a while, Zheng Qingshan quietly instructed his people to spread certain rumors.
Soon afterward, various negative discussions began appearing online.
"Xingmeng Technology just lost an order for 100,000 drones. Tianhe Group stole the deal. This newly established company is really making waves."
"Rumor has it that after losing such a huge order, the president of Xu Group still went on vacation in Xinjiang with her husband."
"Could Xingmeng Technology's overtime production just be for show? Is Xu Group planning to sell the company?"
Xu Guofeng quickly learned of the rumors.
A thoughtful look flashed across his eyes.
Which kind soul is helping us?
Knowing Lin Chen's technical capabilities, he was convinced Xingmeng Technology had tremendous long-term potential.
The only problem...
Too many people were already riding this train.
Xingmeng Technology was a subsidiary of Xu Group.
As the parent company, Xu Group owned 51% of its shares.
The remaining 49% belonged to other shareholders.
Twenty-four percent was held personally by Xu Mengyao.
The remaining twenty-five percent was distributed among various former owners of drone companies that had been acquired.
Previously, through Xu Group's ownership, the Xu family effectively controlled about 26% of Xingmeng Technology.
Combined with Xu Mengyao's personal 24%, the family controlled only 50%.
After the Zhao family withdrew, the Xu family's stake in Xu Group increased slightly.
Now, counting both direct and indirect holdings together, the Xu family barely controlled 51% of Xingmeng Technology.
But to truly maintain control...
They needed an absolute majority.
At least 67%.
The family effectively holds twenty-seven percent through Xu Group.
Add Mengyao's twenty-four percent... that's only fifty-one percent.
We still need another sixteen percent.
Xu Guofeng thought silently.
If the remaining shareholders continued supporting the company, he had no intention of forcing anyone out.
But if someone wanted to leave midway...
He wouldn't try to stop them.
His phone rang.
It was a call to Xu Mengyao.
"Mengyao."
"There are negative rumors online targeting Xingmeng Technology."
"I just saw them too."
"Some shareholders have already contacted me to ask what's going on."
"What did you tell them?"
"I reassured them that the company is operating normally and there's no need to worry."
Xu Guofeng continued,
"What about the overtime production?"
"How did you explain that?"
"I told them the truth."
"I can't hide the company's actual situation from its shareholders."
"But as for who my husband bought the drones for after purchasing them..."
"That's confidential customer information."
"I would never disclose that."
Xu Guofeng nodded.
"Perhaps this is an opportunity to buy back some shares."
"Ask Lin Chen whether he's interested."
"Alright."
"I'll ask him."
Elsewhere...
A company owner paced back and forth anxiously.
His wife finally asked,
"Old Huang, what's wrong?"
He sighed.
"Xingmeng Technology lost that order for one hundred thousand drones."
"President Xu's husband bought fifty thousand units to help them through the crisis."
"Do you think Xingmeng Technology will start declining?"
Worry filled his eyes.
He had once owned a drone company himself.
After selling it, he received a sum of cash along with a 6% stake in Xingmeng Technology.
Over the past two or three years, the domestic economy had struggled.
Most of the money he'd received had already been lost through investments.
However...
Xingmeng Technology's valuation had risen to nearly ten billion yuan.
His six percent stake was worth far more than before.
His wife asked,
"Are you thinking about selling those shares?"
He nodded.
"I am."
"If the international situation improves, or if competition becomes even fiercer..."
"The company's valuation could easily fall."
"And once that happens, selling will become much harder."
She hesitated.
"But couldn't the company continue growing?"
Old Huang thought for a moment.
"The chances are getting smaller."
"First, DJI is still dominating the industry."
"Their strength is overwhelming."
"Second, more and more capital is pouring into the drone business."
"Tianhe Group alone has extremely powerful backing."
"Xu Mengyao entered the market at exactly the right time."
"But in terms of true financial strength..."
"She simply can't compete with those international capital giants."
His wife replied,
"But people online say Xingmeng Technology is still working overtime."
"They're even offering huge bonuses."
Old Huang nodded.
"That probably means an overseas customer urgently needs the products."
"But once those fifty thousand drones are finished..."
"What then?"
"Will there still be more orders?"
His wife looked conflicted.
"If the company is facing difficulties..."
"Wouldn't selling your shares now be a bit heartless?"
Old Huang shook his head.
"Business is business."
"That's all there is to it."
"I'll ask President Xu whether she's interested."
"Our family can't afford to keep taking risks with her."
His wife nodded slowly.
"Taking the money now might be the safest choice."