The Wealthy Tycoon's Game of Life

Chapter 1388: Chapter 539: Freebie_2

Mu Li said softly, ”Of course, I can’t guarantee it’s 100%, after all, some information is restricted by regulations and can only be disclosed to internal shareholders, but I think this is enough for you to make a clear judgment.”

Zhou Wang glanced at it, the envelope was stamped with the seal of a well-known international accounting firm, which meant that to ensure credibility, the materials inside were issued by a third-party agency.

However, Zhou Wang did not rush to open the envelope, but first weighed its thickness and then said, ”President Mu, I can take a look, but it doesn’t represent any inclination on my part, can you accept that?”

Even if the materials are concealed, they will inevitably involve some secrets of the Heavenly Palace Group, and Zhou Wang’s words showed his readiness for a ”no responsibility after reading” attitude.

Mu Li obviously understood too, but didn’t show any abnormality, just gestured with her hand to say ”please”.

Only then did Zhou Wang open the envelope, took out the thick group data inside, and began to browse.

Here, thanks to one of the passive skills provided by his senior sister, ”Quantum Reading”, Zhou Wang could retain deep memory of what he read in a short period even when skimming quickly, without delaying his thinking process.

Of course, Zhou Wang’s reading speed seemed very exaggerated to Mu Li, so she couldn’t tell for a moment whether Zhou Wang was just glancing over it, merely for show to fool her.

But seeing Zhou Wang’s serious demeanor, it seemed like it wasn’t an act, leaving Mu Li somewhat puzzled.

Only five minutes later, Zhou Wang closed that stack of data, with a hint of surprise in his expression, and subconsciously asked, ”The estimated market value of all industries combined is 7.32 billion?”

This content about market value was in the middle of a certain page, and when Zhou Wang asked this question, Mu Li understood that Zhou Wang had indeed reviewed all the information seriously, so she straightened her posture a bit and nodded.

”Yes.”

”And invested in a newly listed start-up last year? I see the name is Xiangrang Era, which is into power batteries and controls a new battery technology called NCMG?”

”Yes, in the latest round of financing, this company raised a total of...”

”18.134 billion yuan.”

Zhou Wang spontaneously completed the number she hadn’t said, accurate to two decimal points.

At this point in the conversation, Mu Li was somewhat shocked, because the part of the information regarding this was organized in full English due to time constraints. How could Zhou Wang have managed to read through all of it so thoroughly in such a short time?

If Mu Li weren’t sure that no one else had read this document, she would suspect it had been leaked in advance, or Zhou Wang had already investigated everything about the Heavenly Palace Group through commercial espionage and was now teasing her.

After the brief conversation, Zhou Wang closed his eyes silently, pondering over something unknown.

The lavishly decorated VIP lounge fell into silence, and after a while, Zhou Wang finally spoke in a low voice:

”So according to President Mu’s expectations, how many shares are you planning to exchange with me?”

”As for the Heavenly Palace Group, we can offer at least 15% of equity, and if Mr. Zhou needs, this number can be further negotiated... Moreover, as the largest shareholder and legal representative of the Heavenly Palace Group, even if I transfer 15% of the equity to Mr. Zhou, I would still be the largest shareholder, though my stake would drop to 23%.”

These words from Mu Li again raised Zhou Wang’s eyebrows in surprise.

Meaning, if the transaction is successful, Zhou Wang, who holds a 15% equity stake in the Heavenly Palace Group, would be very close to being the second largest shareholder.

At this time, Mu Li continued, ”On your side... my minimum expectation is that Mr. Zhou could consider offering 5% of your equity to exchange with the Heavenly Palace Group.”

After saying that, Mu Li pulled out another agreement from under the table and pushed it in front of Zhou Wang, ”I have already prepared a draft of the agreement, and Mr. Zhou can replace it with a formal document at any time, which will take effect immediately after your signature.”

Zhou Wang glanced at it, and it was the most standard and simplest equity swap agreement, without any additional clauses.

At this point in the development, Zhou Wang could no longer conceal his inward astonishment.

The total of assets under his name is, of course, not inferior to the Heavenly Palace Group. It’s not an exaggeration to say that just his equity in Douyin could buy half of the Heavenly Palace Group.

But the issue is, the Wangzhou Group has only been established not long ago. Though it’s not a just a shell company, most of Zhou Wang’s assets have not been transferred in yet, including his shares in Douyin.

The only valuable asset the Wangzhou Group might have now is the Wangzhou Pharmaceutical holding the ”Little Blue Bottle,” but Zhou Wang only owns part of the shares, and the ”Little Blue Bottle” has not officially been listed; its ultimate performance is still unknown.

Moreover, if Zhou Wang wanted to, he could easily strip off Wangzhou Pharmaceutical, turning Wangzhou Group into a real shell company.

But Mu Li made no such demands. She certainly couldn’t be so foolish; it only meant she was mentally prepared long ago, even if Zhou Wang wanted a ”free ride” off her, she would willingly and actively ”welcome” him.

But... why?

No matter how much water is in the asset valuation of the Heavenly Palace Group, a 15% equity exchange would still be worth nearly a billion in assets, and this is just their first meeting. Why would Mu Li casually offer him such a substantial slice of the pie?

”I’m sorry, President Mu, but I really can’t understand.”

Zhou Wang shook his head and directly expressed his doubts.

Mu Li was actually not surprised, only smiled bitterly, ”Does Mr. Zhou believe I have other motives?”

Zhou Wang said nothing, equivalent to tacit approval.

Mu Li at this moment bit her lip, ”If there are any other motives, it’s just... seeking an opportunity to ’land’.”

”Land where?”

”The Heavenly Palace Group has developed to this point. Whether we like it or not, we have already gotten into too many gray industries. Since I took over from my aunt, I have been trying to escape those whirlpools, but the results have been minimal...”

Mu Li sighed, ”As Mr. Zhou should have heard earlier, not everyone among the people we serve, holds a friendly attitude towards us. There are too many interests to balance, these calculations... they overwhelm me.”

Zhou Wang remained silent but nodded in understanding.

Maybe he hadn’t yet seen the full picture, but based on the variety of information Mu Li deliberately showed him, Zhou Wang could roughly guess the origin story of Mu Li and her ancestors.

In the fast-developing Peng City that gave rise to the first batch of wealthy individuals in Huaxia, Mu Li’s ancestors started with the high-end club industry and gradually developed their own social network.

This social network gathered the wealthiest and most influential people within a specific circle.

And it was relying on this group that the Mu family’s assets grew increasingly abundant, and the industries they spanned became wider and broader.

But everything has its pros and cons.

The Heavenly Palace Group, like an omnipresent vine, derived its lushness from those sturdy branches, but the hidden dangers were indeed enormous.

Their way of starting was destined for them to never offend the branches they depended on, but in a reality where interests dominate, this clearly isn’t possible.

In summary, Mu Li wanted to ”clean up,” to make the Heavenly Palace Group fully independent, rid of any need to act according to anyone else’s will.

But this... seemed unrealistic.

”I also always thought it was unrealistic, yet I am unwilling to give up.” Facing Zhou Wang’s faintly smiling skeptical gaze, Mu Li smiled bitterly. ”Until a certain relative in Beidou pointed me in a clear direction.”

”What direction?”

Zhou Wang was taken aback.

”Then what do you think my purpose is in seeking this deal with you now?”

Mu Li gazed at Zhou Wang, as if trying to see through all the secrets of the surprisingly young man before her, ”Why would I be willing to let you take all the advantage?”

At this point, Zhou Wang understood; in fact, it was ”himself” that she found as the way out.

”Has President Mu misunderstood? I’m just an ordinary self-made millionaire, probably not with that much influence...”

Zhou Wang chuckled, shaking his head.

”Really?”

Mu Li spoke softly, with a hint of an inscrutable smile, ”The behind-the-scenes boss of Cloud Group, whose financial empire casts a shadow across the globe, whose assets can be calculated in trillions, actually evaluates himself so modestly?”