Chapter 175: Once Lost, It Spirals Out of Control

Retail investors originally had no expectation for the proposal to pass, considering Dream Technology actually opposed the initiative—it was easy for their shareholding proportion to invalidate the proposal.

Nowadays, Dream Technology is making a fortune, yet, like Huawei, it’s not listed, so shareholders can’t even get a piece of the action.

Finally, there is Xingguang Precision, a listed subsidiary company. If it gets the support, the listed company will surely become a prized asset.

However, retail investors soon discovered that employee stocks held on behalf of Dream Technology had recently been released for trading, allowing employees to operate these shares on their own.

Suddenly, the outcome of the shareholder meeting became ambiguous.

The company secretary collected the data reported by the staff and announced, “The on-site voting results are as follows: shareholders holding 30% of the shares voted against, while those holding 45% of the shares voted in favor.”

Liang Weimin smiled smugly when he heard the first number.

He had been planning this day since the IPO of Xingguang Precision.

Dream Technology actually owns a 23% stake, plus another 10% in employee shares, amounting to 33%. Prior to the shares being released for trading, Dream Technology represented the voting rights of the employee shares.

Liang Weimin initiated this proposal, precisely timing it with the release of the employee shares onto the market, foreseeing that there would be fluctuations in the market.

Hadn’t he already arranged to gather as many stakes as possible from the market? Otherwise, how could there be a 20% fluctuation in stock prices and even consecutive upper limits?

Liu Yaofeng must be desperately grabbing stocks now too, unfortunately, he couldn’t get any on the day before the suspension because of the continuous daily limit.

At the last board meeting, Liu Yaofeng did not expect that the director representing the aerospace conglomerate would side with him. Now, he must be panicking.

Liang Weimin couldn’t help but say to Liu Yaofeng, “President Liu, it seems that even the employees within Dream Technology voted in favor.”

Liu Yaofeng’s face seemed somewhat strained, at least that’s how it appeared to Liang Weimin.

“You have quite the stratagems Director Liang, but the online voting results have not yet come through, and that accounts for 25% of the shares.”

Liang Weimin laughed, “Retail investors, seeing the consecutive upper limits, will definitely not vote against it!”

The company secretary already had the online voting results and immediately announced, “The online voting results are as follows: 4% voted against, 21% voted in favor.

In other words, a total of 34% voted against and 66% voted in favor. The proposal did not receive the two-thirds majority required and thus could not pass!”

Liang Weimin suddenly felt a buzzing in his ears, the phrase “4% voted against” echoing endlessly.

How could this be possible? Which retail investor would not want the proposal to pass?

No, this must be a major shareholder!

4%… 4%… Suddenly, Liang Weimin shivered.

He frantically took out his phone and dialed his assistant, Su Xiaohui.

“Xiaohui, check if my ex-wife Sun Xiaofei has executed her voting right for her shares in Xingguang Precision.”

After hanging up, he asked the company secretary, “How much shareholding did you count under my name in the on-site voting just now?”

The company secretary looked at the data and then answered, “Director Liang, you represent a 17% stake owned by Powerful Capital!”

“That’s impossible!” Liang Weimin took out Sun Xiaofei’s power of attorney and handed it to the company secretary, saying, “My ex-wife owns a 4% stake, and she entrusted me with her voting rights. Didn’t you count that?”

After checking the power of attorney, the company secretary replied, “Director Liang, your ex-wife informed me before the start of the shareholder meeting that she had already transferred her shareholding last Friday through an agreement.

Therefore, this power of attorney is no longer valid…”

Liang Weimin gasped for breath, staring at the company secretary, then suddenly shouted, “Sun Xiaofei— ”

With a “puff”, Liang Weimin actually spat out a mouthful of blood!

At the shareholder meeting site, those shareholders who voted in favor watched with regret as Liang Weimin fell.

Who would have thought that the proposal initiated by Director Liang would be ruined by his ex-wife.

What a pity they wouldn’t profit from it either.

The company secretary quickly called for staff to aid Liang Weimin and dialed for an ambulance.

Liu Yaofeng looked at the revived Liang Weimin, shook his head, and muttered, “Another one bites the dust, spitting blood for opposing the boss.”

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In Magic City, a health club.

Two women were lying in a room, enjoying a SPA session.

“Xiaofei, you’ve really outraged Liang Weimin to the point of spitting blood.”

“Spitting blood? That’s too light for him,” Sun Xiaofei coldly laughed as she lay on the bed.

“Do you really have no feelings for him anymore?”

“None. I went to see my dad. He told me everything Liang Weimin has done. A scumbag like him, hoping for an easy life—I’ll never let him get what he wants.”

“So, what are you planning to do next?”

“Minhua Sister, I was able to secure the shares of Xingguang Precision from him just in time, all thanks to your tip.”

“We’re best friends, how could I just watch you get conned by Liang Weimin? Don’t worry, in a while, these shares will be transferred back to you. With Xingguang Precision’s prospects, you’ll be set for life,” said Yuan Minhua earnestly.

Yuan Minhua, who had the fate to be Sun Xiaofei’s best friend, first met her as kindred spirits at Xingguang Precision’s IPO celebration more than a year ago, and gradually they had become best friends.

At that time, Sun Xiaofei hadn’t divorced Liang Weimin yet, and she witnessed the disintegration of their marriage.

During this time, Sun Xiaofei often confided her inner turmoil to Yuan Minhua.

When Du Qiu assigned her a task later on, she became even more angry and sympathetic toward Sun Xiaofei’s situation, hence carrying out the task without any hesitation.

She encouraged Sun Xiaofei to investigate Liang Weimin and passed some key information to her through various channels, thereby prompting Sun Xiaofei to settle accounts with Liang Weimin.

Though she doesn’t understand how Du Qiu could have possibly counted on just those 4% of shares to turn the tables, the feeling was indeed exhilarating.

“I’ll make sure everything Liang Weimin did to my dad is paid back and complete my revenge by the day he gets locked up. After that, I’ll live well for myself.”

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A few days later.

“Du Qiu, how did you persuade Sun Xiaofei to embark on this vendetta against Liang Weimin?”

Ning Shuangshuang couldn’t help asking during her call with Du Qiu.

Du Qiu replied, “I didn’t do much, really. It’s more like what goes around comes around. Liang Weimin originally rose with Sun Xiaofei’s help. It’s only fitting that she’d be the one to take back what’s hers.”

Ning Shuangshuang inquired, “Are you not even going to tell me?”

Du Qiu’s heart skipped a beat as he quickly answered, “How could I not? It just happened that Sun Xiaofei and Sister Yuan are best friends, so I passed some information about Liang Weimin through Sister Yuan to her. You know how powerful that website is.”

“No wonder. Yuan Minhua and Sun Xiaofei are best friends, and you caught on to that. But I didn’t expect Liang Weimin to choose suicide!”

Hesitantly Du Qiu asked, “Are you sure it was suicide?”

Ning Shuangshuang paused and countered, “Why would you ask that?”

Du Qiu explained, “From what I know of Liang Weimin, although he is quite arrogant, he isn’t someone who would be so harsh on himself.

The materials from Sun Xiaofei could at most get him five or six years in prison, but with his mentality, he should be thinking about making a comeback.

Moreover, the assets remaining under his name should be sufficient for a fresh start.”

Ning Shuangshuang responded, “Dr. Du, are you planning to become Conan and investigate Liang Weimin’s case?”

Du Qiu chuckled, “Shuangshuang, you’re actually joking with me! On a side note, I almost became a policeman back in the day.”

“Righteous Dr. Du, let me ask you, why doesn’t that omnipotent website have your current information? Could it be that you’re even more omnipotent than that website?”

Hearing her words, Du Qiu felt a jolt in his heart. After more frequent chats with Ning Shuangshuang, she seemed to speculate about some of his affairs, a testament to her proficiency in intelligence work.

“I keep a low profile. Also, I’m not very famous, so there’s no need for that website to focus on me,” he replied.

“You’re lying again!” Ning Shuangshuang huffed, “You’re not famous? Dream Technology is already the most profitable company globally, and you’re probably the world’s richest man by now.”

Du Qiu responded with a wry smile, “Such a hard-pressed richest man in the world must be quite rare, I suppose.”

“Du Qiu, when are you coming back to the country? As long as you’re in China, security won’t be an issue—the country will surely protect you with all its might.”

“Wouldn’t being protected by others feel like being confined? I’m fine with staying in the shadows for now, allowing me to focus on more research.”

“So you’re going to hide forever? Are we never going to see each other again?”

“I’m watching over you, aren’t I? Don’t worry, I’ll be able to return after my recent research is complete,” Du Qiu assured while looking at Ning Shuangshuang’s image displayed on his glasses.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“How much longer until your research is complete?”

“I estimate, at the shortest, half a year, or at most, one and a half years…”

“Du Qiu! Don’t tease me. I want a precise timeline.”

Du Qiu quickly clarified, “One project I’m confident about, the other is a bit uncertain, so I’m not teasing you.”

“All right, I’ll wait for your return.”

“Mm, I’ll step up my efforts to return sooner.”

“Take care of your health.”

“I will.”

After wrapping up the long call with Ning Shuangshuang, Du Qiu couldn’t help but rub his temples.

Star Ocean had recently unearthed some data that weighed heavily on Du Qiu’s typically optimistic attitude towards the United States.