Chapter 24: Plotting Gradually

“Director Xue, you are overestimating me. However, my product is not yet at the stage where it could justify such a large sum of money, so…”

“Dr. Du, rest assured, since I am making an angel investment, I definitely won’t interfere with your management and operations of the company. I can even just be a financial investor.”

Xue Ningmei repeatedly humbled herself with promises, which made Du Qiu somewhat grateful, but he was aware of the future value of his company.

At this moment, giving up 30% of the shares was an absolute impossibility.

Du Qiu felt that, barring any unforeseen events, his company would inevitably become the world’s most profitable.

Of course, Du Qiu could continuously dilute Xue Ningmei’s shares through capital strategies, but these were original shares after all, and who knew what might happen during the company’s development process?

This matter needed to be carefully considered; he couldn’t rush into an agreement.

After contemplating, Du Qiu said, “Director Xue, I greatly appreciate your positive view of me. However, I am just starting out, and the company isn’t even registered yet, so you don’t have to rush into investing.

If I really need money, I will definitely come to you first. Just don’t turn me away then.”

Xue Ningmei smiled and said, “I will remember what you said, Dr. Du. If your company needs money and you don’t come to me, I won’t let you off the hook.”

Hearing that Xue Ningmei was no longer insisting on the investment matter, Du Qiu felt relieved.

After all, from the moment he met Xue Ningmei, she had been good to him, and the success of the software development was actually supported by her.

In fact, if Xue Ningmei had not asked for a 30% share, Du Qiu might have agreed.

After all, many tech entrepreneurs take angel investments these days, and there’s no need to see capital as an enemy.

“Director Xue, rest assured, as soon as my company brings in outside investors, you will definitely have the priority.” Du Qiu gave her a promise right there.

Xue Ningmei nodded and said, “Alright, although I can’t invest in your company at the moment, I do want to buy your software product. You’re not going to say it’s not for sale, are you?”

Xue Ningmei’s joke made everyone laugh.

“Director Xue, you dare to place an order without seeing the software in action; of course, I dare to sell. However, I haven’t established a company yet; how do I sign a contract with your esteemed company?”

Du Qiu certainly didn’t take Xue Ningmei’s words as a joke to be laughed off.

He was there today at Tianqi Company for a sales promotion. The software had just come out of development yesterday, and as long as the hardware that comes with it is completed, the entire system could be officially sold.

After thinking, Xue Ningmei said, “How about this; Tianqi Company will first sign an outsourcing contract with you as an individual, entrusting you to handle the software control systems for the medium- and high-end CNC centers that we ship out every month.”

Du Qiu instantly expressed his gratitude, “Director Xue, you are really providing timely help.”

“Just remember this favor.”

Xue Ningmei turned to look at Wei Jianshe, “President Wei, arrange for someone to draft an outsourcing contract and have it signed with Dr. Du later.”

Seeing Wei Jianshe agree and leave, Du Qiu was grateful for Xue Ningmei’s swift actions.

His previous impression of her based on his mentor’s evaluation was somewhat shaken in this moment.

Afterward, Xue Ningmei chatted with Du Qiu about family matters, and upon learning that Zhang Mingliu was Du Qiu’s ex-girlfriend, the relationship between the two women heated up quickly.

By the time Du Qiu had signed the contract with Wei Jianshe and left, Xue Ningmei and Zhang Mingliu were already like sisters from different mothers.

In the chairman’s office of Tianqi Company.

“Chairman, Du Qiu’s company isn’t established yet, and you’re already outsourcing the control software of the medium- and high-end equipment we ship out every month to him. Isn’t that a bit premature?”

Wei Jianshe poured tea for Xue Ningmei, placed it on the table, and cautiously asked while looking at Xue Ningmei, who was resting with her eyes closed.

Xue Ningmei opened her eyes and glanced at Wei Jianshe before saying, “Jianshe, you’ve been at Tianqi for almost a year and have made progress in many areas.

But now that you’re in management, you need to learn to understand and use people. You can’t just be obliging; that’s the only way I can let you be in charge.”

A glint of happiness flashed in Wei Jianshe’s eyes, and he became even more respectful, “You’re right, Chairman. I will definitely work hard to improve myself.”

Xue Ningmei took a sip of tea and then said, “Do you know? When Academician Ding brought several students to Huading, the only one who could really help him was Du Qiu.

The most important thing is that Academician Ding has praised Du Qiu in front of me more than once. In my memory, Academician Ding hardly ever praises anyone like that.

Since then, this Du Qiu has caught my attention, and I’ve collected his related information, discovering that he published heavyweight papers during his master’s studies.

Later when I found out he was independently developing CNC control systems while researching all of Huading’s machine tools, I realized how capable he was.”

Wei Jianshe was surprised and asked, “So the software he talked about was all developed by himself? That’s truly unbelievable.”

“Yes, and he’s definitely a persistent talent. His doctoral thesis on machine perception was even selected for authoritative journals.

Huading specializes in automation machine tool equipment, so his research results are very important to us.

It’s a pity that he refused to join Huading and instead went on to work on autonomous driving, and now he’s starting his own business.

Therefore, it is imperative to invest in his company. Since he doesn’t want to accept my investment for now, I can only plot gradually… Do you understand?”

“I understand. Since Du Qiu is now starting his own business, the Chairman’s support from various angles will surely make him grateful, and in the future…”

Xue Ningmei put her teacup down on the table and interrupted, “Be cautious! Some things you just need to know, some words are better left unsaid.”

“Understood, you can trust that I will keep quiet.”

“The matter of coordinating cooperation with Du Qiu, I’ll leave to you to handle. Make sure Du Qiu is satisfied!”

“Understood.”

After leaving Tianqi Company, Du Qiu was about to drop off Zhang Mingliu at her home when her phone call interrupted their plan.

Zhang Mingliu had a quick exchange of “Yes… Okay… I’ll find a way… I can handle it…” on the phone, with such a respectful attitude that Du Qiu took note.

After hanging up, Zhang Mingliu, with a troubled expression, said to Du Qiu, “Du Qiu, can I borrow your car for a moment?”

“What do you mean?”

“Our editor-in-chief personally assigned me to host some investors and now wants me to go pick someone up at the airport.”

“Your newspaper is also seeking financing?” Du Qiu was curious; now every industry seems to be trendy to raise funds?

“Exactly. I heard that the city’s investment promotion department brought them in, with several groups of foreign investors, and this is just the first group. Some of them plan to collaborate with our newspaper on Internet new media.”

“Wow, the new ‘Foreign Investment Law’ is really attractive, huh.” Du Qiu mused; the revision of the law was just passed in Congress in March, and already foreign investors were flocking in.

It seems Tang Country is accelerating its opening up, with even previously closed sectors opening their doors.

“Liu Liu, that’s not right. These are guests invited by the investment promotion department of the city, shouldn’t they be the ones to handle the reception? Why does your newspaper need to step in?”

“How should I know? That’s what the editor-in-chief said. So I just have to follow orders.”

Du Qiu had just pulled the car over to the side when he realized, “That’s still not right. Even if they asked you to host, they shouldn’t expect you to find your own transportation, should they? Did your newspaper run out of vehicles?”

“Don’t even mention it. All of our cars are tied up with other assignments. The editor-in-chief told me to figure it out. Could you please help me? Would that be okay?” Zhang Mingliu pleaded, tugging at Du Qiu’s sleeve.

Looking at her expression, Du Qiu got goosebumps. When did Zhang Mingliu become so coquettish?

“Alright already, I’ll lend it to you. When will you return it to me tonight?”

Zhang Mingliu’s face was immediately covered with a smile, “Don’t worry, I just need to send the person to the hotel, so I’ll definitely be able to treat you to dinner. Remember to wait for me.”

Watching Zhang Mingliu excitedly take the driver’s seat, Du Qiu cautioned from the side, “Be careful driving!”

Before he could finish, the car sped off.