Chapter 83: Billion-Dollar Share Swap

Inside the office.

Xue Ningmei indeed brought up her wish to take shares in Dream Technology again, but this time, she didn’t make an excessive demand; she did not directly ask for a 30% stake.

“Dr. Du, I sincerely want to collaborate with you. The current market value of Huading Group is around 68 billion, and I, together with persons acting in concert, hold 79% of the shares.

My proposal is to cross-share with Dream Technology, making Dream Technology the largest shareholder of Huading Group, able to hold 40% of the shares.

Similarly, Huading Group would become the largest shareholder of Dream Technology, also holding 40%.

This share swap is centered around Dr. Du and your technological patents, meaning that Dream Technology does not need to pay any additional cash, and you will be the technical leader of both companies.

In doing so, the two companies will establish a deep partnership, and in the future, they can undoubtedly become Tang Country’s version of Fa Ke Company and a flagship of domestic brands in the numerical control equipment field.”

After hearing Xue Ningmei’s speech, Du Qiu was somewhat surprised in his heart. Isn’t Xue Ningmei too bold?

A company worth 68 billion directly exchanging shares worth 27.2 billion to Dream Technology, which is still in its infancy.

Does Xue Ningmei genuinely see huge wealth-making potential in him, or is there some trap or conspiracy?

But no matter how he looks at it, he can’t see any conspiracy.

After Xue Ningmei finished speaking, she didn’t rush to wait for Du Qiu to reply; instead, she picked up the teacup in front of her and started sipping her tea.

Xue Ningmei had been coordinating on multiple fronts recently to come up with this proposal.

Huading Group has reached a critical period where it must immediately possess real core technology and, through this, adjust the company’s shareholding structure to avoid certain risks.

Besides, it may look like Huading Group is making a significant sacrifice, but looking to the long term, even if Du Qiu makes no further contributions, just the Heavenly System alone will ensure that the Huading behemoth doesn’t sink.

This is a huge piece of pie; now it depends on whether Du Qiu will accept it or not.

She doesn’t believe that Du Qiu could remain unmoved in the face of such tremendous benefits.

If Du Qiu nods, it means that he could potentially have a net worth of several billion in a flash.

In this world, who would refuse a fortune of several billion?

“Director Xue, may I ask a question?”

In the calm office, Du Qiu suddenly spoke up and asked.

“Dr. Du, please ask anything. I will be as open as I can be with whatever I know,” Xue Ningmei said with a smile.

“Why is Huading Group willing to pay such a high price to have me as a technology leader? I may not necessarily be able to create better products in the future.”

“I believe you will be able to show more creativity. Even if you truly run out of ideas, just the Heavenly System is worth this price,” Xue Ningmei confidently stated, leaving Du Qiu a bit dumbstruck.

Although he feels that there is something hidden, it’s clear that Xue Ningmei will not reveal the real reason.

After pondering for a while, Du Qiu said, “I will seriously consider Director Xue’s share swap proposal. Of course, I might put forward my own proposal.”

At these words, Xue Ningmei was briefly stunned then her face showed a confident smile as she said, “That’s great. Whether you agree with my proposal or present your own, as long as we can work closely together, we can achieve a win-win situation.”

After finishing her statement, she seemed to think of something and added, “I believe that no venture capital firm out there can offer a price beyond what Huading can right now.

Moreover, you have promised me that if Dream Technology ever needs financing, I’m definitely part of it.”

Evidently, Xue Ningmei had heard about the venture capital firms reaching out to Dream Technology.

“That promise surely stands. You must remember that you, Director Xue, are currently Dream Technology’s biggest customer.”

“Oh yes, I heard you have a personal laboratory of your own, which I don’t think I’ve visited yet?” Xue Ningmei suddenly said.

“Director Xue, you are so thoughtful. My laboratory is quite basic; it’s just for running some small experiments. If you’d like to see, please, this way.”

It seems that Xue Ningmei had done her homework. Although the existence of Du Qiu’s private laboratory was not particularly secretive, outsiders who do not ask intentionally would not know about it.

Du Qiu led Xue Ningmei out of the office and to the door of his personal lab, where the door automatically opened.

Seeing the puzzled look on Xue Ningmei’s face, Du Qiu explained, “This door uses facial recognition for access.”

“I didn’t see you facing a camera?”

“This system, the camera automatically captures the facial features and motion behavior of anyone within five meters of the door. If it matches with the database, it opens.”

“That’s pretty good. No need to stop and face the camera, and it seems more precise than most facial recognition systems in operation.” Xue Ningmei’s eyes lit up.

【Du Qiu really has something good in development; I haven’t misjudged him.】

Xue Ningmei thought to herself while surveying the interior of the laboratory.

Du Qiu’s laboratory, after a period of construction, not only had more equipment but also underwent rearrangements.

It is divided into areas for chemical agent research and high-speed centrifuges, and there’s also a small-scale material manufacturing production line.

Xue Ningmei couldn’t comprehend these specialized equipment and instruments but she deduced some clues from the small-scale production line.

Du Qiu must have some plans for the automated production lines; if Dream Technology also releases products for unmanned factory production lines, they will undoubtedly become a strong competitor to Tianqi Company.

“Dr. Du, are you working on unmanned production lines?”

Xue Ningmei pointed at the material manufacturing production line and asked about her speculation.

Du Qiu was taken aback, slightly amused; this indeed was a fully automated unmanned production line, but he wasn’t researching it explicitly, rather, it was for manufacturing new materials.

But it was good that Xue Ningmei misunderstood.

“Director Xue seems to be quite tech-savvy as well; you recognized it in an instant.”

Xue Ningmei earnestly said, “Dr. Du, please don’t refrain from cooperating with us simply because Huading Group could be your competitor.

Actually, you should think of it this way: if you work with us, we can join forces more easily and generate a massive synergistic effect.

Huading already has a solid foundation, at least in terms of market channels and everything has been managed quite well. Our cooperation would be like giving each other wings.”

“Director Xue, I understand what you mean. As I’ve already said, I will seriously consider both of our cooperative proposals.”

“Then you must give me a timeline. The speed at which you research and develop new products is truly astonishing. If it gets delayed, your value may increase, and we may not be able to afford the price.”

“Ha ha ha, Director Xue, you flatter me.”

“Don’t laugh; you must give me a response time.” Xue Ningmei unconsciously revealed a certain unique feminine charm.

Du Qiu’s heart skipped a beat; had this woman been twenty years younger, he probably would have been moved.

He turned to look elsewhere and replied, “Alright, by the end of this month I will definitely give a clear response.”

“Does it have to take that long? There’s still more than half a month left.” Xue Ningmei slightly furrowed her brows.

“Director Xue, is that considered a long time? Such a significant collaboration definitely requires consulting with multiple experts. I’m not focused on this all the time; I have a lot of research work to do.”

“Alright then, but I can only wait until the end of the month. Don’t stand me up.”

“Don’t worry.”

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