Chapter 34 - Businesses Deal With Long Groups(1)
She didn't stick around—she didn't have the time. She was officially running late for a meeting with the board of Air-China, one in which she was striving to make a record-shattering, unheard-of proposal. She needed it very much to set her foot in china. Previously she thought three industries were enough as Xins didn't like to associate themselves much with legal business. Since it was going to be hers she thought of trying her luck in aviation Lines too.
As the richest woman in China(if you include the income from other sources too), she didn't need much of anything, personally, professionally, or otherwise.
Air China was about to become the Mount Everest of her career.
She headed to the elevator, press the button for her private floor, and swipe her key before heading to the private boardroom.
The second she walked through the door, The board members greeted her , even if they were annoyed or irritated at her late entry they wouldn't open their damm mouths. They knew better than to talk to the devil. The devil was her. The same Medussa the women were talking about.
The projector screen behind them was filled with a large number of middle-aged faces with impatient frowns, all of them video-conferencing from a stuffy-looking room in Shanghai.
"Ladies, gentlemen, esteemed members of the board, I hope you weren't waiting long." She smiled. She was told she look halfway pleasant when she smile. But Sam told her the opposite.He said her smile was awful and unpleasant. Mostly, the symbol of bad luck.
She took a seat at the head of the table. Lu Xinyi slided me a legal pad adorned with the Xin Corporation logo, along with a expensive fountain pen—only the best for her note taking. It was her mother's fountain pen and the day she assumed the full control of the Xin cooperation, he gave her the very same fountain pen saying it belonged to her mother and now her.
"President Xin , we assume you received the agenda for today's meeting?" Someone from their team breaks the silence.
Lu Xinyi passed her a printed email.
"Have it right here." She gave it a quick perusal, speed-reading the bullet points and identifying the words that matter. "And I can already tell you that half of these items are needless. I know your time is precious. As is mine. So I propose we both stop wasting it, and you tell me the number you want on the check. I can have my CFO approve it before close of business today."
She was met with a few snorts, and a handful of them exchange unreadable gazes.
Unprofessional, but she was generous to turn the other cheek because once she buy them out, she would never have to see their sour faces again. Or she would make sure they were not on the board anymore or could rot seven feet below the ground. Nevermind, she was in a good mood today.
"President Xin, as all know, you are well aware of the current reputation of Xin cooperation. There are rumours that Xin cooperation will be filling bankruptcy soon and Du cooperation is waiting to buy it out" He Xiang , the man at the head of the table with a 71% share of Air China said.
" I'm very well aware president Xiang. And you along with your board knows better if any hostile takeover can happen" she replied indifferently. The absurd rumours had been in market for over weeks now and Xin cooperation had not released any official statement yet which in return was fanning the fire.
He leaned forward in his leather chair, head wobbled, polite smile decorating his aging face, and he cleared his throat. "My grandfather founded this company."
She nodded, as if she'd never heard the same bullshit ever. She heard same stories everytime she acquired the business all around the world.
"At the end of the day, it's a family business," He Xiang says. "It can't switch hands unless I know for certain it'll continue to stay with a inept head ."
The damm old man didn't love his life anymore. He was hell bent on ruining my mood.
She shot the CFO a what -the -hell look. He pinched the bridge of his nose. They both knew this was bullshit. Likely a stall tactic. If he really wanted to sell, he'd sell.They had had enough off-the-record conversations with board members to know they're ready to unload. Air China was holding steady but as compared to its competitors it was not even on the thresold of being called a worthy opponent.
She wanted this company not because it was a very profitable business but it would help our other business handily. She'd several private jets but they were not comparable to private commercial airlines. Private airline meant we could smuggle more effortlessly.
"I am willing to double my previous offer which I believe is extremely generous," She said. Morelike is stupidly generous.
The board members discussed with each other and gave her strange looks. Some might even call her stupid.She was a woman and supposed to be always looked down in a male dominant world.
"Have we reached a decision?" She asked.
historical
"Not quite. But I have a proposition for you," He Xiang said. "If you're open to hearing it."