CHAPTER 295: CHAPTER 215: ONE TRAP AFTER ANOTHER (PART 2)

Zhu Hongye feigned nonchalance and said, "No rush, no rush. Since Chairman Ge is here, he is our guest. Let’s head to the meeting room first, and we can discuss work matters later."

Just as Ge Aimin was about to speak, he was interrupted by Gu Bai, who had been silent beside him.

"Chairman Zhu, it seems we should be quite familiar with each other, but today is probably our first meeting, isn’t it?"

"And you are?"

Zhu Hongye looked puzzled at Gu Bai, who was wearing sunglasses. A sense of familiarity surged through him. Moreover, the fact that Gu Bai could interrupt Ge Aimin so directly indicated he couldn’t be just any staff from the Construction Bank.

Ge Aimin not only was not annoyed by the interruption, but he also stopped talking and stepped aside, suggesting that this young man’s status was even higher than Ge Aimin’s. In all of Shanghai, such a young individual with this kind of status couldn’t be more than a few. The words spoken by this young man also hinted at familiarity with Zhu Hongye, making a figure slowly become clearer in Zhu Hongye’s mind.

Faced with Zhu Hongye’s query, Gu Bai faintly smiled, then removed his giant sunglasses and handed them to Gu Xin who was beside him, saying with a smile, "Chairman Zhu, do you not recognize me?"

Although, as Gu Bai said, this was their first meeting, Zhu Hongye had seen videos of Gu Bai more than once. And for the person responsible for sending his son to prison and driving his company to this dire situation, Zhu Hongye was full of hatred, but he knew he couldn’t outright confront him, so he forced a stiff smile, "One of the top 10 young leaders in Hua Country, the helmsman of a hundred-billion group, a national philanthropic representative—how could I not recognize you?"

"This sudden visit, I assume Chairman Zhu wouldn’t mind?"

Although he could hardly tolerate Gu Bai, Zhu Hongye forced a smile and replied, "Of course, no mind."

"That’s good then."

At this point, Ge Aimin broke the awkward situation by asking, "Where are the staff responsible for reviewing and liaising, Chairman Zhu?"

Zhu Hongye knew that since Gu Bai and Ge Aimin were both present, there was no chance for easy resolution. So he replied, "Chairman Gu, Chairman Ge, why don’t we head to the meeting room and discuss this slowly?"

"Alright."

Once Gu Bai spoke, Ge Aimin did not continue and simply agreed.

................

In the meeting room, besides Gu Bai, Ge Aimin, and Zhu Hongye, there was no one else present. Zhu Hongye had even instructed someone to guard the door to prevent unrelated personnel from approaching the room.

No one spoke, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere.

Eventually, it was Zhu Hongye who couldn’t hold back and spoke directly, "That Chairman Ge would come with Chairman Gu was unexpected by me. However, since some things are already on the table, I won’t make any polite exchanges.

I wonder to what extent Chairman Gu plans to go with us at Hongye Building Materials?"

"Extent? I’ve never planned to play to any degree with you. The goal has always been singular—to acquire you."

As Zhu Hongye had been upfront, Gu Bai naturally didn’t hold back.

Zhu Hongye didn’t expect Gu Bai would be so brazen as to sit in his company and declare an acquisition.

"Chairman Gu must be joking?"

"Does Chairman Zhu think I’m joking? From the stock market maneuvers, the three giants terminating contracts in unison, to the subsequent bank loans, and my various arrangements in the Securities Commission, does Chairman Zhu think I am such a frivolous individual? Mobilizing unknown connections, tens of billions of capital, and over half a month’s effort just to joke with you?"

Gu Bai crossed his legs and smiled mockingly.

"Bank loans?"

"Chairman Zhu, you don’t really think it’s just a coincidence that so many banks wouldn’t lend to you and only the Construction Bank was willing, do you?"

Zhu Hongye glanced at Ge Aimin and then at Gu Bai. With the series of events of late, cold sweat began to trickle down his spine.

Being an insider himself, he was often blind to the situation. With Gu Bai’s slight prompt, everything became clear to him.

Gu Bai’s ultimate goal from the beginning was to acquire Hongye Building Materials, and any semblance of retribution was merely a facade.

If it were purely for revenge, the Securities Commission’s continuous 14-day maximum period investigations coupled with stock market hedging operations would have been enough to severely damage Hongye Building Materials.

But what had Gu Bai been doing all along? Almost every action informed Zhu Hongye, "Here’s my next move! Are you ready to respond?"

And in many cases, he was exerting effort without receiving praise. For instance, during the stock market hedging, Zhu Hongye believed that if their roles were reversed, and he were in Gu Bai’s position, he’d make sure to ruin himself at the first opportunity. After all, with tens of billions at his disposal, he wouldn’t need such hassles and would merely employ two words: "sell-off."

But Gu Bai consistently made slow purchases and sales, providing Zhu Hongye plenty of time to react.

It was only now that Zhu Hongye realized that it was always a trap set by Gu Bai to ensure he engaged in large loans with the Construction Bank. Now, Gu Bai’s nets were all set, ready to close in.

Seeing Zhu Hongye’s realization, Gu Bai laughed, "Previously, a 10 billion loan might have been significant in the eyes of Hongye Building Materials, but it was manageable. Yet now, that loan will be the final straw that breaks you."

Zhu Hongye stared intently at Gu Bai’s handsome face, coldly saying, "You’re right. I have reached a dead end at this point, but I can still delist, declare bankruptcy, and restructure.

Hongye Building Materials is a tangible enterprise with thousands of people relying on us for their livelihood. Do you think the authorities would let you drive a company providing thousands of jobs to ruin?"

"You won’t be able to declare bankruptcy. Just yesterday, I reached out to your company’s major stakeholders, offering to buy their shares at a valuation of 2 billion. I trust your shareholders might be more reasonable than Chairman Zhu, don’t you think?

Moreover, remember, the authorities care about jobs but not about who provides them. Chairman Zhu, you understand this better than I, a newcomer to the business world, do?"

"I’m the largest shareholder and chairman of Hongye Building Materials. Even if I disagree, it’s impossible for you to acquire it, even if it ends in bankruptcy!"

Gu Bai maintained a look of confidence.

"Chairman Zhu, I suggest you don’t act out of impulse; it serves no purpose.

Your Hongye Building Materials now has a total asset valuation of only 3.4 billion with 1.6 billion in debts. Not many companies are willing to take over. I’m offering 2 billion to buy your shares, exceeding the market price by 200 million. This is why I’m so confident your shareholders will accept my offer.

As for you being the major shareholder, I can’t deny that. But for me, it’s only a matter of time. Can you come up with 1.0375 billion? If not, your 20% shares will be auctioned off. And I can assure you, no one in Shanghai other than me will be able to acquire those shares, even if the auction price is 1 yuan; only Black Swan Group would bid. Do you believe me?"

Gu Bai’s last words shattered all of Zhu Hongye’s hopes.

"If you agree to my acquisition request now, you can still retain 8.2 billion from your 41% shares. When Zhu Chaoji comes out in a few years, he’ll still have something to rely on.

But if you insist on confronting me directly, I can play along. It’ll just cost a few more billions, which I don’t mind, for Hongye Building Materials will be mine eventually. But I promise you, if it comes to that, you’ll end up with nothing!"

Gu Bai was blatantly executing a hostile takeover.

But both Gu Bai and those present, including Ge Aimin and Zhu Hongye, knew that Gu Bai had the audacity because he had the means.

As previously stated, the timing, location, and people were all in Gu Bai’s favor. What did Zhu Hongye have to compete with him?

After finishing his words, Gu Bai didn’t say anything further. He stood up, smiled at Zhu Hongye, and said, "Chairman Zhu can think it over. I’ll be heading home tomorrow, and my think tank will handle all subsequent operations.

Despite the offense you and your son have caused me, I still have a soft heart, willing to give your family a chance rather than leaving you destitute."

With that, he opened the meeting room’s door and left.