After Divorce, I Can Hear the Future

"How's the progress on the Murakami Bank acquisition?"

Upon hearing Lu Liang's inquiry, Ishikawa Mayu frowned and said in a low voice, "Even though Murakami Bank is insolvent, upon learning that we are the buyers, they insist on a price of four hundred million US Dollars without budging, making it difficult to move the project forward."

Lu Liang sneered and said, "It's obvious they're trying to jack up the price, so let's just abandon the acquisition of Murakami Bank."

He had previously reviewed the research report on Murakami Bank; its scale is just slightly larger than Delimei.

The price shouldn't exceed 250 million US Dollars; now quoting 400 million US Dollars, it's clear they see our ample funds and want to take us for fools.

Ishikawa Mayu was taken aback and continued, "President, if we abandon the Murakami acquisition now, the previously invested research funds will likely go down the drain."

When acquiring a company, once a project is initiated, the sunk costs keep accumulating.

Just like the acquisition of Fuji TV, conducting research, hiring third-party consultants, we initially invested at least ten million US Dollars.

Lu Liang smiled indifferently and then said, "We are acting as saviors rescuing their company; it's they who didn't seize the opportunity."

"Let's look for other banks instead."

The trade war between the two major countries is raging fiercely; those suffering the most, besides the citizens of both countries, are Neon and Korea caught in between.

Korea lacks spine; although the United States abuses it countless times, it still cares for the United States like a first love.

In contrast, even though Neon's backbone is broken too, the national ambition never disappears, making the international situation even more uncomfortable.

Since last time when Lu Liang shorted the market, the stable US-Japan exchange rate over the two years collapsed alongside the trade war escalation; meanwhile, Eastern Continent New Energy accelerated its penetration into the traditional fuel vehicle market, leading to Japan and Korea cars' profits in China halving year by year.

Anshan's economics weren't effective either, with all these factors compounding, the US-Japan exchange rate seems unstoppable again.

[November 5th, yen fell below 120...]

[November 22nd, yen fell below 130...]

A new round of yen depreciation is about to arrive.

Entering Chang'an is easier than getting into Chang'an.

This saying also applies to them; if they refuse to cooperate in good faith, they too can handle some tricks.

The reason Ishikawa Mayu is still looking for banks, preparing to initiate another acquisition, is merely the smokescreen for the hidden dagger.

Lu Liang is self-aware; he knows his ambitions (as a wolf) are already well-known.

Conquering Neon requires some strategic planning.

As the conversation neared its end, Lu Liang casually said, "I heard there are some hardworking and capable young people in the Fuji TV acquisition project; they are the company's reserve talents. The company is developing rapidly and urgently needs a continuous stream of fresh forces."

Ishikawa Mayu's expression turned serious, he responded quickly, "Indeed, there are several newcomers with great capability; I plan to have them join the acquisition department's research team to help them grow quickly."

He recalled some internal rumors about Sato Yuuya bribery incidents.

This incident, due to timely identification, did not result in actual losses for the company.

Under normal circumstances, the company would be lenient to the involved personnel, at least it would not impose the maximum sentence of over three years.

Due to this suspicion, rumors gradually spread that Sato Yuuya offended someone he shouldn't have.

Ishikawa Mayu used the vice president's privileges to investigate slightly and indeed found some clues.

The acquisition group had four members at that time: besides Sato Yuuya, there were two senior legal staff and one intern.

An intern's involvement in such significant projects raised questions; notably, her original department leader happened to be Sato Yuuya.

Sato Yuuya had some peculiar habits and reportedly had ambiguous relations with some female interns in the department.

He had seen Sakurada Miyuki's profile and met her in person; her appearance was notably above those interns.

Just as Sato Yuuya was investigated, Sakurada Miyuki was transferred to the acquisition group and entrusted with significant responsibilities.

Hence, rumors spread within the company that Sakurada Miyuki was Wen Chao's little mistress, and now it seems the president helped the chairman shoulder this black mark.

Lu Liang displayed an approving smile, waved his hand, and said, "You may leave now."

"Hah~"

Sakurada Miyuki was eavesdropping by the wall, and upon hearing silence outside, she quietly opened a crack in the door, revealing a round almond-shaped eye.

The eye shape was short and round, with deep and short eyelid lines, corners drawn upwards, maintaining depth while exhibiting a girlish innocence.

"Nani?"

She murmured softly, the office was empty; Ishikawa Mayu was nowhere to be seen, and even Lu Liang's whereabouts were unknown.

Suddenly, a slender index finger appeared before her, and before she could react, the finger passed through the door crack and flicked her forehead hard.

"Yamete~"

Sakurada Miyuki felt wronged, holding her forehead, as she saw Lu Liang leaning against the doorframe with a smile at the corner of his mouth, watching her.

"Can you stop being so sleazy? You already look like a bullied puppy." Lu Liang patted Miyuki's little head.

Miyuki's eyes were full of grievance, she stomped her feet in anger, her cheeks puffed like a hamster, and she shouted sweetly, "Sir!"

"Work's over." Lu Liang glanced at the time with a smile, and Miyuki's face suddenly turned from cloudy to sunny, full of joy.

She said eagerly, "Sir, I'm going to buy some ingredients, I can cook now, my mom praised my cooking."

Although her mom had returned to the countryside home, she taught her a new dish every day for a month before leaving.

Including but not limited to Japanese curry rice, miso soup, ginger pork, as well as Cantonese black bean spareribs, claypot fish head, etc.

Lu Liang's evaluation would be her final test, and she's been looking forward to this day for a long time.

"Later, I have a meeting with Ota Ling, so I'll likely be back a bit late."

Lu Liang's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing Miyuki Sakurada's burning culinary spirit.

Lu Liang paused for a few seconds and said with a smile, "But I'll keep my stomach empty and try to come back early, looking forward to your cooking."

"Hehe~~ No problem, leave it to me. Sir, you just keep your stomach empty and wait for the feast."

Miyuki smiled with narrowed eyes; in front of Lu Liang, she was like a child, easily cheered up with some coaxing.

Lu Liang couldn't help but laugh and asked again, "Did you hear what I was talking with Ishikawa just now?"

Miyuki nodded and suddenly hesitated to speak: "Sir, actually, you don't have to do this."

Even Miyuki could hear the hint in Lu Liang's words, let alone Ishikawa Mayu.

As expected, her position and salary would be raised again right after her full-time employment confirmation.

Lu Liang smiled indifferently: "Don't feel embarrassed, inherent resources are also part of your strength."

"The initial intent of letting you experience the grassroots is simply to familiarize you with some unspoken rules and the darker sides of human nature."

"Now that you have a preliminary understanding, you should grow quickly, I hope that you'll be able to assist me in the future."

Lu Liang plans to shape Miyuki Sakurada into the most powerful female CEO in Tokyo's business scene and even the East Asian market.

But relying solely on resources is far from enough; she herself needs to put in hundreds and thousands of times more effort.

"Sir, your words put a lot of pressure on me." Miyuki drooped her head, face full of distress.

Lu Liang laughed, "Pressure is a good thing, don't be afraid, the key is whether you have confidence?"

Miyuki put away her playful mindset, her face taut and serious: "Yes! I won't let you down."

"I believe you can do it well."

Lu Liang patted Miyuki's little head, giving her suitable encouragement; she squinted her eyes, showing a silly smile on her face.

In the evening, both of them left the company one after another.

Miyuki took the subway back to her apartment in Roppongi to prepare for tonight's midnight feast.

Lu Liang also went downstairs to take the special car sent by Ota Ling, heading to the wealthy Shitamaku District.

Meanwhile, the news of Xingheng's successful acquisition of one of the Neon Top Six, Fuji TV, began to ferment online.

"TV station? Isn't this the sunset industry among sunset industries?"

"Liangzi must be acquiring Fuji TV for an adult film venture, right?"

"That's a narrow perspective; do you know why radio control was important during war? It's a tool for propaganda."

"Unexpectedly, one of the Neon Top Six, Fuji TV, was acquired by a foreign company."

"Hot knowledge: Xingheng is not a foreign entity in Neon, its main shareholders are Mitsui Sumitomo, followed by Tianxing and Hyundai."

Laymen watch the hustle, insiders watch the door.

In the eyes of professionals, this is the most crucial part of Lu Liang's financial empire.

Though TV stations may be a sunset industry, they are legitimate, fully-equipped vehicles of public opinion, and crucial channels for disseminating information.

East Country suffered many losses on the public opinion level, which led some people in Europe and America to mistakenly think they still wear queues.

Although this also had connections with domestic directors fond of filming red cotton jackets and hardship movies, ultimately, it boiled down to the lack of public opinion rights.

Lu Liang was clearly aware of East Country's lack of public opinion rights, hence the acquisition of one of the Neon Top Six, Fuji TV.

Despite Fuji TV reaching the brink of bankruptcy, showing a lack of public opinion rights, it's still a step forward.