64 Hello, Brother (1/2)
Why would a multi-national corporation acquire a Chinese company? Because the Chinese market was too tempting. Lots of foreign corporations couldn't adapt to the environment in China, or compete with local companies. At times, acquisition became the most effective means to expansion.
For one thing, it could obtain the mature sales channel, market network, talent and client resources of the local company; for another, acquiring rivals helped annihilate them once and for all. Brands such as ”Little Nurse”, ”Robust” and ”Lekai Film” were prevalent several years ago, but now, they were nowhere to be found. What's more, buyout of the top firms in the industry led directly to monopoly.
Were there well-known instances? Of course. Hygiene products, cement, snacks, soybean and mechanical manufacturing were all gradually being dominated by foreign companies. If they couldn't compete with local companies, then they would buyout the competition, which was a trick used repeatedly by foreign corporations.
And now, they stepped into bag industry.
From Lin Mochen's perspective, it was just the result of globalization. He would never have the struggle that he, as a Chinese citizen, should be patriotic and protect national brands. He only knew that Chinese companies had to go through these ordeals if they wanted to participate at international levels. It would be excellent of someone if they could protect their own company, but they would be the only one to blame if they were eventually conquered.
Cruelty and ambition manifested by western corporations resembled what they demonstrated when they invaded China centuries ago. Even if DG didn't acquire China's bag corporations today, there would be other multi-national corporations in the future doing the same thing.
Aida would face the same trial sooner or later, no matter what. Lin Mochen wouldn't change her fate, nor could he change that of Aida. However, he was trusted by his clients, and he couldn't reveal any information to her. It was ethical of him to observe confidentiality, and the apathetic way he talked to her was not problematic at all.
It was ten o'clock in the morning.
SMQ, MK Investment Management Corporation and DG Corporation were sitting at the round table. After half a month of negotiation, there was finally a consensus between the three, with DG Corporation buying fifty-one percent of SMQ's shares and becoming the controlling shareholder. This would inject a large sum of funds into SMQ and make SMQ the first-tier company in Asia-Pacific Area through mutual efforts.
To Chen Zheng, although he acquiesced in this buyout, it might also be a new start for him. According to the contract, DG Corporation would send off a few of the personnel to the executive and management board, but he was still the general manager and in control of the company. Not only could he receive a large sum, but also could he introduce advanced foreign technologies and patents to his firm. Even though there were many harsh conditions in the agreement, this cooperation was indeed a win-win like what the media said.
But for Lin Mochen, only one thing would happen to SMQ. DG acquired SMQ not to help it, but to enter Chinese market under its shield. After a short while, he would use methods like stock splits to gain more control of SMQ, per his client's desires. In the end, Chen Zheng's managing power would be removed and SMQ would exit the market gradually.
The process was so smooth that Lin Mochen found it dull. Lin Mochen's team resided in the most luxurious hotel in the center of the city. But this night, instead of going back to his hotel, he went to another apartment in the downtown area. That was an apartment he purchased a few years ago when he went back to Lin City. He purchased it to have a private place to stay in, and to make sure Lin Qian would have a house no matter what happened.
His apartment was a penthouse. As he opened the door, he saw the blazing light inside and a pair of heels by the door.
He wasn't hurried, rather, he walked inside slowly. He looked around and found the floor and furniture cleansed. It seemed that Lin Qian had asked someone to clean up. However, the two pots of orchids on the balcony had withered, resembling two slender bones. He frowned seeing this.
Apparently, Lin Qian didn't take care of this apartment regularly and only did it knowing he would come.
There was no one in the living room while the lamps were on in the bedroom. Lin Qian's silhouette was swinging, but she didn't come out after hearing his footsteps.
Lin Mochen sensed something strange and walked there hurriedly.
She was rummaging through his things.
The drawers and closets were all opened. The sister he hadn't seen for a long while obviously came here directly after work. Her coat was taken off, and she was searching through the closets wearing her white shirt and skirt with her sleeves rolled up.
She barely threw him a flance when she heard him approach the door. That glimpse was clearly mixed with pique. She kept searching without looking at him. Lin Mochen was agitated, ”So you're welcoming me by going through my stuff without permission right in front of me?” This had never happened before. Even when she was visiting him in America, she never entered his room and touched his private articles.
Lin Qian buzzed and answered, ”We don't have shame when it comes to imperialist invasion!”
Only then did Lin Mochen realize that she was looking for the buyout documents.
He stayed silent for a while, walked to her, dragged her to the living room and pushed her to the sofa. ”You have no idea what you're doing,” he scowled.
As a matter of fact, when she first realized that her own brother came to acquire Aida as a representative of foreign corporation, Lin Qian found it hard to accept.
Was he really so ruthless that he didn't even care about her well-being? What if he was the one in charge of the buyout? Could Li Zhicheng handle it? Where would that lead her and Li Zhicheng if they were in opposition against each other? Would their relationship be jeopardized, and would they break up because of her inhuman brother?
How was it possible?
She even thought that Lin Mochen took this case to fulfill his promise by making Li Zhicheng go through turmoil. However, that was ridiculous even to think about. Lin Mochen always drew a distinct line between public and private affairs. Even if he was mighty, he would go against her to teach Li Zhicheng a lesson.
There was a bigger issue behind this.
She always held a belief that even though her brother was merciless to others, he wouldn't imperil her happiness for money alone. She came here today to figure out his intentions and to collect some information.
”Why're you doing this, brother?” she asked straightforward with a glint in her eyes. Lin Mochen didn't care for the aggressive way she talked, but he didn't want any misunderstandings between them either. He sat across from her, poured himself a cup of tea and chose not to respond for a long while.
Only when there was a blaze in her eyes did he open his mouth, ”I'm not the only partner in my firm. Do you really think it's possible for them to forgo an acquisition that's worth multi-million dollars just because my sister's in one of the companies? Grow up, Lin Qian.”
She knew that this was one of the reasons. She was relieved but still blamed him, ”You should've told me earlier so that we can be more well-prepared.” Lin Mochen ignored that unreasonable requirement. ”But, are you really thinking about acquiring Aida?” she asked, ”even if we shouldn't bring public affairs into our private life. What's going to happen to me and him? Have you ever considered it?”
Lin Mochen gave her a sophisticated glance. ”Lin Qian,” he didn't address her question, instead, he suddenly changed the subject, ”you need to understand that this buyout will happen no matter what. Even if we don't do it this time, some other corporation will.” Lin Qian was dazed. This sounded brutal but, did he mean it was better him than others to do this? Is he signaling mercy?
In other times, Lin Qian wouldn't keep asking when she thought she knew the implications because Lin Mochen had strong work ethics. It was inappropriate for him to tell her everything explicitly, and she was sensible enough to understand that.
However, this was about Li Zhicheng and Aida, and when you cared about something too much, you couldn't think straight. Lin Mochen's ambiguous answer didn't satisfy her.
What if I understood it wrong? What if he was being literal? What if he was actually saying it's better him than others to make the profit? It's entirely possible given his record.
As she was contemplating this thought, Lin Mochen opened his mouth, ”Anything else? Please go back if there isn't.” Lin Qian didn't care about that ”expulsion order” and decided to drop a bomb. She pulled her right hand out of her pocket and showed it to him. The ring was shining on her ring finger.
Lin Mochen became morose.
”I'm engaged to Li Zhicheng already,” she said, ”so tell me openly whether you're going to help us or not? If you're not, then you've put me between you two, and you cannot blame me if I choose him over you. I'm a person of my word.”