YA Ch92: Dispute

Ming Yan quietly listened to their discussion. After they finalized the time for tomorrow’s meeting with Hongxiao, he asked with a faint smile, “What are you two discussing about investment?”

As one of the three bosses of the company, it’s almost ninety-nine percent settled, yet he’s still in the dark. That doesn’t seem appropriate, does it?

Lu Yu froze, suddenly remembering that he hadn’t explained this plan to Ming Yan in detail yet. He hadn’t expected the Lu family to be unexpectedly disqualified, causing the process to move so quickly, jumping from “not even in the initial stage” directly to “almost a done deal.”

He coughed softly and explained to Ming Yan in a low voice, “Well, we’re trying to acquire a smart brain manufacturing plant. A few days ago, we were competing with the Lu family. Since the odds of success seemed slim, I didn’t tell you, but unexpectedly, the Lu family got blacklisted by the AI Data Alliance.”

Ming Yan frowned and pursed his lips, saying nothing.

Earlier, he had dangled the carrot in front of Lu Yu, forbidding him from meeting with the Lu family, intending to figure out what the Lu family was up to before they could exploit Lu Yu. When he learned that Lu Yu’s dealings with the Lu family were about acquiring a smart brain manufacturing plant to find a way out for the Ming family, Ming Yan felt a tightness in his chest.

He had hinted to Lu Yu before, both subtly and directly, that the Ming family didn’t need external help and that focusing on the watch business was enough. He hadn’t expected Lu Yu to be working on this plan too, just without collaborating with the Lu family.

Seeing Ming Yan displeased, Lu Yu grew a little concerned and tilted his head to check his expression. “Do you disapprove of this plan?”

Ming Yan glanced at the top fan and Lao Yang, still present, then grabbed Lu Yu by the wrist. “Let’s talk.”

Watching Lu Yu being dragged away, stumbling as Ming Yan pulled him by the wrist, the top fan grew a bit worried. Fearing the two might start fighting, he grabbed Lao Yang and followed them to take a look.

They went into Ming Yan’s office.

Ming Yan locked the door and stood with arms crossed, staring seriously at Lu Yu. Originally, Lu Yu hadn’t felt like he had done anything wrong, but now he was starting to feel uneasy.

“Our debt crisis hasn’t been resolved yet. How do you plan to complete the acquisition?” Ming Yan didn’t question his concealment but instead asked a practical question.

“Hongxiao Capital will invest. We can… offer equity through technology,” Lu Yu nervously curled his fingers, lacking confidence as he mentioned the technical equity. He briefly explained Zheng Wuqiong and Hongxiao Capital’s intention, noting that a three-way partnership would make it easier to gain the AI Data Alliance’s approval.

Ming Yan frowned. “Why would they let you contribute through technology? Smart brain assistants aren’t irreplaceable.”

Right now, Shen Yu had no money. Offering equity through technology, which lacks concrete evaluation standards, would completely depend on the majority shareholders’ goodwill. For Lu Yu to secure this opportunity, he would inevitably have to make some concessions, perhaps even selling out the core technology, leaving Zheng Wuqiong’s side to reverse-engineer it.

Lu Yu opened his mouth, then closed it again. Without money, if he wanted a share, sacrifices were inevitable—he was aware of that.

“Have you discussed this with Lao Yang?” Ming Yan pinched the bridge of his nose. “This isn’t just your company.”

Listening in from outside, Lao Yang nodded. “Exactly.”

Lu Yu nodded, “I did, but he didn’t really understand and said, ‘whatever.’”

Sitting outside the door, Hong Wuyang glanced at Yang Chen. Yang Chen looked up at the sky and scratched his bald head. “Seems like, yeah, that did happen.”

Lao Yang, who was obsessed with technology, never paid attention to external matters. Anything Lu Yu asked him to sign, he signed with his eyes closed. Even if Lu Yu sold him and the company together, he probably wouldn’t even realize it.

The top fan patted Lao Yang on the shoulder. “I get you. My brother makes me sign things without looking, too.”

Inside, the room fell silent for a moment, and the two eavesdroppers couldn’t help pressing their ears closer to the door.

“Lu Yu, you’ve already done enough for me,” Ming Yan said with a sigh, slumping against his desk, “I don’t want you to sacrifice your interests for the Ming family. Reviving the Ming family is my responsibility, do you understand?”

Ever since Lu Yu handed him that little business card three years ago, Ming Yan had owed Lu Yu too much.

“How is it just your responsibility?” Lu Yu suddenly raised his voice. “The Ming family’s business is my business too!”

The top fan and Lao Yang listened from outside, feeling worried.

The top fan: “They’re arguing. You don’t think they’ll start fighting, do you?” He had read online that arguments between same-sex couples could easily turn into physical fights.

Lao Yang: “I don’t think so. At most, that wimp Lu Yu will just get beaten up.” On this point, he was very confident in his brother. Even if Lu Yu got beaten to death, he would never lay a finger on Ming Yan.

Hong Wuyang pulled out his wallet and took out a wad of cash.

Yang Chen looked at him curiously. “What are you doing?”

The young master Hong patted the character stand in his pocket. “If that dog Lu gets beaten up, I’ll slip some tips through the door crack.”

Lao Yang: “…”

Inside, the two were still arguing.

Ming Yan: “How is it your business?”

Lu Yu righteously responded, “I’m your live-in son-in-law! Once we get married, Tomorrow Watches will be my business too. If you don’t let me get involved, does that mean you’re not planning to give me a dowry?”

Ming Yan: “…You’re being completely unreasonable!”

Not wanting to continue the conversation, Ming Yan turned and went to open the office door, only to find the two eavesdroppers tumbling in. Hong Wuyang fell face-first to the ground, landing right at Ming Yan’s feet, still holding a wad of cash high above his head.