Chapter 42: Friends Are Meant to Be Tricked

Hurriedly leaving the old house, he hailed a taxi by the roadside and sent Lin Yiyang back to the old man’s place first. Then Lin Chuan rushed straight to the television station.

On the way, Lin Chuan couldn’t figure out why Yuan Ye was so eager to call him over. He wasn’t part of the station—what business could possibly concern him? He pondered for a long time without arriving at any answer, shook his head helplessly, and decided not to dwell on it. In any case, once he arrived, everything would become clear.

It didn’t take long for the taxi to pull up outside the station. As Lin Chuan stepped out, he saw Yuan Ye waiting anxiously at the entrance and running over as soon as he spotted him.

“You’re finally here! Come on, follow me inside!” Yuan Ye grabbed Lin Chuan’s arm and turned toward the building.

“Wait, what exactly do you want?” Lin Chuan asked, his brow furrowed.

“Just come with me!” Yuan Ye offered no explanation and wasted not a moment, heading straight inside.

They ascended to the tenth floor and entered a room resembling a conference hall. It was empty, not a soul in sight.

“Xiao Chuan, sit here for a bit. I’ll go check on things…” Without giving Lin Chuan a chance to reply, Yuan Ye turned and left the room.

Seated in the vast, empty conference room, Lin Chuan’s mind whirled. Judging by Yuan Ye’s serious demeanor, this wasn’t a joke, but what could possibly involve him here, and why bring him straight to a meeting room?

He hadn’t waited long before footsteps echoed in the hallway outside. The sound was chaotic, suggesting more than a couple of people.

With a bang, the conference room door was pushed open from outside. Lin Chuan turned to see Yuan Ye leading five or six people in.

The four in front, all about forty or fifty years old, glanced at Lin Chuan with expressionless faces before taking seats across from him. Behind them stood three young men and women, each holding folders—assistants or secretaries, perhaps.

“Xiao Chuan, let me introduce you. These four are the station’s shareholders… Mr. Ma from Lihua Group, Mr. Xu from Wanchang Group, Mr. Meng from Tianye Group, and Mr. Du from Yongsheng Group…”

As Yuan Ye introduced them, Lin Chuan smiled warmly and nodded to each. The executives, for their part, responded with tepid indifference.

“So, you’re Lin Chuan, Mr. Lin?” After the introductions, Mr. Xu from Wanchang Group scrutinized him coldly.

“Ha, just call me Lin Chuan. It’s my first time meeting you gentlemen, I hope you’ll guide me well.” Lin Chuan stood with a smile, extending his hand.

None of them moved, making no attempt to shake his hand. Lin Chuan was left awkwardly standing.

“No need for pleasantries. We’re all busy, so let’s get straight to the point. I hear from Yuan that you’re interested in acquiring our shares?” Mr. Meng from Tianye Group spoke suddenly.

“Acquiring shares?” Lin Chuan was bewildered.

How could he not be? Such a major deal, and he had no idea. More importantly, he could barely afford dinner, let alone buy shares—it was a ludicrous notion.

Still, Lin Chuan kept a composed facade, glancing sidelong at Yuan Ye.

“Um… yes, Mr. Lin does have the intention, but hasn’t made a final decision yet…” Yuan Ye, unable to meet his gaze, replied to the executives with an embarrassed smile.

“No decision yet? Then why call us here? This is a waste of time. I’m leaving!” Mr. Xu, quick-tempered, got up to go.

Yuan Ye panicked, waving his hands. “Please don’t be upset, Mr. Xu. Since Mr. Lin called you here, he’s considering the idea. Even at the market, you’d ask the price first, right? Especially given our station’s current situation…”

The executives exchanged glances and nodded. Just as Yuan Ye said, the situation at Quancheng TV was dire, and anyone willing to buy their shares was already a rare opportunity.

But before any deal, understanding was only natural.

Mr. Xu hesitated, his expression darkening, and sat back down.

“Mr. Lin, Yuan must have briefed you on our station’s situation. Although ratings have dipped, the foundation remains, and we retain a loyal audience. With a good program, recovery is quite possible…” Mr. Ma from Lihua Group spoke calmly.

He made it sound easy, but Lin Chuan knew the truth. The ratings hadn’t just dipped; where was the foundation, where were the loyal viewers?

Without ad placements and sponsors, Quancheng TV would soon be bankrupt.

Yet Lin Chuan didn’t contradict him. Mr. Ma was a businessman, and in such a precarious situation, it was wise to maximize his advantage, a typical business tactic.

Listening to Mr. Ma extol the station to the heavens, Lin Chuan only sat unmoved, his expression indifferent, though inwardly amused.

“Mr. Lin, together, our shares account for sixty percent. If you acquire them all at once, you’ll become the station’s largest shareholder. If you’re interested, the price is negotiable…” At last, they got to the real point.

Lin Chuan had never considered buying the station, but since Yuan Ye had tricked him here, he might as well play along—it cost nothing, after all.

“Ahem, so may I ask, gentlemen, what price do you have in mind for these sixty percent shares?” Lin Chuan smiled.

“Uh…” The men conferred in low voices. At last, Mr. Ma spoke for them. “We’ve run into business difficulties or else wouldn’t sell so easily… How about this: give us twenty million, and the sixty percent shares are yours. What do you say?”

“Twenty million?” Lin Chuan and Yuan Ye exclaimed in unison.

“This price is already quite low. At another station, you wouldn’t get a corner, let alone the majority. So, Mr. Lin, will you…” Mr. Ma smiled, though a hint of embarrassment showed.

None of these executives lacked money. Even if Lin Chuan really paid twenty million for sixty percent, how much would they actually get? The main reason was their eagerness to escape this bottomless pit—if they waited for bankruptcy, they’d lose everything.

“Mr. Ma… about that price…” Yuan Ye started, but Mr. Du, who had been silent, interrupted.

“Yuan, twenty million is already cheap. Mr. Lin may not know the station well, but you do. We have all the resources and equipment we need; all we lack is a compelling program. Whether drama or variety, anything that attracts viewers could revive us…”

“But…” Yuan Ye was angry. If it were really so simple, the station wouldn’t be facing bankruptcy.

Lin Chuan laughed, stood up, and swept his gaze over the executives. Calmly, he said, “Since you gentlemen lack sincerity, let’s leave the acquisition for now. I have other matters and won’t waste your time further.”

Seeing Lin Chuan about to leave with no intention of negotiating, the executives, led by Mr. Ma, grew anxious. Yuan Ye was startled and hurried after him.

“Mr. Lin, please wait. We’re still in negotiations. If you’re not satisfied with the price, you can always propose your own…” Mr. Ma quickly stood.

“Xiao Chuan, if you really walk out now, the station is finished. And the old man…” Yuan Ye whispered, his face grim.

“Don’t use the old man to pressure me. How can I make such a big decision? Besides, I don’t have that kind of money!” Lin Chuan rolled his eyes in annoyance.

“That’s not your concern. If money is the issue, I’ll find a way…” Yuan Ye replied earnestly.

Lin Chuan stared at Yuan Ye for over ten seconds, realizing he wasn’t joking. He took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re setting me up!”

“Heh, isn’t that what friends are for? Enough talk, get back in your seat!” Yuan Ye chuckled quietly.

“Mr. Ma, I am genuinely interested in acquiring the station. Your price is reasonable, but given the current situation, I doubt I could recover my investment…” Lin Chuan said solemnly.

“Mr. Lin, two million for a TV station is already a bargain. If you still think it’s too high, then we…” Mr. Xu’s face darkened, but Ma stopped him.

“I did say the price is negotiable. Let us discuss further, shall we?” Mr. Ma smiled.

Lin Chuan shrugged. “I hope your next price will satisfy me, or I see no grounds for further discussion.”

“Of course!” Mr. Ma nodded hastily.

The executives huddled together, conferring in low voices. Their expressions showed the negotiation was difficult and opinions divided. As businessmen, they wanted maximum profit, but the current situation forced them to compromise. Otherwise, besides Lin Chuan—the only ‘sucker’ willing to invest—no one else would throw money at a doomed station.

Time ticked by. Just as Lin Chuan grew impatient, they finished their discussion.

Mr. Ma, again their spokesman, smiled. “Mr. Lin, we are sincere about this deal. This time, our offer is our bottom line—ten million. I believe you have no reason to refuse.”