They're already in university, and the primary school system is only just starting out?

Chapter 93 Company Valuation and Equity Allocation

At the conference table, the two sides exchanged views, engaging in the first round of debate surrounding the company's valuation.

Zhong Min cited numerous sources, including market risks, industry practices, and cases of similar companies, to demonstrate the rationality of his 1000 million valuation.

The school's law professors, however, clung tightly to Chen Lin as their "core asset," repeatedly emphasizing his scarcity and irreplaceability, refusing to budge an inch.

Just as the two sides were deadlocked, the two big shots who hadn't said much finally made their move.

"Haha, Zhong Min, don't be so rigid." Peng Yifeng laughed, breaking the deadlock. "This time, our investment isn't in financial statements, it's in people! It's in the future! We need to think long-term."

On the other side, Principal Chang Kai smiled and said to He Qun and the others, "Teacher He, President Peng is a guest from afar, so we should also show him our sincerity."

Ultimately, with the two bigwigs trying to smooth things over, both sides backed down.

The pre-investment valuation of Yanhai Technology Consulting Co., Ltd. was finally settled at 1500 million yuan.

Chen Lin sat there, listening to the final number, feeling a bit dazed.

Fifteen million?!

My company has become worth fifteen million in just a short time?

This money is too easy to make!

The first issue was resolved smoothly, and the atmosphere in the meeting room eased considerably.

However, when Professor He Qun raised the second issue, namely the equity distribution plan, the atmosphere that had just eased instantly became tense again.

Professor He cleared his throat and slowly said, "Regarding the shareholding, our school's plan is as follows: Chen Lin will contribute his technology as equity, holding 51% of the shares, ensuring the founder's absolute controlling stake. Our Yannan University plans to invest 315 million yuan, holding 21% of the shares."

He paused here, glanced at Peng Yifeng across from him, and continued, "The reason our school wants a 21% stake is with one condition. We hope that in the future, as the company grows, Chen Lin can choose to repurchase our 16% stake at a 10% premium. This way, Chen Lin's shareholding will reach an absolute majority, and our school can permanently retain a 5% stake, achieving a long-term, deep partnership with the company."

This plan seems to be designed with Chen Lin's interests in mind at every turn.

However, Peng Yifeng, who was sitting opposite him, visibly reduced the smile on his face.

Zhong Min frowned directly and pointed out the problem without any politeness: "Professor He, if we follow your plan, Tiansheng Investment can only hold a maximum of 28% of the shares, which is far from our initial expectations."

His tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction: "Before the school decided to participate in the investment, the initial agreement we reached with Mr. Chen was that we would invest 49% of the shares, and Mr. Chen would contribute his technology for 51%. Now the school has intervened and directly cut our share by nearly half. If we wait until Yanhai Company grows up, our potential investment returns will shrink significantly. To be frank, we find this plan hard to accept."

The air in the meeting room seemed to have been sucked dry by Zhong Min's resolute "It's hard to accept," leaving Chen Lin feeling a little suffocated.

The school's law professor, clearly a seasoned veteran, simply smiled faintly and calmly retorted, "Manager Zhong, I think you may have misunderstood. The reason our school proposed this plan is precisely for the long-term, healthier development of Yanhai. For a startup, the founder's absolute control is the cornerstone of its innovative vitality and strategic focus. Our plan is essentially protecting student Chen Lin, which means protecting the company's most core asset."

Zhong Min adjusted his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses sharp as a knife: "Teacher, I respect your point of view, but the capital market has its own logic. Tiansheng Investment is not a charity; we invest real money, so naturally we seek a corresponding return. A 28% stake cannot support our determination to deeply empower and allocate resources to this project."

"Oh? So, Mr. Peng invested in Chen Lin not because he valued Chen Lin's personal abilities, but because he was interested in how many shares Chen Lin would give up?" Teacher He Qun added at the opportune moment, his words laced with barbs.

For a moment, a heated debate erupted at the conference table, with everyone exchanging words back and forth.

Both sides clung to their bottom lines, refusing to budge an inch. One talked about ideals and the future, while the other discussed risks and returns; neither could convince the other.

Chen Lin sat in the main seat, listening quietly without saying a word.

He finally understood completely.

Whether it's President Peng or Zhong Min, they talk about risks and uncertainties, but in reality, they are more optimistic about the future of their company than anyone else.

The initial valuation of ten million was just a smokescreen, a common tactic in business negotiations to drive down the price.

They genuinely believe that if they can acquire an extra percentage of shares now, they can earn a fortune in the future.

That's why they were so dissatisfied with the result of only being able to hold 28% of the shares, and were even willing to risk putting the negotiations to a standstill in order to argue their case.

Having figured this out, Chen Lin felt much more at ease.

Since everyone wants to get on the bus, I, as the driver, have absolute control.

The argument in the meeting room continued, but the tension had subsided considerably, turning into a repetitive exchange of arguments. Everyone knew that without some new ideas, they wouldn't be able to reach an agreement today.

Just as both sides fell into a brief silence, each drinking water and gathering their thoughts,

Chen Lin turned his head slightly, leaned close to Huang Yiyi's ear, and quickly said a few words in a very low voice that only the two of them could hear.

As Huang Yiyi listened, she nodded almost imperceptibly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by extreme professionalism.

After listening, she did not speak immediately, but patiently waited for the most appropriate opportunity.

Finally, after another round of exchanges between the school's legal counsel and Zhong Min, and as the room fell silent once again, Huang Yiyi cleared her throat, and her gentle yet clear voice rang out in the conference room, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

"Everyone, regarding the issue of equity distribution, Yanhai would like to propose a supplementary plan."

Principal Chang Kai and Peng Yifeng's self-illustrations both focused on her.

Huang Yiyi stood up straight with a calm smile on her face and slowly said, "Considering Tiansheng Investment's optimism and support for our company, and in order to facilitate this cooperation, President Chen is willing to transfer an additional 5% of his 51% equity stake to Tiansheng Investment."