The Great Sage Returns from Ten Years of Imprisonment

August 7th, 8:00 AM.

Lingyun and President Kong arrived at the CIC headquarters building to meet with members of the joint investment team from various airlines.

The moment they appeared, the previously noisy new office area fell silent.

All the team members looked at Ling Yun with surprise in their eyes.

"Wow! This is Ling Yun? Isn't he too young?"

Someone muttered under their breath.

Following closely behind, the people next to him nodded in agreement.

"I heard he's in charge of this operation. With all the airlines throwing so much money at it, does he really have the ability? Don't let them waste over a billion dollars."

These whispers, as quiet as flies, did not escape Ling Yun's ears, but he seemed not to hear them.

He was too lazy to waste words and simply laughed it off.

Once the eye-popping investment results are released, we'll be able to thoroughly slap these guys in the face and make them admit defeat!

After everyone got to know each other, Mr. Kong gave a brief overview of the operation, but did not mention its connection to the Goldman Sachs hedging strategy.

No one can guarantee that there aren't any corporate spies among the team members. If the plan is leaked beforehand, it will be a huge problem!

After Mr. Kong finished explaining the situation, everyone began to sign confidentiality agreements.

The next steps involved grouping into teams, assigning futures accounts, familiarizing themselves with the office environment, and coordinating with the teams in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Ling Yun didn't leave the CIC headquarters until around 8 p.m., and drove back to his home on Financial Street.

As a result, he didn't rest when he got home; Da Meiyuan came over.

Around 5 p.m., Da Meiyuan sent him a text message, wanting to talk to him about acquiring a film and television company.

At the time, Lingyun was in a conference call with the team leaders in Hong Kong Island and Singapore and didn't have time to discuss it with her over the phone, so he could only ask her to come to his house that evening.

After entering the house, Lingyun asked Da Meiyuan to wait in the living room while she went upstairs to wash up and change her clothes.

About ten minutes later, he changed into loose-fitting home clothes and came downstairs to the living room.

He naturally sat down next to Da Meiyuan, picked up the kettle, poured himself a glass of cool boiled water, and drank it all in one gulp.

Da Meiyuan couldn't wait any longer and immediately started talking.

"Director Lin has received the check and signed the investment agreement with Attorney Zhang. He specifically asked me to thank you for saving him from dire straits!"

"Rehearsals for our play will resume on the afternoon of the 9th, and the premiere after the National Day holiday is definitely on track!"

Ling Yun put down his water glass and leaned back lazily on the sofa.

"It's good that we've received the check. Now, Director Lin and your team's task is to rehearse this play well. I'll be there on set to see if the investment pays off."

"The play was well-directed, both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. I will have many opportunities to collaborate with Director Lin in the future, not only in stage plays but also in film and television projects."

He paused slightly at this point.

"On the contrary, if Director Lin does a perfunctory job and throws my investment down the drain, this will be the last time I work with him, and he can forget about getting a single penny of investment from me again."

"All the cast and crew members involved in this play will be treated equally. In the future, I will no longer consider them for any of my investment projects. Of course, this does not include you."

Da Meiyuan was a little stunned, her lips slightly parted.

Hearing that she was the only exception, she felt relieved and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as she was about to speak, Ling Yun's voice became even sharper.

"That's not all. I'll bring in a professional accountant to audit every single account of the production team. If they find any illegal or irregular activity, then it'll be time for Attorney Zhang to step in."

"Take these words to Director Lin and the others, and I can offer them generous compensation. But those underhanded tricks in the entertainment industry that rip off investors won't work on me."

Da Meiyuan playfully stuck out her tongue and lightly punched his arm.

"You're too ruthless! Looks like I really need to remind Director Lin and the others; they need to pay attention."

"The entertainment industry is different from your finance background. Accounts are usually just about right. If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. Isn't it a bit harsh to completely eliminate it?"

Ling Yun looked at her stunning face and spoke with a hint of teasing.

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Ultimately, it comes down to the quality of the play. If it's a production made with heart, my tolerance will naturally adjust, and I won't be so nitpicky."

"On the contrary, if I invest four million and produce a piece of garbage, my tolerance will approach zero. Don't blame me for following the rules then."

Da Meiyuan paused for a moment, then nodded.

"Understood. I will remind Director Lin. I trust he won't squander his hard work and reputation."

After chatting about theater for a while, they changed the subject.

Da Meiyuan hugged a soft pillow, pondered for a while, and then spoke with anticipation.

"Yesterday I discussed it with the other two shareholders, and we agree in principle to your acquisition request and relinquish controlling interest in the company."

"Let me confirm again, are you really planning to offer 20 million to acquire our company? And have you promised to give me at least 20% of the shares?"

As she spoke, she could hardly contain her excitement.

Ling Yun couldn't help but chuckle, then gave a resolute answer.

"No doubt about it, I am indeed prepared to spend 20 million to acquire your film and television company, giving you at least 20% of the equity. I never joke about investments."

The next moment, he changed the subject.

"But I have conditions. My first condition is that I will hire more capable professionals to manage the company; I simply don't trust your management abilities."

Da Meiyuan's pretty face instantly fell. She reached out and pinched him, pouting her little mouth in dissatisfaction!

However, she also understood that although the words were harsh, they were the truth.

The company has been established for six or seven years, but it has never been very successful. It is only supported by her and her best friend's connections, and the management is a complete mess.

"Ouch, be gentle, or I'll tell Leilei on you."

Ling Yun made a joke before getting back to the main topic.

"The second condition is that you are a major shareholder and the face of the company. As long as the company doesn't go bankrupt, you can't leave. That's the main reason I offered you a high price of 20 million."

"And then there's Ada Choi, who's also an important artist in the company. She has to sign a five-year contract with the company. If she's willing to stay with the company long-term, I can consider giving her some shares..."

The moment she heard her best friend's name, a flash of alertness crossed Da Meiyuan's eyes.

She knew all too well how beautiful her best friend was; few men could resist her!

Even though she is a woman in her thirties, her charm has only increased, and she just got divorced last month and is currently single.

Could this guy have ulterior motives, perhaps actually appreciating the scenery?

Da Meiyuan muttered a few words to herself.

Next, Lingyun put forward some conditions and ideas.

After he finished speaking, Da Meiyuan hugged her pillow and thought for a full half minute before giving a response.

"Let's talk about equity distribution. If I get at least 20% of the shares, how much will my agent and the other shareholder get?"

"And then there's Jingwen. If she's willing to sign a long-term contract, how much equity are you planning to give her? Too little might not be enough to sway her, given her strong fan base."

Ling Yun admired Da Meiyuan's earnest and charming appearance, and quickly offered a solution.

"I can give you 20% equity, and your broker and the other shareholder will each have 8% equity. Their diluted equity can be compensated with cash."

"As for Alyssa Chia, if she promises to stay with the company long-term, I can give her 4% of the shares as an incentive, and the remaining 60% of the shares will be mine."

Before Da Meiyuan could fully digest the equity distribution plan, Lingyun threw out another one.

"One more thing, you must sign a concerted action agreement with me, which means I must guarantee absolute control over the company."

"Tell them that as long as they accept these conditions, they will have access to the top resources in the Chinese entertainment industry and a bright future."

"Agreement on acting in concert?"

Da Meiyuan repeated it, then gave him a charming eye roll.

"Good heavens! Not only are you trying to acquire our company, but you're also taking away our voting rights, turning us into mere decorations. I've never seen anything so domineering!"

As she spoke, her eyes were filled with resentment, and she reached out to pinch him again.

This time, however, Ling Yun did not let her succeed.

With a flick of his wrist, he swiftly grabbed her slender hand and gently kneaded it a few times.

Da Meiyuan froze, as if she had been electrocuted.

She tried to pull her hand back, but she couldn't muster the strength.

The atmosphere in the living room instantly became ambiguous, and the temperature seemed to rise a little.

Time flew by, and it was soon 10 p.m.

Da Meiyuan blushed and stood up, preparing to say goodbye and leave.

"It's too late, I should go back."

Ling Yun stood up and said half-jokingly:

"It's already this late, you don't have to go back, you can stay here tonight."

"I'll be busy until very late tonight, so I won't disturb your rest. I won't leave until nine o'clock tomorrow morning, then we can have a more in-depth discussion."

Upon hearing the words "in-depth exchange," Da Meiyuan couldn't help but tremble.

Her pretty face flushed even redder, and she rolled her eyes coquettishly.

"Get lost! If you dare spout any more nonsense, I'll tell Leilei and she'll teach you a lesson!"

"I wouldn't dare stay here with you, not because I'm afraid you'll do anything bad, but because I'm worried Leilei will overthink it."

She made a show of force by waving her fist, picked up her bag, and swayed gracefully toward the foyer.

Ling Yun chuckled softly and then followed.

His gaze unconsciously fell on her round and perky buttocks, his eyes filled with admiration.

She truly lives up to her name, Yuanyuan!

Upon reaching the foyer, Da Meiyuan hurriedly changed into her high heels, her face flushed, and fled the duplex mansion as if escaping!

Ling Yun smiled and escorted her to the elevator, watching her walk into it.

After the elevator doors closed, he took out his phone and made a call to the bodyguard waiting outside the residential area.

They had bodyguards accompany and protect her all the way home, escorting Da Meiyuan home.

After returning home, he called Mr. Wang of Yuanda again and began to remotely direct the Yuanda investment team to carry out their operations.