A sophomore in college starts by getting a marriage certificate with a female CEO.

Liu Guodong was a bit older than Zhou Shuo, with some gray in his temples, but his eyes revealed the shrewdness unique to businessmen.

Zhou Shuo was slightly surprised.

I never expected such an important person to come in person.

As for the reason...

No need to guess.

They're definitely after the recipe.

After all, a dignified CEO and founder wouldn't come here to drink milk tea, would they?

He didn't rush to speak like Zhou Shuo.

Instead, they first looked around the shop.

Liu Guodong then turned his gaze back to Lu Yang, smiled, and said:

"Boss Lu, right? Hello, my surname is Liu, Liu Guodong."

As he spoke, he handed over a business card.

The business card reads "President of Chayunfang Group".

Below that is a line of smaller print: Head of Strategic Investment Department.

Lu Yang took the business card, glanced at it, and said nothing.

Liu Guodong didn't mind and said directly, "Boss Lu, I'll be frank."

"I'm not here to buy your three formulas; we're planning to acquire your entire formula."

Xia Ning opened her mouth: "Acquisition?!"

She could understand acquiring the formula, but a full acquisition? Wouldn't that mean selling the entire store?

"Yes, a full acquisition."

Liu Guodong's smile remained unchanged as he said, "We'll buy your formula, including your product development rights for the next three years. As for the price, we can discuss that."

Lu Yang didn't say anything.

A full acquisition means that the formula will be exclusively owned.

Compared to Zhou Shuo's empty promises, at least a large portion of the funds can be recovered directly now.

Liu Guodong continued, "To be honest, Boss Lu, the recipes for these three teas are indeed excellent, which is why I came here in person this time with sincerity."

After he finished speaking, he made a hand gesture.

The secretary behind him immediately took out a document and placed it on the table.

contract.

Buyout system.

Lu Yang's gaze swept downwards.

The acquisition price is...

Three million.

Xia Ning happened to lean over and take a look, her mouth immediately forming an "O" shape.

Σ( ° △ °|||)︴

Three, three million!?

She quickly did the math in her head.

Three million? How many cups of milk tea would I have to buy to have that much money?

Xia Qing, who was standing next to her, also saw the number.

She didn't speak, but her brows furrowed.

Liu Guodong looked at Lu Yang and said with a smile, "Three million, paid in one lump sum, cash or bank transfer is fine. After the contract is signed, the formula belongs to us. You can continue to open your store or close it, but any new products you develop in the future will belong to us."

Three million.

Black and white on white paper.

Xia Ning and Xia Qing's eyes were simultaneously fixed on the contract.

There was a moment of silence between them.

Their first reaction wasn't how shocking three million was, but rather...

If the boss signs this contract and the formula goes to someone else, will the store... still be able to stay open?

Xia Ning secretly glanced at her sister.

Xia Qing's expression didn't change much; she clenched her fists tightly.

What does three million mean?

The two sisters worked without eating or drinking, and they don't know how many years they saved up.

But money is money, the problem is...

If this contract is signed, the formula will belong to Tea Rhyme Workshop.

If all the new products developed in the future will also belong to Tea Rhyme Workshop, then what use will they be here?

To put it bluntly, once the recipe is sold, the store will go out of business.

If the shop is abandoned, they will have to leave.

Xia Ning's lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't dare.

Liu Guodong held his teacup and waited patiently.

Having been in business for decades, he knows all too well that at times like these, he can't rush things.

The price is out in the open; the more silent the other person is, the more tempted they are.

Liu Guodong said gently, "You're still a college student, right? Starting a business isn't easy for college students. What's wrong with doing with this money?"

"Why not just cash out now and leave? Wouldn't that be better than anything else?"

"And I can also buy your store as an investment."

That wasn't an unpleasant remark; in fact, it made a lot of sense.

It's only natural to cash out at a high price.

Especially for a college student, being offered three million yuan would tempt anyone.

however.

Lu Yang closed the contract.

Very peaceful.

"Mr. Liu, I can't sign this contract."

Liu Guodong's eyelid twitched.

Xia Ning almost screamed behind the counter.

Refuse to sign?

You won't sign for three million?

"Boss Lu."

Liu Guodong was taken aback and said, "You think the price isn't enough?"

It's worth noting that this price is astronomical even by industry standards.

"It's not a matter of price."

Lu Yang smiled and said, "President Liu, to put it bluntly, you're not buying the formula from this contract; you're buying me as a person."

Liu Guodong did not deny it.

"It's only three years, the terms are great, what are you afraid of?"

Lu Yang smiled.

"I'm not afraid, but I won't do it."

Liu Guodong was slightly taken aback.

Lu Yang continued, "President Liu, have you ever thought about this?"

"What's the problem?"

"You bought these three formulas, and then what?"

Liu Guodong frowned slightly.

Lu Yang continued, "The reason these three teas sell so well is because of their unique formulas, and these are the culmination of my years of research and development."

"So what you mean is?"

Liu Guodong looked at him.

Lu Yang smiled.

"You'll have to pay more."

Liu Guodong: "..."

Liu Guodong's smile froze.

He initially thought the other party would either refuse.

The outcome was unexpected.

"Boss Lu, to be honest, three million is already considered the ceiling in our industry."

"Then let's just break through the ceiling."

Lu Yang smiled.

Liu Guodong frowned slightly.

How many do you want?

Lu Yang held up four fingers.

"Four million."

The air was silent for two seconds.

Xia Ning was secretly listening behind the counter, and when she heard the number, her legs went weak and she almost squatted down.

Four million??

That would require selling 266,666 cups...

No, she's bad at math, anyway, it's a lot, a lot of cups!

Liu Guodong did not answer immediately.

After taking a deep breath, he gritted his teeth and stomped his foot before speaking.

"Okay, four million it is."

As he spoke, he pushed the contract over.

"In addition, the contract needs to be revised."

Lu Yang said that he had not signed a contract.

Liu Guodong was taken aback: "Change what?"

Lu Yang tapped on the terms of the contract on the table.

"Delete these two."

Liu Guodong glanced down.

All beverage formulas developed by Party B within the next three years shall belong to Party A, and Party B shall not cooperate with any third party on similar products during the contract period.

"You want to delete these two lines?"

"right."

Lu Yang said in a flat tone: "I don't sell the person, I only sell the formula."

"Four million, and you get the permanent rights to use the three formulas, but I'm not tied to them. What I research and develop in the future, and who I collaborate with, is none of your business."

"These two clauses are the core terms of the contract," Liu Guodong said.

"This has nothing to do with me."

Lu Yang shrugged, looking indifferent.

a long time.

Liu Guodong let out a sigh of relief.

"Okay, I can delete these two."

however.

Lu Yang spoke again.

"There's one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Four million, I won't sell these three models that I currently own."