After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future-Chapter 228 - 227: Disliked Wherever I Go

The next day, even stricter real estate purchasing restrictions were piloted in 12 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

This move acted like an adrenaline shot; new housing developments across major cities saw a surge in prices.

Those who owned homes were pleased, while those who didn't were miserable.

"YunOS."

Lu Liang had a long conversation with Zhu Hu last night and learned a lot of information beyond the regular data.

For instance, last year Luo pledged 27.84% of his shares to Ali in exchange for a loan of 350 million dollars.

Ali was the lender, or you could say the prospective financier.

Recently, Ali continuously hyped up the Yun system and even took a stake in Meizu, persuading them to use their operating system.

However, smartphones equipped with YunOS had lackluster market sales, which in turn affected the development of the Yun system.

A few days ago, Meizu launched this year's flagship phone, abandoning Ali's YunOS in favor of their own Boundaryless system.

Rumors said Ali was very dissatisfied and reluctant, and to improve the subsequent development of their own system and to increase their say in the mobile sector, they were likely to keep betting.

The existing setup of Hammer Technology was prime to potentially become the next wrapper for the Yun system's filling.

Lu Liang wanted the filling, they wanted the wrapper – cooperation between both parties was a possibility.

"Umm~~ Why are you awake so early?"

Zhang Tian'ai hummed softly, her eyes bleary and full of a bewildered daze as she clutched the bedding.

She stretched lazily like a kitten, her long legs lifting high, her skin as pale as ivory.

With a sharp crack, Zhang Tian'ai's eyes widened, sucking in a breath from the pain as she rubbed her thigh, rolling back and forth on the bed.

Lu Liang chuckled slyly, revealing a triumphant smile, "I need to head out early today; you can keep resting."

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"You're mean~"

Zhang Tian'ai looked up piteously, lying at the head of the bed...

After breakfast at the hotel, Lu Liang arrived at the Byte Building.

Zhang Yiming took his visit very seriously, waiting for him at the entrance early in the morning, guarding closely throughout to prevent Lu Liang from speaking with anyone else.

Lu Liang could hardly keep a straight face and wanted to ask if all this was necessary, but on second thought, he decided not to – worried that Mr. Zhang might lose his temper.

Douyin's valuation had surpassed ByteDance, even though ByteDance held more than half the shares and had control over its managerial decisions.

It should have been an entirely ByteDance product, but Anyone would feel uneasy knowing that Lu Liang had once had a hand in it.

Entering the company's reception room, Zhang Yiming dropped his guard and asked with a smile, "Mr. Lu, what brings you to grace us with your presence today?"

After some pleasantries, Lu Liang stated his purpose, "I heard ByteDance holds a 14.55% stake in Hammer Technology?"

The equity structure of Hammer Technology was divided among Luo with 28.46%, Ali pledged with 27.84%, ByteDance with 14.55%, Golden Sand River with 15%, and a number of company executives and small investors collectively owning 14.15%.

With Ali being too dominant, and Lu Liang coming empty-handed, a direct approach to negotiations would likely fail.

If he managed to secure the shares from Golden Sand River and ByteDance before negotiating with Ali again, the chances of reaching an agreement were probably high.

Since the three of them together possessed 57.39% of the shares, exceeding half, Hammer Technology's shape was practically theirs unless Luo managed to secure 350 million to repay Ali and reclaim his pledged shares.

Zhang Yiming nodded, "That is the case. Are you interested, Mr. Lu?"

His expression was strikingly similar to Zhu Hu's from the previous night.

Since the M1 phone's sales setback, Hammer Technology had been given a stay of execution by various financial backers, its eventual burial dependent solely on how long Luo could hold out.

This was an investment doomed to fail, and Zhang Yiming was surprised that Lu Liang would show interest.

Lu Liang responded noncommittally, continuing, "Mr. Zhang, would you be willing to part with it for the painful price of 145.5 million, transferring it to Golden Sand River?"

Not being a shareholder of Hammer, if he managed to acquire ByteDance's shares, the board of directors' approval would be needed.

Admittedly, this would unavoidably arouse Luo's suspicions, but luckily Zhu Hu was willing to help him out – Golden Sand River, being a shareholder, had the right of first refusal for stock repurchase.

A gleam flashed in Zhang Yiming's eyes, "Mr. Lu, I fear that price might not be quite fitting."

Though he didn't know what use Lu Liang had for Hammer's shares, the opportunity to make a hefty sum from him didn't come every day.

Lu Liang smiled faintly, "Mr. Zhang, you must be well aware of Hammer's predicament. With a valuation of one billion, buying back this share is already a sincere offer."

Zhang Yiming's face was all smiles, "I am aware, Hammer's situation isn't great, but who doesn't know Mr. Lu's sharp vision, calling you 'Golden Touch' wouldn't be an exaggeration."

The chances were slim, but perhaps Hammer was an uncut gem; otherwise, Lu Liang wouldn't have set his sights on it.

"Such is the burden of reputation."

Lu Liang laughed wryly, revealing his real intentions, "I'm only interested in Hammer's operating system. If Mr. Zhang does not agree, then I shall have to let it go. I could only turn to Mr. Luo to discuss system patent licensing; he would probably be very pleased."

Acquiring patents from Hammer Technology is the cheapest and most convenient method, but he didn't want to rent, he wanted to buy them out permanently.

If everyone thought they could cash in on him, Lu Liang would rather talk to Luo about licensing.

At most, he would just pay a few more years of patent fees, and wait until Hammer naturally went bankrupt, then take the patents into his hands.

Whether or not Hammer Technology would go bankrupt, and when it might file for bankruptcy, was currently an unknown.

Like QVOD, a few years ago, it was jointly strangulated by Youku, iQiyi, and Tencent; the company received a suspended sentence, the founder was imprisoned, but up to now, it still hadn't gone bankrupt.

Lu Liang didn't want to wait for this uncertainty. The best strategy was to acquire controlling shares, force Hammer into bankruptcy, and force Luo to sell off his assets.

Zhang Yiming showed a thoughtful expression, unsure whether Lu Liang's words were true or false, but Lu Liang seemed genuinely disinterested in talking further, even frequently glancing outside, as if he had designs on the scientists from his company.

Zhang Yiming sensed trouble and quickly said, "Mr. Lu, it's not that there's nothing to discuss; we can talk some more."

Lu Liang pondered for a moment, then gave Mr. Zhang a way out, "Mr. Zhang, how about a 10% premium on one billion dollars?"

"Fine." Zhang Yiming agreed without hesitation. A matter of tens of millions was small, but face-saving was significant; he was waiting for this opportunity.

Afterward, Lu Liang contacted Zhu Hu, asking him to send someone for negotiations. Zhang Yiming smiled and said, "Mr. Lu, it's getting late now; let's find a place to eat?"

Lu Liang was a danger to have around; he didn't want Lu Liang to stay at the company any longer, only wishing to send him away quickly.

Lu Liang looked displeased. It wasn't even eleven. Why would he eat now? Was he that undesirable? He sighed, "Mr. Zhang, let's wait until later, I haven't even digested breakfast."

Zhang Yiming laughed it off, "That's true, perhaps it's just that we're used to having an earlier lunch in our family."

Lu Liang's face was expressionless.

After a while, since Zhu Hu had nothing urgent, he came over personally, and both parties signed the stock transfer agreement.

Golden Sand River invested 1.605 billion yuan and acquired a 14.55% stake in Hammer Technology held by ByteDance.

With that, Golden Sand River's ownership reached 29.55%, surpassing Luo as the largest shareholder of Hammer.

Thus, Lu Liang also obtained power of attorney from Golden Sand River.

Zhu Hu asked, "What are you planning to do next?"

Obligations were one thing; accounts had to be clear.

Helping out was a matter of good will, but this favor was not to be given for free.

Although Lu Liang hadn't put in any money himself, he had promised Zhu Hu that Tianxing Technology would give up 10% of its shares in return afterward.

This was also due to Old Zhu's high regard for Lu Liang, as they had collectively invested 1.605 billion yuan and shares worth 70 million yuan.

A total investment of 2.3 billion only for 10% of Tianxing Technology's shares, indicating an inferred valuation of the company at 23 billion yuan.

Keep in mind, Lu Liang only invested 640 million yuan, and despite not having achieved any results yet, his name alone had added a premium of 1.66 billion yuan.

"In the afternoon, I'll swing by Baidu, and after Li Xiang's press conference tomorrow, I'll head to Hang City to talk with Ali."

During the meal, Lu Liang also briefly outlined the schedule for the next few days.

"A visit to Baidu?" Zhu Hu showed a curious expression.

"What about it?" Lu Liang asked, puzzled.

"Nothing."

Zhu Hu shook his head, and Zhang Yiming also had a mysterious smile.

Lu Liang was clueless.

It wasn't until he arrived at Baidu Building in the afternoon that he understood why those two had those expressions.

Li Yanhong had received the news early and was standing at the entrance of the company, watching him like he was guarding against a thief.

No chance to even see the 19th to 24th floors—Lu Liang was directly taken to the top office by Old Li.

After drinking tea for two hours, besides Old Li, his assistant, and secretary, he didn't see anyone else.

Lu Liang felt very aggrieved and later found Zhu Hu to inquire about the reason; what on earth had he done to warrant such animosity?

Why was he treated with disdain everywhere he went?

Zhu Hu laughed heartily, "This really isn't your fault, the story about Yang Zhenyuan has spread too widely."

A senior architect earning an annual salary of three million, after encountering Lu Liang and then going for a spin outside.

In just over nine months, returning to Byte's embrace, his status and wealth soared like a rocket.

Becoming a co-founder of a unicorn enterprise valued at 1.8 billion US dollars and holding 10.45% of the shares.

Such temptation was irresistible to anyone.

If it was said that Yang Zhenyuan was a legend, then Lu Liang was the guide on the path to legendry.