Chapter 74: Acquiring Shares

Although it was strictly forbidden for Green Coriander to communicate with Xie Jinchuan, Shen Qingli’s thoughts were so terrifying that no one could predict when she might suddenly find a place to end her life and return to that other world. If that ever happened, everything Xie Jinchuan had so carefully orchestrated would collapse in an instant.

So, behind Shen Qingli’s back, Green Coriander reported everything that had happened that day to Xie Jinchuan, including the matters concerning Rong Qiaoyi and Ye Qingqing.

“Immortal, what should we do?” Green Coriander was so anxious it was about to burst into flames, and Xie Jinchuan’s brow was furrowed deeply as well.

Indeed, from the very beginning, the reason he tempted Shen Qingli to remain in this world was to help her become an immortal, and her main quest was to win him over. But if this task could not be accomplished, then there was no reason for this world to exist for her. He had overlooked this point.

“For the next few days, keep an eye on Rong Qiaoyi and Ye Qingqing. If anything urgent happens, inform me at once.”

Recalling Rong Qiaoyi’s words, Xie Jinchuan ultimately refrained from dealing with her—not because he didn’t dare, but because he couldn’t. If she didn’t possess something necessary for Shen Qingli to reshape her immortal bones, Xie Jinchuan would never have let her off!

Green Coriander couldn’t understand why Xie Jinchuan still tolerated that woman, but since it was a direct order from the Immortal, it could only comply.

Everything was proceeding according to plan. The press releases Rong Qiaoyi had bought were causing a commotion on the internet, yet to Mingguang Entertainment, they barely made a ripple. In fact, with some shareholders imprisoned, many began to favor Shen Qingli’s side, making her days a little easier—at least, no one was fanning the flames.

“President Shen, the board wishes to convene and discuss the company’s future direction.”

Dong Yang, Shen Qingli’s new secretary, looked sharp and competent.

“All right. I understand.”

As Shen Qingli headed out, she suddenly felt a rush of heat at her chest; she paused, and the sensation vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

“President Shen?” Dong Yang called when she saw Shen Qingli standing still.

Shen Qingli quickly looked up at her. “Go on ahead. Tell the board I’ll be there in five minutes.”

Dong Yang nodded and closed the door again.

Shen Qingli lifted her hand to grasp the jade pendant at her chest, trying to call out to Green Coriander, but no response came. Why had their connection suddenly been cut off? Could the jade pendant now arbitrarily block her communication with Green Coriander? If one day, in a life-or-death situation, their link was severed, wouldn’t that spell her doom?

Shen Qingli frowned, her expression grave. The appearance of this jade pendant had been too convenient, too peculiar.

She appeared in the boardroom five minutes later. Most of the board members were stubborn old men who looked down on her. Even after Shen Qingli had dealt with many people ruthlessly, they remained unafraid. After all, their own records were clean—or, if not, they had already handled any issues; otherwise, Shen Qingli would have seen them jailed long ago—so many thought.

When she arrived, Shen Qingli removed her jade pendant and placed it in a drawer. Green Coriander immediately reestablished contact: “Host, why did our link cut off just now?”

It vaguely suspected Shen Qingli had something to do with it.

Facing everyone calmly, Shen Qingli presented her notes, while replying to Green Coriander in her mind, “Perhaps your spiritual energy’s running low. I’ll find a way to replenish you later. For now, let me handle this.”

Green Coriander knew this was just an excuse. Xie Jinchuan had ensured it still had plenty of spiritual energy—she could feel it!

“President Shen, isn’t your blueprint a bit too ambitious? Planning to overtake Qiaoyi Media right from the start—isn’t that just wishful thinking?”

The speaker was one of the more influential elders in the company, and many nodded in agreement, convinced he was right.

Though Qiaoyi Media was a fledgling company, the resources at Rong Qiaoyi’s disposal were vastly superior—like comparing a novice to a master. More importantly, Rong Qiaoyi was a well-established figure in the entertainment industry, intimately familiar with its inner workings—a network Shen Qingli could not match. To say she could surpass Rong Qiaoyi was little more than a fool’s dream.

Shen Qingli said nothing, merely watching the old guard. When their voices finally faded, she spoke slowly. “You’re all done? Since you have so little faith in the company, why not hand over your shares and join Qiaoyi Media instead?”

Her words silenced the room in an instant. Everyone turned to stare at Shen Qingli, unable to believe she’d say such a thing.

“Shen Qingli, we’re all long-standing shareholders. Are you trying to push us out?” one of the stubborn elders snapped, his face dark and his gaze wary and cold.

For Shen Qingli to say this today, she must have her reasons—perhaps even a trick up her sleeve.

“Elder Lin, aren’t you being unfair? You yourselves just said Mingguang Entertainment can’t compare to Qiaoyi Media. Now I’m offering you the chance to switch teams, yet you’re not interested.”

Shen Qingli let out a short laugh, the sarcasm in her eyes unmistakable.

Elder Lin choked, unsure what to say, and could only feign ignorance.

Many began to whisper among themselves, some faces wavering with indecision.

Shen Qingli swept her gaze around the table, instantly aware of what was in their hearts. She was not angered. Instead, she spoke with understanding, “If any of you wish to relinquish your shares, I’m willing to buy them. But you must be prepared for depreciation. These shares will be worth less than when you bought in, and if the company suffers losses, the consequences are yours to bear.”

Share values would certainly not match the original buy-in, yet holding them might be useless. If the company was targeted and suffered losses, the fallout would be too much to contemplate. None of them truly believed a young woman could manage the company well.

“I’ll give up my shares,” said a quiet man in the corner, startling everyone.

A smile curved Shen Qingli’s lips. “Anyone else?”

…

The meeting did not go as planned, but quite a few shares were recovered. Shen Qingli’s stake rose from thirty-five percent to sixty, while the board’s share dropped from fifty percent. The rest were scattered shares; today, most agreed to sell, except for a few holdouts.

They figured it was better to recoup something now, rather than be left in the lurch if the company failed.

Elder Lin’s face was ashen. He had wanted to sell as well, yet after Shen Qingli’s words, he simply couldn’t bring himself to do it.

As Shen Qingli passed him at the door, she smiled. “I’m touched, Elder Lin, that you’re willing to stand by the company through thick and thin.”

Elder Lin clenched his jaw, swallowing his urge to curse her, and finally turned away with a cold snort.