Water and Fire~Chapter 87.1: Smoke Less

 

Chapter 87.1: Smoke Less

Chu Qianmiao arrived at Ren Yan's desk with documents and questions.

Ren Yan looked up and asked what she wanted. Chu Qianmiao spread the manuscript in front of him and described the problem.

Hearing the explanation, Qin Qianyu and Liu Lifeng turned and came over.

"Wow," Qin Qianyu said, "This is no small matter. The China Securities Regulatory Commission is now paying special attention to subsidiaries with significant related-party transactions." After a pause, he said, "I haven't even had time to look at the information on the company's suppliers and customers. Qianmiao, you're amazing. You've found a problem so quickly."

Liu Lifeng snorted.

Ren Yan raised an eyebrow and asked Chu Qianmiao, "How do you think we should investigate this issue?"

Chu Qianmiao said, "First, verify whether Li Ya has significant reliance on related-party transactions with its invested subsidiaries. Also, verify the authenticity of the businesses involved in the related-party transactions and check whether the transaction prices between Li Ya and the invested subsidiaries are fair. Make sure they are not adjusting the company's profits through fictitious related-party transactions."

Ren Yan nodded and asked, "How will we resolve this issue after the investigation?"

Chu Qianmiao realized by this that Ren Yan was testing her, trying to see if all her recent learning had been empty talk.

She thought for a moment and said, "If the related-party transactions between Li Ya and Xinghen Materials are ongoing and their proportion is increasing year by year, I think it would be better to suggest that Qian Siji acquire the invested subsidiary Xinghen Materials as a holding company. This would allow for consolidated accounting and eliminate the impact of related-party transactions on independence."

Ren Yan looked at her after hearing her words, his expression calm.

Chu Qianmiao's heart was uneasy at his gaze, and she almost doubted whether there was something wrong with her proposal. Ren Yan suddenly lowered his head, quickly reviewed the manuscript again, and then closed it. He raised his folder toward Chu Qianmiao and said, "That's a good idea. Let's do it."

Chu Qianmiao breathed a sigh of relief as she took the folder. Then, a small feeling of joy welled up in her heart. She felt like she had made progress again.

Back at their seats, Qin Qianyu showered her with praise, showering her with compliments. "Qianmiao, you're really getting better and better. You're practically doing your brother Qin's job. Qianmiao, seriously, I think you'll pass this exam."

After praising Chu Qianmiao, he turned to goad Liu Lifeng, "Old Liu, I think you'll have to be Qianmiao's younger brother. Remember, I'm her older brother, and you're naturally my younger brother too. You need to be filial and obedient to me."

Liu Lifeng snorted again, "She's making significant progress, but who will ultimately become the boss is still a matter of debate. Don't take advantage of me so early."

Chu Qianmiao: "..."

Qin Qianyu sneered, "Old Liu, please be nice. Think about what you just said. Who's taking advantage of whom?"

Liu Lifeng paused. As he reflected on the question of "who's taking advantage of whom," his face flushed.

"No, I'm not."

The sound of slamming on the table echoed behind them again. Three cold, hard thuds.

"Have I been too indulgent with you lately? Shut up and get to work during work hours."

The three of them immediately fell silent, returning to their normal tasks.

Ren Yan and Qian Siji held a special meeting regarding the related-party transactions with the subsidiary. After clarifying the impact of the related-party transactions on the listing, he suggested acquiring the subsidiary as a controlling subsidiary. Qian Siji said he needed to discuss this with the other shareholders.

Two days later, Qian Siji gave Ren Yan a definitive answer: "Mr. Ren, I've discussed this with the other shareholders, and we all agree that acquiring Xinghen Materials is a very good decision."

Qian Siji finalized the acquisition decision and then contacted Xinghen Materials' owner, Qu Xincai, to explore his interest in the acquisition.

The next day, Qian Siji hosted Qu Xincai for dinner, and Ren Yan and several members of the project team also joined. Cui Xijie had secured a cane and arrived with his still-healed leg. It was said that the cane had been rented for him by Wang Wantong, the purchasing manager who had hit him.

His appearance on cane made him seem particularly dignified among the group, and Qian Siji and Qu Xincai even went out of their way to offer him their condolences, a gesture of genuine humane care.

Shortly after the meal began and after some pleasantries, everyone got down to business.

Ren Yan asked Chu Qianmiao to explain the related-party transactions between the two companies and how they might be resolved. Chu Qianmiao said yes and smiled calmly.

She put down her chopsticks, straightened her back, clasped her hands, smiled gracefully, and began to speak freely. The soft yellow light in the banquet hall cast a shadow on her face, making her look hazy and beautiful, indescribably elegant and serene.

She spoke at a steady pace, her voice soft and pleasant, her introduction clear and coherent, interspersed with humorous metaphors amidst the technical jargon. The dull and obscure professional questions became engaging and accessible. Qian Siji and Qu Xincai gradually grew interested, putting down their chopsticks and engaging with her. They posed questions to her, and Chu Qianmiao answered each one with clear logic and a lively, engaging tone, occasionally bringing up other case studies for their reference.

Gradually, not only Qian Siji and Qu Xincai stopped eating, but even Qin Qianyu and Liu Lifeng stopped eating, engaging in the conversation and interacting appropriately. For a moment, the dinner atmosphere was wonderful, as peaceful and lively as the Spring Festival Gala.

As Qin Qianyu listened to Chu Qianmiao explain to Qu Xincai the benefits of his company becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of a listed company, he couldn't help but lean over to Ren Yan and whisper, "Boss, Qianmiao has made tremendous progress! I feel like she's shining!"

Ren Yan didn't respond. Qin Qianyu turned to see Ren Yan, intently watching Chu Qianmiao, listening attentively to her explanation of the pros and cons of the merger.

Qin Qianyu didn't get a response from his neighbor, so he wandered over to the other one to find common ground with Liu Lifeng.

He gently nudged Liu Lifeng's arm again and whispered, "Old Liu, you're done! Qian Miao will truly surpass you by a long way in the near future."

Liu Lifeng didn't respond either. He turned to look at Liu Lifeng, only to see him staring at the speaker with gleaming eyes. He was so engrossed he didn't even hear the taunting.

After Chu Qianmiao's conversation with Qian Siji and Qu Xincai concluded, Ren Yan turned and asked Qin Qianyu, "What did you just say to me?"

Qin Qianyu was stunned for a moment, then said, "Oh, I was just saying how much Qian Miao has improved."

Ren Yan nodded. Suddenly, he asked, "She just cited a lot of case studies. Did you tell her that?"

Qin Qianyu said, "Ah," then "Oh." "Not all of them. Qian Miao asked me some financial questions on our previous project, and she also asked Lao Liu. Then she asked where we usually looked up case studies, and we told her a few places. I guess she spent some time researching them after get off work."

Ren Yan nodded. Suddenly, he asked, "Besides you and Liu Lifeng, who else did she ask?"

Qin Qianyu said, "I heard she could read through several books on finance. Besides Lao Liu and me, she has three senior classmates and her supposed boyfriend, Xiao Tan, to thank."

Ren Yan frowned, but quickly relaxed.

He turned and glanced up at Chu Qianmiao. She was wearing a ladylike white shirt, buttoned at the collar and with a crisp, straight collar. She looked elegant and refined.

Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, a strand occasionally darting forward. She casually raised her hand to brush it back. That flick, paired with her charming smile and witty remarks under the bright lights, exuded an indescribable charm.

She had been working on the project with him for three years. The rookie they'd first met had long since shed her youthful innocence. She now possessed a calm maturity and captivating charm that she might not even be aware of.

She was different from when she first arrived. She seemed to be transforming every day. It wouldn't be long before she was almost ready to take on the title of site manager on the project.

However, her progress was the result of the contributions of so many others, so why wasn't his?

Why didn't she come to ask him a question?

After the dinner, Qu Xin explicitly stated that his Xinghen Materials was willing to be acquired by Liya Manufacturing as a holding subsidiary.

Qin Qianyu was pasting invoices in the due diligence office as he said, "This deal was finalized so quickly, and much of it is definitely Qian Miao's credit. She just talked the two big bosses into a mess." He looked up and gave Chu Qianmiao a thumbs-up. "Thumbs up, Qianmiao! I've never admired anyone except Mr. Ren, but today, I want to say, I admire your words."

Chu Qianmiao was also pasting invoices. It was the end of April, the great day for everyone to post invoices. This was Chu Qianmiao's happiest day of the month, even happier than getting her salary. When the reimbursement money arrived in her account, she always felt like she had received a windfall. Luckily, Ren Yan was at the project site at the end of the month. He signed the reimbursement forms for everyone, and everyone sent them back to the company with the invoices attached for reimbursement.

Chu Qianmiao had already decided that once the reimbursement money came in, she was going to buy Miaomiao a super fancy automatic water dispenser and two new cat beds.

Upon hearing Qin Qianyu's praise, Chu Qianmiao immediately put down her glue stick and humbly cupped her fists, saying, "This is all thanks to Mr. Ren's leadership and the mentoring you brothers have given me. While my mouth may be mine, the words that come out of it are the essence of everyone's advice. I'd like to thank you all for your constant guidance." She cupped her fists to Qin Qianyu and the others, then turned to Ren Yan and cupped her fists. "Thank you, Leader."

Liu Lifeng was also pasting invoices, sneering, "Flatterer," as he did so.

Ren Yan stared at her, neither speaking nor looking away, a gaze that made her want to scratch her head.

She really wanted to ask him, "What are you staring at?"

At that moment, Ren Yan spoke, "You will be fully responsible for all matters related to Liya's acquisition of Xinghen."

Chu Qianmiao was stunned for a moment, then replied crisply, "Okay, Leader. I'll see to it."