Wang Shuang was set to buy 5% of Li Mengjiao’s “Shrimp King” shares at Qin Yi’s price, leaving Tang Yifeng and Geng Xiao no room to negotiate, they had to match it.
In less than half an hour, Wang Shuang’s phone rang. He ran downstairs and returned with a paper bag containing a neat 50,000 yuan.
He placed the cash in front of Li Mengjiao.
“Here, 5% is mine now!”
Li Mengjiao huffed, “Mom, take this money quick.”
“You little money-grubber,” her mom muttered.
Wen Ying smiled, “Auntie, Dreamy should keep it. She earned it with her own judgment. If we’re serious about this business, we need to sort out the money clearly, or it’ll ruin our friendship. I think being friends is worth way more than a few tens of thousands!”
Her words made everyone feel at ease.
Business talks needed a serious tone, but once done, it was time to relax. If they weren’t friends, why team up to “start something”?
Aside from Wen Ying, none of “Shrimp King”’s shareholders were short on cash.
It was about doing something meaningful with the right people, that’s what kept them hooked.
Tang Yifeng and Geng Xiao’s money arrived a bit later, but both were in within an hour.
Soon, 150,000 yuan in cash sat in front of Li Mengjiao, and Qin Yi handed Wen Ying 50,000 for the “franchise fee.”
Wen Ying drafted three agreements on the spot: Li Mengjiao’s share transfer, Qin Yi’s franchise deal, and the updated “Shrimp King” ownership with Tang Yifeng and Geng Xiao as new shareholders.
“Wen Ying, you can write these?” Qin Jiao asked, surprised.
With everyone there, Wen Ying couldn’t credit a made-up “lawyer friend.” She said, “I’m interested in this stuff, looked it up online.”
“They’re just standard templates, easy to use. Print them out, and you can have a lawyer check for changes.”
She sighed to herself.
Her hands had itched to write, simple agreements, done fast. Now she had to explain it, and couldn’t even charge!
If she’d prepared them privately and printed them, she could’ve blamed the “lawyer friend” and taken a few hundred yuan. Fair enough, right?
While Wen Ying fretted, Xu Mei and her classmate were stunned.
They knew the Qin family had money, Qin Yi’s spending habits checked out.
But he didn’t buy the 5%. Li Mengjiao’s shares got split among Wang Shuang, Tang Yifeng, and Geng Xiao, each pulling out 50,000 in cash. High schoolers tossing around that kind of money, with families delivering it so quickly, their backgrounds were unreal!
In the restroom, Xu Mei’s classmate hesitated.
Qin Jiao’s close friends all had deep pockets. Maybe Qin Yi’s family was even wealthier than they’d thought.
No wonder his parents weren’t keen on Xu Mei, she didn’t say it outright, too much like stirring trouble between Xu Mei and Qin Yi.
What Xu Mei felt, no one could tell.
Wen Ying’s month of work had pushed “Shrimp King” to a million-yuan valuation. Wang Shuang, now the second-biggest shareholder after her, got major support from his dad. One call, and a driver dropped off 50,000 in cash.
At home, though, Wang Shuang wrote an IOU.
“Dad, this 50,000 is a loan, I’ll pay it back!”
Wang Jun almost said, “I’ve got no other kids; this money’s for you anyway.” But Wang Shuang’s determination stopped him. He let him sign and fingerprint the IOU, then kept it. “Pay it off, and it’s yours again.”
Tang Yifeng went home and signed an IOU too.
Geng Xiao didn’t. He managed his own New Year’s money, 50,000 was no problem.
The share-buying showed their differences. Geng Xiao planned his spending, saving his allowance, kept it tight, so he had reserves.
Wang Shuang and Tang Yifeng? Not so much.
Wang Shuang’s New Year cash turned into limited-edition sneakers. Basketball skills aside, his shoes had to be the priciest, flashiest. When he needed money, family stepped in, good thing being a student kept it normal.
Still, Tang Yifeng called Wang Shuang later, suggesting they watch each other’s spending, plan better, and not let Geng Xiao outshine them.
Wang Shuang shrugged it off, “Money’s not saved, it’s earned. If I make more than I spend, I’m fine.”
Huh, he had a point, Tang Yifeng switched gears: earn more than he burned.
Wang Shuang and Tang Yifeng went home for cash.
Li Mengjiao brought home 150,000.
That pile of bills on the coffee table, earned by her own hand, was striking.
Li’s dad stayed quiet.
Qin Yi valued 5% at 50,000, suggesting “Shrimp King”’s future worth far exceeded a million. Jiao sold early, no, her focus wasn’t business. Keeping shares might’ve caused friend drama. Now was just right.
Li Mengjiao glanced at her dad. No storm coming, she got bold:
“Dad, what do we do with this 150,000?”
Li’s mom glared, “What do you think? I’ll bank it for you tomorrow.”
Seeing her pout, she added, “You can keep the passbook.”
Li’s dad stepped in, “Not happy with your mom saving it? Tell us your plan, let’s see if it makes sense.”
Their spoiled daughter, Li’s dad knew her well. Picky, dodged hard work, clueless with cash. 150,000 out of the blue? Weird ideas were a given. If she aimed to waste it, he’d set her straight, no matter how tough. Otherwise, she’d never learn!
Unaware her dad was ready to crack down, Li Mengjiao mumbled, “I’m not spending it, I want to lend it to Wen Ying!”
That threw her parents off.
They exchanged a look. Li’s dad stayed calm, “Wen Ying asked to borrow it?”
Li Mengjiao shook her head, “No, it’s my idea. I don’t need it, but she does. I thought it over on the way home, figured out why Xie Qian stopped Brother Qin Yi from buying shares. He thinks Wen Ying can’t match the others’ financial power. If I asked you and Mom for tens of thousands, you’d give it. Wen Ying asks her parents? They might not.”
What did Xie Qian think of them?
He wasn’t the only one who cared about Wen Ying!
