The share structure and shareholder composition of “Shrimp King” have changed multiple times.
From starting as a temporary stall selling crayfish, Wen Ying held 40% of the shares as the largest shareholder. When “Shrimp King” Catering Company was formed, Wen Ying, lacking the energy to manage daily operations, transferred 35% of her shares to the Qin siblings at 40,000 yuan per 1% share. Now, Wen Ying only holds 5% of “Shrimp King.”
Li Mengjiao exited her shares long ago. Xie Qian and Wang Shuang made the same choice as Wen Ying at the time, each now holding 5% of the shares, just like her.
Truthfully, Xie Qian doesn’t care about his 5% stake in “Shrimp King” anymore. His logistics company in Shanghai is growing strongly, and he’s confident in expanding it. Plus, once the Hongqiao land is demolished, the profits would make even Xie Jinghu envious. Compared to Xie Qian’s serious business in Shanghai, “Shrimp King” feels like a playful project to bond with friends.
The goal of strengthening friendships has been achieved, so how much “Shrimp King” earns isn’t important to Xie Qian anymore.
Among the first shareholders of “Shrimp King,” Wen Ying, Wang Shuang, and Li Mengjiao are closest to Xie Qian. Later joiners, Geng Xiao and Tang Yifeng, are far less close.
Geng Xiao and Tang Yifeng have no cause to feel aggrieved. Some opportunities, once missed, are gone forever. Xie Qian has no issue with them; it’s just that Wen Ying, Wang Shuang, and Li Mengjiao were there during Xie Qian’s “lowest point,” providing enough warmth to build a deeper bond.
For someone like Xie Qian, opening his heart to friends is rare. Geng Xiao and Tang Yifeng missed that moment, and that’s their regret.
Logically, Qin Jiao was there at the right time, so why doesn’t Xie Qian treat her differently?
Half the reason lies with Qin Yi.
Qin Jiao is Wen Ying’s good friend, not Xie Qian’s.
As for Qin Yi…
Without waiting for Yang Xi’s reply, Xie Qian turned to Qin Yi: “As the largest shareholder and manager of ‘Shrimp King,’ and surely the one setting this year’s development plan, how much investment is needed for the five Beijing stores? How far has the market research gone? If last year’s net profit can’t cover expenses, how will funding be resolved? Do we small shareholders need to keep investing?”
Xie Qian has never liked Qin Yi.
While friends saw “Shrimp King” as a platform to strengthen bonds, cheering each other on with passion, Qin Yi didn’t value their friendship. He saw only the commercial potential of “Shrimp King,” typical of a businessman’s mindset. After a romantic setback, Qin Yi’s focus on business grew stronger. When Wen Ying couldn’t manage “Shrimp King,” Qin Yi seized the chance to take over most of its shares.
Whatever kind of person Qin Yi chose to be, that’s how Xie Qian judged him.
Yang Xi’s performance report and plans didn’t excite Xie Qian; they sparked a series of doubts: “Of course, for ‘Shrimp King’ to grow, shareholders investing more isn’t out of the question. But my concern isn’t funds; it’s the management risks from overly rapid expansion.”
Invest more?
Even Wen Ying, from the most modest background, isn’t short of money now. Geng Xiao, Tang Yifeng, and the absent Wang Shuang could surely afford to invest more too.
Xie Qian doesn’t care about “Shrimp King’s” dividends, but it carries important memories for him. He doesn’t want Qin Yi’s aggressive expansion to ruin it.
What Wen Ying couldn’t say, Xie Qian could. He didn’t hold back in front of everyone, giving Qin Yi little face.
The relaxed expression on Qin Yi’s face faded, and his gaze toward Xie Qian changed.
Among this group of high schoolers, Qin Yi was most wary of Xie Qian.
Wen Ying is smart, but she values emotions too much. When interests and feelings clash, she’d choose feelings over profit. The Qin family treats her well, and she can’t let go of that bond.
This trait of Wen Ying’s is clear to the Qin family and to Wang Jun and his wife, who are desperately tying Wen Ying to their son Wang Shuang with emotional bonds.
Xie Qian is different.
No one can tie him down.
What could the Qin or Wang families offer Xie Qian? He doesn’t need what they have.
Xie Qian is smart and clear-headed, with a sharp insight into people beneath his youthful exterior. The old Xie Qian was hard to fool, but now he’s less ethereal, more pragmatic, daring to ask and say anything.
Today’s gathering was meant to be relaxed, more like friends catching up than a “Shrimp King” shareholder meeting.
Until Xie Qian’s questions shifted the room’s atmosphere sharply.
Geng Xiao and Tang Yifeng stayed silent, but Xie Qian set the tone. Their expressions and eyes revealed their thoughts: they wanted Qin Yi’s response.
Wen Ying clearly wanted to speak but held back.
Her friendship with Qin Jiao mattered, but since Xie Qian wasn’t targeting Qin Jiao, Wen Ying sided with him without hesitation.
Qin Yi wasn’t just wary of Xie Qian; he was envious.
Geng Xiao and Tang Yifeng weren’t close to Xie Qian, getting along better with Qin Yi. Yet when Xie Qian spoke, they stayed silent because he hit every key point, because of his leadership.
Authority.
Xie Qian had established authority in the group.
This was something Qin Yi gradually realized was vital in business. A boss doesn’t need to know everything, but they must have authority.
A boss constantly questioned by subordinates faces a bleak business outlook.
Because of his wariness, Qin Yi had to carefully consider Xie Qian’s questions. His expression turned from relaxed to serious, his gaze sharpening.
Xie Qian challenged Qin Yi, and Qin Yi wanted to suppress him to establish his own authority.
If looks could materialize, their clash would be a storm of sword and blade flashes.
In the tense moment, Qin Jiao suddenly stood: “The plan for five Beijing stores was discussed with my brother. I’ll oversee them. ‘Shrimp King’ is growing fast, with heavy investment in Chengdu. Our calculations show last year’s profit won’t cover the Beijing plan, but shareholders don’t need to invest more. I think a bank loan is better for funding.”
Qin Jiao’s words eased much of the tension, calming the storm.
Geng Xiao and Tang Yifeng quietly sighed in relief.
They’re all friends; a fallout would be ugly. Harmony is best.
Unlike the pragmatic Qin Yi, Qin Jiao has a scholarly air, making business talk feel like friendly chatter.
Qin Jiao worked at “Shrimp King” headquarters for two months after her exams, standardizing staff allocation. Busy adjusting to university life in Beijing for six months, she’s now ready to lead “Shrimp King’s” northern expansion.
Clearly, Qin Jiao didn’t want to confront Xie Qian directly. Before he could respond, she turned to Wen Ying: “I can’t manage the Beijing stores alone; I need help. It must be an experienced employee who knows ‘Shrimp King’s’ operations. I have someone in mind, but she’s hesitant about Beijing and wants your opinion.”
Wen Ying glanced at Yang Xi, who quickly denied: “Don’t look at me. It’s not me. I’m not leaving Chengdu.”
Short trips are fine, but long-term relocation? No way.
If Yang Xi were willing to move, she’d have gone to Shanghai at Qin Yi’s word, no need for Qin Jiao’s invitation.
Not Yang Xi?
Wen Ying had a guess.
Qin Jiao made a call: “Come in.”
Two minutes later, the door opened, and there stood Deng Yaomei.
