Chapter 2: Give Me 67% of the Shares
Yang Chen deliberately put on a mournful expression and said, “I’m only 23 years old. Damn it, I don’t want to die! But I’m just a powerless puppet legal representative. How could I possibly be responsible for thirty trillion in debt? If it were you, would you want to live your whole life under that kind of debt pressure?”
Bank President Li Jun asked, “We understand, we all do. But there’s no other way. Someone has to take the fall. You’re the legal representative—if you don’t take the fall, who will?”
Yang Chen shook his head and said, “I don’t want to take the fall.”
“That’s not about wanting or not. You have to. If you take it on, everyone benefits. If you die, no one benefits. So tell me, what conditions do you want? We can negotiate,” Li Jun said.
After a moment of silence, Yang Chen said, “I definitely don’t want to carry this debt for the rest of my life. But if I have to take the fall, I want to try to repay it. Give me the 67% equity held by Wang Sihai and his wife. I’ll try to save Sihai Group. If I succeed, everyone’s happy. If I fail, consider it me buying you a few more years. When the time comes, if I’m supposed to die, don’t stop me. This is a non-negotiable condition.”
Yang Chen jumped back, and the police officers swarmed forward to handcuff him.
Bank President Li Jun loudly reminded, “Keep a close watch on him—24/7 accompaniment, even to the restroom and shower. His fate affects many careers.”
The officers nodded and took Yang Chen away.
Li Jun turned to the other creditors and asked, “What do you all think?”
The creditors began voicing their opinions.
“Let him try. It’s better than him dying and no one willing to take over.”
“But the other shareholders won’t agree! And giving him all that equity just like that? Isn’t that too generous?”
“Sihai Group is already delisted, with thirty trillion in debt and assets totaling at most fifteen trillion. Would you accept 67% or even 100% equity if you have to shoulder thirty trillion in debt? The other shareholders have to agree; if not, let them take responsibility for the debts.”
“If it’s really a problem, we can sign a performance-based agreement. He keeps the equity only if he meets targets; if not, the equity is revoked automatically.”
“That’s a good idea. Shareholders and creditors won’t lose. Let’s go to the city government. Only they can make this happen.”
...
After the entire Wang family fled, their 67% stake in Sihai Group was taken over by Jiang City Government.
The city government spent six months trying to find a buyer—individuals, companies, or big capital—but no one was willing to take on thirty trillion in debt for assets worth at most fifteen trillion.
The creditors hoped the government would transfer Wang’s 67% equity to Yang Chen. Initially, the government refused, but after two weeks of persistent lobbying by the creditors, they finally persuaded the government to hand over the 67% equity to Yang Chen.
However, it wasn’t a free gift. Yang Chen had to sign a performance-based agreement.
Within five years, he must resolve the financial shortfall of Sihai Finance; within eight years, clear all unfinished real estate projects; within fifteen years, fully restore Sihai Group’s operations and reduce the debt ratio below 50%. Only then would the 67% equity fully belong to Yang Chen.
If at any checkpoint Yang Chen fails to meet the targets, a quarter of the equity will be revoked and returned to Jiang City Government. If all four milestones fail, the entire equity reverts to the government, and Yang Chen will face legal consequences.
Jiang City also established a supervisory team led by Vice Mayor Wang Wenkang, tasked with assisting and overseeing Yang Chen in managing Sihai Group, doing everything possible to help him clean up the mess.
With the system in hand, how could Yang Chen fear such a deal?
Without hesitation, Yang Chen signed the equity transfer agreement and the performance-based contract. From that moment, he could exercise rights over the 67% equity.
---
At that moment, the system sent a notification.
“Congratulations, host, you have completed the activation task. The system is now officially activated.”
“Congratulations, host, you have gained the system skill ‘Guaranteed Rise on Purchase.’ With this skill, any stock you buy will inexplicably rise.”
Yang Chen’s mind filled instantly with countless numbers, candlestick charts, and data—then everything returned to normal.
He now had the skill, but without money, it was useless. The immediate task was to secure startup capital.
Wang Wenkang smiled and said, “Yang Chen—or rather, Chairman Yang now. I will assist and supervise your management. I hope we can cooperate well.”
Yang Chen shook his hand with a smile and said, “Absolutely. Please transfer the equity to my name as soon as possible, and have the banks loan me another one billion.”
“What? Loan you another one billion? Do you really think that’s possible?” Wang Wenkang asked, stunned.
“There’s a saying: a clever housewife can’t cook without rice. I’m broke, all Sihai Group assets frozen, cash flow transferred or seized by banks, zero balance. How am I supposed to lead Sihai Group out of this mess? Pray to gods? Dream about it?” Yang Chen retorted.
Wang Wenkang agreed but knew no bank would lend ten billion to Sihai Group in its current state.
Seeing Wang’s silence, Yang Chen patted his shoulder encouragingly. “For you, it’s just another ten billion. If it works, we solve thirty trillion in debt. If it fails, a bad debt of ten billion won’t matter much. Think about it. I barely slept in detention; now I want to go rest.”
Wang Wenkang was unsure and had to consult his superiors.
Back at his rented place, Yang Chen found several notices stuck on the door—rent overdue, utilities unpaid, property fees unpaid—half a year’s arrears, totaling over ten thousand yuan, which he couldn’t pay.
At that moment, the system sent another notification.
“System task issued: Borrow no less than one hundred million in startup funds from major banks. Completion reward: detailed records of unlawful acts by major shareholders and executives of Sihai Group.”
What?
Borrow more money from banks?
Isn’t that like killing their own fathers?
But this reward was truly valuable—those shareholders and executives would surely resist Yang’s management, so having dirt on them meant control.
Yang Chen went inside, lay on his bed, and opened the creditors’ chat group, posting a message.
Yang Chen @all members: Thanks to all of you for securing the equity for me. But I’m still short of one billion startup funds. @ICBC Li Jun @Jiangcheng Development Bank Liu Hai @Agricultural Bank Wang Baoguo @Construction Bank Zhang Qiuming @Commercial Bank Chen Tao, dear presidents, please lend me two hundred million each. That way, I can have the startup funds to make money and repay debts.
The message instantly ignited the creditors’ chat.
ICBC Li Jun: “Brother, how can you just ask for that? Two hundred million from each bank? Do you think that’s possible?”
Agricultural Bank Wang Baoguo: “What do you take us for? Even a sucker wouldn’t be this generous! If I lend you two hundred million, will I even keep my job? If I approve this, the disciplinary committee will drag me off tonight.”
Commercial Bank Chen Tao: “This isn’t borrowing money; this is sending us to prison! Brother, we’ve worked hard to get you that 67% equity, using every resource. You can’t just trick us once you have it!”
---
Yang Chen @all members: Gentlemen, don’t be like this. I’m using your money to make money and pay you back. I don’t get a cent. What else can I do? I have zero balance. How the hell can I restart production? Anyone else want to speak up? Am I asking for too much?
Other creditors immediately chimed in.
Chengjian Gao Han: “I think Yang Chen is right. Your banks seized all remaining funds. He has no money; even a deity couldn’t manage this.”
Ningde Battery Xu Yumin: “Chairman Gao is right. A clever housewife can’t cook without rice. Without startup funds, what can he operate with? Since Sihai Group’s collapse, only your banks have gotten anything. You have to cough up a little to help him get started.”
Chengtou Li Kang: “I won’t say much; everyone understands. But one thing: if you don’t lend this money, I’ll switch banks immediately. @Construction Bank Zhang Qiuming, our group has at least fifty billion in annual transactions with your bank. You don’t want to lose that, right?”
Jiayue Entertainment Yang Mu: “We’ll cancel cooperation with Commercial Bank, too. Tens of billions will go elsewhere.”
...
Yang Chen chuckled and turned off his phone to sleep. “I have great scholars to argue for me.” When he woke up, there was news.
He was sound asleep when Wang Wenkang’s call woke him.
Wang said, “Hey, Chairman Yang, I’m bringing several bank presidents to meet you. We’ll discuss the loan then.”
Yang Chen smiled—good news before fully waking up.
“Great! Come on over. Oh, and I have one request. I’m broke, can’t pay rent or utilities. When you come, please help me settle those. Also, give me a villa from Wang Sihai’s seized properties to live in. I can’t just carry his debts without enjoying any of his perks.”
Wang Wenkang laughed heartily. “You’re really in trouble! Fine, whatever you say. We’ll judge by results. Villa arranged. See you soon.”
No sooner had Yang Chen hung up than there was a knock on the door.
He dressed and opened it to find the landlady.
She patted her plump hand through her freshly curled hair and smiled, “Young man, it’s been six months. Rent and bills are overdue. You either pay up today or pack your bags and leave.”
Yang Chen quickly said, “Please wait a bit, the mayor’s coming to help me pay.”
The landlady’s face immediately hardened. She slapped her own cheek and said, “Do you think I’m a fool? Why don’t you say the mayor’s giving you a villa and a car, too? Spouting nonsense without a plan, huh?”
Yang Chen brightened and said, “Right! I should ask for a car, too!”
“Oh, oh, oh, you’re even panting now. Want me to get you some beauties to serve you, too?” the landlady teased.
Yang Chen slapped his thigh. “Yes, that’s the life I should enjoy! Ah, but I’m still not sophisticated enough. Poor people can’t imagine rich people’s lives. Thanks for the reminder, ma’am. Come in, have a seat. The mayor will be here soon, and I’ll settle all the bills then.”