Chapter 36: I Fear No Debt; Sell It to Me

Yang Chen couldn't help but chuckle at how Yang Mu phrased that.

"Chairman Yang, don't you think those girls are in a tough spot? I've heard you've made a fortune in the stock market. Can't you just spare a little to help us through this crisis? Please?" Yang Mu asked with a hopeful expression.

Yang Chen sighed and replied, "As you said, that's the stock market. It's the market value of my holdings, not cash in hand. I need capital to trade, so I can't just sell off my positions while they're profitable to give to you. Even if I wanted to, the banks wouldn't allow it. So, I'm sorry, I don't have the money for you."

Just then, the system issued a notification.

"The host has refused to repay Yang Mu. The system rewards the host with the technology for [Slimming Pills], including the formula, manufacturing process, and a series of clinical trial data. The host can take this and proceed directly to production."

Oh, what a bountiful day for rewards. I wish debtors would come knocking every single day.

Before Yang Chen could dwell on it, Yang Mu pressed, "Chairman Yang, I beg you, please help. I'm truly at my wit's end. I can't just watch the company go under."

Yang Chen sighed again and said, "Damn, the problems at Four Seas Group are endless. I can only solve them one by one. If you really can't hold on, sell the company to me. I'll take over the mess, and you can take the money to invest elsewhere. I'm already drowning in debt, so a little more won't make a difference. I can't give you the acquisition funds right now, but I guarantee I'll pay you in full within three years. Think about it."

The system wouldn't have given him the [Script Master] skill for no reason; he had to put it to good use. Yang Mu coming to him with his artists meant he was desperate, and years of losses had sapped his motivation. Selling the company might be his best exit.

"How much is Chairman Yang willing to offer?" Yang Mu asked.

Yang Chen didn't just pluck a number out of thin air. He had his investment department perform a reasonable valuation of Jiayue Entertainment, which came out to 1 billion, with a cap of 1.2 billion.

Yang Chen immediately offered 800 million. Yang Mu was naturally reluctant; at its peak, Jiayue Entertainment had been valued at 3 billion. Despite recent losses, its artists and copyright library still held value.

Yang Chen smiled and asked, "Don't talk to me about peak valuations. We both need to make concessions. Don't think for a second that I'm desperate to invest in Jiayue. Four Seas Entertainment is a hollow shell; it's worthless in bankruptcy liquidation. The subsidiary's debts don't affect the parent company. To be blunt, if I were to act ruthlessly and just abandon Four Seas Entertainment, you'd be the one left holding the bag. I’ve shown great sincerity in trying to solve this, so don't be difficult."

Hearing this, Yang Mu sighed helplessly and accepted the 800 million offer.

Yang Chen wasn't exactly gouging him. Given that the standard valuation was 1-1.2 billion, a 20% discount for taking over a messy situation was quite reasonable.

Yang Chen smiled. "Done, then. I'll have Guo Yi, the president of Four Seas Entertainment, handle the follow-up with you. Go call the artists in; I want to talk to them."

Yang Mu nodded and went to fetch the artists.

Yang Chen said, "Four Seas Group really doesn't have the cash to repay debts right now. I sympathize with Chairman Yang's plight, so I'm acquiring Jiayue Entertainment for 800 million. I'm a fair man. Artists willing to join Four Seas Entertainment can sign new contracts; those who aren't can terminate theirs immediately with no penalty. Any outstanding salaries or fees will be paid in full within a year."

Yang Mu followed up, "Thank you all for your hard work over the years. This is the best solution; otherwise, the company will simply collapse. Since Chairman Yang is giving everyone a choice, please consider it carefully and make your decision within three days."

The lead star, Huang Min, immediately spoke up: "I want to terminate. I hope Chairman Yang keeps his word and pays the 180 million in fees I'm owed within a year."

Yang Chen nodded with a smile. "Understood! Anyone else?"

Four Seas Group's reputation was so toxic that the mere mention of it made people dizzy. Who would want to join? The other artists quickly requested termination, leaving only four newcomers—Zhu Yunlong, Du Yunjiang, Yang Min, and Di Li—who were worried they wouldn't find work elsewhere and would struggle to make ends meet.

Yang Chen nodded. "Then it's settled. The four remaining artists can come sign once the acquisition is complete. The departing artists will sign agreements for their back pay to be settled within a year. Meeting adjourned!"

Yang Mu said goodbye to Yang Chen and left with the artists. The "Six Beauties" entered.

"Chairman Yang, what are you thinking? Spending 800 million to acquire a company that's been losing money for years? And it's riddled with debt!" Zhao Jing asked.

Yang Chen laughed. "You want the truth?"

Zhao Jing nodded.

"I want to play with stars—the kind I cultivate myself," Yang Chen replied.

"..."

What a simple, unadorned reason. If Wang Sihai could play with popular stars, why couldn't Yang Chen? What was the point of making money if not to enjoy it? Looking at a number in a bank account wasn't the goal. He used to envy those who changed girlfriends every month; now that he had the means, why not experience that lifestyle?

"Lecher!" Huang Wei said.

"Decadent!" Zhao Jing said.

"Depraved!" Chen Lan said.

"Vulgar!" Bai Zhi said.

"Lustful!" Gao Ya said.

The five beauties looked at Chen Xi, who hadn't spoken, hoping she would scold him too.

Chen Xi said nervously, "Are... are you really just playing around?"

The five beauties looked at her, confused. What did she mean? Why was she dropping the ball at such a critical moment?

Yang Chen nodded. "I just want to try it out. I work hard to earn money—can't I enjoy life? Even a workhorse needs a sex life, right? Must I do it all myself? Why are you looking down on my normal needs? Are you all virgins who have never been with a man?"

The six beauties looked at each other and finally nodded.

Yang Chen scanned them with a skeptical look. "Really? You're all this old and haven't had a boyfriend? And don't count medical repairs."

The six beauties were instantly furious and embarrassed, rushing over to pelt him with soft punches. Yang Chen wasn't about to take it lying down. He resisted, taking advantage of the chaos to grab at them, testing the different "elasticities" of the six beauties.

Afterward, he laughed and said, "Alright, alright, that's enough. No more fooling around. I have to work, so all of you get out. No one is allowed to enter without my orders. Also, Chen Xi, tell Chang Sheng, the VP of Four Seas Group's health division, to wait outside my office in an hour."

Chen Xi nodded. The six beauties quickly turned to adjust their lingerie, shot him an angry glare, and left together.

Yang Chen opened his computer and typed out the formula, manufacturing process, and clinical data for the [Slimming Pills] from his mind. Launching these pills would be the first step in saving the health division.

Outside, after Chen Xi finished the call with Chang Sheng, she whispered to the others. "See? I told you. Once the Chairman gets close to more beauties, he won't be as indulgent with us anymore," she said, sounding disappointed.

"What can we do? He's in his twenties; he definitely has needs. Forget him—even I have them," Zhao Jing whispered.

"So, Sister Zhao, how do you overcome it? Share your methods?" Huang Wei asked.

"Hehe..."