Chapter 427 - 219: Acquisition Plan Launched (Part 2)

"Chairman Qi, are you sure you’re not joking?"

Huang Xing couldn’t even maintain his smile.

He was utterly stunned by Qi Sheng’s bold proclamation.

If it weren’t for the fact that Qi Sheng could pull together five billion, Huang Xing would have mocked him outright.

Currently, the only companies in Sichuan Province with a market cap exceeding one hundred billion were Wuliangye and Luzhou Lao Jiao.

Both were long-established liquor enterprises.

If he could invest in an industry leader that reached a hundred-billion market cap, he wouldn’t hesitate to kowtow to Qi Sheng a few times.

But according to the information they had gathered, this chairman of Jinshi Capital was no ordinary operator.

Spicy King, the hottest new company in Sichuan Province right now, was one of his.

Moreover, Qi Sheng held a 95% stake.

Even the recent, meteoric rise of Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts happened only after Qi Sheng took the helm.

Beyond that, the two restaurants under Zhuangyu Catering were also doing phenomenally well.

Other industries aside,

in the catering and hotel sectors, Qi Sheng’s operational prowess was plain for all to see.

"Chairman Qi, we at Jiaozhi Financial Control have never been stingy with funding for promising companies."

Huang Xing looked at Qi Sheng, his eyes burning with intensity.

"I wonder, which two companies were you referring to when you mentioned two future hundred-billion market cap prospects?"

Qi Sheng smiled and said, "I can reveal a little something to you all. Jinshi Capital will soon lead Spicy King’s Series B funding round, with an estimated valuation of 10 billion US Dollars."

"Once Spicy King goes public, its market cap will definitely exceed one hundred billion. No one has any doubts about that, right?"

"Ten billion US Dollars?"

Huang Xing nearly choked on his own saliva.

He glanced at his old friends and saw they were also gaping in shock.

"Chairman Qi, by doing this, won’t you upset the other investors?"

It wasn’t that Huang Xing doubted Spicy King’s potential.

Many venture capital firms were already giving it a valuation close to 5 billion US Dollars.

But a valuation of 10 billion US Dollars was truly a bit outrageous.

"On that point, President Huang, you don’t need to worry. The other investors are very supportive of my decision."

"I also believe that investing in Spicy King’s Series B will bring immense returns to Jinshi Capital!"

Qi Sheng’s confidence, naturally, came from the buff provided by his system.

Stores in the four first-tier cities would be opening one after another very soon.

By then, Spicy King’s revenue and profits would skyrocket.

A valuation of 10 billion US Dollars might be somewhat inflated.

But there were plenty of companies with inflated valuations; Spicy King wouldn’t be the only one.

What’s more, Spicy King was backed by real, tangible revenue streams.

Even without the backing of other VCs, Jinshi Capital alone was enough to support Spicy King’s expansion.

"Haha, I would never doubt your vision, Chairman Qi."

"How about this: Jiaozhi Financial Control will invest 1 billion in Jinshi Capital through our subsidiary fund. A 1:1 co-investment ratio will be fine."

Huang Xing gritted his teeth and made a decisive choice.

"Since President Huang is so straightforward, my previous promise will also be fulfilled soon. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed."

Qi Sheng and Huang Xing looked at each other, smiled, and shook hands firmly.

"Chairman Qi, our Bronze Union fund is a bit smaller. We can contribute 500 million."

"Our angel investment guidance fund is small; we can only put in 200 million. Please don’t look down on it."

Seeing that even Huang Xing had decided to invest,

the other two industrial fund managers scrambled to speak up.

"Thank you both for your support of Jinshi Capital. I believe you will all receive a satisfactory return on your investment."

Qi Sheng shook their hands one by one, then turned to Lu Fang in high spirits.

Lu Fang could only give a wry smile and a nod, feeling a sense of helplessness inside.

Although she also came from a top-tier venture capital background,

these industrial fund managers were a cautious bunch who wouldn’t act without a sure thing.

’As expected of the boss.’

’All he had to do was make a small move, and Huang Xing and the others immediately agreed to invest.’

Adding the 5 billion raised previously,

Jinshi Capital’s accounts would now hold 6.7 billion in cash.

What did that even mean?

A full 1 billion US Dollars!

...

With Qi Sheng, the "God of Wine," as her boss, Lu Fang didn’t have to drink much.

Her mind was completely preoccupied with how to spend this 1 billion US Dollars.

"Of this 1 billion US Dollars, we need to set aside 400 million for Spicy King."

"Zhuangyu Catering and Banyan Tree Group will each require 200 million US Dollars."

Qi Sheng wasn’t in a hurry to leave the restaurant. He had a waitress bring over a tea set.

He discussed the allocation of funds with Lu Fang while they drank tea.

"Boss, what about the remaining 200 million US Dollars?"

Lu Fang was surprised that before the money had even arrived, Qi Sheng had already planned out where to spend it.

’Still, these projects are indeed very high-quality.’

Given her own investment acumen, she couldn’t help but be thoroughly convinced by Qi Sheng’s decisions.

Because they shared Qi Sheng as a boss and were both female professional managers,

Lu Fang and Yuan Li’s relationship was naturally very good.

It was because of this good relationship that she learned from Yuan Li just how terrifyingly potent Spicy King was.

Surpassing Haidilao was only a matter of time.

A valuation of 10 billion US Dollars seemed a bit inflated,

but if Spicy King’s market cap really did exceed a trillion, it would be an absolutely massive win.

The other companies, Zhuangyu Catering and Banyan Tree Group, were also high-quality businesses with outstanding performance.

As long as they could invest, they definitely wouldn’t lose money.

"How about this: set aside 10 million US Dollars for the company’s daily operating expenses. I’ll give you an investment allowance of 40 million US Dollars."

"For any project under 5 million US Dollars, you don’t need to report to me. You can make the final call."

Qi Sheng finally showed some conscience, leaving Lu Fang with a discretionary investment fund.

"Now that’s more like it! Thank you, Boss!"

Lu Fang breathed a sigh of relief, her fighting spirit rekindled.

’If Qi Sheng made all the decisions,’

’then wouldn’t I, the CEO, just be a figurehead?’

With a 40 million US Dollar investment allowance, she at least had a chance to prove herself.

"With the remaining 150 million US Dollars, we’re going to make a big play!"

The mysterious way Qi Sheng said it immediately piqued Lu Fang’s curiosity.

"Boss, can you give me a little preview?"

"There’s no harm in telling you. I’m very bullish on a company called Pop Mart."

"You can go and gather some information on it. This company has the potential to become the leader in the designer toy industry."

"Pop Mart?"

Lu Fang had a sudden realization and slapped her forehead in annoyance.

Some time ago, when she was out shopping with Yuan Li,

she had actually noticed Pop Mart’s roboshops.

At the time, she’d had a gut feeling.

’This project, which looks unremarkable and a lot like a claw machine, has the potential to blow up.’

But afterward, she got busy haggling with the heads of several industrial funds and forgot all about it.

Now that Qi Sheng had reminded her, Lu Fang’s eyes grew brighter and brighter.

"Boss, that company just delisted from the NEEQ. Its current market cap is only around one billion-plus. It’s definitely worth acquiring."

"Early next month, I will formally complete the acquisition of Pop Mart."

Qi Sheng had just bought the ’king’ villa at Nine Rooms Hall.

The funds in his account had been more or less completely spent.

Fortunately, he had over 100 million US Dollars coming in next month.

Adding the 150 million US Dollars from Jinshi Capital, he was now fully armed with ammunition.

Acquiring Pop Mart would naturally not be a problem.

...

He had Gu Feng drive the Cullinan to take Lu Fang home.

Qi Sheng got into an Escalade driven by his other bodyguards.

They returned to the villa on Luhu Black Jade Island.

The other bodyguards’ cars parked outside the residential community’s gate.

Gu Hai drove the car, dropping Qi Sheng right at his front door.

Seeing the two rows of luxury cars parked along the road, he knew his girlfriends had pretty much all arrived.

Fortunately, he had specifically asked Yu Huachuan to prepare plenty of nourishing dishes, so he wasn’t afraid of the gauntlet his girlfriends had in store for him.

"Ah, Hubby’s back!"

The girls were having a happy BBQ in the yard when one of them suddenly shouted.

Everyone instantly turned to look at the main gate in pleasant surprise.

"Hey, hey, hey, don’t get so excited!"

Qi Sheng saw what looked like a flock of young swallows, all eager to return to their nest.

He could only sigh and spread his long arms, trying his best to embrace them all.

"Hey now, whose hand was that?"

Just as Qi Sheng was marveling at his good fortune with women, he suddenly felt a wandering hand grope a certain key area.

"Hee hee, it must have been Yingying! She’s the most shameless."

"Nonsense! Qianqian is obviously the wildest. I can’t compare to her."

"Oh, please. You two are neck and neck."

...

Listening to their chattering debate, Qi Sheng hoisted the two main suspects onto his shoulders.

As for the other girlfriends, they all naturally followed along.

Although it had only been a few days, their longing had piled up.

Besides, Qi Sheng was usually the one lording it over them, teasing them relentlessly.

Today, they were a rare full house. No matter what, they had to teach Qi Sheng a lesson he wouldn’t forget.

That’ll teach him to keep adding new sisters to their group at the drop of a hat!