Our Glamorous Time

Chapter 73: There Are Tigers In The Mountain

A long time later, when Lin Qian recalled those days filled with fire and fury, she realized that everything was happening exactly as Li Zhicheng had expected. For instance, when DG promoted their second and third-tier brands after it set foot in China, or how DG brought ZAMON to the front line of the battlefield after Li Zhicheng used the "fish in troubled waters" tactic. Or how the market was in a stalemate.

ZAMON was like a delicately beautiful crystal ball and was hung at the apex of the market. However, without even realizing it, DG had shown all its cards -- funds, personnel, brand reputation and all the channels and resources SMQ had. Besides, DG tied the top-tier brands and the ordinary brands together.

If someone pushed them from the back, ZAMON and the whole of DG China, would fall to the ground and be smashed. Lin Qian thought that it was time to do that.

Then an unexpected event occurred. DG had become the controlling shareholder of Old Aida. There was more than one thing following the misfortune.

Lin Qian was lying in the bed of her apartment and was talking with Li Zhicheng on the phone. "I'm so glad that Mr. Li is okay," she said tenderly, "I was startled by the news."

Li Zhicheng was walking hurriedly to the gate for his flight to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and was dressed in business attire. The light was dimming in the night outside. He watched the plane arrive on the tarmac, and answered in a husky voice, "No need to be worried. I just got off the phone with him in the afternoon and he's fine."

"Um. Should I fly to visit him today?"

Li Zhicheng stayed silent for a few seconds and said, "No need. Stay in Changsha for the time being." Lin Qian acquiesced.

She was upset not because of Li Zhicheng's response. She knew perfectly what he meant. Old Aida was in the hands of DG now and the news stunned China's corporations and its media. Although Old Aida only made up an insignificant part of Aida Corporation, it still meant more to them than a business, but was a family business to the Li's. And for all the staff of Aida, especially the long-time staff, it symbolized Aida.

Aida Corporation, as the leader of the resistance against the acquisitions, now lost its family business. How could the public not talk about it? They would certainly have divergent opinions on it. Some said the board of Aida had been compromised under the pressure of ZAMON and had reached a secret buyout contract with DG, and some said unity in Aida was gone and it was divided into two sides. Of course, it was likely that some people were spreading rumors and exaggerating the situation.

Li Zhicheng didn't want her in Lin City to keep her away from all the trouble.

As for Lin Qian, she was disappointed both because Aida had been stabbed in its back, and because of her incapability to prevent it from happening. "Who sold the shares? Have you figured out yet?" she asked.

"Yes," Li Zhicheng looked up at the scene outside and became grave, "Apart from Gu Yanzhi, Xu Chengyan and my sister-in law also."

At the same time, Mr. Gu Yanzhi, vice-chairman of Aida and universally considered the right hand of Li Zhicheng, was visiting the flagship store of ZAMON in New York while wearing a casual outfit with sunglasses, together with staff from MK Investment Management Corporation and DG Corporation.

Before he went to America, he took a month's vacation, leaving behind his resignation at the same time. And now, with all these people clustered around him, he looked extra vigorous and leisurely. "Mr. Gu," a manager from DG Corporation asked with a smile, "are you satisfied with this trip?"

Gu Yanzhi took off his glasses and smiled at him faintly, "Highly. Thanks for your warm welcome. I guess I've fulfilled my dreams by earning enough money now. I'll start traveling around the world, starting with America." People around him burst into laughter. There was another Chinese manager who had flown to America with Gu Yanzhi. He smiled and stated, "Mr. Gu's willingness to sell shares of Aida left shocked. We're all wondering why."