Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 265 Cao Guowei

The next morning, Fu Yibai was awakened by the aroma.

He opened his eyes and found the bed beside him empty, with only the faint fragrance of Li Dabai remaining.

The sounds of spatulas flipping and oil sizzling came from the kitchen.

Fu Yibai got up from the bed, picked up the clothes that had been scattered on the floor last night, put them on, and walked out of the bedroom.

Li Dabai stood in the kitchen, having changed his clothes. He was wearing light gray loungewear, his hair was tied in a low ponytail, and he was wearing a floral apron.

She was frying eggs. The egg mixture in the pan slowly solidified in the hot oil, curling up at the edges and turning golden brown.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around and smiled.

"woke up?"

"Um."

Fu Yibai walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

Li Dabai leaned into his arms and continued to flip the fried eggs in the pan.

"Did you sleep well?"

"it is good."

Fu Yibai rested his chin on her shoulder.

"And you?"

"I'm fine too."

Li Dabai's voice was soft, carrying a satisfied languor.

"I haven't slept this soundly in a long time."

She put the fried eggs on a plate, turned off the heat, turned around in his arms, and tiptoed to kiss his lips.

"Go sit down, it'll be ready soon."

The breakfast was very plentiful.

Fried eggs, millet porridge, steamed sweet potatoes, baked buns, and a small dish of pickles.

The two sat facing each other, eating quietly.

Li Dabai sipped his porridge slowly, glancing up at him every now and then with an undisguised smile on his lips.

"What are you looking at?"

Fu Yibai asked.

"It's up to you."

Li Dabai put down the bowl, rested his chin on his hands, and his eyes curved into crescent moons.

"How can there be such a handsome and talented man in this world?"

Fu Yibai chuckled and reached out to scratch her nose.

Stop flattering me.

I'm serious.

Li Dabai grabbed his hand, pressed it against his face, and rubbed it.

"I'm really... lucky."

Fu Yibai looked at her without saying anything, but simply took her hand in his own and gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.

After breakfast, Fu Yibai went to the company.

2:50 PM.

"Knock knock knock".

Guo Zhenni pushed the door open and came in.

"President Fu, President Cao has arrived."

"Please let him in."

Fu Yibai put down his pen and stood up.

When Cao Guowei walked in, Fu Yibai gave the head of Sina a quick look.

He was in his early forties, of medium build, wearing a dark gray suit, a white shirt, and a navy blue tie.

His hair was neatly combed, he had a smile on his face, and his eyes held the composure that comes from years of experience in the business world.

"Mr. Fu, it's an honor to meet you."

Cao Guowei strode over, extended his hand, and shook it tightly.

"Mr. Cao, you're too kind. Please have a seat."

Fu Yibai shook hands with him and gestured for him to sit down on the sofa.

Guo Zhenni served two cups of tea, then quietly closed the door and left.

The office fell silent.

Sunlight streamed through the blinds from the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting streaks of light and shadow on the dark gray carpet.

Cao Guowei picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, and glanced around the office before finally settling on Fu Yibai's face.

"Mr. Fu's office has a really good view."

His tone was casual, as if he were chatting.

"It's alright. Mr. Cao's office should be quite nice too."

Cao Guowei chuckled.

The two remained silent for a few seconds.

Fu Yibai leaned back on the sofa, waiting for him to speak.

Cao Guowei put down his teacup, sat up straight, and the smile on his face disappeared.

"Mr. Fu, I'd like to make things clear to you in person today, since it's inconvenient to say it over the phone."

His voice was not loud, but his tone was solemn.

"Sina's shareholding structure has been very dispersed since the day it went public."

Management's shareholding ratio has always been very low, which is our weakness and also what we are most wary of.

He paused, his gaze fixed on Fu Yibai.

In 2005, Chen Tianqiao's Shanda Interactive acquired Sina shares through the secondary market, and its shareholding ratio once reached 19.5%, just one step away from the 20% acquisition threshold.

Fu Yibai didn't speak, he just looked at him.

Cao Guowei continued.

"At that time, Sina's board of directors urgently launched a 'poison pill plan' to issue new shares to existing shareholders at a low price, diluting Shanda's shareholding ratio, which ultimately kept Chen Tianqiao out."

He sighed.

"That battle was extremely difficult."

The office was silent for a few seconds.

Fu Yibai picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Mr. Cao, I know all of that."

Cao Guowei looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke.

"Mr. Fu, then I'll get straight to the point."

StarHub Investment currently holds 18.3% of Sina's shares, a percentage that is extremely sensitive.

His tone was sincere, even pleading.

"To be honest, several independent directors on the board have noticed this situation and are under a lot of pressure."

They fear a repeat of what happened five years ago.

"So, Mr. Cao came today to ask me to release some of my shares?"

Fu Yibai's voice was not loud, but it was very clear.

Cao Guowei did not deny it.

"Mr. Fu, I know this request is a bit presumptuous."

However, Sina needs to maintain a stable governance structure; if an external shareholder holds too high a percentage of the shares, it will be detrimental to the company's long-term development.

He paused, his tone becoming even more sincere.

"If Mr. Fu is willing to release some of his shares, Sina can provide compensation in other ways."

"GG ​​resources, content collaborations, brand partnerships—we can discuss anything Mr. Fu asks for."

Fu Yibai leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest.

"Mr. Cao, do you think I would agree?"

Cao Guowei's expression froze for a moment.

"Mr. Fu..."

"I acquired Sina's stock not for short-term arbitrage."

Fu Yibai interrupted him, his tone calm.

"I am optimistic about Sina's long-term value."

The Google Play market for portal websites is still growing, and Sina's stock price will be several times or even dozens of times higher in the future. I will not give up these shares just because of a little Google Play content.

Cao Guowei frowned, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but Fu Yibai didn't give him the chance.

"but--"

Fu Yibai changed the subject.

"I understand Mr. Cao's concerns."

Cao Guowei's eyes lit up.

"I am willing to sign both agreements."

Fu Yibai held up two fingers.

First, the agreement on acting in concert.

Xinghui Investment's holdings of Sina shares have voting rights at shareholders' meetings that are consistent with Sina's management.

In other words, I will not use these shares to interfere with the company's day-to-day operations and major decisions.

Cao Guowei's expression changed from tense to serious.

"Second, the agreement not to increase its stake in Sina Corporation."

Xinghui Investment has pledged that it will not increase its stake in Sina through any means within the next five years, and will maintain its shareholding below the current level.

Fu Yibai lowered his hand and looked at Cao Guowei.

"With these two agreements signed, Mr. Cao's concerns should be alleviated, right?"

Silence fell over the office.

Cao Guowei lowered his head, tapping his fingers lightly on his knees, clearly weighing his options.