If everyone is reborn, who will work for capital?

Chapter 36 Equity Turmoil

"Mr. Zhu, your face looks like you ate a whole plate of peppercorns while you were out answering a phone call. Are you numb?"

Mu Yan, holding a perfectly cooked slice of tripe, glanced up at Zhu Xiaohu's unpredictable expression and couldn't help but tease, "Could it be that you really ran into a snag with a student? Haha."

Seeing Mu Yan's gloating smile, Zhu Xiaohu glared at him in annoyance.

He sat back down, pondered for a moment, and then decided to speak: "Geng Zhi, now considered a prospective graduate student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, is working on a dating project called 'Jiao Tong University Matchmaker'."

"Is this a campus project?"

"Yes." Zhu Xiaohu nodded.

Mu Yan didn't take it seriously and said with a smile, "It's just a student playing around, is it really worth you taking it so seriously, President Zhu? If you like it, just invest some points."

"A week ago, he gave me a suggestion," Zhu Xiaohu said, ignoring his teasing and becoming serious. "He asked me to tell Baihe.com that we could learn from 'Old Zhou' and set up offline physical stores, saying that we could reap a huge wave of benefits."

"Old Zhou? Which Old Zhou? Is there such a person in the dating industry?" Mu Yan asked, looking puzzled.

"I didn't understand it at the time either. But after listening to your analysis of Baihe's growth difficulties, it suddenly dawned on me," Zhu Xiaohu said slowly, "The 'Old Zhou' he mentioned is very likely not from the dating industry, but rather... Zhou Hongyi."

"Zhou Hongyi?!" Mu Yan almost choked on his beer. "That antivirus software guy? Mr. Zhu, we're in the dating industry. What would we learn from him? How to scan users' computers for viruses, and maybe even kill the 'Peach Blossom Virus' while we're at it?"

"I guess he meant to borrow the business model of free online services. And he also mentioned mobile internet..." Zhu Xiaohu frowned, trying to piece together the logic that Geng Zhi hadn't fully explained, "That's why I wanted to hear his complete line of thought."

"Hahaha!" Mu Yan couldn't help but burst into laughter. "My dear President Zhu! Have you become obsessed with these projects lately? You're actually taking a student who hasn't even graduated yet, with just a few seemingly plausible words, seriously? Does he think he can turn our industry upside down?"

Seeing that Zhu Xiaohu was still lost in his own thoughts, Mu Yan shook his head, used a slotted spoon to scoop up a trembling piece of pig brain, and diligently placed it in Zhu Xiaohu's bowl.

"Come on, Mr. Zhu, stop thinking about it. You are what you eat, try this pig brain while it's hot, it's fresh! It's better to nourish your brain than to think about those pointless things!"

Zhu Xiaohu looked at the snow-white pig brains in the bowl, sighed, picked up his chopsticks, but ultimately shook his head and muttered to himself:

"...Perhaps I'm just overthinking it."

……

The following afternoon, at the New Oriental Shanghai Minhang University Town Campus office.

As soon as Li Haipeng closed his browser, the screen was filled with search results for "startup equity structure" and "partner equity distribution".

He rubbed his sore eyes and fell into deep thought.

"Haipeng!" Regional Manager Lao Qian suddenly patted Li Haipeng on the shoulder from behind, who was still in a daze. "It's this late, why aren't you out doing business yet? Are you incubating eggs here like a cat?"

Li Haipeng shuddered, jolted awake from his reverie, and instinctively felt a little guilty. He quickly turned around with a forced smile, "Oh, Manager Qian, there's not much room for expansion in the university town these days, so..."

"The less space there is, the more you have to run around!" Old Qian dragged over a chair and began his classic lecture, "Every extra visit means one more sales opportunity, every extra word you say could mean one more deal! I became a regional manager by sheer hard work and perseverance! Young people, you can't be lazy!"

How did you become a regional manager? We all know... Li Haipeng silently rolled his eyes in his mind.

Seeing that Li Haipeng's eyes were wandering and he seemed not to be listening, Old Qian changed his tone, which carried a clear warning:

"Haipeng, no offense, but your performance decline last month was quite glaring. You'd better step up your game and bring back more targets for our region. We have two top universities, Jiaotong University and Huashi University, and if our performance falls behind other regions, I'll have no face left!"

"Manager," Li Haipeng replied instinctively, "precisely because these two schools are so top-tier, and the students' self-learning abilities are so strong, the desire to enroll in classes isn't that high to begin with. This market..."

"Li Haipeng!" Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Lao Qian's low shout.

Old Qian's face instantly darkened.

The Li Haipeng of the past was diligent, obedient, and had good performance; he would never speak to him in such a defiant tone!

"What kind of attitude is this?!" Old Qian's temper flared up instantly, and he launched into another tirade. "Is a bad market an excuse? What market lets you make money lying down? If you're not capable, then work harder! If your attitude is wrong, then correct it! If you don't want to work here, then say so now!"

Li Haipeng shut his mouth, no longer arguing, and just listened with his eyes down.

After Lao Qian finished venting and slammed the door back to his cubicle, Li Haipeng walked out of the office alone, silently took out his phone, and edited a short message for Geng Zhi.

……

Meanwhile, on the third floor of Jiaotong University Library, there was a window seat.

Geng Zhi was intently reviewing "A Detailed Explanation of Key Points in Political Science for Postgraduate Entrance Examination".

"Practice is the source, driving force, purpose, and sole criterion for testing truth of knowledge..."

"The process of understanding is from practice to understanding, and then from understanding to practice..."

"Surrounding the cities from the countryside..."

These knowledge points, when I was preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam in my previous life, seemed like dry and boring articles that had to be memorized by rote.

Looking back now, with the memories of more than a decade of ups and downs in the business world, I realize that this was not a political test point at all, but rather a strategic methodology condensed to the extreme.

"Buzzing—!"

The phone in his pocket vibrated. Geng Zhi took it out and saw it was a text message from Li Haipeng.

[Li Haipeng]: Mr. Geng, I've thought it over, and I'm willing to join.

With a slight smile, Geng Zhi replied quickly.

[Gengzhi]: Okay, welcome Mr. Li to the team. I hope we can have a pleasant collaboration in the future!

The title "President Li" warmed Li Haipeng's heart as he stared at the screen on the other end of the phone, a surge of excitement and anticipation coursing through his body.

[Li Haipeng]: Mr. Geng, let me confirm. The 15% equity I'm getting makes me the second-largest shareholder in the company, right? Also, are there any other partners in our team? What are their specific roles?

Li Haipeng asked a whole bunch of questions at once.

[Straightforward]: Would it be convenient for you to come to the lobby on the first floor of Jiaotong University Library? We can talk in person.

[Li Haipeng]: Okay! I'll be there in 15 minutes.

After ending his conversation with Li Haipeng, Geng Zhi closed his book, got up, and went downstairs. As he walked, he dialed Ma Chunmei's number.

Although Ma Chunmei does not participate in the company's actual operations, it is both reasonable and ethical to provide her with information on newly added shareholders.

"Mr. Ma, I've found a fantastic partner for the company. He's a sales elite from New Oriental, and he's very capable."

Geng Zhi briefly explained Li Haipeng's background, experience, and the key reasons why he valued him to Ma Chunmei.

To dispel any potential doubts she might have, Geng Zhi emphasized, "With him joining, our offline events can be operational as early as December. By the time you have your second interview, the company won't be just an empty shell anymore."

Ma Chunmei on the other end of the phone became excited, her voice trembling slightly: "Really? That...that's wonderful!"

This is indeed a huge benefit for her.

This means that the project will have a full three months of actual operation time before the second round of testing next March.

Once she finishes her postgraduate entrance exam, we can easily intervene and reap the rewards.

At that time, her role may no longer be that of a mere nominal CEO, but rather a true "entrepreneur" with a resume to write and a story to tell.

Originally, Ma Chunmei's goal was simply to get extra points in the re-examination; she didn't have any expectations for the company and had no demands regarding equity.

According to the initial verbal agreement reached between Geng Zhi and her, the casual mention during the roadshow of Niu Baoguo, Huang Lijuan, and Hao Pengxiang serving as "C-O" is null and void, and the company's shareholders are only her and Geng Zhi.

She agreed that Geng Zhi would be the project initiator and actual person in charge, holding 95% of the shares, while she herself would be the actual behind-the-scenes investor, holding 5% of the shares.

However, when Geng Zhi proposed giving the newly joined Li Haipeng 15% of the company's shares, Ma Chunmei objected.

She didn't lose a single penny of her 5% stake, but her psychological balance instantly crumbled. Her problem wasn't a lack of shares, but rather the unequal distribution of them.

How could a newcomer, an "outsider," have three times the shareholding of someone else? What gives them that right?

Geng Zhi hadn't expected Ma Chunmei to react this way, so he could only say that the three of them would have a conference call after Li Haipeng arrived to continue the discussion.

Just after hanging up Ma Chunmei's call, Geng Zhi saw Li Haipeng walking briskly towards him, waving at him from afar.

"President Geng!" Li Haipeng greeted him warmly.

"Mr. Li, let's talk as we walk," Geng Zhi said, leading Li Haipeng toward the botanical garden to the north.

As soon as the two entered the botanical garden, they had only walked a few steps along the stone path when Geng Zhi spoke up with a hint of apology: "President Li, there's something I need to let you know first. There's been a small issue with the company's equity distribution."

"Huh?" Li Haipeng's heart skipped a beat, and he stopped in his tracks, looking nervously at Geng Zhi. "President Geng, what's going on? That 15%..."

He finally overcame his mental block and made up his mind; he doesn't want to lose the shares in the end.

"Here's the thing, we also have a partner, Ma Chunmei, who was also an initial investor in the project. Our original equity structure was 95% for me and 5% for her. After you joined, I was going to transfer my 15% to you, but she wasn't willing."

Geng Zhi explained Ma Chunmei's situation and demands to Li Haipeng in detail.

After listening, Li Haipeng took a few steps in silence, then hesitated before speaking: "President Geng... there's something I don't know if I should say."

"President Li, we're a team now, so feel free to speak your mind. Don't stand on ceremony."

"Although I don't know much about starting a business, I know that the choice of partners and the distribution of equity are very important to the success or failure of a company," Li Haipeng said sincerely.

Li Haipeng didn't actually know anything about partners and equity before.

After Geng Zhi invited him to start a business together yesterday, he immediately started researching as soon as he got home. He has been researching since last night and has made up a lot of knowledge about partnership mechanisms.

"Yes, Mr. Li is right." Geng Zhi nodded approvingly, signaling him to continue.

"But from your introduction just now, I feel..." Li Haipeng paused, then continued, "I'm not deliberately trying to sow discord, I genuinely feel... that Ma Chunmei has no value to the company..."

Geng Zhi nodded in agreement again, smiling as he said, "President Li's point of view is reasonable and well-founded, and I completely agree with it."

"Then why did you bring her in...?" Li Haipeng was even more puzzled. "Is it because of the 30,000 yuan start-up capital? If it's a matter of money, I can pay the company's registered capital myself, even 50,000 yuan is fine."

"Don't worry, Mr. Geng. I know you are the core member of the project. You are still a student. You don't need to pay anything; you can still get 80% of the equity. I only need 20%." Li Haipeng then added, his attitude quite sincere.

Upon hearing this, Geng Zhi raised an eyebrow slightly.

Li Haipeng's generosity was indeed beyond his expectations.

"Thank you for your frankness, Mr. Li." Geng Zhi finally revealed his true intentions, "We don't just want to run 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker' well; our goals are far greater than that."

"Huh?" Li Haipeng was very surprised.

"When this project needs to be implemented smoothly in the future, or when a strategic shift is needed, Ma Chunmei may be a key link," Geng Zhi explained vaguely.

Li Haipeng seemed to understand, but didn't press for details. He simply nodded thoughtfully, "I understand. Mr. Geng, you must have a longer-term plan. I'll follow your arrangements."

The two found a quiet corner with stone benches and sat down.

Geng Zhi dialed Ma Chunmei's number again, starting the first formal "shareholders' conference call" between the three of them.

He first gave the two of them a detailed overview of the "Jiaotong University Matchmaker" program's plans, operational direction, and market goals for the next six months.

Not only did Li Haipeng listen intently, but Ma Chunmei on the other end of the phone was also deeply moved.

Then Geng Zhi began to assign tasks.

Ma Chunmei was far away in Lanzhou, still preparing for exams, and naturally couldn't participate in the actual work. Geng Zhi grasped the overall direction, technical framework, and key resource coordination, but his initial involvement was limited. The main responsibility for the actual execution work, such as the implementation of offline activities, fell on Li Haipeng.

After the division of labor was clarified, the most crucial stage of equity distribution discussion began.

Before discussing equity distribution, Geng Zhi set the tone: as the initiator of the entire project and the future technical leader, he would ensure that he owns 80% of the equity.

Both Ma Chunmei and Li Haipeng expressed no objection.

[Straightforward]: "Okay, then you two can negotiate the remaining 20% ​​equity amicably first."

[Ma Chunmei]: "I was the initial initiator of the project, the legal representative of the company, and I also chose the company name. My shareholding should be at least the same as Mr. Li's!"

[Li Haipeng]: "Student Ma, the company name is meaningless! You're in Lanzhou, and you heard the division of labor just now. All the work is being done by General Manager Geng and me..."

[Ma Chunmei]: "But I provided the initial capital! I contributed 30,000 yuan! That's a real contribution!"

[Li Haipeng]: "I can personally contribute 5 yuan from the company's funds."

[Ma Chunmei]: "I...I can also add up to 50,000!"

[Li Haipeng]: "I can still..."

Li Haipeng and Ma Chunmei, two complete strangers, started discussing things "amicably" back and forth.

Geng Zhi mostly just listens, only stepping in occasionally to guide the pace when the two sides are locked in a dispute.

About twenty minutes later, the first shareholders' meeting finally came to a "successful" conclusion.

The final resolution is as follows:

The registered capital of Shanghai Wonderful Encounters Technology Co., Ltd. is set at 20 yuan.

工商登记显示：耿直出资16万，占股80%；厉海鹏出资2万，占股10%；马春梅出资2万，占股10%。

The actual investment was as follows: Li Haipeng invested 10 yuan, Ma Chunmei invested 10 yuan, and Geng Zhi invested 0 yuan.

After hanging up the phone, Li Haipeng asked, "Mr. Geng, what's next?"

"Recruit more staff and accelerate the project's launch."