March 4th, Monday.

Pei Qian sat comfortably in his executive chair in the office, listening to Eric, Meng Chang, and others reporting their progress on the acquisition of Fingertip Company through an international call.

Overall, things were proceeding relatively smoothly.

Since Dyack Group had made the decision to sell Fingertip Company, they genuinely wanted to sell and exit quickly, naturally cooperating fully with the process.

Regarding Tenda Group’s installment payment plan, Dyack Group didn’t mind, as they knew they would receive every cent and that Tenda Group wouldn’t default on the payments. Besides, everyone knew that Tenda operated on a high-turnover model, and it wasn’t realistic to pay such a large sum all at once.

However, the situation was more complicated for Fingertip Company itself.

The composition of Fingertip Company’s upper management was quite complex, and their reactions to the acquisition naturally varied.

The first type consisted of those parachuted in from Dyack Group, such as Eric previously. These individuals would likely return to Dyack Group after the acquisition. Their attitude matched Dyack Group’s—strictly business, just going through the motions.

The second type included executives like Christian, who came from design or technical backgrounds. Their attitudes were more complicated—emotionally resistant but accepting the reality of having new ownership.

The third type was like Charles, executives who held actual shares and real power. They were extremely unwilling to accept this reality and would inevitably try everything to obstruct Tenda, refusing to become subordinates. They hoped to negotiate with Tenda to maintain maximum autonomy in managing the company.

While Dyack Group had already entered the procedural stage of the deal, the most pressing issue now was how to incorporate Fingertip Company into Tenda’s overall system after the acquisition.

The four-person team now had two options: return to China, as they all still held various positions within Tenda Group with many other matters to handle; or go to America to take over and transform Fingertip Company.

Of course, anyone could handle the takeover and transformation, and it could happen at any time. Even if no one went and Fingertip Company was left to manage itself, that would be an option too.

The specific choice depended on Pei Qian’s decision.

After listening to everyone’s report, Pei Qian pondered for a moment before asking, “Charles isn’t cooperating?”

Eric nodded. “Of course, that was expected.”

“He was almost about to become Fingertip Company’s true owner, and in just a few years, he could have multiplied his money hundreds of times through capital operations. But Tenda snatched it away at the final step. Especially since his previous efforts to drive down the price ended up benefiting Tenda, which he obviously cannot accept.”

“Not only that, but his power within Fingertip Company has also decreased. Previously, although Dyack Group interfered with Fingertip Company, they only managed the profit aspects. The Fingertip Company’s management still had significant autonomy regarding specific game design and operational strategies.”

“Now, with Tenda Group taking over, he already anticipates that we’ll inevitably take back his power in various aspects and won’t likely allow him to continue ruling Fingertip Company like a dictator, which will certainly make him very dissatisfied.”

“His current approach is probably to unite with other executives, trying to make Fingertip Company’s management appear unified, striving for operational independence and refusing our excessive involvement.”

“Moreover, he wants to hold onto his shares, waiting for Fingertip Company’s stock price to rise so he can make a big profit and compensate for his previous losses.”

Pei Qian couldn’t help but chuckle.

Previous losses? What previous losses?

Could Charles possibly think that failing to buy Fingertip Company and being outmaneuvered by Tenda was a loss?

Well, that’s how capitalists think—money they didn’t earn is considered a loss.

It seemed that Fingertip Company still had many hardliners internally. If another company were taking over such a company, it would indeed be thorny.

Because other companies’ acquisition plans would certainly involve seeing potential in the company and hoping it would continue to make money for them.

Since they wanted it to continue being profitable, they would have to give the original executives sufficient respect and autonomy, without excessive interference or complications.

Otherwise, if they drove away all the executives who understood the company best and parachuted in their own people, the result would often be the opposite of what they wanted—the company would decline faster, even collapsing completely.

Therefore, to ensure the acquired company continued to be profitable, acquirers generally exercised caution right after acquisition. They would appease the executives, telling them that their powers remained intact, that they would make even more money, and that they should continue working steadily. They would assure them that their cooperation was bright and the future limitless.

For this very reason, executives of acquired companies would often unite to maintain their power and position, demanding as much autonomy as possible from the parent company.

This was a common negotiation dynamic.

If the parent company believed they couldn’t manage without these executives, they would be forced to compromise, temporarily accepting their conditions, then gradually working toward replacing them when conditions were right.

Unfortunately for Fingertip Company’s people, they were dealing with Pei Qian.

Did Pei Qian buy Fingertip Company because it was profitable?

No.

Did he expect Fingertip Company to continue being profitable after acquisition?

No.

Would there be any downside for Pei Qian if he fired all these executives?

Absolutely none.

That being the case, what gave these people the right to negotiate terms?

After brief consideration, Pei Qian said, “This is what we’ll do: the other three people return home, and you, Eric, go to Fingertip Company alone to take over as CEO.”

“If these executives cooperate, then fine, we’ll keep them. If they don’t cooperate, or even unite to try to sideline you, fire them all!”

“I have important matters to attend to next, and I won’t allow any voices of opposition within Fingertip Company.”

“As for those like Charles who still hold shares…”

“Tell them to sell all their shares to Tenda while they can—we’re willing to pay a 10% premium. If they don’t sell, then Fingertip Company’s stock price will plummet. Don’t say I didn’t warn them in advance.”

The four people on the other end of the call were clearly surprised.

Fingertip Company’s stock price would continue to plummet?

How was that possible?

After all, Charles had created several debacles that had players up in arms, and currently, Fingertip Company’s stock price was already at a historic low.

Upon news of Tenda acquiring Fingertip Company, the stock price had immediately risen, though the increase was limited.

The increase came because Tenda’s decisive action had restored the capital market’s confidence in Fingertip Company—at least Tenda recognized Fingertip Company’s value.

In the MOBA game market, Tenda was the most knowledgeable. If they wanted Fingertip Company, it suggested these shares were undervalued.

The limited extent of the increase was because Tenda had not yet disclosed any subsequent measures for Fingertip Company.

Everyone was speculating: Was Tenda planning to play both sides, transform decay into miracle, and rebuild Fingertip Company into a giant? Or was it simply shelving Fingertip Company to be a stepping stone for GOG?

The difference between these two possibilities was too great, so the capital market was still waiting for signals from Tenda, unwilling to act rashly.

And in this situation, Mr. Pei actually said Fingertip Company’s shares would plummet further?

Wouldn’t that reduce his own wealth?

Fingertip Company had just been purchased for one billion dollars!

This move was truly unfathomable.

Among the four, Meng Chang was particularly shocked, even breaking out in a cold sweat.

Then, he felt a wave of relief.

According to his original plan with Fan Xiaodong, they were going to short first and then go long. They believed Charles would release negative news to drive down Fingertip Company’s stock price to facilitate the deal, but after Mr. Pei stepped in, Fingertip Company’s stock price would definitely increase.

Later, Meng Chang reconsidered and decided to only profit from the short position. The subsequent operation might involve insider trading, carrying certain risks, and could easily provoke Mr. Pei’s displeasure, so he abandoned the idea.

Now he realized that abandoning it was the right choice!

If he hadn’t given up, with Mr. Pei’s move to crash the shares, he and Fan Xiaodong would have had to give back all their previous profits!

Mr. Pei was the god of investment.

So, never try to guess what a god is thinking!

Anyone who thought they were clever and had Mr. Pei figured out would ultimately receive a harsh lesson.

Meng Chang couldn’t help feeling excited about his wisdom and lucky escape.

But he still couldn’t understand why Mr. Pei, having just spent a fortune to buy Fingertip Company, would first crash his own stock? Reducing his own money?

Following the logic of ordinary companies, the first step would certainly be to release some positive news, drive up the stock price, and make the capital market optimistic again!

Mr. Pei’s resolve was truly something ordinary people couldn’t possess.

Eric nodded, “Very well, Mr. Pei. I’ll relay your message to him.”

Pei Qian continued, “You’ll have to work harder during this period and stay at Fingertip Company for a while. I’ll have other tasks for you later. As for GOG’s operations, you can have other members of the GOG project team keep an eye on things.”

“Contact me anytime if anything comes up.”

Eric nodded, “Understood, Mr. Pei!”

Currently, Eric’s position at Fingertip Company was essentially that of a supreme ruler.

Being held in such high regard by Mr. Pei deeply moved Eric.

Although he had previously been a Dyack Group executive parachuted into Fingertip Company as the head of Greater China, he was still far below Charles.

After all, Charles was not only the CEO of Fingertip Company but also had good relationships with Dyack Group’s top management.

Now? Their positions were completely reversed.

It really was a matter of timing!

Although no one knew exactly what earth-shattering events Mr. Pei was planning, when Mr. Pei acted, it was certainly after careful deliberation.

They just needed to wait patiently!