January 11th, Wednesday.

In Yun Meng Venture’s conference room, investors sipped tea while waiting for Mr. Pei’s arrival.

Many of these investors had rushed from the capital. Whether from travel fatigue or other reasons, their faces looked grim.

Li Shi tried to lighten the atmosphere, but the investors still stared at Meng Chang with murderous intent.

As for Meng Chang, he wore an expression of “I don’t care anymore.”

Like someone completely burned out, though physically present, his thoughts and soul seemed to have drifted elsewhere.

The atmosphere was tense.

Despite polite occasional exchanges and pleasantries, everyone’s faces were clouded with sorrow, their moods clearly poor.

This was understandable—losing money wouldn’t make anyone happy.

Regular people feel heartache for months after losing thousands in stocks, wanting to hang themselves over tens of thousands, while these investors’ losses counted in millions.

Though they understood investment risks, who could have imagined Meng Chang, who seemed so trustworthy and competent, would botch everything?

Over time, Meng Chang’s Cold Noodle Girl had raised at least twenty million in investment, reaching a nearly three-hundred-million valuation through hype, only for Meng Chang to squander everything.

Investors held nothing but worthless Cold Noodle Girl shares.

With negative news piling up and Meng Chang becoming a judgment defaulter, no one would take over this mess. These shares were now worthless.

How could investors not be angry?

Of course, business rules meant no matter how angry, they couldn’t do anything to Meng Chang. Even if they could, it wouldn’t squeeze out money.

Meng Chang had given up.

Though not personally liable for investors’ money, his agreement with Mr. Li clearly stated responsibility for Cold Noodle Girl’s debts. Now owing suppliers millions, these debts counted as personal liabilities.

When cash flow problems started, Meng Chang tried everything to find investors to save Cold Noodle Girl. But Mr. Pei’s two share sales and Cold Noodle Girl’s negative publicity severely damaged investor confidence.

Investors’ terms were harsh: no unlimited joint liability agreement meant zero money.

Meng Chang faced a dilemma. He couldn’t accept such risky money, knowing that refusing meant debts of millions while accepting might mean hundreds of millions.

Delays increased debts until news finally broke.

After becoming a judgment defaulter, Meng Chang knew Cold Noodle Girl was finished. Even divine intervention couldn’t save it now.

If so, might as well play dead. Dead pigs fear no boiling water. He’d slowly repay debts while other investors dealt with their problems.

Cold Noodle Girl had become a dead end.

Li Shi, surprisingly, had the best mindset after He Desheng.

Though he had invested, his reasons differed from other investors.

When hearing Cold Noodle Girl might fail, Li Shi panicked briefly, but Mr. Pei’s willingness to intervene gave him hope.

A project wasn’t truly dead as long as Mr. Pei hadn’t completely abandoned it!

The room maintained this contradictory, subtle atmosphere waiting for Mr. Pei.

Finally, footsteps approached.

The conference room door opened. Outside, He Desheng respectfully addressed a young man: “Mr. Pei, everyone’s here.”

Everyone immediately stood, looking at Mr. Pei like drowning people spotting their last lifeline.

Some investors had special theories about Mr. Pei’s arrival timing.

Investors arrived in the morning—why did Mr. Pei schedule for afternoon? What special meaning did this hold?

Given the numerous stories and mysteries surrounding Mr. Pei, normal, reasonable actions gained special significance when involving him.

Pei Qian waved at everyone: “Hello! Please sit.”

The high-spirited Mr. Pei brought vitality to the previously lifeless conference room.

Investors wondered what good fortune made Mr. Pei so happy.

Rumor said Mr. Pei never showed emotions. Even when earning billions from Daya Group, he showed little joy.

Today he beamed. Had he made more than five hundred million somewhere?

Investors felt intimidated.

Pei Qian had one thought: finally finished exams!

Though this morning’s closed-book exam wasn’t perfect, missing a few knowledge points during review, he at least got most answers right. Passing was certain—whether 65 or 70 depended on fate.

After studying so hard for so long, finally liberated, how could he not be happy?

His unconscious smile was noticed by everyone.

Pei Qian didn’t mind. Today he just wanted to understand the situation, potentially acquire worthless assets to better lose money later. What investors thought didn’t matter.

Pei Qian sat at the head, Li Shi and He Desheng flanking him. Other investors lined the conference table sides while Meng Chang sat alone facing Mr. Pei, like a criminal on trial.

Li Shi said, “Mr. Pei, let me explain Cold Noodle Girl’s current situation.”

From Li Shi’s explanation, Pei Qian understood the basics.

Cold Noodle Girl ran out of money, couldn’t secure more funding, and store revenues couldn’t support operations. Valuation crashed, making investor shares worthless.

Everything was truthful. No one dared deceive Mr. Pei since He Desheng could easily verify information.

Lying to Mr. Pei would backfire. Honesty left better impressions.

Everyone waited for Mr. Pei’s response.

Cold Noodle Girl’s situation seemed hopeless to everyone—losses were certain. Who would throw more money in? Mr. Pei had already earned millions and safely escaped, having no reason to re-enter this quagmire.

Yet Pei Qian’s first words shocked everyone.

“How many Cold Noodle Girl shares do you hold? I’ll take them all.”

Investors looked at each other, unprepared for such sudden good fortune.

Even Meng Chang’s confused gaze showed hope.

As founder, Meng Chang held the most shares, but worthless shares didn’t matter. Normally, investors had priority selling rights over founders. But Mr. Pei seemed to want all shares?

If so, he could sell some of his shares for partial recovery.

Of course, selling now couldn’t match previous valuations—likely less than bargain prices.

But selling was better than nothing, at least reducing debts.

Meng Chang no longer dreamed of financial freedom—just wanting fewer debts.

An investor raised his hand tentatively: “Mr. Pei, at what price would you acquire shares?”

Pei Qian looked at He Desheng.

He Desheng whispered, “Mr. Pei, founder Meng Chang holds at least 40% shares, Mr. Li has under 30%. Given Cold Noodle Girl’s situation, everyone’s reserve prices will be very low. Symbolically offering three to five million should suffice.”

Pei Qian was surprised: “Mr. Li holds that much?”

He Desheng nodded: “Yes, Mr. Li recently acquired some shares at low prices.”

Pei Qian looked at Li Shi, who smiled back.

Pei Qian felt speechless, suspecting Li Shi wouldn’t sell his shares.

No matter—Mr. Li only held under 30%, having no impact on Cold Noodle Girl’s control. Besides, Pei Qian didn’t expect Cold Noodle Girl to be profitable under him. The brand’s reputation was ruined.

Pei Qian looked around: “Three million for all Cold Noodle Girl shares, but I must acquire over 70%, or I won’t buy any.”

Without elaborating, he offered the minimum price He Desheng suggested.

In He Desheng’s view, Cold Noodle Girl was beyond saving. Bankruptcy was the rational choice. But since Mr. Pei wanted to buy, He Desheng, as subordinate, provided a reasonable price estimate.

Compared to peak valuation, three million wasn’t even bargain price. Each investor would get at most tens of thousands—nearly one-tenth of their investments.

Better than nothing. Without selling, they’d find no buyers and get nothing.

Of course, going lower would insult them. They might refuse out of anger, defeating the purpose.

After Mr. Pei’s price, investors exchanged glances.

Certainly unsatisfactory, but what could they do? Most knew tens of thousands was decent.

Mr. Pei’s opening bid hit slightly below their psychological bottom line, making them uncomfortable.

Meng Chang’s eyes showed hope: “Mr. Pei, you’ll buy my shares too?”

Pei Qian nodded: “Of course, same price, take it or leave it. Though Cold Noodle Girl is your creation, sure about selling?”

Bargain prices were the same regardless of seller.

Meng Chang immediately nodded: “Sell!”

Carrying millions in debt, though Mr. Pei’s offer would only fetch him about a million—insufficient for full repayment—every bit helped.

Originally hoping to achieve financial freedom from selling shares, now only able to repay a million in debt, Meng Chang felt mixed emotions.

Beautiful ideals met harsh reality.

Other investors had nothing to say. Given Meng Chang’s attitude, Cold Noodle Girl was definitely doomed. Holding these shares was wasteful.

Plus, Mr. Pei stated clearly: unless acquiring over 70% shares, he’d buy nothing. This eliminated negotiation hopes.

Forget it, better escape while possible.

Investors exchanged glances, ultimately accepting.

Li Shi symbolically sold a small portion, keeping around 20%. Meng Chang sold everything, at least paying some debts.

Someone like Meng Chang couldn’t willingly become a deadbeat. He still hoped to someday repay all debts and make a comeback.