Chapter 17

Liu Wan didn’t mind helping her brother’s founding disciple—though now she had to add a “former” before it: former disciple.

Besides curiosity about the project’s development and a certain degree of validation, a major reason was that her niece genuinely liked him.

Because of the “defection” incident, Liu Wan had been questioned repeatedly by her brother these past two days; she had already explained the project’s feasibility over and over—its logic held, financial risk existed, and success depended on fate.

She knew she had become a form of endorsement, but this was her objective assessment, without any exaggeration.

Meanwhile, over these two days, she had learned—whether actively or passively—that neither her brother nor sister-in-law, nor even her niece herself, had avoided one fact: Yu Xing had genuinely treated Shan Shan well over the past year, frequently picking her up and helping with homework.

Liu Jingrong had even reflected on this point: had he asked his disciple to do too many tasks?

Yet despite having already held a high opinion of Yu Xing, seeing him again today made her realize his execution, his thinking about the project, and his determination were truly extraordinary.

Simply giving out 200 yuan as commission from a 299-yuan payment clearly aimed for rapid scaling—and the purpose behind it… wasn’t self-satisfaction; he must have deeply reflected on his conversation with her that day.

Liu Wan couldn’t help marveling inwardly: how could someone be so instantly perceptive?

But then she looked at the two college students who had come with him today, and her mood calmed considerably.

“How is the equity split arranged?” Liu Wan asked casually as she watched her niece dismount from the carousel, referring to the registration details.

“Hmm…” Yu Xing hesitated, “Let’s talk later.”

Liu Wan turned, puzzled: “Not settled yet?”

That wasn’t very execution-oriented.

“Anyway, we still need to register a company on the mainland, and all operations will center around this company,” Yu Xing explained first, then added naturally, “It’s easier to discuss this in front of you—college students are shy.”

“You’re…” Liu Wan paused mid-reach for her water, “You’re quite honest—going after college students for profits, hiring college students as staff, and handing out team equity to college students…”

Yu Xing wasn’t proud: “Heh, just happened to be convenient.”

It really was convenient.

For lunch, they didn’t pick a fancy place; the four adults and one child ordered a full table of dishes at a nearby small restaurant.

Yu Xing waited until the food arrived, then ate while speaking: “The Hong Kong company needs to be registered, equity needs to be divided—Xiao Ying, what do you think?”

Lu Haiying softly “ah”ed, glanced at her startled boyfriend, then at Liu Wan’s unresponsive face, and finally hesitated toward her senior disciple.

“Don’t worry, say whatever you think—we’re family, everyone’s reasonable, we’ll discuss it together,” Yu Xing said gently.

Lu Haiying waited a few seconds, received no input from her boyfriend, then blushed and said, “I’m fine with anything.”

Yu Xing nodded but didn’t press Zhong Zhiling; instead, he stood up to serve his junior disciple more food.

Zhong Zhiling’s mind raced—these past two days had been hectic; he’d planned to wait for his senior disciple to bring up equity, or ask privately tonight, never expecting it to come up right here.

Though the project was indeed his senior disciple’s initiative, if he could get more equity, he naturally wanted more—otherwise, what was the point of being a guinea pig and taking a leave of absence for just a salary?

Zhong Zhiling assumed his senior disciple would resume the topic after serving food to the junior disciple, but no matter how long he waited, Yu Xing didn’t return to it—instead, he began discussing regional cuisines.

Just as lunch neared its end and Zhong Zhiling grew increasingly restless, he suddenly heard another question.

“Zhiling, what do you think about equity?” Yu Xing turned to ask.

“About this matter…” Zhong Zhiling took a quiet breath, then hesitated.

Yu Xing smiled: “This is the parent company; we’ll still set up a subsidiary on the mainland, where all operations will center. We can redistribute later—right now, stick with 8.6%.”

Zhong Zhiling wasn’t satisfied—he knew the company was led by his senior disciple and didn’t expect 30 or 40%, but he’d hoped to push for 20%.

At that moment, Lu Haiying asked curiously: “Why 8.6%? So precise.”

Her question echoed exactly how Zhong Zhiling had felt when he first heard the ability score.

Yu Xing didn’t look at his junior disciple, smiling: “Xiao Ying, let me explain—this number comes from my and Zhiling’s…”

Zhong Zhiling had never disclosed his debt to his girlfriend; he wanted to signal his senior disciple but had no way to do so—and as the detailed discussion loomed, he finally interrupted: “I accept 8.6%.”

Yu Xing stopped explaining; Lu Haiying turned to her boyfriend, and Liu Wan sensed something was off.

Zhong Zhiling said seriously: “This split reflects our abilities—my ability is only 8.6% of my senior disciple’s. Hey, no problem—we still need to register the mainland subsidiary anyway.”

There’s still a chance, there’s still a chance…

Lu Haiying laughed: “Really? Then I’m even worse—I’m terrible at accounting, don’t know if I can handle operations… my ability value must be even lower.”

“Everyone lacks operational experience—we’ll all practice later, think about what questions customers might ask and how we should respond, that sort of thing,” Yu Xing smiled. “First time’s awkward, second time’s familiar—I believe in you. Xiao Ying, you take 6.4%, you two together make 15%, and I’ll hold another 15% as an incentive pool—we’ll need to bring in talent if we succeed.”

Lu Haiying nodded without objection.

Zhong Zhiling could only nod, unable to object.

“OK, Sister Ying, that’s how we’ll split it,” Yu Xing said, having settled the convenient matter, then raised his cup. “Come on, let’s thank Sister Ying for helping us launch!”

He stood up; Zhong Zhiling and Lu Haiying quickly rose with their cups.

Liu Wan glanced at Yu Xing and smiled: “Don’t give me that.”

But she still lifted her cup, sipped her fruit juice: “Wishing you success—remember to buy me lipstick if you make it.”

Everyone laughed.

Lu Haiying, having played all morning and now having this chat, finally gathered courage: “Sister Ying, your lips look so beautiful, and your lipstick is gorgeous.”

“You’re quite…” Liu Wan complimented, “Full of college energy—I’m reminded of my own university days. Come here, Xiao Ying—I bought a few lipsticks the other day, and I’ve got one MAC ‘Little Chili’ in my bag—it doesn’t care about skin tone.”

Lu Haiying obediently moved over.

Liu Wan first handed her a wet wipe to clean her lips, then took out a lipstick, teaching her how to apply it: “College students think anything goes—but later, a little makeup won’t hurt. Men are all hypocrites—they always want their girlfriends to look prettier.”

Zhong Zhiling shrugged.

“Look, now you’ve got better color,” Liu Wan admired the young girl, smiling. “A light makeup, some lipstick, let your hair grow long—you’ll instantly transform from college girl to professional.”

Lu Haiying beamed.

Zhong Zhiling said: “Yeah, long hair’s good—keep it.”

Lu Haiying glanced at her boyfriend: “Didn’t you say short hair was cool? Why’s long hair better now?”

Zhong Zhiling: “Hmm…”

At that moment, Yu Xing’s phone rang; after a brief conversation, he instructed his second-in-command: “Zhiling, tonight there are several campus clubs—go handle them. Say we’re offering sponsorship, payment based on commission—200 yuan per head, officially framed as a social science survey.”

Zhong Zhiling perked up—finally, work!

As long as there was work, as long as he did it well, he’d have grounds to renegotiate his shares in the mainland subsidiary!