“This… how can it be so accurate?”
“I’m shocked.”
“Eighteen years in business, and this is the first time I’ve seen something like this…”
It was clearly a stock with real value, yet it had fallen to such a low level.
At this moment, Analyst Zhao Yan spoke up as, “I think I know why.”
“I checked their new production line. It seems the production is for a new patent.”
“Billions have been invested, but they might be temporarily stuck.”
The analysts immediately gathered around Zhao Yan, looking at the information on his phone. After they finished reading, their expressions turned grim.
Who could have analyzed this information?
When financial analysts evaluate a company’s qualifications, they rarely dig into such detailed information.
“It’s likely someone got insider news and pulled out early.”
“That makes sense.”
“You can’t blame us. Normally, we wouldn’t find this kind of news.”
Analysts are responsible for monitoring companies, not predicting everything. If something goes wrong with a company’s financials and they miss it, it’s their fault. However, if the issue is hidden in the physical factory with little to no information leaking, it’s normal for them to miss it.
Hou Jianjun commented admiringly, “Indeed, it’s not a mistake to miss it.”
“But the more hidden it is, the more impressive the person who discovered it.”
Some analysts still weren’t convinced. “Maybe he also got inside information.”
“If someone pulled their investment, it means there was a leak. Maybe he just heard about it.”
Xu Yan said calmly, “He didn’t know. He analyzed it based on public information.”
The analysts fell silent.
Several directors looked at Xu Yan with surprise. “CEO Xu actually defended someone?”
“That’s rare.”
Xu Yan wasn’t bad-tempered, but she was sharp and had little patience for foolishness. It was rare for her to explain anything for others. Yet today, she spoke up!
Something was off.
Also, they recalled that recently, CEO Xu had been disappearing after 4 p.m. each day!
The directors exchanged excited glances, eager for gossip.
Xu Yan turned around and said indifferently, “You can guess whatever you like.”
“But if I hear any false rumors about me, or if my parents hear about it, you’ll be responsible for the consequences.”
Without even looking at them, she already knew what they were whispering about.
The directors were stunned. “Understood, CEO Xu.”
Xu Yan waved her hand, “Everyone, get back to work.”
“Meeting dismissed.”
The analysts quickly left.
The directors, however, lingered. “CEO Xu, there’s a project we need you to look at.”
“It’s the investment proposal for Youmao Video. They want to raise 160 million yuan to promote themselves on short video platforms.”
“But after two rounds of review, the opinions from the director and manager of the Second Department are very different.”
The Second Department was the venture capital evaluation department, responsible for all venture capital investments. It had both a director and a manager—the director handled business guidance, while the manager dealt with administrative matters. Both had their own views.
Director Wang Zihua believed they shouldn’t invest. Manager Guo Dong believed they should.
The two sides were in disagreement.
Xu Yan reached out her hand, “Where’s the information?”
“It’s here.”
Hou Jianjun took out a USB flash drive, plugged it into the conference room computer, and started the presentation.
Youmao Video’s income model was straightforward. First, they nurtured top-tier content creators and took a cut from their video earnings.
Second, they earned advertising revenue, taking 70% from all creators.
Currently, they had a successful case—a creator with 5 million followers across platforms, generating about 9 million yuan in annual post-tax income.
The plan was to invest 160 million yuan to cultivate 12 to 15 creators of similar level. Additionally, they aimed to nurture 30 to 50 creators with 300,000 to 800,000 followers each.
The estimated payback period was around 20 months. All creators would sign five-year contracts. The goal was to recover the investment within two years and start making profits by the third year. After that, it would depend on whether they could nurture new creators.
Xu Yan said, “On the surface, the numbers look beautiful.”
“Yes,” Hou Jianjun agreed, “but there are a lot of hidden risks.”
Xu Yan hesitated. This project was clearly high-risk and high-reward. In her opinion, the risks slightly outweighed the benefits—it was a tough call.
“Has the company ever assigned analysts to follow up on video projects?” Xu Yan asked.
Hou Jianjun replied, “Yes, two of them. But they don’t agree with each other either.”
Xu Yan thought for a few minutes.
Hou Jianjun spoke cautiously, “CEO Xu, I have a suggestion.”
“Go ahead.”
“Why not show this project to your boss?”
Xu Yan was stunned. Boss? That dog of a man?
Her first instinct was to refuse. But then she felt curious. Would the dog man see things differently?
“Alright, I’ll think about it.” Xu Yan didn’t give a clear answer.
The directors wisely said nothing more and quietly left.
Xu Yan stayed behind, lost in thought.
How should she tell the dog man about this project? Use a side account?
No. A project of this scale would already be circulating inside the company. If she used a side account to ask, he would definitely become suspicious.
Got it!
Xu Yan called Chen Yu into the office. “Before you leave today, send this proposal to the Third Analysis Department.”
“Let them take a look at it at home—it’s not mandatory, but if anyone comes up with valuable suggestions, there will be a 4,000 yuan bonus.”
Chen Yu nodded, made a note of it, and left the conference room.