Boss Lu: A reborn life is destined to be without regrets!
Chapter 172 - 144. I’ll keep you company once my dad leaves _2

Chapter 172: 144. I’ll keep you company once my dad leaves _2

He spoke fluently, and Zhou Yuanxin listened attentively.

"Where is the core competitive advantage?"

"Smaller store formats are more flexible, and the rent costs are also lower,"

Lu Jincheng explained.

"Take Starbucks for example. To strengthen their ’third place’ brand concept, they often need storefronts on the first floor of malls, close to entrances."

"Whereas we are not constrained by space. Not only can our small stores be set up in shopping mall atriums, but they can also be located directly on the ground floor lobbies of office buildings, capturing prime spots where our core demographic frequents."

"Moreover, if we have enough stores, the next step would be to launch our own app, focusing on a purchasing scenario centered around fast-pickup shops."

Zhou Yuanxin was taken aback and followed up, "Haven’t you launched a delivery service already? Why need an app?"

"Yes, individual store needs can be met through delivery. But if we expand to over a hundred or even a thousand stores, having our own platform becomes crucial."

Lu Jincheng nodded.

"Running regular promotions such as coupon distribution on our platform not only fulfills the operational needs for customer acquisition and engagement but also accumulates active online users, getting a large number of customers accustomed to ordering online for delivery or in-store pickup."

Makes sense!

Zhou Yuanxin’s eyes immediately lit up.

"So, our core competitive edge is not just lower rental costs but also the ability to further reduce labor costs in ordering, cashiering, and other processes, thus facilitating rapid expansion."

Lu Jincheng added the last sentence with a smile, his voice firm and confident.

"Mr. Lu, formidable indeed!"

With his vast experience, Zhou Yuanxin immediately inferred from Lu Jincheng’s plan that it was entirely feasible.

Regardless of how the implementation would turn out, the mere idea of cornering the incremental market was already worth his investment.

"What are your expectations regarding the funds for the angel investment round?"

Zhou Yuanxin asked.

"Ten million."

After a few seconds of thought, Lu Jincheng quickly came up with an answer.

Zhou Sinin’s eyes widened in surprise, about to say something when he patted her hand, signaling her to be quiet again.

This figure was neither too much nor too little, precisely within Lu Jincheng’s anticipated range.

Asking for too little would be pouring water into a sieve, failing to achieve rapid expansion.

Asking for too much would mean potentially diluting the equity further, increasing the risk for investors, thus taking more time to conduct due diligence and making investment decisions more cautiously.

"That amount is fine."

Zhou Yuanxin, known for his decisive actions, immediately responded.

However, as he spoke, he kept his head down, eyes fixated on Lu Jincheng’s left hand, controlling his voice.

What is this kid doing!

His daughter seemed indifferent to his actions; what’s the situation?

Are the two that close?

"However, for that amount, IDG would have to take at least 20% of the shares."

Zhou Yuanxin took a few deep breaths to calm down before continuing.

There are three types of angel investors.

The first type is the capital angel investor, who usually requires 10%-20% stakes providing only the money and not getting involved in the company’s operations.

The second type includes both capital and resources; they typically require 30%-40% equity, contributing funds while bringing in industry resources and entrepreneurial experience.

The last type is angel investors with dual roles as founders, often taking 40%-50% stakes, working closely with the start-up team to refine the business model, deeply involved in company decisions, significantly impacting the company’s development.

Before coming, Zhou Sinin had already made three rules clear with him.

Investment is investment, but the coffee shop is her and Lu Jincheng’s joint effort; they absolutely would not allow a third type of influence.

As a 100% doting father, Zhou Yuanxin could only agree to her terms completely.

"..."

Lu Jincheng rubbed his chin, falling into brief contemplation.

From his perspective, the business deal was totally worth it.

But no matter what, Zhou Sinin was also a partner who had started from scratch with him, so her opinion had to be sought.

"I think 15% would be more reasonable, what do you think?"

Thus, he turned his head, leaned into Zhou Sinin’s ear, and whispered at a volume only the two of them could hear.

"Mmm-hmm."

They were so close that Zhou Sinin felt a tickle in her ear.

Not only could she feel the warmth of the man’s breath, but she could also faintly smell the scent of Lu Jincheng.

First, she blushed and nodded, then remembered they were not alone; her father was sitting right across from them.

She immediately shifted to one side, creating some distance from Lu Jincheng.

"We can accept a 15% share."

Lu Jincheng didn’t notice Zhou Sinin’s slightly tense body reaction, only observing that the middle-aged man opposite him looked slightly perturbed.

His gaze towards him carried a touch of hostility.

What’s going on?

Is it an illusion?

Or is the percentage too low?

Mr. Lu was still muttering in his mind, when Zhou Yuanxin spoke up again.

"Regarding the 15%, will your team undergo proportional or disproportional dilution?"

Lu Jincheng blinked, surprised at the question.

What business is that of an investor?

There are two methods of equity dilution: if it’s proportional, introducing a new shareholder would mean both he and Zhou Sinin’s share percentages would decrease.

If it’s disproportional, then a bit more would come out of his share.

Regardless of the distribution, these were matters for him and Zhou Sinin only; the angel investor’s share wouldn’t change at all.

Why would an investor ask this?

Mr. Lu turned his head to gauge Zhou Sinin’s expression, quickly did some calculations in his mind, and whispered, "I’ll personally give up 15%."

If it’s proportional, then Zhou Sinin, currently owning 25%, would go down to 21.25% after dilution, nearly equal to the investor’s share.

If it came to Series A, B, or even C rounds, and IDG continues to up its investment, Zhou Sinin might not even keep the position of the second-largest shareholder.

It would be like losing a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed. That wouldn’t be fun.

"Oh, I see."

Zhou Yuanxin nodded, his gaze softening as he stroked his chin, then lapsed into silence and thought.

Several minutes passed, and finally, it was the always quiet Zhou Sinin who broke the deadlock.

"15%, is that acceptable?"

She frowned, ignoring the surprised look from Lu Jincheng beside her, and asked aloud.

"I think that’s fine."

Zhou Yuanxin stood up, leaned forward, and reached out to shake hands firmly with Lu Jincheng.

"Then, Mr. Lu, it’s a pleasure to work with you!"

"A pleasure to work with you!"

...

"Mr. Lu, we’ll stay in touch about the contract and other matters."

After escorting the investor to the Starbucks door, a Railfa car was already waiting.

Zhou Yuanxin turned around, smiled at Lu Jincheng, and said,

"Alright."

Lu Jincheng nodded but realized Zhou Sinin had not stood by his side at the door to see off the guest.

Instead, she was nonchalantly adjusting flowers at the counter, a smile lingering on her lips.

This was not right.

Today’s Zhou Sinin was a bit out of character; this wasn’t the little princess he knew.

Where was that smart, agile touch in her social interactions?

However, the investor behaved generously and with grace. Not seeing Zhou Sinin at the door, he craned his neck, raising his voice.

"Nannan, get in the car!"

"Coming, coming!"

Zhou Sinin ran out in small hurried steps, still holding a cup of coffee, which she handed to investor Zhou Yuanxin.

What’s happening?

What did Lao Deng just call Zhou Sinin?

Do they know each other?

Seeing this, Lu Jincheng couldn’t help but freeze on the spot.

Zhou Yuanxin took the coffee, waved to Lu Jincheng, and the automatic door of the Railfa slid open slowly as he bent down to enter the car.

"I’ll head back now."

As the sound of her footsteps approached, Zhou Sinin stopped near him, her large peachy eyes twinkling with mirth.

"You... aren’t waiting to have dinner with me?"

Lu Jincheng was quick to react, suspecting something but not daring to be certain.

"Maybe next time."

Zhou Sinin turned her head to glance at the open door of the Railfa.

"When is ’next time’, tomorrow?"

Lu Jincheng asked instinctively.

"Not tomorrow either."

Zhou Sinin brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, her eyes gleaming with moisture, and tiptoed to whisper in his ear.

"I’ll accompany you after my dad leaves."