E-Ladies: Navigating the Wired World
Chapter 140: Episode 140: Smoke Bomb Released and US Dollar Acquisition 1

Chapter 140: Episode 140: Smoke Bomb Released and US Dollar Acquisition 1

I don’t know who leaked the news that 51buy was considering selling the site, but the front desk’s phone was almost overwhelmed these past few days, mostly by calls from large internet companies wanting to visit and inspect the premises.

Even Ya Rui had gotten wind of it and hurriedly called, "Yinyin, are you guys selling your website?"

"We’re considering it, but the pricing is still under evaluation... I don’t know who let it slip... I’ve been so overwhelmed with calls, I can’t even work on my reports..." Zhou Xueyin said, her headache palpable.

"If you’re really selling, why not join our group?" Ya Rui suggested teasingly.

"Aren’t you a magazine alliance? We’re an internet media entity; I doubt we interest you..." Zhou Xueyin said resignedly.

"That’s not necessarily true. How about coming over for a chat?" Ya Rui asked tentatively, and continued, "After all, you’ve met with 3L before, and our group’s policies are changing daily. In the meetings, they seem quite keen on venturing into the internet sector..."

"Hey, entering the internet industry is the trend. I attended the Internet Conference last month; some magazine groups launched websites too, which were quite influential!" Zhou Xueyin said, still juggling the phone and her reports, "Little Taotie, help me fax this to William..."

"You seem quite busy. Shall we set a time to meet? This week or next, when are you free?" Ya Rui inquired.

"How about next Wednesday? I’m swamped with reporting this week... I need to compile various data." Thankfully, with Wang Anqi’s help, she wasn’t completely overwhelmed.

"Okay, I’ll contact you then! Keep at it! You’re doing great!" Ya Rui encouraged Zhou Xueyin.

Zhou Xueyin hung up the phone, sighing over a pile of unrecoverable arrears dating back to 2005.

Though they weren’t huge amounts, they were still in the tens of thousands; too much to just write off, but going after them was tough because the companies had either moved or changed hands.

If it weren’t for offsetting some of the arrears with assets, it would have felt like a bigger loss.

A week later, Zhou Xueyin had completed her financial reports and sent them to William Lee’s email, waiting for their final review.

"Hello? Sister Yu? I’ve finished up, and I’m free to meet tomorrow!" she said, checking her schedule, which coincided with the day she was supposed to meet Ya Rui.

"Great, come over. 3L will be at the group tomorrow too. She’s been so busy these days, hardly seen her around," said Ya Rui, sounding relieved.

The next day, Zhou Xueyin arrived at the CBD where Ya Rui’s magazine had moved with the group to their new offices which were much cleaner and less crowded than before.

Glancing around, there were few familiar faces left; it seemed Xinrui had gone through significant changes in the past two years.

"Hey! Yinyin! What brings you by today?" Cui Hu, now the technical director, greeted her warmly.

"Just some things to sort out, and I thought I’d stop by to see you guys," Zhou Xueyin replied nonchalantly.

"I heard you’re planning to sell the company? What, ready to retire?" Cui Hu, ever irritating, chimed in.

"Who told you that? Where did you hear I want to sell my company? Don’t talk nonsense!" Zhou Xueyin quickly denied it, "My company is moving forward big time. Why would I sell it? What am I, a fool?"

Zhou Xueyin also rolled her eyes at Cui Hu, "You really can’t hold a conversation... Ah..."

"Just kidding, don’t take it to heart. But seriously, everyone in the industry is buzzing that 51buy is up for sale. Who do you plan to sell to?" Cui Hu asked curiously, though knowing wouldn’t change anything for him.

"It’s all unconfirmed rumors, get back to work..." Zhou Xueyin shooed Cui Hu away.

"Two years and Cui Hu hasn’t improved a bit..." Ya Rui also griped, "If it weren’t for his solid business skills, I probably wouldn’t have raised his salary last time he asked to resign..."

"You get used to him. He’s just thoughtless. Let’s go, take me to see 3L," Zhou Xueyin chuckled.

Before their relocation, Li Lingli had her office upstairs, but after moving to the CBD, her office was now at the corner of this floor.

"Xiaozhou! Long time no see! Come, have a seat! Want some water?" Li Lingli warmly offered Zhou Xueyin tea and water herself.

"You’re too kind, please have a seat yourself!" Zhou Xueyin, uncomfortable being served by someone older, quickly took the cup.

"I’ll just say it then, I heard you’re selling your website?" Sure enough, Li Lingli also asked.

"Indeed, we’re considering it, but I haven’t publicly expressed my intention to sell. How did you know?" Zhou Xueyin asked, puzzled.

"There’s a hidden section on the Mixed Forum that requires an invite code to view content, someone anonymously posted the news there," Li Lingli explained truthfully.

Zhou Xueyin had registered on Mixed Forum, though she seldom followed it closely as it was mostly for leisure and boasting, and she wasn’t particularly interested in its hidden sections either.

"An anonymous person posting untrue statements can cause such a stir in the industry? It’s perplexing..." Zhou Xueyin sighed in vexation.

"The post was detailed, claiming a website offered 5.5 million US Dollars to buy it, but you ignored their terms. Instead, turning to negotiate with a major foreign company. It even had pictures... wait, let me find that post..." Li Lingli pulled out her laptop, "Oh? It’s been deleted..."

"Probably was reported for being false. Indeed, I’ve had quite a few calls recently from people wanting to discuss acquiring us..." Zhou Xueyin frowned, tired, "But I’ve turned them all down."

"So, you do...," Li Lingli asked tentatively, "really have plans to sell?"

"Not to hide it from you, we are indeed considering it..." Zhou Xueyin admitted.

"Which companies have you approached?" Li Lingli asked directly, seeing Zhou Xueyin’s open attitude.

"A Canadian broadcasting media company, CBIS..." Zhou Xueyin didn’t want to hide anything.

"CBIS! That’s a big company! They’ve already bought quite a few media websites in China, including Huabei’s largest IT vertical portal, Zhongonline, among others. Their ambitions for China are not small!" Li Lingli knew quite a bit about CBIS.

"So, I think joining their group could potentially aid our forum’s development..." Zhou Xueyin was frank, "They’ve already inspected our company on-site, and taken our revenue reports for review..."

"So, it looks like you’re not considering us anymore?" Li Lingli asked with a forced smile.