Fang Zhixing bid farewell to Jiang Tong and returned to the office to draft an email reporting the results to Xiao Fengtai. Jiang Tong could only offer one board seat, but he was willing to accept staged investments from Huayu based on pipeline progress. Jiang Tong had even taken the initiative to suggest that, considering the impact of BTK27’s Phase I failure, Huayu could enter the deal at a 10% discount on the Series B valuation.
The crux of the tug-of-war lay in the voice in corporate governance versus the amount of cash paid in the initial investment. Xiao Fengtai and Jiang Tong had already reached a consensus beforehand: given Huaqing’s current situation, Jiang Tong not only needed cash flow support but also urgently required guidance in capital market communication and corporate governance. However, having already been burned by Lu Wei, Jiang Tong was deeply wary of so-called "outsiders" meddling in his business. He would rather take less money to maintain the independence of his management team.
"I’m returning to Beijing next week. Set up a time," Xiao Fengtai said over the phone after reviewing Jiang Tong’s meeting minutes. "These are all minor details that can be resolved in person."
"By the way, what did the accountants say?"
"The accounts have no major issues." Fang Zhixing clicked his tongue in admiration. "I can see that Jiang Tong is someone who truly focuses on getting things done. He’s just had rotten luck, being screwed over by his partner."
Xiao Fengtai remained noncommittal. "Anything else? If not, I’m hanging up."
Fang Zhixing had the call on speakerphone, and he could faintly hear the din of music and the loud laughter of men and women on Xiao Fengtai’s end. It was five in the afternoon, London time—what else could he say?
"Have fun. Stay safe." *And don't forget to wear a condom.*
He exerted a great deal of effort to swallow that last sentence.
Before the meeting with Huaqing, Fang Zhixing had been on edge, terrified that Xiao Fengtai would repeat his past mistakes and direct some inexplicable temper at Jiang Tong. To his relief, he found his worries were misplaced. After returning from London, Xiao Fengtai was visibly refreshed. He woke up early every day to buy coffee and made the young secretary at the front desk giggle; his good mood lasted all the way until the group traveled to the suburban high-tech park to conduct due diligence on Huaqing.
Before they walked out the door, Fang Zhixing considered the results of this investigation to be a mixed bag. The team members who had left with Lu Wei were primarily responsible for BTK research and clinical trials, but the core backbone of the CD30 research had not only stayed but also exuded the spirited aura of a desperate army determined to win. In other words, the company might still be salvageable.
The bad news was that after an entire afternoon of face-to-face talks, Jiang Tong still refused to accept any investor intervention at the company’s strategic level. Given that he would remain the controlling shareholder of Huaqing after the Series B financing, no one could do anything about it.
However, he also left some room for Huayu to maneuver: Jiang Tong’s expectations for the initial investment amount and milestone payments were comparatively more flexible. From a risk-reward perspective, Huayu could further reduce the initial payment and provide additional investment based on CD30’s performance.
In summary, Fang Zhixing believed this was a victorious meeting, a harmonious meeting. Xiao Fengtai and Jiang Tong—despite their explosive first encounter—had both fully demonstrated their professionalism during this session. Fang Zhixing took back his earlier words; perhaps President Xiao and Professor Jiang were the type to become friends after an exchange of blows, and together, they might actually make a fortune.
That was, until they walked out the door.
Fang Zhixing casually asked, "Professor Jiang, how did your son’s interview go?"
Xiao Fengtai was walking ahead of him, just about to pull open the car door. His body suddenly froze.
"What did you say?"
Fang Zhixing gave a hearty laugh. "You can't tell, can you? Professor Jiang’s son is already about to start primary school—a very beautiful biracial little boy."
He nudged Jiang Tong. "Hey, Professor Jiang, why don't you show the photo to our President Xiao?"
Jiang Tong had been maintaining an eerie silence beside them. Now, as if waking from a dream, he took out his phone.
"This is... this is my son." His voice was tight. "He’s six and a half this year. His name is Jiang Zhen."
Xiao Fengtai looked down at the photo, his face expressionless. The sky had already grown dark, and the faint white light of the phone screen reflected on his face, casting deep, undulating shadows. His eyes were hidden in the darkness, making Fang Zhixing’s skin crawl.
Xiao Fengtai didn't move, Jiang Tong didn't move, and Fang Zhixing didn't dare to move. Only the car lights flashed rhythmically in the silence. A cold wind howled, and the streetlights seemed to grow dimmer. The shadows of the three men stretched deep and long, intertwining and overlapping, layers of dark and light gray piling up, with a stark, cold darkness in the center.
It might have only been a few seconds, yet in Fang Zhixing’s mind, it felt like centuries. Xiao Fengtai looked up and smiled at Jiang Tong.
"You head back first," he casually instructed Fang Zhixing, his gaze lingering on Jiang Tong with intense interest.
"I suddenly remembered something I need to discuss further with Professor Jiang."
