Chapter 149: Poaching Talent

"When did you get back?"

In the cafe, Yang Yaxin took a sip of her rich coffee. Since returning from Nili, her mental state had recovered significantly, and upon receiving Qin Yang’s invitation, she had rushed out from home immediately.

Qin Yang tapped on the table and said, "I’m planning to start a few companies. I’m short on management, so I came to find you."

"What kind of companies?" Yang Yaxin asked, curious.

Qin Yang shrugged. "Jewelry, of course—your specialty. I brought back some jewelry when I returned from Nili. If I try to sell them myself, I won't get the maximum profit, so I need your help. So, I’m formally hiring you. How about it?"

"You just 'brought back' some jewelry?" Yang Yaxin looked at Qin Yang with a playful expression.

"Alright, I admit I stole them," Qin Yang said helplessly. "But for the time being, the source of this batch of jewelry is very clean, so you can rest assured. Well? Are you interested?"

"That’s certainly not a problem," Yang Yaxin laughed. "But it won't work if you only find me. We need reputable jewelry appraisers, formal and complete procedures, sales channels, stone cutters, designers, and so on. You’re the big boss; you don't expect me to go out and find all this talent for you, do you?"

"You don't need to worry about that," Qin Yang replied. "Building a team from scratch is a hassle, so I’m going to acquire Yang’s Jewelry. Most of the team at the current Hailong Jewelry still carries on the style of the old Yang’s Jewelry. If you take over, it will be a natural fit. Plus, let me tell you, the jewelry I brought back consists of Azalias's private collection. Any single piece is an absolute masterpiece. We’re starting with a high bar; you’re going to be quite busy."

"Can you really buy back Yang’s Jewelry?" Yang Yaxin asked, excited.

"The time is about right." Qin Yang checked his watch. "I have someone else to visit in a moment, so just wait to take over Hailong Jewelry tomorrow morning. I can guarantee that much."

Yang Yaxin no longer doubted him. She nodded, chatted for a few more minutes, and then hurried away. Since Qin Yang was so confident, she naturally wouldn't let him down. She had already prepared several plans, and she intended to organize them tonight so that she would be ready the moment Qin Yang’s promise came true. After the ordeal in Nili, her trust in Qin Yang had reached an incredibly high level, so she followed his words unconditionally.

After seeing Yang Yaxin off, Qin Yang took a taxi to Hailong Jewelry. He walked to the front desk, knocked, and requested to see Liu Yan.

"Manager Liu is meeting with some guests," the receptionist said softly. "Could you please wait a moment?"

"Forget it, I’ll just go up," Qin Yang shrugged.

Before the receptionist could stop him, he was already on the stairs. He wound his way to the top floor, where Xiao Yi was standing guard. Xiao Yi instinctively tried to block him, but after catching a glimpse of Qin Yang’s cold gaze, he shuddered and didn't step forward. Without knocking, Qin Yang walked straight into Liu Yan’s office. The beautiful woman frowned slightly, looked up, and upon seeing it was Qin Yang, she seemed surprised but ignored him, continuing to discuss jewelry matters with the guests beside her.

"Alright, alright, nothing else, get going," Qin Yang stepped forward and tapped the desk. "I have some private business to discuss. If you gentlemen have any issues, come back tomorrow."

"Qin Yang!" Liu Yan said, displeased. "These are my guests!"

"Not anymore," Qin Yang rolled his eyes. He looked at the jewelers and said, "Gentlemen, what I’m discussing is a major life event. If you have any heart, give me a chance to have some privacy, won't you? Don't worry, if you come back tomorrow, you’ll be treated with the utmost hospitality. Don't mind any rudeness just now—after all, it’s a big life matter, you understand."

The jewelers were initially irritated, but they found Qin Yang’s words somewhat amusing. They didn't get angry; they stood up, said a few words to Liu Yan, and left. Once they were gone, Liu Yan said crossly, "Qin Yang, what kind of trick are you playing? Discussing a 'major life event' with me? Have you lost your mind? When I was chasing you to talk, you weren't this proactive."

"A major life event doesn't necessarily mean marriage; it can also mean career," Qin Yang sat opposite her, crossing his legs. "Let’s get straight to the point: I’m here to poach you."

"What?" Liu Yan was stunned.

Qin Yang continued, "I’m going to start a traditional Chinese medicine company and I’m short a CEO, so I came for you. I also plan to poach this Hailong Jewelry of yours. Don't tell me you aren't qualified—I know all the shares of this company are in your hands. My old man didn't take a single one. Since you’re my fiancée, what’s yours is mine. I’m taking this company, though not for you to manage."

Liu Yan was so angry she had to laugh. "Qin Yang, are you dreaming? If I don't keep some private assets, heaven knows how I’ll survive if a spendthrift like you ruins the family fortune later."

"I’m not joking," Qin Yang smiled. "I’m serious."

"And I’m not lying either," Liu Yan retorted.

Qin Yang lowered his legs and leaned his head on his hands. "You need to know that the Chinese medicine company I’m starting is meant to cover the entire world. The Black Death is running rampant again; if I have a formula for an effective drug, do you know how much money that would make? It’s not just the Black Death—I already hold formulas for effective drugs for several incurable diseases. In a few days, as long as I can research the others, my company will definitely be a world-class enterprise. Why keep the benefits for outsiders? Of course, I have to find you. I don't trust anyone else."

"Aren't you afraid I’ll run off with your formulas?" Liu Yan rolled her eyes, looking incredibly charming.

Qin Yang chuckled. "Of course not. Give me a straight answer: are you interested? It’s just a jewelry company—don't tell me you can't let it go."

"Are the formulas for these incurable diseases really true?" Liu Yan asked uncertainly.

"Of course they are," Qin Yang said matter-of-factly. "I’ll have the effective drug for the Black Death for you within five days."

"So you’re trying to play the 'empty-handed wolf' trick?" Liu Yan sneered.

Qin Yang chuckled. "Not at all. I’ve already prepared the startup capital. The paperwork at the Bureau of Industry and Commerce is almost done; I just need to pick a pharmaceutical factory and lease a few floors of office space and a research center."

"Ha, so you still have nothing," Liu Yan said, dissatisfied.

Qin Yang shook his head quickly. "If I already had everything, why would I come to you? The startup capital is ready, and I’ll even gift you shares in several international enterprises, including three international banks."

"How much startup capital do you have?" Liu Yan said, amused. "And shares in international enterprises? Do you really think I’ll believe you?"

"If I told you that before I returned from Nili, I ransacked Azalias’s palace and found share contracts for over a dozen multinational corporations in his safe, which I successfully transferred to my name, would you believe me? As for the startup capital? A small matter. Do you think I’m short on that kind of money now? Of course, besides the 20% stake in the medicine company, your compensation includes this."

As he spoke, to Liu Yan’s utter astonishment, he pulled out three gemstones: a pure, clear diamond, an emerald symbolizing luck, and a flawless, beautiful sapphire.

Picking up the smaller sapphire, Qin Yang held it before Liu Yan’s eyes. "There were plenty of sapphires in the palace, but the purity of this one is unparalleled. It’s just a bit small."

"Alright, I admit I’ve been poached." Liu Yan couldn't resist the temptation. She took the smallest but undoubtedly most precious sapphire and examined it carefully. Although she was the boss of a jewelry group, she had never seen a sapphire of such high purity. She could now imagine why it had been kept in the Nili palace collection.

"Heh heh," Qin Yang laughed triumphantly.

Seeing his smug look, Liu Yan said, "Business is business, and private matters are private. Since we’ve reached an agreement on the company, you must also satisfy me on the personal front."

"What else do you want?" Qin Yang asked, feeling a bit deflated.

"I’m your fiancée, and it seems you’ve never even taken me on a date."