After parking the car, Yu Xiaoduo gave a thumbs up and said, “Mr. Gu, well done.”
“Ms. Yu, are you satisfied?!”
“Haha, Mr. Gu, I really did that for your own good.”
“If you make me do something like that again, I’ll dock your pay!” With that, Gu Wan’er headed toward the teahouse not far away.
Yu Xiaoduo shrugged her shoulders. With such thin skin, how could she ever get anything big done?
The two soon arrived at the entrance of Deming Teahouse. Lu Zhengzhi had been waiting there early. Seeing Yu Xiaoduo and Gu Wan’er arrive together, he couldn’t help but feel curious about Yu Xiaoduo’s identity. If anyone said she was just an ordinary person, Lu Zhengzhi wouldn’t believe it for a second.
“Mr. Lu, sorry to keep you waiting,” Gu Wan’er said with a gentle smile.
“We’re all friends here, just call me by my name.”
Yu Xiaoduo was much less formal than Gu Wan’er. She cupped one hand in the other in greeting and called out, “Brother Lu, you’re looking well after just a few days.”
“Haha, Brother Yu, your good fortune with the ladies really makes us envious,” Lu Zhengzhi laughed, mimicking the same gesture.
Yu Xiaoduo felt a little embarrassed. He’s actually calling me ‘Brother Yu’? Beside her, Gu Wan’er felt a wave of helplessness. Just look at how happy Yu Xiaoduo was—acting as if she really were his girlfriend. Little rascal.
“Brother Lu, this is hardly good fortune with the ladies—it’s more like a disaster!”
No sooner had she said that than Gu Wan’er gave her a little punch with her tiny fist, leaving Yu Xiaoduo completely stunned. I was trying to clarify that we’re not a couple, and you go and do that.
You’re not actually falling for me, are you? Please don’t—the one I’m interested in is your sister. But if you don’t mind, I suppose I could think about it.
Lu Zhengzhi couldn’t take any more of this couple’s bickering and quickly led the two upstairs.
The teahouse had a really nice atmosphere—little bridges, flowing water, blooming flowers, and a small pond of modest size.
“Lu Zhengzhi, what’s this good news you mentioned?” Gu Wan’er asked curiously.
“Here’s the thing. A friend in our circle—you met him last time—his family is in urgent need of money and wants to transfer their stake in a big project. So naturally, I thought of you.”
Hearing Lu Zhengzhi’s words, Gu Wan’er felt a surge of joy inside. Such a great opportunity really exists? Yu Xiaoduo, as infuriating as she could be, was genuinely capable. If it weren’t for her bringing Lu Zhengzhi on board, this good fortune wouldn’t have come to her at all.
Just then, Yu Xiaoduo asked, “Brother Lu, how big of a project are we talking?”
“A major project with a total investment of ten billion.”
Gu Wan’er: “…”
Yu Xiaoduo had thought it would be at most ten million, or maybe a hundred million at the very highest. She never expected a project this massive. Could Gu Wan’er even handle it?
Just as Yu Xiaoduo was thinking, Gu Wan’er was also startled. She had never been involved in an investment of this scale before.
“What kind of project is it? And would you mind sharing how much stake is being transferred?” Gu Wan’er asked softly.
“You probably know about the new large-scale port project being built in Longhai City, right? It’s that one. I’m not sure exactly how much money he wants, but I’d estimate no less than three billion. The project is a collaboration between three companies. Since my family is in transportation, we also have a stake in it. It’s a sure win—no risk of loss.”
“Last year, your Gu Corporation tried to get a piece of it but didn’t succeed. If you can secure this, I imagine Gu Xiao and the others will be absolutely furious,” Lu Zhengzhi added with a chuckle.
In truth, Lu Zhengzhi had considered taking it over himself. But as Fu Quan had put it, doing so would only bring in a bit more money. Giving this big gift to Gu Wan’er, however, would definitely pay off handsomely in the long run.
Besides, Gu Wan’er was Yu Xiaoduo’s girlfriend. If you treat her well, he’ll remember that favor.
Fu Quan even felt deep down that Yu Xiaoduo’s value was greater than Gu Wan’er’s. He was certain he wasn’t misjudging—Yu Xiaoduo, like Ye Shishi, was one of those people who play the fool to catch the clever.
If Yu Xiaoduo knew what they were thinking, he would definitely shout, “It seems my strength is based on your imagination! I am KING! Activate the Emperor Engine!”
At that moment, upon hearing the minimum price of three billion, Gu Wan’er couldn’t help but feel a jolt inside. Three billion is no small sum.
But this was also her chance to turn things around. She had to seize it, no matter what.
Yu Xiaoduo looked at the burning determination in Gu Wan’er’s eyes. Geez, if someone were a con artist, you’d take the bait just like that.
On the third floor, inside a private room, Lu Zhengzhi pushed open the double wooden doors. Inside sat two men. One was Fu Quan, and the other looked very familiar.
Yu Xiaoduo suddenly remembered. This man’s surname seems to be Liang. That night, he said he admired me.
“Miss Gu, I’m so happy to see you again!” Liang Xing stood up with an excited smile.
Fu Quan smiled faintly and said, “Old Liang, her boyfriend is right next to her. You should tone it down a bit.”
“Haha, Brother Yu, don’t mind me. I’m just a big fan of your girlfriend,” Liang Xing laughed heartily, leaving Gu Wan’er with a massive headache. Great. Now everyone thinks I’m his girlfriend. What a disaster.
Yu Xiaoduo also felt a bit embarrassed. Everyone keeps treating her like my girlfriend, but she isn’t at all. What if Sister Yun’er gets the wrong idea and thinks I’m involved with her sister?
“Ah, she’s just too outstanding,” Yu Xiaoduo said with a helpless sigh.
Then Gu Wan’er chimed in, “You’d better believe it.”
Hearing their exchange, the three men couldn’t help but wonder—Are they bickering or what? It’s hilarious.
As the five of them sat down together, Fu Quan took charge of brewing the tea, his movements very practiced. “Today’s delivery is premium West Lake Longjing. Everyone, give it a try.”
Yu Xiaoduo picked up the tiny teacup. I bet this one small cup costs at least two hundred bucks.
Gu Wan’er really wanted to get down to business, but she felt it wasn’t appropriate for her to bring it up directly. So she nudged Yu Xiaoduo with her foot.
Yu Xiaoduo felt it. What are you doing? Are you in heat or something?
Just then, Liang Xing glanced at Fu Quan. Fu Quan understood immediately and smiled, saying, “Brother Yu, Gu Wan’er, I’m sure Lu Zhengzhi has already given you a general idea of the situation. Old Liang’s family is short on cash right now, so he’s planning to transfer thirty percent of his shares.”
“Mr. Liang, how much are you planning to sell it for?” Gu Wan’er asked.
Liang Xing chuckled softly and said, “My family’s been having some financial difficulties lately, otherwise I wouldn’t be selling. This project is a guaranteed moneymaker. Since we’re all friends here, I won’t beat around the bush. I put in three billion at the time, and now I’d like to sell it for four billion, with full payment required upfront.”
Fu Quan and Lu Zhengzhi didn’t find the price surprising—it was within a reasonable range. But the requirement for full upfront payment was a bit steep. Four billion was no small amount, roughly equivalent to the operating capital of most large companies. Only a conglomerate like the Gu Corporation could easily come up with that kind of money.
Hearing the price, Gu Wan’er couldn’t help but furrow her brows. Yu Xiaoduo felt like laughing. If you negotiate like this, with every thought written all over your face, I really don’t know what your family was thinking. Aren’t they afraid you’ll run the branch into the ground?
Gu Wan’er didn’t want to be like this either, but with her own fate at stake, it was hard to stay composed. Her position in the company was already precarious. Forget four billion—even four million would be hard for her to mobilize, unless she could convince her father.
