After Divorce, I Can Hear the Future

Chapter 92: Three Hundred Million in Savings, A Few Houses as a Reward

“So modest—why not aim higher?” Wang Xiaocong exclaimed in surprise. One hundred million USD was merely a little over 600 million yuan.

If Wang’s father was willing to transfer the entire remaining balance of his funds, he alone could cover the whole amount.

There’s nothing deadlier than a subtle flex. Who else casually hands their son 500 million yuan in cash for a startup?

Lu Liang sighed. “Let’s test the waters first. I’d love to raise tens of billions of dollars, but someone has to invest, right?”

Xiao Wang looked unimpressed and replied in a lecturing tone, “Lu, you’ve got to broaden your horizons. Even if the three of us don’t invest, one hundred million USD split into fifty shares won’t be enough to go around.”

Meng Changkun sided with Xiao Wang, adding, “Young Master Wang has a point. The target should be at least 200 million USD. That way, the three of us can invest, and it’ll also encourage others to follow.”

Lu Liang shook his head firmly. “Let’s stick with 100 million USD for the first phase. Each of us takes five shares. If you think the allocation is too small, I’m willing to give up my five shares for you.”

His decision to limit the fund size to 100 million USD was the result of careful deliberation.

His own capital reserves were limited. If the fund size were increased, his follow-up investment would have to grow proportionately. Five shares already required 10 million USD; raising the fund to 200 million USD would mean taking ten or more shares.

With 3.1 billion yuan in cash on hand, Lu Liang had too many things waiting for funding. He needed to spend his money wisely.

Moreover, holding 60% equity meant that if the fund earned 1 billion USD, his share would be 120 million. He preferred to leave more profit for others.

The most crucial reason was that Meng and Xiao Wang were aligning too closely, which could lead to trouble. Lu Liang needed to nip this in the bud—the company had to remain under his control.

Today, they might ask for five shares; tomorrow, they could demand ten. No matter how good the partnership, vigilance was essential.

Earnings could be reduced, but sovereignty could not be compromised.

Meng, perceptive as ever, quickly realized Lu Liang’s concerns. He turned to Xiao Wang and advised, “Let’s stick with 100 million USD for now. After all, this is the first phase. If the results are good, we can launch another round—we don’t have to wait a whole year.”

Xiao Wang, straightforward as always, didn’t overthink and nodded in agreement. “Lu, are you serious about giving up your five shares?”

Lu Liang smiled and nodded. Xiao Wang turned to Meng. “What about you, Lao Meng? Are you giving up yours?”

Meng coughed lightly. “Well, I suppose…”

“So, I’ll take three shares, and you take two. Sound good?” Xiao Wang cut in, clearly unimpressed with Meng’s hesitancy.

“Whatever you decide, Young Master Wang,” Meng replied with a grin.

“Tomorrow, I’ll have a subsidiary company set up with a pledged capital of 100 million USD and an initial paid-in capital of 10 million. The 62-20-20 equity split remains unchanged. You two handle the subscriptions—money first, no favors,” Lu Liang declared.

With a smile, Lu Liang raised his glass to close the deal. Wang and Meng followed suit, and the three clinked glasses.

That night, they inevitably ended up at a bar. It was Xiao Wang’s preference, and despite their initial refusals, they eventually gave in.

The next day, Lu Liang withdrew all his account funds and settled the books. Just as the money arrived, he received a call from Branch Manager Liu of ICBC.

Even over the phone, Liu’s obsequious tone was evident. “Mr. Lu, I noticed 16.2635 million USD and 149 million yuan were deposited into your account. Was this your operation?”

“Yes. I’ll be heading to the bank shortly with Mr. Meng Changkun to open a corporate account,” Lu Liang replied.

“Understood, understood! Incidentally, I’ve just received some Wuyi Mountain second-generation mother tree tea leaves from a friend. I’ll be awaiting your arrival,” Liu said eagerly.

Lu Liang chuckled and hung up, calling Meng to accompany him to the bank for the settlement.

He directly transferred 93.1075 million yuan to Meng, then opened a corporate account for Tianxing Asset Management. This account would serve as the fund’s primary account.

Branch Manager Liu grinned from ear to ear. “I heard private equity procedures can be tricky. Do you need assistance?”

Meng’s expression darkened, and he coughed sharply. “Lao Liu, I’m still here. I’ll handle this myself.”

As a shareholder and the future general manager, Meng felt obligated to handle these matters impeccably.

Lu Liang smiled. “Lao Meng, Branch Manager Liu, you two chat. I have other matters to attend to.”

The previous night, they had delegated responsibilities: Lu Liang would raise funds, Xiao Wang would fend off unwanted distractions, and Meng would manage day-to-day affairs.

Everyone had their role, and if Meng couldn’t perform his duties, neither Lu Liang nor Xiao Wang would tolerate it.

As Lu Liang left, Liu followed him to the bank’s entrance. Watching him go, Liu suddenly remarked, “They say a great roc can rise with the wind and soar 90,000 li. Truly impressive.”

Turning back to Meng, he added with mock indignation, “Lao Meng, you’ve got incredible luck.”

The two were old friends. Once upon a time, Liu was just an ordinary loan officer, and Meng was a small-time middleman.

Through years of mutual support and relentless effort, one became a bank manager, the other a successful businessman.

Meng beamed with pride. “My eye for talent has always been impeccable. I told you to leave the bank and work with me, but you wouldn’t listen.”

Branch Manager Liu smirked. “If I had left the bank in ‘08, you’d have been done for. There’d be no ‘Boss Meng’ today.”

Meng retorted, “For f***’s sake, can you stop bringing that up?”

“Never forget a favor,” Liu said, grinning. “You owe me for life.”

“How about drinks on me tonight?” Meng offered.

“Now we’re talking,” Liu replied, satisfied.

Meanwhile, Lu Liang drove away from the bank and headed toward a real estate office where he had worked for eight years.

From a distance, he noticed a pretty girl standing by the roadside, kicking a pebble absentmindedly.

Lu Liang pulled up next to her, rolled down the window, and greeted her with a smile. “Xiaowen, long time no see.”

When Lu Liang’s net worth hit one billion yuan, he rewarded himself with a car. Now that it had surpassed three billion, it was time for some real estate investments.

The first person who came to mind was Zhou Xiaowen, a protégé he had personally mentored. Lu Liang remembered how she had stood up for him when he left the company, only to be scolded to tears for her loyalty.

Zhou Xiaowen widened her round eyes, hesitant to recognize him. “Brother Lu?”

Lu Liang hadn’t changed much—he was leaner, which made his features appear more defined. But his demeanor was vastly different, exuding an aura that she couldn’t quite describe.

It was similar to the vibe of big-shot clients who bought houses in bulk, yet somehow distinct.

“What’s the matter? You don’t recognize me after just six months?” Lu Liang teased, gesturing for her to get in.

“No way,” Xiaowen said, her voice tinged with relief. The familiar tone and cadence eased her wariness. She curiously glanced at the car’s interior. “This car must’ve cost a fortune, huh?”

“Not really, just a few million yuan,” Lu Liang replied as he drove toward Tongji University’s campus. He planned to purchase a property nearby.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, Su Wanyu would soon move to Shanghai. Her cramped studio apartment reminded Lu Liang of his early struggles in the city. While the past held sentimental value, it paled in comparison to his current success and wasn’t worth lingering over.

Lu Liang planned to buy a house there, then subtly coax Su Wanyu into moving in. With a few excuses to stay over occasionally, their relationship would surely progress rapidly.

“Liar. No way it’s that expensive,” Xiaowen replied, skeptical. She discreetly checked the car’s price on her phone.

Her eyes widened in shock, and Lu Liang asked with a chuckle, “Now do you believe me?”

“Brother Lu, did you win the lottery?” she asked, stunned.

“Something like that.”

“No wonder you fell out with Old Liu back then,” Xiaowen mused. Hearing it was a lottery win made it more palatable. She occasionally bought lottery tickets herself, dreaming of financial freedom.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up with excitement. “Brother Lu, you came to see me today—does that mean you’re here to help me hit my sales target?”

“Not bad,” Lu Liang said, pleased. “You’ve improved over these six months, taking the initiative with clients.”

“Ah, it’s all thanks to your teaching!” Xiaowen beamed. Lu Liang used to scold her for being slow, so his praise now felt especially sweet.

“Check if there are any properties for sale near the Tongji University campus,” Lu Liang said.

Xiaowen opened a real estate app displaying all listed properties in Shanghai. Different agencies managed different properties, but they could arrange viewings regardless of ownership.

If a deal went through, the closing agency would pay a portion of their commission to the original listing agency.

“What’s the average price in that area?” Lu Liang asked. He hadn’t dealt with clients from that part of the city before and wasn’t familiar with the pricing.

“Last month, the average transaction price was 38,500 yuan per square meter. What price range are you looking at, Brother Lu?”

“Around 10 million yuan,” Lu Liang replied.

“10 million gives you plenty of options…” Xiaowen froze mid-sentence, her eyes wide as saucers. “Brother Lu, what did you say?”

“10 million. Is something wrong?” Lu Liang asked, his playful tone teasing his former apprentice.

“Brother Lu, are you the one who emptied that 320 million lottery pool?” Xiaowen asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.

She’d read about Lu Liang, the private equity investor, online. But it never crossed her mind that her Brother Lu could be the same person.

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