Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Pei Rang Returns
"How’d you find out about this place? The noodles are pretty good!" Su Chen asked, wiping his mouth.
"My girlfriend recommended it. Said the food here was not bad," Sicong replied without looking up.
Hearing this, Su Chen remembered that the man in front of him was a playboy who changed girlfriends as often as he changed clothes.
BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ~
Su Chen was about to say something more when his phone on the table started buzzing. A flicker of excitement passed through his eyes when he saw the caller ID.
"Are you back from Xiangjiang?"
"Uh... I’m back. I just left Hongqiao Airport. I was about to call and ask where you are, Boss."
Su Chen glanced at Sicong, who was still slurping his noodles. "I’m in Jing’an right now, but I’ll be heading back soon. Just go straight to my place and wait for me."
After hanging up, Su Chen saw Sicong looking at him with a teasing expression.
"Well, well. I thought Eldest Young Master Su was a saint. But you’re already bringing them home with you. Looks like I shouldn’t disturb you this afternoon!" After speaking, he shot Su Chen a look that said, ’I get you, bro.’
The more Su Chen listened, the weirder this sounded.
"Damn it, can you get your mind out of the gutter? That was the head of my company on the phone. They just got back from a business trip to Xiangjiang!" Su Chen shot him an exasperated look.
"Ah... my bad. I thought it was..." Sicong cleared his throat twice, too embarrassed to continue.
"Alright, I’m heading back. I’ve got things to take care of at home." With that, Su Chen stood up and walked out.
"Wait for me! How am I supposed to get back without a car?!"
Su Chen had originally planned to drop Sicong off at the convention center so he could drive his own car home. But who would have thought Sicong would shamelessly insist on going back with Su Chen, using the excuse that he wanted to see where Su Chen lived so it would be easier to visit next time.
Looking at Sicong in the passenger seat, Su Chen shook his head helplessly, stepped on the gas, and the blue Rolls-Royce once again became a sight to behold on the streets.
........
"Tsk, tsk. Young Master Su, you really know how to live. This view from the penthouse of One Seaside is so good, even I want it," Sicong sighed, standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Su Chen sat on the sofa, holding a fruit platter. "If you want it, just buy it," he said while eating. "It’s not like you’re short on cash, Young Master Wang."
"Sigh... every family has its own problems."
Just then, Aunt Tang came over.
"Mr. Su, you have a visitor."
Hearing this, Su Chen placed the fruit platter on the table and stood up. "Please take him to my study."
He then glanced at Sicong, who wasn’t far away, and said, "Make yourself at home for a bit. I need to discuss something with my subordinate."
Sicong nodded. The truth was, he had tagged along out of curiosity. He’d noticed that Su Chen’s expression was unusual—too excited—during the phone call. Furthermore, as far as he knew, Su Chen didn’t own any companies, which only piqued his interest.
That’s why he’d joked around and played the fool, just so he could follow Su Chen home and see what was going on. If there was a chance to make money, he wanted to hitch a ride.
Soon, Sicong saw a well-dressed, middle-aged man walk in carrying a briefcase. Led by Aunt Tang, the man headed straight upstairs. As he passed through the living room, Sicong noticed the man glance at him, but his expression remained completely unchanged.
Not even a flicker of surprise.
Upstairs, in the study.
"Boss." Pei Rang respectfully placed the briefcase in his hands on the desk.
"Good work."
Su Chen opened the briefcase. Inside was all the paperwork for the company acquisition.
"Yunmengze Capital!"
This was the company name Su Chen and Pei Rang had decided on after several discussions. It was taken from Jia Zhi’s line: "Spring is born in Yunmengze, its waters overflowing into Dongting Lake."
The implication was that the newly-born Yunmengze Capital would one day become a leader in the investment industry.
After looking through them, Su Chen confirmed there were no issues and put all the documents back into the briefcase.
"Did you accomplish anything else on this trip to Xiangjiang?"
Pei Rang’s trip to Xiangjiang wasn’t just to acquire the company; it was also to prepare for snatching a tooth from a tiger’s mouth.
At these words, an excited look instantly appeared on Pei Rang’s face.
"Boss, I’ve already used my connection with Aik to contact Citibank. I’ve opened a corporate investment account with them, and we’ve reached a preliminary agreement. The final decisions will still need your approval."
Pei Rang then went over the details of the account and his discussion with Citibank for Su Chen.
Su Chen nodded as he listened. The preliminary work was basically done. Now, all they had to do was wait patiently.
In truth, Su Chen was a little nervous. He hadn’t thought much about whether he would make a profit; he just didn’t want to be routed and sent fleeing from the stock market. After all, this was his first major investment, and he didn’t want to fail.
Trying to get a piece of the pie from Wall Street investment giants like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley was going to be incredibly difficult.
"We’ll discuss the specifics when we get to Xiangjiang. By the way, the office space for the company has been arranged. Take your team to check it out later. If there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, we can make changes promptly. Also, I’ll introduce you to my private secretary."
"Yes, Boss!"
Su Chen called Secretary Li to ask about company procurement, then told her about Pei Rang, arranging for them to meet at the company office later.
After arranging everything, Su Chen had Pei Rang head back first to take his investment team to the office. He himself would drive over later.
"Finished with your business?" Sicong asked, looking up as Su Chen came downstairs.
"Not yet. I have to go to the company in a bit."
"The company? Young Master Su, what company?" Sicong asked curiously.
Su Chen shot him a glance and didn’t hide it. "An investment firm. Just started. It’s just a handful of people, nothing compared to your Pus Investment."
As soon as he heard it was a newly created investment firm, Sicong’s curiosity vanished. As someone with experience in the field, he knew that the early stages of an investment company were extremely difficult. Having money didn’t guarantee you could find good projects; you also needed connections and channels to find investment opportunities.
The two chatted for a little longer before Sicong announced his departure. He had come with an exploratory mindset, but once he knew the details, he lost interest.
After seeing Sicong off, Su Chen drove straight to Jinmao Mansion. As this was his first company, Su Chen was taking it very seriously.
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Meanwhile, after leaving Su Chen’s home, Pei Rang headed straight for the apartment where the investment team was staying.
This was the apartment building near Lujiazui that Su Chen had specifically rented for them after transferring him one million yuan.
The moment he walked in the door, he was surrounded by a group of people.
"Brother Pei, you’re finally back! What’s the situation? It’s been days with no news. We weren’t scammed, were we?!"
"Yeah, Brother Pei! We’re all going stir-crazy cooped up in our rooms all day!"
Listening to everyone talk at once, Pei Rang’s ears started ringing.
"Alright, alright, quiet down! I’m here today to take you all to the company. Hurry up and get ready. The boss will be coming later too!"
Hearing that the boss was also coming, the group let out a collective cheer and rushed back to their rooms to wash up, all wanting to make a good first impression.
