Tit For Tat (Beloved Enemy) - Chap 105
After GuQingPei returned home, he immediately called his assistant and asked him to find out more details with the Entrepreneurs Association’s credit union project with soliciting shareholders. He had no idea what YuanYang’s plan is, but he knew that the old fox, YuanLiJiang won’t go easy and lose to his own son. Unless for whatever reasons, he takes the initiative to give in.
After his assistant took on the task, he reported another incident to him, informing him that the senior executives for the WeiShui project were getting a little impatient. It seemed as though they are beginning to doubt that he is ill.
GuQingPei didn’t intend to pretend any longer. Just yesterday, he had attended a public event where many people recognized him. It would be difficult to ensure that this news won’t spread to those people’s ears. Continuing to drag this situation on would only create discord among the two companies. He thought for a moment and then tells the assistant, “Give them a call and tell them that the contract agreement will be signed the day after tomorrow. The money will be transferred to the account on the same day.”
“Director Gu, where are we going to get the money?”
“If we’re really out of options, I can only pay out of my own pocket first.” GuQingPei comforted, “Don’t worry, there will always be a way. This afternoon, Director Wu and I will go to TangSuNan Loan to meet up with Director Ding. Our company also have a few commercial housing units that can be mortgaged. Gather and straighten out all the information needed, I’m going to come back to the company at 3pm.”
“Ok. Got it.”
“Oh and..…….”
“Is there something else, Director Gu?”
“If my cell phone is tapped, do you know how to fix that?”
“Uh……”
“Aren’t you learning about computers? You should know something, right? ”
“Generally, you can just use a hacking software. It’s not a difficult task, but to fix it, would cost some money.”
“That’s fine, help me do it immediately.”
“Okay, do you want to call the police?”
GuQingPei smiled, “Silly boy, don’t need to call the police, just fix this quickly.”
GuQingPei hung up and glanced at the time. It’s not even 11 yet so there was enough time for him to just rest a bit.
He leaned on the couch. His back and legs are sore and his private part scorchingly painful. When he was walking, it was inevitable that there would be friction from rubbing against his skin. This is very embarrassing. When he thought of the scenario from last night, there is still some lingering fear even now.
He tried to avoid being idle or his mind would constantly think about his situation with YuanYang. But he couldn’t help it. He doesn’t even want to move his fingers at the moment. When his body stops moving, his mind will quickly start to race. As result, his mind is still full of YuanYang.
The more he thought, the more confused he became. In this state of confusion, he suddenly realized something. Grabbing onto his phone, he searched the internet for “YaoShin Securities.” The newspaper article had mentioned that LiuZiWen is the daughter of the CEO of YaoShin’s Securities. He does not know whether it was his own illusion or misconception, but he’s always felt that the attitude between YuanYang and LiuZiWen is somewhat strange. But, it could just be because YuanYang did not use his menacingly roguish behavior on the girl like he did on him.
The first news that popped up was that YaoShin Securities had fallen into a crisis of credibility. It was suspected of merging with other securities companies to manipulate the broader market. Some of the rumors were that it may face persecution. However, the only scoop he found was from this one internet site. He couldn’t find any news in mainstream media. And this scoop reported by the internet site is really new. GuQingPei guessed that it would have been deleted in a little more time.
Regardless of whether this scoop is true or false, at the very least, it had already impacted YaoShin Securities. The securities trading industry is very dark and corrupt, consisting of several large companies relying on insider information to manipulate the general investors. There are endless cases of profiteering, but some does it at a much smaller scale, some do it underhandedly and hasn’t been discovered. GuQingPei was not deeply involved in the financial industry but he was still very concerned that such news broke out about a large securities company. In particular, when he thought of LiuZiWen, as the daughter of that company’s CEO, he always felt that he should know more about it.
He called a friend in the industry regarding the news with YaoShin Securities.
This friend also didn’t know much about it. Only said that the scoop has been watching YaoShin Securities very closely for a long while now, many of its reported news are true. It is likely that YaoShin Securities is facing some troubles. As for the any specific details to the story, it is beyond his reach.
After hanging up the phone, GuQingPei’s doubt is even deeper. How can YuanYang not know about this? What is he really thinking?
In the afternoon, GuQingPei dragged his exhausted body, and along with the company’s CFO went to the small loan company. He is in desperate need of money. The biggest advantage of a small loan company is that it is several times faster than conventional banks, but the downside is that the interest rate is also high.
For the time being, he did not want to sign the loan contract with YuanYang because he hadn’t yet figured out what his intentions are. He was not at ease. Although he felt that YuanYang would not harm him, but YuanYang had indeed changed a lot. In this business world, every step must be guarded.
GuQingPei hasn’t been feeling well at all. But when he arrived at the small loan company, he persevered in completing the business negotiations, so much that the manager, who was in his early forties with average abilities, was stunned. His CFO truly admired his tenacity.
After the talks, GuQingPei left some information on the real estate dealings and left. On the way back to the company, he received a call from YuanYang.
YuanYang got straight to the point and asked, “I’ve sent some information to your email, have you seen it?”
“Haven’t had time yet.”
“How much longer do you need to consider?”
“This is such a huge investment, at least a month’s time.”
“We don’t have that much time. The competition now is to see who can pull out the funding the quickest.”
GuQingPei was silent for a moment before responding, “YuanYang, this matter is too hasty. I can’t immediately agree to it. I need to discuss this with the Board.”
YuanYang was dejected for a long while before asking, “You don’t believe me, right?”
GuQingPei did not speak.
With a forced lowly laugh, “Do you think that I will deceive you?”
“Then why are you still refusing to tell me your reason for wanting to cooperate with me?”
“Is it that fucking hard to guess? I want you to join me in making money. I have a piece of candy and want to share the taste of sweetness with you. Seeing you fucking running around everywhere trying to raise funds for financing is really pissing me off… so not like the all mighty and powerful boss that I know you to be. Otherwise, why would I persist in your little-known company?”
GuQingPei took a deep breath. For a moment, he could not speak.
Is it really what YuanYang said? That he just wanted to share this opportunity to make money with him? YuanYang toward him…could he still….?
Once again, GuQingPei’s mind conjured up the image of YuanYang holding LiuZiWen appearing together. They look so perfectly compatible that he could not get this image off his mind. He blurted out, “Don’t you hate me very much? Why are you helping me?”
He must be insane to be saying such crazy words in front of the driver and the CFO. He can feel the two people in the front wanting to look back but are afraid to do so, as they tried their hardest to conceal their curiosity.
But he just wanted to hear what YuanYang had to say.
YuanYang paused for a while, “Isn’t it that you don’t want to see me? Wanting to quickly cease all connections with me? Didn’t you try to hide from me, even leaving the country to do that? How can I let this wish of yours come true? If I even let you have another day of comfort, I will feel troubled.”
GuQingPei gently sigh and asked softly, “YuanYang, you still like me, right?”
There was a long silence on the other end of the phone. The other two people in the car were afraid to take a breath.
All of YuanYang’s behaviors thus far have left GuQingPei increasingly puzzled. Maybe YuanYang really still had feelings for him or maybe all this was just his illusion. He only hoped that YuanYang would tell him the truth.
YuanYang’s response was a short, contemptuous phrase, “You don’t deserve to know.” Then, he hung up.
GuQingPei dazedly listen to the silence on the other line; it was a very long time before he regained his senses.
He looked at the two guys that had stiffened in the front seats and lightly smiled, “Relationship problems, must seem foolish to you.”
The CFO smiled awkwardly, “That’s normal… quite normal.”
“Let’s head back to the company for a meeting. There is a project I want to discuss with you guys.”
“Oh, what is it about?”
“About investing in a Worker’s labor credit union.”
After GuQingPei returned to the company, he convened a meeting with the senior executives to discuss the feasibility of this project.
Unexpectedly, everyone’s response seem to be good and thought that it is worth investing.
There are two main risks in this matter. The first one is whether the credit union can be successfully approved. However, everyone has agreed that with YuanLiJiang’s prestige and ability, he must have opened up the connections in all levels to be so daring to openly solicit shareholders. Otherwise, YuanLiJiang would have become a fraudulent borrower with this illegal financing. With the Yuan family’s reputation and status in Beijing, this is definitely something that won’t happen.
The second risk is when to act upon it. Just this unknown timing problem can deter a lot of capable investors. After all, taking at least 50 million in cash or assets out of stocks to invest in this project would constrain both cash and assets. Before the credit union is approved, these investments can’t be moved nor cashed out. This is not a small setback even for large companies. Cash flow is a lifeline that must not be cut off. If the approval process is delayed for two or three years, they will be done with, not to mention that 50 million can only account for 5% of the stocks.
But for companies such as GuQingPei’s, that had just been registered, the business development has not yet been fully established and its operation projects are relatively small, this actually lessens their concerns. As long as they don’t start any large-scale projects, they won’t need such a huge sum of capital. They have not yet branched out, unlike some companies that would essentially have to dismantle an eastern wall to repair the western wall. Therefore, there is no risk of the capital chain breaking.
Several people analyzed this for an entire afternoon. The Chief Financial Officer even made a rough analysis on the spot, assuming that as long as the credit union can be approved within two years, an expansion of at least 100 sub-divisions in Beijing will happen within 3 years. Those are also affordable in terms of funding. The company’s operations will not be affected too much. At most, it would just limit the pace of development. They all think that this is a very good opportunity for their company. Possessing the credit union’s controlling shares isn’t even a necessity as long as they can get 20% of the shares; it would be comparable to a major shareholder of a small bank. At that time, would they have to worry about insufficient funding or about their future development? From the perspective of long-term benefits, they should sacrifice their immediate interests and mortgage the land to secure the company’s long-term developmental growth.
After the meeting was over, GuQingPei’s head is already throbbing in pain. He sat in the office and deeply pondered over the feasibility of the project as his eyelids fought to close.
This is really strange. He had always been a very competent person with immense experience. How can lacking sleep from last night make him feel so sleepy? GuQingPei patted his forehead and felt that his temperature is somewhat abnormal.
Can it be that he has a fever?
GuQingPei shouted, “Xiao Min, come in here for second.”
The little secretary pushed the door open and walked in, “Yes, Director Gu?”
“Feel my head to see if I have a fever?”
The little girl blushed and stretch out her hand to touch GuQingPei’s forehead, frowning, “Director Gu, you really do have a fever.”
GuQingPei forcibly smiled, “People do say, those who pretend to be sick will really get sick. This is definitely karma. I’m gonna head home. If anything comes up, just call me.”
“I’ll ask the driver to take you back.”
“Don’t need to. I can drive fine.”
After GuQingPei drove home, he couldn’t even prop himself up. Collapsing on the couch, he didn’t want to move at all. It turned out to be a hard day today and not just from the excessive indulgence from last night.
He turned over and lay back on the couch. Looking at the bright ceiling, his heart filled with unbelievable loneliness.
At the age of 35 and still single, with no one by his side comforting him nor care to ask when he is sick. He finally understood why his parents always urged him to find someone to settle down and have a child. One day when he gets really old and can’t move, if there is still no one around, that would be such a depressing lonesome outlook. Even if he was to have a lot of money, what use is there?
Who can be by his side?
YuanYang?
GuQingPei forcefully smiled and closed his eyes. He is becoming more and more baffled with YuanYang. But he knew YuanYang would not be the one to be with him till old age. YuanYang will eventually walk the path of a normal man. He will get married, have children and live the rest of his life wonderfully. In his youth, he would have entangled with him for a few years to unleash his youthful impulses and pass the time. This will not bring any negative influence to YuanYang’s brilliant future life. But only for him, that have stepped into this ditch and still not able to climb back out.
The more successful he (GuQingPei) is in his career; the more void his heart felt. Remembering the days when he was together with YuanYang two years ago, the YuanYang at that time, even though he was a rude and unreasonable rascal who often gets him so enraged that he’d grit his teeth, there were also times that YuanYang was really adorable. Furthermore, YuanYang would never hide the fact that he likes him.
If there is not such an awful start between them…no such terrible video… and no YuanLiJiang in the way hindering them, it would be such a wonderful thing.
GuQingPei rolled over and curled up. His heart was too painful. He couldn’t stretch his limbs. Smiling and laughing at himself, ‘GuQingPei, you are really cheap.’
