Chapter 82: Field Investigation

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Field Investigation

Ding Yong asked in surprise, "A new firm? How strong are they? I need a lot of money. A small fund won’t cut it!"

Li Guoqiang really couldn’t gauge Chen Xiao’s true strength, but he had heard Chen Xiao mention that Junxiao Capital had 800 million in paid-in capital.

The key thing was, he didn’t know if Ding Yong’s project aligned with their investment focus.

He didn’t dare make any promises, so he just said, "They’re pretty strong. I’ll ask first and let you know how it goes!"

Ding Yong nodded. He didn’t even hold out hope for an established firm like Hongsheng Capital.

A newly established company’s capital would probably be too small to meet his needs. He sighed and said, "Brother, go ahead and ask. At least it’s another glimmer of hope!"

He clinked glasses with Li Guoqiang again. "Ah, you only find out who your real friends are when you’re down on your luck!"

"Back when I wasn’t short on cash, I had tons of friends and endless dinner invitations. Now that I’m broke, everyone avoids me like the plague, terrified I’m going to ask them for money."

After drinking a glass with him, Li Guoqiang said, "Yeah, but that’s life. You have to go through a lot to understand things. It’s not a bad thing. Brother Yong, I believe you’ll make a comeback!"

Ding Yong glanced at Gao Yue, thought for a moment, and said, "Xiao Gao isn’t an outsider. I won’t hide it from you, brother. I’m currently one billion in debt. That’s no small number!"

"This Hongmeng Intelligent Selection investment is my only chance right now. If it works out, I can definitely turn things around in a few years. If not, I’m doomed for good!"

Li Guoqiang nodded and said, "Brother Yong, I don’t have a lot, but I can scrape together 10 million. If you need it, just say the word!"

"As for finding an investor, I’ll ask around for you. I’m pretty familiar with the person in charge over there!"

Ding Yong was genuinely touched. Back when real estate was booming, he wouldn’t have even blinked at 10 million.

Now, no one was even willing to lend him 100,000. After all, once you’re down on your luck, who knows if you can ever pay it back.

"Brother, I don’t want to borrow from you. Of course, if you insist on lending it, I’ll pay you interest. I suggest you invest with me. This is absolutely one of the safest deals in the last couple of years!"

He didn’t take the matter of finding an investor seriously. He didn’t even ask Li Guoqiang which firm he was talking about, subconsciously feeling that Hongsheng was more reliable. If Hongsheng didn’t work out, he’d look for other investors then.

Li Guoqiang said, "Then thank you for the opportunity, Brother Yong. Let’s have another drink!"

When they parted ways that night, Li Guoqiang thought Ding Yong and Gao Yue had some "private plans," but he later realized that Ding Yong had come with a driver, while Gao Yue drove home by herself.

’He couldn’t quite figure out why Ding Yong had brought a beautiful woman along tonight. Was it really just so Gao Yue’s friend could get him an introduction to Liu Hongsheng?’

’Or maybe Ding Yong just trusts Gao Yue a lot. That’s the only way to understand it.’

The next day, the weather was clear and fine!

Since they lived closer to the auto mall, Li Xiao and Gao Yue arrived a few minutes early.

Xu Wu had borrowed Chen Xiao’s Mercedes-Benz last time, so she definitely couldn’t borrow it again today. And she certainly couldn’t drive her own Golf; otherwise, the act she put on last time would be exposed, and that would be so awkward.

She took the subway, so her journey was a bit slower.

"Ah Yue, how much do you think Miss Xu actually makes a month? Judging by her spending, she seems pretty well-off!"

With nothing better to do, Li Xiao started gossiping again.

Hearing this, Gao Yue said, "I asked her if she makes 50,000 a month. She said yes, so I didn’t press her on it."

’A monthly salary of 50,000? For people our age in Jiangzhou, that’s definitely a high salary!’

"Does that include bonuses? Salespeople get bonuses, you know!"

Gao Yue said, "I didn’t ask that, but I think it does. Otherwise, she wouldn’t still be thinking about moving to a capital management firm. The pay over there is only a few tens of thousands at best! Without bonuses, it might be even less than that."

Li Xiao nodded and said, "Well, if that includes sales commission, then it’s not that impressive. Her base salary might even be lower than ours!"

They felt outshone by Xu Wu in every way and were always trying to find some area where they were superior to her, just to feel a sense of validation.

"We’ll try to probe her again later. Logically speaking, her compensation shouldn’t be higher than ours!"

"Exactly! I’m the chairman’s secretary, so my salary is on the high end for upper-middle management. And Ah Yue, you’re a mid-level manager. Even though the real estate market is in a slump, your salary is still pretty good!"

"I looked up the company Miss Xu works for. Their annual sales are just over 100 million. How could a company like that afford to pay high salaries?"

Just then, Xu Wu arrived, right on time.

They had a feeling that Xu Wu had gotten even more beautiful. Compared to two days ago, she seemed even more confident.

"Ah Yue, Xiao Xiao, have you been waiting long?"

The two exchanged a look, and both could see the helplessness in each other’s eyes.

Before Xu Wu arrived, most passersby would turn their heads to get a second look at the two of them and their long, bare legs.

The moment Xu Wu showed up, the focus immediately shifted. The two of them became mere background characters, while she was the star at the center of the stage.

After a few pleasantries, Xu Wu asked, "Ah Yue, why did you have us meet at the auto mall today?"

Gao Yue said, "I need to ask Xiao Xiao for a favor, so I thought I’d bring you guys to see the dealership and get an idea of the place!"

Li Xiao asked curiously, "What is it? We’re good friends, you could have just told me over the phone!"

"There’s a Libao 4S Store up ahead. We can talk as we look around!"

"Ah Yue, you’re not planning to take us to that BMW 4S store, are you?"

Gao Yue said, "That’s right. I’ll show you the dealership first, then I’ll tell you what I need your help with!"

"Oh, what’s there to see? My family bought our BMW at this very dealership. I know the sales manager there really well!"

Gao Yue was taken aback for a second, then laughed. "You should have said so earlier! If you had, we wouldn’t have made this trip!"

Xu Wu said from the side, "Well, since we’re already here, let’s go in and take a look. I’ve never been. We can check it out!"

’Since I haven’t decided what car to buy yet anyway,’ she thought, ’I can use this as an opportunity to look around.’

On the way there, Li Xiao, being much more familiar with the place than Gao Yue, started telling the other two about the dealership.

The Libao 4S Store was the most successful BMW dealership in Jiangzhou. Of course, their best-selling models were the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series.

She once again lectured the two of them that the 3 Series was nothing special—it was just the entry-level model, and the interior felt full of cheap plastic. You had to go for the 5 Series, she said, which had the true essence of a BMW.

Great to drive, comfortable to ride in, and a real status symbol!

As they entered the 4S store, the sales manager Li Xiao knew happened to be at the entrance greeting customers. He saw her and immediately called out, "Hello, President Li!"

Li Xiao felt a swell of pride and said, "I’m just showing a couple of friends around!"

The sales manager’s surname was Lu. He took one look at Xu Wu and Gao Yue—both beautiful women with extraordinary auras—and saw them as potential customers.

He immediately smiled and stepped forward. "Do you have a particular model in mind, or would you like me to give you an introduction?"

Gao Yue was about to say that they weren’t there to buy a car, but just to check out the dealership.

Xu Wu cut in first and asked, "Manager Lu, what’s the best-selling SUV at your dealership?"