Chapter 517 - 309: People

Chapter 517: Chapter 309: People

"Acquire it. A complete acquisition!"

"Which bank is it?"

Lin Chu’s tone was firm and carried a hint of a smile.

Hearing this, Bian Gaige quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

The amount of bad debt was actually quite high.

After all, Beisen Bank’s total assets were only around ten billion.

He had been genuinely worried that Lin Chu would veto the deal.

But he hadn’t expected Lin Chu to agree so readily.

Of course, objectively speaking, although the bank wasn’t particularly strong, it was the most suitable option for them right now.

"Beisen Bank. Headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal, with a full banking license. It currently has 102 branches worldwide and has been in operation for 26 years."

"Their methods are a bit unorthodox. Their main profit driver in recent years has been providing settlement channels for Bitcoin transactions."

Hm?

’This information...’

It gave Lin Chu slight pause.

’I’ve looked into things like virtual currencies before. They can be seen as global safe-haven assets, a tool for shorting fiat currencies.’

’But I never thought a bank would actually make this its main line of business.’

’I guess it’s true... fortune favors the bold.’

However, for a bank with a history of only twenty-something years, it wasn’t so surprising that it would take big steps and expand into emerging fields in pursuit of growth.

After all, many banks in Europe had histories of one or two hundred years and had long since carved up all the prime clients and assets.

To make a mark, one naturally had to blaze a new trail.

"It doesn’t matter. Let’s acquire it first and talk later."

Lin Chu once again gave his firm approval.

’For me, the issue right now is simply having one versus not having one.’

’Everything else can be considered after that.’

For any other tycoon, asset security would undoubtedly be the primary consideration.

But for him, it was completely different.

’During a period of expansion, you can’t get bogged down in the details.’

’The numbers on a balance sheet are meaningless to me.’

"What’s their planned opening offer?"

Lin Chu asked another question.

"It hasn’t been settled, but we estimate it will fluctuate in the range of 9 to 12 billion US Dollars."

"They might have other demands as well. We haven’t discussed those yet; it will take some more time."

Bian Gaige replied.

"Okay, let’s leave it at that for now. You continue the talks with them. We’ll discuss the details when I’m back at the hotel."

Lin Chu hung up the phone.

A project this massive obviously couldn’t be completed in a day or two.

Although time was tight, he wasn’t in that much of a hurry.

’Still, it’s a good start.’

A bank!

The first step into the world of finance!

’However, there’s another problem I need to solve right now.’

’I need to find... a stand-in.’

’Even an asset like a bank will have to be given away to get the rebate.’

’I should be keeping a fairly low profile right now.’

’So I need a brother to act as a nominee shareholder for this.’

’Preferably a foreigner.’

’A shared cultural background would be helpful. It’s called adapting to local conditions.’

’At the same time, it wouldn’t attract as much media attention.’

’But right now, I really don’t have anyone suitable for the job.’

Heh!

An old saying instantly popped into Lin Chu’s mind—What is most precious? Talent!

’The art of managing people...’

’Ultimately, it’s about finding a delicate balance between loyalty and ability.’

’Ability is straightforward—talent, learning, personality, experience.’

’As for loyalty...’

’Throughout history, it has always boiled down to a few paths: blood ties, faction, faith, fellowship, and personal interest.’

’I really need to have more kids!’

’You have to have people to have anything!’

At this moment, the idea of having children shot up Lin Chu’s priority list, landing in a very high position.

This was partly a biological instinct, and partly a cultural trait.

It was also a recognition of how the world worked, something he had come to understand after experiencing so much.

As he was thinking about all this...

Immediately, another thought that made him want to laugh and cry at the same time surfaced in his mind—’Picking up girls is the ultimate solution!’

’It’s in perfect harmony with the fundamental principles of the universe.’

...

"Dumbass, where are you?"

Just as his mind was wandering, Lin Chu’s phone buzzed with a message from Wang Zhefei.

"Paris. Champs-Élysées. Just out shopping. What matter requires my royal attention?"

Lin Chu, in a great mood, casually replied.

’I don’t always reply to girls’ messages right away. I’ll remember them occasionally and reply to a bunch at once.’

’But for my brother, it’s always an instant reply.’

’Yep.’

’Never forget your roots.’

"Wait for me in Paris, I’m coming now! And hey, let me tell you something. I transferred the deed to my apartment to my sister, I quit my job, and I’m not taking my exams. Boss... think you can take me in?"

Seeing this message, Lin Chu was momentarily stunned.

A tingling warmth spread through his heart.

It was as if someone had taken a blade of foxtail grass and gently tickled his heartstrings.

’What the hell?’

’What does he mean?’

However, Lin Chu quickly understood. He had put on a certain air back in Dubai a few days ago. Even though he hadn’t told them anything, it was clear that Brother Fei had gotten worried.

And after returning to the country, this was his immediate reaction.

’This...’

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t moved.

Lin Chu had always believed that even a husband and wife were like birds in the same forest—when disaster strikes, they fly their separate ways.

And yet, at a time like this, when his friend believed he was in a "moment of crisis," he was able to make such a move.

"Say something!"

"Fuck!"

"Dumbass!"

"You idiot!"

"Hurry up and say something!"

"Are you in or not!"

Message after message from Wang Zhefei streamed in, pressing him for a response.

Lin Chu took a deep breath, a strange emotion swelling in his heart.

"Come on over. I happen to be short of a bed-warmer."

"I’m coming!"

Wang Zhefei: "Alright, wait for me, Paris!"

After that reply, a moment later, he sent a screenshot of a plane ticket. Arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport in about sixteen hours.

Lin Chu took a deep breath and blinked, a brilliant, irrepressible smile spreading across his face.

There was no need to say all the sentimental things.

But the emotions in his heart right now were, in truth, very sentimental.

’My dappled horse, my priceless furs, call the boy to trade them all for fine wine!’

...

"I happen to be acquiring a bank in Europe. How about you be the boss?"

Lin Chu took about a minute to come down from his emotional high, then sent another message.

"Boss my ass! No way!"

"I finally get the chance to live the life of a kept man, and you want me to work?"

"Is there no justice in this world?"

"I just want to eat, drink, and be merry."

Wang Zhefei was clearly in a state of high excitement.

Seeing this, Lin Chu couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle.

Heh.

’He’s just putting on a tough act and doesn’t mean what he says. He’s great at zeroing in on the main point, though.’

Naturally, in Wang Zhefei’s eyes, what was important right now wasn’t the money, but the person.

He had to be there for him.

He surely had no idea what he would have to face, but he had made this decision nonetheless.

’No matter what happens, brothers face it together...’

...

...