Free Web NovelChapter 174: Chapter 135: Berkeley’s Mysterious Boss Might Be President Liu’s Old Lover
When he woke up in the morning, Xu Lin was already gone.
Lin Jiang didn’t dawdle. After getting dressed and washing up, he headed out.
Out of habit, he first went to the Suya Fitness Center to check in.
[Check-in Successful: Twelve Days]
’The Zhang Brothers’ problem is solved. The only ones left to deal with are Liu Jinting and that moron, Liu Hongquan.’
’I also need to have dinner with Chen Jingxian tonight. There are some things I need to discuss with her.’
"Business is booming. It’s so busy I can’t even find a place to eat."
The voice came from the back door. Lin Jiang glanced over and saw it was Liu Hongquan.
’This son of a bitch just won’t go away. He’s like a toad squatting on my foot—it doesn’t bite, but it’s disgusting.’
"Heard the Zhang Brothers came looking for you? And you called the cops to have them arrested? Let me tell you, they’ll be out in a few days, and your business will be in trouble all over again."
Liu Hongquan gave a pretentious smile.
"If you’re willing to work with me, I can take care of the Zhang Brothers for you. Then you can run your business in peace."
"You make it sound so grand, but aren’t you just trying to use me to move company assets into your own pocket? Why make it so complicated?"
"That’s one way to put it, sure. The choice is yours."
Lin Jiang felt that Liu Hongquan was just here for comic relief. He had no brains but loved to act tough.
’His intelligence was approaching zero, like a husky. He’d take the bait with the slightest provocation.’
’Next up, I need to find a chance to bait Liu Jinting.’
"Understand my ass. Get the hell out of here and stop holding up my business."
"Fine. You’ve got guts. We’ll see about this."
After Liu Hongquan left, Yang Tao came over.
"Brother Jiang, that guy’s getting way too arrogant. Let me go teach him a lesson."
"Giving him a little lesson wouldn’t be a bad idea."
After spending the day at the noodle shop, Lin Jiang drove to Chen Jingxian’s company in the evening.
He picked a hot pot restaurant, planning to talk while they ate.
"I’m planning to open a few branches in the future and want to set up a restaurant group. I’ll need you to handle the legwork for that," Lin Jiang said.
"Our thoughts are perfectly aligned," Chen Jingxian said.
"We’ll open the branches under a corporate structure, and then have our investment company inject the capital. That would be perfect."
"That’s more or less the idea, but we can’t touch the 15 million in the company account. That’s reserved for Chao Hui Wan. We’ll set up a separate account for this, and I’ll fund it personally."
’The money I have is complicated.’
’There’s the NPC Training Fund, the NPC Investment Fund, and the non-personal-use Investment Fund. This money all has to be categorized. I can rest easy leaving it all to Chen Jingxian.’
"No problem, just leave it to me," Chen Jingxian said.
"So the company’s main business from now on will be investing?"
"For now, yes. As for the future, let’s just take it one step at a time."
"Mm, got it."
After dinner, Lin Jiang drove Chen Jingxian home.
As was the old routine, he didn’t leave.
The next morning, Lin Jiang first drove Chen Jingxian to her company, then drove home and checked in along the way.
[Check-in Successful: Thirteen Days]
Back in his car, Lin Jiang was getting impatient. To ensure Qin Yangyang’s weight dropped steadily, he’d been reducing it by 0.5 to 1 kilogram per day. Today, this task could finally be completed.
"Reduce by another kilogram."
[Target: Qin Yangyang]
[Weight: 49.8 kg, Height: 169 cm]
[Task Complete (Frustrating Plateau): Reward: Delayed Card x1, 20 EXP]
[Delayed Card: Within seven days, extend time by five minutes.]
’With his own prowess, Lin Jiang probably wouldn’t need it for a solo flight, but with a partner...’
’But right now, the most important thing is to pick a treasure!’
[Name: Lin Jiang]
[Skills: Culinary Skill (Basic), Fighting Technique (Basic), Baji Fist (Beginner), Swimming (Beginner)]
[Attributes: Physique 20, Comprehension 30, Charm 22]
[Martial Force: 22]
[Items: Big Adventure Card x1, Delayed Card x1, 200g fat]
[Treasure Chest: 100/100]
"Choose treasure!"
The familiar treasure selection interface appeared. A dazzling, showy light faded, and the three "old actors"—the treasure chests—made their appearance.
When the Treasure Chests opened, three red booklets appeared, looking a bit like property deeds.
Treasure Chest 1: Any one retail space in Berkeley Mall (usable area not less than 100 square meters).
Treasure Chest 2: Any three retail spaces in Berkeley Mall (each with a usable area not less than 150 square meters).
Treasure Chest 3: Permanent ownership of Berkeley Mall.
Huh??
Seeing the third Treasure Chest, Lin Jiang was floored. ’Tongzi, you really know how to go big!’
Lin Jiang thought in silence, not saying a word.
’Although the first two rewards were also worth a lot of money, they were nothing compared to the entire Berkeley Mall. This was in line with Tongzi’s usual personality.’
"Tongzi, you’re betting I can’t exploit this bug, aren’t you?"
Tongzi didn’t respond. Lin Jiang felt like it was silently acting smug.
Lin Jiang frowned. ’This bug won’t be easy to exploit.’
Suddenly, Lin Jiang’s eyes narrowed, a sharp glint appearing within them as he focused on the Big Adventure Card.
[Big Adventure Card: Inflict a Big Adventure penalty on a designated target.]
"Use Big Adventure Card."
[Big Adventure Card used successfully...]
"Tongzi, I’m penalizing you: give me the third Treasure Chest."
A long silence...
"Tongzi, you’re not going to be a sore loser, are you?"
[Treasure selection successful. Player has obtained permanent ownership of Berkeley Mall.]
[Deed of ownership and other documents have been sent to Xiaojiang Noodle Shop. Player, please collect them as soon as possible.]
"Attaboy. Next time I play cards, I’ll get you a VIP seat to watch."
He drove back to the noodle shop. Business was still booming.
"Brother Jiang, a package came for you. I put it behind the counter," said Yan Ming.
"Okay."
At the counter, he opened the package. Inside was a thick stack of documents.
He took out the documents and glanced at them, discovering that the acquisition had been completed under the entity "Ignore Risk Investment Co., Ltd."
Berkeley Mall had been acquired from Fengtai Group for the price of 1.28 billion.
’That price wasn’t high; it was practically a bargain-basement deal.’
’He never thought that in one fell swoop, he’d become the legal owner of this mall. From now on, a steady stream of cash flow would be pouring in.’
"Boss Lin."
Just as Lin Jiang was looking over the property documents, He Jing arrived.
Putting away the papers in his hand, Lin Jiang welcomed her over.
"What’s up?"
"President Liu said to have you come to her office."
"Liu Jinting?"
’I was just looking for a chance to bait Liu Jinting, and here she is, serving herself up on a platter.’
’But my status today is completely different from yesterday. This shift in our positions is going to be very interesting.’
"Yes, that’s her."
"Right now?"
"Mhm."
"I’ll head over now."
"Boss Lin, wait a moment." He Jing stopped Lin Jiang, saying:
"I heard a rumor. I don’t know if it’s true, but I wanted to give you a heads-up. Don’t spread it around."
Seeing no one else was around, He Jing leaned closer to Lin Jiang.
"I heard Berkeley Mall has been sold. It doesn’t belong to Fengtai Group anymore."
Huh???
’The reward just arrived, and the news is already out?’
"And? What are you getting at?"
"They’re saying Berkeley Mall was sold to a mysterious new owner, and this mysterious owner might be connected to President Liu," He Jing said conspiratorially.
"Connected? What kind of connection?"
He Jing leaned in even closer, lowering her voice, her "big white rabbits" pressing against him.
"They’re saying it might be President Liu’s old flame."
Holy shit!
’Don’t you dare pin that shit on me.’
...
