Free Web NovelChapter 238: Chapter 198: Offering a Cigarette to the Big Shot
Sigh...
"Ahem, you two go on and talk. I’m going to use the restroom."
Jiang Fangguo cleared his throat and took the initiative to stand up.
Now that they were getting into this kind of topic, it was naturally inconvenient for an outsider to listen in.
"President Lin, I need to take a call."
Lan Yuzheng quickly said the same, rising with a smile.
’Zhou Ming was actually going to borrow money from Lin Chu!’
’And Lin Chu had agreed!’
’Throwing money into the bottomless pit of real estate!’
He was deeply shaken, getting a glimpse of what the two of them were really here to discuss at this dinner.
’This wasn’t a matter of tens of millions. It was at least hundreds of millions, maybe even billions!’
’Lin Chu... just how powerful was he? How deep did his connections run?’
After the two men left, Zhou Luan lingered, unwilling to leave. She wanted to listen in on this kind of matter, treating it as a learning experience.
Neither of the men seemed to mind.
"How big is the financial hole at Famous Real Estate right now?"
"Give me a number to set my expectations."
Lin Chu said nonchalantly.
A peculiar light flickered in Zhou Ming’s eyes. "Short-term liabilities due within a year are around 1.9 billion. Long-term liabilities due within three years are another 5.2 billion."
"The main problem right now is that the banks are calling in their loans. Next month, a loan of 800 million is due, and the company’s accounts are basically empty."
"Normal financing channels—banks, bonds, collateral, even equity—are almost completely frozen. Property sales are also far from ideal."
"Famous Real Estate never went public, which was my biggest failure. Of course, even if we had, it might not have helped. It might have even made the problem worse."
"To be perfectly frank, this is almost a bottomless pit. Even if I borrow from you with collateral, in terms of cash flow, if the overall market doesn’t improve, there’s a high probability I won’t be able to pay you back. I could only use land or properties as repayment."
Hearing this, Zhou Luan secretly clenched her fists, her lips pressed tightly together. A grave look filled her eyes.
’So, is the family’s situation really this dire?’
Lin Chu, however, seemed to think it was normal. ’Most real estate companies are probably in the same boat right now.’
"Where are your current land reserves located?"
Lin Chu asked.
Zhou Ming’s tone was heavy, but he rattled off the details as if he knew them by heart: "Mainly in the Greater Bay Area. We don’t have anything left in Peng City. There’s still one plot in Yang City, located in Zeng City; two in Guan City; one in Hui City; and one in Fo City. The development and construction progress varies, but most are currently in a semi-halted state."
Listening to this, Lin Chu suddenly let out a soft chuckle. "Using commercial development land to build a nursing home... isn’t that a bit extravagant?"
Hmm?
Zhou Ming understood what he meant and nodded with a wry smile.
"It is very extravagant! President Lin, you’re optimistic about the senior care industry?"
Lin Chu smiled, but he also made a quick decision. "Extravagant or not, send me the information on those plots of land. I’ll take a look at all of them and see which one is suitable for a nursing home."
Zhou Ming took a deep breath, at a loss for words.
’This young man is so... willful.’
Just then, Zhou Luan suddenly looked at Lin Chu and cut in, "Why are you building a nursing home?"
Lin Chu replied casually, "Not just a nursing home. I’m preparing to build a nursing home and a welfare center. It’s something I promised someone. The club’s charitable foundation is also in the process of being established."
She was speechless.
’This dog of a man has such a charitable heart?’
’This... this feels so out of character for him.’
’If she hadn’t witnessed it with her own eyes, she would never have believed it.’
But this time, she didn’t argue back, whether it was because of her family’s situation or because of this "noble" intention.
Zhou Ming said solemnly, "Alright, I’ll have the information compiled and sent to you within a day. Let’s stay in touch. Regardless of whether we end up cooperating or not, President Lin, I owe you a favor for this."
Lin Chu waved his hand and smiled.
"Let’s talk again once it’s a done deal."
...
「Meanwhile, outside the private room.」
Lan Yuzheng was smoking a cigarette when his gaze was suddenly "caught" by Jiang Fangguo.
He smiled, appearing calm and composed, but felt a little nervous inside.
"I believe we’ve met before, haven’t we? I remember your surname is Lan."
Jiang Fangguo asked with a smile.
Lan Yuzheng bowed slightly, proactively extended his hand, and nodded with a smile. "Yes, Mr. Jiang. My name is Lan Yuzheng. We met once, about four years ago."
Jiang Fangguo waved his hand. "What ’Mr. Jiang’? I’m retired now, just a regular old man."
Lan Yuzheng saw him staring, revealing the air of a man who had "spent a lifetime in the military," and suddenly felt a faint sense of dread.
He gave an awkward smile, understanding that the old man was demanding a statement from him.
Or rather, not asking, but forcing it out of him.
He didn’t even have to ask outright; Lan Yuzheng knew he had to respond.
Sigh...
"Yes, yes, after working so hard for so many years, you deserve a good rest. It’s not about how high you can fly, but whether you can land safely—that’s the true skill. I have much to learn from you," he said with a sigh.
Jiang Fangguo laughed, nodded with a smile, and patted his shoulder. "Well said. You have a high level of awareness, but what matters is that you can actually do it."
Lan Yuzheng quickly replied with a smile, "Of course, of course."
"What kind of cigarette are you smoking? Give me one."
Jiang Fangguo asked him for a cigarette with a smile.
Lan Yuzheng instantly felt the pressure vanish, dissipating like smoke. He quickly handed Elder Jiang a cigarette and lit it for him with the utmost respect.
...
...
