Repaying a Favor at the Dinner Gathering

"Will that work?"

Li Shihan looked at Zhou Feiyu hesitantly, feeling somewhat uneasy and confused.

Director Dong was the head of a bank branch. Though the position might not seem particularly high-ranking, in Nanjiang County, he was already a leader with considerable authority. After all, banks controlled the money.

Li Shihan had never dealt with anyone at that level, nor had her parents. She had only occasionally heard that some relative knew some bank leader, but there was no way to know whether such rumors were true. Even if they were, she and those people lived in entirely different worlds and would likely never cross paths in their lifetimes unless something unexpected happened.

At most, she might deal with a bank account manager, asking them for a loan—whether it was a car loan, a mortgage, or some other kind of loan.

Her decision to return to Nanjiang County this time had come only after much deliberation.

According to her original plan, after returning, she would find a place to continue teaching dance, or get a teaching certificate and become an art teacher locally. Then she would spend some time with Zhou Feiyu and see how things went.

She had never expected that the moment she returned, Zhou Feiyu would bring her to an unfamiliar dinner gathering. After just a few casual remarks, Director Dong had said he could specially arrange a job for her—nine to five, weekends off. How many people dreamed of something like that?

Zhou Feiyu did not think much of it. He smiled at her and said, "Since Director Dong has offered, then of course it'll work. Shihan, if you don't have anywhere to go for now, go work with Director Dong first."

Li Shihan blinked. Clever as she was, she seemed to understand something, so she immediately agreed. "Thank you, Director Dong. I can start next week."

"There's no need to rush. Miss Li can rest for a few more days."

Director Dong smiled.

After some idle chatter, they got down to business.

As repayment for Director Dong specially creating a position for Li Shihan, Zhou Feiyu took the initiative to explain Fei Yang New Material Technology Company's plans for financing, bringing up certain details specifically to discuss with Director Dong.

"...At present, two companies are interested in investing in Fei Yang Technology. One is Qian Jia Technology, and the other is Di Guang Optics. They're looking to invest between twenty and forty million, but I'm not very satisfied with that. I plan to wait until Hua Long Technology or Zhong Zheng Company officially begins purchasing my materials in volume before negotiating with them. I also intend to talk with other materials manufacturers, or end users like Hua Long Technology and Zhong Zheng Company..."

These were merely plans, not trade secrets. Zhou Feiyu revealed them now only to increase both his own and Fei Yang Technology's standing in the bank's eyes.

With the bank's support, everything would be much easier.

As the bank's representative, Director Dong was extremely eager to secure high-quality companies, especially "unicorn"-level enterprises. They would greatly increase his business volume and boost his contributions within the bank. Future promotions and raises would come like a rocket.

Now, as he listened to Zhou Feiyu reveal these "inside details," Director Dong could not help but feel his heart stir. By the end, he repeatedly exclaimed, "Good heavens!" It felt like he had truly come to the right place this time.

Zhou Feiyu had just handed him a massive opportunity!

At this stage, the two listed companies, Qian Jia Technology and Di Guang Optics, planned to invest twenty to forty million in Zhou Feiyu's Fei Yang New Material Technology Company, yet would only take a twenty to forty percent stake. That directly valued the newly established Fei Yang New Material Technology Company at one hundred million.

One had to know that throughout all of Nanjiang County, there were fewer than ten real-economy companies valued at over one hundred million. Most companies with assets exceeding one hundred million were in real estate—nothing but real estate.

Based on that scale alone, Zhou Feiyu's Fei Yang New Material Company would be enough to make a name for itself throughout Nanjiang County. Bringing a client like that into his own bank would definitely count as a major achievement.

And this was only the beginning for Fei Yang Technology.

From what Zhou Feiyu had said, one hundred million was nowhere near enough to satisfy his ambitions. What he wanted was to board Zhong Zheng Company's massive ship.

Director Dong was not familiar with Hua Long Technology. He had only heard of the company in passing and did not know what it did or how large it was.

But Zhong Zheng Company was different. Forget Director Dong—even an old farmer in the countryside would have heard of it.

The domestic mobile phone industry's dominant force, a global mobile phone powerhouse competing for the top spot, a leader in global communications, a research and development giant... Any one of those achievements was enough to astonish the world. Among domestic companies, any company that gained Zhong Zheng Company's favor, or even secured a materials procurement order from it, would see its market value surge overnight, becoming one of the country's most promising rising stars and appearing constantly on Hot Search for a time.

In the stock market, Zhong Zheng concept stocks were no small matter.

Without question, if Zhou Feiyu was not bragging and truly achieved what he had described, Director Dong could conclude that Fei Yang New Material Technology Company would become another domestic star enterprise.

A market value exceeding one hundred million?

That would happen in the blink of an eye!

A market value of one billion, even ten billion, would also be just around the corner.

"...It won't take longer than this month. Hua Long Technology is currently working on a project for Zhong Zheng Company, and they're using my materials. They'll be placing an order with me this month."

Finally, Zhou Feiyu even provided an estimated timeline.

Upon hearing that, Director Dong believed him seventy to eighty percent. After thinking for a while, he said, "President Zhou, since you've been so frank with me, I'll give you my assurance as well. I will fully support you in making Fei Yang Technology bigger and stronger."

Zhou Feiyu smiled. "It's not just about making Fei Yang Technology bigger and stronger. It's also about making Nanjiang County's materials industry bigger and stronger."

"Exactly, exactly. President Zhou truly has vision."

Director Dong laughed heartily.

After the meal, they parted ways.

Director Dong returned to the bank for work, while Zhou Feiyu sent Wang Lei to run errands. The company was about to open, and there was still a pile of paperwork to handle.

"Shihan, should I take you home first?"

Zhou Feiyu stayed with Li Shihan and asked her.

Li Shihan thought for a moment before replying, "Little Yu Ge, take me home first."

Zhou Feiyu suddenly grew a little nervous and hurriedly asked, "Then I should buy some gifts first. It wouldn't be right to show up at your house empty-handed. What hobbies do your parents usually have? And your grandmother?"

Zhou Feiyu knew a little about Li Shihan's family. Her grandfather had passed away early, while her grandmother was still alive. Her parents farmed at home, and she had only one older brother, who was already married and worked out of town with his wife. However, Zhou Feiyu was not very familiar with the preferences of all those relatives, so he had to ask Li Shihan first.

Li Shihan burst out laughing. "You get nervous too? You weren't nervous when you were discussing deals worth tens of millions just now, so what are you nervous about now? You've met my parents before. They're easygoing. Just buy some fruit and milk. Don't spend too much. If you buy too much, it'll just sit there and go bad."

Only then did Li Shihan feel that the familiar Zhou Feiyu had returned.

The Zhou Feiyu who had been discussing venture capital worth tens of millions, even hundreds of millions, with Director Dong at the dinner table had felt unfamiliar to her. She had even been a little lost, unsure how to respond to him.

"No matter what, he was still himself."

Li Shihan silently pondered this, unconsciously moving a little closer to Zhou Feiyu until she was pressed right against him.

Zhou Feiyu chuckled. "This is different."

As he spoke, he pushed the suitcase ahead toward a nearby supermarket.

Li Shihan followed him. Walking to his left, she suddenly reached out, her soft, warm right hand winding around his left.

Zhou Feiyu paused slightly, then naturally clasped her hand tightly.

Feeling the jade-like warmth in his left hand, his heart began beating twice as fast.

Peng City, thousands of miles away!

Just as Zhou Feiyu's love life and career were both going smoothly, Hua Long Technology was engulfed in cheers and cries of astonishment.