158. How Much Is It Short?

In terms of professionalism, who can match the expertise of his venture capital firm's investment managers?

Zhang Yang did this simply to test the system and see if it would issue a mission.

So many reliable suggestions have emerged.

Surely the system can at least adopt one, two, or three of these suggestions?

Bite!

The system has adopted reasonable suggestions.

You have new tasks to claim.

Upon hearing the voice, Zhang Yang was overjoyed and immediately checked the new task.

New mission: A small test

Task: The host is required to independently complete an investment exceeding ten million.

Task Reward 1: 30 Experience Points

Task Reward 2: Cloud Sea Capital will be awarded 100 million RMB per year in operating funds, which can be used for expenses including but not limited to personnel, finance, and premises.

"What a coincidence." Zhang Yang breathed a sigh of relief.

The task is not difficult; he simply needs to lead an investment in a project worth over ten million. The system has no requirements for the project itself.

But for him now, a reward is far more important.

The first reward, experience points, goes without saying.

The second reward is 100 million yuan in operating funds for Cloud Sea Capital every year... It should be noted that this venture capital firm has not yet made any profit, and it bears all operating costs, including employee salaries and daily operating expenses.

One hundred million in operating funds would absolutely cover all expenses, and might even allow him to further expand the company's scale.

A venture capital firm essentially consists of fundraising, investment, management, and exit strategies.

Zhang Yang knew that he should only do what he was capable of. His expectations for this venture capital firm were always limited to defining it as a small VC institution, a company that served him.

The source of funds is himself, and he doesn't plan to raise funds from the public for the time being.

This is essentially like having your own money directly invested and managed by a professional through your own VC firm, and ultimately enjoying the profits yourself. After all, if you were to seek investment from other private equity funds, you would have to pay a 2% management fee and a 20% share of the profits.

"The system is really like my father," Zhang Yang exclaimed.

With the system providing 100 million yuan in operating funds, Cloud Sea Capital no longer needs to worry about profits or losses, since salaries and operating costs are all covered by this 100 million yuan.

Each year, all you need to do is use up the 300 million yuan provided by the system.

"That was so awesome!"

Zhang Yang casually flipped through the employee files, looking at their education, work experience, and so on.

With 100 million yuan in annual operating funds at his disposal, and only a small portion of the current employee expenses, Zhang Yang's ambitions grew. He wondered if he should raise the overall educational background and qualifications of the employees to a higher level.

As long as the annual salary is affordable, requirements such as a degree from a prestigious university and work experience at one of the Big Four investment banks, a top law firm, or an accounting firm are not unacceptable.

This is what they call upgrading from a slingshot to a cannon.

"Let's finish the task first," Zhang Yang muttered to himself, snapping out of his reverie.

For investments exceeding ten million, and requiring projects to be completed entirely independently, does that mean projects already under review by Cloud Sea Capital are excluded?

Just as Zhang Yang was pondering where to invest, a new friend request suddenly appeared on his WeChat.

"Huh?"

Zhang Yang looked at the verification message, and it was actually Xiang Xiaotian?

Why did she add me as a friend?

Okay, even though we're in the same group, it's normal for someone to add him.

Zhang Yang didn't think much of it and readily accepted the friend request.

[Zhang Yang: What's up?]

[Xiang Xiaotian: Brother Zhang, um... are you free right now? I'd like to meet up with you; I have something I want to talk to you about.]

Zhang Yang blinked.

It's not that he insists on thinking about other things.

But you said everything was fine, and then a girl wanted to add him and even asked him to meet her alone. It's impossible not to have some ulterior motives!

[Zhang Yang: I do have some free time, but tell me what it is.]

[Xiang Xiaotian: It's hard to explain in just a few words; it's better to say it face-to-face.]

All right.

Zhang Yang wasn't the type to pry, so he agreed.

The meeting place was Xiang Xiaotian's coffee shop.

A moment later, Zhang Yang left the company, went straight downstairs to get his car, and prepared to meet her.

In the afternoon, at a coffee shop, next to a seat by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Xiang Xiaotian held the coffee in her hand, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating, after all, she and Zhang Yang were not familiar with each other.

"Brother Zhang, I'll go make you another cup of Geisha coffee." She suddenly stood up.

Zhang Yang found it somewhat amusing.

When I asked him to come over, he hesitated and stammered the whole time, unable to give a clear explanation...

"No rush. You went out of your way to ask me to come here, so just say what you want to say."

"Brother Zhang, I'd like to, but I just find it hard to ask," Xiang Xiaotian said a little shyly.

"Well then, tell me first, is it business or personal?" Zhang Yang asked with a smile.

"Business or personal matters?" Upon hearing this, Xiang Xiaotian looked up at the handsome face so close to hers, her cheeks flushed, and she whispered.

"It's important business now."

"Is it serious business?" Zhang Yang nodded, then glanced at his watch, his expression becoming more serious. "Then you'd better hurry, since I have other things to do."

"Oh." Xiang Xiaotian glanced at Zhang Yang's instantly businesslike demeanor and muttered to herself, "Alright, I'll say it then, even though it was a bit presumptuous."

Zhang Yang hummed in agreement, indicating that he was listening.

"I've been thinking about a project lately, and I'm not afraid you'll laugh at me, Mr. Zhang, but I'm thinking of opening a high-end private club." Xiang Xiaotian carefully organized her thoughts.

"A private club? That's quite a target. It could be an investment of tens or even hundreds of millions. What, you want to recruit me?" Zhang Yang asked with a smile.

"It is a bit absurd." Xiang Xiaotian's face flushed slightly with embarrassment. Even she, sometimes reflecting on it, felt her idea was a bit too ambitious. "But, but we've done some internal calculations, and everyone... everyone has confirmed the investment amount."

"So, how much did you guys manage to raise?" Zhang Yang asked casually.

"I managed to scrape together... less than twenty million," Xiang Xiaotian stammered weakly, while observing Zhang Yang's expression.

She felt that Zhang Yang would probably laugh at her for overestimating herself.

"Never mind, it's still a bit too short, Brother Zhang, just pretend I didn't say anything." Xiang Xiaotian's face was flushed, and she spoke before Zhang Yang could even open his mouth.

"Wait a minute," Zhang Yang said.

"Huh?" Xiang Xiaotian was taken aback.

"How much are you planning to invest in this clubhouse? Do you have a specific plan?" Zhang Yang asked.

"Actually... a smaller amount is fine too. I don't really want to open a private club with an investment of hundreds of millions. If everyone can raise tens of millions, that's fine too. A smaller scale is also acceptable," Xiang Xiaotian replied softly.

"The way you're saying it, it's so absurd and ridiculous, it's better not to do it at all," Zhang Yang said, amused.

"Brother Zhang, you mean..." Xiang Xiaotian couldn't believe it, and an unbelievable thought instantly rose in her mind.

"If the total investment is less than 100 million, please prepare a detailed business plan. I'll invest whatever amount is short," Zhang Yang said.

The idea of opening a private club.

Good.

Take Kee Club, a well-known private club in Magic City, for example. It's a members-only club with a rich history, refined taste, and high-class atmosphere. Its members are mostly wealthy and influential.

For a private club to reach this level, that's pretty much the limit.

The private club that Xiang Xiaotian mentioned could certainly not reach that level, but investing hundreds of millions to own a stylish, high-end private club in Magic City is more symbolic than practical.

When entertaining guests or having gatherings, there's no need to go out; it can all be done at the clubhouse in which they have a stake.

It's not low-class at all; on the contrary, it reflects better taste and status.

Over time, by building upon this foundation, one can expand from a small circle to a larger one, and will surely make more worthwhile and influential friends.

"What?" Xiang Xiaotian's heart pounded instantly.

The surprise came way too fast.

Is it really that simple?

As expected, it has to be Brother Zhang! He doesn't even blink at amounts under a hundred million, even tens of millions.

"Don't get too excited yet. Right now, you only have one idea, tens of millions. Even though you're pretty, don't think you can just rely on your looks. You need to bring over a concrete plan," Zhang Yang said half-jokingly.

Who are these people who can get tens or hundreds of millions just by having a good reputation or an idea?

Only a true big shot could do that.

People like that have an excellent reputation. If they just say one thing, there are plenty of people waving their money and crying out to invest, drawn by their name.

Take Lei, for example.

Xiang Xiaotian, that's definitely not an option.

To be honest, if it weren't for this system task, he might not have given Xiang Xiaotian this opportunity.

"Young Master Zhang, don't worry, I will definitely give you a satisfactory solution. My family is in the hotel industry, so I'm not exactly an outsider in this field. I definitely have some confidence and direction in mind before I proposed this idea," Xiang Xiaotian said quickly.

"Then I look forward to it." Zhang Yang stood up.

"Young Master Zhang, how about I treat you to dinner tonight?" Xiang Xiaotian stood up, looked at the figure in front of her, and mustered up her courage to ask.

"Dinner? No need, I have plans," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

"Okay, they must be really pretty girls, right? Like Liu Duoduo Zhong Ling that night," Xiang Xiaotian joked softly. "They have great figures."

As a genuine rich and beautiful woman, she naturally couldn't be like Liu Duoduo and the others, wearing a bikini and letting loose that night.

Actually, what she meant was that her own figure was just as good as anyone else's.

"You still envy others?" Zhang Yang didn't hide his admiration.

Xiang Xiaotian, don't let her conservative and ladylike attire fool you, she's actually quite well-endowed.

Feeling Zhang Yang's undisguised gaze fixed on her, Xiang Xiaotian didn't know why, but instead of being annoyed, she felt inexplicably happy.

She smiled, pursed her lips, and looked up directly at Zhang Yang.

"Brother Zhang, let me see you off."

Outside the coffee shop, Xiang Xiaotian saw Zhang Yang off all the way to the Cullinan, and then watched him drive away.

Wait until the car disappears from the road.

She couldn't help but clench her fist gently, giving herself a joyful boost.

"Xiao Tian, you're amazing!"

Back in the café, she immediately took out her notebook and began working intently on the plan for the private club.

My phone keeps getting messages.

[Su Seventeen: Did you talk to Brother Zhang? What did he say?]

Jin Yanchao also sent a message.

[Xiao Tian, did Brother Zhang agree? If it's really not enough, I can try to find a way to get some more. If all else fails, I'll ask my dad.]

Xiang Xiaotian stopped what she was doing and looked at her phone.

Jin Yanchao's enthusiasm stemmed from her understanding of what it meant.

Jin Yanchao has always had feelings for her.

She was actually quite grateful and even a little touched that the person had offered so much support.

But···

She recalled Zhang Yang's words from earlier; those tens of millions were just a matter of a single sentence, demonstrating his immense financial power and audacity...

What is a male god?

From childhood to adulthood, based on the circles she's been in and her perspective, she's always scoffed at terms like "male god."

Only ordinary girls have male gods in their eyes.

In the eyes of people like them, how outstanding must someone be to deserve the title of "male god"?

But today, she admitted she had misspoke.

It turns out, she did have a dream man; she just hadn't met him before.

For example, Zhang Yang.

It's simply perfect.

Compared to such a male god, Jin Dashao seems like a grain of rice, insignificant compared to the brilliance of the moon.

After thinking for a moment, she didn't reply. Instead, she put away her notebook, got up, and prepared to go out.

Occasionally, members of the car club will gather at a clubhouse.

Just now, I saw that quite a few people in the group seemed to be there.

There are some things she still needs to tell everyone in person. For example, opening this private club. Once Zhang Yang speaks up, all the problems will be solved. Those friends who agreed to invest before also need to know about this.

It was approaching evening.

Fragrant Elegance Pavilion, outside a purely Chinese-style clubhouse.

Xiang Xiaotian parked the car and walked straight through the pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and flowing water, entering the depths of the clubhouse.

Inside a hall, small groups of young people were chatting idly.

"Oh? Xiao Tian, you're here?"

Jin Yanchao looked up and saw Xiang Xiaotian wearing a mid-length summer dress, and his eyes lit up immediately.

"Hello everyone." Xiang Xiaotian nodded to everyone.

"Xiao Tian, did you see Brother Zhang? We asked him to have dinner with us tonight, but he said he was busy," Su Jiajun asked as he came out. "Oh, and about that other thing..."

He didn't say anything, but everyone knew what it was about.

Isn't it just about investing in a private club?

"I just wanted to discuss this with everyone." Xiang Xiaotian tidied her words. "I told Young Master Zhang about it, and he said..."

"What did Young Master Zhang say?"

"With Brother Zhang's financial resources, he will definitely support us. I just don't know what to do with the rest of the money?"

Immediately, many eyes turned to them, and all around them were chattering discussions.

"Brother Zhang? How much did you promise to invest? Ten million?" Jin Yanchao looked at Xiang Xiaotian nervously and asked tentatively.

He was a little afraid of hearing a number from Xiang Xiaotian that would greatly frustrate him.

Could it really be ten million?

"No." Xiang Xiaotian shook her head. "Brother Zhang said that whatever I'm short of, up to a hundred million, he'll invest."

"WHAT?"

"Did Brother Zhang really say that?"

"Kneel down, kneel down now!"