6 Billion

"Mr. Li, in the business world, having this face isn't always a good thing; it can be seen as immature." Zhang Yang sat down with a smile. "But looks are a gift from my parents, so you can't really blame me."

"Your Versailles-style approach is a bit annoying," Li Xingyu said with a smile. "Come on, Young Master Zhang, have some tea. Try the food here later."

The two sat facing each other, drinking tea and chatting.

No one brought up the important matter first.

Since the two companies had already had initial contact and exchanged basic information, this visit was to finalize the deal.

"Young Master Zhang, this watch of yours is outrageous!" Li Xingyu said, sipping his tea, when he suddenly looked at Zhang Yang's wrist. "I don't know the model number, but yours must be worth at least ten or twenty million, right?"

"Huh? Young Master Li is quite knowledgeable. It really is over twenty million. He bought it at an auction." Zhang Yang casually put the bag down on the table.

Li Xingyu took it and admired it for a while, then clicked his tongue in admiration a couple of times before returning the watch.

"Young Master Zhang is indeed very wealthy."

"Don't joke around. If you want to buy it, Mr. Li, that's easy. Men just love cars and watches, and they're always willing to spend money on things they really like," Zhang Yang laughed. "What does Mr. Li usually like to play with?"

"I'll..." Li Xingyu was about to speak when his phone rang. He glanced at it and apologized.

"Young Master Zhang, there's an urgent phone call."

"Please do as you please, Young Master Li," Zhang Yang said nonchalantly.

Li Xingyu nodded, quickly answered the phone, and spoke in front of Zhang Yang.

"Huh?" Zhang Yang listened intently to Li Xingyu's somewhat broken French.

A winery? It sounds like the person across from him is Li Xingyu's winery manager in France? Li Xingyu owns a winery?

"I'm sorry," Li Xingyu said for a moment, then put down his phone.

"So Young Master Li likes red wine?" Zhang Yang said.

"Yes, I bought a very small winery in France, purely as a personal hobby," Li Xingyu said subconsciously, then looked up in surprise, "Young Master Zhang, you know French?"

He was certainly surprised.

Being able to tell he was speaking French isn't particularly remarkable, but being able to understand the content at least indicates that the other person knows French.

"I know a little," Zhang Yang said casually.

This was also included in his book on the experiences of Fortune 500 CEOs, and it goes far beyond simply knowing a little; it's about being able to communicate with the France without any barriers.

"Impressive! Let's go to France sometime. I'll invite you to visit my winery and try some of my wines," Li Xingyu said enthusiastically.

"Must."

A short while later, the dishes began to be served.

Braised Shark Fin, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, premium abalone, shark fin rice—a whole host of delicacies from land and sea.

Li Xingyu opened a bottle of Moutai with a metal cap, and the two of them each had a glass. They ate and drank, and then started talking about serious business.

Now that we've met, we should try our best to resolve any differences and solvable issues beforehand, since everyone is sincerely looking to cooperate.

"Young Master Zhang, I personally have high hopes for your Soup King Hotpot. In the current domestic hot pot market, your company is unique in that it has achieved such success in differentiation. Your product-oriented strategy is highly praised." Li Xingyu and Zhang Yang clinked glasses.

"But you also know that the money isn't my own, so how about 500 million for 10% of the shares?"

"Young Master Li, since you are optimistic about our Soup King Hotpot, you must have done a thorough investigation into our table turnover rate and revenue. I think a valuation of 5 billion is far from enough." Zhang Yang shook his head.

"Seven billion is more like it."

"Seven billion? Seven hundred million, ten percent?" Li Xingyu was shocked and shook his head. "I can't give that price, I definitely can't."

Zhang Yang smiled and toasted Li Xingyu.

"Then let's talk about something else."

"This..." Li Xingyu actually knew that Soup King Hotpot was definitely a hot commodity right now.

If things don't work out with him, other venture capitalists are coming to him. After all, given the current situation, Soup King Hotpot's future is almost bright, practically a golden opportunity. Zhang Yang can simply wait for the right price to go.

At that time...

"Young Master Zhang, how about this, I'll go make a call first," he said after a moment's thought.

"Please make yourself at home." Zhang Yang nodded.

Li Xingyu stood up, walked out of the private room first, and made a phone call.

Zhang Yang wasn't in a hurry. He actually had his own bottom line, but there was still plenty of time, and there was no need to reveal it too early, as that would make the matter seem too trivial. Similarly, he knew that Li Xingyu also had his bottom line.

A moment later, Li Xingyu returned.

"Young Master Zhang, come on, let's continue drinking."

He didn't bring up the previous topic again, but just kept urging Zhang Yang.

"What's this?" Zhang Yang blinked and muttered to himself.

Is he hoping to get drunk so he can discuss business? Well, his plan is probably going to fail him...

The two men clinked glasses and drank one cup after another.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Yang remained motionless, while Li Xingyu, bleary-eyed from drunkenness, kept shaking his head, trying to sober up.

"No, no, Young Master Zhang, I miscalculated! You... you can drink that much?"

"I'm a pretty good drinker, I could easily get you drunk, Young Master Li," Zhang Yang said with a smile, without batting an eye.

His alcohol tolerance is truly terrifying.

Let alone Li Xingyu, even if there were several more people, he could drink them all under the table.

Sometimes being able to drink a lot is a skill in itself.

"Young Master Zhang... Young Master Zhang, actually I've never been drunk before, not even when discussing business. It's just that we hit it off immediately." Li Xingyu slurred, feeling as if Zhang Yang in front of him had become a completely different person.

"Okay, I'll tell you the truth."

Zhang Yang listened intently.

"Six hundred million! Six hundred million for ten percent of the shares! Let's compromise? If it works out, great! If not... I'll still be your friend!" Li Xingyu gestured with his fingers, looking at Zhang Yang.

"Fine! I'll compromise then, six hundred million it is." Zhang Yang didn't mince words.

"Alright! Young Master Zhang, let's get rich together from now on! I consider you my friend!" Li Xingyu laughed heartily, then slumped onto the table and fell fast asleep.

This private restaurant also has a place to rest.

Zhang Yang helped Li Xingyu to lie down on the side, then wandered around the yard by himself, making a phone call to the executives at Soup King Hotpot to arrange financing matters.

A 10% stake worth 600 million is roughly his bottom line.

And in that case, wouldn't this industry, which originated from the system, now be valued at six billion?

Although this is just wealth on paper, the 600 million is real.

With this sum of money, Soup King Hotpot's new central kitchen base and subsequent expansion can be further developed at a faster pace.

Of course, this round of financing did not include any performance-based agreements or other additional conditions.

It's purely an investment.

··

In the afternoon, Li Xingyu woke up feeling groggy and immediately saw a tall figure in the sunlight.

"What am I doing..."

He touched his head and sat up, only then remembering that he seemed to be discussing a shareholding with Young Master Zhang of Soup King Hotpot. As they talked, he drank too much, and of course, the cooperation was reached.

"Young Master Li is awake?" Zhang Yang turned around and smiled.

"How long have I been asleep?" Li Xingyu sat up, feeling as if he had slept for a very long time.

"Two hours, I guess." Zhang Yang checked the time. "I've had some hangover soup prepared here. Would you like some, Mr. Li?"

"Thanks." Li Xingyu stood up, went to the table, and gulped down the hangover soup made of oranges, lotus seeds, and green plums. He instantly felt his mind clear and his spirits refreshed.

The two walked out of the hall. It was two or three in the afternoon. The autumn air was crisp and clear, and the ancient trees in the courtyard were shedding their leaves.

The cooperation agreement has been reached, and the subsequent details will naturally be handled by the staff below.

"Young Master Zhang, we felt a bit unsatisfied at noon. Let's have another round tonight. I'll introduce you to some friends; they're all young people." Li Xingyu said, picking up his phone to start organizing the gathering.

"That would be best," Zhang Yang readily agreed.

Making more friends is something I would naturally be very happy to do.

A moment later, Li Xingyu made arrangements with his friends and decided on a place—a bar, of course.

It may be a bit cliché, but alcohol and beautiful women are always a safe bet.

"It's a bit small, can't compare to the top nightclubs in Beijing, but the atmosphere is great. It's owned by a friend of mine," Li Xingyu explained. "By the way, I'm going to Beijing Sport University later, does Young Master Zhang want to come along?"

"What? You have a girl studying at Beijing Sport University?" Zhang Yang asked with a smile.

"How could that be? It's my younger sister who works at Beijing Sport University." Li Xingyu chuckled. "But speaking of girls, there are plenty of beauties at Beijing Sport University, and most of them are the sunny, athletic type, completely different from those pale, thin, and childish girls."

Zhang Yang was genuinely curious after he mentioned it.

Why don't you go and check it out?

As for Li Xingyu's sister, she wasn't his biological sister, but a distant cousin. Judging from Li Xingyu's few words, it seemed that this distant cousin's family was a prominent family in the area, and their family business was quite large.

"My distant cousin originally planned to send her abroad, but she didn't want to and insisted on studying at Beijing Sport University," Li Xingyu explained.

"That younger sister you mentioned who always argues with you, is that her?" Zhang Yang asked.

"Yes, it's her. You'll see when you meet her. She's quite headstrong and doesn't respect anyone. She's always been a prominent figure in school since she was little." Li Xingyu shook his head and chuckled. "I thought she'd tone it down a bit at Beijing Sport University, but she's still just as headstrong. She's gotten into trouble several times, and I've been the one to smooth things over for her."

As soon as he said that, the image of a rebellious girl instantly appeared in Zhang Yang's mind.

Isn't she just like the female boss in school?

In the afternoon, having both been drinking, the two hailed a taxi and headed straight for Beijing Sports University.

What kind of place is Beijing Sports University? It's the dream of sports students all over the country, and the most outstanding high school students from all over the country gather here. Anyone you randomly walk past might be a legend in their local high school, talked about by the younger girls.

No wonder Li Xingyu's younger sister also ended up here.

However, it's unclear whether her sister's outspokenness or Li Xingyu's influence were the reason she managed to make a name for herself at Beijing Sport University. After all, she managed to smooth things over several times, and through word of mouth, she naturally became unfathomable in the eyes of other students at the school.

With that thought in mind, Zhang Yang subconsciously looked at Li Xingyu.

He was unassuming and appeared refined and kind. But at least for now, Zhang Yang couldn't discern his true nature.

"Why is Young Master Zhang staring at me? Let me make it clear first, I'm still straight." Li Xingyu took two steps to the side.

"Who can be as straight as me?" Zhang Yang was speechless for a moment. "Even though I consider you a friend, you can't slander my orientation, okay?"

Who knows?

"···"

Around three or four o'clock in the morning, Zhang Yang and Li Xingyu strolled around the campus, chatting as they walked.

On the sports field and the playground, there are handsome and sunny boys everywhere, as well as many long-legged girls full of youthful energy.

Zhang Yang looked around.

Hmm, I don't know if he's good-looking enough to be the most handsome guy at Beijing Sport University. Anyway, after all this time, there are a lot of handsome guys and good-looking guys, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone who can rival him.

Moreover, along the way, there were quite a few young and beautiful girls with long legs staring at him intently.

"Over there, that's my sister," Li Xingyu suddenly pointed to the playground not far away. "The one with short hair."

Zhang Yang looked in that direction and sure enough, he saw a short-haired girl. The girl had a cool and dashing appearance, and her whole body exuded a kind of heroic spirit.

As the two approached, Li Xingyu went to greet them first.

"Zhuo Jing, are you done yet?"

"Oh? Brother, you're here?" Zhuo Jing said with a smile. "I've been making short videos lately, about campus dating, and I've got over 300,000 followers. Would you like to make a cameo appearance in one of them and help me boost my popularity?"

"3, 2, 1, turn around. I'm from group E, and you're from group I?" Li Xingyu waved his hand. "No interest, no interest."

"Okay then, wait a bit, I have another episode to film." Zhuo Jing was a little disappointed, "It'll be quick."

"Hurry up, hey, wait a minute..." Just as Li Xingyu was about to introduce Zhang Yang, Zhuo Jing ran off to do something else.

"Young Master Zhang, we'll have to wait a bit." Li Xingyu came up and shook his head helplessly.

"It's fine, I'll watch for a while, there's no rush," Zhang Yang said nonchalantly.

Not far away, Zhuo Jing was busy making a phone call.

This episode is one she's been planning for a long time and has high hopes for.

This time, the girl had arranged to meet a senior student majoring in dance performance beforehand. As for the boy, he was quite something—the undisputed heartthrob of Beijing Sport University: Ouyang Kai.

But now, no matter how many times she calls, she can't get through to Ouyang Kai.

"Trying to act tough with me, huh?" Zhuo Jing gritted her teeth in anger. "So what if he's the school heartthrob? Does he think he can stand me up?"

She glanced at the tall, leggy senior walking gracefully towards her in the distance, and immediately looked troubled.

This senior student was giving her face; she couldn't let her make a wasted trip, could she?

Just then, a message came in on my phone; it was a voice message.

"Um... Sister Zhuo Jing, I'm really sorry, something came up and I can't make it," Ouyang Kai said in a voice message.

"Go to hell with you! You dare not give me face? Be careful on the road next time." Zhuo Jing retorted angrily, then looked up with a smile and greeted the senior student majoring in dance. "Senior!"