Chapter 13

Just as Zhongli Sui had said before, he was only reminding Zhongli Sui of what he knew within the limits of his ability. As for what decision to make, Zhongli Sui still had to decide for himself.

"Haoyang Technology's bottom line is 7.8 billion. The AI technology they developed may sound impressive, but XD Company in Country D broke through that technology three months ago. It has already been put into practical automobile production. At most, within half a year, this kind of AI system will achieve widespread adoption across the global market. Haoyang Technology had kept refusing Tiansui Capital's acquisition offer because of this patent. They thought they possessed a priceless treasure and could demand a high price. But they never expected XD Company to bypass the patent barriers and develop a more advanced AI system. Once they learned the news, they wanted to sell Haoyang Technology as quickly as possible while XD Company was still keeping it under wraps."

Gu Chen paused, then added, "And Pan Haoyang previously went gambling in Las Vegas and slept with some local big shot's mistress. Now that it's come to light, the other party has come looking for him. Pan Haoyang wants to pay his way out of trouble, but he'll have to give them at least 100 million US dollars. Otherwise, they'll cut off Pan Haoyang's..."

Gu Chen paused again and put it tactfully. "...the instrument of the crime. So Pan Haoyang is in desperate need of money right now. His bottom line is 7 billion US dollars."

The reason Gu Chen knew all this so clearly was entirely because Pan Haoyang was such a frivolous man. In his previous life, Pan Haoyang had demanded 8.6 billion US dollars and sold Haoyang Technology to Tiansui Capital. Then he immediately bragged about it until everyone knew. During media interviews, he mocked Zhongli Sui more than once, saying he was not the investment genius everyone praised, just a sucker who threw money around. He also claimed Zhongli Sui had no eye for investment, laughing at him for not even knowing that XD Company in Country D had already made a breakthrough in AI technology, yet spending 8.6 billion to acquire Haoyang Technology when its core technology had already become obsolete.

Because of Pan Haoyang's series of actions, even though Zhongli Sui eventually proved with facts that his decision to spend 8.6 billion on Haoyang Technology had been entirely worthwhile, his reputation was still damaged. Tiansui Capital's acquisition of Haoyang Technology practically became a black mark in Zhongli Sui's history. Whenever someone disliked Zhongli Sui, they would inevitably bring up this project to mock him as a foolish spendthrift, completely ignoring the fact that Tiansui Capital had always offered exceptionally generous terms in investment and acquisition deals.

After selling Haoyang Technology, Pan Haoyang started his own financial investment company. Whenever he needed to fleece investors and swindle financing, he would dredge up this incident to show off, using it to prove that his investment talent and negotiating skills were actually better than Zhongli Sui's—he was practically building his image by stepping on Zhongli Sui. The key was that plenty of brainless investors actually believed him, allowing Pan Haoyang to enjoy several years in the limelight. In the end, the P2P scandal erupted, and he lost everything before being thrown into prison.

The very thought of it made Gu Chen angry. Given a second life, he did not want Zhongli Sui to become this kind of person's stepping stone. Nor did he want to give Pan Haoyang another chance to mock Zhongli Sui and build his image at Zhongli Sui's expense. He simply laid Pan Haoyang's secrets bare. "If you don't believe me, you can have someone investigate. XD Company in Country D has already begun using AI in-car systems in automobiles. When first-tier production chains around the world are all doing it, there's no way the news can be completely sealed off. And you should also be able to verify that people from Las Vegas have come to Pan Haoyang to collect a debt."

Zhongli Sui looked deeply at Gu Chen. Gu Chen's eyes were clear as he steadily met his gaze.

After a long while, Zhongli Sui said into the phone, "Suspend the signing. Wait until I get there to handle this personally."

After hanging up, Zhongli Sui called his assistant and instructed him to investigate XD Company and the matter of Pan Haoyang being pursued over a debt. Once he finished, he told his assistant to book him an afternoon flight to Hu City. "I'm making a trip to Hu City. I'll go meet Pan Haoyang again."

At that, Zhongli Sui glanced at Gu Chen once more and instructed his assistant, "Once this is handled, come to Great Zhou World. I bought a residence here. Come take care of the paperwork."

After ending the call, Zhongli Sui smiled at Gu Chen. "I like this place very much. We can sign the contract."

Gu Chen froze for a moment before realizing what he meant. Before he could organize what to say next, Zhongli Sui asked again, "I think you have a good talent for investment. Would you be interested in interning at Tiansui Capital?"

Gu Chen's eyes lit up at first, but then he thought of something and hurriedly shook his head. "I'd better not."

Gu Chen knew his own limits. In this second life, everything he knew about Zhongli Sui was based entirely on investment cases hailed by the industry as textbook examples, as well as media interviews. If it really came down to talent and ability, Gu Chen was certainly no match for the people on Zhongli Sui's team. Otherwise, he would not have managed a company straight into bankruptcy.

Besides, this was only his first meeting with Zhongli Sui, yet he had already made himself seem highly calculating. If he accepted Zhongli Sui's internship offer right then and there, wouldn't that make things even harder to explain? More importantly, bound by the plot, he still had to go through the storyline with Gu Xiu, Huo Mingzhang, and the rest! Gu Chen did not want Zhongli Sui to see him at his most pathetic and miserable.

Things were fine as they were now.

Gu Chen pressed his lips into a straight line. "If Mr. Zhongli is satisfied with this property, we can sign the contract now. Don't worry, I'll explain every term clearly before you sign. As for the loan interest rate, I'll also help you calculate the most suitable—"

"No need," Zhongli Sui interrupted. "I'll pay in full."

Gu Chen: "..."

Fine! As expected of a rich man! A property worth tens of millions, and he could just decide to pay in full!

Gu Chen sighed. "Then shall we go back and sign the contract now?"

Zhongli Sui looked at Gu Chen and suddenly smiled. "You're in such a hurry. Don't you want to chat with me a little longer?"

Gu Chen: "...Huh?"

Chapter 13

"You said just now that you're a student at A University and that you just started your freshman year?"

Gu Chen nodded.

Zhongli Sui asked again, "Are you from City A?"

Gu Chen shook his head. "My hometown is Snow City."

Zhongli Sui looked somewhat surprised. "Then you only came to City A after the college entrance exam?"

Gu Chen continued nodding.