After lunch, Lin Chao Ci did not rest. He returned to the company to review documents. The business had only just gotten on track, and there was far too much to do.
A little hardship now was worth it if it meant he could take it easy later.
He worked until past two in the afternoon.
Fang Miaoke reminded Lin Chao Ci of the time.
"It's already two before I knew it. Let's head to Baifu Teahouse! Come on..."
Tencent CEO Ma had spoken with Lin Chao Ci on the phone the night before and said he would arrive in Haikou City sometime after two that afternoon.
Lin Chao Ci had already sent his secretary, Sister Li, to meet him at the airport.
After all, Ma was not yet the business titan worth trillions he would become. Right now, he needed something from Lin Chao Ci. There was no need for Lin Chao Ci to be overly deferential; showing the proper courtesy was enough.
After they had waited at Baifu Teahouse for a little over ten minutes, footsteps sounded outside. Tencent CEO Ma and his legal team had arrived.
Knock, knock, knock...
"Come in..."
After knocking and receiving permission, the group pushed the door open and entered.
Leading them was none other than Tencent CEO Ma, who would become a household name in the years to come.
"Hahaha... Brother Ma, I've admired you for ages. I've heard all about your legendary achievements. I've been using the PP you developed all this time..."
"Hahaha, you flatter me, Brother Lin. You're the real young talent here. When I was your age, I was still just shooting the breeze..."
Although this was their first meeting, the two acted like old friends, calling each other brothers and chatting away.
Lin Chao Ci went forward to welcome him, draping an arm around Ma's shoulders as they walked over. Lin Chao Ci took the seat of honor, with Ma beside him.
"Sit, sit! What are you all standing around for?"
Only after exchanging a few more words did they notice that everyone else was still standing. A little speechless, they quickly waved for everyone to sit.
"Brother Ma, we're both straightforward men. Let's take care of business first..."
"Sure!"
One was eager to raise funds, while the other was eager to invest. They hit it off immediately and, without wasting words, instructed their legal teams to review the contract.
Naturally, Lin Chao Ci had brought his company's lawyers too. They were all industry elites, and a little task like reviewing a contract was a piece of cake for them.
Before long, both legal teams had read through the contract.
Both sides had shown plenty of sincerity, and the contract was generally sound.
"No issues, boss..."
"Boss, aside from the provision that the US$2.3 million will arrive within seven days after the share transfer, everything else is basically fine!"
The Penguin Company's lawyers had spotted an issue in Lin Chao Ci's contract and quietly reported it to their boss.
"The funds won't arrive until after the shares are transferred? Is there a problem with that clause?"
Tencent CEO Ma was not particularly familiar with legal matters, so he asked in confusion.
"There are some issues. Generally, once both sides formally sign a contract, they put down a portion as a deposit. But this contract requires us to transfer the shares first, before they pay..."
The company's lawyers explained their concerns and the possible consequences to their boss.
If Lin Chao Ci took the shares without transferring the money, it would be nothing short of a disaster for the Penguin Company.
They would have wasted their time and would probably get nowhere.
Lin Chao Ci's backing was far too powerful. If it really went to court, their chances of winning would be next to nothing...
"Brother Lin, what do you have to say about this?"
The private room was only so large, so each side could naturally hear what the other was saying.
Tencent's boss put the question to Lin Chao Ci candidly.
Lin Chao Ci smiled, unsurprised, and told him the truth. "Brother Ma, I won't lie to you. My company really doesn't have much cash in its account right now. But there's no need to worry. You know who I am!"
"Do you think someone in my position needs to stiff you? US$2.3 million is only what one or two antiques in my family's collection are worth!"
It was a fact that the company account had no money. Ma had connections of his own, and he could find out if he really wanted to investigate.
There was no need for Lin Chao Ci to hide it, so he simply told the truth.
After all, the most valuable asset this company had was his own name.
If the other party did not trust him, there was nothing he could do. He would just take an antique or two as collateral and get a bank loan.
"Hahaha, you're an honest man, Brother Lin! Of course I trust you. I can see what kind of man you are! I'll sign. The shares will be transferred into your name by tomorrow at the latest!"
In fact, Ma had investigated the state of Lin Chao Ci's company before coming.
There really was not much money left in its account.
But he had still been willing to come, solely because he trusted Lin Chao Ci's standing.
Tencent CEO Ma signed his name in a few quick strokes.
Lin Chao Ci smiled and signed his own name as well, inwardly marveling. Ma truly deserved to become the richest man in the future. He had vision and knew how to make a decisive call.
Both sides soon finished signing the contract and shook hands, sealing their partnership.
Afterward, Lin Chao Ci chatted with Ma for a little longer.
Since there were matters at Ma's company that required him to return and take charge, Lin Chao Ci did not try to keep him. He personally saw Ma out.
Ma had come in a hurry and left just as quickly.
Less than an hour after landing in Haikou City, he was flying out again.
Watching him go, Lin Chao Ci could not help remarking, "Damn, no wonder he becomes the richest man. He's talented and still works this hard. How is anyone else supposed to compete...?"
"Hehehe, but the harder he works, the better. That way, I can make money without lifting a finger!"
Now, Lin Chao Ci had truly secured a berth aboard Tencent, the future corporate behemoth.
Even if he did nothing from then on, he could still end up worth hundreds of millions.
But Lin Chao Ci was not satisfied yet. Seeing how hard Ma worked had fired him up a little too.
He returned to his office and spent some more time reviewing documents.
"Nope, I can't do this anymore. It's exhausting. Taking it easy really suits me better! I worked myself to the bone in my last life, slaving away at overtime every day..."
Lin Chao Ci lounged lazily in his executive chair, looking down over Haikou City from above.
Haikou City was not yet as prosperous as it would become.
Even downtown had only a handful of buildings, none particularly tall.
Who could have known that this place would develop into a first-tier city?
Beep, beep, beep...
The phone in Lin Chao Ci's pocket rang. It was the one he used specifically to contact Qiangzi and the others.
The message was brief: "Ding Qiushan's men have discovered the Investigation Team!"
Reading it made Lin Chao Ci's head ache with anger.
"Damn! Seriously? Has this Investigation Team sent down by the higher-ups lost its mind?"
"I handed you a perfect chain of evidence! There's so much ironclad proof, and any single piece could finish that bastard Ding Qiushan! Why aren't you submitting it right away? What are you still investigating in Haikou City?"
"Fine, investigate if you want, but how can you be this incompetent? You've barely started and you've already been discovered! You screw up more than you accomplish. How did people this useless get onto the Investigation Team...?"
He inwardly cursed every one of those useless members of the Investigation Team.
Those idiots had ruined his entire plan.
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