Chapter 59 At the Table

Chapter 59: Taking a Seat at the Table

At this time, various individuals were navigating their distinct life paths:

Huo Zongzhuo remained in Haicheng, processing the paperwork for land acquisition and development.

Wang Chuang was inspecting factories, having recently returned from business trips.

Bai Ting and Wang Junwei were jointly selling pagers.

Jiang Jianmin and Zhang Xiangping were working three shifts at the silk factory.

Mo Wanzhen had traveled to Jinling to conduct sales training for the counter staff at a department store.

The three members of the Zhao family were each engrossed in their work. Zhao Mingshi returned home, feigning understanding. He calmly moved out of his original bedroom, a gesture that earned him concern and sympathy from Zhao Shuo and Su Lan, each of whom discreetly gave him a few hundred yuan.

Zhao Mingshi also engaged Zhao Guangyuan in a heartfelt conversation, playing the role of a devoted son so convincingly that Zhao Guangyuan’s heart softened, praising him as a "good son" repeatedly.

Regardless of their activities, Jiang Luo was persistently making international long-distance calls at the post office.

During this period, Huo Zongzhuo and Jiang Luo met. Whether over meals or during casual chats, Jiang Luo remained silent, never once mentioning his loan application.

He only spoke of business in a relaxed tone, telling Huo Zongzhuo, "I’m not a man of grand ideals. I do business simply to make money."

"I love money, I love earning it, I love spending it, and I love the triumph of successfully completing a task."

"When I win, I feel incredibly happy and proud."

This was the Jiang Luo whom Huo Zongzhuo admired and cherished. Yet, concerning the loan, Jiang Luo remained tight-lipped, not breathing a word to anyone.

Several days later, Huo Zongzhuo attended a dinner where he encountered an executive from the Bank of China. The executive lightheartedly recounted how two individuals from a branch had caused such a commotion over a ten-million-yuan loan that they had almost become the bank’s laughingstock. Only then did Huo Zongzhuo begin to piece things together.

He happened to ask what the ten million was for. The executive replied, "A private business owner claimed he wanted to purchase imported garment manufacturing equipment. He approached a branch, requesting a ten-million-yuan loan."

He added, "Their manager is Zhou Qian. I know him; he’s quite a stubborn fellow."

"I suspect this Zhou Qian isn’t taking any bribes, but for some reason, he’s been coming to the head office repeatedly, all for this ten million."

Upon hearing "garment factory," a thought flashed through Huo Zongzhuo’s mind, and he pressed further: "Which factory? What’s the owner’s name?"

The executive responded, "That I don’t know. Loan applications don’t pass through my department; I’ve only heard about it."

Huo Zongzhuo did not pursue the matter.

But he wondered if it could be Jiang Luo. What if it was?

Yet Jiang Luo had never brought it up.

Huo Zongzhuo mused that Jiang Luo always had his own clear intentions. If he hadn’t mentioned it, perhaps he had his reasons.

Therefore, Huo Zongzhuo didn’t question Jiang Luo directly. He made a mental note, and a couple of days later, when he had business at the Bank of China headquarters, he casually mentioned it to an executive there.

Coincidentally, the executive had Zhou Qian’s previously submitted loan materials on his desk. He retrieved them and presented them to Huo Zongzhuo.

Huo Zongzhuo took one look and realized that the applicant for the ten million was none other than Jiang Luo.

Huo Zongzhuo quickly scanned the documents, then understood that Jiang Luo intended to purchase equipment and establish a factory.

This perfectly aligned with Huo Zongzhuo’s earlier conjecture—when Jiang Luo moved to a larger factory, he had already suspected an expansion was underway.

Looking at the documents, Huo Zongzhuo barely hesitated before telling the Bank of China executive, "I’ll sign as guarantor."

What?

The executive’s hand, holding a teacup, froze.

Guarantor?

Huo Zongzhuo?!

When Zhou Qian was summoned with the paperwork, he was overjoyed by the sudden turn of events.

He believed the executive possessed keen insight and that his own luck had finally changed; his efforts were yielding results.

Upon reaching the executive’s office door, he was not immediately permitted entry. The executive’s secretary took the loan materials, knocked, and delivered them into the office.

Zhou Qian, of course, was unaware that these documents would soon be in the hands of a man named Huo Zongzhuo.

Zhou Qian did not know Huo Zongzhuo.

Huo Zongzhuo sat on the sofa, reviewed the documents, and then retrieved a fountain pen from the inner pocket of his suit jacket.

The executive, sipping his tea nearby, remarked, "If you had mentioned earlier that he was a friend of yours, Mr. Huo, and that you were guaranteeing it, I would have approved it ages ago."

"Zhou Qian is also quite foolish—he just keeps bringing the materials here himself, unable to think outside the box."

The executive took another sip of tea and asked Huo Zongzhuo, who was meticulously examining the documents, "This friend of yours applying for the loan—you must be quite close, given your willingness to guarantee it."

Huo Zongzhuo, still looking at the materials, turned a page, uncapped his pen, and prepared to sign. "Indeed, we are."

"He didn’t mention it to me. If he had, I would have come to assist."

The executive chuckled, "Your friend is also stubborn, unable to think flexibly."

Huo Zongzhuo poised his pen, its tip about to touch the signature line for the guarantor, when suddenly the door opened. Another executive from the Bank of China entered and immediately declared, "Old Fang, do you recall that ten-million-yuan loan from the branch?"

"Just now, the Juxiang Town government in Jiading called. They said they would guarantee that loan and asked us to approve the ten million."

What?

Not only the executive but Huo Zongzhuo also straightened up, turning a puzzled gaze toward the newcomer.

Ultimately, no pen touched paper on the guarantor line. Huo Zongzhuo capped his pen.

So, what exactly had transpired?

The story began with Jiang Luo’s repeated loan rejections and his subsequent trips to the post office to make international calls.

As it turned out, Jiang Luo was well aware that a ten-million-yuan loan would not be easily secured. The rejections were entirely within his expectations.

So, while maintaining contact with Qian Heng, Jiang Luo also went to the post office and called the German company that manufactured industrial garment equipment.

Jiang Luo spoke fluent English. After connecting, he stated his purpose, and the German company found an English speaker to communicate with him.

Jiang Luo clarified over the phone that he was from Haicheng, China, and specified the types and quantities of equipment he wished to purchase.

Furthermore, Jiang Luo informed the German company that he lacked sufficient funds to pay for the machinery and had applied for a bank loan, which remained unapproved due to the substantial amount.

Why did Jiang Luo discuss this with the German company?

Because he needed their support.

Over the phone, he proposed a solution to the loan problem, informing the German company that they could acquire shares in his factory without investing a single cent. Simultaneously, he guaranteed he would pay the full price for the machinery.

The German company’s sole responsibility was to endorse him.

What was the purpose of this endorsement?

To facilitate Jiang Luo’s approach to the Juxiang Town government.

Indeed, while communicating with the German company, Jiang Luo also contacted the Juxiang Town government.

He informed the town government that he could offer them shares in his garment factory, which would also have German company investment, effectively making it a semi-foreign enterprise.

The town government would not need to contribute any capital to receive factory shares and future dividends. However, in return, the town government would also need to endorse Jiang Luo, meaning they would guarantee the loan to ensure the Bank of China approved the ten-million-yuan loan.

When the entire logical chain of events became clear, the Bank of China was astonished by Jiang Luo’s ingenious methods.

Who could have conceived of such a plan?

No one could have imagined things could be handled this way!

It was as if Jiang Luo had orchestrated a gathering, bringing the German company, the Juxiang Town government, the Bank of China, and the garment factory to the table, playing with all cards face up.

Everyone stood to benefit, and no one would suffer a loss.

Since everyone could gain, who would refuse?

And so, just like that, the town government signed the guarantee, and the Bank of China approved the ten-million-yuan loan. The funds would soon be disbursed to the branch and lent to Jiang Luo, who could then use the money to purchase equipment from the German company.

Huo Zongzhuo encountered Jiang Luo at the entrance of the city’s post office.

Jiang Luo had just finished an international long-distance call and emerged, hands in his pockets, smiling.

Huo Zongzhuo gazed at the young man, his eyes sparkling with amusement, filled with profound satisfaction and admiration.

No one so young could have devised such a strategy.

Even Huo Zongzhuo himself couldn’t have.

Jiang Luo was simply too brilliant.

"How did it go?"

Jiang Luo already knew that Huo Zongzhuo was aware of his bank loan.

As he approached, he asked, "Pretty impressive, huh?"

Huo Zongzhuo couldn’t help but laugh.

"Why didn’t you tell me? If you had, I would have co-signed the guarantee for you. You wouldn’t have had to make countless trips to the town government or come here repeatedly to make international calls."

Jiang Luo smirked, a smug and audacious grin: "No need, I’ve already handled it, haven’t I?"

"A few shares, and I got everyone on board."

Huo Zongzhuo sighed, "Ten million—you’re really taking a huge leap."

Who would dare to take out a ten-million-yuan loan so young, with no fallback plan?

Even Huo Zongzhuo wouldn’t dare.

Only Jiang Luo would.

Jiang Luo raised an eyebrow, his face radiating confident swagger: "What’s there to fear about taking a big step? If it hurts, it’s just for a moment; it won’t kill me."

"Alright~"

Huo Zongzhuo was thoroughly impressed, completely convinced.

He refrained from expressing worries or offering advice based on his own experiences.

In his eyes, Jiang Luo’s confidence, boldness, and even arrogance were all qualities he cherished.

He cherished them deeply.

Now, Jiang Luo had secured the ten-million-yuan loan by bringing everyone to the table, without even needing Huo Zongzhuo’s guarantee.

Such clever and efficient methods filled Huo Zongzhuo with nothing but admiration and boundless affection.

He wasn’t afraid of what might happen if Jiang Luo took too big a step.

With him around, Jiang Luo would be fine.

He would provide Jiang Luo with a safety net, ensuring his secure landing.

"Let me hug you."

Huo Zongzhuo, overwhelmed with emotion, opened his arms to the approaching Jiang Luo and embraced him.

Jiang Luo chuckled, his voice close to Huo Zongzhuo’s ear: "Treating me like a son again?"

Huo Zongzhuo thought to himself, *Yes, you are my son, my little friend.*

Jiang Luo didn’t need to go anywhere or return to any place—Huo Zongzhuo’s presence was Jiang Luo’s sanctuary.

"Next time, tell me. Even if you don’t need my help, at least let me know."

"Got it."

Jiang Luo snorted: "Worrying for no reason again."

Huo Zongzhuo released the embrace: "Find some time, and I’ll take you back to Suzhou. You can meet my mother."

"Sure."

Jiang Luo nodded: "I thought you were too busy and forgot."

Huo Zongzhuo smiled at Jiang Luo: "When have I ever forgotten a promise I made to you?"

Huo Zongzhuo opened the passenger door: "Get in."

Jiang Luo walked to the side: "My car is parked over there. You drive, and I’ll follow you."

That night, in his hotel room, while on the phone with his mother back in Suzhou, Huo Zongzhuo said into the cell phone: "I can feel that I’m growing fonder of him."

"I was just getting to know him at first and thought he was too young, and that the more time I spent with him, the less I’d like him."

"But now I like him more and more."

His mother was delighted and said over the phone, "That’s wonderful."

Huo Zongzhuo chuckled, "It is good."

He continued, "You have no idea, I was about to sign the papers, but when I found out he had secured a guarantee from the town government and even reached out to a company in Germany, I was so shocked you could’ve knocked me over with a feather."

"It was completely unexpected."

"Only he would think of something like that."

"He’s so clever, I don’t even know what to do with him."

His mother laughed, "If you don’t know what to do with him, and he doesn’t need you to sign any guarantees, just be extra sweet to him."

Huo Zongzhuo smiled, somewhat helplessly, his tone full of adoration, "I don’t even know how to spoil him."

At the disco, in a long booth under the atmospheric, chaotically flashing multicolored lights, Jiang Luo had a lollipop dangling from his mouth and casually tossed a wad of hundred-yuan bills into the air. Wang Chuang whooped and cheered beside him. Surrounding them were colleagues and bystanders who’d been drawn over, while a crowd danced to the music in the center of the floor.

As Jiang Luo threw the money, a man’s voice blasted through the sound system, echoing across every corner of the disco, loud and excited: "Party however you want! Drink whatever you want!"

"Tonight, all drinks are on Boss Jiang!"

"Wow~~"

"Awesome—"

The entire hall erupted in cheers.

Jiang Luo tossed another wad of bills into the air.

The banknotes fluttered down like confetti, mirroring his soaring mood.

Let it fly!

Fly!