Chapter 83 Li Fengrui

Chapter 83 Li Fengrui

After getting to know Zheng Bin, Jiang Luo had one more regular companion. These days, he basically went to play pool with Zheng Bin almost every night and returned to Wukang Road very late.

Huo Zongzhuo never rushed him, would just call to ask if he was hungry or if he wanted something to eat so he could have a snack when he got home.

When he arrived home, the doors of the two adjacent bedrooms were always open. Jiang Luo would take off his coat at the doorway while chatting and joking with Huo Zongzhuo about Zheng Bin.

Like how Zheng Bin’s sister was married in Haicheng, and her husband’s family was in the pharmaceutical industry.

Like when Zheng Bin spent his last three hundred, he went to his sister’s place two days ago to give her dog a bath and shamelessly asked for another twenty thousand.

Like how Zheng Bin’s father still didn’t know that Zheng Bin had already spent the entire million and was still dreaming that his son would make a big splash in Haicheng. Zheng Bin’s mother and sister both fell into the category of indulgent mothers raising spoiled sons. They had already discussed over the phone to jointly make up the million to prevent Zheng Bin’s father from finding out, lest he get so angry he might just kill the kid.

Standing at his bedroom door, Jiang Luo laughed as he told Huo Zongzhuo, who was already sitting at the head of the bed, "Zheng Bin’s sister is also in on the cover-up. Now their coal tycoon father in Shanxi still thinks Zheng Bin is working in the medical business with his brother-in-law. When he calls, the brother-in-law helps keep up the act."

Huo Zongzhuo found it amusing but called out, "It’s cold. Don’t take off your clothes out there. Go take a shower."

"Got it!"

After Jiang Luo finished showering, he came out and called out to the bedroom, "Dad, I’m going to sleep."

Neither of them closed their bedroom doors.

Jiang Luo never closed his door when sleeping, so they could talk between rooms if they had something to say.

Huo Zongzhuo used to habitually close his door when sleeping, but now that he saw Jiang Luo leaving his open, he did the same, resting and sleeping with the door wide open every day.

When morning came and it was time to get up, Jiang Luo would call out from next door, "Huo Zongzhuo! Get up! The sun is shining on your butt!"

Huo Zongzhuo would get up every day to this wake-up call.

Sometimes, while tying his tie in front of the mirror, he could hear Jiang Luo singing from next door.

Jiang Luo loved singing Cantonese songs, with clear enunciation, on-key, and a very pleasant voice.

Huo Zongzhuo didn’t understand Cantonese; he only knew Jiang Luo was singing love songs, laid-back yet captivating.

Huo Zongzhuo used to have no music in his car, but now he bought a few tapes of Hong Kong singers and would pop them in during drives.

He listened to "*Half Moon Serenade*," hearing the lyrics: "But my heart, every minute, every moment, is still occupied by him. He is like the moon, still silent…"

He listened to "*Thousands of Songs*," hearing the lyrics: "Just as we part, I suddenly feel the beauty of sorrow. It turns out it’s all you, making my memories long…"

Huo Zongzhuo used to not understand music and didn’t enjoy listening to songs, but now he also began to find Cantonese songs really growing on him.

One day, Li Fengrui played host again, inviting Jiang Luo to dinner at the Bund.

Jiang Luo was too busy and initially declined politely over the phone. Li Fengrui called several more times, speaking very courteously, repeatedly saying it was just to get together and catch up. Jiang Luo finally found time to go when he returned to the city from the factory that day.

Little did he know that Li Fengrui hadn’t just invited him but also several others, and even arranged for young, pretty escorts to accompany them.

As soon as Jiang Luo entered, he knew it wouldn’t be easy to leave.

He exchanged pleasantries with several business owners clearly older than him. Li Fengrui also introduced them to each other, making it clear this was a networking dinner.

Jiang Luo didn’t mind attending such dinners; as a businessman, socializing was unavoidable. But having women accompany them was something he wasn't having any of it.

He didn’t let the young girl Li Fengrui had arranged help him take off his coat. He took it off himself, draped it over his arm, and casually tossed it onto the back of his chair when he sat down.

Li Fengrui was already seated, holding the hand of the woman next to him, and smiled at Jiang Luo, "What’s wrong? Not your type?"

"If you don’t like her, I’ll swap with you."

As he spoke, he gestured for the woman next to him to go to Jiang Luo.

"Don't," Jiang Luo said as he sat down. "Wouldn't want to poach your date."

The girl meant to sit with him also sat down beside him, but Jiang Luo didn’t look at her.

One of the business owners laughed, trying to smooth things over, "President Jiang is still too young and doesn’t appreciate the charms of women yet."

Jiang Luo replied unhurriedly, "When you all go home today, your wives will make a scene."

Everyone laughed, assuming Jiang Luo just wasn’t interested in the girl accompanying him. Li Fengrui didn’t push it either and gave a look for the girl next to Jiang Luo to leave.

The girl, whether out of embarrassment or something else, left in tears.

After she left, another business owner immediately said, "President Jiang, you’re not one for gallantry."

Jiang Luo shot back smoothly, "You all can be chivalrous. I’ll focus on the food."

"Later, when I’m full, you’ll all still be hungry."

"We can 'eat' in other ways…"

The men all laughed heartily, including Li Fengrui.

Jiang Luo curled his lips, thinking to himself: Nothing but sex on the brain.

During the dinner, Li Fengrui specifically made a point of introducing a man seated to his right to Jiang Luo, saying, "This is Boss Wang, from Tongcheng."

Boss Wang raised his wine cup to Jiang Luo, and Jiang Luo reciprocated. He knew Li Fengrui wasn't just making introductions without a specific purpose.

Jiang Luo was clearly wary of Li Fengrui.

After this meal, Jiang Luo went back to being busy. He was swamped with work and soon put Li Fengrui and the other newly met business owners out of his mind.

One day, as Jiang Luo was leaving the factory by car, his cell phone rang.

"Hello."

Jiang Luo answered.

A vaguely familiar voice came from the other end, laughing, "President Jiang, how’s it going?"

"Are you free right now?"

"It’s Wang Feng. We met that time at the Bund during dinner, introduced by President Li from Pacific. Remember?"

Jiang Luo remembered and replied, "Hmm. What can I do for you, President Wang?"

President Wang: "I do have something I’d like to ask for your advice on, President Jiang. If you have time, would you honor me with a meal? How about it?"

Jiang Luo wasn't about to be rude to such politeness and was about to decline gently when the voice on the other end added, "It’s related to your clothing factory."

Jiang Luo hesitated, then rephrased: "We’re all clear-headed people, why not speak plainly?"

Manager Wang replied, "Some things are better said in person."

"How about this—I won’t keep you long. Just join me for a cup of coffee, alright?"

Jiang Luo agreed.

After hanging up and putting down his phone, Jiang Luo thought about Manager Wang’s offer and had a feeling nothing good would come of it. Li Fengrui wasn’t exactly a stand-up guy.

So that dinner wasn’t just about networking.

At the café, Jiang Luo arrived and approached the table. Manager Wang rose, smiled, and said, "What’ll you have, Jiang Luo?" while extending his hand.

Jiang Luo shook his hand and sat down, checking his watch. Calmly, he said, "No need. I've been swamped lately."

He leaned back in his chair. "Let’s cut to the chase, Manager Wang."

Manager Wang signaled the waiter to order a hot latte and smiled. "I know you’re pressed for time, so I'll cut to the chase."

"No offense, Jiang Luo."

"Here’s the deal..."

It turned out Manager Wang had an inside track who could get hold of equipment from a state-owned garment factory in Tongcheng.

The equipment had been replaced just over a year ago and was in like-new condition.

Coincidentally, that state-owned garment factory was going through reforms and liquidating its equipment. Since Jiang Luo also owned a garment factory and needed equipment, Manager Wang proposed whether Jiang Luo would be interested in buying the equipment—at a low price.

Jiang Luo had wondered what it was about. He mulled it over and found it straightforward. "If the equipment is new and imported, of course I'm interested," he said.

Then he added, "How good a deal are we talking? How much of a discount?"

Manager Wang quoted a number under his breath. Jiang Luo raised an eyebrow. "That cheap? Are you sure it's imported?"

Manager Wang sipped his coffee. "Imported, all of it. Japanese imports."

Jiang Luo thought for a moment, puzzled. "If it’s a simple restructuring, why sell the equipment?"

Especially since it was imported equipment purchased just a year ago.

Why would they need to sell it off?

Manager Wang dodged, "Above my paygrade. I just know they're selling the old equipment."

Jiang Luo said decisively, "If the machinery is new, imported, and up-to-date, there's no issue. I'm willing to buy."

He was also straightforward. "I’ll clear my schedule to go to Tongcheng with you and inspect the gear. Let's see how much there is."

"Absolutely."

Manager Wang nodded with a smile.

Seeing his expression, Jiang Luo sensed he was holding back. He prompted, "Is there something you're not saying?"

Wang leaned forward, wringing his hands, looking thoughtful.

Just then, the server arrived with the coffee. Manager Wang stayed silent. Jiang Luo took the coffee, took a sip, and waited patiently.

He wanted to see what Li Fengrui was up to by introducing this man and proposing this deal.

Manager Wang looked up, a glint in his eye. "Here's the thing, Jiang Luo."

He stood up, moved around the table, pulled up a chair, and sat down next to Jiang Luo, leaning in to lower his voice...

Jiang Luo didn't even need to hear the full plan. Halfway through, he understood and smirked to himself.

This wasn't about buying secondhand imported equipment.

It was about making his garment factory a front to embezzle state-owned assets.

There was indeed a garment factory in Tongcheng undergoing restructuring. It had indeed replaced its equipment a year ago, and that equipment was indeed up for sale due to the factory's issues.

But! Jiang Luo wasn't meant to actually acquire the equipment—he was just a pawn in their game.

Essentially, Jiang Luo's garment factory would on paper, buy the secondhand imported equipment at an extremely low price.

Once the equipment was acquired, Manager Wang would find a way to resell it to someone else at a high price.

In this back-and-forth, the equipment would change hands, and the profit would be skimmed.

This difference—or the profit from reselling—Manager Wang proposed to split with Jiang Luo, offering him a 30% cut.

Wasn't this just a thinly veiled form of embezzling state-owned assets?

Jiang Luo sneered inwardly but kept his expression neutral. He wasn't surprised—these days, people would do anything for money.

Jiang Luo wasn't some saint either. If he were hard up for cash and the risks were low, he might have considered it.

But now he was running a legitimate business, operating a proper factory. Why would he risk his own enterprise to help Li Fengrui and Manager Wang pull this stunt?

Damn you, Li Fengrui.

No good opportunities came his way, and since they weren't friends anyway, why rope him into this?

"Jiang Luo, what do you think..."

Manager Wang rubbed his hands together, smiling, assuming that since Li Fengrui had introduced them and they were all "friends," with easy money to be made and little risk, Jiang Luo would surely agree.

If there were any disagreement, it would only be over how to split the profits...

But as Manager Wang smiled, Jiang Luo suddenly stood up. Manager Wang froze, looking at him in confusion. "Jiang Luo?"

Jiang Luo didn't hide his displeasure. He looked down at Manager Wang coldly and said, "Tell Li Fengrui to find someone else for this kind of thing."

"I, Jiang Luo, don't have time for these shenanigans with you."