Chapter 931 - 897: This Damned Vanity

Chen Qianfan asked: "Is Mo Han going to invest?"

Xu Chunliang laughed and said: "I’m actually considering how much to let her invest."

Hu Yuchun and Yuan Musheng exchanged glances. Generally, people are eager for others to invest as much as possible, but Xu Chunliang said he had to consider how much to let others invest, making it seem like others were eager to chase after his investment.

Chen Qianfan said: "She’s in the Capital City, you didn’t ask her."

Xu Chunliang said: "Why don’t you ask?"

Chen Qianfan laughed: "That wouldn’t be appropriate."

Xu Chunliang said: "She taught you before, she’s your teacher, you know each other. It’s not appropriate for me to ask directly; it’s most suitable for you to ask."

Chen Qianfan nodded: "Then I’ll really do it."

Xu Chunliang laughed: "Put it on speaker, I’m not tricking you."

Chen Qianfan actually called Mo Han and, as Xu Chunliang suggested, put it on speaker.

The phone rang for a while before Mo Han answered, sounding obviously impatient: "Chen Qianfan, what do you want?"

Chen Qianfan said: "President Mo, no, Teacher Mo, I heard that Equatorial Capital plans to invest in a hospital in Dongzhou."

"That’s right, did Xu Chunliang tell you? Aren’t you two drinking together?"

Chen Qianfan glanced at Xu Chunliang, thinking she knows you too well. Xu Chunliang shook his head, indicating for him not to reveal he’s there, as Mo Han wasn’t clairvoyant, it was likely a guess.

Chen Qianfan, being an old hand, wasn’t easily caught in a trap: "No, I did see him this afternoon, he went on a date with his girlfriend this evening."

Pan Junfeng stifled a laugh, thinking that Chen Qianfan was indeed a mischievous friend, why bring that up.

Mo Han said: "Ye Qingya?"

Xu Chunliang was taken aback, damn, could Mo Han have someone following him? How did she know his movements in the Capital City so well? But how could she say that, Ye Qingya wasn’t his girlfriend, she was his sworn sister, they couldn’t just mix up relationships!

Chen Qianfan said: "I don’t know, he has too many girlfriends, President Mo, may I ask one more question, how much are you planning to invest?"

Mo Han said: "Are you thinking of investing too?"

Chen Qianfan laughed: "I do have that in mind."

Mo Han said: "We’ve tentatively set thirty billion, you can join if you want, but if your stake is too small, we won’t welcome you."

Chen Qianfan said: "I’ll think about it."

Xu Chunliang’s phone rang, he forgot to switch it to silent.

Mo Han calmly said: "Xu Chunliang, you’re beside him, aren’t you? No need to look, I called you. Only your two dim-witted students could come up with something this low-level, trying to pull Chen Qianfan in to dilute our investment, reduce our influence? Or planning to create tension for me? Increase my sense of crisis?"

Xu Chunliang looked at the phone, cursing that ringtone.

Mo Han said: "You’re willing to take Chen Qianfan’s money, aren’t you afraid the hospital might get shut down in the future?"

Chen Qianfan’s face turned as red as a pig’s liver: "Teacher Mo, why would you say that..."

Xu Chunliang knew he couldn’t hide it: "As long as it’s legal income, why wouldn’t we take it?"

Chen Qianfan said: "Exactly, is it shameful that I sell tonic wine?"

Mo Han said: "Selling tonic wine isn’t shameful, but others might not know how your Qianfan Group got started, but I do."

Chen Qianfan didn’t dare continue the conversation: "Teacher Mo, heroes don’t ask about origins, sorry for bothering you." He quickly hung up, intending to show off a little, but ended up humiliating himself. If he hadn’t hung up, who knows what Mo Han would have said.

A perfectly good drinking session became slightly awkward.

Xu Chunliang didn’t feel awkward: "Old Chen, her mouth is just sharp, don’t take it to heart."

Chen Qianfan said: "There’s nothing to be done, they’re too wealthy; I don’t dare compete with Equatorial Capital."

Xu Chunliang’s phone rang again, now set to vibrate, it hummed on the table.

Everyone looked at Xu Chunliang, now expecting him to put it on speaker for everyone to hear, as if this President Mo, who was investing thirty billion, had quite a wild style.

Xu Chunliang glanced at the caller ID, it wasn’t Mo Han; it was Xiahou Mulan.

Xu Chunliang answered the call.

Xiahou Mulan asked: "Is it convenient to talk?"

Xu Chunliang looked around.

"Hmm!"

"It’s about the hospital investment you mentioned."

"Have you thought it over?"

Xiahou Mulan said, "I can initially take out one billion."

Xu Chunliang said, "The signal’s not so good, say it again." He put it on speaker to let everyone hear; I’m not short on investment.

This damned vanity.

Xiahou Mulan said, "I plan to initially invest one billion in your new hospital. I’ll consider additional investment based on the construction situation."

Xu Chunliang said, "Alright, I’ll report to the hospital leadership as soon as possible. Rest assured, by investing in our hospital, you’ll definitely receive a substantial return."

Xiahou Mulan’s voice suddenly grew softer: "Mainly because I believe in your ability."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "My ability is certainly solid."

Xiahou Lan was clearly a bit shy: "Alright, let’s not chat. I have other matters to attend to. I’ll come to Dongzhou for detailed discussions when I have time." She was gradually changing, from saying she’ll never meet to trying not to meet, and now wanting to meet when she has time. Her heart had already started to want to see him, and she had to admit that Xu Chunliang had attracted her.

Chen Qianfan listened with his ear tilted. He’d never met Xiahou Mulan, but he could clearly sense the ambiguity from their conversation. Xu Chunliang always knew some divine beings, and started talking in billions like it was a joke, and even mentioned initial investment with consideration for further funding.

The few billion he invested was peanuts to Xu Chunliang.

Right after Xu Chunliang ended the call with Xiahou Mulan, Hua Zhuyue’s call came through.

Everyone stopped drinking and eating, they held their breath waiting for him to answer. Hopefully, he’d open the speaker again; just listening was thrilling.

Of course, you can neither believe it nor disbelieve it entirely, overall it felt very exciting now.

Pan Junfeng knew Mulan Group was truly wealthy, but how much Xiahou Mulan was worth he didn’t know. However, it was rumored that Mulan Group had annual revenue over ten billion, and the largest domestic traditional Chinese medicine company had business dealings with Mulan Group. The key was that Mulan Group wasn’t listed; they weren’t short on money and didn’t deign to go public and raise funds.

Hua Zhuyue called to ask about the hotel arrangement, concerning Xu Chunliang’s hosting. Someone had reported to her.

Xu Chunliang assured her everything was great. Hua Zhuyue specifically had him pass the phone to Pan Junfeng, she was adept at social relations, not to honor Pan Junfeng, but to honor Xu Chunliang.

On the call, Hua Zhuyue exchanged pleasantries with Pan Junfeng, advising him to direct any needs to the hotel.

Xu Chunliang purposely added, "President Hua, we need investment for our hospital, would you consider it?" Opening the speaker on purpose, he had confidence in Hua Zhuyue.

Hua Zhuyue said, "Why didn’t you bring it up earlier? Our group is indeed interested in investing in health. Why don’t we take thirty percent equity?"

Xu Chunliang said, "That would require one billion."

Hua Zhuyue said, "Underestimating our New Star Group. We prepared eight billion to acquire Wanyue Hotel Group, but solved it at five billion. How about this, if needed, we’ll invest three billion in you guys."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Alright, I’ll report to the hospital leadership promptly."

Hua Zhuyue said, "Besides, I won’t be able to return soon. For anything you need, just let the hotel arrange it; you can swipe that card freely."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Saying that might cause misunderstandings; sounds like you’re sponsoring me."

Hua Zhuyue laughed too, spat, "Don’t let your friends make fun of you. I’ll hang up now, won’t interrupt your drinking."

Chen Qianfan’s thumb couldn’t even stiffen up; he really wanted to slap himself for failing to seize a boasting opportunity. I should have mentioned one or two billion. Look at how people cooperated, thinking Xu Chunliang recruited a bunch of beauties as stand-ins, planning in advance, otherwise, they wouldn’t line up calling about investment.

Yuan Musheng quietly searched New Star Group and Wanyue Hotel Group, finding Hua Zhuyue’s introduction; such a beautiful woman, New Star Group CEO, famous investor... titles abound.

Yuan Musheng was increasingly convinced; even with tonight’s dishes, he felt a bit like Granny Liu entering Grand View Garden.

Pan Junfeng quickly calculated; Equatorial Capital thirty billion, Mulan Group initial investment ten billion, New Star Group taking thirty percent equity, estimating ten billion for now. If all this money is in place, it would be at least fifty billion. Developing a hospital with fifty billion would definitely be Dongzhou’s best, if not one of the top in Pinghai. Just thinking about it excited him.

Xu Chunliang raised his glass, smiling widely, "Too many people want to invest in our new hospital project, I’m almost overwhelmed. Let’s drink instead of talk business, it’s rather tiresome..."

Everyone together raised their glasses. Xu Chunliang’s phone rang again right then.

Everyone’s gaze turned sharply towards Xu Chunliang; even he felt a bit embarrassed. Come on, don’t call me again; I’m exhausted from pretending.

Xu Chunliang said, "Let’s finish this glass first."

Everyone said in unison, "You answer the phone first."

It was too thrilling; never imagined listening to other people’s calls could be so exciting. By now, ears had heard over several billion chips, wondering if they would reach one hundred billion today. In this lifetime, he wouldn’t earn that much money, nor even see that much money; just listening isn’t illegal, is it!

Xu Chunliang was hosting tonight and had to respect the guests’ opinions. He glanced at his phone screen; this time the call was from Bai Lan, he thought to himself, apologies, letting down the guests; Bai Lan had close ties with the Lexus Group, which opposed their hospital nearly snatching away the land for their new hospital. This had nothing to do with investment.

Xu Chunliang answered, "Miss Bai, what instructions do you have calling at this time?" To satisfy the curiosity of those around him, he opened the speaker from the start.

Bai Lan laughed, "Are you still staying in the same room?"

Xu Chunliang was baffled, "Um, I’m in Capital City."

Bai Lan said, "I know, at the Star Hotel, the place we stayed together last time."