“They can handle a huge amount of work.”
“Computers will also enter ordinary homes, for entertainment.”
“Mr. Jiang, this is called ARPANET—a computer network.”
“It means multiple computers can connect to each other.”
“This is a trend in computer development…”
Xiao Chen spoke with focus and precision, her thoughts clear and her words organized. She could take complex computing terminology and explain it in ways anyone could understand.
Compared to her, Mr. Ou didn’t even seem like the boss; he was more like an assistant. Xiao Chen would speak, and he would nod and add, “Yes, exactly like that,” every now and then.
Jiang Luo listened, and even ignoring the fact that he already knew computers had a bright future, just hearing Xiao Chen talk made him feel this was a solid project.
After the meeting, Xiao Chen and Mr. Ou gathered their things and left, leaving Jiang Luo and Zheng Bin on the terrace with coffee.
Once they were alone, Zheng Bin couldn’t contain himself: “So? How was it? Pretty good, right?”
Jiang Luo took a sip of coffee, gazed at the river, then turned back: “Where did you find this project?”
“At the chamber banquet,” Zheng Bin said. “One time you were in Shenzhen but didn’t go, I went. That chubby guy was there, handing out business cards everywhere, and he gave me one too.”
“You know I’ve always wanted to invest in something, make money while sitting back,” Jiang Luo said.
“So I thought of him and got his number, to get acquainted.”
“How does it look?”
Zheng Bin asked eagerly: “So, do you think it’s good?”
“I listened. Feels promising. Could make money in the future.”
“Yes, right?”
Zheng Bin was thrilled.
“Are you going to invest?” he pressed.
“If you invest, I invest too,” Jiang Luo said.
“Whatever you put in, I’ll match it.”
Zheng Bin immediately added, “My sister said I should follow you. If you invest, she’ll go ask my dad for the money. If you don’t, she won’t agree.”
Jiang Luo laughed: “Are you my kid? Your sister wants you to obey me in everything?”
“No choice,” Zheng Bin said. “You’re just that impressive. My sister insists I follow you. She’ll only agree to give the money if you invest.”
“Can we do it? Will you invest?” Zheng Bin asked eagerly.
Jiang Luo chuckled: “You’re in a hurry right after meeting them?”
“Whether to invest or not, it’s your call,” Zheng Bin said.
“You probably already have an idea, right?”
Jiang Luo didn’t answer whether he would invest. He said instead: “Find out more about that Xiao Chen first.”
“What about her?” Zheng Bin asked.
“Nothing,” Jiang Luo said. “But if you invest, don’t you usually check out the project party?”
“Oh, right,” Zheng Bin said immediately. “I’ll find out.”
“She’s called Chen… what?” Jiang Luo prompted.
Zheng Bin thought a moment: “Chen Xin. Yes, Chen Xin—‘new life, new beginning.’”
A few days later, Zheng Bin flew to Shenzhen and reported back on Chen Xin:
In the Shengfei factory office, curtains drawn, lights on, Zheng Bin arrived, threw a few sheets of paper in front of Jiang Luo, plopped onto the sofa, and drank the leftover tea. He said: “You’re lucky I checked. Guess what? Chen Xin… there’s a problem.”
Jiang Luo picked up the papers, glanced down. The first page listed her university record: original name—An Qiao.
Indeed, it was An Qiao. But why the name change?
Zheng Bin drank more tea and explained: “Mr. Ou even told me she graduated high school, didn’t go to college.”
“In reality, she graduated from Fudan.”
“Guess what…”
Zheng Bin, mimicking Wang Chuang, leaned on the table, made a slashing motion across his wrist: “This year, when she graduated college, she tried to commit suicide in school—for a guy! Love troubles!”
“It was a huge incident at the time. Ambulances came, police showed up. I investigated, and that’s how I found out.”
“She was originally An Qiao, changed her name, now Chen Xin.”
“She graduated from Fudan, should have been assigned to the municipal planning bureau. But after her suicide attempt, they rejected her.”
“She changed her name, joined Mr. Ou’s company. She’s quite capable. Not long after, she even owns half the company now.”
“To the outside world, Mr. Ou is the boss. Inside, she runs the company, manages funds.”
Zheng Bin sighed: “Can we invest in this company? What if she tries to commit suicide at work one day?”
Unknown to Zheng Bin, Jiang Luo had also asked Wang Junqing to investigate An Qiao. Wang Junqing returned two days later with even more information.
It turned out, An Qiao’s suicide attempt at school had been because of Zhao Mingshi, who quietly went abroad afterward.
Suicide? Name change? Breakup? Leaving the country?
Jiang Luo thought: butterfly effect? How could people’s life paths change so drastically just because he didn’t return to the Zhao family, or didn’t bother with Zhang Xiangping and Su Lan?
He didn’t dwell on it. Right now, he only cared about one thing: JOVE, and how much return it could bring.
“Computers?” Huo Zongzhuo asked warmly over the phone. “This is a solid investment.”
“You want to invest?”
“If I want, I’ll invest. No loans needed. Whatever amount, I’ll give you.”
Jiang Luo teased: “Huo Zongzhuo, you’ve been so generous ever since… well, you know.”
“Don’t worry,” he said confidently. “I have money. Plenty in the company account. Investing in a small startup doesn’t require you to lend me anything.”
Before investing in JOVE, Jiang Luo met with Chen Xin in Haicheng, had a simple meal, discussed the company and future prospects.
Before leaving, Jiang Luo made it very clear: “I don’t care about your past, your name, or your experiences. One thing only—”
“I’m investing. I expect returns.”
“I invest money. I want to see that you stand on the same side as me.”
Chen Xin raised her wine glass, firm and resolute: “Mr. Jiang, don’t worry. JOVE will bring you returns, financially and otherwise. Trust me—I’ve made mistakes before; I won’t make them again. Give me a chance, give JOVE a chance. You’re my client, and I will stand with you.”
With that, the deal was made. Jiang Luo invested two million, taking a share in JOVE. Zheng Bin, with his sister’s help, got two million from his father to invest as well.
He also took the title of general manager at JOVE, giving him status and recognition.
Zheng Bin became “Mr. Zheng,” much to the delight of his Shanxi coal tycoon father.
The elder Zheng often heard his children talking about Jiang Luo and, delighted, flew to Shenzhen to meet him, joining his daughter and son-in-law for a meal averaging three thousand per person, to thank Jiang Luo for guiding his son.
Coincidentally, Huo Zongzhuo was also in Shenzhen and accompanied Jiang Luo.
At the hotel suite, the elder Zheng was surprised to see Huo Zongzhuo: “Mr. Huo?”
He was familiar, and happy, laughing heartily.
The elder Zheng also took a liking to Jiang Luo, clinking glasses repeatedly and declaring loudly: “If you ever need funds, speak up. In Shanxi, I have coal and money. No money? Call Zheng Bin!”
The meal was lively and full of joy.
Returning to Yinhu Villa, Jiang Luo, slightly tipsy, rested his head on Huo Zongzhuo’s chest: “I’m really happy now.”
Career advancing, new company invested in, close friends around, and a lover…
Jiang Luo felt he truly had so much. He was content, satisfied.
Huo Zongzhuo held him, stroked his head and back gently: “I plan to operate a piece of land in Pudong, I’ll give you some shares. The car company in Shenyang I acquired—you’ll get a share. Later, Huachen will go public in the U.S., and you’ll get dividends.”
“Ah?” Jiang Luo was genuinely surprised.
He raised his flushed face: “Why give me shares? Another golden house?”
Huo Zongzhuo bent down, kissed his forehead: “I know what you like. You love business, achieving results, making money.”