Chapter 38: Establishing a Private Equity Fund?

Yongfeng Building, Area E, 16th Floor.

Tang Caidie and Chen Jinchun were busy unpacking, with cardboard boxes piled up nearby and brand-new computers and printers set out on the desks. Chen Jinchun was chattering away like a magpie, sharing all the trivial details of her life. Tang Caidie would smile or nod from time to time; the two of them were getting along very well.

When they saw Lu Liang approaching, they stopped talking.

Lu Liang laughed, "Go ahead and chat, keep it relaxed. There are only the three of us in the company, so don't be so formal."

Tang Caidie pulled out the purchase order and invoices. "Mr. Lu, there are two more computers coming this afternoon."

Lu Liang nodded slightly and checked the time. "Have you two had lunch yet?"

Chen Jinchun exclaimed, "It's almost half past twelve!"

Lu Liang took out a few stir-fried dishes he had picked up on the way. "Eat first, then rest before getting back to work."

"Thanks for the feed, Mr. Lu!" Chen Jinchun said with a pious look, pressing her palms together.

Lu Liang and Tang Caidie exchanged a glance and smiled. Having a fresh graduate around really was different; she was great at livening up the office atmosphere.

The three of them gathered around the desk to eat. Lu Liang mentioned that he had invested five million in a film. "Manager Zhang from Mahua will be coming over this afternoon. Sister Tang, please prepare for it, you'll be handling the handover with them."

"Mr. Lu, is there anything I should pay special attention to?" Tang Caidie put down her chopsticks and took out her notebook.

Chen Jinchun was momentarily dazed. They had only just opened, and they already had a project involving five million yuan. Recalling Tang Caidie’s reminder from yesterday, it seemed their company really did have potential. She suddenly felt a bit worried; she didn't want to leave, but whether she could stay wasn't up to her. As a fresh graduate, she had a three-month probation period, unlike Tang Caidie, who was hired as a permanent employee.

"No need, the details have been finalized. As long as the contract is correct, just wire the funds before five o'clock this afternoon." Lu Liang planned to have Tang Caidie listed as the producer once the contract was settled, mainly to oversee the flow of funds.

Tang Caidie nodded. For a 20-million-yuan project, their 25% investment made them the second-largest investor after Mahua, giving them the right to supervise the capital.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." Chen Jinchun put down her chopsticks and hurried to the door.

"Hahaha, better to arrive at a good time than an early one!" Before he even appeared, his laughter preceded him. Meng Changkun walked in carrying food containers. "A braised food shop just opened nearby. Their lion-head goose has that authentic hometown flavor. Everyone, give it a try."

Although he had never explicitly stated where he was from, his standard Chaoshan-accented Mandarin made it clear enough without asking. Chaoshan was known for two things: its businessmen—like Li Ka-shing from Hong Kong, Pony Ma from Shenzhen, and many other wealthy domestic merchants—and its cuisine. The lion-head goose is hailed as the largest goose breed in the world, with meat that is rich, tender, and savory, fatty but not greasy.

"I've had it once before, so I'll have to see if this is authentic," Lu Liang said, setting an extra pair of chopsticks for Meng Changkun.

"Absolutely authentic." Meng Changkun was a true gourmet; the best parts of the lion-head goose were the neck and the liver, and he had bought a box packed full.

Lu Liang picked up a piece of the liver and dipped it in the special garlic-chili vinegar. It was dense and smooth, with a rich, mellow flavor. The special dipping sauce cut through the richness, adding a refreshing crispness that made it impossible to stop eating.

Lu Liang praised it with a thumbs-up, "Brother Kun, it really takes you Chaoshan folks to know how to eat."

Meng Changkun laughed heartily, a sense of pride shining through. "Why else would they say that the country's best food is in Guangdong, and Guangdong's best food is in Eastern Guangdong?"

"Don't be shy, everyone dig in."

After the meal, Meng Changkun invited Lu Liang upstairs for tea.

"Brother, I won't beat around the bush. If you truly have a knack for making money, perhaps we can cooperate." Meng Changkun got straight to the point. Gold had surged over the past two days, and Lu Liang’s judgment had been correct once again. Furthermore, he had seen the post on Li Manli’s social media about a profit of over three million US dollars. Through his interactions with Lu Liang, Meng Changkun had come to believe they were the same type of people: women were just a garnish in life, and when it came to business, they had to step aside. Meng Changkun had reason to suspect that Lu Liang was "testing the waters," so he had taken the bait.

"Brother Kun, how do you want to cooperate?" Lu Liang took the cigar Meng Changkun offered and held it under his nose, sniffing its distinct aroma. He wasn't used to smoking cigars, but he liked the scent—rich and mellow, with a hint of bitterness and clarity.

"Have you considered establishing a private equity fund?" Meng Changkun explained that he had the connections and Lu Liang had the expertise; a partnership between them seemed destined for private equity.

Lu Liang lit one of his own 95-brand cigarettes, took a deep drag, and exhaled. "Let’s wait a bit longer."

"What are we waiting for?" Meng Changkun frowned.

"Establishing a private fund must come with a lot of conditions, right?" Lu Liang asked.

"Conditions, certainly, but we can overcome them as long as we work together." Meng Changkun emphasized the word "together."

"Forget it. I’m a person who hates 'overcoming' things. Let's wait until the time is right," Lu Liang said with a meaningful smile. He had just tried to think from Meng Changkun's perspective: if he discovered someone like himself, how would he handle it? Cooperation for mutual benefit? Or treat him like a puppet? The answer was obvious. Even if it were for mutual benefit, Lu Liang would definitely be the weaker party right now. After all, relying only on a chart, how could he make people believe he could help investors make money without relying on Meng Changkun’s reputation? Lu Liang didn't want to become Meng Changkun's subordinate, nor was he willing to be reduced to a tool for making money.

Meng Changkun didn't show any awkwardness at being seen through. He asked again, "When is the right time?"

"I’ve been thinking about it, but with the recent stock market crash and international gold prices hitting a ceiling, there aren't any good targets at the moment." Lu Liang brushed it off, though he already had a plan in mind. He intended to lease a trading seat from a brokerage, become famous nationwide, and wait for others to line up and beg him to take their money. Only then could he hold the initiative in his own hands.

Meng Changkun pondered for a while. Eventually, his furrowed brow smoothed out, and a smile returned to his face. "Brother Lu, I have some private savings. Could you help me earn a little extra?"

Meng Changkun added, "About 50 million. If I lose, it's on me; if we make a profit, we split it fifty-fifty."

Lu Liang was a man with vision. Meng Changkun no longer hoped to control him; he only hoped to maintain their current friendship. Because the subjective initiative of financial talent was extremely strong, there was no way to force Lu Liang to do things.

Lu Liang was surprised. "Brother Kun, do you have that much confidence in me? Aren't you afraid I'll run off with the money?"

"To be honest, I was a little worried at first, but not anymore." Meng Changkun smiled brightly, looking like a living Maitreya Buddha.

Lu Liang cursed the old fox silently, paused for a long time, and said, "Let me manage it for you for half a year first. I will also invest 50 million of my own capital to make it a round hundred million."

"The money is yours to manage. I won't interfere with how you use it. I'll wait for your good news in mid-December." Meng Changkun wasn't afraid of Lu Liang embezzling the money. If Lu Liang wanted to truly make a name for himself in this industry, integrity was vital.

The two went to the Administration for Industry and Commerce to handle the paperwork. Meng Changkun used his own funds to wire 50 million into Lu Liang’s personal account.

Bank Manager Liu's expression was more miserable than if he had lost his own father; 50 million in deposits had just vanished, and his heart ached.

"Manager Liu, if I exchange US dollars for RMB at your bank, can you increase my quota?" Lu Liang suddenly asked. He wanted to open a new Industrial and Commercial Bank card to keep all 100 million in one place for easier investment management. But he was afraid that if he converted it to RMB, he wouldn't be able to convert it back later, leading to the same insufficient quota issue as last time.

"Of course, Mr. Lu! As long as you need it, we can help you exchange it at any time. It will just be converted based on the exchange rate of the day." Manager Liu beamed. There was light at the end of the tunnel! He had gained a high-quality client, and his performance for the quarter was looking up again.

Meng Changkun was taken aback and quickly said, "Brother Lu, you should have told me you didn't have RMB. I could have helped you exchange it." Dollars were a valuable commodity, and he needed them just as much as his company did. After all, RMB could only be used domestically or in remote corners of Africa, whereas the US dollar was global currency.

Manager Liu panicked. "Manager Meng, don't do that! Mr. Lu, we already agreed. And we are just holding it for you; you can exchange it back at any time." He hurriedly promised many benefits, such as upgrading Lu Liang to a six-star platinum card, providing a 24-hour exclusive customer service line, 20% discounts at five-star hotels nationwide, free flight upgrades, and access to VIP lounges at all major high-speed rail stations.

Lu Liang was very tempted. He could only say to Meng Changkun, "Brother Kun, I'm sorry. I already gave my word to Manager Liu. But I have some more; if you need any, just let me know."

"Actually, it's not that urgent. Let's talk about it next time." Meng Changkun sighed. When Lu Liang needed help, assisting him would have been mutually beneficial. If Lu Liang didn't need it, he was now indebted for a favor.