He hadn’t expected these investments to bring any returns.
If they really succeeded, that naturally would be a good thing.
What he needed was just to clothe his wealth in a layer of legitimacy.
Because it was just the beginning, he hadn’t invested much money so far, close to two million, but no one knew exactly how much he had invested. He could claim he invested five million, or even in the future, turn a losing project into a supposed profit-maker.
Many capital moguls operated this way.
Four years of university economics weren’t for nothing.
"Jiang Chen, it’s just eight hundred thousand. You’re not going to be stingy, are you?"
Seeing him silent for so long, Zheng Jingjing grew anxious and couldn’t help but glance at Guo Ran and Xu Siyi.
But these two were not as heartless as she was or as presumptuous, staying silent.
"Fine, I’ll invest in this project. I’ll give you one million."
Jiang Chen was indeed magnanimous.
Zheng Jingjing’s eyes widened in surprise, the joy coming too suddenly and catching her off guard.
"A gentleman’s word, as swift as a horse’s whip. Zheng junior, it seems I’ll be your boss from now on, so please take good care of me," Jiang Chen said meaningfully.
One could see that Guo Ran was also very excited, but with her calm disposition, she didn’t show it.
One million might have been a drop in the ocean for Jiang Chen, hardly worth mentioning, since he was someone who could talk about a loss of eighty million as if it was nothing. However, for them, it could change their lives, allowing them to pursue the lifestyle they desired.
"So, boss, from now on do we listen to you or the lady boss?"
Xu Siyi, who had been silent all along, suddenly smiled flirtatiously.
Jiang Chen, drawing out his tone, said, "listen to the lady boss."
Seeing that he did not refute the title, both Li Shuru and Xu Siyi’s expressions flickered for a moment.
Li Shuru’s lips curled upwards as she looked out the window.
Xu Siyi maintained her smile and then quieted down again.
Zheng Jingjing pulled Guo Ran aside, whispering excitedly.
More than half an hour later, the Parmela arrived at the renowned Spring and Autumn Plaza.
This time, security didn’t stop them. It was clear that the car had been entered into the system and was saluted and let through.
Entering the legendary enclave of the ultra-wealthy, even Xu Siyi, who had dated her fair share of wealthy second-generation suitors, couldn’t help but peer out the window, her beautiful face betraying her yearning for the high life.
Jiang Chen didn’t embarrass himself by getting lost again and drove accurately to the front of the villa.
"Shu Rui, this is your house?"
Zheng Jingjing stared at the splendid villa before her, the more significant impact than imagined hitting her face-to-face upon arrival, the overwhelming sense of wealth shaking her soul.
Everyone has vanity; there’s no need to hide it.
At this moment, Li Shuru enjoyed the envious glances of her sisters. Of course, she wouldn’t show off deliberately and softly said, "Let’s go inside."
Once inside the villa, the girls all seemed a bit restrained, behaving almost like Liu Lao Lao touring the Grand View Garden.
"Shu Rui, can we go upstairs and have a look?"
Even though she lived under the same roof as her roommate, Zheng Jingjing sounded a bit nervous when she spoke.
"Of course, you can."
Li Shuru nodded and smiled.
Zheng Jingjing immediately pulled Guo Ran upstairs, while Xu Siyi hesitated for a moment, perhaps too proud to appear too eager. But in the end, she followed them a little later.
"You really plan to invest in them?"
Li Shuru looked at Jiang Chen.
"Isn’t that your idea?" Jiang Chen asked back.
"They didn’t consult with me about it."
Jiang Chen was surprised, then chuckled wryly.
"Why didn’t you say so in the car? That girl is getting clever, even knowing how to issue orders under an assumed authority."
"But that’s alright. After all, whether you invest in them or someone else, at least they are truly passionate about taking dancing as a career."
"I sound like a big fool to you."
"You’re not; you’re just a philanthropist."
"Shu Rui, hurry up and come here!"
Zheng Jingjing’s voice came from upstairs.
"I’ll go up and have a look."
In one villa, several girls could spend an afternoon touring, taking photos with their phones everywhere.
"Shu Rui, why don’t we just not go out and eat here instead?"
Zheng Jingjing suggested.
"But there are no ingredients."
Jiang Chen took the initiative to volunteer, "But, do any of you know how to cook?"
"Look down on people, do you? I’ve been cooking since middle school, though I need to figure out this kitchen here."
With a word of praise, Jiang Chen turned to leave.
"I’ll come with you," Xu Siyi spoke up.
Without overthinking, Jiang Chen was about to nod his agreement, but Li Shuru said, "We don’t need to buy too much, he can go by himself."
Jiang Chen couldn’t help but glance at Li Shuru, whose expression was calm, showing no sign of difference.
Xu Siyi’s smile stiffened, "...Alright then."
With the car keys in hand, Jiang Chen stepped out.
There was an international chain supermarket near Spring and Autumn Plaza.
Jiang Chen, pushing his cart, was browsing the daily necessities area when suddenly someone patted his back.
He turned around in surprise.
"Jiang senior brother, it really is you. I thought I recognized the wrong person."
She also had a cart pushed in front of her, which was filled with a bunch of snacks.
"What a coincidence."
"Yeah, quite a coincidence."
Luo Li’er today hadn’t tied her hair into twin pigtails but instead had it up in a bun, which, paired with her delicate comic-like face, was still devastatingly charming.
Jiang Chen felt that if someone used her as a prototype to create a virtual girlfriend character, she would definitely become a sensation across universities.
"Jiang senior brother, are you also just passing by this time?"
Luo Li’er glanced at his cart.
It contained some vegetables and meat products, as well as fresh food--all kinds of ingredients.
Jiang Chen gave an awkward smile, then explained, "Actually, I’m working part-time."
Luo Li’er fluttered her eyelashes, her obsidian-like big eyes revealing confusion.
"Errands, grocery shopping, have you heard of it? It’s the weekend, after all, earning a little extra."
Luo Li’er seemed to really believe him, "Jiang senior brother, you’re really hardworking."
Jiang Chen didn’t continue the conversation.
Running into her here, Jiang Chen really had no reason to ditch her, so he ended up shopping with the school beauty.
When it came time to check out, he also very graciously paid for her things as well.
"Jiang senior brother, I’m sorry to have you spend money on me."
This was certainly no courtesy.
The girl had bought a bunch of imported snacks, which truly weren’t cheap.
But the thing is, when you paid just now, you didn’t even make a basic attempt to stop me, where was the slightest sign of embarrassment?
"No worries, Ms. Pei pays me quite well."
Jiang Chen acted nonchalantly, suddenly turning enthusiastic as if deciding to be generous to the end, "Let me drive you back."
With free labor offered, Luo Li’er certainly wouldn’t refuse, though seeing that Jiang Chen was driving Li Shuru’s car made her eyes flicker, she didn’t gossip and only asked, "Jiang senior brother, does your errand running cover the cost of fuel?"
Jiang Chen remained silent.
The Paramela drove into Spring and Autumn Plaza.
Under Luo Li’er’s guidance, Jiang Chen parked the car in front of a white villa with a front courtyard and backyard.
"Jiang senior brother, thank you."
Luo Li’er got out of the car, grabbed her snacks from the back seat, and was just about to bid farewell, when Jiang Chen also got out and took the snacks from her hands with so much force it seemed like he was grabbing them.
"Let me help you bring them inside."
Luo Li’er was startled.
Jiang Chen squeezed out an innocuously charming smile.
Although it felt a bit odd, Luo Li’er didn’t think much of it, nodded, and led Jiang Chen toward the villa.
The fingerprint lock opened.
Luo Li’er let go and turning to him said, "Jiang senior brother, come in."
The only lesson humanity learns from history is that it never learns from history.
The story of Little Red Riding Hood inviting the wolf into her house is written plainly in fairy tales, yet people never seem to take heed.
Jiang Chen silently took a breath.
The reason he has been investing like a philanthropist is to plan ahead for the future, but if his progress stalled here, all his efforts would have been in vain.
More than twenty million wasn’t enough to make a splash in East Sea, which doesn’t need any legitimate outward appearance.
Therefore, securing the second target was of paramount importance, no matter how difficult that may be.