When Lan Peizhi turned her head, she saw Jiang Chen chatting happily with a foreigner.
The foreigner was saying something, then gave him a thumbs up.
Jiang Chen wore a modest smile.
Noticing Lan Peizhi watching them, Jiang Chen politely said goodbye to the foreign friend and walked over, trying to appear natural as he remarked, "In the past, our countrymen were all eager to go abroad, but now it’s the other way around. That uncle just now speaks Mandarin even better than some people from the South."
As he spoke, he looked toward the imposing monument, "If the martyrs could see the prosperity of today, they would surely feel comforted."
Lan Peizhi’s attention was indeed diverted, "What business were you talking about just now?"
Jiang Chen let out a silent sigh of relief, glad that she didn’t ask what he and the foreigner were discussing.
After all, he couldn’t really say that the foreign friend complimented his girlfriend as very beautiful.
It seems that there isn’t such a huge gulf between Chinese and Western aesthetics after all.
Jiang Chen turned his head away from the monument and explained earnestly, "Even though Shenzhou is becoming richer and stronger, there are still those living in neglected barren corners, like Guan Libing. So I want to set up a lending platform that covers the entire nation, targeting grassroots people like Guan Libing who genuinely need it. I’ve already talked with Uncle Shi, and he has expressed his willingness to join."
After listening, Lan Peizhi responded indifferently, "Did Shi Zhenhua personally say that?"
"Yes." Jiang Chen nodded.
"To persuade him, you must be quite eloquent. How much money is he willing to invest?"
"Five billion." Jiang Chen didn’t hide anything.
Lan Peizhi slightly raised her eyebrows, "According to your plan, this project might need hundreds of billions, maybe even a trillion in funds to pave the way."
"That’s why I’ve come to you." Jiang Chen replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Do you think I run a bank or am a philanthropist?"
Lan Peizhi asked, "Can you tell me where the return on this kind of investment is?"
Jiang Chen looked composed, presumably having prepared in advance, and calmly responded, "Of course, I know you’re not a philanthropist. Neither am I. In the short term, the return on this project might not be high, but it can truly benefit the grassroots public."
"I know you’re not like Geng Long and Tang Xiaosheng. That’s why you chose to walk away from Shengsheng Financial. Maybe you don’t care about what others think, but if you could change the public perception of yourself, why not do it?"
Some people just can’t be categorized as simply good or bad.
She certainly isn’t what one would call a traditionally good person.
But up to now, Jiang Chen hadn’t seen her oppress any ordinary person.
And some people are evil to the core.
Jiang Chen once again looked up at the monument in front of him.
The fact that Lan Peizhi stood here for so long clearly showed that deep down, she felt a sense of belonging to this land, this nation.
"Uncle Shi, who is already semi-retired, is still willing to to the grassroots people. I believe you won’t be stingy either."
Lan Peizhi’s expression remained unreadable, "You’re the first person to talk business with me ."
"As long as this project gets going, predatory loans like those offered by Jieyou Loan will instantly lose their basis for existence. Don’t you want to see enterprises like Shengsheng Financial stop their unrestrained actions?"
It was a crude attempt to sow discord.
But Jiang Chen didn’t feel it was despicable.
After all, the conflict between Lan Peizhi and Geng Long had already been brought to the surface.
The harmonious conclusion earlier didn’t mean Lan Peizhi would just let it go with a smile.
Those who reign supreme in the gray area might not harm the innocent, but they certainly don’t possess a saint’s heart.
Without decisive measures, how could they command respect?
Not to mention this wasn’t just deception and wrongdoing in the business world.
It’s true that a good bird chooses the tree it nests in.
But nobody tolerates betrayal.
If Geng Long comes out of this unscathed, how will the outside world view it?
The status of Lan Peizhi in the underworld would be in peril.
So, this banquet was really just a formal declaration of a split, not a reconciliation.
What follows will inevitably be a fierce battle.
"You think starting a financial company can take down an enterprise like Shengsheng Financial? Many of those who borrow money don’t just do so from one platform; even if you lend to them, they will still resort to usurious loans," Lan Peizhi remarked nonchalantly.
"Good advice doesn’t persuade the damned."
Jiang Chen replied curtly, displaying the requisite coldness, "I’m just doing business. For those who are beyond redemption and refuse to awaken, even deities can’t save them, let alone me."
"Eloquent as always."
Lan Peizhi seemed somewhat interested, and asked, "How much money do you expect me to contribute?"
"Uncle Shi put in five billion, with your capabilities, at least ten billion, right?" Jiang Chen stated matter-of-factly.
He really didn’t hold back at all.
Lan Peizhi’s mouth curved into a slight smile, she chuckled without mockery at his audacity, "And the rest of the money? Who are you planning to approach to fill in the gap?"
"That’s something you don’t need to worry about; I’ll find a way," Jiang Chen said, his tone enigmatic.
Lan Peizhi, as expected, did not pursue any further.
"What about you? What’s your purpose in putting in so much effort?"
This project requires a massive investment with a very low rate of return.
Shi Zhenhua has his reasons, aiming to bolster the positive image of Jinhai Industrial.
But what about this guy?