Li Bo admired Chen Cheng’s decisiveness, nodding heavily, "Okay, Mr. Chen has the final say."
The two chatted casually for a while before leaving and heading to the garage.
"That’s it, Mr. Chen, I’ll visit Wanbao Hall another day." Li Bo extended his hand.
Chen Cheng shook it in return, "I look forward to your visit."
After Li Bo drove away, Xiao Meier was still holding Chen Cheng’s hand, her face brimming with a happy smile.
"Xiao Cheng, you’re so impressive!" she sincerely exclaimed.
Chen Cheng raised an eyebrow, "You said the same thing last night."
Chen Cheng rubbed Xiao Meier’s shoulder, smiling, "Do you place?"
"That’s great, once I secure the house, we’ll choose furniture together!"
Xiao Meier’s eyes filled with hope, "Yes!"
The two headed to the parking spot as Chen Donghai opened the car door.
"Xiao Hai, you take Sister Meier back." Chen Cheng did not get into the car, adding, "Drive slowly."
Sitting in the back seat, Xiao Meier leaned against the window, "Aren’t you coming back?"
"I really have an appointment to discuss business." Chen Cheng pinched her cheek, "I’ll be back after that."
Xiao Meier sighed deeply, her eyes filled with reluctance, "Okay."
"Sister Meier, be good, I’m off to make money," Chen Cheng said with a smile.
Xiao Meier’s eyes twinkled determinedly, "Then I’ll go back and help you look after Wanbao Hall."
"It’s our Wanbao Hall," Chen Cheng responded.
Xiao Meier smiled radiantly, feeling recognized for her identity and abilities, which was the best gift she received this morning.
She kissed Chen Cheng lightly then the car drove off.
Chen Cheng took out his phone and dialed Li Hao: "Manager Li, I’m coming over now."
Chen Cheng took a taxi to the headquarters building of CGG.
The deep blue glass curtain wall was being scorched by the last harsh sun of summer, just like its prestigious position in the financial world, highly sought after.
As soon as he got out of the taxi, Li Hao was already waiting downstairs.
"Mr. Chen." He greeted with a smile, extending his hand, "Welcome to CGG."
Chen Cheng shook it, "Manager Li, making you wait at the company over the weekend, that really is..."
He observed Li Hao in front of him.
Though not dressed as lavishly as last night, his suit was from DG, unmistakably rich.
"Hey, we agreed last night." Li Hao confidently smiled, "Serving clients is CGG’s mission."
He led Chen Cheng inside, "Let’s go upstairs, it’s still a bit hot out."
Entering CGG’s grand lobby, they were greeted by a reception desk over ten meters long.
Behind the counter, five ladies with exquisite makeup saw Chen Cheng and greeted him with refined smiles, nodding.
Li Hao used his work ID to open the turnstile, blocking the sensor, "Mr. Chen, after you."
Chen Cheng walked through, followed by Li Bo.
"CGG is also quite busy on weekends." Chen Cheng made small talk.
Li Hao responded with a smile, "Nowadays, there’s fierce competition in our industry. If you don’t work hard, you get eliminated."
He pressed the elevator button, standing next to Chen Cheng, "No choice but to work overtime!"
"That’s something you should mention to Chairman Wen, stop promoting a cutthroat corporate culture," Chen Cheng tested, "Even wolves can’t withstand it, let alone horses or oxen."
Li Hao paused for half a second, then laughed,
"Mr. Chen, you have a way with words. How could I, just a fund manager, have the influence to make suggestions to Chairman Wen?"
Chen Cheng: "Manager Li is being modest again."
The two entered the elevator, Li Hao pressing the button for the 28th floor.
The elevator doors slowly closed, leaving just the two of them inside.
"Mr. Chen, last night you said you were planning to invest tens of millions." Li Hao began straightforwardly.
"Yes, that’s correct."
Chen Cheng nodded, his face showing a serious expression, "I indeed have this intention, but regarding the specific amount and investment direction, I hope to have an in-depth discussion with your team."
Li Hao’s eyes flashed with excitement,
"Our CGG has a professional investment team and rich market experience, and I believe we can provide you with the most suitable investment advice."
Li Hao continued, "Mr. Chen, do you know which fields CGG has been focusing on recently?"
Chen Cheng shook his head, indicating that he was not very clear.
"Currently, artificial intelligence, new energy, and biotechnology are all market hotspots."
Li Hao explained, "Our company has deep research and investment in these areas and has achieved good results."
His voice lowered a lot, "Take the product being issued this time, its underlying product is the initial equity of an emerging AI company."
After hearing this, Chen Cheng frowned.
He was aware that the five hundred million this time was not the AI company mentioned by Li Hao, but a local city investment document that Jin Baogen had shown him.
It seemed that Li Hao, who was underwriting this product, didn’t actually know what he was selling.
"Oh? Is that so?" Chen Cheng pretended to be very interested and said, "AI is now very popular, it must have been quite a struggle for CGG to get their hands on it, right?"
Li Hao proudly said, "Because CGG has connections, it is said that the underwriting rights for this product were personally discussed with Chairman Wen by a big shot in Beijing!"
The corners of Chen Cheng’s mouth inevitably rose, "That’s really impressive. Negotiating a deal worth five hundred million is not something ordinary people can do!"
"Isn’t that the truth?" Li Hao nodded emphatically.
The elevator door slowly opened.
Li Hao led Chen Cheng out.
Upon exiting, the first thing Chen Cheng saw was the large LOGO of the fund department and the busy yet orderly office scene behind the half-open glass door.
Chen Cheng couldn’t help but marvel inwardly, CGG, as a big company, truly qualifies as top-notch in the industry.
"Mr. Chen, please this way."
Li Hao led Chen Cheng through the corridor to the front of a small meeting room.
"Have a seat for a moment, I’ll go get a computer."
Chen Cheng stopped Li Hao who was about to leave, "No need to go through so much trouble."
Chen Cheng waved his hand, "I’ve already understood the product, and besides, the most important thing about buying a fund is not the product itself, but the person selling it."
With one sentence, Chen Cheng greatly flattered Li Hao.
Chen Cheng had mixed in the quantitative circle for so many years, and although he had been behind the scenes, he knew what those who work in front-end like to hear the most.
Li Hao straightened his back, unbuttoned his suit, and sat down.
"I will definitely bring out good products with stable returns to repay Mr. Chen’s trust."
Chen Cheng smiled, "What were we talking about last night?"
"We talked about the product returns, and..."
Chen Cheng interrupted him, "Right, right, right! You used to work in Canada, didn’t you?"
His gaze also shifted to Li Hao’s fingers.
As Chen Jin had said, the thumb and index finger were somewhat yellowed.
It wasn’t clear last night, but now under the fluorescent light, it was quite obvious.
"Yes, Royal Bank Trust Department," Li Hao confessed.
"Switching from trust to fund, that’s quite a leap," Chen Cheng expressed some skepticism.
Li Hao quickly said, "Mr. Chen, rest assured, although this is my first time dealing with fund underwriting, I’m backed by CGG, very professional and safe."
Chen Cheng smiled and waved his hand, "Manager Li, don’t take it so seriously. If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t have come."
He paused for a moment, "I just wanted to ask, are there still tulips blooming this year at The Butchart Gardens?"
Li Hao was surprised, "Mr. Chen, did you also study in Canada?"
"With an ex-girlfriend, went there to see."
Chen Cheng, without blushing or skipping a beat, chatted about a place he had never been to and a non-existent love story.
"About four or five years ago, that’s when I met an American-Canadian girl."
Leaning back in his chair, Chen Cheng said relaxedly, "I still can’t forget that unique tenderness."
Li Hao smiled back, "I didn’t know Mr. Chen was such a romantic person."
"Eh, by the way," Chen Cheng shifted to the main topic, pretending to have forgotten, "last night your girlfriend’s name was..."
"Right, right, right!" Chen Cheng smiled, "How did you two meet?"