Huairou Jun Chi Equestrian Club.
On the field, Xia Yubing was in her riding outfit, elegantly riding a horse.
Off the field, Tong Jialu was meticulously checking the contract.
"Mr. Chen, what do you think of this place?"
Chen Cheng and Zhao Liangyou leaned on the fence around the field, chatting casually.
Zhao Liangyou continued, "I’m planning to host our gathering here."
He gave a helpless smile, "Chairman Wen organized a golf fashion show, Lao Li took us to see F1; now it’s my turn, and I really can’t think of anything new to offer."
Chen Cheng’s gaze was empty, focused entirely on Xia Yubing, with a playful smile on his lips.
The usually cold Xia Yubing’s heart was fiery, and with such an outfit, she was much more interesting than those little flings in her dressing room.
Following Chen Cheng’s gaze, Zhao Liangyou smiled knowingly, "Mr. Chen, are you listening?"
Chen Cheng smiled slightly, "Actually, I think it’s fine wherever we host it, as long as the company is right, even just drinking would do."
"That’s easy to say, but we can’t let ourselves down," Zhao Liangyou, seeing that Chen Cheng had picked up the conversation, began to probe,
"Mr. Chen, do you know about the recent disturbances on Financial Street?"
Chen Cheng countered, "What fresh gossip now?"
"Ha ha ha..." Zhao Liangyou waved his hand, "You’re so close with Chairman Wen, didn’t she share anything about CGG with you?"
Chen Cheng immediately understood but pretended ignorance, "I’m not that close with her, and we rarely discuss her company’s issues."
Zhao Liangyou naturally knew Chen Cheng was evading, "Recently, there’s a rumor that CGG is changing its name and ownership."
He sipped his coffee, "They say Chairman Wen is going to take full control of CGG and disconnect Beijing CGG from its parent entity. What’s Chairman Wen’s strategy here?"
"How would I know? The mind of a woman, better not guess it. Maybe Chairman Wen felt being a branch head wasn’t thrilling enough?"
Zhao Liangyou laughed, clearly not buying Chen Cheng’s explanation. "Mr. Chen, stop beating around the bush. CGG splitting off clearly means establishing independence, there’s definitely a story behind it, who would believe otherwise?"
He paused, his voice lowered, mysteriously adding, "I heard that Chairman Wen and the boss’s wife of CGG had a fallout. This CGG is supposed to be part of her divorce settlement."
Chen Cheng feigned shock, widening his eyes, "Really? Such explosive news? How come I haven’t heard a whisper of it?"
Zhao Liangyou, seeing Chen Cheng’s expression, thought he had exclusive information, growing even more proud.
"This information cost me a lot, it’s absolutely reliable!"
"However, I’m still puzzled about how Chairman Wen has the funds to support CGG’s separation."
He gave Chen Cheng a meaningful look.
Chen Cheng quickly dismissed any involvement, "Hey, Lao Zhao, don’t pin this on me! How much money do I make in a day? Hardly a penny to my name, I rely on you guys."
"Ha ha ha, Mr. Chen, you’re too modest! Too modest!"
Zhao Liangyou burst into laughter, "I was just speaking casually, don’t take it to heart. But seriously, Chairman Wen is making big moves, no idea where she’s finding her financiers."
He paused again, lowering his voice, speaking secretively, "Some say it’s an overseas consortium, others think it’s a domestic invisible tycoon, opinions vary."
Chen Cheng observed Zhao Liangyou’s expression quietly, calculating his intent.
Fishing for information?
Or just plain gossip?
He chuckled, asking carefree, "Lao Zhao, why are you digging up this info? Are you interested in CGG?"
Zhao Liangyou quickly waved his hand, "I don’t have that capability! Just curious, purely curious! Chairman Wen is a capable woman with wild methods, I’m just wondering what moves she’s going to make."
Chen Cheng responded "Oh," realizing that among the Round Table Gang of ten, the surface was calm but the undercurrents were turbulent.
Following the topic of Zhao Liangyou, he spoke as if casually,
"Chairman Wen is indeed a formidable figure, CGG has developed well under her in recent years. But establishing independence is not easy, the initial capital, market expansion, team building; each step requires a ton of money and effort. Not sure if she can pull it through."
Zhao Liangyou nodded in agreement, "Exactly! Just the cost of breaking away could burn a lot of money. I heard she’s been seeking investment everywhere, not sure how that’s going."
He paused, then asked tentatively, "Mr. Chen, you have wide connections and are well-informed, heard any buzz?"
After hearing Zhao Liangyou’s words, Chen Cheng also began contemplating.
According to the previous agreement between Shulin and Alina, Beijing CGG will officially separate on January 1.
And Shulin mentioned needing some capital, Chen Cheng recalled the urgent look on Shulin’s face when he brought back the 2 billion contract, somewhat unusual but she didn’t elaborate.
"Could it really be short on money?" Chen Cheng thought to himself.
"Mr. Chen? Mr. Chen?"
Chen Cheng snapped back, sipped his coffee, hiding a fleeting sharp look in his eyes.
"There are indeed some rumors, but who can tell what’s true? Business is like a battlefield, allies today could be foes tomorrow. It’s a complex game."
Zhao Liangyou sensed an underlying message in Chen Cheng’s words, but he couldn’t inquire directly, and continued to imply subtly.