Zhang Shaojie’s words directly shocked everyone.

The Zhang Real Estate Group was a prime enterprise in Zhonghai City, ranking among the best even amidst numerous companies.

Before this, their shares were hard to come by, but now, they were actually increasing capital and expanding shares externally?!

“Young Master Zhang, you’re not joking with us, are you? Increasing capital and expanding shares—could it be that your company is short of funds?” Li Yunwan completely forgot about the matter with Qi Dengxian from moments ago and asked on the spot.

Zhang Shaojie smiled faintly and said, “Of course not. It’s because our company is preparing to go public!”

“Everyone knows clearly that our Zhang Group is a very competitive enterprise, and also an established one. Many real estate developments in Zhonghai City were built by us.”

“This capital increase and share expansion is actually quite discreet. It’s a benefit for internal employees, allowing them to subscribe to shares in advance so they can receive dividends after the listing!”

“If it weren’t for our good relationship, and because Mengmeng is here, I wouldn’t have mentioned this matter to you all.”

The members of the Qiao family and Li Yunwan were all somewhat surprised, then became excited.

If they could subscribe to some shares of the Zhang Group, once the group went public, they would inevitably reap substantial profits! After all, this was a benefit the Zhang Group prepared for internal employees, yet Zhang Shaojie had informed them of it—this was treating them as his own people!

“Young Master Zhang, count me in. I’ll invest ten million to subscribe to some shares. However, considering our relationship, could you give me a bit more?” Li Yunwan laughed.

“Easy to say. You and Mengmeng are best friends, I’ll give you this face! I’ll give you an extra ten percent proportionally. Is that generous enough?” Zhang Shaojie said boldly and magnanimously.

Qiao Qiumeng pondered for a moment, then also said, “Young Master Zhang, I am willing to invest twenty million to subscribe to shares!”

Zhang Shaojie laughed loudly. “Good! Mengmeng, for the shares you subscribe to, I’ll give you an extra fifteen percent.”

Pang Xiuyun said happily, “Young Master Zhang is too generous!”

Qiao Guotao, an old hand in the world, didn’t suspect anything either. After all, he knew very clearly that Zhang Shaojie was doing this for Qiao Qiumeng.

Pies dropping from the sky was impossible, but since Zhang Shaojie wanted to pursue Qiao Qiumeng, offering these benefits seemed only natural.

Qiao Qiumeng didn’t have much capital on hand right now, twenty million was her maximum limit, and she even had to ask Pang Xiuyun and Qiao Guotao to help scrape it together. However, this was also an opportunity. Once they obtained shares of the Zhang Group and the company went public, they would receive substantial dividends every year.

“Young Master Zhang is truly generous. I toast you!” Qiao Qiumeng raised her wine glass and said to Zhang Shaojie.

“Too polite. Mengmeng, you can just call me Shaojie or Ah Jie!” Zhang Shaojie said with a beaming smile.

Pang Xiuyun immediately pinched Qiao Qiumeng and said, “Exactly. Young Master Zhang treats you so well, don’t be too distant!”

Qiao Qiumeng immediately said reservedly, “Then I’ll just call you Brother Zhang from now on.”

Zhang Shaojie nodded in delight. This was a significant step forward. With this step taken, need he worry about the subsequent ones?

After dinner ended, Zhang Shaojie had someone send Qiao Qiumeng and the others back.

Qiao Guotao shook hands with Zhang Shaojie and said, “Young Master Zhang, Qiumeng is having a hard time lately. Thank you for giving her such help.”

“Uncle Qiao is too polite. This is what I should do!” Zhang Shaojie said boldly.

In the car, Qiao Guotao called Qi Dengxian, asking him to come to the Qiao family home, saying there was an important matter to discuss.

Qi Dengxian respected Qiao Guotao very much and arrived at the Qiao house early to wait.

“Dengxian, I have some good news here that should allow you to make some money.” Qiao Guotao smiled.

“Thank you, Uncle Qiao.” Qi Dengxian smiled. He wasn’t actually very interested in money. Those oligarchs in prison frequently used amounts in the hundreds of millions to try and bribe him.

Qiao Guotao said, “Prepare whatever money you have on hand. If it’s not enough, I’ll help you pay.”

Qi Dengxian laughed, “Uncle Qiao, I wonder what business makes you so confident?”

“Mm, Zhang Shaojie’s family business, Zhang Real Estate, is preparing to go public. But this news hasn’t been disclosed yet, it’s only targeted at internal employees to provide them benefits, allowing them to increase capital and expand shares. Today, Zhang Shaojie told us this news. Zhang Real Estate Group is a high-quality enterprise. Holding their shares is a sure-win good thing!” Qiao Guotao explained to Qi Dengxian.

The corner of Qi Dengxian’s mouth twitched slightly. Just today, he heard Huang Wenlang say that the Zhang Group had severe deficits in their real estate business, and even Sun Xingzhang, the President of the Bank of Zhonghai, was unwilling to grant them a loan.

Now, inexplicably, they were going public?

“Zhang Real Estate Group… is the Chairman named Zhang Hao?” Qi Dengxian asked.

“I didn’t expect you to have heard a little something, actually knowing Young Master Zhang’s father, Mr. Zhang Hao!” Li Yunwan, who had returned with Qiao Qiumeng, chimed in at this moment with a sarcastic remark.

Qi Dengxian said calmly, “If that’s the case, then it’s best not to buy their shares. The Zhang Group has serious internal deficits and could go bankrupt at any time. This wave of capital increase and share expansion, both internal and external, I estimate is most likely a cash grab before they prepare to run away!”

“What?!”

Hearing this, everyone’s eyes went wide.

Qiao Qiumeng said in a deep voice, “Qi Dengxian, don’t just because you have no ability yourself, refuse to see others doing well. Young Master Zhang is helping us out of the kindness of his heart!”

Pang Xiuyun also said, “Exactly. Young Master Zhang said this is an internal benefit. He told us in advance because of his relationship with Qiumeng! You scoundrel, don’t be ungrateful!”

Li Yunwan, however, fell silent immediately, abnormally not saying a single word against Qi Dengxian.

“Dengxian, jealousy is unacceptable. Since you aren’t willing to pay, I’ll help you pay three million. Consider it the dowry for Qiumeng marrying you.” Qiao Guotao shook his head and said helplessly.

Qi Dengxian smiled bitterly. “No, Uncle Qiao, you have to believe me! I ate with Huang Wenlang and the others today, they said it with their own mouths.”

Pang Xiuyun immediately sneered, “Bullshit!”

“Today, Mayor Huang personally welcomed a distinguished guest at the entrance of the Heaven and Earth Grand Hotel. It must have been a big leader from the province.”

“Look at yourself in the mirror. A tiny Rank 2 Prison Guard, and from some rotten prison in a rural corner at that—do you have the qualifications to make Mayor Huang stand at the door to welcome you?”

“Next time you want to talk big, please pay attention to the details, lest the wind sprains your tongue!”

Qiao Qiumeng was also full of displeasure, saying deeply, “Qi Dengxian, it’s one thing if you don’t recognize a good heart, but please stop saying such laughable things, and you are not allowed to curse Young Master Zhang anymore!”

Qi Dengxian spread his hands helplessly. There was no way to continue explaining.

Qiao Guotao slammed the table and said, “That’s settled then. I’ll invest three million to buy shares for you. Hold onto them properly in the future and don’t sell them easily.”

Qi Dengxian could only say, “Thank you, Uncle Qiao.”

Qiao Guotao looked at him and shook his head, feeling that Qi Dengxian’s mentality might be caused by coming out of a small prison.

After staying in this big metropolis for a few more years, he should improve.

Li Yunwan, however, took the opportunity when Qi Dengxian was leaving to bid farewell to Qiao Qiumeng as well. She followed him out and flashed in front of Qi Dengxian with a cold expression, blocking his path.

“Something the matter?” Qi Dengxian raised his eyelids.

If Li Yunwan weren’t Qiao Qiumeng’s best friend, Qi Dengxian wouldn’t even bother acknowledging her.

NOTES

Wind sprains your tongue: An idiom mocking someone for boasting or talking nonsense excessively.

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