After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future-Chapter 270 - 269: Being Handsome Solves Everything

He gestured for Wen Chao to leave first, then turned his head to look at Little Wang, who was hesitantly speaking: "Is there something you need to discuss?"

"A little."

Little Wang suddenly sat up, his expression one of hesitation: "Next year, we might redeem five shares."

He hurried to explain that it was not a matter of mistrusting Lu Liang, but that the regulator had serious reservations about Wanda's acquisition of overseas assets.

This year marked the second year that Old Wang had become the First Rich. Using that status, he embarked on a buying spree in various countries overseas.

At first, it was going well until Wanda planned to wholly acquire an eminent American production company, DIC, for one billion US dollars.

They faced unprecedented resistance, mainly due to the national regulatory approval issues, with banks freezing the funds, which also led to strict control over six of Wanda's overseas projects.

Afterward, the Securities and Futures Commission began inspecting Wanda's credit risk, resulting in a catastrophic "stock and bond double-kill" with their stock value evaporating by 18 billion over three days.

With the bank stocks pledged by Wanda not covering debts and the banks stalling the lending process, Wanda faced the risk of a financial collapse.

Next year, if Old Wang couldn't sort things out, they would likely have to pay out of their pockets for self-rescue.

"When the time comes for redemption, just let me know."

Lu Liang nodded slightly, understanding and bearing no blame towards Little Wang.

He had seen the related news and discussed with Shen Peng, being aware that the acquisition of DIC faced obstructions, which was just a pretext.

What really entangled Wanda Group wasn't like the rumors suggested, that Old Wang wanted to follow Superman Li's example and cash out to flee.

Rather, it was the Dama City project, it was the group's strategy.

In recent years, Wanda had frequently ventured overseas, declaring their intent to "export culture globally," and portraying themselves as the will of the state while planning to compete with China Railway and Tokyo JR for the Dama City project.

The Dama City project in Malaysia was essentially the bridgehead for the Maritime Silk Road. China Railway was negotiating just fine until Wanda Group nearly intercepted them.

A wealthy individual worth 200 billion, donning 'The Emperor's New Clothes,' merely borrowed funds from the government and banks.

Old Wang got carried away, and hence the heavy consequences.

Little Wang forced a smile, struggling to find words: "When the time comes, we might not actually redeem. I just wanted to give you a heads-up so that if it does happen, you're prepared."

The five hundred million dollars invested in Tianxing III were from their family's trust fund and also their ace in the hole.

Unless Wanda was in a situation where a little assistance would turn things around, they would definitely not utilize it.

"Don't be stubborn. If it's time for a heroic amputation, do it. They won't let it come to the worst."

Before sending Little Wang off, Lu Liang patted his shoulder comfortingly, reminding him of the booming national real estate market.

Wanda still had over 70 million square meters of land reserves, along with a bundle of cultural and tourism projects; selling a few for tens of billions wouldn't be a problem.

As long as they had the resolve for a heroic amputation, they had a considerable chance to land safely and weather the crisis.

After seeing Little Wang off, Lu Liang headed to the office next door,

to discuss equity transfer matters with Old Zeng.

He planned to cash out on his Ningde shares; though it was just moving money from the left hand to the right since they belonged to different companies, he still had to inform the board.

Old Zeng had no objections and talked about passing the stock market listing review, with plans for an IPO in spring next year, approximately in May, listing on the Growth Enterprise Market.

There would be four roadshows, taking place in Beijing, Modu, Shenzhen, and Lu Island, and they hoped Lu Liang could be present to support the event in Modu.

"No problem, just let me know a few days before the roadshow starts," Lu Liang said with a smile, readily agreeing.

After the conversation, he called over Sun Yutao and took a 13.33% stake in Ningde Era for $737 million, a 10% premium.

Although the $1.1368 billion in his account instantly shrank to $399.8 million, Lu Liang was very happy and comfortable.

Holding 13.33% of Ningde Era's shares, even if he decided to just lie low, he could become a hundred-billionaire in a few years.

In the following days, Lu Liang was busy preparing for the Public Fund, also moving Tianxing Asset Management Company from next door.

Though still under his behind-the-scenes control, he made the nominal change of moving from the 32nd floor to the one below on the 22nd floor.

The vacated 1800 square meters next door, Lu Liang planned to use for the Public Fund's office space.

He asked Tang Caide to start hiring, aiming to have at least 30 people each for auditing, finance, and traders.

Meanwhile, Lu Liang completely withdrew from Tianxing Private Equity, no longer holding any positions, apparently shifting to public funds.

The news sent shockwaves through the outside world, instantly topping searches across the internet, with netizens buzzing with comments.

Private equity has always been an investment channel for a small group of people, and Lu Liang's private equity was even more niche.

Rumors had it that even DiDi's Liu Qing was kept out, indicating just how high the threshold was, though it wouldn't exclude the possibility that Lu Liang simply disapproved of the Liu family's 'loyal and good' image.

In any case, it was tough for ordinary people to get in.

But Public Funds were different. As long as shares were released, everyone had a chance to invest, with entry thresholds around three to five hundred or, at most, a couple of thousand.

"Holy shit, has Lu God finally remembered us?"

"A hundred thousand people ready to go all in."

"Any bros know how to subscribe? Give a shout-out!"

"I've got a connection, DM'd you."

For a time, scammers roved Lu Liang's Weibo.

Forcing him to come forward to clarify, "The Public Fund is still in preparation; anyone who contacts you proactively is a scammer."

Lu Liang did not disclose too much because promotions are not allowed for financial products and their derivatives.

Currently, they had identified three subscription channels, namely the Industrial and Commercial Bank, Alipay, and Tenpay.

However, the products haven't been launched yet; the materials are being submitted to the Silver Supervision Committee for review due to the large sums involved.

During this time, Lu Liang met with Hu Weiwei, who had temporarily rented an office floor in the Pudong High-tech Park.

Beijing would handle research and development of Tianxing OS for car systems, while Modu would be responsible for developing the car frames and models, as well as subsequent factory constructions.

Lv Liang had only one demand for the appearance of the car; it had to be handsome and striking.

One must not think like a plebeian when making luxury cars; it doesn't matter if it's useful or not, just being handsome was enough.

Like the bison's ground-projected door lights, these definitely needed to be included, as well as the bull's automatically rising rear spoiler.

The spoiler existed to reduce drag at high speeds, which might be unnecessary for driving within the country.

Still, the mindset should not be to forego something just because it's not practical; the main purpose was to serve the cool factor.

If it weren't for the prohibition of flip-up headlights in the country, Lu Liang would have wanted to include them too.

"Imagine this, in a dimly lit parking lot, the car owner hits the key fob, the flip-up headlights automatically turn on, the tail spoiler adjusts, the driver's door opens, and a clear, bright logo projection appears on the ground. Doesn't that feel impressive?"

Listening to Lu Liang's description, Hu Weiwei visualized the scene and nodded subconsciously, "Full of ritual and maxed out on emotional value."

"Exactly, that's what we're aiming for, emotional value and a sense of ceremony."

Lu Liang snapped his fingers, smiling as he said, "The design department can hire more fresh graduates; young people have more imagination for new models."

"Just produce more than a dozen designs, coupes, SUVs, whatever, just get the models out, then adjust based on drag and safety factors."

Lu Liang hoped the first car would stand out, even if it divided market opinion, but it should not be mediocre.

In an era where grabbing attention is key, mediocrity won't lead to a surge in popularity, it will just result in silent, unnoticed death.

And they did not have the luxury of time to build slowly; five years at the latest, and who knows when at the earliest.

The era of new energy was on the horizon.

As the boatman said, once it picks up, it's going to be a super market of over ten trillion.

Those internet giants, smartphone makers, even real estate developers, they definitely won't just stand by and watch.

Though it might seem like fear-mongering to put pressure on Lu Liang, he knew the boatman was right.

When Ningde Era's market value exceeded one trillion, the entire new energy vehicle market would, at a minimum, be worth ten trillion.