This way, even if Old Qiu gets into trouble and wants to implicate Han Lie, he wouldn’t be able to produce any evidence.

The high dividends are a benefit for partners—Panzi, Zhang Xiao, Dou Mingde, and Liu Minghao all have the same dividend ratio. This was agreed upon during the fundraising period, so what’s the problem?

In fact, the probability of Old Qiu getting into trouble was never high.

If he did get into trouble, the likelihood of dragging Han Lie into it was even lower—less than one in ten thousand, completely unrealistic.

Han Lie is just habitually cautious, never wanting to leave any loopholes.

As for Old Qiu, from a standpoint perspective, he’s trustworthy. But personality-wise, he’s greedy and lustful, with many flaws. Not someone worth forming a deep bond with, a true friend to trust, hence still needs caution.

Han Lie categorizes his friends very clearly.

In the core circle, Panzi, Little Dou, Zhang Xiao, Liu Dalue are the top tier—reliable in every aspect.

Jin Hang, Huang Xing, Boss Xing, Tang Xintian, Pan Dajun, Sister Jin Wu, and Su Xiao are the second tier—reliable in character, outstanding in ability, but not close emotionally, can only be partners.

Further down, relationships that come and go based on interest aren’t worth investing any emotion.

This is an essential ability for successful people: to define and distinguish accurately, knowing how much energy and emotion to invest in whom, thus handling everything effortlessly.

Many people make friends blindly, not discerning, getting entangled in a lot of ineffective social interactions, even often getting pulled into friends’ troubles, making life hectic and affecting quality of life and the mood to strive.

Smart people don’t just look at benefits in friendships, but certainly care a lot about "positive energy."

So, to observe someone, just look at who they hang out with—most real and effective.

For example, Panzi, who loves organizing drinking parties...

Ahem!

He’s not my friend, just so everyone knows.

Han Lie bid farewell to the excessively enthusiastic Boss Qiu, who was already in the car, still shouting, "Old buddy, wait for my news, promotion training!"

Get lost!

I don’t care for such matters!

Han Lie shook his head and turned to visit Bai Yuqiu.

...

At this time, Gao Diaomao had also arranged another drinking session.

In the emperor’s room at the business KTV, besides a group of girls feeding drinks and grapes, there sat his kin, Old Gao, the marketing head of Citic.

"Old buddy, can this job be done?!"

Gao Diaomao shouted, not the least bothered by the beauties around him.

Old Gao laughed heartily: "If Teacher Han has promised to settle the credit-rating agency, what can’t be done? Rest assured, selling products—I’m the expert!"

"Good!"

Gao Diaomao perked up, "Then what about the product design?"

Old Gao smugly patted his chest, "I’ll get someone for you! There are more experts in this field than just Teacher Han, it’s not an issue at all!"

The asset management department of Citic itself can handle this job. In terms of foresight, they can’t match Han Lie, but once the direction is set, executing the specifics is quite simple.

Gao Diaomao’s intrinsic wariness and skepticism led him to ask a follow-up question: "Teacher Han suggested something like a REITs and to avoid the usual ABS, I didn’t quite understand. Do you get it, old buddy?"

"Oh, did Teacher Han really say that?"

Boss Gao suddenly sat up straight, pushing away the girl beside him, frowning and pondering.

He was in charge of marketing, not asset management, but because of the buzz Han Lie stirred up, he had done quite a bit of homework in this area.

While pondering, he started to explain to Gao Diaomao.

"From a nature perspective, ABS are asset-backed securities—you must first have real estate or a project to secure financing; REITs are real estate investment trusts—where you first raise funds to invest in real estate.

From an operational viewpoint, ABS is more prone to over-packaging, more suitable for your project.

The modified REITs are tricky, and domestically, there’s no precedent. It’s not entirely impossible, but regulation will certainly be very strict...

Teacher Han can’t be unaware of this, why would he give you such a suggestion?"

"That makes sense!"

Gao Diaomao slapped his thigh with excitement.

"Teacher Han probably doesn’t want me to go for external issuance. First, it’s risky, might drag him in; he’s riding high now, won’t want risky escapades. Second, he wants to fully manage my project, control the whole process...

This advice was 100% to make it tougher for me, so I’d come back to him eventually!

Alas, he didn’t foresee that I have a big helper like Boss Gao..."

"I see."

Boss Gao chuckled silently, shaking his head, deliberately speaking up for Gao Yijun: "Teacher Han is truly a competent financial advisor, wouldn’t let go of a penny of profit..."

"Oh, it’s not that bad!"

Gao Diaomao laughed, actually defending Han Lie.

"It’s not just about earning more intermediary fees. Teacher Han thinks our operations are too risky, could tarnish his reputation and credibility, so he wants me to go through regular channels... It’s understandable, he can earn big bucks stably through private equity, why bother with such minor tricks?"

Thinking he’s seen through Han Lie’s entire plan, he completely relaxed, no longer suspecting Han Lie of harboring any other foul intentions.

People like him are accustomed to taking advantage of others, always partnering with others while keeping a calculating mind, ready to swoop in and benefit anytime, so he wouldn’t easily believe that Han Lie would honestly cooperate with him in a straightforward manner.