After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future-Chapter 141 - 140: Xiangjiang
The next day at noon, Panda Interactive Entertainment's self-produced variety show "Hellos Goddess" was launched and became a huge hit.
On its first day, it attracted 2.28 million viewers online and the ten contestants received a total of over 20 million in gifts.
The concept of a real-world goddess development record was warmly received upon its release, dominating hot search topics. Platforms like Douyu and Huya announced they were preparing to launch similar variety shows.
Three days later, Wang Xiaocong kicked off Panda's Series A financing round, offering 20% of the shares and securing 30 million US dollars in funding from Qihu 360 and Golden Sand River.
An initial investment of less than 5 million US dollars had turned, in just four months, into a company valued at 150 million US dollars and owning 68% of the shares.
With a return of over 30 times the investment, Wang Xiaocong's reputation shifted, and he became a rising supernova in the business world. He was no longer seen as the foolish son of a landowner who only knew how to spend money and chase girls.
That day, Wang Xiaocong was spirited and walked with a powerful stride, nearly sweeping up a breeze, as he entered Tianxing Capital to repay the borrowed 50 million, principal and interest included.
"Liang, as the saying goes, it's easy to borrow again if you pay back what you owe. Are you interested in investing more?"
Wang Xiaocong didn't want to repay the money. Although he had secured 30 million US dollars in financing, he had several projects ready to launch.
He was quite cautious with funds, but there was no choice as the terms of the loan stated clearly in black and white that it must be repaid immediately after the financing round.
Lu Liang seemed to deeply distrust him, which really annoyed him—after all, he was the founder of a company valued close to a billion.
"Not interested." Lu Liang glanced at him coldly.
Little Wang had been getting a bit too arrogant lately, going from respectfully calling him Liang to casually addressing him as Liang.
After the financing round, his shares were diluted to 12%, but he was still the second-largest shareholder. He naturally knew how the 30 million US dollars were obtained.
The Series A financing of Panda wasn't as easy as the external rumors suggested. Little Wang had negotiated with Old Zhou and Old Zhu for two whole days before finally signing an agreement that aimed to take the company public within three years. If they failed, he would have to repay the principal and an additional 10% interest.
He was too eager. Lu Liang had advised against it, but to no avail.
Going public is every company's dream, but aiming to do so in just three years was reckless—even if his father was Wanda Lin, he left no room for contingency.
Lu Liang couldn't be bothered to advise any further. He was already studying who might be interested in the live streaming industry, planning to sell off his shares in Panda during the Series B financing. He didn't want to go mad alongside Little Wang.
Wang Xiaocong sighed helplessly, "I didn't want to be so rushed, but Douyu is already in talks with Tencent, preparing to join their major entertainment plan."
Lu Liang said, "Why don't you join them? Tencent isn't Ali; as long as you can make money, they won't interfere with the daily operations."
Little Wang snorted with pride, "That would mean begging on my knees. My legs don't bend that easily."
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After all, Old Wang was the current First Rich. If the company he struggled to create was just to serve Tencent, he would rather live comfortably as a super-rich second-generation without worry.
"Tough and principled," remarked Lu Liang, clapping nonchalantly as he stood up to leave. He had booked a flight to Xiangjiang.
Upon hearing that Lu Liang was heading to Xiangjiang, Wang Xiaocong hastily called out, "How about we go together? I have some business there, too."
"What are you going to do?" Lu Liang asked, curious.
"Didn't I tell you? I'm creating cultural diversity, so I signed a few Han City girl group members and female hosts involving international cooperation. Of course, I'm heading to Xiangjiang—it's more professional there."
As soon as he had money, he couldn't restrain himself.
He was ready to go shopping mode: e-sports teams, event rights, Han City actresses, Japanese idols—he planned to get them all.
Lu Liang's words came to his lips but then he swallowed them back down, "We'll go our separate ways upon arrival and catch up when we're done."
"Ok, ok."
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the plane landed in Xiangjiang. Lu Liang took the Peninsula Hotel's car service directly to Central Financial Street.
Golden Sand River had transferred the money, the equity transfer fee for ofo, but it wasn't sent to Tianxing Investment. Instead, it was sent to a trust fund established in the name of Lu Liang's sister in Xiangjiang.
In total, it was 197 million Hong Kong dollars. The Hong Kong dollar is no different from the US dollar because, aside from the ten-dollar note, all other denominations of Hong Kong currency bear the words 'promise to pay on demand.'
The bank has to back 7.8 Hong Kong dollars with one US dollar to the government to lock in the exchange rate at 7.8.
If the US dollar rises, the Hong Kong dollar rises; if the US dollar falls, the Hong Kong dollar falls. Essentially, it's a US dollar voucher.
HSBC took Lu Liang's arrival very seriously, and Vice President Li Junwei personally welcomed him: "Mr. Lu, have you been to Xiangjiang before?"
Lu Liang shook his head with a smile, "It's my first time."
He had gotten his Hong Kong and Macao Pass years ago in a trend, but Modu was too far from Xiangjiang, leaving him with few opportunities to come over.
His first impression of Xiangjiang was one of fantasy; he had crossed Yau Tsim Mong through the Red Stone Undersea Tunnel to get to Xiangjiang Island.
Central Financial Street was lined with towers exuding modernity, not a bit inferior to Lujiazui, but Yau Tsim Mong was more cramped than any urban village.
Every building was a dense mosaic of windows, with countless air-conditioning units like a honeycomb full of larvae.
Li Junwei was all smiles, "So, how long do you plan to stay here?"
"It depends."
Before the 25th, Lu Liang had to return to the company to sign the authorization to update the net asset value this month, so he likely had a few days of free time.
If he was comfortable and happy, he would stay a few more days; if not, he might even return tonight.
"Mr. Lu, shall I arrange a tour guide for you? If you need anything, feel free to contact us."
Li Junwei genuinely hoped Lu Liang would stay for a few more days because the day after tomorrow was the opening ceremony of the winter horse races.
By that time, celebrities, politicians, and tycoons would gather.
Before '97 in Xiangjiang, a saying was popular: power was divided into three parts—one for the governor, one for HSBC, and one for the Jockey Club.
In a blink of eighteen years, the first had vanished, the second was humbled by Bank of China, and the third was just okay, at least not as influential as the first two.
The opening of the winter races was an annual spectacular event and an excellent opportunity to meet both the new and established elite of Xiangjiang.
"If I'm still here, I'll check it out."
Lu Liang contemplated, but he didn't give a definite answer.
According to Meng Changkun, Old Meng's statistics, over twenty people had already expressed interest in the second phase of Tianxing Private Equity.
Even if each person subscribed for only one share, with half already in the fold, that was close to five hundred million dollars. He didn't need to drum up more investors; it was take it or leave it.
After bidding farewell to Li Junwei, Lu Liang took a car to the hotel.
HSBC had considerable experience in setting up trusts for the wealthy, offering almost a one-stop solution, but unlike other wealthy individuals who needed a manager, Lu Liang didn't need one—he planned to operate it himself.
Upon his return to the hotel, Lu Liang ran into Wang Xiaocong coming out of the elevator, his face dark with a foul mood.
He smirked and joked, "Friend, share with me what's bothering you, so I can have a good laugh."
Wang Xiaocong looked at him fiercely, clearly upset. The two went to eat in the hotel's restaurant where he felt belittled.
Platforms usually only paid the first year of the three-year, fifteen-million-dollar signing fee.
But he was asked to pay half upfront.
"So what?"
"I signed," Wang Xiaocong sighed.
"Then why all the fuss?"
Lu Liang chuckled and quickly turned his attention to the glossy roasted goose, taking a bite of the juicy leg that left his mouth greasy: "This is really good, try some."
"What about you? Have you finished your business?"
"Sort of."
"Sort of?" Wang Xiaocong was puzzled.
Lu Liang turned his head and signaled Wen Chao to bring over the Jockey Club's invitation, his words muffled: "Just can't decide whether to stay a few more days."
"Damn it, why hasn't anyone invited me?" Xiaocong grumbled, after all, he too was a rising star in the business world.
Lu Liang wiped his hands clean with a hot towel, teasing, "Maybe they don't know you're here."
Wang Xiaocong huffed, clearly catching the sarcasm in Lu Liang's voice.
He asked, "So, are you going?"
"If you were me, would you go?"
Lu Liang pondered and couldn't think of any benefits the opening ceremony would offer him.
Networking would happen without effort on his part, and capital was not something he lacked, so he left the decision to Wang Xiaocong.
"If it were me, I'd definitely go," said Wang Xiaocong without a second thought. Why pass up such a chance to shine?
"Alright then, let's go," Lu Liang said with a resigned laugh.
