After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future-Chapter 189 - 188: Straight Hooks and Salty Baits, Clear Objectives

"New energy vehicle special license plates, it is said that after approval, they will be issued on a pilot basis in places like Shenzhen and Modu starting December 1."

"I've seen the sample, green background with black lettering, kind of ugly."

"The traditional fuel vehicle's blue background with white lettering isn't much better. It's just that we've grown accustomed to it over time."

While they chatted, Yang Zhenyuan stepped onto the podium to represent Douyin and Byte, delivering a speech on financing.

Zhang Yiming treated him well, not only appointing him as the general manager of Douyin but also as the vice president of Byte.

Not far away, Zhang Yiming was enjoying a pleasant conversation with the head of the Temasek Fund, leaving Sun Zhengyi with nothing to do but stare.

Softbank had declined over the years so much that even their brilliant move of investing in Ali was now chalked up to mere luck.

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However, in Lu Liang's view, Softbank's decline was intricately linked to Sun Zhengyi's family background.

With ancestry from Hu Jian, a Korean of Japanese descent who grew up in America, his family background was undoubtedly layered.

Before becoming strong and influential, a complex background could indeed navigate favorable currents and provide support.

Yet once one aimed to enter the most core circles, a complex family background could lead to exclusion.

In America, he was Asian; in Japan, Korean; and in Korea, he was Japanese. The top-tier circles in any country would not accept someone who wasn't purely from their nation.

Coinciding with Japan's economy progressively declining, the core circles tightened further, leaving even less cake for outsiders.

"Where lies the opportunity in the depreciation of the yen?" Shen Peng asked.

"The Anshan economic theory really doesn't work; it's just like the shocking therapies of the north."

Lu Liang smiled, still only targeting Anshan, revealing none of his true thoughts.

Hearing this, Shen Peng fell into contemplation and did not pursue further.

Suddenly, Zhu Hu nudged Lu Liang's shoulder, a knowing smile on his face, "Mr. Lu, you seem to be quite the ladies' man."

Lu Liang was puzzled, following Zhu's gaze and saw a familiar figure from Huaqing University, Xu Huiqi.

She, dressed in an evening gown, was following a young male. Upon seeing Lu Liang, she grinned broadly and waved.

"Xu Xiaojun of Chenyi Investment," Shen Peng said to Lu Liang, gesturing to Zhu Hu to move elsewhere.

Zhu Hu grinned broadly; having finished discussing official matters, they certainly didn't plan to be third wheels.

Seeing Lu Liang left alone, Xu Huiqi pulled at her gown, took long strides, and, getting ahead of others, reached Lu Liang's side.

She said with a smile, "Mr. Lu, we meet again."

"Indeed, it's fate."

Lu Liang looked toward Xu Xiaojun, smiling back.

He was aware of Chenyi Investment and had met Xu Xiaojun once last year during the fundraising for Tianxing II.

Xu Xiaojun subscribed for two shares; at the time, Lu Liang was touring the northeast with Su Wanyu, and Little Wang had called explicitly to ask for them, mentioning that his mother highly recommended it.

Xu Xiaojun and Xu Huiqi, judging by their last names, even if they weren't siblings, they were at least cousins.

Xu Xiaojun hurried over, his smile as warm as a spring breeze, "Mr. Lu, it's been a while, do you know my sister?"

"Recently at Huaqing University, we met a few times," Lu Liang maintained his smile.

He remembered clearly; last time, Little Wang had said that the $40 million were pooled by several families.

Chenyi Investment was their shell company, and Xu Xiaojun was their spokesman.

"Huiqi didn't cause you any trouble, did she?"

Hearing her brother's words, Xu Huiqi's face showed displeasure as she retorted coquettishly, "That time at the debate, Mr. Lu, you even praised me for speaking well."

Xu Xiaojun couldn't help but smile as he spoke of today's trip for Douyin's financing, mentioning that his sister insisted on coming along to see for herself.

"Broadening one's horizons is indeed good."

Lu Liang commented neutrally, showing no interest in continuing the conversation with the siblings.

After being refused a dinner invitation last time, he lost interest in Xu Huiqi. And knowing Xu Xiaojun was her brother diminished his interest even further.

If Daqiangzi being won over by Milk Tea Girl was just easy mode, then once Lu Liang got involved in this situation, he would be facing hard mode.

Old Wang is the perfect example—he's a real estate tycoon who has traveled far and wide, come rain or shine, with only Little Wang, his only son, who either couldn't or didn't dare.

Xu Xiaojun furrowed his brow, thinking that his arrival had disturbed the conversation between his sister and Lu Liang.

So, he quickly found an excuse to leave, giving the two some space to be alone and cultivate their affections.

Xu Huiqi wasn't aware of the change in Lu Liang's attitude and smiled as she said, "Mr. Lu, is Tianxing also participating in Douyin's financing?"

"No, just came to take a look."

Lu Liang replied, adding that Douyin was seeking foreign investment for its expansion into international markets this time.

The two chatted casually, with Xu Huiqi trying to find topics to discuss: "I heard about a second-year graduate student who single-handedly secured several sponsorships for a new energy project."

"By himself? Doesn't he have a team?"

"Apparently not."

Lu Liang suddenly became interested. "What's his name?"

He personally oversaw the new energy project and had picked up quite a bit of knowledge through involvement.

A superb tech development team needs the elite of the elite to lead a group of other elites.

Taking Byte's team as an example, Zhang Yiming was among the elite of the elite, and Yang Zhenyuan was just one of the elites.

To be able to develop independently and secure multiple sponsorships, if it wasn't due to connections, he must be an impressive tech mogul.

"His name is Li Jiahui, a super scholar from the School of Computer Engineering, currently in his second year of postgraduate studies. In his sophomore year, he'd found a flaw in Microsoft and received an invite from them, but he declined it to continue his studies."

Xu Huiqi was thrilled, finally having something that caught Lu Liang's interest, and spilled all the information she knew as if pouring out beans.

"Li Jiahui." Lu Liang remembered the name, recognizing anyone remembered by Microsoft would certainly be a tech expert.

Half an hour later, Yang Zhenyuan stepped onto the stage and declared the public financing round closed.

Temasek Fund invested 65 million US dollars for a 10% stake leading this round. Softbank from Japan and Monroe Venture Capital from North America jointly subscribed to a 5% share.

It's worth mentioning that Monroe Venture Capital held 18.2% of Musical.ly and was also its second-biggest shareholder.

Zhang Yiming had likely already prepared for all scenarios: if they could out-compete, they would go all in; if not, they'd opt for a merger.

With the financing round over, Lu Liang planned to leave.

Xu Huiqi looked around and suddenly received a text message that made her stomp her feet in frustration, visibly upset: "That guy Xu Xiaojun, saying he needed to discuss something with a friend, left me here and took off first."

"Xu, I've got to get going too," Lu Liang said, his lips curling slightly as he walked off with Wen Chao.

Being straightforward with ulterior motives, dealing daily with sly old foxes was one thing, but he disliked having to be on guard even in intimate moments.

Xu Huiqi blinked, standing there dazed, unable to respond in time, and watched as Lu Liang gradually walked further away.

Biting her back teeth in frustration, when had she ever been so humble struggling to find topics, and hinted so obviously.

All Lu Liang had to do was offer to escort her, taking the chance to invite her to dinner, and she would definitely have agreed.

But Lu Liang not only showed no appreciation, he also lacked any gentlemanly demeanor, leaving her standing there by herself.

On the other side, Lu Liang left the venue and happened to meet Zhu Hu, who was waiting for his driver.

Zhu Hu was surprised: "Alone?"

Lu Liang smiled with a hint of meaning: "Being alone offers freedom."

"Being alone indeed offers great freedom, to play as one pleases, without constraints."

Zhu Hu suddenly smiled too, having guessed the Xu family's intentions the moment he knew they knew Lu Liang, but he had no obligation to warn him.

Fortunately, Lu Liang was also astute, knowing the kind of trouble a woman from such a family background could present, sticky as an adhesive plaster, impossible to shake off, and likely branding him with a political label.

He and Shen Peng thrived domestically precisely because they only invested and did not take sides, embracing the government while staying away from politics.

The driver approached, and Zhu Hu opened the car door, smiling, "Are you free tonight? How about a drink?"

He was growing more appreciative of Lu Liang, foreseeing that Tianxing could surpass Golden Sand River and even Redwood, and it was just a matter of time.

"I've got plans already, maybe next time," Lu Liang declined with a shake of his head.

The "First Rich" project was greenlit, and Zhang Tian'ai was preparing to start, but upon learning he was coming to Beijing for work, she had delayed a few days.