Chapter 601: A Threshold to Enter
Beijing, Qianmen Subway Station Line 2.
With his hands stuffed in his pocket, Tang Xiu strolled in the crowd. He had slightly adjusted his appearance, thus no one would be able to recognize him unless the person was very familiar with him.
Continuous rows of stores with superb collection of goods and the endless streams of passengers made Tang Xiu secretly sigh at the improvement of people's living standards. He saw a lot of strange items after coming here and sometimes took the opportunity to buy a few pieces, all of which were for hobby and amusement.
He received several phone calls during his stroll since he didn't shut his mobile phone down. One was from Long Zhengyu asking him when he would return to Star City; one from Mu Wanying asking him about what happened at the Virus Research Institute today; and also a call from his aunt, Tang Min, asking him to visit her house for dinner tonight.
Ring, ring, ring… The ringtone of his phone sounded.
After taking out the mobile phone and seeing that it was Chu Yi, he immediately answered it and smilingly said, "I just so happened to be thinking what you have been up to recently, so I never expected for you to call me now. Anyways, what's up? It's still 3PM, do you want me to go over and have a meal now?"
"Nope, it's not that. I heard about what happened in the Virus Research Institute this morning, so I know you are in Beijing," said Chu Yi smilingly. "Anyways, where are you now? I wanna see you."
"At Qianmen Subway Station!" Tang Xiu laughed.
"Huh?" Chu Yi was puzzled. "What are you doing in Qianmen?"
"Nothing. I just feel bored," said Tang Xiu. "I only have a few friends in Beijing, so I was just strolling around since I had nothing to do."
"Wait for me there, I'll catch up with you," said Chu Yi quickly.
Half an hour later, Chu Yi appeared in front of Tang Xiu who had just hung up from a call with Tang Wei. With admiration on his smiling face, Chu Yi gave a him a thumbs up and praised, "You are really amazingly flamboyant, cousin. You just trashed and beaten up that devil incarnate of the capital, Zhao Yundi, until his head turned like a pig. The news of your actions is now flying everywhere! Your name has literally blasted into the ears of the social circles of young ladies and scions in the entire Beijing. Well, you can be considered to have a hot reputation and earned yourself a lot of fans!"
"Who could have such a big mouth to spread this matter out?" Asked Tang Xiu with a wry smile.
Chu Yi grinned, "No matter who the person was, you are now a hot, sexy chap on fire. And that bloke Zhao Yundi is now very miserable."
"Eh?" Tang Xiu stared blankly before asking with a puzzled expression, "What happened to him?"
Before replying, Chu Yi looked around and then whispered after finding that no one was paying them any attention, "After his father, Zhao Qingfeng, took him back home, that old man lashed him with a belt and would've probably beaten him until he was close to dying if his mother didn't stop him. Even so, he was sent to the Zhao Family's residence to be locked up in that small dark house of theirs. You see, the dark house of the Zhao Family is a very famous hellish place in the entire Beijing, a lot more famous compared to the usual confinement room in the army!"
"Hahaha." Tang Xiu couldn't help but burst into a laughter. "That bloke does indeed need to be taught up well, else letting him freely stir up troubles will only court disasters to the Zhao Family sooner or later. I just hope that this matter will straighten him up, and it'd best if he can be an upright person!"
"Yeah! That bloke will probably end up very miserable in the future if he doesn't act low profile." Chu Yi nodded. "You have no idea how many people he has offended in the capital! Without the shelter from the Zhao Family, perhaps many people would have long laid vicious schemes to get even with him."
"Let's stop talking about Zhao Yundi, shall we?" Tang Xiu smiled. "Tang Wei just called me saying he's going to see me with his friend. Ah, right. What car is a Knight XV, exactly? He told me on the phone that he will gift me this car. It made me wonder, though. He shouldn't be like your mother, my aunt, who seems to be addicted to giving me cars, right?"
Chu Yi rolled his eyes in response and snapped, "Bah, just stop taking advantages of others' kindness and pretending to be at a loss, will you? You know what? I'm so jealous and envious of you that it almost chokes me to death. My Mom asked me about the cars back then. I thought she was going to give them to me, so I showed her a lot of luxury cars. And you know the result, she bought all of them and sent them to you!"
"Hahaha…" Looking at his sour appearance, Tang Xiu coiled his arm around Chu Yi's shoulder and said, "We are brothers. Even if my cars are not yours, you can straightly head to Shanghai and borrow all the luxury cars in my villa whenever you lose your cars. You know, if you have not enough money to pay the tolls, I'll also give you some change then."
"Bah, get lost!" Chu Yi derided and then asked, "Anyways, did Tang Wei say anything about the friend he's going to bring?"
"Nah, nothing." Tang Xiu shook his head.
Chu Yi nodded and asked, "So, what are we gonna do next? Should we continue hanging out, or find a place to drink something to pass the time while waiting for them to come over?"
"Let's find a place to sit!" Answered Tang Xiu after thinking for a moment.
Immediately after, the duo found a café nearby and took seats in the innermost corner while chatting and drinking coffee. After some time passed, Tang Wei and Qin Shaoyang arrived at the place. Chu Yi's expression immediately changed after seeing Qin Shaoyang, and then shot a Tang Xiu meaningful look.
"Howdy, you're also here, Chu Yi?" Exclaimed Tang Wei with a cheerful expression after finding that the one sitting in front of Tang Xiu was Chu Yi.
"Why can't I come here if you can?" Replied Chu Yi, "Besides, I have taken up Tang Xiu's time for the latter half of this day."
Having said that, he nodded to Qin Shaoyang and smilingly said, "How come you get along with this bloke, Shaoyang? This chap should have taken you to the Kande Club, right?"
Qin Shaoyang took off his coat. He wore rather thin clothes, so his streamlined muscles were revealed. At this time, he smiled and answered, "Nope. It was me who took him there."
Chu Yi let out a grin and then pointed at Tang Xiu, saying, "You won't need me to introduce you to him since his fame now is even bigger than Zhao Yundi's, right? Anyways, Tang Xiu, this is Qin Shaoyang, the fella who can be said to have the widest network and personal connections in the entire Beijing. One who tries to never offend anybody, I must say. But do be cautious of him, though. This guy is too smart; you'll never know when he will sell and betray you."
Qin Shaoyang forced a wry smile and said, "Tell me, Chu Yi, how come a friend act like you? Everyone else is always upholding their friends, yet you act on the contrary, even saying that I'm gonna turn my back and betray others. Anyways, my idol Tang Xiu, I'm honored to meet you."
Tang Xiu got up and shook hands with Qin Shaoyang and then gestured for him to sit next to Chu Yi. Then, he patted the sofa next to him and smilingly spoke to Tang Wei, "Brother Wei, didn't you talk with your friend outside about some things? How come you have time to come here?"
While pointing at Qin Shaoyang, Tang Wei replied, "He's the one I had a discussion over some matters with. The subject is bit big though, so I may not be able to participate in it. Thus, I want to introduce him to you."
Tang Wei then explained Qin Shaoyang's previous proposal and finally said, "Anyways, the possibility that I may follow your suggestion to become a government official is about 80% now, so I don't want to involve myself in a business cooperation. You're a business genius in my eyes, so you might as well have some fun in it if you're interested."
Tang Xiu glanced at Qin Shaoyuang before turning his head again and asking, "Is there anyone in our Tang Family that can play the role to set it up?"
"Auntie Yanzi definitely has the authority for that," answered Tang Wei.
Tang Xiu suddenly understood. After spending a few minutes thinking about it, he then said, "Qin Shaoyang, right? I'm indeed very interested in the business cooperation you proposed. But I think we need to consider the issue of management and shares further if we are going to have a business cooperation."
Qin Shaoyang's eyes lit and immediately said, "Please do say, Young Master Tang."
"Just call me Tang Xiu later! I'm used to having others calling me by my name." Tang Xiu waved his hand. "I'll invest 2 billion of the total 4-billion-yuan investment, but you'll be the one who'll run the business, whereas I won't intervene in any aspects regarding the management. You will hold 51% of the shares, whereas I will have 40% and the remaining 9% will be used to get a hold over the top executives of the company after it gets established. What do you think?"
Qin Shaoyang didn't expect that Tang Xiu would be willing to provide 2 billion, moreover that he would only be accounted for 40% of the shares. It gave him a good impression of Tang Xiu. At the very least, he believed that Tang Xiu wouldn't take advantage of him given his status as a member of the Tang Family. With such boldness, cooperating with this type of person would be quite appealing in the future.
"I have no opinion about that," said Qin Shaoyang quickly.
"But I do," grunted Chu Yi while rolling his eyes at them.
Tang Xiu and Qin Shaoyang looked slightly dazed for a second, before confused expressions appeared on their faces.
"Tell me, why did the two of you not invite me to such a good investment project?" Asked Chu Yi. "Needless to say about others, but for better or for worse, it's better to enjoy the blessing and endure misfortune together. It's a profitable business, so everyone can earn money together!"
"Alright! (Fine!)"
Tang Xiu and Qin Shaoyang didn't object it. Although Tang Xiu and Chu Yi were cousins and his aunt, Tang Min, was also centered in the Tang Family, yet Chu Yi was a member of the Chu Family of Beijing, after all. His family may not be as prominent as the Tang Family in the capital, but still, it was also a prominent leader of the mid-sized families and could be ranked in the top fifteen even if they couldn't enter the top ten.
Furthermore, Chu Yi himself lived in the capital since childhood, and his personal connections as well as social circles were also here. If he also joined in the venture it would be a great boon, for they would establish an entertainment media company in the future.
At the end of the day, after discussing this matter, the trio finally determined the amount of investment and the allocation of shares. Tang Xiu would invest 1 billion yuan, accounting for 30% of the shares; Chu Yin would invest 500 million for 15% shares, whereas 10% shares would be reserved for the company's top management in the future. The remaining 45% of the shares would belong to Qin Shaoyang, with an investment contribution of 1.5 billion yuan.
After the end of the discussion, Tang Wei intended to invite everyone for a few cups to celebrate it, but Tang Xiu refused because he had already promised to have dinner at Chu Yi's house.
"Let's hang out together tomorrow night! We'll discuss some details of the cooperation and then sign the contract."
"Fine with me. Then we'll gather in the Kangde Club tomorrow!" Chin Shaoyang smilingly said. "Anyways, have you ever been to Kangde Club, Tang Xiu?"
"Never heard of it, to be honest," said Tang Xiu, shaking his head.
"Kangde Club is the best place for the scions of the super-rich and prominent families like us," said Tang Wei with a smile. "If I were to make an analogy, if the leading figure of a family has family assets worth no more than 10 billion yuan, then there's no way they will be able to enter the club's door."
Chapter 602: Body Refining Medicament
Tang Xiu had known all along that social classes do exist in society, but little did he expect that he would touch the top social circle of the new generation scions of the capital. Despite having no anticipation to enter this social circle, yet he didn't want to push away such exhibit of resources and benefits by getting along with them. China was a country where sentiments and personal favors reigned, as having more friends meant that one would have more good roads to walk on. Having opportunity to accumulate contacts would prove to be of great help in increasing his chances of making more money in the future.
It was already 5 PM when Tang Wei and Qin Shaoyang left, with Tang Xiu and Chu Yi taking their own way. On the way to Chu Yi's home, Tang Xiu thought about bringing something to his aunt. He had been to the capital many times before, but he only met Tang Min in the Tang Family's ancestral residence or when he went out to stroll around. It was his first time visiting Tang Min's home.
After pondering about it, he couldn't think about anything to bring. And his aunt may not lack ordinary things given her status. Just as his car was about to enter the upscale residential complex, an idea finally popped up inside his mind. Without any hesitation, he took out two empty jade bottles from his interspatial ring and took out the last remaining Body Refining Liquid, pouring ten drops into each bottle.
"Oh?" Tang Xiu's eyes suddenly lit up and then flashed after doing all these as he stuffed the jade bottles back into his interspatial ring.
The Body Refining Liquid was easy to concoct as its required herbs were not precious. He could easily refine and get a few kilograms of it if he wanted to. If this Body Refining Liquid were to be sold, loads of people would want to purchase it! After all, even a drop of Body Refining Liquid was greatly beneficial for the ordinary person and could enhance their physique at the very least.
"It's worth trying!"
After the idea emerged, he could no longer restrain it. He was now a pauper compared to two months ago when the highest amount of funds in his hand reached about 70 billion yuan, yet such a colossal amount of funds took a sharp dive in the past two months.
30 billion yuan had been transferred to Kang Xia to develop the Magnificent Tang Corporation. On the one hand, it was for the preparation for the sale of the New City in Star City next year, while on the other hand, it was used to buy that plot of land in Shanghai, to build the company buildings, factories, production equipment and so on, which required a colossal amount of money as well.
In addition to the 30 billion yuan transferred to Kang Xia, he also handed over 20 billion yuan to Gu Xiaoxue. He was going to set up the herbs plantation in Clam Island and rear fierce beasts in Resting Cemetery Island. Both projects required the investment of a lot of funds. He had given the 20 billion yuan to Gu Xiaoxue along with the blueprint design he drew. Similarly, a part of the money would need to be allocated to groom talents, including the continuous adoption of homeless children from all over the country.
Of course, there were also a few small investments, such as the project cooperation with Jin Xingkui or the purchase of medicinal herbs and precious ores. Long story short, the remaining funds in his hand now amounted to only 24 billion, yet this amount would also be subtracted by 5 billion for the Nine Dragons Island's reconstruction and the purchase of several helicopters, private planes, yachts, and cruise ships. All of which would probably increase in number as well.
Relatively speaking, Tang Xiu could be considered to be likely to balance the account, regardless. However, he didn't bat an eye even though the reconstruction of Nine Dragons Island, Clam Island, and Resting Cemetery Island would use a huge amount of funds. When all was said and done, his very purpose to make money was for resources, and getting resources was for cultivation. He thought that all the expenses that were beneficial to cultivation were worth it.
"This place has a good environment!" As he parked his car in the underground parking lot, Tang Xiu looked at Chu Yi, who came over.
"This is the most upscale neighborhood within the Second Ring Road. It's only natural that it has a good environment," said Chu Yi with a smile. "But it's still a bit worse compared to South Gate Town, though!"
Shortly after, the duo took the elevator to the seventh floor. For this small 12-story building, the seventh floor was in the middle position. The lighting here was very good as well, since the floor spacing was quite far.
Tang Min came back from her workplace early and even went to the supermarket to buy a lot of ingredients. She was now busying herself in the kitchen. Chu Zhongen also came back early after receiving a phone call from his wife saying that Tang Xiu would come to dinner tonight. He was also lending a hand in the kitchen. The couple immediately came out after hearing the knock on the door.
"It should be your first time seeing your uncle, right, Xiu'er?" Tang Min pointed at Chu Zongen and smilingly said.
Tang Xiu nodded at him and amiably called him uncle.
Though it was also Chu Zhongen's first time seeing Tang Xiu, Tang Xiu was not a stranger to him. He could be said to have heard his name and even knew him already when Tang Xiu hadn't yet returned to the Tang Family to recognize his ancestors. After all, it would be difficult for him to not pay attention since his son was investing a huge amount of funds in Star City.
"I have long since heard about you, Tang Xiu. Never thought that I would meet you today. Energetic and vigorous, just like your Dad's style in the past," appreciated Chu Zhongen.
"You overpraise me, Uncle," replied Tang Xiu.
In a self-effacing manner, Tang Xiu stuffed his hand into his pocket and secretly took out two small jade bottles from his interspatial ring. Then he handed them over to Chu Zhongen and said, "This is my first time visiting you, so this little gift is for you and auntie in the hopes that you can get younger and look more attractive."
Chu Zhongen stared blankly, whereas Tang Min smilingly said, "Ah, silly boy. Why are you gifting us something when it's your first time visiting our home? I'll be angry with you if you ever see your aunt and uncle like outsiders again."
Tang Xiu smiled in response, but still forcefully stuffed the two jade bottles into Tang Min's hands.
"What exactly is inside these, Xiu'er?" Asked Tang Min with a curious expression while looking at the two jade bottles.
"It's a Body Refining Liquid, a medication I concocted," said Tang Xiu. "There are ten drops of it in each jade bottle."
"Body Refining Medicament? What is that?" Asked Tang Min, astounded.
"This Body Refining Liquid is a kind of elixir used by low-level cultivators to enhance their physical strength," explained Tang Xiu. "Regardless, ordinary people won't be able to endure the full potency and efficacy of this medication. They even may die if they use it according to how cultivators do, so I only put ten drops in each jade bottle. Pour a drop into the bathtub whenever you have a bath in the interval of at least three days. This Body Refining Liquid can even restore the physical fitness of those at their 70s or 80s to the state just like when they were in their 50s or 60s. Furthermore, this medication is also very beneficial to your skin. Auntie, if you use it for a few times, you should be able to see that your skin will look much better than its current state."
Tang Min's eye shined and her eyes were full of pleasant surprise. She already knew that her nephew was a cultivator who possessed formidable strength, such that even the Amur Tiger was not his opponent. The elixir he personally concocted would absolutely have a great effect.
At the side, Chu Zhongen's eyes also brightened up, and even look somewhat excited inside. His father, the patriarch of the Chu Family, was now in his early 80s, and his physical fitness was getting worse with each passing year. Although he was usually well cared for and the nursing service was also well taken care of, he still couldn't stand the erosion of time as his age was weighing him down. In the case that… this Body Refining Liquid really brought about such a great effect…
Rubbing his hands, Chu Zhongen shot Tang Xiu a fervent look. He was going to give it a try. If the effect was really as great as Tang Xiu said, he must try to get it more from him. Why was the Chu Family always trying to stay low profile all this while? It was because his father was always in a feeble condition and at the end of his life. If he could make his father's physical fitness become more robust all of a sudden and even back to his condition a decade ago, then the Chu Family would be able to unleash all their energies and continue to develop rapidly for ten years.
"Tang Xiu, is concocting this Body Refining Liquid very difficult?" Asked Chu Zhongen all of a sudden.
Tang Xiu hesitated for a moment before replying, "Saying that it's difficult to produce, it's indeed difficult, but also not that much difficult either. Only, some special medicinal herbs are needed to refine this Body Refining Liquid, thus I need quite some good luck to get them."
A bit of regret could be seen on Chu Zhongen's face as he sighed, "It's really a pity. This thing would be absolutely a wonderful treasure if it was easy to concoct. This can be exchanged for money, power, and a super, highly respected tool to expand personal contacts and network."
Then if I give it to Grandpa…
This idea sprouted inside Tang Xiu's mind, and he immediately decided to implement it inwardly.
Unlike Chu Zhongen, Tang Min didn't have such thoughts. She felt warm and sweet inside to be gifted with such a good thing from her nephew and decided to use it tonight. Immediately after, she returned to the kitchen to continue cooking, while Chu Zhongen stayed in the living room to accompany and have a chat with Tang Xiu. His attitude toward Tang Xiu became more amiable because of the Body Refining Liquid; even his manner at dinner was so good that it made Chu Yi jealous and envious.
After the cheerful and pleasant dinner, Tang Xiu stayed over and chatted for nearly an hour before he got up and bade farewell. Tang Min originally wanted to make Tang Xiu spend the night there, since the apartment had more than 200 square meters and there were also many empty rooms, but she was refused.
At nine in the evening, when Tang Xiu returned to the ancestral residence of the Tang Family, he straightly pulled Tang Guosheng to the study room. After they got there and sat on the sofa, Tang Xiu directly took out the Body Refining Liquid and handed it over to Tang Guosheng, saying, "Grandpa, this is the Body Refining Liquid, and there are about a hundred drops in total inside. I intended to sell it for money at first, but after having considered it, I think it will be best to give this to you."
"What effects does this Body Refining medicament has?" Asked Tang Guosheng with a strange expression.
Tang Xiu explained to him the effects brought by the Body Refining Liquid before finally concluding, "As far as I know, those who are at the topmost position in our country are very old. If you use this Body Refining Liquid on their body, how much benefits do you think our family can get?"
Tang Guosheng's whole being seemed to become petrified. After turning dumbfounded and tongue-tied for a long time, he abruptly got up from the sofa. His fairly robust body was trembling as he asked with a flustered expression, "Xiu'er, are you sure that the effect brought by this Body Refining Liquid is as good as you told me?"
Tang Xiu also got up and said, "Grandpa, whether what I said is impressive or not, it's best that you try it yourself."