After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future-Chapter 96: The Toyed Woman

Mobike's financing dust had settled, and Lu Liang was ready to leave.

However, before departing, he noticed that there weren't many people around Shen Peng and decided to go over and greet him out of politeness.

"Lu Liang, I thought you wouldn't come over," said Shen Peng with a smile, exuding friendliness.

Lu Liang replied with a smile, "Mr. Shen, there were too many people earlier, so I didn't join the crowd, but now that it's less crowded, here I am."

Though it was a Mobike financing party, many entrepreneurs seeking investment had also made their way in.

After all, it was rare to have so many industry leaders gathered together, and a lucky entrepreneur could easily nab an investment of several million as if it were just a trifle.

As a titan of domestic venture capital, Shen Peng constantly had a stream of people trying to curry favor with him, which was why there were only a few around him now.

Shen Peng laughed heartily, "Mr. Lu, what you say seems to carry a hint of blame."

"If that's what Mr. Shen believes, then there's nothing more I can say."

Lu Liang smiled nonchalantly. His greeting was purely out of respect for a senior and to seek advice on a certain matter.

If Shen Peng regarded him as one of those trying to ingratiate themselves, then there was really nothing worth discussing between them.

Adjusting his glasses and narrowing his eyes, Shen Peng also put away his disdain, "Little Tang, how has she been lately?"

"Little Tang?" Lu Liang was puzzled.

Shen Peng explained, "Tang Caide. I recruited her into Redwood and she followed me for several years. I later went to Yanjing and she stayed in Modu, but I heard she resigned not long after."

"She's doing quite well. With Mr. Tang managing the company, I feel much more at ease."

Lu Liang couldn't help but look Shen Peng up and down; he was only in his forties or just under fifty.

Tang Caide was thirty-seven, and though she had some wrinkles, one could tell she had been quite a beauty in her youth.

Shen Peng gave him a hostile glance and suddenly coughed loudly, interrupting Lu Liang's unwarranted speculations.

Lu Liang collected his thoughts and asked with a smile, "Mr. Shen, I have a question that puzzles me. Could you please enlighten me?"

"Speak."

Shen Peng's face no longer carried its initial amiability, since he saw someone familiar in Lu Liang.

Golden Sand River's Zhu Hu— he and Shen Peng were known as the investment world's "Big and Little Kings." Even though they were friends, it did not keep Shen Peng from disliking Zhu Hu.

Zhu Hu, true to his name, had a tigerish demeanor and liked to tell risqué jokes, often putting Shen Peng in an awkward position.

Humbly seeking advice, Lu Liang asked, "Why did Redwood sign a legal contract with Mobike?"

Li Bing, though brash with his claims that he forced Redwood's hand to invest in Mobike, had only a half-believable tale—Li Bing, no matter how capable, certainly wasn't on Shen Peng's level.

Even Lei Jun would have to call Shen Peng a senior.

Over the past twenty years, if there were to be an award for the most outstanding venture capitalist, Shen Peng would rank himself second without anyone daring to claim the first.

With the size of Redwood Capital, it was entirely possible to force the industry leaders to accept their conditions, allowing them to sit back and watch the fight unfold, gaining the last laugh.

There was no need for them to put all their eggs in Mobike's basket and deny themselves an exit strategy.

Shen Peng smiled slightly, "Mr. Lu, if I say that Redwood's investment in Mobike is just part of the process and not the result, would you believe me?"

"If Mr. Shen says so, I naturally will," Lu Liang responded, his mind racing. The process, whose process is it?

Suddenly, he recalled the battle of the "Thousand Groupon War," with Meituan likely being Shen Peng's largest investment in recent years.

Compared to the tens of millions of US Dollars invested in Meituan each time, the money put into Mobike was just a mere splash.

Investments often come with wager clauses, and for Redwood to exclusively back Mobike, Mobike must have agreed to a high-stakes deal that could lead to a change of ownership if lost.

Putting together what Shen Peng said about the investment in Mobike being just part of the process, it was possible that Redwood had already coordinated with Meituan to take over Mobike later.

If Meituan did take over Mobike, the value of Shen Peng's shares in Meituan would significantly increase, since Meituan was the core of Shen Peng's recent investments.

"Thank you, Mr. Shen." Lu Liang was very humble, finding today's financing party extremely enlightening.

True magnates treat an entire industry as a chess piece, and not even the key piece to decide the game's outcome.

With Mobike, Li Bing laid the groundwork for NIO, while Shen Peng went even further, seeking a buyer right after Mobike's Series A funding.

Shen Peng was surprised, not expecting Lu Liang to guess so quickly, and praised, "You'll become a very good investor."

"Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Shen," replied Lu Liang with a smile, though he had more questions, but Shen Peng no longer wished to answer, "I shall take my leave."

He looked at Lu Liang for a long time, glared hard at him, and said rather brusquely, "Would it seem somewhat inappropriate if I had to initiate asking for your contact details?"

"How could I dare? It's just that I was still pondering the words you said and didn't react in time," Lu Liang explained hurriedly, with a mix of laughter and helplessness.

The two exchanged contact information. As Shen Peng was about to leave, he suddenly said, "Old Zhu from Golden Sand River is not a good person."

"I'll keep that in mind," Lu Liang replied, feeling puzzled as to why he saw a trace of a strange smile in Shen Peng's eyes.

But before he could ask, Shen Peng was gone.

"Ofo's financing next Friday looks to be anything but peaceful."

Lu Liang thought long and hard but couldn't make heads or tails of it, so he decided not to overthink it.

As they say, meet force with force, and stem the flood with earth,

It's as if someone is pretending to be a good person.

After greeting Li Bing, Lu Liang got ready to leave when Hu Weiwei suddenly approached quickly, "Mr. Lu, I'm very sorry."

Mr. Hu, there's no need to apologize. If it were me, I'd do the same thing; I can understand," Lu Liang said with a smile.

"Thank you. Are you leaving now? Let me walk you out," Hu Weiwei sighed with relief, worried Lu Liang might hold a grudge.

"There's no need for that. After all, there are many guests at the venue that need your attention."

"Alright then, Mr. Lu, take care."

"Hmm, goodbye."

Lu Liang suddenly felt that Hu Weiwei was a bit pitiable, played by two, perhaps even three men.

The Mobike she had started and fought for would probably not end up belonging to her, she might receive a tremendous amount of wealth, but what good would it do?

With Mobike, Hu Weiwei was a domineering female CEO; but without Mobike, she was just a wealthy woman.

After leaving the banquet hall on the sixth floor, Lu Liang took Wen Chao downstairs to the hotel lobby, where they saw Fang Shiyu sitting on a sofa, lost in thought.

When Fang Shiyu saw Lu Liang approaching, he quickly stood up, standing tall like a pillar, "Mr. Lu, are you done with your work?"

Chen Jinchun had taught him a lot yesterday, including how to address Lu Liang in the presence of others—at least to call him Mr. Lu.

Lu Liang nodded slightly and turned to Wen Chao, "Little Wen, you head back to the company first and give the subscription documents to Mr. Tang."

Wen Chao nodded and left; Lu Liang then took his cousin and sat beside him, asking with a smile, "How are you feeling today?"

"A bit bored."

Fang Shiyu replied in a subdued voice, very forthright.

He had been in the lobby all afternoon, not fond of playing with his phone, so he could only daydream.

"Anything else?" Lu Liang held back his smile.

"Also a bit uncomfortable," Fang Shiyu tugged at his collar.

Chen Jinchun had bought him several suits; they fit well, but his chest muscles were so well-developed that they made his shirt bulge.

Lu Liang couldn't help laughing out loud and patted his shoulder, "Let's go, I'll buy you a few new sets later, and you don't have to wear suits anymore."

He hadn't set a dress code for the company; who knows what Chen Jinchun was thinking, dressing his cousin up like a gangster.

"Okay," Fang Shiyu showed a simple and honest smile, a stark contrast to his muscular appearance.

Lu Liang found a Nike store on the street and bought several pairs of sweatpants and some Polo shirts.

But he realized he couldn't blame Chen Jinchun; after all, with a height of 189 cm and weight of 206 pounds,

Able to wolf down five bowls of rice in one meal, his physique was evident; low profile wasn't an option even if he wanted it.

No matter how he was dressed, he looked like a gangster, so they simply gave up and let him dress comfortably instead.

"Bro, going home?" Fang Shiyu, in his new clothes, felt he could breathe easier. He wasn't good with words, so he could only silently remember Lu Liang's kindness in his heart.

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"Going... not going home, let's head to the community on Changle Road, Lane 306."

Lu Liang was about to go home when he suddenly remembered that today was Zhang Qian's store opening. She had sent him a message last night, but with Mobike's fundraising, he had forgotten.

Fang Shiyu set the navigation; it was rush hour, and by the time they reached Changle Road, it was already seven in the evening.

The bustling pedestrian street made it impossible for cars to enter, so the two brothers had to walk in.

Fang Shiyu walked beside Lu Liang, with an imposing presence—passersby automatically gave them a wide berth.

Lu Liang joked, "Shiyu, with you here, no need to hire a bodyguard."

"Bro, I could be your bodyguard too," Fang Shiyu said earnestly.

"Alright, from now on, you'll be my protector," Lu Liang laughed, clearly not taking it seriously.

"Okay," Fang Shiyu nodded solemnly.

While they were talking, the song "Good Day" could be heard.

Ahead at the crossroad, a new fast-food restaurant named Good Food Garden had opened. Zhang Qian, in trousers and a shirt with a custom apron, was busy inside from front to back.

There were five or six employees in the restaurant, about twenty-odd tables with seating for four at each—nearly full, reflecting a very good business day.

It was uncertain, however, whether the customers were attracted by the opening promotions—after all, banners outside advertised half-price deals for the first three days, with a free small Coke.

Lu Liang turned and asked, "Hungry?"

"Hungry," Fang Shiyu nodded.

He wasn't terse by choice but by nature; Lu Liang was used to it, "Come on, let's go eat."

Lu Liang walked in and passed by Zhang Qian as she was busy clearing plates and wiping tables, not noticing him.

Lu Liang smiled and didn't disturb her; he took a tray for himself and picked up an extra one for Fang Shiyu.

Having witnessed his cousin's appetite yesterday, he knew one tray of food probably wouldn't be enough.