Chapter 98: Investment

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Investment

Fu Xiaoxue bought over ten dishes at the school cafeteria, treating everyone to a rather sumptuous feast.

As Yu Zhiming ate, he listened to the girl chatter on and on about her recent military training, and all the big and small things that happened with her roommates, classmates, drill instructor, and student counselor.

As lunch was ending, the student counselor who had taken the student to the school hospital made a special trip to thank Yu Zhiming.

He said the student had been confirmed to be having a hypokalemia attack.

The school doctor also told him that if there had been any further delay, there could have been unpredictable and severe consequences.

The counselor’s gratitude toward Yu Zhiming was sincere.

If a student had actually died suddenly, there was a high probability he would have been held responsible by the school and fired...

After a lunch that lasted over an hour, Yu Zhiming’s group of four returned to their residence in Zijin Garden...

By seven o’clock that evening, Yu Zhiming was once again enjoying a table full of hometown-style delicacies, personally cooked by his eldest sister.

At the dinner table this time, besides Gu Qingning who stuck around like glue, there were two more people.

Fu Xiaobo, who had made a special trip back from the suburbs.

And their next-door neighbor, the interior designer Zhu Jun.

Although Zhu Jun lived right next door, Yu Zhiming, who usually left early and came home late, was meeting him for the first time.

He was about 1.73 meters tall, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, and wore a pair of glasses. He was thin with a somewhat pale complexion—the spitting image of a frail scholar.

"Uncle, Zhu Jun used the new design plan and actually managed to snatch the client back from the original firm."

Fu Xiaobo said excitedly, "Zhu Jun and I are going to partner up and start a design and renovation company to complete this project."

Yu Zhiming let out an "oh" and asked, "So your partnership model is he provides the designs and you provide the muscle?"

Fu Xiaobo gave a sheepish grin and explained, "More or less. I’m in charge of putting together the renovation team, site management, material procurement, client negotiations, and all that other messy stuff."

After a brief pause, he continued, "For our company, Zhu Jun is investing one hundred thousand and will have twenty percent of the shares. I’m putting in two hundred thousand for thirty percent of the shares."

"The remaining fifty percent of the shares will be used to raise five hundred thousand in startup capital."

Yu Zhiming couldn’t help but chuckle. "So after all that, you’re basically saying you’ve got your eyes on me and want me to cough up the money."

Fu Xiaobo chuckled sheepishly. "When there’s a chance to get rich, of course I’d think of family first."

He then puffed out his chest and said, "Uncle, I’ll personally guarantee your investment. It’ll be clearly written in the contract..."

"If the company doesn’t take off and goes bust, your investment will be considered my personal debt, and I’ll work to pay it back."

Yu Zhiming said in surprise, "You’re certainly responsible, and very confident. That’s five hundred thousand, not a small sum!"

"How much do you even make in a year from working?"

Yu Zhiming looked worriedly at Yu Zhaoxia and asked, "Big Sis, did you and your husband agree to let Xiaobo go through with this whole thing?"

Yu Zhaoxia let out a light sigh and said helplessly, "What else can I do if I don’t agree?"

"Once a son is grown, he’s beyond his mother’s control."

"If I don’t let him go all out and give it a try, that boy won’t give up until he hits a dead end."

"I’ve thought it through. I’ll just let him be. Besides, we’ll still have Xiaoxue to rely on in the future."

Fu Xiaobo wrapped his arm around Yu Zhaoxia’s shoulder and smiled. "Mom, I definitely won’t let you down."

"I promise you, within three years, I’ll at the very least bring home a daughter-in-law for you."

Yu Zhaoxia shot him a sideways glance.

"If you don’t have a car or a house by then, and you’re saddled with debt, what girl would be willing to marry you?"

Fu Xiaobo said smugly, "Mom, you gave birth to such a handsome son. There will definitely be tons of girls lining up to marry me."

Yu Zhaoxia scoffed, shooting him down. "Oh, stop flattering yourself. You’re tanned black as soot, and you call that handsome?"

"Your uncle is the one who’s truly handsome!"

Amid a ripple of light laughter, the group started discussing the investment matter.

Fu Xiaobo announced that his third aunt and uncle-in-law had already decided to invest one hundred thousand for a ten-percent stake.

Yu Zhiming also wanted to give his eldest nephew more support, but unfortunately, he was a little short on cash at the moment.

After checking with his Fourth Sister and confirming they needed to keep some money for emergencies, the most Yu Zhiming could come up with was fifty thousand yuan.

"Xiaobo, can I pay in installments?"

"If you guys aren’t in a hurry for the money, I can give you fifty thousand first, and then a few more tens of thousands each month after I get paid."

Then Yu Zhiming had another idea and said, "Fourth Sister, give that ’Green Water Ghost’ to Xiaobo."

"That watch is just a waste sitting with me. Give it to Xiaobo to exchange for some cash. At least it’ll be put to good use."

"Absolutely not!"

Yu Zhaoxia criticized him with a serious expression, "Fifth Brother, that was a greeting gift from your brother-in-law’s sister."

"How can you just give it away like that? It’s impolite!"

"You must keep it, unless it’s an absolute last resort!"

Seeing his eldest sister speak so solemnly, Yu Zhiming had no choice but to drop the idea.

Fu Xiaobo said with a sheepish laugh, "Uncle, just invest fifty thousand. I’ll give you a ten-percent stake too."

"But I have one condition!"

"What condition?" Yu Zhiming asked casually.

Fu Xiaobo giggled and said, "Our design and renovation company plans to focus on mid-to-high-end clients, mainly taking on luxury renovations for large properties like villas and spacious single-floor apartments."

"These kinds of people always value their health highly."

"And these days, Uncle, you’ve got quite the reputation."

"Our idea is to offer them a perk when we’re negotiating with new clients: you, Uncle, would give the homeowner’s family a physical check-up."

Yu Zhiming couldn’t help but laugh. "I knew there’d be a catch, you little rascal."

After a pause, he said in a serious tone, "We have to agree on a few things first before I can accept your condition."

"Go ahead, Uncle!" Fu Xiaobo quickly refilled Yu Zhiming’s tea, eager to please.

Yu Zhiming said after some thought, "Don’t use false advertising and hype me up as some omnipotent miracle doctor."

"I’m just a young doctor who’s slightly more skilled at physical examinations, that’s all."

"And I’m only responsible for examinations, not treatment."

Fu Xiaobo nodded. "Don’t worry, Uncle. I definitely won’t use false advertising or make excessive promises. It’s just for check-ups."

Yu Zhiming continued, "The check-up is limited to the homeowner’s immediate family, with a maximum of..."

He did a quick calculation in his head: if there were two kids, plus the parents of both the husband and wife...

"Eight people."

"Also, they have to make an appointment in advance and come see me at the hospital. I don’t provide house calls for check-ups."

"No problem, Uncle!" Fu Xiaobo readily agreed.

Yu Zhiming nodded in satisfaction. "Xiaobo, this is the first time you’re starting a business with a friend. Consider my condition as my way of helping and supporting you."

"I don’t need that five-percent premium."

"Uncle, how could that be okay?"

Fu Xiaobo said with a determined look, "Business is business. We’ll be using your name to attract clients, so how can we take advantage of you for free?"

"That five-percent premium is a must."

"Not only that, but depending on how much of a role you play in landing the client, we’ll also give you a generous bonus as an incentive."

At that moment, Gu Qingning, who had been eating quietly, suddenly interjected, "Fu Xiaobo, for the remaining thirty percent of shares for fundraising, do you have investors lined up yet?"

"Can I invest too?"

"Sister Qingning, are you saying you want to take it all?" Fu Xiaobo’s eyes lit up, his face breaking into an eager, fawning smile.

"A mere..."

The moment the words left her mouth, Gu Qingning realized her current persona was that of an ordinary office worker.

She quickly changed her tune. "Three hundred thousand. If I dip into the dowry my parents prepared for me, I can just about manage to scrape it together."

Gu Qingning added, "I’m mainly investing in you as a person. Fu Xiaobo, you grew up under the influence of your mother and Sister Xiang Wan, and you’ve shown yourself to be responsible and level-headed."

"I believe there’s a high probability you’ll succeed, so this is a very good investment opportunity."

Yu Zhaoxia took over the conversation. "Qingning, the person who had the biggest influence on the character of these two children of mine was actually my fifth brother."

"You could say that he and Xiaoxue both grew up trailing behind Fifth Brother."

"It’s just that this rascal, Xiaobo, is just like his dad. He never liked studying, so he went out to work right after graduating high school."

"But when it comes to being a person, he’s exactly like his uncle—responsible and dependable. He’ll absolutely put your mind at ease and won’t drop the ball halfway through..."

Gu Qingning smiled and nodded in agreement, but inwardly, she was roasting him.

’Big Sis, you’re just awkwardly hyping up your brother.’

’How is your son even the slightest bit like that petty, backstabbing troll...’