123: Chapter 123 Investment Banking

Zhu Wenhao raised his wrist to check his watch.

It was a quarter past three in the afternoon.

It was still early before dark, and there was no news from Li Juan yet.

The incident a few days ago was sudden, and Minister Xiao Dingyu had stepped in to approve his leave. Following the rules, cancelling the leave was a mandatory procedure; human relationships and social etiquette were all contained within these minute details.

Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming was the hub of the actual operations at the Provincial Party School. Skipping the hierarchy to request leave was already a privilege; failing to pay a courtesy call afterwards would be considered arrogant.

He walked up the stairs of the complex building.

At the end of the fourth floor was the office of the Executive Vice President.

Just as he turned the corner, a woman's voice leaked from the slightly ajar door, with strong penetrating power.

"Uncle, stop wasting your breath. I have absolutely no interest in that so-called Zhu Wenhao."

"I'll lay it out today: not only do I have no time to see him, I don't even have time to flip through his file. I have an M&A case to review this afternoon, so keep your tea for yourself."

Click, click, click.

The rhythm of the high heels was fast and heavy.

The door was pushed open from the inside.

A woman wearing gold-rimmed half-frame glasses came into view. Her appearance was average, far from the stunning beauty of Su Qinghan, and not as bright as Liu Ruobing. She wore a minimalist high-end suit, and her hair was combed meticulously.

Zhu Wenhao's eyebrows twitched imperceptibly.

The woman in front of him had sharp eyes, carrying an undisguised air of scrutiny and evaluation.

It was as if everything in the world could be converted into cold numbers in her eyes.

The woman stopped.

She stared straight at Zhu Wenhao, who was blocking the way, looking him up and down. That scrutinizing posture, without any restraint, made one feel extremely uncomfortable.

Zhu Wenhao did not dodge; he coughed lightly.

"Principal Zhou, sorry to disturb you."

A sound of a chair being pushed back came from inside the office.

Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming hurried out, his face full of joy.

"Zhu Wenhao, you're back. Have the family matters been handled properly?"

"Thank you for your concern; it is basically stable."

Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming stepped forward, grabbed Zhu Wenhao's forearm, and led him into the room.

"It's better to be early than to be timely. An old friend sent over a cake of premium Dancong tea last night, and I was just worrying about having no one to share it with. Come and have a few cups with me."

The woman, who had already taken half a step out, pulled her foot back.

The high heels turned on the floor, and she followed the two men back into the office with great interest.

The three sat down in front of the rosewood tea table.

Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming skillfully fiddled with the tea set.

Taking advantage of the gap while washing the tea, he began the introductions.

"Zhu Wenhao, let me introduce you."

"This is my niece, General Manager Zhou Shutong."

"She is twenty-seven years old, graduated from an Ivy League school in the U.S., and spent a few years in Wall Street investment banking."

"And look, she just returned to the country not long ago and is now a partner in her own venture capital firm."

He turned to look at General Manager Zhou Shutong.

"Shutong, this is Zhu Wenhao. The Party Branch Secretary of the Spark Class, and the young talent I've mentioned to you many times."

General Manager Zhou Shutong took off her glasses and took a lens cloth out of her bag to wipe them. She didn't respond, just took a few extra looks at Zhu Wenhao.

Zhu Wenhao sat upright on the rosewood chair, his gaze not lingering on General Manager Zhou Shutong, but instead turning to a watercolor painting hanging in the center of the wall.

On the painting, a group of shrimp played in the water.

There was a lot of white space, the ink was used with appropriate dryness and wetness, and the shrimp antennae were full of tension, showing a vivid resilience.

Staring at this painting, Zhu Wenhao unconsciously exuded an aura of standing like a deep pool and a towering mountain. The ancient oriental charm and the dignity of being in a high position blended at that moment; those who watched him felt an indescribable spirit.

Boiling water was poured into the purple clay teapot, and the fragrance of tea overflowed.

Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming divided the tea soup from the fairness cup into three tasting cups.

"Taste it."

Zhu Wenhao pinched the rim of the cup with two fingers, smelled it under his nose, and drank it in three sips. The tea soup passed through his throat, and the aftertaste was long.

"Narcissus Dancong, the foundation of old trees on high mountains. The roasting technique is seasoned, the fire has faded, and the orchid fragrance is hidden in the water. A rare good tea."

General Manager Zhou Shutong picked up the cup and gulped it down.

She smacked her lips, not tasting anything different, only feeling that it was a bit scalding.

Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming pointed his finger vaguely and joked: "For this good tea, it still takes someone like Zhu Wenhao who understands the trade to drink it. You grew up soaked in coffee cans, chewing peonies like a cow; giving you this Dancong is purely a waste of a heavenly treasure."

General Manager Zhou Shutong was embarrassed by her elder and was just about to retort when the mobile phone on the edge of the table rang.

She glanced at the screen and pressed the answer button.

In that instant, the aura on General Manager Zhou Shutong changed.

A second ago, she was a laid-back junior drinking tea with her elder; the next second, she was a cold-blooded trader who was decisive in killing.

"I don't care how that medical device company balanced their financial statements. Tell President Li that if the loopholes in the due diligence are not filled, the M&A case will be terminated immediately."

The speed of speech was extremely fast, allowing no room for argument.

"Cut the valuation by twenty percent. If they agree, sign the exclusivity agreement; if not, walk away. My team doesn't raise waste. I want to see the modified plan in my mailbox before eight o'clock tonight."

Ending the call, she threw the phone on the table.

Simple, cold, efficient.

This was the essence of capital seeking profit. Zhu Wenhao concluded in his heart. In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, farming was emphasized and commerce suppressed to suppress this disorderly expansion of profit-seeking; by the middle and late periods, the rise of Shanxi and Huizhou merchants, and the combination of capital and power, eventually hollowed out the foundation of the empire.

General Manager Zhou Shutong's move had a bit of the ruthlessness of a predator.

Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming was not surprised, shook his head, and brought the topic back.

"Zhu Wenhao, I see you were mesmerized by that painting. Do you usually dabble in painting?"

"I know a little bit."

Zhu Wenhao's gaze turned back to the shrimp ink painting. "This painting of shrimps, the brushwork is extremely concise. The ink color is divided into five colors, the shrimp body is transparent, and the shrimp claws have a metallic texture. Especially these shrimp antennae, the brushwork is like steel wire, with twists and turns, and the power penetrates the back of the paper. The composition does not draw water, but there is water everywhere."

Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming clapped his hands and laughed.

"Good eye! This painting has been hanging here for several years. Many people have come and gone, and you are the first one to see through the mystery of this brush and ink at a glance."

Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming stood up and walked to the wall.

"Give a sword to a hero, and rouge to a beauty. Since you understand the benefits of this painting, I will give it to you today."

As the words fell, General Manager Zhou Shutong's hand pressed directly on the tea table.

"Uncle." She stood up and took a step across. "This painting cannot be given away casually."

She looked at Zhu Wenhao, but her words were addressed to Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming.

"This is an authentic piece that my aunt specifically bid for you at the autumn auction back then. It's an item worth real gold and silver, and it's very valuable. It's against the rules for you to take it and give it to a student."

In officialdom, the gifting of property is an extremely sensitive red line. An authentic work by a famous artist is enough to rise to the level of bribery.

Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming had the temperament of a scholar, valuing the friendship of a soulmate; General Manager Zhou Shutong had the mindset of a businessman, calculating the sunk cost with a clear price tag.

Zhu Wenhao naturally understood the stakes involved.

"Principal Zhou, I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot accept it."

Zhu Wenhao sat calmly in the chair, not moving an inch.

"A gentleman does not take what others love. This painting is most appropriate hanging here with you."

He picked up the teapot and refilled Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming's cup.

"How about this. When I go back, I will find some time to paint an ink wash painting myself and send it to you another day. If you think it's passable, we will exchange paintings and leave a memento for each other. How about that?"

Exchanging paintings for paintings is a refined taste of scholars.

It avoids the suspicion of giving and receiving property, saves Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming's face, and lightly dissolves General Manager Zhou Shutong's aggressive, money-grubbing air into nothingness.

The appreciation in Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming's eyes grew even stronger.

"Good! It will be as you say. I look forward to seeing your masterpiece."

Just then, the phone in his pocket vibrated.

Zhu Wenhao took out his phone; the caller ID showed: Mother.

He pressed the answer button.

"Zhu Wenhao, the tea is finished. Drive the car to the intersection of Changfeng Street to pick me up." Li Juan's instructions came through the radio waves.

"Got it."

Hanging up the phone, Zhu Wenhao stood up and straightened his collar.

"Principal Zhou, my elder at home is urging me, so I must go first. I will come another day to listen to your teachings."

"Go ahead, family matters are important." Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming waved his hand.

Zhu Wenhao turned and walked towards the door. From beginning to end, he did not spare even a glance for General Manager Zhou Shutong, who was standing on the side.

Ignoring is the ultimate counterattack.

For this kind of merchant who thinks she can be high and mighty because she holds capital, the best way to deal with her is to leave her in the air.

The door opened and closed.

The footsteps faded away.

General Manager Zhou Shutong stood by the rosewood tea table, picking up the cup of Dancong tea that had long since gone cold.

She stared fixedly at the tightly closed door, her breathing somewhat uneven.

After years of struggling in investment banking, only she had treated others as prey to be harvested; no one had ever dared to treat her with such complete disregard.

Zhu Wenhao's calm demeanor, like an ancient well without waves, instead aroused her extremely strong desire to win.

She poured the cold tea into the tea wash and put down the cup.

"Uncle, the invitation has been delivered. I have an overseas meeting to attend, so I'm leaving first."

Without waiting for Executive Vice President Zhou Zhengming to respond, she grabbed her handbag and walked away quickly in her high heels.

Walking out of the Provincial Party School administration building.

General Manager Zhou Shutong sat in the Porsche sports car parked downstairs.

She didn't rush to start the engine, but took out her phone from her bag and dialed the number of the head of the investigation company.

"Go investigate someone."

General Manager Zhou Shutong looked at her capable reflection in the rearview mirror.

"Provincial Party School, Spark Class, Zhu Wenhao."

"I want all his information, including family background, social relationships, and past resume. By tomorrow morning, put a detailed background check report on my desk."

Hanging up the phone, the sports car made a low roar and drove away from the Party School.