542: I am from the future

After leaving Li Bing's villa, Ren Yi and Zhao Yiming drove back together.

Although it was dark, Ren Yi could still tell that Zhao Yiming's complexion wasn't particularly good.

Zhao Yiming was diagnosed with mid-stage uremia last year and had been fighting his illness tenaciously, a matter he had kept largely private from the outside world.

It was only when he was discussing the loan business with Ren Yi that he played the emotional card and confessed this matter to him.

Ren Yi found it difficult to expose him directly, so he obliquely said, "Mr. Zhao, I'm truly sorry to have troubled you to come out so late."

Zhao Yiming ignored his concern and instead brought up another topic, saying, "I heard that Fenglei is currently facing significant financial problems?"

Ren Yi had no intention of hiding anything, so he told Zhao Yiming everything, from Lin Fan's initial plan to invest in Fenglei to his subsequent withdrawal of funds, which led to Fenglei's capital chain being on the verge of breaking.

Zhao Yiming seemed to know Lin Fan's identity and snorted, "Hmph, desperate times call for desperate measures. Everyone in the industry knows Lin Fan's character. You should have refused him directly back then.

That guy is notoriously ruthless. Any company he invests in never ends well.

Of course, he is also someone else's front man, relying on his powerful background, and has always acted wildly. There's no telling how many people have fallen into his hands.

You probably don't know much about him, and you must have had some nerve to rashly agree to his investment."

Ren Yi chuckled, "Well, now I know, don't I?"

Zhao Yiming was amused by him and said, "You probably didn't eat well at dinner, right? I know a good Shaxian Snacks place; their soup dumplings are excellent. We can go try them."

Ren Yi immediately agreed, "That would be great! I was so busy drinking and dealing with those women tonight. Now that you mention it, I really do feel hungry."

Zhao Yiming laughed and scolded, "At such a young age, you've reached the realm of Liu Xiahui, with no woman by your side. I truly suspect you have some other special preferences."

Ren Yi heard him making fun of him and retorted, "Mr. Zhao, then you'd better be careful. I'm a man who appeals to all ages."

Both of them burst into laughter at the same time.

The car then drove towards the city center.

...

Soon, the two arrived at their destination.

It was a late-night food stall in an alley. Although it was the middle of the night, the stall was still bustling with people.

Judging by their attire, most of the diners were young white-collar workers who had worked overtime until now, with a majority being women.

There were also some heavily made-up young girls, likely working at nearby nightclubs.

Their youthful faces were adorned with age-inappropriate heavy makeup, and the fatigue in their eyes overshadowed their youthful vigor.

The owner was a fifty-year-old man with golden dyed hair, suggesting he was a restless sort in his youth.

Of course, he wasn't much better now.

His clean white teeth were set in a face full of wrinkles, and his smile radiated outwards, making him appear exceptionally cheerful.

The owner seemed to recognize Zhao Yiming and, seeing him, smiled, "Mr. Zhao, you're here. There are no seats available for now, please wait a moment."

Zhao Yiming smiled, "Okay, the usual three items, for two people."

The owner nodded with a smile.

Zhao Yiming and Ren Yi sat on the plastic chairs nearby.

Neon lights cast a strange red glow over the city's night sky, like the sun at dawn, permeating the entire firmament.

Zhao Yiming spoke, "The several car companies you've partnered with have seen their stock prices at least several times over, and their financial reports from the end of last year were also excellent. Is there no way to extract cash to give back to Fenglei?"

Ren Yi then explained Fenglei's current situation.

Zhao Yiming sighed, "Indeed, although the country supports new energy, this sector seems to be only viable domestically; internationally, fuel-powered vehicles still dominate.

Moreover, new companies are popping up like bamboo shoots after rain. The domestic market is only so big, and with so many people dividing one cake, you can imagine how severe the internal competition is.

It's correct that you are vigorously developing overseas business. However, I just want to remind you that being too rigid breaks easily. Investing all your current cash seems not very wise."

Ren Yi naturally understood this principle, but once the arrow is shot, there's no turning back. If it doesn't work, it still has to work.

"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Zhao. I will remember that."

Zhao Yiming asked again, "I just said that casually, but don't you have any other options?"

Ren Yi nodded.

"I do have other options, and..."

Just then, the owner came over and said, "Gentlemen, there's a table available."

The two immediately walked to a table in the corner and sat down.

Soon, two steaming baskets of soup dumplings, two meat zongzi, and two bowls of sweet tofu pudding arrived.

Ren Yi was already starving. He immediately picked up a soup dumpling, threw it into his mouth, and his mouth quivered from the heat as he mumbled, "I'm starving. I won't be polite."

Zhao Yiming slowly poured a dish of Shanxi aged vinegar, picked up a piece of zongzi, dipped it, but only ate half before putting it down again.

Ren Yi asked, "What's wrong, Mr. Zhao? Not to your taste?"

Zhao Yiming nodded, "Ever since I got that illness, I haven't had an appetite for anything."

As he spoke, he appeared quite dispirited, watching Ren Yi wolf down his food, a sense of loneliness in his eyes.

Ren Yi also slowed his eating, guessing that Zhao Yiming must have something to tell him.

Sure enough, he heard Zhao Yiming say to himself, "Actually, you don't need to put too much pressure on yourself. Even if Fenglei fails, you've already achieved financial freedom."

Ren Yi finished his last soup dumpling and said to the owner, "Boss, another basket, please."

The owner smiled and agreed.

Ren Yi said, "Fenglei cannot fail. Even if I sell all the stocks I've invested in outside, I won't let it collapse."

Zhao Yiming smiled, "Among the companies Fenglei has invested in, not to mention the others, just the stock price of Wuling alone is now close to over five hundred. Given the current momentum, it will definitely continue to rise. Are you willing to sell?"

Ren Yi paused slightly, then said, "I definitely won't sell Wuling's stock. In fact, if I have the chance, I will increase my shareholding."

"Why?"

Zhao Yiming was curious.

"Because 'elderly fun' vehicles will become a trend in the future, so Wuling is a golden goose. How could I sacrifice a greater good for a smaller one?"

Zhao Yiming, however, shook his head, "I don't think so. Although everyone is optimistic about Wuling, you need to know the nature of the domestic stock market: often, the more people are optimistic about a stock, the worse they lose in the end.

So, I suggest doing the opposite. Not to say sell all of it, but selling a portion first would also be a good choice."

As the president of ICBC, Zhao Yiming knew a lot of inside information about the stock market.

Therefore, he understood the principle that nothing lasts forever.

Often, the stocks with the strongest momentum end up falling the hardest.

Originally, he wouldn't speak such things carelessly, but out of consideration for Ren Yi, he hoped he wouldn't fall too badly.