Chapter 199: The Mature Aunt

"I'll introduce you to a few clients, give you a good start, hehe."

Xu Yuexin said enthusiastically.

Cheng Li Yan was quite happy upon hearing it.

"Alright, I'm counting on you entirely."

She smiled gracefully and said.

The next morning, Xu Yuexin and Cheng Li Yan each went out to buy a mobile phone, then headed to Central to look at office buildings.

After arriving in Central, Cheng Li Yan compared building after building and finally set her sights on one of them.

The building sits in Central's core yet away from traffic, offering a quiet oasis in the bustle—perfect for an office.

Cheng Li Yan entered the building, asked the reception for the owner's phone number, and dialed it on her mobile.

After introducing herself and stating her purpose, Cheng Li Yan asked the other party about the price.

"Good afternoon, madam. The rent for the high floors is 2 Hong Kong Dollars per square meter, and the management fee is 0.1 Hong Kong Dollars."

On the other end, the Manager of the property operations company explained to Cheng Li Yan.

Hearing the quote, Cheng Li Yan did the math in her head.

The rent per square meter is calculated daily: 2 Hong Kong Dollars per day, which totals 60 Hong Kong Dollars per month.

Cheng Li Yan plans to lease an entire floor of 800 square meters as an office. Accordingly, the monthly rent would be 48,000 Hong Kong Dollars.

Adding the management fee, it exceeds 600,000 Hong Kong Dollars per year.

After finishing the calculation, Cheng Li Yan inhaled a cold breath.

This price is simply too high.

She clearly remembered that when she previously came to Xiangjiang, the office prices she inquired about weren't this steep.

"Is it really that high? Could we meet to discuss?"

Cheng Li Yan asked tentatively.

"If you can accept it, we'll meet to sign the Contract; if not, there's no need for a meeting."

The operations side was very firm, leaving no room for concession.

"Alright, thank you. I'll think it over."

Cheng Li Yan kept a courteous tone and hung up, feeling dejected.

Starting a business isn't easy, the mature aunt sighed.

Cheng Li Yan never imagined the office rent would rise so quickly.

It should be noted that rent is only part of a Lawyer firm's operating costs.

With 600,000 Hong Kong Dollars in rent plus personnel, utilities, office supplies, travel expenses, etc., the firm would need at least 2,000,000 Hong Kong Dollars a year to stay afloat.

That far exceeds Cheng Li Yan's capacity.

"Ask a few more places."

Xu Yuexin comforted, "Maybe there are cheaper options."

"Hmm, let's look at other office buildings."

Cheng Li Yan gave a slight smile, maintaining a confident image.

Next, Cheng Li Yan and Xu Yuexin shuttled among Central's major office buildings, contacting several more operators.

The quotes were all similar; the rent here simply couldn't be cheap.

"The rent is rising too fast."

After asking several firms, Cheng Li Yan furrowed her brows, a rare hint of disappointment flashing in her beautiful eyes.

It seems she's truly hit a snag this time.

Seeing Cheng Li Yan's demeanor, Xu Yuexin thought.

The rent in Central is high, yet it's Cheng Li Yan's only choice.

Because the Lawyer industry, like finance, uses its office location as its best business card.

Clients with clout would never look for a law firm in a back‑alley.

After driving Cheng Li Yan home, Xu Yuexin picked up his mobile, changed clothes, went up to the third floor, opened the glass door, walked to the temperature‑controlled pool, and slipped in for a comfortable soak.

After soaking for a while, Xu Yuexin dialed his mobile and called Kwai Chung Factory.

"Hello, is this Li Xin? I want to invest another 40,000,000, half to expand capacity and half for new process R&D."

"Coordinate with finance and have them withdraw cash from the bank tomorrow afternoon."

"Yes, Standard Chartered Bank."

"Also, change the company's registered name to Huaguang Crystal Element."

Li Xin is the factory's executive vice‑president, honest and capable; when Xu Yuexin is absent, he runs the factory.

As for the name change… the chip company was previously called Kuichong Crystal Manufacturing Plant.

Now the company is expanding, and Xu Yuexin wants a more grandiose name.

After hanging up, Xu Yuexin turned his gaze outward.

The villa sits on Taiping Shan; from the top floor looking forward, one can take in half of Xiangjiang and even Shenzhen's scenery.

The bustling Central, the blue‑calm Victoria Harbour, and the distant construction sites of Luohu Qu…

Xu Yuexin quietly enjoyed the view for a while, then rose from the pool, went downstairs to change and have lunch.

The next day, Xu Yuexin went alone to Central to transfer funds to the company account.

After the last big profit on pounds, Xu Yuexin's account held 160,000,000 Hong Kong Dollars.

Including this barter trade with the Soviet Union, the factory's early profits, and interest, his account now totals just over 200,000,000 Hong Kong Dollars.

A solid major bank client!

After arriving in Central, Xu Yuexin went straight to the Standard Chartered Bank Xiangjiang Branch.

The branch normally does not handle specific transactions, but a major client like Xu Yuexin is an exception.

The beautiful lobby manager saw him and immediately smiled, stepping forward to greet him.

"Hello, Boss Xu, welcome to our bank."

"Our bank president is in the office and will come to see you shortly."

"Alright, no rush."

Xu Yuexin said casually, and together with the lobby manager walked into the VIP room. In 1980 Xiangjiang, a net worth of five billion Hong Kong Dollars could place one on the top‑ten richest list.

A client like Xu Yuexin, with two hundred million Hong Kong Dollars in the account, belongs to the bank's tycoon‑level clientele.

Because even members of the billionaire‑rich list usually hold most of their assets in factories, land, and real estate, their accounts may not contain that much cash.

After a short while, the Standard Chartered Bank Xiangjiang Branch manager arrived in the VIP room, greeting and chatting with Xu Yuexin in a warm and gentlemanly manner.

The lobby manager silently served tea and water to the two and adjusted the Air Conditioning temperature.

"Boss Xu, may I ask which services you need us to handle for you this time?"

After the small talk, the manager respectfully asked Xu Yuexin.

"Transfer forty million Hong Kong Dollars into the account my company opened with your bank, and grant me a credit line of two hundred million."

"Oh? Boss Xu, do you have a particular investment direction in mind?"

"Yes, I plan to buy a building."

Xu Yuexin raised his hand, pointing to the office building Cheng Li Yan wanted to lease outside the window, and said, "It's the one diagonally opposite yours."

"Boss Xu, you have good taste."

The branch manager smiled and replied, "We'll set the interest at the base rate, how does that sound?"

"The rate is negotiable. However, I have a small request."

"Please go ahead, Boss Xu."

"I want to borrow in US dollars and repay in Hong Kong Dollars."

Xu Yuexin said calmly, his face revealing no particular expression.

In the next two to three years, the Exchange Rate of Hong Kong Dollar to US Dollar will continuously decline.

The US‑dollar‑to‑Hong‑Kong‑Dollar borrowing could earn Xu Yuexin a profit.

"I see."

The branch manager, upon hearing Xu Yuexin's request, nodded without speaking, weighing the pros and cons.

"Don't worry, I still have my money deposited with you."

Seeing his hesitation, Xu Yuexin presented a condition.

Hearing Xu Yuexin's words, the manager was intrigued.

The manager sensed that this young boss surnamed Xu possessed talent far beyond ordinary people.

If he could earn his favor, a great return might follow later.

"Alright, let's draft a Gentleman's Agreement."

"In the coming years, please make our bank your primary institution for business dealings and capital deposits, Boss Xu."

"Mm, it's settled."

After the discussion, both parties signed a Contract to borrow US dollars and repay in Hong Kong Dollars.

According to the current Exchange Rate, Standard Chartered Bank must grant Xu Yuexin a loan of thirty‑six million US dollars at an interest rate of 4.36%.

Five years later, Xu Yuexin will need to repay principal and interest totaling 240 million Hong Kong Dollars.

After receiving the funds, Xu Yuexin left Standard Chartered Bank, got into his car, and dialed the office building operator's number.

"Hello, are you looking to lease office space?"

A courteous voice came through the mobile phone.

"No, I want to buy."

Xu Yuexin said directly, "What is the current price of your office building?"

"Sorry, sir, our office building is currently for rent only, not for sale."

"One hundred sixty million—will that be enough to purchase this building?"

Xu Yuexin gave the other party no time to think and quoted the price outright.

The operators of these office buildings are each sharper than a monkey; they all know that with the rapid development of mainland economic trade, Xiangjiang's property rents will keep rising.

Therefore, they generally have a reluctance to sell, and unless they need cash urgently, they usually won't sell the building.

The problem is… what if Xu Yuexin offers a price they can't refuse? One point six hundred million—based on a 30‑floor, 24,000‑square‑meter building, that's over six thousand per square meter.

No matter which owner sees this price, they can't help but be tempted.

"Uh, I understand, sir. I'll inform the owner and will get back to you shortly."

"Alright, goodbye."

After Xu Yuexin finished speaking, he hung up.

One point six hundred million—to buy an office building in the heart of Central, in a word, worth it.

The value of office buildings in this location will be beyond monetary measurement.

After returning to the Half‑Mountain Mansion, Xu Yuexin waited at home, while Cheng Li Yan continued outside searching for a building whose price she could afford and whose location was also relatively superior.

"Hello, Boss Xu, may I ask if you wish to purchase a property under our group's name?"

In the evening, Xu Yuexin received a call, and an elderly voice came through the mobile phone.

"Yes, may I ask if you are the owner?"

"That's right, I am Li Zhaoming, chairman of Yongye Group. If you are still interested in buying, I will send my subordinate to meet you tomorrow."

"If that's fine, shall we meet behind for a talk, how about it?"

"Not really."

Xu Yuexin said lightly, "If Boss Li is sincere, then please meet with me directly."

"Heh, my schedule has been quite full lately; please understand, Boss Xu."

"Then let's wait until I'm dissatisfied."

Xu Yuexin expressed his stance forcefully.

The mobile phone fell into silence.

Xu Yuexin did not press further, just waited for his reply.

"Alright, since Boss Xu insists, I'll adjust my schedule then."

"I would like to invite Boss Xu to our Yongye Group Central headquarters the day after tomorrow morning; I wonder if Boss Xu would be willing to grace us with his presence?"

On the phone, the elder spoke calmly, neither hurried nor slow.

(End of chapter)