Chapter 64

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Chen Yi

Compared to his parents, the assistants seemed more reasonable, especially when there was a legitimate reason; the assistants wouldn't try to reform him under the guise of education, but would instead listen to his requests more attentively and offer sensible suggestions.

Zhou Xuan pondered for a moment, then indeed asked: "Regarding the Chen Group's revolving credit line, the bank has only opened a small window; if you borrow in your own name, I'm afraid you won't get 6 million. As for a guarantee, how can a child like you manage that?"

He was afraid you wouldn't ask! Chen Yi was secretly pleased, and said with a smile: "I'm taking the money to develop a piece of software. Once the money arrives, I can open a bank account and use it to pay the software company directly. You know Xin Biyou Company. That way, it's equivalent to using the software as collateral. It's just that the company is newly applied for, all formalities are still being processed, and we need a company trusted by the bank to act as intermediary."

Apart from a slight discrepancy in the time sequence, there really isn't much problem on the collateral side.

This kind of loan method, if it were a private small company, definitely couldn't be pulled off; but if some connections are used, it counts as simple enough.

Zhou Xuan continued pondering.

Chen Yi waited at ease for him to think. This move was a plan he had considered for a long time; it was far more solid than scraping together money by picking up bargains. Once the software was completed, as long as high-frequency trading was really as good as legend had it, three months later, neither Xin Biyou's final payment nor the bank loan would be a problem.

The only not-really-a-problem problem was that this move might expose Gold Source International's business project — namely, high-frequency trading.

However, high-frequency trading has been legal from start to finish; the US government allows it, US exchanges welcome it, US consumers are indifferent — what qualifications does China have to oppose it? Or rather, in 2003, when Chinese stockholders were still puzzling over bull and bear markets, how many people understood it?

The bank's grassroots staff review loans until their heads hurt every day; not to mention they don't have that much dedication, even if they really wanted to figure it out, their level is likely too poor.

In all of Jiangning, how many strange projects apply for loans every day? Even if there's a one-in-ten-thousand chance of encountering a sharp-eyed person among the masses, a retired state advisor — Gold Source International is just a shell company. Although its business direction can be inferred from the software launch, the company itself has no need to explain the existence of a supercomputer or a mainframe to the bank. It's very easily understood: it belongs to another hidden company that need not be declared.

And from the bank's perspective, things are even simpler: guaranteeing the legal value of the collateral assets is the main purpose of assessment; the latter takes precedence over the former — the down payment paid to Xin Biyou itself implies the value of that software.

His design, viewed from any angle, holds water; it merely needs some boosting force in the current environment.

After hesitating a moment, Zhou Xuan softened his tone: "Chen Yi, 6 million is no small sum. You should know the Chen Family can't withstand any tossing about right now."

"I know." Chen Yi said with a smile: "My Gold Source International is a limited liability company. As long as the bank is willing to lend to me, if the investment fails, at most I hand the company over to them — who else could be implicated?"

Zhou Xuan deliberately put on a stern face: "If it weren't like that, I wouldn't be discussing this with you. But if the investment really fails, what's lost is the Chen Family's connections……"

"Apart from the guarantee aspect, the bank just needs to handle official business by the book." Chen Yi pressed his palms together, face full of smiles.

Zhou Xuan looked at him and laughed, agreeing: "Then wait for my news; three to five days at most."

Chen Yi hurriedly interrupted her: "Just two days."

"Sigh, then what's the point of official business by the book? I got it." Zhou Xuan, who dealt with cash flow more than with her husband, understood quite well.

Seeing her off, Chen Yi continued busily handling the subsequent formalities.

He knew Zhou Xuan would most likely report to Mother after returning. But such a report differed from telling Mother directly — at least it saved countless explanations and examinations. To prove she had no intention of monitoring her son, unless Fang Manyi explicitly opposed the matter, she would most likely only discuss it with her husband.

With comprehensive planning, Mother Chen also rarely saw through what Chen Yi wanted to do all at once. By the time the moment passed, saying anything would be too late.

One day later, the bank smoothly disbursed the loan.

Financial institutions are the most standard snobs, and take pride in it.

The Chen Family had hard-bonedly withstood the kicking-while-down after the old master stepped down; onlookers were increasing day by day. Plus the formalities were complete; with a slight push, their loan flowed out like they'd taken laxative — *hualala* — and the review ended the next morning.

Chen Yi waited another day, only paying the funds to Xin Biyou's French company at the final deadline. The nervous White finally put his mind at ease and seriously began subsequent development and the second round of payment urging.

If the Chinese side reneged on the debt, the earlier 300,000 would probably only cover employee salaries; the development costs would be a total loss. But the software outsourcing environment being what it was, he was used to days of fear and anxiety.

So even though the negotiation engineer repeatedly warned him that the other party might be the son of some high-ranking Chinese official, White still pressed relentlessly for money, merely with slightly gentler methods.

No choice; his annual salary wasn't even 120,000 francs. If he lost the project in one go, he might well be fired.

White was at ease; Chen Yi, meanwhile, busily continued registering various other companies, during which he met Jin Douna twice more.

The Korean beauty displayed her alluring figure as always, but did nothing alluring, leaving young Chen both expectant and helpless.

And in those two half-day meetings, Jin Douna, without exception, expressed admiration and curiosity toward Chen Yi's strong physique……

Chen Yi endured the severe test, invisibly also enhancing his tolerance for Holy Knight Adult's training.

Thus, during the two weeks of Jin Douna's presence, his trips to the Saint Qiao Kingdom increased considerably. Grendel's tailor-made body techniques grew ever more fitting, and his physical qualities rose steadily.

Under normal circumstances, when an athlete enters his historical second-best state, the room for improvement in his competitive level is quite limited. The only way to break through the limit is usually to drastically improve training methods, increase training intensity, and so on. That's why in professional sports, coaches and investors value talent so much — after all, improvement in training technique takes 5 or 10 years as a unit, while an athlete's competitive life is far shorter.

Although Holy Knight Adult lacked systematic scientific knowledge, the continuous wars across the Magic Continent provided survivors with countless precious experiences, including similar principles.

To survive better, whether army warriors or kingdom knights, they all desperately improved themselves. What they paid, could pay, were willing to pay — modern athletes targeting money and careers could not pay such prices.

Therefore, when Chen Master became the Saint Qiao Kingdom's top priority, Holy Knight Adult's professionalism fully erupted. Under his leadership, at least 5 Kingdom Knights and a comparable number of high-level Mages, plus over 1000 warriors, made preparations every day.

Whenever Grendel completed overall planning, the 5 Kingdom Knights, with high-level Mages' cooperation, would conduct experimental training on up to a thousand warriors of varying ages. The Holy Knight could then further analyze and improve based on training results. Only after this continued for 30 hours would Chen Master arrive by subway.

It can be said Chen Yi was unknowingly enjoying national-level resource training, and didn't feel the least bit bored.

Making progress every day can be called the happiest thing for a human.

Anyone would fall in love with this feeling.

Effort rewarded is the joy of pride; effort unrewarded is just hard labor.

After 500-odd hours, Grendel finally said to Chen Yi at the 20th meeting: "Master, from today you can use Level 2 'Tears of God Oil'; the effect should improve."

The coarse, dark brown-bear-like big man, tired like a dog-bear, still had to put on a panda's pleasing act.

Being a Holy Knight isn't easy either.

Chen Yi laughed heartily and asked: "How long until I can withstand one Level 4 Magic Scroll?"

By 'withstand' he meant without absorbing Energy Recovery Potion, relying only on normal sleep to recover. Of course, if he drank potions, recovery time would be even shorter.

This requirement is already at the level of a peak Magic Apprentice, or a Level 2-3 Knight with high Magic Net compatibility.

The Holy Knight hesitated a moment, decided to speak truthfully: "Master, you have just barely reached the level of fully withstanding two Level 3 Magic Scrolls. To withstand a Level 4 Magic Scroll, you still need at least 1000 hours of practice."

He paused, then continued: "However, if you use a Level 4 Magic Scroll now, you only need to normally supplement Level 3 Energy Recovery Potion. Once the Crystal Screen allows purchase of Level 4 Energy Recovery Potion, it will be even more convenient."

Chen Yi was actually very satisfied with current progress. He had once, with a home trainer's help, worked out at a gym, but not only was the training arduous, the effect was far inferior to now. Half a year hadn't even fully built his biceps brachii, let alone other parts.

But the Saint Qiao Empire's cultivation was different — not only did it have proper form, but physical condition obviously improved. Abundant energy was secondary; jumping higher and running faster was what boys wanted most.

Chen Yi's contemplation made the surrounding Mages show slight unease. Grendel was better — posture ramrod straight — waiting for Master to speak.

As expected of someone from a noble family, Chen Yi keenly noticed the change in their expressions and hurriedly waved his hand, saying: "Being able to maintain the current speed is already remarkable. Many thanks, Holy Knight Adult."

He spoke, lowering his voice: "Actually, I have other aspects to consider."

The several Mages immediately tactfully left the Subway vicinity, and Timothy also moved slightly farther away, continuing to work.

After they had all walked far away, Chen Yi then said in a low voice: "Holy Knight Adult, although increasing physical strength to adapt to high-level Magic Scrolls is good, I noticed that you and those Kingdom Knights all have very sturdy builds?"

Grendel, eight feet tall, had shoulders nearly half his height in width, yet was even thicker than a typical iron tower; as for the Kingdom Knights standing guard at the Statues and such, they were more like shrunken versions of the Holy Knight, with overall proportions not changing much — each and every one broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, the indestructible sort.

Grendel pondered for half a day, replying uncomprehendingly: "Master, the Magic Net's power is very strong; under circumstances of lower Magic Chengxiang, one definitely must have strong muscles..."

"I understand, however, look, there are some conflicting points here." Chen Yi touched his chin, and Jin Douna's image linking arms with him inexplicably floated up in his brain.

He shook his neck, then spread his hands, saying: "Regarding the tall stature, I not only do not oppose it, but moreover agree; however, regarding muscles, here I hope for a degree."

"Degree?"

"Measure, cannot be too sturdy." Chen Yi sighed, patting his own chest: "I personally hope the physique is controlled at the present state, or slightly larger; muscles still need to be cultivated, only then is it jade-tree-facing-the-wind, not muscle-men."

Grendel obviously had never considered this type of problem, taking a good while to understand, stunned: "Master, may I ask what kind of physique is perfect?"

Chen Yi was stumped, having to say while thinking: "Roughly distinct layers, streamlined lines, no large blocks of muscle. Forget it, next time I'll get a picture for you."

What he thought of in his brain were movie star posters. The modern film industry has long produced batch after batch of professionals; their control over physique is far more precise than control over strength.

Of course, idols and superstars like Li Xiaolong belong to the all-round champions of both aspects.

Grendel's bewilderment did not lessen in the slightest, but a Holy Knight would not fear any difficulty; he said seriously: "Please allow me, Master, to think for several days."

"No problem, just finish before military training." Chen Yi laughed heartily; if not for the Light Curtain separating them, he really wanted to pat the Holy Knight Adult who was like a bear.

Grendel glared with bear eyes, probably not understanding what "military training" meant.

Early morning, today's third watch, first chapter. Remember to vote.