Chapter 21: You Only Have the Time of One Cigar

A long time passed, but Lu Chen's expression remained relaxed, his legs naturally crossed and swaying.

Only after stubbing out the cigar in his hand did he stand up.

"Since Crown isn't sincere, then forget it."

"Mr. Lu, don't you intend to hear the reason?"

Wei Er's mouth curled up slightly; he stubbed out his cigar firmly, uncrossed his legs, and stood up.

He reached out and pressed Lu Chen back into the sofa in an unquestionable manner.

"Don't be in such a rush; this is a good thing for you as well."

Lu Chen did not look up, but instead took out another cigar and quietly began to toast it.

"It's like this: members of the Laimu family intend to sell 1% of their shares to exchange with you for a 40-carat Rainbow for their collection. The family members can arrive in Xianggang from Piaoliang Guo the day after tomorrow. If you are willing, you can wait until the day after tomorrow to sign the contract."

Wei Er wore a smile as he sat back down on the sofa and also began to toast his cigar.

"If you aren't willing, I can sign a contract for my personal shares right now, and I'll trouble you to make another trip the day after tomorrow."

"Director Wei, you seem to have misunderstood one thing: it was never me who took the initiative to buy into your Crown."

Lu Chen raised his eyelids, continuing the movements in his hands until he took the first puff of his cigar and slowly exhaled the smoke, only then crossing his legs and leaning back on the sofa.

This old fox, still testing me!

It never ends!

"I don't care how you decide things internally, Director Wei; you have only one cigar's worth of time to decide whether you are selling 1% or 2%."

Wei Er's hand holding the cigar trembled slightly; his expression remained calm, but a flash of surprise appeared in his eyes.

Not until he had finished toasting the cigar did Wei Er lean back on the sofa, silently smoking.

Lu Chen was not in a hurry either; he closed his eyes slightly and smoked his cigar in silence.

A sense of deathly stillness permeated the entire Guibingshi.

It was as if a single sound could awaken two half-asleep monsters.

"Director Wei, it seems you have made your decision, so I will be leaving now."

Lu Chen silently finished the last puff of his cigar and stubbed it out firmly in the crystal ashtray, his face calm without the slightest hint of disappointment or frustration.

He simply stood up calmly and walked slowly toward the heavy wooden door.

"Wait, Mr. Lu, I accept your proposal to sell 2% of the shares, but I require two 40-carat Rainbows."

Wei Er came back to his senses and spoke directly.

A trace of anxiety flashed in his eyes, but he still did not stand up, speaking calmly instead.

It seemed as if this were not a negotiation, but a greeting between old friends.

"That is acceptable, but I require 20 million USD as compensation."

Lu Chen turned around, stood still, and swept his sharp gaze toward the back of Wei Er, who had just stood up.

His eyes held a trace of scrutiny as he subconsciously glanced at the box in his personal space containing the few Moissanite stones.

He sighed slightly before returning to the sofa.

"No problem, the contract will be ready immediately."

Wei Er walked to the desk, took out a new blank contract, and began to write on it.

He reviewed the contract, signed the agreement, and took two brocade boxes from the Crown vault, handing them to Wei Er.

At the same time, he received a document bag sealed with wax.

Only then did Lu Chen walk out of the Crown entrance.

Looking at the still-bustling Huanghou Dadao, a flash of complexity crossed his eyes.

It seemed the heat in the air had become even more pronounced.

Lu Chen rubbed his brow, crossed the street, stopped in front of a black Buick, and got in.

"Didn't I tell you to go get busy with your own affairs? Why are you waiting here?"

Lu Chen looked at Li Xuanhua, who was sitting in the driver's seat, with a hint of reproach.

If he hadn't just seen Li Xuanhua standing by the Buick door, peering toward the Crown entrance.

Lu Chen would have just hailed a taxi back to the hotel himself.

"BOSS, I was just a bit excited after picking up the car. The Rolls-Royce ordered for you has already been delivered to the Zhuangyuan and taken over by the new butler. The Zhuangyuan has also been cleaned and is ready for move-in at any time."

Li Xuanhua's tone carried a hint of imperceptible excitement; he scratched his head in a somewhat goofy manner before starting the car.

"The company registration has all been handed over to the teacher; you don't need to worry about it."

"Let's go pick up Secretary Shen and head to the Zhuangyuan; I won't be going back up, I'm a bit tired."

Lu Chen sat in the back row with his eyes closed slightly, his fingers rubbing the document bag; only after the car started smoothly did he continue to speak.

"Don't check out of the hotel room; keep it and prepay for one year of rent."

The half-dozing Lu Chen felt the vehicle stop and start, and only opened his eyes when it stopped again, a sharp glint flashing in them.

"Welcome home."

The butler stood by the car, opened the door, and held his white-gloved hand over the roof of the car.

Lu Chen nodded slightly and stepped out.

About 10 staff members were already waiting in the Zhuangyuan.

"Thank you for your hard work, Butler Wang; everyone, go back to your tasks."

Lu Chen smiled and spoke softly; although Lu Chen had rested in the car, he had still asked some basic questions.

It wouldn't do for him to be completely ignorant about the new staff.

"This is Secretary Shen. Butler Wang, please arrange a room for her on the first floor; she will be stationed at the Zhuangyuan from now on. The conference room I requested has been renovated, right?"

"The entire second floor has been renovated according to your requirements, retaining one study and a small conference room. The layout of the third floor remains unchanged, and all the furniture has been replaced; you may inspect it at any time."

Steward Wang bowed slightly and spoke directly.

"Fine, go attend to your business, I'm heading to the conference room."

Lu Chen smiled and headed straight for the second floor.

Hmm, the renovation is very ordinary, without the slightest feeling of being an eyesore.

It could be said that it perfectly meets his requirements.

Li Xuanhua held a thick stack of documents and followed behind Lu Chen along with Shen Wanyu.

At the head of the table, Lu Chen placed the document bag down, tossed out a Cigar, signaled for Shen Wanyu to open the window, and only then began to preheat the Cigar.

"The first step of the plan has succeeded. Next, two things must be done: after the Zhuangyuan paperwork is processed, mortgage it to a shell company."

After taking a puff of his Cigar, Lu Chen continued.

"The second thing: sell the Crown shares to the newly established shell company, disperse the shareholdings, and re-inject the funds into the company; then we can officially launch the industrial plan."

"Secretary Shen, during this time, hurry up and familiarize yourself with the materials related to the Textile Factory, as well as the surrounding land data, spheres of influence, and your own perspective on acquiring them."

After taking a puff of his smoke, Lu Chen quickly made the arrangements.

"Right, Li Xuanhua, if you can manage it, you can also move in here. Also, find the people I need as soon as possible."

He did not stay in the conference room for long, but instead went to find Steward Wang.

"Arrange a family dinner for this evening; there's no need for many dishes, just for the 3 of us, plus you makes 4."

Only then did Lu Chen return to the 3rd floor, standing before the window and looking at the scenery within the Zhuangyuan.

Although it is not as bustling as Victoria Harbour, it has a unique charm of its own.

He sighed, composed himself, and then began to rest.

An eventful autumn indeed!

Tonight, I should see what kind of surprise Manager Wang can bring me!