Chapter 57: Wei Er's Private Gathering

"Welcome, everyone, to today's gathering."

A smile hung on Wei Er's face as he raised his wine glass and drained it in one gulp.

His tone carried a hint of fervor, and it even seemed a little hurried.

Yet, both his demeanor and tone remained very composed.

He walked forward a couple of steps at random, arriving in front of the sofa.

"I don't know who leaked the top-secret project of Crown a while back, to the point that everyone has been enthusiastically digging for information."

Wei Er paused, took a Cigar handed to him by a manager, took a puff, and slowly exhaled the smoke.

His gaze swept over the guests in the surroundings, seemed to linger on Lu Chen for a second, and he nodded slightly toward Lu Chen before speaking.

"Since everyone is so enthusiastic, it would seem petty for us at Crown to keep hiding it."

The smile on Wei Er's face deepened, and his tone became increasingly calm.

"Today is a private gathering, not so formal. I am disclosing this project to everyone, but you must help me keep it confidential. Wait until the board of directors officially passes it before asking around; today, I am just revealing a little bit of information."

Wei Er sat down on the sofa and waved his hand at the surrounding guests.

He signaled for everyone not to be so tense and to relax a little.

He placed the empty champagne glass he had been holding onto the side table.

"Let's sit down and chat. This matter, when you get down to it, is also an attempt by our Crown; the risks of financial innovation are naturally very high."

The guests present all found a place to sit down at random, and even Lu Chen, who had just stood up, was no exception.

However, the look in Lu Chen's eyes as he watched Wei Er was becoming increasingly wrong!

This guy is planning to make the project public right here!

Wei Er leaned back against the backrest, took a puff of his Cigar, and slowly exhaled the smoke.

He took a glass of champagne from a waiter and placed it on the side table.

Only when the guests were mostly seated did he continue to speak.

"Before talking about the project, I must emphasize once again: for the sake of everyone's capital safety, I personally do not recommend that you invest large amounts of money into it. The risks of financial innovation are very high!"

Lu Chen gave Wei Er a profound look, took a puff of his Cigar, and took a glass of champagne from a waiter.

Wei Er made a gesture, and the waiters slowly exited the banquet hall, sealing the entire hall off.

Only then did he continue to speak.

"Actually, there is a reason for the project leak. Our Crown has indeed invested a massive amount of capital into financial innovation, and we have also borrowed some funds from some of the families present. It is normal for you all to have concerns."

Wei Er took a brocade box out from his bosom, and Lu Chen's pupils constricted when he saw Wei Er's action.

The surrounding lights simultaneously became dim.

Wei Er opened it slowly, and a beam of light shone onto the brocade box, reflecting psychedelic colors.

"This financial innovation is actually because we have found the Rainbow, this rare, or one could even say almost extinct, diamond!"

The surrounding guests, listening to Wei Er's explanation, suddenly became somewhat excited.

Lu Chen frowned and met the gaze that Wei Er had cast over.

It seemed that there was a hint of a subtle provocation in Wei Er's eyes.

As Wei Er spoke slowly, Lu Chen's heart sank lower and lower, but he did not choose to expose Wei Er.

After all, even if Lu Chen said now that the Moissanite was fake, those guests would not believe him at all.

Lu Chen clenched his hand unconsciously, yet felt somewhat powerless.

"Of course, you don't need to make a decision right now. For this financial innovation, we at Crown have already established a brand-new subsidiary to handle full operations."

As Wei Er's voice fell, he began to socialize normally.

Wei Er bowed slightly, nodded in greeting, and then spoke.

"Thank you all for coming to my private gathering today. All the entertainment facilities at the Banshan Jiudian have been fully booked, including the golf course. Please feel free to enjoy yourselves."

After speaking, Wei Er glanced at Lu Chen and left the banquet hall directly.

After Wei Er left, Liu Hengsheng also walked over.

"It seems Mr. Lu's judgment was correct, though our family has indeed already lent quite a bit of money to Wei Er."

Liu Hengsheng squinted his eyes, a smile hanging on his face, and clinked glasses with Lu Chen.

"Still, Director Wei is reasonable, knowing to warn of the risks repeatedly."

The corners of Lu Chen's mouth lifted slightly; he took a puff of his Cigar, slowly exhaled the smoke, and then spoke.

"Then what are the terms you and the Liu Family have set up with Crown?"

"We can discuss that in detail when you come to the Liu Family. My father is also very interested in your planning for Nitan."

Liu Hengsheng and Lu Chen smiled at each other, clinked glasses, and said softly.

He glanced at the people waiting nearby, then turned and left.

"Mr. Lu, I didn't expect to meet you here again."

Xiao Shiqing smiled and clinked his glass lightly against Lu Chen's.

"I saw you in the crowd just now, but seeing that you were discussing business, I didn't come over to disturb you."

"Boss Xiao is too polite."

Lu Chen raised his glass in response, the smile on his face becoming a bit more natural.

"It was my lack of thoughtfulness; I should have taken the initiative to greet you."

He sipped his champagne, then sat down on the sofa with Xiao Shiqing.

"How has business been for Boss Xiao lately?"

"Thanks to you, recent import and export trade has been going quite smoothly."

Xiao Shiqing said with a smile, and after taking the Cigar from Lu Chen's hand, he began to warm it up.

"Recently, I heard from friends at the docks that the import volume of cotton yarn has surged, which has dampened my interest in opening a Textile Factory a bit."

Lu Chen stubbed out his Cigar, preheated a new one, and chatted leisurely with Xiao Shiqing.

"You're joking; the orders my subordinates have been receiving lately are all for cotton yarn, so opening a Textile Factory right now really isn't a good idea."

Xiao Shiqing smiled and followed up on what Lu Chen had said.

The two of them began to chat about a series of industries related to the Textile Factory.

"Chatting with you is truly a pleasure; if I weren't already in the shipping business, I would really want to try opening a Textile Factory with you."

Seeing a waiter walking over nearby, Xiao Shiqing took the initiative to end the topic.

"Mr. Lu, if you have time, you could come to our shipyard to take a look; who knows, we might even have the goods you need?"

"Only by chatting with you did I realize just how deep the waters of an industry can be; rest assured, I will definitely make an appointment with you to visit the shipyard."

Lu Chen smiled and clinked glasses with Xiao Shiqing, then looked toward the waiter waiting not far away.

"Mr. Lu, Director Wei Er invites you to the Guibingshi."

The waiter glanced at the surrounding environment before leaning in close to Lu Chen and whispering.

Lu Chen was slightly taken aback and looked at the waiter.

The waiter still wore a formulaic smile on his face.

"Lead the way."

Lu Chen downed the remaining bit of champagne in his glass.

He stood up, straightened his suit, took a deep breath, and then followed the waiter toward the Guibingshi.