Chapter 102: Free Show

Words : 1856 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

At 1:30 PM, the plane landed, and Lu Liang turned on his laptop and connected to the portable WiFi. His account holdings had reached 185 million RMB, everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion. Perhaps it was also related to Old Meng puffing on a cigar with a ferocious look on his face, but in any case, nothing had gone wrong. "It seems I'll be able to relax a bit more in the future." Lu Liang's face beamed with a smile as he stretched lazily. Beijing—he had been here once before seven years ago, along with Liu Mingxuan. Back then, they were both in the prime of their youth and would occasionally travel out of town—the capital was their first stop. Unlike recent years, especially after his marriage, when he had free time, all he wanted to do was lie flat and soak his feet. "Mr. Lu, this way, let's head to the hotel first," Wen Chao said, retrieving the luggage with Fang Shiyu from the conveyor belt. Each carried a small leather suitcase filled with some relevant documents and clothes for two to three days. Tomorrow was Saturday, and Lu Liang was not in a hurry to return. He planned to stay for a day or two after attending the financing of ofo to check out the beauties of the capital. While walking, Wen Chao made a phone call to confirm the location with the hotel driver and then hurried back, "Mr. Lu, the driver sent by the hotel is at gate 2, let's head straight there." A black Alphard was waiting, the driver, dressed in a suit, stood by the car, a respectful smile on his face. After Lu Liang took a seat in the back, they first headed to the hotel to settle in, then to the Xike Hotel next to Beijing University. Ofo's valuation was set at 17 million US dollars, which was 7 million more than Mobike, but the financing event was much smaller in scale. A small banquet hall that could accommodate 50 people, the staff was scarce, mostly ofo's core team. "Mr. Lu, on behalf of all of ofo's staff, I welcome you," Dai Wei said with a beaming smile, his aura completely transformed compared to two months ago. After all, two months ago, ofo's valuation was only 5 million RMB. Today, it was 17 million US dollars. That was a 21-fold increase, and he still held 56% of the shares. "Mr. Dai, I'm just here to have a look, why don't you go and attend to others," Lu Liang said, observing everyone at the venue. He seemed to have arrived a bit early, or perhaps it was typical for big players to make a grand entrance towards the end; he did not see Zhu Hu from Golden Sand River. "Mr. Lu, please make yourself comfortable." Dai Wei hurried off after speaking, as a short-haired, professional-looking woman entered from outside. S~eaʀᴄh the NôᴠelFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wen Chao whispered, "Mr. Lu, that's Liu Qing, the president of DiDi and also an executive director at Goldman Sachs." As a competent secretary, he had to remember all the possible attendees today to prevent Lu Liang from not recognizing any guests. Lu Liang said softly, "She's still Liu Xiangzhi's daughter." It would be hard for him not to know Liu Qing; last month, the venture capital circles were almost dominated by the news of DiDi's 2 billion US dollar financing. It was the largest funding round for a non-public company globally to date and the largest investment within the internet sector. The deal was purportedly facilitated by Liu Qing alone, but it's unknown how much effort Old Liu had put in behind the scenes. After all, even a genius has limits; graduated with a master's degree at 25, entered Goldman Sachs, became an executive director for the Asia-Pacific at 27, became the general manager for Asia at 30, parachuted in as COO at DiDi last year at 36, and facilitated a financing of 2 billion US dollars this year. Lu Liang glanced at her and then focused on patiently waiting for Zhu Hu, the man Sheng Peng described as not a good person. Liu Qing spoke briefly with Dai Wei and suddenly walked up to Lu Liang with a smile, "Mr. Lu, I am Liu Qing." "Ms. Liu, we were just discussing how your significant 2 billion funding for DiDi will go down in history." Lu Liang stood up to shake hands, a smile showing on his face. However, he suddenly had a bad feeling, as Liu Qing's presence here was unusual in itself. As if to confirm Lu Liang's hunch, the next second, Liu Qing said directly, "Mr. Lu, I heard that you own 20% of ofo's shares, would you be willing to painfully part with them?" Lu Liang was stunned, "Ms. Liu, it's not really a painful matter, as long as the price is right, I don't really mind." Liu Qing was surprised by Lu Liang's easygoing response, and after a moment's thought added, "How about 4 million US dollars?" "That's a premium of 17.6%." Lu Liang was surprised. With a valuation of 20 million US dollars, buying his shares showed genuine sincerity. "Yes, once the share transfer contract is signed, the funds will be guaranteed to arrive within two days." DiDi had just completed a 2 billion US dollar financing round, with a cash reserve exceeding 3.5 billion US dollars—4 million was just a fraction. Liu Qing had also researched beforehand; Lu Liang had acquired 20% of ofo's shares with just a 2 million loan agreement and 1 million RMB. 4 million US dollars, over 25 million RMB. A 25-fold increase in just two months, and it would all be in one transaction, she couldn't fathom Lu Liang having any reason to refuse. Lu Liang indeed had no intention of refusing, but he was pondering what Liu Qing's ulterior motive might be. Suddenly he recalled what Shen Peng had said, Investing in Mobike was just a process, not the result. If that was the case with Meituan, then even more so with the more interconnected DiDi. "Selling now would be like throwing away a watermelon to pick up sesame seeds." Suddenly, a burst of cheerful laughter rang out, and a middle-aged man with a crew cut strode forward, "A new internet company with 17 million US Dollars in Series A funding, so why can't Series B have 170 million?" Liu Qing's brows furrowed, and her eyes flickered with hostility, "Mr. Zhu, you can't just say that. Golden Sand River has invested in so many companies; haven't there been plenty that couldn't sustain themselves from Series A to Series B?" Zhu Hu chuckled, "Indeed, there are quite a few, but OFO is certainly not one of them." "Mr. Lu, meet Zhu Hu from Golden Sand River," he then turned to Lu Liang, extending his right hand. "Tianxing Lu Liang." Lu Liang was puzzled. Was this the man Shen Peng said was no good? By comparison, Shen Peng seemed somewhat pretentious. "Mr. Zhu, how can you make such a guarantee?" Liu Qing saw that Lu Liang was somewhat tempted; if it weren't for Zhu Hu's interruption, a deal might have been struck. "Because Golden Sand River is leading the funding for Series A, because I, Zhu Hu, am bullish on OFO." Zhu Hu's smile did not wane, his domineering aura evident. Liu Qing chuckled lightly, "Mr. Zhu, don't speak with such finality. Whether Golden Sand River will lead Series A is still up for debate." Zhu Hu squinted his eyes, like a ferocious tiger ready to strike, "It's just a traffic interface. Golden Sand River not having it doesn't mean Old Zhu doesn't have it." Liu Qing was taken aback, "Who did you convince?" "You guess." Zhu Hu grinned. "Well, let me prematurely congratulate Golden Sand River on its successful lead investment." Unable to guess and not wanting to, Liu Qing turned to Lu Liang, "Mr. Lu, this is my business card. Feel free to contact me anytime." "Young, but not lacking in fire." Zhu Hu watched as Liu Qing hurriedly left, knowing she would not easily give up. However, he was confident that Dai Wei would choose him, not Liu Qing. Zhu Hu smiled and asked, "Mr. Lu, did you enjoy watching?" An excellent company's financing is just like this; investors rush to offer money and resources. Their rivalry had provided Lu Liang a free show, which he hadn't even had to pay for. Lu Liang watched Liu Qing's retreating figure, musing, "It was alright, just a bit flat." "???" "???" The two stared at each other for a while. Zhu Hu couldn't help but laugh, "You must have met Shen Peng, did he not tell you anything?" Lu Liang appeared modest, "To tell the truth, I might seem self-praising." "Let's hear it." "Mr. Shen has a very high regard for me, thinks I'd be an excellent investor." Zhu Hu was taken aback, then looked Lu Liang up and down more carefully, growing more perplexed, "Did he say anything bad about me?" "How are you two related?" "Known each other since '92." Lu Liang thought for a moment, then decided to be honest, "Mr. Shen said you're not a good person, and told me to be wary." Zhu Hu remained composed, as if he had anticipated it, smiling, "Then do you know what Shen Peng said about you?" Lu Liang shook his head. Zhu Hu revealed, "He said you resemble me." Lu Liang was visibly shocked, stepped back a half-step, scrutinizing Zhu Hu carefully, sighed and said, "Mr. Shen has a great eye for investments, but not so much for people." Now he finally understood why Shen Peng said Zhu Hu was no good; if Shen Peng truly said he was like Zhu Hu, that too implied he was no good. Zhu Hu was taken aback for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter, "Damn, Shen Peng should hear this as well." "Isn't it so?" Lu Liang smirked. "It is." Zhu Hu's gaze towards Lu Liang grew more appreciative, as if a dung beetle had found a companion, "Sell to me in Series B, 20% premium for your shares." "Agreed." Lu Liang responded without hesitation, not even for a second. The drama just witnessed wasn't for nothing; he wasn't just focused on Liu Qing's figure. The help he could offer OFO was close to nothing; offering funds was the bare minimum. An investor who couldn't provide help would eventually be ousted from the scene; better to go with the flow and give a favor. With the valuation for Series B financing, and an additional 20% premium, it almost reached his mental expectations.

Chapter 102: Free Show

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