After Divorce, I Can Hear the Future

In the first few days of the National Day, Lu Liang stayed in Beijing, continuously attending high-level meetings of Douyin, Li Xiang, and JD.

With Penguin Group standing behind Pinduoduo, and despite Douyin being co-founded by Yang Zhenyuan and Lu Liang, Zhang Yiming guarded against him as if he were a thief. Therefore, Lu Liang decided to place multiple bets by choosing to support Daqiangzi.

So, under the name of Tianxing Financial Group, he invested 2 billion US Dollars, acquiring a 5% stake to help JD join this late-stage e-commerce melee.

That night, Daqiangzi held a family dinner at his luxury apartment in Beijing and invited Lu Liang to attend, hosting warmly with his wife.

After a few cups of baijiu, he wrapped an arm around Lu Liang's shoulder, saying a few heartfelt words: "Liangzi, at our level, money is already external; we only seek a reputation during and after our lifetime."

"But it's easier said than done. You may not want to make money, but the investors do."

Lu Liang drank and sighed lightly. If anyone else had said this, he wouldn't believe it, but coming from Daqiangzi, he did.

Based on his autocratic decisions and taking on pressure from investors to buy Five Insurances and One Fund for all logistics employees, the company's annual net profit decreased by at least 2 billion.

This proved that the "brothers" Daqiangzi often mentioned were not just talk.

But as he said, Daqiangzi didn't want to make money, but the investors did.

Taking Tianxing Financial's current 5% holding as an example, if JD could increase its annual net profit by 2 billion, they would receive 100 million.

Although a 100 million dividend isn't much, it could be used to buy villas and maintain mistresses or reinvest money, rather than subsidizing grassroots employees of invested companies.

This is the thinking of most investment institutions; they can indulge in debauchery but won't extend a helping hand to the poor.

Because the essence of poor people is their resources.

If everyone were born equal, then what is the meaning of having money? And what is the meaning of striving?

"Brother Qiang is just like this; no matter how many times I say it, he doesn't listen."

Milk Tea Girl's eyes showed helplessness. She picked up the wine-spilling cup and poured Lu Liang some wine, smiling: "But now with Mr. Lu's support, Brother Qiang's pressure should be much less."

"A gentleman loves money, but takes it according to the way. If my thoughts differed from Brother Qiang's, we wouldn't have become good friends."

Lu Liang was filled with emotion, and seeing his cup about to be filled again, he quickly tapped the table with his fingers to indicate it was enough. After all, he was not like Daqiangzi, who needed at least half a kilo each meal.

The investment by Tianxing Financial Group was indeed at the invitation of Daqiangzi, and only after careful consideration did Lu Liang decide to invest.

On one hand, JD's strategy determined that the group would certainly have room for growth in the future.

On the other hand, Lu Liang knew he could hardly become a responsible entrepreneur, but he genuinely admired such people.

Therefore, he was willing to spend 2 billion US Dollars to join JD, stand on the same front as Daqiangzi, and increase his influence.

"A gentleman loves money, but takes it according to the way. Well said, but you got one thing wrong."

Daqiangzi looked displeased, raising his cup and saying: "We are brothers, so you're punished to drink a cup."

"Brother Qiang, if you keep forcing me like this, I won't come next time."

"Next time is next time's business, anyway, finish this cup first!"

Upon learning that Lu Liang arrived in Beijing, Zhang Tian'ai compressed her week's work into three days to finish, and then asked the film crew for a few days off.

She started preparing early, doing her hair and beauty treatments, a full-body photon polish, all to present her most beautiful side.

Because she and Lu Liang hadn't been in touch for almost half a year, if she didn't put in some effort, she feared Lu Liang might forget her.

That night, Zhang Tian'ai put on a purple long dress, stepping into peep-toe high heels, with toes painted in bright nail polish.

She waited at home for several hours, finally hearing the long-awaited doorbell just before midnight.

As soon as she opened the door, a whiff of alcohol hit her; Lu Liang was leaning against the wall, head drooping: "Little Love, long time no see."

Zhang Tian'ai frowned, helping Lu Liang into the house and poured a cup of warm water: "Liang, why did you drink so much?"

"It was hard to refuse."

Lu Liang drank all the water in one breath, lay on the sofa with his eyes closed to rest, breathing slightly.

Once a bit better, he opened his eyes to look at Zhang Tian'ai, suddenly noticing her significant changes recently.

Although approaching thirty, she inexplicably had an aura of getting younger, her skin tight and glowing, with a jawline elastic and collagen-rich like a girl's.

"Is it absence makes the heart grow fonder?" Lu Liang reached out to stroke Zhang Tian'ai's cheek, smiling: "How come you seem to be getting prettier lately."

"No way, I've always been like this, okay."

Zhang Tian'ai beamed, Lu Liang's compliment making her efforts today feel worthwhile.

"Come, cuddle for a bit."

Lu Liang squinted slightly and opened his arms. Zhang Tian'ai obediently sat beside him, with half her body lying in his arms.

The scent rushed into his nostrils as Lu Liang's palm brushed over her waist, gradually exploring; her skin, smooth like talc powder, made his hands feel like slippery eels slowly taking the high ground.

Zhang Tian'ai softly hummed, her face gradually turning red.

However, the hand on her chest grew weak, even Little Lu failed to revive, and a slight snore sounded behind his head.

"Liang? Lu? Mr. Lu?" There was no response for a while, making Zhang Tian'ai furious, causing her teeth to itch with hatred.

"Flaunting before a blind." She showed a melancholic expression, sighed softly, and tried to carry Lu Liang to bed but failed.

So she had to cover him with a blanket and curl up in a corner of the sofa herself, leaning on Lu Liang as he slept.

The next morning, JD Group publicly announced it had received a 2 billion US Dollar strategic investment from Tianxing Financial Group.

However, the news only circulated in small circles, as it was a holiday and netizens were more interested in enjoying food and play, not having the leisure to learn about major group's strategic plans.

But to some, this move symbolized a strong alliance between Tianxing and JD, intending to jointly herald the post-e-commerce era.

NASDAQ and other international markets reacted extremely quickly, overnight JD's stock price rose 15%, market value surged by 6 billion US Dollars.

Lu Liang again demonstrated his unparalleled market influence, already surpassing Buffett Soros to become the new king of investment.

Leisurely times always pass especially quickly; in the blink of an eye, it was the last day of the National Day holiday.

Lu Liang ended his work in Beijing early and spent the past few days at Zhang Tian'ai's house, chatting about life and dreams.

"I have a flight later; I'll head to Xiangjiang this afternoon."

As a parting, Lu Liang kindly advised: "Don't get injections anymore; I prefer your natural self."

Through careful observation over these days, he realized that Zhang Tian'ai wasn't naturally getting younger, but was using the power of technology.

Facial slimming injections, or hyaluronic acid.

At least, she continuously got them for several months; at first glance, her skin indeed became girl-like tight and glowing.

But over time, one could tell the difference between natural and artificial, the most obvious being that the muscle where the injections occurred gradually became less flexible.

"I know I was wrong."

Zhang Tian'ai looked fearful and quickly pinched her earlobe, looking pitiful: "Will you still come in the future?"

The circle of Domestic Entertainment is so small that no matter what happens, some rumors will always spread.

Such as a newcomer in an unsuccessful online drama suddenly becoming the leading actress in a project with a budget of several billion.

Rumor had it that Hao Meng Film and Television's Wu Tianzheng strongly recommended the newcomer, but Wu Tianzheng followed Lu Liang to dine.

Hence, rumors spread within the circle that the 21-year-old Tian Xi was actually Lu Liang's new lover.

With a newcomer, naturally, there would be an old flame, and as the old flame, Zhang Tian'ai felt a crisis approaching.

After all, she was nominally born in the '90s but was actually born in '89, nearing thirty and no longer youthful.

Therefore, she had to imitate some seniors in the circle, using a bit of technological power to rejuvenate herself.

"You're so sensible, how could I bear not to come?" Lu Liang couldn't help but laugh and stroked Zhang Tian'ai's cheek.

To look good on camera, she had always kept herself slim, even once bumping Little Lu's bangs causing a bruise, but to take care of his feelings, she specially worked out to gain weight and enhance her hips.

Moreover, for a woman of thirty, as long as she maintains herself well, she is far more charming than a young girl, and her blooming period is far from over.

Zhang Tian'ai suddenly opened her mouth, licking Lu Liang's finger with a silly smile: "I'll always be this sensible."

She had grown accustomed to being protected, days in the entertainment circle where no one oppressed her, she could never return to times of fighting alone, and her current age didn't allow it either.

All she could do now was try to win Lu Liang over, please him, and extend this beautiful dream as long as possible, even longer.

"Bye-bye, see you next time." Lu Liang smiled lightly, waved goodbye to Zhang Tian'ai, and took a car to Beijing Airport.

Successfully boarding the plane, two and a half hours later, he saw the increasingly large Xiangjiang Island, muttering to himself: "I'm back again."