After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future

"NIO's market value is 8.5 billion US dollars, Li Xiang is valued at 9.5 billion US dollars, and Xiao Peng is valued at 6.5 billion US dollars."

"Even adding Weima, the total valuation of the four giants of new forces is only 30.8 billion US dollars. On what grounds does Tongtian have a valuation of 30 billion US dollars? And that's not even including the East Asian market."

"Although Tongtian has the name recognition of Lu Liang, it is the most deeply connected enterprise he has supported to go public so far. It's not too much to say that it's his first publicly traded company. But is such a premium really appropriate?"

When the news broke, the international community was only amazed by Tongtian's ultra-high premium of 30 billion US dollars. Although skeptical, they didn't dare to question without proof.

However, when it reached domestic markets, some unscrupulous media directly hailed it as the most terrifying financial bubble, rivaling even the listing of Ant Group.

"Liangzi has convinced countless foreigners, but still can't shut some compatriots' mouths."

"Tesla has a market value of 220 billion US dollars, what do you say? Foreigners indulging in financial technology is considered normal premium, while locals doing the same is dubbed the most terrifying financial bubble in history? The double standards can't be this blatant, right?"

"Some people have knelt for so long they can't stand up anymore."

Although some media or self-media individuals expressed doubts, the mainstream voices still chose to support Lu Liang.

After all, Tongtian is listed in US stocks, and even if it IPOs, it would only occur in developed cities like Xiangjiang or Modu.

Even if it is indeed a bubble, the average middle class isn't even qualified to be harvested, let alone the ordinary people earning three to five thousand a month.

As the saying goes, Liangzi never scams the poor, which has always been his unyielding principle.

Take the currently hottest P2P for example, whether it's a tech company, internet firm, or real estate enterprise, if they have some spare money, they're all enthusiastically diving into online lending.

You see advertisements everywhere, as if the loans don't need to be repaid.

So much so that there's a saying, in China, no matter what type of enterprise, its ultimate goal is lending.

Lu Liang, as a leading figure in China's financial industry, with Tianxing Finance being the only Chinese financial company renowned internationally.

It should have been the perfect platform for developing online lending, yet to this day, it hasn't ventured into personal or online loan businesses.

People have gotten smarter nowadays.

If something isn't being promoted by anyone, it doesn't necessarily mean it's a good thing.

But if all companies are promoting something, it's bound to be bad.

The fact that Tianxing Finance hasn't ventured into personal loan business yet shows that Lu Liang is still the same Lu Liang.

Even though he might have changed a bit over the years, he still hasn't forgotten his roots and understands the hardships of ordinary people.

While the public opinion was in an uproar, Lu Liang, the person involved, quietly returned to Xiangjiang.

The Southern District of Hong Kong Island,

At the tennis court of the Hengtai Health Resort.

"Mr. Lu, you've been neglecting exercise lately, haven't you? Your skills have noticeably declined."

Xue Jingyang smiled sweetly, moving gracefully like a swimming dragon, suddenly speeding up to the net for a smash, ending the match with a large score of 15:7.

"I've been running around everywhere lately, either on a plane or on the way to the airport, where's the time for exercise?"

Lu Liang couldn't help but laugh, walking to the sidelines, opening his thermos to replenish some water, while his tennis partner Xue Jingyang promptly took out a warm towel to help wipe the sweat.

Xue Jingyang spoke softly, "Health is the foundation of revolution, you should try to exercise more when you have time."

"Does bed exercise count?" Lu Liang asked with a smile.

"Of course not," Xue Jingyang replied coyly.

The warm winter sunlight was very pleasant, especially after a bout of exercise that left them drenched in sweat.

Lu Liang lay under the parasol, a breeze blew by, making him feel lazy and unmotivated.

Just then, Xu Jiayin's hearty laughter rang from behind, "Haha... Mr. Lu, how come you just lay down after only playing for a bit?"

"Waiting for you, Mr. Xu."

Lu Liang replied with a smile, not even turning his head.

Xu Jiayin quickened his pace, apologizing, "Sorry, Mr. Lu, I came late."

"I should have gotten here too early," Lu Liang replied with a laugh.

The plane landed in Xiangjiang at one in the morning last night. He had too much on his mind, tossing and turning in bed, unable to fall asleep.

So, before dawn, he drove to the Southern District and called his standby tennis partner, Xue Jingyang.

"How's the New World assimilation going?" Lu Liang asked.

"New World's main business is real estate; we've parachuted in a team from Hengtai, and the acquisition is nearing completion."

Xu Jiayin truthfully informed, thinking Lu Liang was there to urge debt collection, and further added, "Mr. Lu, we've already coordinated with Standard Chartered's representative, the initial 10 billion US dollar loan will prioritize repayment to Tianxing Finance."

Real estate enterprise development is a constant cycle of borrowing, like taking a loan from Bank A while repaying Bank B, meanwhile retaining part of the funds for self-development.

After all, banks also have lending pressures, especially with the booming real estate market nowadays, they're not opposed to this practice, and might even strongly support it.

Every time a loan is taken, it generates interest, which is how banks make money. Real estate groups also have funds to acquire land and build towers, simultaneously promoting the development of various industries.

After a moment of pondering, Lu Liang suddenly asked, "Is there a separation between Xiangjiang and mainland operations?"

Hengtai (Mainland) is a mess, with the capacity of the pit almost at its limit. The aim of expanding into the Xiangjiang Market is to increase the pit's capacity, gaining a lot of time for clearing.

But this is something Xu Jiayin needs to consider.

What Lu Liang needs to consider is how, before the pit explodes, he can recover his previous investments in Hengtai, with no risk, including both principal and interest.

That's why he repeatedly reminded Xu Jiayin initially and signed a contract with clear terms.

Before repaying Tianxing Finance's loan, the mainland is the mainland, and Xiangjiang is Xiangjiang. The operations of the two regions must not be mixed.

"Rest assured, Mr. Lu, all financial operations of Xiangjiang Hengtai are fully supervised by Guangsheng Bank, and every transaction is traceable."

Xu Jiayin solemnly assured, patting his chest, that he wouldn't harm his friend, especially as Lu Liang is an benefactor to him and Hengtai.

"Mr. Xu, we are friends. This cooperation is mutually beneficial. If you keep saying such things, I'll get angry."

Upon hearing the word 'benefactor,' Lu Liang felt quite uncomfortable, especially being Xu Jiayin's benefactor.

Old Xu's previous benefactor is already gone,

and his eldest son is still in the hospital pretending to be paralyzed.

Xu Jiayin chuckled awkwardly, "I misspoke, I misspoke, I won't mention it again."

As they chatted leisurely, Lu Liang squinted, enjoying the warm winter breeze, and couldn't help but lament, "The environment here is really nice, similar to my hometown, but with the added bonus of the sea that inland cities don't have."

"If Mr. Lu likes it, you're always welcome to visit. It's always open to you," Xu Jiayin said with a smile.

Lu Liang responded with a hum and then asked, "Mr. Xu, what's the total area of this resort?"

"If I remember correctly, it should be 30 acres."

Xu Jiayin wasn't quite sure, so he called over his assistant, who had been standing outside the tennis cage, and finally got an accurate number, "31.5 acres, over 20,000 square meters."

The original plan for acquiring this land was to build apartments as a stepping stone to open the door to the Xiangjiang Real Estate Market.

But local forces were extremely exclusive, and even the likes of Huazhi and New World, who supported Hengtai, didn't want Hengtai to take a share.

The nature of the land couldn't be changed for a long time, and a time-limited construction clause was signed when the land was acquired, so it eventually became a resort for hosting distinguished guests and a personal leisure estate.

"Mr. Xu, I really like the environment here. Would Hengtai be willing to part with it?" Lu Liang suddenly asked.

Xu Jiayin was taken aback, looking displeased: "If Mr. Lu likes it, just take it. Talking about reluctance is clearly looking down on me."

Lu Liang chuckled, "I appreciate your sentiment, Mr. Xu. I'm worried you won't be able to explain to the board. Let's agree on a price."

Seeing persuasion was futile, and realizing Hengtai indeed needed to replenish its cash flow, Xu Jiayin followed Lu Liang's suggestion, "That's true, it would be improper, and staying here might not be comfortable for you."

He inquired with his assistant and learned the land acquisition cost was 2.3 billion Hong Kong Dollars.

The 300 million construction cost over the years wasn't considered, just the land premium, totaling 4.6 billion Hong Kong Dollars.

This piece of land was purchased eight years ago, costing only 7.3 million Hong Kong Dollars per acre back then.

But times have changed, and surrounding property prices, with Cyberport as an example, have risen by 150%.

Lu Liang said, "Alright, let's sign the property contract as soon as possible. I'll be visiting the mainland soon and may not return for a while."

While instructing his assistant to prepare the documents, Xu Jiayin also gently inquired, "Mr. Lu, why the sudden interest in the resort?"

In his view, Lu Liang acquiring this land was likely not for real estate or tourism development, probably for personal residence.

So the question arose: Did Lu Liang get any insider information that prompted him to settle in Xiangjiang, which was significant.

Lu Liang smiled plainly and said, "Mainly because the elders at home have always liked planting fruits and vegetables. There's not enough space in the city for them to do so, and given their age, I wouldn't feel comfortable with them home alone."

"Alas, when children wish to care for their parents, they are no longer around. Your filial piety is admirable, but my late mother..."

Xu Jiayin suddenly choked up and wiped the corner of his eye, as if remembering a deceased elder who couldn't witness his current achievements.

"Mr. Xu, my condolences, the deceased are gone."

Lu Liang was moved, softly patting his shoulder in comfort.

Although it's unclear whether Old Xu took his words to heart, he at least made a good show on the surface.

After learning about the major influenza,

Lu Liang began a thorough investigation.

He found that a century ago, even when the transportation was extremely underdeveloped, over 500 million people worldwide were infected.

In today's world, with advanced transportation turning it into a global village, Lu Liang never underestimated the United States' ambition to destroy humanity.

Although he hasn't figured out how to prevent it or what he can do to lessen the harm,

it doesn't stop him from buying this estate first, forming a private medical team, and creating a secluded sanctuary for his family.