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Chapter 126: Chapter 124 Chen Wen Double Act
The next day, in the Camellia private room.
Compared to the previous five hundred million bond underwriting, this time, the backend process was completely controlled by Chen Cheng.
He summoned Wen Shulin, Chen Jin, Li Bo, and others to the table, and each person received a document with the same content.
On this day, there was a Texas Hold’em competition at the club, reenacting the Big Willow Tree scenario, and this time, everyone had arrived.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Xuzhou project is valued at 1.36 billion, and the project details are in front of you, which involves the thirty-year toll revenue from the Xuxin Highway ZJB02 segment."
Chen Cheng spoke calmly:
"According to the rules we set previously, under the same conditions, I will give priority to Miss Wen of CGG."
As soon as Chen Cheng finished speaking, everyone at the scene started to review the documents that were in front of them.
Wen Shulin was sitting next to Chen Cheng; she had already withdrawn from the competition.
But she had reached an agreement with Chen Cheng, also as a gesture of thanks for Chen Cheng’s support in the matter involving Su Liya, and in this staged act, she too played a main role.
"The asset is quite solid," Wen Shulin started, "with stable returns and high collateral value."
She lifted her eyes from the documents, looking at everyone with a hint of subtle meaning, "CGG’s initial offer is 4.76%."
Upon hearing this, the other eight people stopped their perusal.
"Chairman Wen, didn’t CGG face some trouble these past few days? Taking such a large project now, are you sure you can handle it?"
Wang Xinan was the prospective underwriter this round, and his expression turned cold after hearing her bid.
He hadn’t expected Wen Shulin to be so close to Pan Shi’s bottom line right from the start.
"Indeed, CGG has experienced a small setback, but it doesn’t affect our brand’s credibility," Wen Shulin stated unflinchingly.
The people at the table were friends, but in the face of absolute interests, they were also adversaries.
"Pan Shi, 4.72%," Wang Xinan also made his bid.
Li Bo had thought that the bidding would be confidential, but Chen Cheng had chosen a transparent process.
He glanced at the project document, "I agree with Miss Wen, but there could also be some potential risks, such as policy changes affecting the toll charges and the uncertainty of maintenance costs in the future."
While talking, his fingers lightly tapped on the table.
Soon after, Li Bo made his bid of "4.7%."
With just these three having made their offers, Wang Xinan was already on the verge of being eliminated.
Each institution’s funding costs differed, as did their methods of lending, so the prices they could offer to Chen Cheng also varied.
Wang Xinan’s expression grew uglier; he clenched his teeth as if making a tough decision. After a moment, he said, "Pan Shi, 4.68%."
As soon as he spoke, everyone at the scene couldn’t help but gasp in surprise—the bid was now oppressively low, almost reaching the cost bottom line of Pan Shi’s funds.
Everyone’s gazes were tightly fixed on Wang Xinan, with some whispering about his boldness and decisiveness.
Chen Cheng watched everyone’s reaction, secretly surprised by Wang Xinan’s resolve.
He turned to look at Wen Shulin, only to see her still composed.
Yet her fingers under the table twitched slightly, seemingly having anticipated this, but she also felt some pressure from Wang Xinan’s move.
Wen Shulin spoke again, "CGG, 4.65%."
At this, Wang Xinan fell completely silent; his complexion turned exceedingly somber, with a layer of sweat even forming on his forehead.
He knew pushing the price down further could bring significant risk, and seeing no profit margin, he sighed deeply, leant back in his chair, and began smoking.
Li Bo also fell into deep thought, his eyebrows tightly furrowed, his gaze shifting back and forth between the project document and the others.
He knew that Zhongjin, the firm he represented, could still push the limit.
But if the price is pushed lower, Li Bo will face the same dilemma as Wang Xinan, which is barely making any profit.
He was thinking about his strategy, while his fingers gently tapped on the desk, making a subtle sound that was especially clear in this quiet atmosphere.
Chen Jin, who had been silent, coughed twice.
"Linkedin Fund, 4.2%."
With just one sentence, Chen Jin raised the stakes of this underwriting competition by another 6 million.
"Lao Chen, you are determined to win this!"
Antai’s Zhou Xiansheng had not made a bid yet, and after hearing Chen Jin’s offer, he decided not to participate.
He simply took a puff from his cigarette and said, "If this deal doesn’t work out, there’s always a next time! Let’s not ruin the harmony."
The table full of dishes remained untouched.
However, the documents in Wen Shulin and others’ hands were rustling loudly.
After Chen Jin’s 4.2%, the venue fell into a long silence, occasionally disrupted by the sound of a lighter.
Wen Shulin was also considering.
According to her agreement with Chen Cheng, she aimed to secure more profit for Chen Cheng in this bidding contest.
But she also feared that her price might be too low, causing Chen Jin to drop out halfway through the bidding, and herself ending up with not enough profit margin.
"CGG, 4.05%." Wen Shulin raised the stakes again, wanting to see Linkedin’s bottom line.
Chen Jin heard the offer and looked relaxed, "4%."
Clearly, only CGG and Linkedin had made it to the finals.
Wen Shulin: "Lao Chen, is your private fund’s capital cost really that low?"
Chen Jin smiled indifferently, "Chairman Wen, Linkedin has its own ways. We are determined to win this project!"
Wen Shulin furrowed her brows, thinking to herself that Chen Jin had come prepared this time.
She took a deep breath and said, "CGG, 3.9%."
At that moment, the whole room was astounded; the price had dropped incredibly low, barely showing any profit potential, even exceeding Antai’s risk control line.
Chen Jin’s expression slightly changed, but he quickly regained his composure and smiled, "Chairman Wen is indeed formidable, but Linkedin, 3.85%."
His words gained Chen Cheng another 600,000.
"Miss Wen, I think we should about wrap it up?" Chen Cheng nudged Wen Shulin’s leg under the table, smiling and saying, "Just now Lao Zhou was right, if not this time, there’s always a next time."
Wen Shulin pursed her lips lightly, "CGG, the final offer, 3.8%."
Chen Cheng then looked at Chen Jin, only to hear him speak, "Linkedin, 3.76%."
Wen Shulin put her foot on Chen Cheng’s, twisting it slightly but with a smile, "Lao Chen, you’ve won."
Chen Jin laughed heartily, "Thank you all for making concessions."
He walked up to Chen Cheng, extending his hand, "Mr. Chen, pleased to cooperate."
Chen Cheng also stood up, "Lao Chen, congratulations."
"Cough, even if business isn’t successful, we still have to eat," Wang Xinan sighed deeply.
Chen Jin turned back casually, "I’ll pay today, everyone please feel free to order!"
Everyone began toasting to Chen Jin; though no one knew where his profit point was, since he dared to take it, he surely wouldn’t be losing money.
Chen Cheng sat back down, Wen Shulin raised her glass, "Congratulations, Mr. Chen."
Chen Cheng: "Pleased to cooperate, my partner."
