NOVPUB
Chapter 88: Chapter 88: The Unintentional Benefit of the Fisherman Who Trimmed the Willows
Chen Cheng glanced at the people in front of him.
Among them, only Wen Shulin and Li Bo were somewhat familiar; the rest were strangers to him.
However, their business cards were handed over with great speed.
Lao Wang, Wang Xinan, rotating CEO of Pan Shi Investment Group.
Lao Zhou, Zhou Xiansheng, Standing Committee Member of the Antai Securities Committee.
Lao Zhang, Zhang Zhenchao, General Manager of the North China region for Daofu Asset Management.
As for Li Bo, Chen Cheng finally learned about his position at Zhongjin. He was an SVP, just one step away from becoming an ED.
Chen Cheng then looked at these industry moguls, each of them having reached the pinnacle of their careers, becoming the unreachable ceiling in the eyes of ordinary people.
But now, he was standing here, receiving their eager gazes and warm smiles—it was like a dream come true.
"It’s not about successors or anything," Chen Cheng said humbly. "I am just standing on the shoulders of giants, lucky enough to draw everyone’s attention and acknowledgment."
"Eh, Mr. Chen is being too modest!"
"Yes indeed, Mr. Chen is young and promising, and with his assistance to Mr. Jin, the sky’s the limit!" Wang Xinan said with a laugh.
Wen Shulin coughed lightly, "Lao Wang, you’ve misunderstood."
"What?"
"Mr. Chen isn’t working for Mr. Jin. Mr. Jin has entrusted the latter half of the bond issuance entirely to him." Wen Shulin reminded, "Next time the bond issue comes around, the person you’ll be dealing with is Mr. Chen."
Hearing Wen Shulin’s words, the expressions on their faces changed dramatically.
In their eyes, anyone who could gain the complete trust of a giant like Jin Baogen was certainly no ordinary individual.
Such a young talent shouldering such significant responsibilities was truly extraordinary and commendable.
Wang Xinan, however, was quick to respond, "Chairman Wen, you just mentioned ’next time’? What do you mean by that?"
Wen Shulin smiled and said, "Because Mr. Chen has agreed to hand over the next project to our CGG."
"What?!"
The group was genuinely confused.
Wen Shulin was not perturbed; she believed her relationship with Chen Cheng was much stronger than with any of these men present.
Moreover, with Chen Cheng’s promise, her confident smile returned to her face.
Seeing Wen Shulin’s smug expression, the others’ brows furrowed and their faces filled with displeasure. 𝔫𝔬𝖛𝖕𝔲𝖇.𝖈𝖔𝖒
Especially Wang Xinan, as the rotating CEO of Pan Shi Investment Group who would be taking over the next bond issue, he was naturally the most annoyed.
With only a six-month term, if he didn’t make a significant showing during his tenure, he would have a hard time explaining to the board.
"Chairman Wen, this doesn’t seem quite appropriate, does it?"
Wang Xinan frowned and said, "This order was personally established by Mr. Jin. We have always followed it strictly. Making a change like this now is a bit abrupt."
"Exactly, exactly, we are all accustomed to this process," Zhou Xiansheng chimed in:
"Chairman Wen, bypassing us like this out of the blue is somewhat presumptuous, isn’t it?"
"I really don’t understand your approach, Chairman Wen!" Zhang Zhenchao also showed dissatisfaction,
"According to tradition, it should be whoever’s turn it is. That’s fair and just. Cutting in line like this is simply breaking the rules!"
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the restaurant became tense.
Although everyone repeatedly mentioned "the rules," there was an undertone of blame in their words, as if implying that Wen Shulin’s approach was somewhat inappropriate.
Facing their barrage, Wen Shulin remained calm and composed, elegantly explaining:
"Gentlemen, this is an exceptional case. Mr. Jin has given full control to Mr. Chen. And Mr. Chen has personally promised me that he is willing to entrust the next project to CGG."
After speaking, she looked at Chen Cheng and smiled, "Mr. Chen, I haven’t misspoken, have I?"
Chen Cheng finally had a clear understanding of the relationships among this group.
They were business rivals to one another, yet they all relied on Jin Baogen’s resources to maximize their profits. Thus, they also formed friendships behind the scenes.
Just like the relationship between himself, Wen Shulin, and Jingfa Xing, the three are in the same boat, outwardly working together towards a common destination, rowing in unison.
But secretly, they would still trip each other up for their own benefits.
And this time, Chen Cheng faces the underwriting institutions behind the bond issuance.
As the resource provider, he naturally wants to take the initiative in directing the conversation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please be patient."
Chen Cheng started with a calm and composed demeanor, his tone revealing indisputable authority.
"I have indeed had preliminary discussions with Miss Wen," he said.
Wen Shulin’s eyebrows relaxed.
"But," Chen Cheng looked at Wen Shulin, "Miss Wen, what I said last time was that, given equal conditions, CGG would be given priority."
"Don’t let your forgetfulness complicate things unnecessarily."
With a shift in his tone, Chen Cheng’s words led Wen Shulin’s expression to stagnate.
Hearing this, Lao Li and the others appeared visibly relieved.
However, having been through ups and downs in the bond market for so many years, they quickly realized something was amiss.
Chen Cheng’s "equal conditions" essentially broke the rules for the next bond issuance, allowing everyone to participate.
But such competition would inevitably lead to financial institutions lowering bond issuance rates to seize the opportunity, which could impact their own profits.
On the other side of the balance, Chen Cheng could sit back and profit handsomely.
As the SVP of Zhongjin, Li Bo quickly grasped the trick at play and saw Chen Cheng in a new light.
This young man he had only met twice not only possessed exceptional abilities but also had an inscrutable strategic depth.
It seemed that he had truly underestimated Chen Cheng’s strength.
It was as if the silent struggle for power had already begun from this moment.
Chen Cheng secretly rejoiced that his careless actions had inadvertently created such a favorable situation for himself.
He had only intended to constrain his own dealings with Wen Shulin, but it turned out to be a windfall.
Wen Shulin quickly regained her composure, resuming her charming smile.
"Everyone, we’re here to relax today."
She said composedly: "Let’s not talk about work for now. The most important thing is to eat well, drink well, and have a good time."
But for Li Bo, Wang Xinan, Zhou Xiansheng, and Zhang Zhenchao, they knew that this seemingly relaxed atmosphere was fraught with hidden dangers.
Chen Cheng’s appearance, along with the changes he brought, gave them a sense of pressure they had never experienced before.
Li Bo was about to be transferred to Modu and securing the next project would add a significant highlight to his new position.
Moreover, he seemed to have a clear idea of how to connect with Chen Cheng.
Just as Li Bo was preparing to further engage with Chen Cheng, Wen Shulin stepped in between them.
She smiled at Chen Cheng and said, "Mr. Chen, let me show you to the room first. If you’re not satisfied, we’ll change it."
Having said that, she pulled Chen Cheng’s arm without further ado and walked towards the restaurant entrance.
"What’s going on here?" frowned Zhang Zhenchao, "Has it turned into a bidding war?"
"We’ve been friends for so many years, don’t snatch this from me!"
Wang Xinan tried to win over the other three: "Help a brother out this time, we’ll work together in the future!"
Li Bo smiled, "I’m heading to Modu soon and won’t be involved in this."
"It’s old Li, indeed!" Wang Xinan nodded vigorously, "Let’s eat first, and we can play a few rounds later!"
In the elevator, Wen Shulin did not let go of Chen Cheng’s hand.
Looking at their reflections in the elevator door, she asked, "Mr. Chen, was my performance just now okay?"
Chen Cheng looked down at her seemingly harmless face and for a moment, couldn’t tell which of her words were true and which were false.
He couldn’t help but internally sigh: "This enchanting woman is truly extraordinary."
