Chapter 63: Old Fox
Chen Yiyang planned to use a small sum of tens of thousands of dollars as a deposit to create an atmosphere in the market that a certain region’s fruit production had declined and that fruit prices were bound to soar this year.
Once this atmosphere was formed, the farmers who were originally eager to sell would surely hesitate and temporarily choose not to sell their fruit, and they would start asking around for information.
As long as they could drag the time until the news of Linghui cooperating with Huang Yuqiu came out, the matter would be considered successful.
After assigning this task to Zhou Jianjun and Zhao Qiankun, Chen Yiyang pondered for a moment and then called Sun Xingguo.
On the phone, he asked Sun Xingguo to help contact Liu Zhaodi, in the name of one of the curators for Zhang Jiuqian’s exhibition, and invite Liu Zhaodi to attend Zhang Jiuqian’s art show.
After all this, he drove his 911 to the art exhibition.
The official start time of the exhibition was twelve noon, when many important figures would come to visit.
It was still early now, and the gallery was full of familiar staff members.
Chen Yiyang went over and greeted Zhang Jiuqian.
Zhang Jiuqian was quite a cultured person. He himself was quite interested in Chen Yiyang.
After all, this young man, Chen Yiyang, could recognize his painting from long ago, which showed he was a staunch fan.
Now that he was attempting to change his painting style, chatting with such a fan would certainly be helpful.
Unfortunately, Chen Yiyang didn’t know a damn thing about painting.
After flattering Zhang Jiuqian a few times, he found an excuse to go look for Xu Xiaosheng.
Chen Yiyang’s attitude left Zhang Jiuqian frustrated on the spot.
Luckily, Zhang Yuling came over in time and whispered a few words into Zhang Jiuqian’s ear.
Zhang Jiuqian glanced at Xu Xiaosheng and Chen Yiyang in the distance and instantly understood.
It turned out the young guy was in his mating season.
For an artist, emotions are the most important; art can only be second.
Art without emotion is like wood.
Giving up deep conversations with an idol for a lover is quite normal.
Having understood, Zhang Jiuqian didn’t bother Chen Yiyang anymore and went off to chat with others.
By noon, the art exhibition officially began.
Leaders of the local art and calligraphy world, collectors, and artists all came in droves.
Yang He was also among them, and as the largest curator of the exhibition, he naturally had to accompany the big shots on both sides.
Yang Yu was also beside Yang He, smiling as she entertained guests with her father.
However, as she held a lower position, once the crowd dispersed, leaving only a few core big shots.
She tactfully left, leaving her father there.
"I’ve got the list and contact information." Today, Yang Yu wore a high-slit evening gown, complementing her curvy figure, adding a unique flavor.
Chen Yiyang didn’t expect her figure to be surprisingly good.
"I’ve been dancing consistently since I was a child." Yang Yu could see what Chen Yiyang was thinking.
Speaking of dancing, Chen Yiyang thought of the splits.
Speaking of splits.
Chen Yiyang slapped his thigh, realizing how much he wasted with Chang Yuning, who was a professional. They did things so traditionally before, which was a huge waste.
Next time, he also wanted to see the splits.
"I’ll give you half of the list first; I’ll keep the other half myself." Yang Yu hadn’t completely trusted Chen Yiyang yet.
Actually, even if she trusted him, she wouldn’t hand over the entire list. After all, she’d be just a business partner to Chen Yiyang in the future, not entirely on his side, so she had to consider the value she held in her hands.
"Alright, arrange with my accountant later." Chen Yiyang thought maybe he should find a secretary. Using the little accountant all the time was not a viable option.
"Okay." Yang Yu nodded.
"When do we tell my father?" Yang Yu continued to ask.
"Whenever he asks me about Huang Yuqiu. Just be ready to resign on your end."
"I can leave anytime." Yang Yu laughed suddenly at this matter. "Guess what, I’ve been in charge at the pawnshop, but I haven’t signed an employment contract until now."
Yang Yu parachuted in as a leader. Handling the employment contract was supposed to be her responsibility.
The previous manager left in a hurry, and her father hadn’t had time recently.
This led to Yang Yu, officially the highest manager at the pawnshop, not even signing a formal employment contract to join.
She could work a few more months and then demand double salary from a labor arbitration if she ran away.
"Family business management is indeed quite irregular." Chen Yiyang took this as a lesson.
In the future, he’d need his employees not only to sign contracts but also non-compete agreements.
While chatting with Yang Yu, Yang He took a moment to walk over.
After a few pleasantries with Chen Yiyang, he took Yang Yu’s hand and said to Chen Yiyang, "How have you two young people been getting along recently?"
"Pretty good." Chen Yiyang boasted honestly.
More than pretty good.
After Yang Yu helped connect him with Huang Yuqiu, he also officially elevated his social status.
And henceforth moved closer to leadership.
"Haha, my daughter has always been my little treasure, raised delicately. As long as she doesn’t cause you trouble, that’s good enough."
Yang He then shifted his tone, "By the way, your Shabby House Inn has just opened; there might be a bit of a funding gap."
"Not too bad; after all, I’m just starting out, accumulating slowly." Chen Yiyang responded modestly.
"If you’re not in a rush to sell that China Merchants Steam Navigation Company stock, you can pledge it to me. I’ll give you a five-million interest-free loan. When you have the money, you can redeem that stock anytime."
After Yang He finished speaking, Chen Yiyang and Yang Yu exchanged a glance.
So that’s where this was leading.
Chen Yiyang initially thought Yang He had sent Yang Yu over to give himself a way out.
But now it seemed he underestimated Yang He.
From Yang He’s perspective.
Chen Yiyang was just someone who backed by some people, freshly starting out as a white glove.
At this stage, what Chen Yiyang lacked most was upper-level resources.
Yang He directly sent Yang Yu over, symbolizing a union between the pawnshop and Chen Yiyang.
For Chen Yiyang, if he accepted, the pawnshop’s resources, Yang Yu this beauty, and Yang He’s own resources would all be within reach.
And once Chen Yiyang started enjoying all this, Yang He would approach with a father-in-law supporting his son-in-law image, offering him a five-million interest-free loan, the only condition being using that stock as collateral.
No matter if that China Merchants Steam Navigation Company stock belonged to Chen Yiyang.
Chen Yiyang would likely agree to this proposal, choosing to take the five million to develop first.
However, the next time Chen Yiyang saw that stock, it would be in the news when Huang Yuqiu donated it to a bank’s museum.
Could Chen Yiyang go to the museum and snatch it back then?
Old fox.
Old fellow.
Old bastard.
Chen Yiyang felt a bit lucky that he had a greedy heart; after meeting Yang Yu, even if he misjudged Yang He’s intent in sending over Yang Yu, he still managed to recruit Yang Yu and directly contacted Huang Yuqiu.
As for how Chen Yiyang knew there would be someone like Huang Yuqiu. Chen Yiyang looked at Yang He and raised his glass of red wine.
The next time they meet and tear off the mask, he’ll tell him face to face.