After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future
Chapter 411 - 408: Deep Affection and Heavy Righteousness

The next day at noon, they met at the restaurant, and Cruick among other market institutions called; they were going to arrive shortly.

High-end hotels around Wall Street were almost fully booked, a testament to the unprecedented and unimaginable grandeur of the New York Station roadshow.

"How did your chat go last night?"

Before Cruick arrived, Little Wang couldn't contain his curiosity.

Though he claimed not to care, she was still a goddess; how could he truly be indifferent?

Before he went to sleep last night, he had pondered the whole affair. Though there was a 99% chance that Emma was interested in Lu Liang, what if?

There could always be a what if.

Lu Liang was very direct, tossed over the chat log—an hour-long conversation that ended with him leaving her on read.

"Smart boy, a man should have style, don't focus solely on women. The ultimate fate of a bootlicker isn't to have it all, but to lose it all."

It's like the Buddhist saying,

No Buddha in the heart, I become the Buddha myself.

It's the same with wooing women—if I bloom, the breeze comes by itself.

Seven years in real estate showed Lu Liang all sorts of people, meeting far more than in these last few years.

Take Li Manli for example, who went from a proud ice-princess to a docile darling.

And then there's Su Wanyu, who seemingly wants nothing, and Wang Chuting, the archetype of an intellectual.

He had encountered these types of girls before but never interacted; only after he became wealthy and famous, they swarmed like bees to honey.

Lu Liang knew how he ended up with them and didn't expect them to stick around if he ever fell from grace.

Little Wang fell silent. Long Fei and Sun Yutao pretended not to hear; as married men, they knew well that these words were true—only those who had lived it could understand.

"Lu, long time no see."

Just then, Cruick approached with a smile, accompanied by Wilson and a few other market institution representatives.

Wilson smiled and nodded a greeting to Lu Liang, then turned to Long Fei, "How are the preparations?"

Although Little Wang was the founder of Panda, they saw Lu Liang as the real BOSS and Long Fei as the manager.

Long Fei grinned, "All set, just waiting to break the record for the Chinese concept stocks' US IPO in two hours."

"I like your confidence."

Wilson, seeing Lu Liang paying attention to the person by his side, said with a smile, "Almost forgot, let me introduce you to Jeffrey Stan, the founder of Stan Investment, specializing in asset management services for clients with net worths over one billion dollars."

"Hello Jeffrey, it seems we're in the same business," said Lu Liang with a smile, extending his hand while sizing up the other party.

Over sixty years old, with a full head of silver hair, a rosy complexion, deep-set eyes, and thin lips held tightly together.

Lu Liang wasn't sure if the other was from the Squid Clan until he stretched out his hand, which had a slight pink hue to the arm.

Jeffrey shook his head with a smile, "Not quite the same, Stan investment is for individuals, whereas you are for institutions."

"What's the difference?"

Lu Liang was puzzled, and Cruick exchanged glances with Wilson, sharing a knowing laugh, "Jeffrey has close relationships with various institutions, and he is deeply connected with leaders in politics, business, academia, and even the fashion and cultural sectors."

"Across America, and even in Europe and the Mainland, there's no issue big or small that he can't help with, whatever you need, he can help you resolve."

Little Wang squinted, pulling himself out of his melancholy over fallen goddesses to softly caution, "Xu Xiaojun."

Coming from a semi-red family, he had a keener sense for these things than Lu Liang.

Lu Liang suddenly realized, and with a smile suggested, "Everyone, please take a seat, let's dine together."

He was confused until Little Wang mentioned Xu Xiaojun; then he understood what the man was about.

A white glove, moving between powers, doing the dirty and tiring work, and dealing with matters people preferred not to handle directly.

Xu Xiaojun's Chenyi Investment not only subscribed to Tianxing Private Equity but also invested in bars, resorts, and other entertainment venues.

If no surprises, the owner of Joy Island in the Caribbean Sea should be none other than Jeffrey Stan right before him.

"Lu, do you have plans tonight? We've prepared a grand welcome party for you."

Wilson invited with a beam, and Cruick also made suggestive gestures, displaying a smile that all men understood.

Last time, Lu Liang missed the chance to enjoy the two Wulan sisters, but no matter, tonight everything would be available.

Lu Liang chuckled, showing an understanding look, and pondered for a moment, "If Panda's IPO goes well, I should be free."

Wilson was thrilled and quickly said, "It will definitely go well."

Cruick added, "If everything goes as planned, Panda should be listed on the Nasdaq by next Thursday and enter the Global Select Market in six months."

"I need to head back and get ready so we can properly welcome Mr. Lu tonight." Jeffrey smiled, his eyes crinkling. This was the first step in penetrating East Country.

The pleasant luncheon ended among a few middle-aged men who laughed heartily and exchanged meaningful glances.

Lu Liang and the others returned to their upstairs room, planning to give the upcoming roadshow presentation one more thorough review.

"Don't come in just yet."

Little Wang, with a serious look, stopped Long Fei and Sun Yutao in their tracks and pulled Lu Liang aside onto the room's balcony.

"Have you lost your mind? You're actually going with them tonight?"

He had to air his grievances. To the wealthy in Europe and America, Joy Island might have seemed a haven of pleasure, but to the general public, it was undoubtedly an island of sin.

Just a few days ago on the plane ride over, they had joked about how Old Ma, after wearing the white cap, would struggle to clear his name in this lifetime.

If Lu Liang went with them tonight,

it would be even harder for him than Old Ma to cleanse his reputation.

At least Old Ma could claim he was respecting local customs, but once Lu Liang set foot on the island or even just the plane, regardless of what he actually did, others would assume he participated.

"Worried about me?"

Lu Liang's smile was full of warmth, a hint of reassurance flickering in his eyes, and Little Wang cursed in frustration, "Can you actually still laugh about this?"

Lu Liang sighed, "If I don't go, would Panda still have its current popularity? Would the listing still go smoothly?"

Little Wang was silent for a long while, then suddenly laughed, "Then take me with you tonight. Let's go see what fancy stuff these rich Westerners play with."

Although Lu Liang's righteous speech seemed to suggest he risked himself for Panda, deep down he wasn't completely selfless.

But such words could only be half believed,

there were reasons involving Panda, but certainly also for himself.

However, since Lu Liang had chosen this path and was willing to take that risk, putting on a show of bravado was acceptable, and Little Wang didn't want to burst his bubble.

But Little Wang didn't want to owe him that favor and truly couldn't bear the karmic burden.

If the two of them went together tonight, and things went south later, at least they could share the heat, and maybe even draw the main fire away.

After all, he was known as the "discipline inspector" of the entertainment industry, always criticizing this and that, making a lot of enemies.

This way, the impact on Lu Liang could be reduced.

Lu Liang remained silent for a long while,

then sighed, "Xiao Wang, I'm kind of moved, what should I do?"

He had planned to sacrifice Little Wang, and yet Little Wang was being so considerate. Suddenly, his guilt towards him felt even greater than towards any woman.

It was a pity and lamentable that Little Wang wasn't a woman. If he was, and if he was beautiful, with a good figure and a gentle demeanor, perhaps Lu Liang would have married him.

"You treat me with the respect due to an honorable man, I will repay you in kind."

Little Wang stood proudly, acknowledging Lu Liang's leadership role in an indirect way.

Over the years, Lu Liang had helped him a great deal. Even he had to admit that his personality and social conduct had subtly changed.

He didn't want to be in debt any longer,

and it was time for him to help Lu Liang in return.

Lu Liang pondered for a moment and decided to be honest,

if he wasn't, they probably wouldn't even be friends after this.

"Actually, I've thought of some countermeasures."

Lu Liang was carefully choosing his words and was about to lay everything out.

Just then,

his phone rang, an unknown caller.

Normally, he immediately dismissed calls not identified in his contacts as spam, but the caller was persistent, calling back repeatedly after being ignored.

"You take it."

Little Wang thought Lu Liang didn't want him to know, so he walked directly to the living room, leaving the private space of the balcony to Lu Liang.

"Who is this?" Lu Liang asked gruffly.

An anxious female voice came through, "Mr. Lu, do you remember me? I'm Xiaotian. Something has happened to Dongzi."