"This is just the first month, and whether it's a profit or loss, we'll have to wait another eleven months to see."

Lu Liang knew the purpose of their visit was to persuade him to start preparing for the second phase as soon as possible.

But he didn't have plans for that yet, and as he always said, the longer you stretch it, the more you earn; it's like casting a long line to catch a big fish.

Moreover, private equity is like a company, and for the next phase of the private equity fund, Lu Liang wanted to bring in even stronger and more capable institutions.

"When Liang makes a move, he's sure to win."

Wang Xiaocong smiled broadly, slapping on the flattery.

Ultimately, everything would follow Lu Liang's wishes, but they requested that next time, he give them a larger share of the subscriptions.

Because Old Wang was also interested; Wanda Capital had over ten billion in cash and no place to use it yet.

"Lu, go ahead and do what you want, and if you need help, just say the word."

Meng Changkun seemed thoughtful, not as naive as Little Wang, nor did he take everything for granted.

He subtly sensed that Lu Liang might not include them next time, so he started playing the emotional card.

With an 84% increase in the first month and subsequent returns over the next 11 months, even if each month saw only a 10% increase,

after a year, one hundred million dollars would turn into five hundred twenty-four million dollars, a net gain of four hundred twenty-four million, with a profit rate of 423%.

Out of this profit of four hundred twenty-four million dollars, with a management fee of 20%, the management profit would be eighty-four million eighty thousand dollars.

Based on a 622 share distribution, he and Little Wang would each get a dividend of seventeen million dollars.

That amount of dividend wasn't much, but that's just the first phase with one hundred million dollars; what if the next phase involved one billion or even twenty billion dollars?

Or what if Lu Liang suddenly made a breakthrough, turning one hundred million dollars into one billion dollars? Would each person's dividend exceed one hundred million dollars then?

By that time, having a 20% stake might not even be worth as much as the favor of rebuilding their fortune.

Rising favors and grudges over rice; it has always been this way.

He understood, and he believed Lu Liang did too.

"Mr. Kun, do I look like someone who stands on ceremony?" Lu Liang, smiling at Old Meng's lips, immediately understood his implication.

"The less, the better." Old Meng laughed heartily.

There was a knock on the door, and he said, "It's probably Little Liu bringing back some tea, let's all try it together."

Meng Changkun went to open the door; Little Wang looked confused and asked softly, "Hey, what kind of riddle are you guys playing?"

"You're still young, give it a few more years and you'll understand," Lu Liang quipped with a smile, feeling reassured by Old Meng's attitude.

Because the two of them had a pretty good private relationship, unlike Little Wang, who seemed to have a good relationship but it was actually built on interests.

Old Meng understood the situation, which would save some explanations later.

"It could scare you."

Wang Xiaocong, still annoyed, grumbled, "There's no wrong nickname, only the wrong name taken."

He remembered the nicknames netizens gave to him and Lu Liang: one was the National Husband, the other the National Uncle.

These two, always speaking in riddles, using plain Chinese, but he just couldn't understand a single word.

"If you also want to call me 'uncle', I wouldn't mind," said Lu Liang, smiling.

"What now?"

Old Meng, with a smile full of joy, came back carrying several boxes of tea leaves; the packaging looked expensive and he also carried half a bucket of water: "Good tea must be matched with good water, genuine spring water, still fresh from the spring this morning; you're all in for a treat."

"It's nothing, just discussing a recent web series investment I made, sponsored by Panda."

Lu Liang didn't want to embarrass Little Wang and shifted the topic while also yielding the main seat at the tea table, given that Old Meng had his own unique pursuit when it came to brewing tea.

More than once before, Old Meng had disapproved of his method as not authentic, nearly writing the complaint 'as clumsy as a boar eating bran' on his face.

"Oh~ that Princess something, I think Old Wu mentioned it a few days ago."

Meng Changkun was washing the teaware when he suddenly winked with a knowing smirk, "The female lead is quite attractive."

"Indeed quite attractive."

Little Wang grinned and nodded in agreement.

With the thought of both sponsoring, he had also got several hosts under his platform to cameo, to get some face time.

Expecting the director would be annoyed, he didn't expect the director to be more enthusiastic, specifically asking for PDD for a role with not a small part, determined to carry through the drama to the end.

"Really? I didn't pay much attention."

Lu Liang, adhering to the principle of being honest, received disdainful looks from the both of them, but he couldn't be bothered to explain.

He couldn't help but think,

Who's the female protagonist?

Is she really that beautiful?

Maybe I should find some time to see for myself?

What if she's a girl striving to better herself?

…

In the few trading days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the A-share market clouded over with gloom, triggering the 42nd defense of the 3000 point mark.

According to incomplete statistics, since the inception of A-shares, the battle for 3000 points erupted 42 times, succeeded 7 times, and failed 35 times.

This time it seemed bound for failure again, as the new energy index fell below 2600 points, prompting a technical correction in the market.

Whether it was BYD, LeTV, or other constituent stocks, all were paying for the previous half month's frenzy.

Lu Liang spent the day observing and felt distinctly uninterested, not even considering bottom-fishing, and planned to wait a few more days.

After all, once the Mid-Autumn Festival was over, National Day was next.

The first rule of Big A: empty your portfolio to survive, a rule that every institutional speculative trader and even retail investors abided by.

Those who didn't comply met with dire ends.

On the 28th, Lu Liang was invited to participate in the Series B funding of LeTV Cars, valued at 1.2 billion US dollars.

Different from the previous time when he attended ofo's funding, as soon as he appeared at this event, he became the focus of everyone.

One hundred million dollars, netting a profit of 84 million US dollars in one month, and escaping smoothly before the market crash.

Punan Road 88, Lu Liang, had already become one of the countless stock market geniuses, more famous than ever.

He not only managed a private fund but also headed a venture capital firm, now possessing both the capability and qualification to join the ranks of top-tier tycoons.

"Mr. Lu, I've heard so much about you, loud as thunder, and I'm finally pleased to meet you today."

Boss Jia, beaming, greeted with great enthusiasm, using Lu Liang's local dialect which sounded even more enthusiastic than a little puppy.

"Mr. Jia, you flatter me, I'm just a novice in your presence."

Lu Liang said, smiling, feeling a bit uneasy inside. In this market wave, LeTV's market value had skyrocketed to 221.5 billion.

Boss Jia held 21.55% of the shares, his fortune exceeding 46 billion.

Though it was a rapid surge that would inevitably reverse during a technical correction, banks would still adjust asset evaluation accordingly, making loans much easier to obtain.

He could secure a few billion more in loans. With this, and showing such warmth, how deep was LeTV's pitfall?

Lu Liang did not dare contemplate.

Though without evidence, once suspicion arises, culpability is established. It wasn't necessary to hang oneself from a single tree.

After exchanging a few casual words, Lu Liang did not express his opinion on this funding round or whether he would participate.

Boss Jia, feeling the interlude dull, glanced at the entrance and made an excuse, "Mr. Lu, please feel free to mingle; I just saw some friends arrive."

"Mr. Jia, please go ahead," Lu Liang smiled, turned his head to scan the venue, and suddenly spotted an acquaintance.

He approached Zhu Hu and asked with a smile, "Hu, are you interested in LeTV Cars?"

Zhu Hu smiled and shook his head slightly, "Not interested, just giving Boss Jia face by coming to look."

Laughing, he said, "Liang, there's some nice desserts over there, want to try some together?"

Lu Liang smiled and nodded, knowing Zhu Hu had something to say.

As they walked, Zhu Hu spoke, "At the beginning of the year, Jia Yuetting personally lent 2.07 billion to LeTV, but now it's down to 920 million."

Corporations are separate from individuals.

Sometimes when a managed company can't borrow from banks, or they don't want to pay bank interest,

if an individual has money, they would lend it to the company; it's a common investment strategy.

But LeTV's continual losses and sufficient funds shown made Jia Yuetting's debt recall suspicious.

Without proof, Zhu Hu couldn't outright claim Boss Jia was falsifying financial reports again, but he could give small hints.

Lu Liang replied with a knowing smile, "I came just to learn, to see Mr. Jia's future plans for LeTV Cars."

"Seems like you're quite interested in new energy vehicles?" Zhu Hu inquired.

"A bit." Lu Liang nodded, Zhu Hu continued, "Have you checked out Li Xiang's Li Xiang Cars?"

Lu Liang nodded again, familiar with the equity structure of Li Xiang Cars, Golden Sand River holding 15%.

The three new automotive powers all followed the same model: PowerPoint fundraising, and OEM manufacturing.

Lu Liang glanced towards the center of the venue, seeing the merry Boss Jia. He was indeed the progenitor of this approach.

It just seemed that his steps were too ambitious, covering appliances, video, portals, smartphones, and now even cars, spreading too thin, appearing on the verge of collapse at any moment.