After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future

The temperature was just right, comfortable and pleasant.

Lu Liang fell asleep and, in a haze, heard a knocking accompanied by Xu Jiawei's voice.

"Come in." Lu Liang rubbed his face, twisted his neck, and looked out the window, where the sunset spread a red glow across the office.

"Am I here at a bad time?" Chen Jiebin emerged from behind Xu Jiawei, smiling broadly.

Lu Liang stood up, stretching lazily, and said with a smile, "It's always the right time for Director Chen to come over. Jia Wei, make some tea, I'll go wash my face first."

"No need to bother."

Chen Jiebin stopped Xu Jiawei, walked to the water cooler, and poured himself a glass of warm water: "I've been drinking tea all afternoon, my stomach's twisting badly, so I'm skipping tea."

"Jia Wei, see if there's any nearby restaurant and book a private room, we'll head over later." Lu Liang's voice came from the bathroom, accompanied by the strong sound of water.

"Okay, Mr. Lu."

Xu Jiawei's eyes showed a hint of helplessness, and he glanced apologetically at Chen Jiebin — Boss Lu doesn't treat them as outsiders.

Chen Jiebin chuckled and said, "Contact Dejizhou Chaoshan Cuisine, use my name; at this hour we should be able to book a private room."

"Okay, Director Chen."

Xu Jiawei left the office, and not much later, Lu Liang emerged from the bathroom looking refreshed: "Have you talked with Mr. Ma for a long time?"

"About two hours." Chen Jiebin sighed and rubbed his forehead, still in a dilemma about whether to lend a hand.

After all, Old Ma had helped him, because Alibaba had once listed on the Hong Kong market, then delisted and went public in the U.S., and now recently returned to Hong Kong for listing.

When Alibaba first listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, he was still Deputy Director at the Financial Management Office.

By the time they delisted, he had become the Director.

At the beginning of the year, upon his invitation, they returned to the Hong Kong stock market, listing at an extremely low issuance price to make up for the investors who had been harmed by the previous delisting.

A former error was rectified by him.

With gains and losses, he directly widened the gap with his predecessor in political achievements.

He wasn't greedy or corrupt,

but he did care a bit about such empty accolades.

Old Ma personally reached out to him, making it difficult for Chen Jiebin to refuse.

At this moment, he suddenly looked at Lu Liang with a tone of intimacy, "Little Lu, if it were you, what would you do?"

An hour ago, Lu Liang had gone upstairs to find him, wanting to invite Lu Liang to discuss together, but he was refused.

Lu Liang's refusal surprised Chen Jiebin since he wasn't exactly a pious man.

Liu Qing could unite with Cheng Wei and kick people out, just because he needed DiDi's database to develop algorithms.

There's no reason why the business of Ant Group would highly align with Lu Liang's financial interests, yet he shows no interest, unless he knows something...

"If it were me..."

Lu Liang couldn't help but laugh, "Since Mr. Ma has helped you, you should assist him. The prerequisite is that the procedure is compliant."

Chen Jiebin, caught up in the situation, couldn't clearly see the situation; the Hong Kong market is merely a listing platform, and he is a public official.

If China halted Ant Group's listing, even as Director of the Xiangjiang Financial Management Office, he would be powerless.

"Could Director Chen help Ant Group bypass mainland's financial regulation?" Lu Liang asked with a laugh.

"How could that be possible?" Chen Jiebin rolled his eyes, "I studied in Beijing for four years."

"Let's go, time for dinner." Lu Liang patted his stomach; after sleeping, he felt especially hungry.

"Well then, I'll take advantage of Mr. Lu to slightly improve the meal." Chen Jiebin suddenly laughed.

It turns out Lu Liang does know some insider information; he could help on this, but wouldn't guarantee success.

Currently, Ant is like a speeding car, with Old Ma as the driver having the primary authrority to accelerate and brake.

This authority isn't exclusive; Mainland regulators also have the authority to brake, with an even higher priority than Old Ma.

According to Lu Liang, ultimately, someone will put on the brakes; whether he assists or not doesn't really matter.

So he still has to lend a hand, not only to repay the favor but without affecting himself.

"With an annual salary over four million, you can improve meals every day." Lu Liang laughed, glancing at the other party.

The Chief Executive's annual salary is over five million, followed by the three secretaries and office directors who earn over four million.

Chen Jiebin's annual salary is definitely in the top ten among all public official positions in Xiangjiang.

Chen Jiebin said irritably, "My kids are grown now, I need to think about them as well—you think it's like doing business."

"Oh, by the way, is your son in high school or college now?" Lu Liang suddenly asked.

"Trying to bribe me?"

"It's friendship!"

"Message received."

Lu Liang laughed, no further intent to ask.

During the meal, the conversation drifted back to the topic of Ant, and Chen Jiebin asked, "Why aren't you interested?"

"Then why are you hesitant about whether to help Mr. Ma with this favor?"

Lu Liang chuckled lightly, picked up half a goose head, what Old Meng said was indeed correct, goose should be Chaoshan's Lion Head Goose, savory and delicious.

Chen Jiebin sighed, "Because Mr. Ma overstepped; once Ant goes public, its influence is likely to rival the Big Four banks."

He is a public official; he habitually views issues from a political angle — when wielding a powerful tool, a killing intent arises.

Just like the Superman Li family, before China became sufficiently strong, the Xiangjiang government was greatly restrained.

Now, there's capability and willingness to manage, but too late.

Every danger must be strangled in the cradle; Old Ma already shows signs of this.

"Some money can be earned, some money shouldn't be."

Lu Liang picked up a warm towel, wiped his mouth. After devouring half a goose head, he was half-full, and his mouth was greasy.

"I'm a bit curious, hasn't the mainland regulation sought you out for a chat?" Chen Jiebin asked casually.

If Ant's listing fails, Ma Yun must give investors an explanation, likely putting himself on the line.

Lu Liang should be the best candidate to join Ant, it's hard to find a more suitable person than him.

Lu Liang said righteously, "I only want to do my utmost to contribute a little to mainland's high-tech industry."

Old Ma was an incredibly good pioneer, already demonstrating the consequences of taking this road domestically.

Taking over Ant Group now is akin to deliberately putting a collar around the neck, he has choices, why put himself in a quagmire.

If praised for Tianxing Automobile, Lu Liang would gladly accept.

Lou Shui New Energy Industrial Park and Tianxing District directly created nearly thirty thousand jobs, and the indirect positions surpassed even a hundred thousand.

Due to these two districts' existence, the second quarter of this year saw the average wage of the entire Su City rise by 128 yuan.

The entire new energy industry was managed by Lu Liang like large Internet companies, where frontline workers in the workshop start at monthly salaries of eight to nine thousand; too low can't attract people.

He truly achieved industrial upgrade, to let national wages be higher, with more spending power.

So, no matter how high the praises, Lu Liang feels well deserving and rightful.

But if praised for Tianxing Financial Group, then forget it; a red capitalist is still a capitalist.

The color difference is just a fleeting thought.

If need arises, he might be the first one hanging on a lamppost.

Chen Jiebin, amused and annoyed, turned to ask, "The Big D Group is disbanded, do you know this news?"

"Heard Li Zhikai mentioned it." Lu Liang nodded.

"It's a good thing that such organizations disband," Chen Jiebin said to himself, "hopefully it doesn't reassemble."

Lu Liang frowned, "What do you mean?"

Feigning surprise, Chen Jiebin retorted, "Don't tell me you don't know?"

With the arrival of a new king, forces come to pay homage; this has been a tradition of Xiangjiang since ancient times.

Unable to find Lu Liang, they went to the Li Brothers, and Li Zhikai still hesitated, but his elder brother seemed to accept everything blindly.

This led to rumors; even though Superman Li was gone, the Li Brothers stood strong, and half of Xiangjiang continued to belong to the Li family.

Lu Liang's face turned pale, Chen Jiebin lit a cigarette, passed by, patting his shoulder, "But I believe you weren't aware."

Then he patted his stomach, burped, and smiled, "I'll get going now, I'll cover the bill for this meal."