Back to the prime of life

Chapter 218 Going Abroad
Lu Changge did not forget his schedule, and he ended the meeting as soon as it was three o'clock.

In his past life, he attended many pointless meetings—meetings he knew were useless, but he could only waste time to finish them anyway.

In reality, there's no need for such complicated matters to be discussed for hours on end. In most cases, it's just a core message that's shared with everyone, and then the key personnel discuss whether it's feasible or not, and that's it.

He tries his best to avoid laying too much groundwork or trying to make things sound more convincing.

The meeting concluded with Shen Mo agreeing.

But he still has to go to the United States. It's a lie that only Chinese people talk about social etiquette. Foreigners also need to do some face-saving work. For example, if the boss of DST comes, shouldn't your people also be present?

If no one shows up during the first collaboration, the other party will have complaints.

Even people like Shen Mo and Chi Yongsheng, who are on the same side, feel that their boss doesn't support their work.

In addition, he had his own personal matters to attend to, so Lu Changge finally agreed to go.

As for Han Jiayi being transferred to work in Beijing, he knew beforehand that private companies were even more unscrupulous when it came to using connections. After all, government agencies had rules and regulations in place to prevent such behavior, but the company belonged to the boss, and he could do whatever he wanted. It was impossible for him to go there and use the system of avoiding close relatives, right?

Han Jiayi's relationship is naturally with Lu Changge.

Back to the present, Han Jiayi met Min Xiuwen here, and after listening to the two of them talk for a while, she knew that they still wanted to talk to Lu Changge about work.

This put her in a dilemma, like she felt like she had delayed someone else's business... but leaving now wasn't right either, since they had agreed on a time.

Even after Lu Changge came down, she still hadn't figured out what to do.

Lu Changge didn't hide anything from her and directly told his two colleagues, "I've discussed it with the US side, and they agreed. But I need to find a time to go there soon."

"In that case, Lu Mang can be considered a bonus," Li Ming said happily.

This guy isn't the same energetic young man he was three years ago. After working for so long, he knows that after this round of financing, as the company's valuation increases, his personal wealth will also rise accordingly.

"Okay, Mr. Min, call Xu Huiya back. We'll go over tonight."

Min Xiuwen nodded. Actually, Lu Changge was just too particular. He insisted on having dinner with Lu Changge only after the deal was done. In reality, even if a deal fell through, they could still have dinner together. Not cooperating this time didn't mean they wouldn't cooperate next time.

In reality, Lu Changge just wanted to avoid the situation. What's the point of eating a useless meal? Does he think the success of the next collaboration will depend on whether he eats this meal or not? In the end, it's all about interests.

Now, we have to eat. Putting aside that old Russian, Xu Huiya also contributed to this matter, so it would be unreasonable not to give him face.

In short, things have gone very smoothly, and Lu Changge feels much more at ease. Both companies have received funding, so they won't have much financial trouble until at least the end of 2010. When they do raise funds again at that time, it won't be just one company coming to him; it will be several investment companies sharing the profits.

"Jiayi, do you want to come along?" Lu Changge finally had time to ask about her.

"Me? I'll pass on that. It's your business."

"In the conference room, we can distinguish between your family and mine, but at the dinner table, we're all friends. You know Hsu Hui-ya, and the DST people will also be meeting with your company this time, so tonight it definitely won't just be us. You can attend as a friend, or you can represent the company. No matter how you look at it, you're not an unrelated person. Of course, if you don't like this kind of occasion, you don't have to go."

Han Jiayi, after all, knew what was good for her. Lu Changge wanted to give her the opportunity to meet these so-called important figures. "Then I'll listen to you and go."

How does it feel to be in Beijing?

"The climate is too dry; I'm still getting used to it."

Li Ming resonated with this: "I had a nosebleed last night."

"Is that because of the climate?"

"Tsk, can you stop bringing up other people's shortcomings? I also want to maintain my bright and great image in my senior's eyes."

Han Jiayi watched them joke around as before, and gradually relaxed. She probably didn't interact with them often, so she always felt that there was a difference in their positions, but the truth might not be as she thought.

……

……

Two weeks later, Lu Changge boarded a plane that allowed him to fly from Shanghai to San Francisco.

There were two female companions on the way. One was Xu Qiuxue, who was going to study, and the other was Zhou Shuang.

Ms. Zhou volunteered to participate in the signing ceremony of the investment agreement, saying that it was a landmark event and that it would be too unsatisfying to just watch and wait at home.

Anyway, there's nothing major happening back home. If she wants to go, then let's go together.

Moreover, she has been to the United States and can also work as a tour guide.

It's a little embarrassing to admit, but this is actually Lu Changge's first time in America, both in his past and present lives. So having someone he knows well is perfect; he doesn't have to think and can just follow along.

However, even a flight of more than ten hours can be quite grueling, especially in business class. Xu Qiuxue, who was traveling abroad for the first time, went from excitement to calm, and then to putting on a mask of pain.

"In the 21st century, when we even have spaceships, it's terrifying that you still have to take a 13 or 4-hour flight to go to the United States."

Lu Changge had prepared in advance; he brought a book to read on the way, otherwise wasting time would be quite unpleasant. "Do you know that current jet aircraft technology is still from the 1960s and 70s?" "I know, but I can't quite accept it emotionally." Fortunately, Xu Qiuxue wasn't so dramatic; she just said it casually, and then moved on to other things, "Brother, why don't you just stay in the US for a few more days this time?"

"why?"

Xu Qiuxue said, "You've visibly gotten busier. I used to hardly ever see you in Jinling. Now that we're separated by the Pacific Ocean, we'll really only be able to see each other once a year during the Lunar New Year. Perfect timing, since this is our first time in America. After you've finished your business, let's go on a road trip and explore America? Even California would be fine."

"A road trip?" Lu Changge was somewhat tempted. "It's not impossible. When I was poor, I always thought about how I would enjoy life when I had money. But when I actually got rich, I had even less time to enjoy life than before. Before, I could at least play CS with my brothers."

Snapped.

He slapped his thigh and said, "Okay, it's settled then. I'll have someone find me a car as soon as I get off the plane."

Zhou Shuang, who was in front, couldn't help but turn around and ask, "President Lu, are you making this decision so easily?"

“Investment and financing is a big deal. If I don’t do it, everyone will just have to sit back and wait. But once this is done, everything else will fall into place. I shouldn’t have any problems sneaking off to play for a few days.”

"What about those few days?"

Let's book for half a month first.

"Half a month?!" Zhou Shuang gave a forced smile and reminded her, "Even I know that your marketing is combined with the US financing. If you're gone for half a month, someone will definitely be worried sick. I'm not even talking about appearances; you've taken the investors' money and are just indulging in reckless behavior."

Xu Qiuxue's eyes showed some worry, "Let's forget about it, next time, there will be another chance."

Lu Changge seized the opportunity to back down, "Alright then, I'll accompany you next time."

And that was the end of it.

But Xu Qiuxue was so clever. She realized in an instant that the hateful Lu Changge was just waiting for her to say 'next time'. So she snorted, put on her eye mask, and pretended to sleep.

"Two or three days is fine."

The person next to him pushed his blindfold up a bit and said sarcastically, "Won't that affect your life's ambition of becoming a billionaire?"

"Judging from your tone, you don't believe I could become a billionaire?"

"What are you thinking? There are only a handful of people like that in the whole world."

Lu Changge smiled without saying a word. One of his important purposes during his trip to the United States was to ask investors to help introduce him to the relevant personnel of Tesla Motors, which is also located in Silicon Valley.

The reasons are easy to find; for example, he is interested in cars and is a car enthusiast, etc.

In fact, it's not just that.

Information about Tesla Motors is available online, but most of it is negative. Last year, 2008, was probably the most difficult year for the company.

The exceptionally challenging business environment forced Musk to use his last savings as working capital for production and operations.

That year, the company suffered a huge loss of more than $8000 million.

The real life-saving opportunity came two months earlier when the Obama administration provided Tesla with a low-interest loan of over $400 million. In June 2010, the company went public on NASDAQ, raising another sum of money, which saved it from going bankrupt.

At the time of its IPO, the company's market capitalization was only $17 billion.

So in 09 and 10, no one would have imagined that this $17 billion car company would set a record of $1.3 trillion in market value.

That's how many times it multiplied; someone bad at math probably couldn't even figure it out.

In his past life, Lu Changge was someone who made a living with his brain rather than his physical strength, so he couldn't be completely devoid of useful information. Musk is no unknown person either, so he actually has some understanding of this company.

Unfortunately, he doesn't have much cash right now, so it's impossible for him to immediately acquire a substantial percentage of original shares unless he sells Chatter.

Of course, it's always good to make his face known beforehand. After all, he's already come all this way to the United States.

"It won't be a problem to take a break for two or three days, at least the company won't suddenly go bankrupt. Besides, I was originally planning to use an English-speaking environment to improve my spoken English, but I'll probably be away for several months then, so what will I do?"

Zhou Shuang asked curiously, "Why do you suddenly want to learn English?"

“I am different from other domestic entrepreneurs. At least I still have a company in the United States. I will have more contact with foreigners in the future, and it will be more convenient to speak English. I can’t always rely on translators.”

“It’s okay, bro. Wait for me to stay here for a year or two, and I’ll translate for you later.”

"If you say that, I'll lose my motivation to study, and I'll be even less able to learn."

"Haha."

In reality, Lu Changge felt fortunate to have such a bright younger sister as Xu Qiuxue. After all, she was someone he trusted completely, almost like his alter ego or representative. To put it bluntly, even a wife might betray you, but family generally wouldn't.

There was no vulgar drama of them fighting over inheritance.

(End of this chapter)