Chapter 142: Threading the Needle
The conversation went smoothly. Chai Jin’s demeanor was reassuring enough. However, he didn’t mention anything about making money on the stock market. In a way, the city government was definitely opposed to speculators like him dealing in subscription certificates. The stock market was still unregulated; if it were properly regulated, Chai Jin’s actions would surely land him in trouble. Especially with the recent major incident in the Shenzhen market, it was better to keep things under wraps.
This meeting was merely a formality—Nievannov wanted to see if Chai Jin was trustworthy. Afterward, he would work on smoothing relations back home. It was a gentleman’s agreement.
Later, the waiter brought in some dishes. What was supposed to be lunch stretched on until dinner. The other two tables understood Nievannov’s attitude and, after waiting several hours without anyone emerging, left with downcast faces. Only He Zhijun and his group dared to stay, standing straight and respectful outside, like schoolchildren seeking forgiveness for a mistake.
Several times the door opened, and they thought someone was coming out, only for it to be slammed shut again. During this time, He Zhijun caught glimpses of Chai Jin inside, laughing and chatting.
After a few such moments, unable to hold back, he quietly asked He Kai through gritted teeth, “Tell me, is that guy in the white t-shirt one of our factory’s assembly line workers?”
He Kai, clearly annoyed, said, “Of course he is, Dad. Now I finally understand why that brat acts so arrogantly! Turns out he’s got a boss backing him—a guy from the Northeast!” He still hadn’t figured out the relationships in the room. It was a kind of selective blindness. When someone dislikes or even hates another, they rarely admit that person might be better. He Kai was just that narrow-minded.
His father took a deep breath and said, “No matter what happens later, you keep your mouth shut and don’t say a word!”
“Yes, Dad.”
Chen Nianhua was nearby. At this moment, he truly wanted to leave but felt it improper, so he remained silent.
Past six o’clock, as a cool breeze from Guanyin Mountain eased the heat inside, the conversation at the table finally came to an end. Chai Jin rose with a smile: “Well then, we’ll discuss details further later. Thanks to the Shenzhen government for their support, and thank you, Mr. Nievannov, for your trust.”
A smile appeared on Nievannov’s face as he shook Chai Jin’s hand: “You’re impressive—smarter than any young person I’ve met.”
Chai Jin nodded with a smile, and the group left together.
After the door opened, the father and son quickly straightened their expressions. He Zhijun was about to apologize but was cut off by Zheng Hejin’s sharp glare: “Come with me.” Without another word, Zheng Hejin walked silently into a nearby private room. He knew Chai Jin and Nievannov still had business to attend to and this was the right time to deal with the father and son.
Yu Pengfei and Chai Jin barely glanced at them, especially when Chai Jin passed by He Kai. Chai Jin, already a head taller, exuded such coldness from the corner of his eye that He Kai felt a chill run through him. Yet, a surge of nameless anger rose within, though he dared not let it explode. The feeling was unbearable, and his fists clenched tightly behind his back.
Only after Chai Jin and Nievannov left downstairs did He Kai spit in disgust, “What a bunch of bastards—just bullies abusing their power.”
Lost in thought, he was immediately scolded by He Zhihua standing at the door: “What are you still dazing for? Get over here and explain yourself!”
He Kai panicked and quickly ran over.
---
The latter part of the meeting between Chai Jin and Nievannov was straightforward. After leaving the restaurant, Chai Jin took Nievannov’s men to his car and retrieved a suitcase. This was Chai Jin’s gesture of sincerity, arranged through Yu Pengfei’s connections at China Overseas.
Five hundred thousand U.S. dollars was no small sum. It wasn’t about whether it was valuable or not; foreign currency was tight in this era. You couldn’t just walk into a bank and exchange money freely. You needed all sorts of plans and approvals.
Without Feng Haodong’s banking connections, Chai Jin couldn’t have acquired so much foreign currency so quickly.
Chai Jin felt like he was threading a needle, linking one step carefully to the next. Only once all the pieces were in place could everything fall into place naturally.
Next steps involved conquering the bank and the airline. Feng Haodong covered the bank side. As for the airline, Zheng Hejin had already stepped in at the dinner table, promising to visit there tomorrow to smooth things over. It was no longer a headache.
Thinking of Cai Weiqiang, Chai Jin smiled bitterly. He originally hoped to leverage Cai Weiqiang’s connections to open doors at the airline, but now, by coincidence, Zheng Hejin and Nievannov had that connection. He was confident the master and apprentice would not bypass him in the deal.
Zheng Hejin wouldn’t risk carrying money to Nievannov—that would land him in jail. Without profit, why would Nievannov bother smuggling planes in? This was a subtle point, and Chai Jin had grasped all the relationships perfectly.
---
The evening breeze among the mountains was gentle. In his past life, Chai Jin was not a religious man, but this time he had changed. After all, rebirth was a phenomenon that could happen to him; what was impossible in this world?
Gazing at the quiet Guanyin Mountain, occasionally pierced by the calls of birds returning at dusk, he clasped his hands in prayer. Moved by his feelings, he bowed reverently toward the supreme Buddha hall.
At this moment, Chen Ni approached. Wearing a short skirt, white Warrior brand shoes, and cute white socks snug around her slender ankles, she looked fresh and pure, free from the usual provincial air of girls her age.
Watching Chai Jin pray at the mountain, she said, “Praying like this won’t help—you need to go inside the temple.”
“Chai Jin, don’t tell me you came here today to pray to the Bodhisattva.”
Chai Jin turned and recognized her. Smiling wryly, he said, “You’ve been here all along?”
Chen Ni shrugged. “My dad dragged me here. But who’s this?” she asked, looking at Yu Pengfei.
Before Yu Pengfei could introduce himself, Chai Jin spoke first: “This is my boss, a Northeasterner—Boss Yu.”
“Oh, hello Boss Yu,” Chen Ni said politely, well-versed in social etiquette.
Though Yu Pengfei was puzzled, he smiled politely: “Hello.”
“Well then, Chai Jin, I’ll take my leave. You two carry on.”
She headed toward the car without Chai Jin stopping her.
Chen Ni looked back at Chai Jin: “How about we go pray inside the temple?”
Chai Jin thought for a moment and, having nothing else pressing, nodded in agreement.
The two walked toward the Guanyin Temple.
Behind them, Jiyuan followed, bowing every few steps with a face full of devotion.
Inside the temple, after lighting incense and bowing, they settled beneath a pine and cypress tree, watching the mountain scenery and feeling utterly relaxed.
Chai Jin lit a cigarette and looked at Chen Ni’s lovely face. “What’s the plan on your side? Have you contacted the Motorola team yet?”