6: Chapter 6: Investing in Gao Qisheng – A Huge Profit

Gao Qilan's look today was just two points away from being a mature, sophisticated woman.

One point was a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.

The other point was the intellectual temperament accumulated through life experience.

But even lacking those two things, she was still a great beauty.

Zhao Yang smiled. "What? Feeling shy?"

Gao Qilan bit her lip. "Officer Zhao, I..."

"It's not working hours. Call me Brother Yang."

"Oh, Brother Yang!" Gao Qilan blinked, mustering her courage to say, "You're really handsome today!"

"Does that mean I'm usually very ugly?"

"Ah? No, no!" Gao Qilan shook her head hurriedly. "You're always handsome! It's just these clothes today, they're especially handsome!"

Zhao Yang smiled slightly. "My Xiao Lan is not only beautiful but also has a sweet way with words. Say more things like that in the future! Alright, it's about time. Follow me in."

After saying that, he greeted Gao Qisheng and Gao Qiqiang and walked toward the hotel.

Gao Qilan felt as if she were walking on clouds, her heart pounding wildly.

What did Brother Yang mean by 'My Xiao Lan'?

Was he hinting at something?

And he told me to 'say more'?

Did he mean he wants me to contact him more in the future?

...

At the door of the private room, Gao Qiqiang pulled Gao Qilan back. "Xiao Lan, let's wait a moment. Let A Sheng chat with the investor for a bit first."

"Let's all go in together, it's fine." Zhao Yang waved them off and pushed the door open.

After the group entered the room, Gao Qisheng looked at the empty private room and froze for a moment. "Officer Zhao, has the investor not arrived yet? How should I address him when I see him later?"

Zhao Yang smiled. "Just call him Brother Yang."

"Oh... Brother Yang."

"Mm." Zhao Yang nodded and took a seat. "A Sheng, the business plan was well done. I'm investing in your project."

"Ah?"

All three Gao siblings were stunned.

Gao Qisheng was the first to react. "Brother Yang, the investor you mentioned is you? Then why the day before yesterday..."

Gao Qiqiang quickly pulled him back and whispered, "Officer Li was present the day before yesterday."

Gao Qisheng realized and gave Zhao Yang an apologetic smile.

Zhao Yang showed a satisfied expression.

Gao Qiqiang might not have a high education, but his emotional intelligence was truly high.

He pointed to the chairs. "Don't be polite, sit. There are drinks on the table, help yourselves. Xiao Lan, pour some juice for your brothers."

"Okay, Brother Yang."

Gao Qilan stood up very obediently, opened the juice on the table, and poured it for her two brothers.

Zhao Yang took a prepared contract out of his bag. "I'll invest sixty thousand for a forty percent stake. When we make money and expand in the future, we'll discuss the investment shares and proportions again. A Sheng, you've studied this, take a look at the contract."

Sixty thousand yuan.

To the three of them at this time, it was an absolute fortune.

They never dreamed that Zhao Yang, at such a young age, could produce so much money at once. He seemed to have just started working, right? Where did it come from?

Zhao Yang saw their doubts and smiled slightly. "This money was left to me by my family. I've wanted to use it for investment for a long time, but I hadn't seen a good project. I'm also very optimistic about the phs project, but I don't have the time. It just so happened that A Sheng mentioned he wanted to do it that day—that's fate! A Sheng, don't just stand there, look at the contract. If there are any problems, we'll talk about them face to face."

"Good, good, good!"

Gao Qisheng hurriedly picked up the contract and began reading it with his head down.

Gao Qiqiang also leaned in to look with him.

As for Gao Qilan—she was in full fangirl mode.

Her eyes were fixed on the drinks on the table, but her peripheral vision never left Zhao Yang.

She wanted to speak to Zhao Yang but didn't dare.

Her toes started curling again, as if she wanted to dig right through the soles of her shoes.

...

Half an hour passed.

Gao Qisheng looked up. "Brother Yang, I think it's fine. But your stake is too small. You're the one providing all the money; you should have the majority share!"

"That's right, Officer Zhao!" Gao Qiqiang chimed in. "We're taking too much of an advantage! It can't be like this. You should have at least seventy percent! We'll just take thirty percent!"

"I'm only responsible for providing the money for this project; all operational matters need to be handled by you yourselves." Zhao Yang's tone was flat but left no room for doubt. "Forty percent is already quite a bit. It's settled, no need to argue further. Besides, a small project like this is just for you to practice with—if you do well, there will be bigger projects waiting for you in the future."

Gao Qisheng still felt it wasn't right. "But..."

"The matter is settled." Zhao Yang interrupted him. "If you feel I'm losing out, then work hard and give me more dividends."

"Alright! Then I'll listen to Brother Yang!"

Gao Qisheng signed the papers decisively.

It was now the year 2000, and taking a stake in a small business like this didn't have many policy issues, especially since the money was provided by Zhao Yang.

Once the contract was signed, Zhao Yang instructed the waiter to bring the food.

They were all hearty dishes, but nothing like lobster or abalone.

Gao Qiqiang's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, slowly settled down.

He absolutely had to treat for this meal.

During the meal, Zhao Yang chatted about some management techniques. Although he was just a low-level web novelist, his knowledge was at least twenty years ahead. He casually threw out a few successful cases from the future, leaving the Gao brothers stunned and seeing him as a genius.

As for Gao Qilan—she had no mind for conversation.

Her big eyes remained fixed on Zhao Yang, her gaze practically dripping with affection.

...

The meal was finished, and everyone was satisfied.

Gao Qiqiang secretly went to settle the bill.

Zhao Yang saw it but didn't stop him.

Only when Gao Qiqiang returned did he speak. "Gao Qiqiang, this shop of A Sheng's will definitely require you two brothers to work together to get it off the ground. But your temper is a bit impulsive—if you're going to do business, you'll have to change that."

Gao Qiqiang nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry, I'll definitely change!"

"I'll make a book list for you. Read more books on self-cultivation and character building."

Zhao Yang picked up a pen and started writing for him.

In the original plot, Gao Qiqiang's book recommender was An Xin. An Xin recommended "The Art of War" to him, which laid the groundwork for Gao Qiqiang becoming cunning and difficult to deal with later.

Zhao Yang recommended books entirely focused on self-cultivation.

As for something like "The Art of War"—better to wait until Gao Qiqiang had established a sense of awe for the law in his heart.

And Zhao Yang believed it wouldn't be long before Gao Qiqiang developed that respect for the law.

The meal ended with both host and guests happy.

Finally, Zhao Yang handed the sixty thousand yuan to Gao Qisheng and returned to the Public Security Bureau.

The Gao siblings quickly deposited the money into a nearby bank.

The public security in Jinghai was terrible; carrying so much cash was not safe at all.

...

Back at home, the three of them still felt like they were in a dream.

"A Sheng, Xiao Lan, our family has truly met a benefactor," Gao Qiqiang said emotionally. "If we do business according to the methods Officer Zhao mentioned, we will definitely make a lot of money!"

Gao Qisheng adjusted his glasses and suddenly smiled. "Brother, it seems like this is all because you took a beating the day before yesterday."

Gao Qiqiang was stunned for a moment, then laughed himself. "If taking a beating can make our family's life better, I'd be willing to take a beating every day."

"Oh, brother!" Gao Qilan pouted. "What nonsense are you saying! I don't want you to take any beatings!"

"Xiao Lan... why were you so quiet today?" Gao Qiqiang asked. "Are you unhappy?"

Gao Qisheng curled his lip. "Big brother, she didn't speak—she was too busy making eyes at Officer Zhao. That look in her eyes... even I was scared she might pounce on him!"

"Oh, second brother! What nonsense are you talking about! You were talking about serious business, I wouldn't understand! Hmph! I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Gao Qilan turned and ran back into her room, burying her face in the quilt.

Her mind was filled with the image of Zhao Yang talking eloquently.

...

Zhao Yang, who was researching the System Mall, suddenly froze.

A System prompt sounded in his consciousness—

[Due to the host's intervention, Gao Qisheng no longer sought money from the Tang Xiaolong brothers to open his shop, avoiding involvement in subsequent events. The fates of the three Gao siblings have undergone a major turning point—Reward: Three skill lottery draws for the host.]