Chapter 111: 107, Jin Hao Group On-board (Subscription for monthly pass is requested)
"Hmm, Lu Lin, I want to ask you a question."
Over the phone, Zhao Lei’s voice sounded a bit tired.
"Do you want to own a company?"
"A company?"
Lu Lin was taken aback. He didn’t even have 1,000,000 on him, although there was 95,000,000 waiting to be transferred to his account. He had never thought about starting a company.
As a Star Core Warrior, it should be quite simple to earn money, shouldn’t it? If he were to start a company, he would have to manage personnel and finances, and constantly think about expanding the business. If business was good, it was a headache; if business was bad, it was an even bigger headache. If employees didn’t work, it was a headache; if employees worked but didn’t produce results, that was also a headache.
In short, Lu Lin had thought about this a long time ago. If he could awaken his Talent, he would just want to be a good Star Core Warrior, hunting exotic beasts and Alien Races in the Exotic Battlefield every day. If his Awakening were to fail, he would ask his parents for some money to open a supermarket. But he would never start a company.
The federation has entered the Star Skill Era for over a thousand years, with countless cultivation masters and tycoons in the marketplace.
Although Lu Lin was a reincarnated soul, he did not believe he had any business talents.
"Yes, a company in Green City."
"Forget it, I’ll tell you straight."
Zhao Lei originally planned to keep him guessing, but found it too troublesome and just said it directly.
Wang Lihe’s Jin Hao Group may not have been the top in Green City, but it could definitely rank in the top three; otherwise, Wang Lihe’s son would not have been so arrogant. But now, it was confirmed that Wang Lihe was a member of the Black Shark Society. However, the Jin Hao Group still existed. Despite the fact that the Jin Hao Group was involved in many grey area operations, there were still a good number of people in Green City relying on it for their sustenance. If the company were to be abruptly disbanded, the Green City Governor’s Mansion would have to face a situation where at least tens of thousands of people would be out of a job and unable to make ends meet.
Originally, the Green City Governor’s Mansion was discussing how to handle the Jin Hao Group, how to distribute its various businesses and... profits. But today, after seeing Bai Jingwei personally congratulating Lu Lin on his promotion to university, with very affectionate words, they saw an opportunity. Also, those who were well-informed knew that Lu Lin could enhance the levels of exotic beasts, and he was bound to become a big shot in the federation in the future, so they thought about investing early. However, directly gifting a company seemed a bit too straightforward, so they needed to come up with a good excuse. At this point, Jiang Yamin arrived and presented the perfect excuse to the Green City Governor’s Mansion.
"So, the Jin Hao Group is compensation to you from Green City. They feel that they have treated this genius unfairly, allowing criminal elements to disrupt your promotion banquet and the social order."
"Think about whether you want to accept it."
When Zhao Lei got to this point, he couldn’t help feeling a little envious.
Back in his day, he had not received such treatment. He was able to attend university thanks to the federation’s student loan. After graduating from university, Zhao Lei’s Talent began to show, but it took him a full year to pay off the loan, and only then did his life slowly improve.
In contrast, look at Lu Lin. He had just graduated, and he managed to kill the Painter in combat, earning a bounty of 95,000,000 on the Painter. Within a few days, Green City was voluntarily presenting the Jin Hao Group to him. It’s really infuriating when you compare yourself to others.
"Boss, do you think I should accept it?" Lu Lin asked tentatively.
The Jin Hao Group has operated in Green City for over 20 years, involved in almost every industry, including entertainment, healthcare, malls, residences, art, clothing, housing, and travel.
It would be a lie to say he’s not tempted. But Lu Lin knew very well that with his current strength, it would be quite risky to take over the Jin Hao Group.
"Accept it, why wouldn’t you accept such a good thing?"
"Actually, I’m just notifying you. All the ownership paperwork for the Jin Hao Group has been completed."
"You own 60% of the company’s shares, the Star Investigation Office holds 20%, and the Green City Governor’s Mansion holds 20%. This should be more than enough to ensure your safety. Plus, since you are one of us from the Star Investigation Office, whoever dares to harm you would be dealing with us."
"In other words, there is nothing for you to worry about when taking over this company. You just need to find a suitable general manager to handle the company’s daily operations."
"Oh."
Lu Lin was not sure what to say. It turned out that Zhao Lei was just informing him that the Jin Hao Group was his, and all other matters had been settled.
But even so, it was difficult for Lu Lin to find a company’s operating officer on his own. He had just graduated from high school, and his classmates were mostly working at the base level of society. His parents were lifelong farmers, and their social connections were limited to the Lishui Bay Community. However, since it was already his company, he figured there were more solutions than problems. If Lu Lin couldn’t find someone himself, he could go to some headhunting companies and ask them to find suitable candidates.
"What do you mean, ’Oh’? Can’t you show some spirit? It’s late at night, don’t tell me you’re going to bed so early."
Zhao Lei was slightly annoyed by Lu Lin’s calm attitude. He had put in quite an effort to help Lu Lin secure the Star Investigation Office’s stake. Though the Star Investigation Office didn’t invest a single penny, just by virtue of its name, no one in the federation would dare to mess with Lu Lin’s company or move against it. Even in business competition, they had to compete fairly and squarely. Anyone who tried to play dirty would have to think twice; the Star Investigation Office’s shares weren’t for nothing. Besides, while the Jin Hao Group might seem large in Green City, it wasn’t highly regarded by the Star Investigation Office. Lu Lin didn’t have to worry about the Star Investigation Office gobbling up his company’s shares.
"No, I’m not asleep."
"I just restructured my Star Power Domain. Some people complained that the previous one was too ugly," Lu Lin explained.
"Oh, Star Power Domain?"
"To be honest, I haven’t entered your Star Power Domain yet. Give me a chance to check it out some other day when I’m free. I can offer you some advice."
Zhao Lei said this with a normal expression, and Lu Lin found it normal. As a Level 9 Star Core Warrior of the Leakless Realm, he was definitely qualified to give Lu Lin pointers.
"Hehe, Boss, my Star Power Domain is absolutely awesome. You’ll be amazed after seeing it."
"Really? Now that you mention it, I’m interested."
"I’ve nothing to do tonight. How about we go out for some barbecue and let me experience your Star Power Domain?"
Lu Lin had just finished the dinner Meng Yu left for him, so he wasn’t hungry at all. He said, "Boss, let’s forget about the barbecue. If you don’t mind, why not come over to my place?"
"Sure," Zhao Lei agreed readily. "Actually, I wanted to ask if you had a breakthrough. What was the deal with the Swamp Star Skill today?"
"Alright, you just stay at home and wait for me. I’ll be there in half an hour."
After saying this, Zhao Lei called Xiao Li and Xiao Yan to set off. Half an hour later, they arrived at Lishui Bay Community.
Zhao Lei would never go to Lu Lin’s house so late at night; it would be inappropriate. If he were really going to visit, he would definitely wait until Lu Ping and Meng Yu were at home, rather than sneaking in through the window after they had gone to bed. After all, Zhao Lei was a Level 9 Star Core Warrior.
Lu Lin came out from his house. After some thought, he couldn’t find a suitable place nearby. Eventually, he took Zhao Lei to the basketball court behind the community.
On the way, Lu Lin told Zhao Lei that he had coincidentally reached the First Level and was now at Level 1 Peak. He had comprehended four Earth-based Star Skills and also shared his cultivation situation with Zhao Lei.
Zhao Lei was also taken aback by how Lu Lin had accidentally reached his current level. From his Awakening on June 1st until tonight, a span of just eighteen days, Lu Lin had transformed from an ordinary person into a Level 1 Peak Martial Artist. He now possessed four Star Skills and three Star Martial, and had also casually acquired the title of Best Saturn Star Guide. Damn, why didn’t I have Lu Lin’s good luck back then? Zhao Lei couldn’t help but reminisce about his arduous college years.
Not to mention Zhao Lei, even Xiao Li and Xiao Yan, who weren’t much older than Lu Lin, were filled with envy after hearing his introduction.
Are young people nowadays so driven after their Awakening? He didn’t even go to college, yet he has already learned three Star Martial and comprehended four major Star Skills. The two of them felt that their years in college had been wasted.
"Let’s do it here. Xiao Yan and Xiao Li, you two help keep an eye out."
Zhao Lei gave an instruction and then sat cross-legged. He couldn’t wait to try entering Lu Lin’s magical Star Power Domain.