Chapter 130: Venture Capitalist Wang Jianlin of Wanda?
That evening.
As dusk fell and lights began to twinkle.
The banquet hall of the Chu Yiren Five-Star Hotel was brightly lit and bustling with activity. A grand business reception was being held there.
Lin Lang accompanied Chu Yiren into the venue, where various wealthy merchants and celebrities from all walks of life were gathered, all formally dressed and accompanied by elegantly attired female companions.
They held exquisite red wine glasses, moving gracefully through the crowd, some gathering in small groups to chat and laugh, discussing the ever-changing tides of the business world; others sought out potential partners to expand their networks.
As the new Chairman of the Chu Group, Chu Yiren held a prominent position. She was a multi-billionaire female magnate from a prominent Hu Merchant family, naturally attracting a lot of attention.
AI generated beautiful image of Chu Yiren
Company executives continuously approached Chu Yiren to toast her, show their respect, and take the opportunity to exchange pleasantries and greetings.
Lin Lang, as Chu Yiren's male companion, wore a double-breasted white suit. His posture was tall and straight, and he carried himself with an elegant demeanor, making the domineering multi-billionaire female magnate Chu Yiren beside him appear delicate and dependent, like a captivating golden couple.
One was a top-tier pretty boy handsome enough to make one swoon, and the other was a female CEO who wielded endless wealth and power. As soon as the handsome man and beautiful woman appeared, they became the center of attention.
Today, Chu Yiren was wearing a black evening dress, exquisitely tailored with smooth lines that perfectly outlined her tall and slender figure, fully showcasing her aura as a domineering female magnate.
Chu Yiren’s cold and glamorous makeup, with skin as white as snow complemented by vibrant red lipstick, further highlighted her aloof and unapproachable personality.
Chu Yiren held her red wine glass with an air of aloofness, her exquisite small face lifted slightly, her eyes cast downwards. That air of invincibility emanated an aura of authority, as if the entire world belonged to her.
At this moment, Chu Yiren was like the third-generation female magnate dominating Shanghai, looking down on everything below her.
It is said that wealth does not last beyond three generations, but with the Chu Family reaching Chu Yiren's generation, it seemed the vast business empire of the Chu Family Consortium would continue to expand its territory due to her domineering personality.
Chu Yiren elegantly held a red wine glass in one hand, while intimately linking arms with Lin Lang in the other, and asked with a smile in her eyes, "Is it very boring to accompany me to this kind of business social event?"
Lin Lang truthfully replied, "This kind of high-society socializing is indeed quite boring."
"Everyone is talking about topics like China joining the WTO, and Shanghai abolishing Huangpu District and Nanshi District to establish a new Huangpu District, which inevitably makes one a bit sleepy."
Chu Yiren, however, replied, "These are all business opportunities!"
Lin Lang took a small sip of red wine and said with elegant charm, "Since I'm already here, as an angel investor with keen business acumen, I naturally can't miss the opportunity for venture capital to make money."
Chu Yiren said, "This afternoon, I downloaded your venture-funded Penguin QQ instant messaging software online, and registered a QQ account. You can add me as a friend later, and we can chat on QQ when we have nothing to do."
Lin Lang replied sweetly, "Okay! Yiren sister registering and using QQ truly brings glory to our Penguin Company!"
Chu Yiren raised her glass with a smile and said, "Come, here's to the great success of your Penguin QQ!"
"Cheers!"
Lin Lang and Chu Yiren clinked glasses with smiles, taking a large gulp of red wine. Their intimate closeness, openly displaying affection at a business reception, was truly something else.
Because the reception was hosted by the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, with the aim of attracting investment to Shanghai for development and construction, many wealthy businessmen from other regions came to Shanghai to seek opportunities.
Wang Jianlin, a man in his forties, held a red wine glass and slowly walked towards the intimately close Chu Yiren and Lin Lang, greeting them with a broad smile, "Hello, Chu!"
Lin Lang turned his head at the sound and saw that the person who had arrived was none other than the future richest man in China, Wang Jianlin.
It's worth noting that this year, Wang Jianlin's son, Wang Sicong, was still just a mischievous 12-year-old.
Chu Yiren looked at the unfamiliar Wang Jianlin and tentatively asked, "And you are?"
Wang Jianlin's small eyes narrowed, and he replied with a smile, "My name is Wang Jianlin, Chairman of Wanda Real Estate in Dalian City. I had business dealings with your esteemed father."
Upon hearing this, Chu Yiren shook hands with Wang Jianlin and exchanged pleasantries, saying, "A pleasure to meet you!"
Wang Jianlin feigned sadness and said, "I was deeply saddened to hear the recent unfortunate news of your esteemed father's unexpected passing. His departure is a great loss to the entire Shanghai business community!"
Chu Yiren felt a faint pang of pain upon hearing this, but replied expressionlessly, "Since Chairman Wang is a friend of my father, we'll have opportunities to invest in projects and make a fortune together in the future."
Wang Jianlin squinted his eyes, smiling apologetically, and raised his glass, saying, "It is our Wanda's great fortune to be able to cooperate with your esteemed company. We eagerly anticipate actively collaborating with the Chu Group."
Chu Yiren politely held her red wine glass and took a small sip, indicating her acknowledgement.
Immediately after, Wang Jianlin changed the subject, looking at Chu Yiren's male companion, Lin Lang, and tentatively asked, "And who is this distinguished gentleman?"
Chu Yiren introduced with a smile, "This is Lin Lang, Chairman of Penguin Internet Company in Shenzhen City, and also my boyfriend."
A hint of surprise flashed in Wang Jianlin's eyes, but he quickly regained his smile. He extended his hand towards Lin Lang and respectfully said, "Chairman Lin, a pleasure to meet you!"
Lin Lang politely shook Wang Jianlin's hand and replied courteously, "Chairman Wang, hello!"
Wang Jianlin complimented, "Chairman Lin has an imposing presence and is extraordinarily handsome. He truly is a perfect match for Chu!"
Lin Lang exchanged pleasantries, "Not at all! Chairman Wang, you flatter me!"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries.
Wang Jianlin once again turned the conversation to Chu Yiren, smiling apologetically, "Chu, our Wanda Real Estate is involved in residential development, while your Chu Group specializes in commercial real estate projects."
"This time, Lin Lang came to Shanghai to attend this business reception because I have a Wanda Plaza project, and I hope to discuss cooperation with your company to jointly invest in and develop the Wanda Plaza commercial real estate project in Shanghai."
Lin Lang's eyes lit up upon hearing this, because an opportunity to make money had arrived.
Chu Yiren asked, "May I ask, Chairman Wang, what does this Wanda Plaza commercial project mainly encompass?"
Wang Jianlin replied, "Wanda Plaza includes large commercial centers, integrating various functions such as shopping, dining, culture, and entertainment."
Chu Yiren was very interested after hearing this, so she asked, "Then what is the operating model of the Wanda Plaza commercial center?"
Wang Jianlin replied, "It follows a single-store tenant recruitment model, with each floor dedicated to a specific commercial format. Well-known brands like Walmart will be introduced to drive sales in other units, and the business and profit models are relatively simple."
Chu Yiren continued to ask, "Chairman Wang, could you explain in more detail?"
Wang Jianlin then began to explain in detail the business model of the first-generation Wanda Plaza.
Basically, the first-generation Wanda, in simple terms, was a pure commercial box-style single store.
The single-floor area ranged from 5,000 to 10,000 square meters, typically with 4 floors above ground, and a total scale ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 square meters. The first floor was divided for sale, the second and third floors were standard Walmart supermarkets, and the fourth floor was standard Wanda Cinemas + Big Player arcades, along with some dining options.
Lin Lang thought to himself, "This is the simple operating model of the first-generation Wanda. The second-generation Wanda Plaza, many years later, would introduce commercial complex products, adding various formats and brand stores such as urban pedestrian streets, five-star hotels, office buildings, and apartments."
In plain terms, the current Wang Jianlin was still quite green, and his business acumen had not yet fully developed.
Chu Yiren was very interested after hearing this. With her astonishing business acumen, after a brief understanding, she immediately saw the shortcomings of the first-generation Wanda.
Therefore, Chu Yiren replied, "Chairman Wang, the advantage of your Wanda Plaza is its simple commercial planning, which allows for rapid replication. However, the disadvantage is that relying solely on the scattered sales of first-floor units makes it difficult to support Wanda's cash flow for rapid development and expansion into a chain."
"So, Chairman Wang is willing to make concessions and share profits from this lucrative project, inviting our Chu Group to jointly invest and partner, correct?"
Wang Jianlin exclaimed in admiration, "Truly, a tiger begets no dog!"
"The daughter of the venerable Chu, a magnate of Hu Merchant, understood the shortcomings of our Wanda Plaza's business model in just a few words. Indeed, she is no ordinary person."
"Chairman Wang, you flatter me!" Chu Yiren's lips curved slightly.
Wang Jianlin tentatively asked, "Regarding the project to build Wanda Plaza in Shanghai, I wonder if the Chu Group is interested in participating in the cooperation?"
Chu Yiren intentionally looked at Lin Lang and asked in a testing manner, "My angel investor boyfriend, you understand venture capital. Let me hear your advice."
Lin Lang elegantly held his red wine glass and confidently and gracefully replied, "Given the current investment scale of Wanda's box-style single-store commercial model, an investment of 500 million chinese yuan should be sufficient for Shanghai Wanda Plaza."
"A mere 500 million chinese yuan is not difficult for Chairman Wang to secure venture capital financing. The reason he is making concessions and offering profits to the Chu Group for cooperation, to jointly invest in Shanghai Wanda Plaza, is because he is interested in the commercial land held by the Chu Group."
Chu Yiren nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Wang Jianlin squinted his eyes and smiled, complimenting, "It seems Chu's boyfriend is not simple! He saw through Lin Lang's purpose for coming to Shanghai for this business reception at a glance."
"That's right!"
"Regarding land auctions in Shanghai, for all prime commercial land, if the Chu Group wants to acquire a plot, other real estate developers basically don't dare to compete, and even if they do, they won't get it."
"Our Wanda Plaza's commercial locations are all in the bustling core areas of the city. The possibility of getting the best plots in Shanghai's land auctions, with the Chu Group yielding land, is basically zero."
Chu Yiren elegantly held her red wine glass and proudly stated, "Shanghai is our Chu Family's Shanghai."
"With the powerful connections of our Chu Family, a three-generation Hu Merchant magnate family entrenched in Shanghai, the commercial development rights for Shanghai's core areas will absolutely not be allowed to be touched by others."
Lin Lang said with a smile, "So, Chairman Wang wants to jointly invest in and build Shanghai Wanda Plaza with the Chu Group, not just because the Chu Group has strong financial resources, but also because the Chu Group holds core commercial land in Shanghai."
Wang Jianlin exclaimed in admiration, "Chairman Lin is truly no ordinary person!"
"Chairman Lin and Chu, if you two progress from being boyfriend and girlfriend to marriage, I'm afraid if a single chinese yuan coin drops in Shanghai, it will belong to you, the magnate couple."
Lin Lang smiled slightly, "Chairman Wang, you exaggerate."
Chu Yiren looked at Lin Lang with eyes full of admiration and asked, "My dear, tell me! Should we invest in the Shanghai Wanda Plaza project or not?"