Chapter 26: The Major Benefactor

After leaving the gym, Zheng Qian asked Jin Lu to drop him off at his company.

On the way, Zheng Qian remembered he still needed a lawyer, so he sent a text message to Wang Zhao.

Zheng Qian: Lawyer Wang, have you left yet? [Sweat]
Wang Zhao: Not yet, Young Master Zheng. My flight is tonight. Is there something you need?
Zheng Qian: [Location]
Zheng Qian: Come here for a moment and look over a contract for me.
Wang Zhao: Understood, Young Master Zheng. I’m on my way!

Upon arriving at the company, Zheng Qian sent Jin Lu away. He called Chen Weiqiang to let him know he had arrived downstairs. Soon, Chen Weiqiang came down to meet him.

"Mr. Zheng, you're here. Come on up; Director Liu and I were just about to contact you."

In the conference room, three people—two men and a woman—sat around a long table.

"You don't need an introduction to Director Liu, I assume. This is my attorney, Lawyer Yin, and this is Director Liu's attorney, Lawyer Luo," Chen Weiqiang said, gesturing for Zheng Qian to take a seat.

"Mr. Zheng, let me introduce you to..." The two lawyers briefed Zheng Qian in detail on the equity agreement, the laws governing shareholding, as well as his position and benefits.

In short: sign the papers and transfer the funds, and he would officially become the vice president of the company. By noon tomorrow, Zheng Qian's shareholder information would be verifiable through the industrial and commercial departments and various business apps.

"By the way, we haven't discussed salary. Mr. Zheng, what are your expectations?"

Zheng Qian wasn't here to work for a wage; he was here to expand his network and improve himself. He didn't care about the money. If he wanted to earn money, he could just spend it on women. However, taking nothing at all seemed inappropriate.

Zheng Qian thought for a moment. Since he and Liu Shiqi were both vice presidents, he asked, "What is Director Liu's salary?"

"Oh, the company is just starting out, so the salaries aren't very high. I take 30,000, and Director Liu takes 25,000."

"Then I'll take the same as Director Liu."

Liu Shiqi leaned back in her chair with a cold expression. Hearing that Zheng Qian wanted the same salary as her, she couldn't help but sneer. She and Zheng Qian were primarily meant to collect company dividends; it wasn't that she thought Zheng Qian couldn't earn 25,000, but rather that his attitude of equating himself to her seemed somewhat laughable.

"Very well, 25,000 it is. Would you like to have another lawyer look over this?" Chen Weiqiang was certain his contract was flawless, but he didn't offer to provide a lawyer, wanting Zheng Qian to find his own to avoid any suspicion of collusion or fraud.

"Yes, I have already called for a lawyer." Just as Zheng Qian finished speaking, Wang Zhao messaged him to say he was downstairs. Zheng Qian told him to come up.

After a knock, Wang Zhao entered the conference room dressed in a sharp suit, looking like a true elite of society.

"Director Chen? Director Liu?" Wang Zhao was surprised to see familiar faces.

"Lawyer Wang?"
"Senior?" Lawyers Yin and Luo were equally astonished.
"Xiao Yin? Xiao Luo? You two are here too? What a coincidence."

Wang Zhao was Zheng Qian's lawyer?

Wang Zhao was their senior; Chen Weiqiang and Liu Shiqi had been his clients in the past. However, after Wang Zhao was transferred away from Yebai to a high-profile position in Shanghai, they hadn't seen him since. Chen Weiqiang and Liu Shiqi, impressed by Wang Zhao's expertise, had repeatedly tried to hire him for cases, but since he was in Shanghai and couldn't travel, he had recommended his two juniors to them as their dedicated counsel.

Liu Shiqi was surprised, but more than that, she was indignant. She had tried to hire Wang Zhao multiple times, only to be turned down. Why was it that a single phone call from Zheng Qian brought him running? Was her money not enough, or was her face not worth enough? She began to harbor negative feelings toward Wang Zhao.

"Young Master Zheng, I am truly sorry for being late," Wang Zhao apologized sincerely to Zheng Qian.

Zheng Qian was his biggest benefactor. Even if he were already in Shanghai, one message from Zheng Qian would have him booking a flight back to Yebai instantly, let alone just staying behind to check a contract.

"It's fine. Since you all know each other, it makes things easier. Please, sit down. Look over the contract, and if there are no issues, I will sign."

"Understood, Young Master Zheng. I will check it now." Following orders, Wang Zhao sat next to Zheng Qian and began to scrutinize the contract meticulously.

Wang Zhao actually called him... Young Master Zheng? What was going on? His respectful demeanor was hard not to be suspicious of. An elite lawyer from a top-tier Shanghai firm only acted this way toward major benefactors; otherwise, he was always high-and-mighty, full of arrogance. Was Zheng Qian his benefactor? It didn't look like it, but if not, how else to explain this behavior? Liu Shiqi was full of doubts.

Seeing this, Chen Weiqiang confirmed his previous hunch: Zheng Qian was definitely not a man who relied on others for a living.

After reading the contract carefully, Wang Zhao was astonished to find that Zheng Qian was paying 30 million to acquire 24% of Chen Weiqiang's company. This was likely just one of many assets under Zheng Qian's name. After all, the man could casually spend 30 million on a house, and to seek justice for Jin Lu, he hadn't hesitated to spend 8 million in legal fees. Compared to that, this investment in Chen Weiqiang's company was merely pocket change.

"Young Master Zheng, I have reviewed it. The contract is in order." Wang Zhao's professional capability was impressive. He didn't care about his relationship with Chen Weiqiang, Liu Shiqi, or his two juniors; if there was an issue, he would point it out for Zheng Qian immediately.

After all, Zheng Qian was his biggest benefactor. In all his years of practice, he had never seen a man spend money like this; he had to keep him satisfied.

Zheng Qian nodded. Since there were no issues, he signed. Immediately after, he used his phone to transfer the funds into the company account for the finance department to process.

"Excellent. Congratulations, Mr. Zheng, on officially becoming part of our company." Once the payment was received, Chen Weiqiang stood up to shake Zheng Qian's hand.

Liu Shiqi was more measured. Only after Chen Weiqiang and Zheng Qian finished shaking hands did she force a smile and shake his hand as well. "Welcome, Mr. Zheng." The welcome sounded hollow, but Zheng Qian didn't take it to heart.

After a few polite exchanges, they dismissed the three lawyers. Chen Weiqiang put an arm around Zheng Qian's shoulder as they left the office, with Liu Shiqi following close behind.

"Everyone, please pause your work for a moment. I’d like to introduce Mr. Zheng Qian. From now on, he will be responsible for our company's public relations and certain domestic business operations. Let's welcome him!"

"Welcome, Mr. Zheng!"
"Welcome!"
A round of warm applause filled the air.

"Xixi, come here. Add Mr. Zheng to our company group chat and then take him to his office." Chen Weiqiang turned to Zheng Qian. "Mr. Zheng, she will be your secretary from now on. If you are dissatisfied with anything in the office, just tell Xixi to have it changed."

Zheng Qian nodded, exchanged WeChat contacts with Xia Xixi, and joined the group. Upon entering, the screen was filled with: [Welcome Mr. Zheng!]

Zheng Qian: [Hello everyone.]
Zheng Qian: [I look forward to your support in the future (smiling emoji).]

Zheng Qian checked the group size—about 68 people. It was a decent scale. He immediately sent a large red envelope in the chat. The screen was flooded again: [Thank you, Mr. Zheng! So generous!]

"I sent a red envelope in the group. You should hurry up and claim it," Zheng Qian said to Xia Xixi, who was leading the way. She was wearing a ponytail, professional office attire, Balenciaga stockings, and high heels that clicked rhythmically on the floor.

"Why would I need to claim it?"

"It's fine if you don't. Everyone is guaranteed at least 1,000."

Xia Xixi stopped in her tracks, looking at Zheng Qian in utter disbelief.