He Desheng handled all the paperwork, so Pei Qian didn’t need to worry about it.

Though He Desheng didn’t understand why Mr. Pei would spend millions picking up garbage, since it was settled, there was no need to ask more. Mr. Pei’s arrangements had their reasons – he just needed to watch and learn.

Matters were quickly settled. The investors left the conference room one by one, with Meng Chang leaving fastest, seemingly unwilling to have any further contact with anyone in the room.

As a judgment defaulter, Meng Chang couldn’t fly or take high-speed trains. Returning to the capital meant taking regular green-skin trains – several hours of misery ahead.

Of course, Cold Noodle Girl was gone now, and whether Meng Chang would stay in the capital remained uncertain. But clearly, no one present cared about Meng Chang’s future – they’d be lucky if they didn’t devour him alive.

Li Shi made polite remarks, wanting to invite the investors for dinner, but everyone declined.

No mood!

In fact, these investors came to Jing Zhou only for Mr. Pei’s sake, seeking bottom-line buyers for their garbage Cold Noodle Girl shares. With shares sold, this investment’s complete failure was official. Who had appetite for dinner?

Many couldn’t understand Li Shi’s composure.

Mr. Pei had previously made hundreds of thousands selling Cold Noodle Girl shares. Even now spending three million for bargain hunting meant no loss. But Mr. Li invested in Cold Noodle Girl, and even acquiring cheap shares later – this clearly meant huge losses like us, yet you seem perfectly fine?

Incomprehensible.

Though all in investment, capital investors naturally looked down on small-place investment companies like Jing Zhou’s. Capital investors funded limitless internet companies with potential to become super giants – what could small towns like Jing Zhou invest in?

Of course, they didn’t look down on Mr. Pei specifically. To capital investors, being an investor was just one of Mr. Pei’s many identities. His real identity should be an entrepreneur in gaming and physical industries.

Everyone dispersed, only Mr. Li remained.

Having just gained a new money-burning tree, Pei Qian felt good.

Cold Noodle Girl had proven with hard cash it couldn’t be saved – more money would just be wasted. Now with the brand ruined, it was worthless from all angles.

Reopen stores, steadily burn cash, hoping someday to treat the nation to cheap, tasty grilled cold noodles.

Suddenly remembering something, he told He Desheng: “Oh, one more thing.”

“Though Cold Noodle Girl failed, suppliers are innocent. Now Meng Chang owes them millions – this debt won’t be repaid soon.”

“These suppliers’ cash flow might suffer from unpaid bills – an undeserved calamity.”

“My thought is we advance this payment, essentially transferring the debt to us. Meng Chang’s a judgment defaulter now – let him slowly repay this debt.”

Currently, Meng Chang owed suppliers money. Even if he didn’t want to be a deadbeat and tried repaying himself, these millions would take years. If Meng Chang truly gave up and planned to be a deadbeat forever, that money was hopeless.

Pei Qian’s idea essentially transferred the risk of unrecoverable money from suppliers to himself.

He did this partly because suppliers were pitiable – unpaid bills might bankrupt small suppliers, an undeserved calamity for them. For Pei Qian, currently worried about excess money, converting some into Meng Chang’s debt slightly reduced this cycle’s pressure.

Besides, this money wasn’t free to Meng Chang – he’d eventually repay it.

He Desheng didn’t question, nodding in agreement.

Mr. Li gave thumbs up: “Mr. Pei’s righteousness! Only you would do such benevolent acts.”

Pei Qian looked at Li Shi, somewhat helpless.

Clearly Li Shi misunderstood again, but Pei Qian couldn’t explain.

Pei Qian felt melancholy. When would Mr. Li understand that blindly following my investments also meant huge losses?

Currently, Li Shi had lost considerably too. Previous investments had turned to shares, but Cold Noodle Girl shares were now worthless.

Unless Cold Noodle Girl’s valuation surged again or became profitable, Mr. Li’s money seemed unlikely to return.

Yet looking at Mr. Li’s manner, he seemed confident in Cold Noodle Girl’s revival – absolutely absurd.

Pei Qian couldn’t understand why Mr. Li was so blindly confident…

After exams, Pei Qian felt relaxed, not rushing to leave. He decided to stay at Yun Meng Venture drinking tea with Mr. Li.

Li Shi sipped tea, voicing his long-held question: “Mr. Pei, regarding Meng Chang, do you have any special arrangements?”

To Li Shi, Meng Chang definitely had ability – otherwise so many investors wouldn’t see him as a perfect entrepreneur. Just seemed his character was flawed, somewhat too arrogant, not grounded enough.

Even the best brain would be wasted if not used properly, even causing greater damage.

Mr. Pei transferring Meng Chang’s and suppliers’ debt to himself seemed partially helping suppliers, but also might indicate special uses for Meng Chang?

Li Shi’s question stumped Pei Qian.

Special arrangements for Meng Chang?

Honestly, none…

Judging by Cold Noodle Girl’s situation, Meng Chang seemed excellent at spending money. Securing so much financing for Cold Noodle Girl, he’d quickly spent it all plus accrued massive debt. This spending power was rarely seen among Pei Qian’s associates.

But Meng Chang truly had ability. Even grilled cold noodles became internet sensations – both Cold Noodle Girl’s founding and collapse caused online uproar. This marketing ability was explosive.

Pei Qian worried: what if Meng Chang worked for him and used this marketing ability to make projects hugely profitable?

This possibility was high – Pei Qian had faced this before.

Even people less capable than Meng Chang had flourished under Mr. Pei. If Meng Chang reformed and started fresh under Mr. Pei…

So Pei Qian was conflicted. When Meng Chang left, he didn’t stop him or offer employment.

Thinking this, Pei Qian calmly said: “Let nature take its course.”

Li Shi pondered thoughtfully before showing realization: “Oh, understood. Mr. Pei, you mean Meng Chang’s mind is still active now, won’t settle down to work for you, so let him struggle outside first. Once he’s battered and bruised, he’ll naturally return humbly, right?”

Li Shi looked like he’d grasped the truth.

Pei Qian looked at him with a question mark slowly appearing overhead.

?

What are you talking about!

Li Shi stood up satisfied: “Mr. Pei, I have company matters. I’ll go now. Let’s meet again soon.”

Li Shi’s departing figure radiated inexplicable confidence.

Pei Qian silently drank tea, eyes showing confusion.

This Mr. Li… what imaginary plotlines has he concocted now?

…

Fu Hui Capital.

Xue Zhebin listened to Li Shi’s analysis, understanding: “Mr. Li, you mean Mr. Pei definitely has other uses for Meng Chang? Otherwise wouldn’t transfer debt to himself?”

Li Shi nodded: “Exactly. I believe Mr. Pei’s focus on Meng Chang seems excessive. If there weren’t additional intentions, I wouldn’t believe it.”

“This time Mr. Pei becomes Meng Chang’s creditor, clearly gaining more control over him.”

“Meng Chang is very smart, meaning he extremely resists being controlled. Mr. Pei obviously understands this, hence saying ‘let nature take its course.'”

“Taming wild beasts requires more than whips.”

“Obviously, to repay external debts, Meng Chang’s first move will be seeking investors for new ventures. He won’t accept being a judgment defaulter, urgently wanting quick profits from new projects to repay debt.”

“As long as Meng Chang maintains this mindset, future projects will definitely fail – just beautifully packaged scams. And Mr. Pei despises those unwilling to work honestly most.”

“So even if Mr. Pei uses him, it’ll be after he’s hit walls everywhere, desperate.”

Xue Zhebin asked: “How does Mr. Pei ensure Meng Chang hits walls everywhere, becomes desperate?”

Li Shi said: “Currently Meng Chang’s a judgment defaulter, fresh from project failure. Investors shouldn’t trust him again. But Meng Chang’s arrogant – after tasting entrepreneurial success, ordinary jobs won’t satisfy him.”

“Cold Noodle Girl’s bankruptcy caused internet-wide discussion. I bet Mr. Pei will fuel this. Once details emerge, Meng Chang gets labeled a scammer – then he’s truly desperate.”

“Then Mr. Pei will place him in suitable positions.”

Xue Zhebin nodded approvingly but reconsidered: “But Mr. Pei has abundant talent. Why care so much about Meng Chang? No need to work so hard reforming a scammer?”

Li Shi shook his head, continuing: “Obviously, Mr. Pei has a more important purpose: warning everyone!”

Xue Zhebin was confused: “Warning? Warning what? Investment risks? Entrepreneurship caution?”

Li Shi shook his head: “Of course not. Are such simple truths worth Mr. Pei’s effort?”

“Mr. Pei warns those with ill intentions wanting to scam Yun Meng Venture money: scamming Yun Meng Venture has no good outcome!”

“Sacrificing chickens to warn monkeys, Meng Chang is that sacrificed chicken.”

“Look at Meng Chang – perfect entrepreneur from all aspects, yet just for ill intentions, what’s his fate? Millions in debt, reputation ruined.”

“If Meng Chang had initially scammed other investors, he might’ve succeeded, safely escaped. But scamming Mr. Pei resulted in becoming a judgment defaulter with millions in debt.”

“Even someone of Meng Chang’s caliber couldn’t fool Mr. Pei – do others dare act presumptuously before Mr. Pei?”

“Tenda’s industries grow increasingly numerous, Mr. Pei busier. He can’t micromanage Yun Meng Venture like before.”

“Indeed, Mr. Pei already uses ‘standardized’ management for Yun Meng Venture: investing equally in projects meeting criteria.”

“But this poses problems – what if investors intentionally scam money maliciously? Like Meng Chang, lavishly spending to inflate valuations then planning to cash out?”

“Such entrepreneurs will definitely exist, and many.”

“Mr. Pei expending such energy dealing with Meng Chang sends a clear message: sacrificing chickens to warn monkeys! Let scheming entrepreneurs see – wanting to trick Yun Meng Venture money, Meng Chang’s your fate!”

Xue Zhebin seemed to understand partially.

Li Shi continued: “Investors like us invest selectively. Scammers easily approach us – being deceived only blames our incompetence, with no good solutions.”

“But Mr. Pei took another path: sacrificing chickens to warn monkeys, deterring scammers from approaching, directly excluding ill-intentioned entrepreneurs. This way, regardless of investment success or failure, Mr. Pei’s money serves positive purposes.”

“I think… this might mean Mr. Pei’s investment philosophy has reached a new level?”

Xue Zhebin couldn’t help but sigh: “Mr. Pei’s investment philosophy is too profound. Forget imitating – even understanding is difficult.”

Li Shi sipped tea, smiling: “Perhaps it’s natural talent.”