Chapter 388: Investing in an Oil Company
"What are you busy with?"
Li Tang walked into Shenxia Group's finance office and saw Li Xinqi busy carrying documents back and forth.
Only when Li Xinqi heard his voice did she realize Li Tang was there. Quickly turning around, she broke into a smile, showing two charming dimples. "Why did you come during working hours? You should wait in the guest lounge or the general manager's office instead. This is the finance office, and outsiders shouldn't enter casually."
"Is that so?"
Li Tang had entered casually, unaware of these rules.
"Mr. Li!" Xiaoxi greeted him cheerfully from the side, winking playfully.
"Hello," Li Tang replied warmly, recalling that this girl often followed Li Xinqi around.
Xiaoxi giggled, secretly glancing toward the director's office before quickly stepping out. Moments later, she returned carrying a hot cup of coffee. "I added milk. It tastes great—Qiqi and I often drink this during breaks."
"Thank you," Li Tang took the coffee, which felt hot in his hand.
"Qiqi's been feeling down lately. You should spend more time with her and say nice things!" Xiaoxi whispered. Suddenly noticing movement in the director's office, she swiftly returned to her seat, showing practiced discretion—a skill obviously honed by daily practice.
As expected, Shenxia Group's finance director heard the commotion and stepped out.
"My apologies, I didn't know the rules here. I haven't looked at anything and will leave immediately!" Li Tang quickly apologized, turning to leave.
"Mr. Li, please stay!" The finance director waved hurriedly.
"You know me?"
"Who doesn't know Li Tang, the boss of Li Tang Shengshi Holdings?" The director gestured towards his office. "Do you have time to sit down for a chat?"
"Is that alright?"
"Certainly, come in for a bit. You can wait until Miss Li finishes her shift."
The finance director warmly invited Li Tang into his office, offering him a seat and casually chatting about coal mining for a while.
Suddenly, the director offered a cigarette and leaned forward, asking eagerly, "Mr. Li, I heard you made almost a billion magnesium dollars investing in Gala Aluminum's stock!"
"Not that much. Recently, Gala Aluminum's stock dropped again. After recalculating, it's not much," Li Tang casually deflected while sipping his coffee.
Gala Aluminum's stock briefly peaked at 80 magnesium dollars previously. After Magnesium-Aluminum Group's second offer of 28 billion magnesium dollars was rejected, many doubted whether a third offer would come. Amid this uncertainty, the stock price eased slightly to 76 magnesium dollars, and the capital market's enthusiasm cooled momentarily.
"You're too modest, Mr. Li." The director chuckled, pressing further, "Do you have any recommended stocks? I also trade occasionally, but I mostly lose money."
"I'm not skilled in stocks," Li Tang honestly replied.
However, the director evidently believed Li Tang was deliberately withholding his secrets.
While they chatted, Li Xinqi knocked and entered. "Director, I'm taking half a day off today."
"Sure, no need to inform me. In the future, whenever Mr. Li visits, just leave directly!" The director wasn't resentful at all about Li Tang's refusal to disclose stock information. Smiling pleasantly, he added, "Mr. Li is a valued partner of Shenxia Group. Our general manager specially instructed us to treat you exceptionally."
Li Tang stood, said goodbye politely, and left Shenxia Group with Li Xinqi.
"I came to say goodbye. I have to leave the country again," he told her apologetically, gently holding her hand. "But Xiaoxi mentioned you've been feeling down recently."
"You're at a crucial point in your career. The entire national steel industry depends on you to solve the iron ore supply crisis. National interests outweigh personal ones, and I shouldn't selfishly hold you back." Li Xinqi, though reluctant, spoke with understanding, her expression revealing hidden disappointment. "If you're busy, go ahead and don't worry about me. I'm quite accustomed to this simple daily routine of going between home and work."
"You're so understanding," Li Tang sincerely remarked.
"Where are you going this time?" Li Xinqi asked.
"First to Brazil. There's an investment matter to handle."
"You have investments in Brazil too? Iron ore?" Working at Shenxia Group, Li Xinqi had some knowledge about foreign mining firms, knowing Brazil was famous for Saltwater Sea Valley's iron ore mines.
"No, it's an oil project. I'm just investing money, not handling operations."
"Oil?" Li Xinqi's eyes widened in surprise, glistening with curiosity. "Most high-quality oilfields are state-controlled. It's not easy for ordinary people to invest in oil. Are you involved in exploration?"
"Both exploration and production, but I'm purely an investor and a minority shareholder."
"My father keeps mentioning you lately."
"What's he saying about me?"
"He says you're transforming from an industrialist into a financier. Financial investments offer quick returns but can become addictive. Many entrepreneurs take this path once their business grows." Li Xinqi glanced sideways at Li Tang and continued cautiously, "He also said you've gone mad chasing money. He bet you'll soon lose heavily and return to mining exploration."
"He has so little faith in me?" Li Tang laughed good-naturedly. "I just met your dad earlier, and he didn't say anything to my face. He only badmouths me behind my back—what a guy."
"What nonsense are you saying?" Li Xinqi rolled her eyes playfully.
"But he is a good father for raising such a beautiful and understanding daughter!" Li Tang quickly complimented.
Pretending to be annoyed, Li Xinqi changed the subject. "It's been a while since we had hotpot. How about dinner at the hotpot restaurant where we first met?"
"Great idea!" Li Tang eagerly agreed.
Early the next morning, after dropping Li Xinqi at Shenxia Group, Li Tang headed straight to the airport and flew to Brazil.
Batista appeared extravagantly dressed, surrounded by several tall beauties. "You've made quite a fortune in the stock market!" he greeted, removing his sunglasses respectfully.
"You heard about that too?" Li Tang glanced at the women around Batista.
Batista had previously invited Li Tang on a yacht trip accompanied by famous international models, none of whom interested Li Tang. Batista realized this young Chinese man possessed extraordinary self-control—or perhaps wasn't interested in women at all?
"You all, leave us," Batista waved away the women, who quickly dispersed with practiced discretion.
Li Tang admired the scenery from the seaside villa, particularly from the living room's panoramic windows overlooking beaches and yachts.
"It's beautiful here," Li Tang remarked.
"If you like it, I'll give it to you." Batista joined him, wineglass in hand, casually gazing outside.
Li Tang was startled by Batista's generosity. Clearly, Batista was willing to give up his favorite villa simply because he valued Li Tang as a talent.
"If you own this villa, countless beauties will flock to you," Batista indicated the bikini-clad women on the beach. "If you invite them, none could resist the temptation."
He pointed toward a wooden walkway leading directly to a marina. "You can dock yachts there."
Li Tang saw a huge luxury yacht moored there, recalling his previous cruise. "Truly a vacation paradise. How much does this villa cost?"
"Two million magnesium dollars, not expensive," Batista noted Li Tang's gaze. "I could give you the villa, but not the yacht."
"Is the yacht more expensive?" Li Tang teased.
"The yacht costs over ten million magnesium dollars. It's not about price—I had it custom-built and genuinely like it," Batista confessed. "But I'm eyeing an even more luxurious yacht costing over a hundred million magnesium dollars. Once my oil company starts producing 100,000 barrels daily, I'll buy the world's finest yacht, most expensive private jet, and date the most famous actresses!"
"You certainly know how to enjoy life," Li Tang chuckled, returning to his seat.
Before him was a glass of fine wine, but he barely touched it—he couldn't appreciate its bitter taste.
Batista sat down, glass refilled immediately by an attendant. Instead of drinking, he placed the glass aside. "Did you come for leisure or business?"
"Business," Li Tang answered directly, signaling Gao Jingjing, who stepped forward and placed a check for one hundred million magnesium dollars on the polished table.
Batista carefully inspected the check, momentarily stunned by the substantial sum. Although he had assets worth over a billion, actual liquid cash of this magnitude was rare, making his pulse quicken.
"Is this from your Barrick Gold deal?"
"It seems you've closely followed my activities."
"You discovered a major gold deposit for Barrick Gold—potentially establishing a second production base in Ontario, Canada! It's the talk of the global gold industry!" Batista gave him a thumbs-up. "Impressive!"
"You're well-informed about gold," Li Tang noted appreciatively.
"I initially mined gold myself but failed, switching to transportation instead. Transporting gold for miners ensures steady profits. It's effortless!" Batista laughed proudly.
Eyeing the check greedily but regaining composure, he placed it down and asked, "You want to invest in my GX Oil Company?"
"Yes," Li Tang nodded, stating his terms clearly. "I want 20% equity."
"Impossible," Batista shook his head. "Wiggins Retirement Fund invested 50 million magnesium dollars for only 5% equity."
"So GX Oil's valuation is one billion dollars?" Li Tang chuckled skeptically. "For a startup, isn't that excessive?"
"I founded it—of course it's valuable!" Batista confidently defended. "GX Oil is Brazil's only private firm licensed for oil exploration and production—a license alone worth a billion magnesium dollars!"
"How much equity will you offer?" Li Tang inquired.
"Ten percent," Batista responded firmly. "Business must be fair."
"Fifteen percent," Li Tang bargained.
Batista hesitated, studied Li Tang's determined face, and finally conceded. "I'll give you 12%, but I need permission to publicly announce your involvement, leveraging your reputation for securing financing."
"Why?" Li Tang frowned slightly.
"We're preparing an auction for drilling rights and need a bank loan urgently."
"Agreed," Li Tang nodded decisively.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen