Who Needs a CEO? I Choose Stardom

At Yuan Yan Venture Capital, a meeting in the main conference room had already been going on for three hours.

Sang Yuan sat at the head of the table, his hands clasped and elbows on the desk. He leaned forward, silently staring at the subordinate giving his report, like a leopard crouched and ready to pounce.

The atmosphere in the conference room was incredibly tense.

”Boss, I didn’t expect this to happen either...”

The project he was in charge of had run into a snag. The project manager had barely finished his report and was on the verge of tears.

’The boss seems to be in a bad mood lately, and he’s especially terrifying today.’

In the ten-odd years since Yuan Yan Venture Capital was founded, not a single project chosen by the boss had ever lost money. He was a legend in the industry.

This year, the boss had finally loosened the reins, giving his most trusted subordinates the authority to invest on their own up to a certain limit. Everyone else had done well, but he was the only one who had a problem. Was the company’s first failed case going to be on his hands?

”Regret is the most pointless emotion. What you should be doing is identifying the problem and solving it. I have only one requirement: efficiency! Can you solve this by tomorrow?”

”That’s... a little difficult... The company is in Yangcheng. It takes time to get there.”

Sang Yuan was rendered speechless.

’It’s not like I’m an idiot. Do I not know it takes time to travel?’

’Can’t you sleep on the way while other people are sleeping?! Can’t you grab a bite on the road while other people are eating?!’

’By dawn, when other people are starting their workday, you’ll have arrived. Isn’t that the perfect time to talk business?!’

’Looks like this batch of middle managers is useless. I need to promote someone more competent.’

Sang Yuan’s expression was calm, but a menacing glint appeared in his eyes.

They were all long-time employees and knew his temper well. Just as they were tensing up, the boss’s silenced phone on the table lit up.

The vice president glanced over.

’Oh, a call’s coming in.’

Before he could get a better look, the boss tossed out, ”That’s all for today,” answered the phone, and walked toward the door.

By the time everyone reacted, he was already gone, leaving only a faint, ”It’s fine, I’m not busy. Go ahead.”

Everyone couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

What a savior! That call couldn’t have been more timely!

The one who had screwed up, in particular, made an exaggerated gesture of wiping his forehead.

The atmosphere in the conference room relaxed. For a moment, no one spoke, making the boss’s loud ”HAHA” from outside seem particularly distinct.

”What’s up with the boss?”

Once the first person spoke up, the man in the hot seat immediately chimed in, trying to lighten the mood.

”The boss is laughing! Looks like this project won’t be a loss after all. I can still save it.”

The vice president pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, speechless at this clueless fellow.

”The boss has a massive fortune. He can afford the loss, which is why he can laugh. I just wonder if your next job will be so easy to find. You have thirty-five hours and twenty-eight minutes. Shouldn’t you be cleaning up your mess instead of standing here gossiping!”

Never mind the reactions in the conference room. Sang Yuan was currently in a state of pure elation.

Having been husband and wife with Ni Bingyan for over a decade, he knew her very well. He knew that contacting her rashly without a good reason would only annoy her.

But now she had called him on her own initiative, and without that roadblock Wei Shuojie by her side. This was perfect!

Sang Yuan was a man who excelled at seizing opportunities and possessed more than enough patience.

Now that an opportunity had presented itself, he certainly wasn’t going to let it go.

He darted into his office in a few strides and shut the door behind him. Sang Yuan’s voice was deep and magnetic, like a dream lover whispering in her ear. ”I was just in a meeting, it was a bit noisy. Can you hear me clearly now?”

’As expected, the richer you are, the harder you work. He’s still in a meeting in the middle of the day.’

Ni Bingyan felt rather embarrassed. ”Oh? I’m sorry, did I disturb you? Should I call you back later?”

Her words were full of politeness. Sang Yuan’s heart sank a little, but he could understand. ”It’s fine, it’s fine. The meeting was about to end anyway. Is there something you need?”

Thinking it would only take a few words, Ni Bingyan quickly explained. ”I wanted to ask for some advice. I have some spare cash on hand and was wondering what would be a relatively safe investment. I don’t have time right now, and I don’t know much about this stuff, so I wanted to get your opinion.”

”You want to ask about investing? You’ve definitely come to the right person. But there are just too many options to explain in a short time. How about I send you some useful materials later so you can familiarize yourself with the basics first?”

Sang Yuan knew her personality. She would never make a rash decision about something she didn’t understand, so he first suggested sending her study materials.

’She loves to learn. This will definitely be right up her alley!’

Sang Yuan was full of confidence.

”Sorry to trouble you.”

But as it turned out, Ni Bingyan thought he was just being perfunctory, and a hint of disappointment crept into her voice.

Sang Yuan noticed it immediately.

’Looks like even experience needs to be applied flexibly in practice,’ Sang Yuan thought, then let out a soft chuckle.

”How is this any trouble at all? Isn’t this what I do for a living? The fact that you’re willing to ask me is a recognition of my abilities. I’m truly honored.”

Seeing Ni Bingyan’s silence and knowing she was probably thinking about how to end the call without being too abrupt, Sang Yuan quickly added:

”For professional matters, I suggest you leave them to a professional. Besides, you’re quite busy. Even if you learned the technical knowledge, you wouldn’t have time to manage it yourself. As it happens, I run an asset management company. I’ll send you my resume in a bit. You can take a look at the successful cases I’ve handled, and if you’re willing to entrust your investments to me, I’ll fly to Shanghai to discuss the details with you.”

Previously, he hadn’t wanted to take the initiative on this matter because he knew she was very guarded. The moment money was mentioned, she would become extremely vigilant, and he was afraid it would distance them further.

But now, on second thought, if he could manage her purse strings, wouldn’t that make him much more important in her eyes?

’Good thing I realized this early on!’

Seeing how sincere he was, and thinking that perhaps he wasn’t just placating her earlier, Ni Bingyan felt a little embarrassed. ”Well, thank you then!”

’That was close. Her tone has finally softened!’

Sang Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and said gently:

”I have you to thank for the matter with *Demon Suppression Tower*. Sister Wei is very professional and has been a great help to me. Now it’s my turn to help you, so of course it’s my duty!”

”I just made the introduction. I didn’t really do much. And you even sent me a thank-you gift. If anything, I’m the one who’s been remiss. I said I’d treat you to a meal, and I still owe you. I’m so embarrassed.”

”It’s a small thing, don’t worry about it. I heard from the neighbors that you’re in Shanghai filming a new movie? There’s no rush for the meal. When you’re back, I’ll just follow the scent of your cooking and come scrounge a meal.”

”Haha, it’s a deal then.”

Ni Bingyan just thought he was joking and casually agreed.

But just as she was about to hang up, it seemed Sang Yuan still had a lot more to say.

”Is your film crew especially busy right now? I have no idea how film crews shoot scenes. If I get the chance, I’d like to come and see, so I’m not completely clueless when *Demon Suppression Tower* starts filming. It’s my first time participating in production, I can’t be totally ignorant!”

”This movie is on a tight schedule, but the set is in the city, so the living conditions are decent. If you want to come, you’re welcome anytime!”

He could tell from her tone that her heart wasn’t in it. She probably didn’t have the patience to talk much longer.

’Sigh, this woman still hates small talk just as much as ever.’

Sang Yuan reined in his desire to say more and suggested ending the call first.

”I haven’t eaten yet, so let’s leave it at that for today. I’ll send you my resume on WeChat in a bit. You take a look first, and we can get in touch again. How does that sound?”

”Okay, okay, bye-bye-bye.”

Just as he expected, she hung up the phone immediately.

Having seen too many scumbags, she was exceptionally wary of the opposite sex, especially wealthy, unmarried men like him. She never gave them any room for romantic speculation.

If there was business, she’d discuss business. Once it was done, there was absolutely no idle chatter to deepen the relationship.

In her own words: staying single keeps you safe.

Being her husband was bliss, but trying to woo her was torture.

Sang Yuan sighed, leaned back in his chair, and stared at the ceiling for a moment before sitting up straight and calling his internal line. ”Xiao Zhao, come in for a second.”

”Boss, what is it?”

His assistant, Xiao Zhao, had just gotten his lunch and had only half-unwrapped it when he was called in. He was in no mood for small talk.

And the boss wasn’t the type for idle chatter either.

”Make a resume for me, I need it immediately. Also, register an asset management company right away. The sooner, the better.”

He’d thought about writing the resume himself, but he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to resist boasting in front of her, which would make it seem less objective.

Having been by the boss’s side for several years, Xiao Zhao had memorized every single one of his incredible achievements. He even had a resume template for the boss on his computer. If it weren’t for the limits of his typing speed, he could have it done in two minutes.

But registering a new company...

”Asset management? Boss, are we expanding into a new line of business?”

Doesn’t the company focus on long-term venture capital? Asset management is a completely different field.

Their boss had ample funds and had never taken on outside capital before.

Xiao Zhao had no idea what about that question struck the boss as funny. Just moments ago in the meeting, his face had been as dark as Lord Bao’s, but not only had his mood done a complete one-eighty, he was even in the mood to joke with him.

”That’s right. I’m going to start offering one-on-one asset management services.”

As for making a wife happy, he considered himself quite the professional.

’I’ve been so foolish lately. I actually forgot that as long as money is involved, she gets incredibly motivated.’

He might not be an expert at other things, but when it came to financial management, you probably couldn’t find a second person in the entire world who was better than him and still in the prime of his life.

Since the boss needed the resume urgently, Xiao Zhao didn’t dare ask more questions. He returned to his office, forgot about his lunch, and got to work on his computer.

But he couldn’t help muttering to himself, ’Who could be so lucky as to have our boss personally manage their assets?’

Before long, Ni Bingyan received a file that seemed to gleam with the light of money.

After carefully reading its contents, she went online, searched for financial news, and cross-referenced every single item. Ni Bingyan’s jaw dropped.

Well then. The God of Wealth himself was knocking at her door. What was the point of being so coy!

The man dealt with billions without batting an eye. It was unlikely he’d go to the trouble of scheming against her for a mere ten million!

If she lost it, worst case, she’d just have to work a little harder next year. But if she made a profit?

Look at this tycoon’s return on investment! It was more effective than robbing a bank!

Ni Bingyan’s eyes gleamed with golden light as she rubbed her hands together in excitement.

No wonder Meng Mu had to move three times. The kind of people you have as neighbors really does affect your quality of life.

She had to schedule a meeting right away and have a proper chat!