Chapter 159

: The Failure and the Investment
Translator: 
Sparrow Translations 
 Editor: 
Sparrow Translations
Rice Cake rolled over before she continued to sleep. Zhao Yao instantly rolled his eyes at this scene.
Theoretically, cats were supposed to be extremely alert even while sleeping to escape from a potential aggressor’s attack. They should be light sleepers and would be awakened by any small movement or noise.
Only domestic cats which had spent a lot of time at home, ranging from a few months to a few years, would lose their alertness and continued to sleep regardless of their surroundings.
Rice Cake’s behavior was more like a domestic cat which had spent years with Zhao Yao than a stray cat which had just joined him.

It seems like Celestial Beats is really effective at ameliorating its pain.

The doorbell rang and jolted Zhao Yao from his thoughts. Zhao Yao raised his head and saw Xiao Ming entering.
Zhao Yao’s eyes immediately lit up when he saw Xiao Ming. He whispered,
Is he coming with my RMB 52 million?

However, Zhao Yao noticed the expression on Xiao Ming’s face and the smile on Zhao Yao’s face vaporized.
When he first met Xiao Ming, he was a suave and confident young man. Now, he looked more like a homeless man than the fuerdai that he was. His hair was a mess, and his clothes were filthy and crinkled.
Celestial Beats seemed to have no impact on Xiao Ming as his expression remained as solemn as ever.
He sat on the chair opposite Zhao Yao with his head lowered before uttering a few words,
Boss I apologize for disturbing you at this hour.
Xiao Ming raised his head and took a look at the café and asked,
I hope I did not interrupt you.

The café had not opened for the day. Shi Yu and Baiquan were still busy with some last minute touch up to ensure that the café was ready for business. The cats were lazing around in their corners.
Matcha noticed Xiao Ming and sauntered towards him and leaped onto his lap with a meow.
Matcha thought,
This guy should be pretty rich! I’ll make him succumb to my cute white paws!
Matcha buried his head into Xiao Ming’s arms.
Xiao Ming’s lips finally curled into a smile after seeing how affectionate Matcha was towards him.
Zhao Yao looked at Xiao Ming and asked,
Why did you come here today? What happened?

Xiao Ming let out a long sigh before he started explaining,
I don’t know what had happened, but my uncles are constantly arguing over the company. Now, the business has plummeted, and it is on the verge of ceasing operation. The state of the company is worsening by the day just like my granny’s condition. We don’t even dare to inform her about the company’s situation.

Zhao Yao already knew the reason behind the chaos in the Xiao’s organization.
The instigator behind the entire Xiao’s organization saga was Ho Hao Cang. Now that he was dead, the uncles who supported him had no leader to take their instructions from which resulted in the constant arguments.

Ho Hao Cang only met his demise a few days ago. I didn’t imagine the information to spread so quickly. With Hao Cang dead, I’m sure many are hungry to take over him as the leader which resulted in the internal conflict.
Zhao Yao speculated.
Zhao Yao raised his head and took a look at Xiao Ming. He asked,
I’m sure there’s something else which is bothering you.

Xiao Ming just smiled bitterly and answered,
I invested some of my money into the stock market when the economy was doing well.

Zhao Yao asked curiously,
How much did you put in?

Xiao Ming took in a deep breath before answering,
Approximately 20 million RMB. With the plummeting housing price due to the earthquakes, I decided to sell all my properties and invested them in the stock market instead.

Zhao Yao rolled his eyes when he heard Xiao Ming’s rash decision. Zhao Yao had just captured earthquake cat which would most likely spell the end of the earthquakes in Jiangmen city. This meant that the housing price would bounce back. To think that Xiao Ming had sold his properties and invested them in stocks.
Zhao Yao just asked,
How much are you left with?

Xiao Ming’s hands trembled, and tears welled up in his eyes. He answered,
I tried doing leverage, and now it had all backfired.


Backfired? Does that mean you are left with nothing?
Zhao Yao clutched his face between his hands and whispered,
This guy is fcking ballsy. First, he sold all his properties and invested them in stocks. Secondly, he even tried to do leverage.

Xiao Ming frantically scratched his head and said,
I don’t know why but the stock prices just plummeted all of a sudden. Initially, it has already increased by a few folds.

He suddenly went on his feet and announced with a determined voice,
Never mind! I plan to sell my sports car! With this cash, I would enter the market and recoup my losses.


You still want to buy stocks?
Zhao Yao was left speechless by his rashness.
Xiao Ming replied,
No, I’ve already carefully thought through my decisions. Investing in stocks does not benefit the country or the people. It is not something that I’m suited for. I’ve decided to invest my money in my new company. I’ll take it one step at a time to serve the nation and the people.


That’s a pretty good idea!
Zhao Yao continued asking,
What industry are you looking at?


Transit elevated bus!
Xiao Ming announced with a gleeful smile on his face. He continued,
This would mark the next revolution in transportation after the invention of the steam engine. If it’s successful, every single country in the world will adopt this technology. The future is limitless.
Furthermore, this project has the backing of the government. It will bring in lots of profits. There will not be any problems.

Zhao Yao’s brows knitted together as he was skeptical about Xiao Ming’s optimism.

To believe is to have light while to doubt is to be shrouded in darkness. If you believe, you would see the promising future. If you doubt, you would be blinded by the challenges ahead. The optimists will always prevail over the pessimists.
We have missed the opportunity to invest in properties, e-commerce, and even bitcoin. We cannot miss out on transit elevated bus.

Suddenly, Xiao Ming fixed his gaze on Zhao Yao and stared at him excitedly. He said,
Master, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! I want you to join me in this project. This is a brilliant project! Now is the best time for you to join us in this transportation revolution!


Huh?
Zhao Yao was taken aback by Xiao Ming’s unbridled enthusiasm. Zhao Yao sniggered,
I think I will give it a pass. I’m not that good at investing.


Transit elevated bus is the hope for the newer generation!
Xiao Ming declared,
I know that you are skeptical about this project. How about this, I will return you your money after I’m successful. Then, I’ll invite you to join me again!

Xiao Ming suddenly broke out into yawns in the middle of his pitch. He said,
I haven’t slept in days. Tomorrow I’ll have to take a train to meet a few others interested in the project. I just wanted to come here and catch on some sleep.


Wait!
Zhao Yao started tapping Xiao Ming on his shoulders and asked,
Are you going to get any drinks?

Xiao Ming was embarrassed with his answer as he whispered,
No, thanks. I’ll leave immediately after I wake up.


No! No! It’s such a rare opportunity for you to join us in the café! How can you not order a cup of coffee from us when you’re already here?


I won’t be able to sleep after taking a cup of coffee.


You can order a cup of fruit juice instead. We always use the freshest fruits for our wonderful fruit juice!

Xiao Ming finally relented to Zhao Yao’s request. He searched all his pockets but only managed to retrieve two coins.

Master, can you get me a cup of plain water instead? I have invested all my money into the project.

Zhao Yao rolled his eyes at the miserable coins on his table. He responded,
Never mind! I’ll treat you this time around. You can rest here before leaving.
Anyway, do you have enough money for your journey there? It will be disastrous if you faint or collapse during the trip there.


I have enough! There will be food provided for me and someone will be there to receive me.

Zhao Yao’s forehead creased together. No matter how he looked at the project, it still seemed somewhat illegitimate.
Suddenly, Matcha leaped out of Xiao Ming’s lap with a look of contempt.

What the hell? So he’s just a poor pauper now? Why did I even waste my effort to fold my ears?
Matcha began licking his fur and commented,
Now, I need to get rid of the stench of poverty quickly!

Xiao Ming observed Matcha grooming himself and shouted,
Master, why is this Scottish Fold’s ears straight and not folded?


Huh? Really?
A red glimmer immediately flashed across Zhao Yao’s eyes as he had activated Elizabeth’s power. Matcha’s body froze. Zhao Yao willed his ears to fold downwards. However, his ears had already grown somewhat distorted from the continual folding.

Xiao Ming was taken aback by what he saw and asked,
Master, is this cat okay? The shape of his ears seemed somewhat strange.


He’s okay!


He seems like he is in extreme pain. His eyes are almost popping out of the socket.


It’s a Scottish Fold. It must be the pain from osteodystrophy.


Master, why are your eyes all red?


Oh, tears welled up in my eyes when I heard your story.