Chapter 263 Investing in Sun Lizhe's new company
Sun Lizhe came by train. When he saw Fang Minghua, he said: "You kid, you have been in the United States for three months. Except for a trip to Chicago, you will never see him again." But come and get together."
"You know, it's quite busy here." Fang Minghua said.
"Busy? Isn't that right? I heard in Chicago that you had a hot relationship with an Ambrose University student, and the two of them went out together."
"You know all this?" Fang Minghua Pretend to be shocked.
"Haha, at the summer school of the University of Iowa, some students from our school overheard at a party, saying that you are so talented that you make other girls fascinated."
"Nonsense, we Just ordinary friends. Let’s go to the lunch restaurant now. I’ll treat you to a Chinese restaurant!”
At this time, Zhang Xianliang also came back. After Fang Minghua introduced them to each other, Zhang Xianliang immediately heard Sun Lizhe’s name. He smiled and said, "Sun Lizhe, I've heard that he was a role model for educated youth in the country back then, and you also studied abroad?"
"Yes, you came out in 1982, and now you are studying for a doctorate at Northwest University." Sun Lizhe replied.
The two chatted for a while. Fang Minghua invited Zhang Xianliang to go to dinner together, but the other party declined: "You go and eat. I have something to talk to Yi Shu."
In this case, Fang Minghua didn't force himself, so he took Sun Lizhe out of the hotel and walked west.
The Chinese restaurant Fang Minghua went to was located in the lower reaches of Binhe. It was the same restaurant where Nie Hualing invited him to have breakfast when he first met him.
The only Chinese restaurant in Iowa City. The owner is Chinese and his ancestral home is in Guangdong. The food he cooks is basically Cantonese style. Although Fang Minghua doesn’t like it very much, it’s great to be able to eat Chinese food in this small place. Not bad.
So sometimes he would come over with Zhang Xianliang and Zhang Lin for a change.
But it’s expensive.
The two came over and were greeted warmly by the boss. They ordered Rudiao roasted chicken, sizzling pork offal, and Hakka pan-fried stuffed tofu. They also ordered two bottles of Budweiser beer, and the two chatted while eating.
Fang Minghua told Sun Lizhe about the situation of his coming to the United States to create. Whether it was a script or a novel, he would have full authority to deal with any problems with future publication. Sun Lizhe agreed wholeheartedly.
“By the way, there is one more thing. The owner of City Lights Bookstore in Los Angeles and the head of the publishing house, a poet named Lawrence Ferlingay, wants to publish a domestic pioneer book. I'll start working on this when I get back." Fang Minghua said when he thought about it.
"Lawrence Ferlinghetti? I've heard of him, one of the representatives of the Beat Generation." Sun Lizhe replied: "Did you also entrust me to handle this matter?"
"Yes, it's convenient for you."
"Okay, no problem."
"Thank you, you helped me a lot."
"You're welcome, friends. It's not easy to come out. If we don't help each other, who will?" Help you?"
"That's right." The two raised their glasses and said, "Minghua, let me tell you something, I have given up studying for a Ph.D."
"What?" Fang Minghua put down his chopsticks and asked.
"My allergy to animal hair is getting worse and worse, and I can't do experiments at all. After communicating with my supervisor, I decided to give up studying for a PhD."
"Then what will you do in the future? Return to China?"
< br>Sun Lizhe shook his head: "If I have accomplished nothing, how can I have the shame to return to China? Besides, Beiling is still studying for a Ph.D., and I have to accompany her."
Fang Minghua said oh and said nothing more.
"Minghua, I have something else to ask you today. When you came to Chicago some time ago, you suggested that I open a book publishing company. I can't go to school now, so I will consider this matter carefully. After discussing with Beiling, we decided to open one. "What exactly?" Fang Minghua poured him a glass of beer and asked.
"I will first do book typesetting and general office product printing." Sun Lizhe said: "Now the United States has become popular in using computer typesetting systems, which are very advanced and convenient. I am going to build a system specifically for typesetting for customers. If in the future If possible, expand the business into book publishing. "
"This is really good. Our domestic printing is still movable type typesetting," Fang Minghua said.
“But.” Sun Lizhe hesitated for a moment, wanting to say something but not saying it.
"Is it a lack of start-up funds?" Fang Minghua asked tentatively.
"Yes, we don't have enough money. According to my publishing estimates, starting a company like this requires at least US$300,000 in start-up capital. But Beiling and I don't have that much money at all. We scraped together US$150,000, and there is still more than US$150,000 left. 150,000, we are international students, and the bank will not give me a loan without property."
"So Minghua, I want to ask you to borrow 150,000, and I will pay you the interest based on the local bank interest in the United States. . If I lose money, I will mortgage my courtyard house in Yanjing to you. Of course, I know it is not worth 150,000 US dollars."
"You can invest in it, and Beiling and I will do the rest. Find a way." Sun Lizhe said: "I came to you this time to tell you this."
Fang Minghua pondered for a moment: "I will invest, 150,000."
Seeing Fang Minghua. He agreed simply, but Sun Lizhe was stunned: "Minghua, aren't you afraid that I will suffer a loss and lose all my money?"
"I believe you have this ability." Fang Minghua said with a smile: "Also, don't sell the courtyard house in Yanjing easily, it is valuable."
"To be honest, if I can't borrow money from you , I really want to sell the courtyard house in Yanjing. Since you want to invest 150,000, then each person will share 50% of the shares. After I return to Chicago, I will send you a copy of the investment information that has been reviewed by the accounting firm back to China. "
"No need to bother, I believe you." Fang Minghua said with a smile.
"Hey, that won't work. Brothers also have to settle their accounts. In the United States, we pay special attention to this."
"Well, come on, let's drink to the big money we can make in the future." Fang Minghua laughed. He raised his beer glass.
"Making a lot of money? Haha, Minghua, you are very special. Other writers and literati in our country are ashamed to say this word, but you say it with confidence." Sun Lizhe said with a smile.
“What’s shameful about making money openly?” Fang Minghua laughed.
After dinner, Fang Minghua asked the boss at the Chinese restaurant for pen and paper. First, he wrote a letter of authorization, entrusting Sun Lizhe with full authority to publish and distribute his works in the United States.
Then the two wrote a temporary investment agreement. Fang Minghua returned to the hotel, took his bank card to the bank, and transferred US$150,000 to Sun Lizhe's account.
Sun Lizhe took the train to leave Iowa City and return to Chicago that afternoon, eager to do something big.
Fang Minghua saw him off at the train station.
He vaguely remembered that there seemed to be an educated youth named Sun Lizhe who had a career in the United States and later returned to China to open a company.
The day to return to China is getting closer and closer. IWP organized the last event. In addition to the graduation ceremony, it also collected the most satisfactory sentences written by each writer. After the selection of IWP, they have been projected in Western countries in recent days. On the side wall of the tallest building in the city on Washington Street, underneath is the busy main street. The projection is performed alternately in Chinese and English, each time lasting about ten seconds.
Fang Minghua stood on the street and saw a poem he wrote projected on the side wall:
We live in this world
Like a bunch of bullets passing through the wall of the dark night
At the end of September, Fang Minghua and his party said goodbye to Iowa City and embarked on the road back home.
(End of this chapter)