Chapter 68: Let Me Lend You Some Money

Under the streetlights, Si Yang boarded a business van and departed into the distance. Everyone turned to look at Zhi Chu, and quite a few staff members sighed, feeling somewhat regretful. Li Hongzhou pointed at Zhi Chu, his expression one of disapproval, and said, "You, really!"

It was obvious to everyone that Si Yang was interested, but he just hadn't seized the opportunity.

"Young people always think they can control everything. But you have to remember, she's from the entertainment industry—one turn and she's gone, and that's all it takes to miss your chance," a director commented with a hint of reproach.

Zhi Chu simply shrugged, then turned to the crew, bowed, and said, "Thank you all for your hard work. Until we meet again!"

Zhou Yun, however, shot an annoyed glance at the director and retorted, "Who missed out on whom is still up in the air."

Li Hongzhou exchanged a glance with the director, then clapped his hands. "That's a wrap! Thanks for everyone's efforts. Pack up, and let's go eat..."

But despite the mention of dinner, none of the guests joined. In dating reality shows like this, the focus is on the stories between the ordinary people the crew films, and there's little real intersection with the production team—none of the usual camaraderie.

Instead, the five of them decided to find somewhere to eat on their own.

At a hotel restaurant, the five sat around a table. As the waiter finished serving the dishes, Huang Zejun muttered, "It does feel a little different, doesn't it?"

No one responded, but everyone understood exactly what he meant. The show had six participants, but their farewell dinner had become a table for five.

"We all drove here, so let's skip the alcohol tonight."

"Next time, we'll drink—just don't drive then. Time really flew; it ended before I even realized it."

"Yeah."

Suddenly, Yang Jiaxing chuckled and pointed at Huang Zejun. "Jun, do you know what I thought the first time I saw you?"

Huang Zejun looked over.

"Haha! I was thinking, what's with this old guy—coming to a dating show in a full suit?"

Huang Zejun glared. "What's wrong with a suit? It's a sign of respect! And I thought you sure talked a lot for a kid—show-off!"

The table erupted with laughter.

After a while, Huang Zejun slid his chair closer to Zhi Chu and asked quietly, "What's your situation? Why haven't you come to talk to me?"

Zhi Chu snapped out of his thoughts. "Talk about what?"

Huang Zejun frowned, his suspicions confirmed—this guy was having second thoughts.

"Buying my company, obviously! Word's already out—I have a few small influencers starting the process to break their contracts, and some people are already trying to poach my staff. If you don't move fast, I won't be able to hold things together much longer." Here, Huang Zejun lowered his voice.

"It's nothing to me—as long as I keep a few people, it's fine. Photoshoots aren't complicated. I just feel like you pointed me down a good path, but you'll end up with nothing to show for it. You'd be taking quite a loss. Just don't blame me later."

Zhi Chu seemed to remember suddenly and said, "Oh, that? But I don't have any money right now."

Across the table, Yang Jiaxing had been listening in on their conversation. He caught Zhi Chu's comment about having no money and quickly leaned over.

"No money? Just tell me—what am I here for? We're not strangers. Speak up."

Yang Jiaxing was, after all, in finance—specifically, lending. But he was never content with just being a lender.

Zhi Chu pushed his chair back, glancing at both men, indicating they should just talk among themselves.

In truth, Yang Jiaxing could more or less guess what Zhi Chu was after. Zhi Chu had ties with DY, and Huang Zejun ran an influencer company. Clearly, the influencer market was Zhi Chu's target.

What Yang Jiaxing didn't quite understand was, if that was the case, why not pursue a perfect ending with Si Yang?

Still, in his assessment, Zhi Chu was a solid bet. In investment, you have to consider the person as well as the project.

It was clear Huang Zejun didn't want Yang Jiaxing involved. He said to Zhi Chu, "If you really don't have the money, I can lend it to you."

Zhi Chu stared at him. "Jun, do you even realize what you're saying?"

Huang Zejun nodded. "Of course. I'll lend it to you—I still have some on hand."

Yang Jiaxing fell silent. Impressive—you're willing to put in the effort and the money.

Zhi Chu couldn't help but laugh. "So you want to lend me money, and I'll use your money to buy your company? Does that even make sense?"

"Or, we could do it another way—split the studio and the company, and I take company shares in exchange. That's fine too."

It all sounded absurd, essentially giving away most of the company for free. But Huang Zejun had thought it through: if the studio was accounted for separately, his own interests wouldn't be affected. Even if he gave Zhi Chu the company in exchange for some shares, he wouldn't lose out.

Because with the studio in operation, the professionals would naturally gravitate there. The company would be little more than an empty shell with maybe a few support staff. In fact, Huang Zejun worried this might scare Zhi Chu off.

Why was he so clear-headed about this? Years of legal battles with his own influencers had taught him well.

If your company isn't strong enough, you can't hold on to big influencers. It's a passive, powerless position.

Now, Huang Zejun's goal was to become a top influencer himself.

Zhi Chu thought for a moment and replied, "Then just lend me the money."

From his perspective, if he allocated too few shares, the other party would be dissatisfied; too many? Impossible. Even just looking at the present, with both Huang Zejun and Zhou Yun, the foundation was solid.

"Alright, but Zhi Chu, just give me a sense of how you'll divide things between the studio and the company," Huang Zejun asked seriously.

Zhi Chu smiled. "No rush. Let's talk at the company in a few days."

He closed the topic—he had no desire to negotiate business with a friend.

Why was he dragging his feet? First, the longer he waited, the more advantageous it would be. Second, there was still a missing piece—his bargaining chips weren't enough.

Besides, Zhi Chu wasn't concerned about splitting benefits with Huang Zejun. Even if the studio took eighty percent, so what? Huang Zejun's model wasn't designed for quick cash—at most, he could build a brand with high value and positive energy. Ultimately, Huang Zejun's greatest asset was the ownership of the account and himself.

This wasn't a simple matter of profit-sharing. To put it bluntly, it was closer to a transaction of people—best left to professionals.

Zhi Chu was in no hurry, and Huang Zejun was out of options. He couldn't possibly beg, could he? That would be desperate.

Yang Jiaxing more or less understood now: Jun wanted to give his company to Zhi Chu in exchange for shares, then run his own studio in partnership with him.

He did some quick mental math—the prospects were huge, especially with Zhi Chu's connections at DY. That was the real advantage.

"Lao Tang, like I said—if you need money, come to me." Even the way Yang Jiaxing addressed him had changed.

Zhi Chu nodded and was about to respond when his phone rang. He gestured at his phone, indicating he needed to take the call.

It was Wang Jun.

"Xiao Chu, your father's pain has flared up. But don't worry—we're already at the hospital. Finish up and come when you can."

Zhi Chu hung up.

"Something urgent came up. Sorry, everyone."

With that, he rushed out of the private room.