Starting as the President of a Billionaire Group

”Li Ming, take your time and tell me.” Ye Chen said.

”Ye Chen, can you come out and meet me? Just treat it as me begging you.” Li Ming said, sobbing.

After all, Li Ming was a grown man; for him to cry, he must have run into something he really couldn’t handle, and it had to be something very serious.

”Alright, you tell me where we’re meeting.” Ye Chen replied without even thinking.

”That stone pot bibimbap place at the gate of our university, I’m there right now.” Li Ming said, after steadying his emotions a little.

”Mm, I’ll head out now. We’ll meet in fifteen minutes.” Ye Chen nodded.

So many years after graduation, he actually missed the taste of that place a bit. Back then he often went there with friends; it didn’t cost much and you could eat till you were stuffed.

After hanging up, Ye Chen hurriedly put on his clothes and walked out of the house.

He got into the car, pushed the speed to the limit, and drove toward that bibimbap place.

Fifteen minutes later, the sports car stopped at the door of the restaurant, and Ye Chen got out of the car and walked in.

As soon as he stepped inside, he saw Li Ming sitting in the corner. The man in front of him looked very aged, completely out of line with his actual age.

By rights, people Ye Chen’s age shouldn’t be in this kind of state, so clearly Li Ming must have had a rough few years.

Li Ming also saw Ye Chen, waved at him and said, ”Ye Chen, over here.”

Ye Chen waved back at Li Ming, then walked over and sat down in the seat opposite him.

”Ye Chen, I’m really moved that you actually came. I was just trying my luck, I didn’t expect you’d really show up.” Li Ming said excitedly.

Before Ye Chen could speak, he continued, ”Ye Chen, to be honest, before calling you I called a few other classmates, but guess what? As soon as they heard I needed something from them, they either said they were busy or said they were abroad. Tell me, is that ridiculous or what?”

When Li Ming said this, a trace of bitterness appeared on his face.

Ye Chen knew the classmates he was talking about were the ones who’d been close to Li Ming in college, the ones who’d stayed in touch after graduation, unlike Ye Chen and him, who hadn’t had any contact at all since they graduated.

”Li Ming, don’t be so depressed. Maybe they really do have things going on.” Ye Chen comforted him.

”Ye Chen, thank you. I understand, you don’t have to talk me round. The business I built up with so much effort has all turned to smoke because of my wrong decision. When I had money, they all orbited around me; now that I’m down and out, they all stay far, far away.” Li Ming said angrily.

From what he said, Ye Chen could tell that Li Ming had also had his glory days, and that it had all been earned through his own hard work.

Ye Chen finally understood why Li Ming looked so old, nothing like someone his age.

”Li Ming, you should try to think more openly. If it’s really like you say, that just proves those people aren’t worth being friends with.” Ye Chen said, trying to talk him round.

”You’re right. Back in school, you and I were just so-so as classmates, and yet you actually came out to see me. That alone shows your character is so much better than theirs, by who knows how many levels.” Li Ming said, his tone easing a little.

As he spoke, he slid over to Ye Chen’s side and slung an arm around Ye Chen’s shoulder, which made Ye Chen feel a little awkward.

After all, two men hugging in a public place like this, the scene could easily be misunderstood.

Ye Chen pushed Li Ming away and said with a smile, ”Li Ming, what exactly happened that’s got you this worked up? Tell me.”

Li Ming also realized his behavior was a bit inappropriate.

He moved away from Ye Chen and sat back in the seat opposite.

”Here’s the thing. I made some money and wanted to use money to make more money, so I thought of developing property. Isn’t that what everyone says makes money? But who could have predicted that halfway through construction, the capital chain broke and we couldn’t keep building. On top of that I’ve racked up a mountain of debt.” Li Ming said sadly.

”How much funding are you short? I’ll just give it to you.” Ye Chen said with a smile.

”Ye Chen, this isn’t some small amount.” Li Ming said, eyes wide.

”You think I can’t afford it?” Ye Chen shot back.

”No, no, that’s not what I meant.” Li Ming said quickly.

The reason he’d called Ye Chen for help was because he’d heard from another classmate that Ye Chen had made it big, with villas and luxury cars and everything.

”Li Ming, you’re a smart guy. The fact that you called me means you know I have the ability to help you. Otherwise you wouldn’t have thought of me, right?” Ye Chen looked at the man opposite him with a smile.

Li Ming only nodded and said nothing.

”Since you’ve come to me, then just be straight with me. What exactly do you want me to do for you?” Ye Chen asked bluntly.

”Ye Chen, I’ve really hit a dead end. Not only is the building unfinished, but I’m buried in debt. My creditors call me every day, threatening to kill me or beat me up.” Li Ming said, shaking his head helplessly.

Because he had previously borrowed a lot of money through informal channels, the repayment dates were looming, and those people were hounding him constantly, seriously disrupting his normal life.

He’d originally had a really great girlfriend, but after she found out about this, she left him without a shred of mercy.

This also made Li Ming feel extremely depressed. After all, the two of them had been together for so many years. How could she just break up like that, and in a way where she simply disappeared without saying goodbye?

All of it together had left Li Ming overwhelmed, to the point where he’d even thought about ending his life.

If Ye Chen didn’t help him this time, Li Ming really would be at the end of the road.

”Alright, we were classmates after all. You don’t need to hide anything from me. Just lay it all out, and we’ll see how I can help.” Ye Chen said.

”Ye Chen, I don’t want to keep building this project. Clearly I’m not cut out for this. Not only did I not make money, I ended up owing so much. I want to sell it off. I don’t know if you’d be willing to take it.” Li Ming finally said what he’d been holding in for so long.

Ye Chen had originally thought Li Ming was just short of funds, but he hadn’t expected that Li Ming wanted to stop the development altogether and sell the project to him.

”Alright, I’ll give you one billion. Pay off all your debts, and the rest should be enough for you to start over.” Ye Chen said calmly.

Hearing this, Li Ming’s jaw dropped so wide you could almost stuff a whole egg in.

He knew Ye Chen was rich, but he hadn’t expected him to be this rich—opening his mouth and offering a billion just like that.

To pull that off, ”rich” is putting it mildly. The man sitting in front of him was clearly a true heavyweight.

Li Ming even felt lucky he’d come to the right person; Ye Chen really could help him out of this predicament.