Chapter Seventy-Three: Bank Partnerships and Corporations

Regarding Qi Lanyi’s unease, Lu Yingying found it perfectly understandable.
Not just her—even Lu herself felt somewhat uncertain.
Although he worked in the investment department and was used to handling considerable cash flows, sometimes in the tens or even hundreds of millions,
all of it was bank loans being issued.
He had never seen a business with so much cash in its accounts, let alone foreign funds being transferred in.
Despite the changing times, foreign exchange still held a certain significance in the country, especially in the banking sector, where reserves represented a notable portion of performance.
If everything Gao Ning said was true, then not only would VIP treatment be warranted, but the whole bank could revolve around this gentleman without anyone daring to utter a word of complaint.
She knew Gao Ning very well.
Last night, when he invited her to dinner, his manner was reminiscent of his childhood days after scoring first in class—a subtle sense of pride barely suppressed beneath a facade of modesty.
Clearly, he had some confidence, which was one of the reasons she was willing to help with all her might.
She left work early and used the bank’s resources to make preliminary preparations for the company registration.
Since the enterprise was to have an impressive name, it must follow an international route. Cross-shareholding required an offshore company, and domestic companies would have varying individual shareholding ratios.
After the mutual holdings were arranged, there would be benefits on multiple fronts.
Since the firm was positioned as a research-driven enterprise, the research department and essential technical roles were paramount.
She called Gao Ning to discuss, and simply handed all recruitment requirements over to a headhunting firm.
During these procedural errands, the two met up briefly and decided on the company’s location.
A week passed in a flash. As funds gradually arrived, the bank’s calls became more frequent and their tone increasingly respectful.
Gao Ning discussed matters with Lu Yingying, who resigned without a moment’s hesitation.
This surprised Gao Ning.
He was moved by her decisiveness and admired her sharp judgment.
“Don’t be fooled by how things look now. I may have a section chief’s title, but I’ve hit the ceiling in my career.
In traditional enterprises, especially banks, there’s always an unspoken bias against women. I can guarantee I’m much more competent than many of my male colleagues, but so what? Discrimination is discrimination!”
That evening over dinner, Lu Yingying had two drinks and opened up.

Gao Ning didn’t say much, only listened quietly to her complaints.
Outwardly sympathetic, he found it hard to really grasp her feelings.
“I never expected you to actually make it, that someone would invest ten million in you, and put you in charge as general manager for the Greater China region! I’ve decided—henceforth, I’ll be your finance director! My salary needs to be sky-high.”
Gao Ning shook his head. “Do as you see fit. You’re the finance director, so isn’t your salary up to you? At the start, as the company expands, things might be uncertain, but later on, who knows.
When the time comes, I’ll talk with headquarters—give you extra shares from mine. I’ll feel at ease putting the company in your hands then!”
Lu Yingying’s large eyes lingered, and after a moment, she said simply, “Alright.”
Gao Ning knew she was expressing her feelings and commitment in a subtle way.
Still so proud, just like when she was a child.
“I hired a professional decorating company. In this week, the company has been set up, and the headhunters have recruited basic staff for the front desk. They can start anytime!”
Gao Ning nodded. “Let’s open shop, have the contractors wrap up, and get everyone started next Monday!”
Lu Yingying said, “Alright, we’ve been busy for a week and haven’t even visited the company. How about we go take a look?”
Gao Ning stood up. “Let’s go!”
The company wasn’t far from his parents’ supermarket—just three stops by bus, in the high-tech district surrounded by all sorts of businesses.
Gao Ning spared no expense, renting two floors of an office building, totaling over 2,800 square meters.
Currently, the recruited staff included two receptionists, two security guards, one HR, two accountants, two procurement officers, and a personal assistant.
Altogether, just ten people.
Small as a sparrow, yet complete in every organ; once the framework was in place, expansion would be much easier.
Gao Ning toured the premises: spacious workstations, a water bar and snack area on the first floor, a lounge and library upstairs.
They were putting the final touches on the decor, mainly these areas.
“How about it? Does it meet your standards?” Lu Yingying guided Gao Ning on a tour, her tone brimming with pride.
“Good enough—just hang up the company sign!”
“That's going to be tricky!”
Gao Ning paused and looked at Lu Yingying.

Lu Yingying spread her hands. “We’ve been busy with all sorts of matters, but haven’t changed the company name yet. Have you decided what it should be called?”
“Since it’s cosmetics, a research firm, how about Genova Pharmaceutical Research?”
“You lunatic! Aren’t you afraid Sephiroth will come for you at night, slash you eight times and cut you into sixteen pieces?” Lu Yingying rolled her eyes. “Pick a proper name. Submit the paperwork, and it’ll be approved in two days.”
Gao Ning pondered. “Let’s call it Everest Group. We’ll set up several subsidiaries beneath it—whether they’re useful or not can be decided later!”
“Alright, got it!”
Two days later, all ten employees had arrived.
The new hires wandered about, marveling at everything.
It was clearly a newly established company, with a skeletal staff, but the premises were grand—two whole floors, with ten people barely filling a tenth of the space.
Access was via facial recognition devices; all computers were Apple, costing at least ten thousand each. Snack bars, recreation rooms, tea rooms, billiards, mahjong—everything you could want.
The male employees even found a VR gaming room in a corner upstairs, which many found irresistible.
The personal assistant, He Xiaotong, had interned at major companies, was a returned overseas graduate, and possessed solid work experience, quickly adapting to every task.
Gao Ning gave a few simple instructions, and she executed his intentions perfectly.
“Everyone, please quiet down!”
In the spacious, elegant meeting room, the staff were seated together. The assistant called for order, and everyone turned their attention to the front.
Gao Ning lounged casually in the boss’s chair. “No need to be formal. Today is just a meeting for everyone to get acquainted. Our company is just starting out; the team is small, but the benefits will absolutely match those of any other company.
You don’t need to worry about that—you’ll see at the end of the month.
Director Lu is in charge of finance; if you have any questions, you can go to her.”
Seeing Gao Ning mention her, Lu Yingying nodded to the employees.
“At present, our projects haven’t begun. For the first couple of weeks, your main task is to familiarize yourselves with the workplace and get to know your colleagues. Once our research department is up and running, you’ll all have plenty to keep you busy!” Gao Ning said.