chapter 9 for the future

"I not only know Dean Zheng, but I also know that you, Ms. Zheng, graduated from the Law School of Edencrest University in Micanterra and have been hired as a legal consultant by multiple major international companies in Micanterra."
Quintin Fang spoke significantly, "But it was because of relationship issues with my boyfriend that I left Micanterra and came to Stellaris University to be a mere counsellor."
"You... you..." Nora Zhang stood up abruptly, looking utterly astonished.
If Quintin Fang had merely known her background, she would have been shocked, but not to this extent. After all, anyone willing to investigate could find out one's background. However, what scared her the most was that Quintin Fang, a rural student with no wealth or influence, not only knew her background but also guessed why she returned to her home country, something even her parents were unaware of. The fact that he blurted it out was terrifying.
Quintin Fang reassured, "Ms. Zheng, don't worry. I only happened to know these things by chance."
"Then why did you tell me this? Are you asking for my permission to skip class?" Nora Zhang breathed a sigh of relief and, once convinced that Quintin Fang was human and not a ghost, asked with a stern face.
Quintin Fang shrugged. "Not entirely. Mainly, I wanted to invite you, Ms. Zheng, to be the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of my company."
"A company?" Nora Zhang was somewhat bewildered.
Quintin Fang stood up, speaking earnestly, "Let's formally introduce ourselves. I am Quintin Fang, the future CEO of Futurix."
"I haven't been attending classes much lately because I've been busy with starting my own business."
"Starting a business?" Nora Zhang looked at Quintin Fang oddly. Entrepreneurship among university students wasn't uncommon at Stellaris University. Many intellectually active and dissatisfied students were involved in entrepreneurial projects privately. The university even had policies to support student entrepreneurship. However, Quintin Fang didn't strike her as someone who could start a business, not out of disdain but due to the observable facts. Entrepreneurs typically possessed talent, connections or at least some starting capital. She saw none of these conditions in Quintin Fang.
Quintin Fang shrugged, "Exactly, starting a business!"
"Alright! I'll give you a chance to prove yourself." After a while, Nora Zhang withdrew her gaze and said calmly, "I can overlook your previous absences, but from now on, you must attend classes diligently."
"Ms. Zheng, about my invitation..." Quintin Fang rubbed his hands.
With a teasing look, Nora Zhang raised an eyebrow, "Quintin Fang, my price is not low. Can you afford it?"
She couldn't believe that Quintin Fang was starting a business or even willing to go so far as to think that he, from a rural background, had made it to Stellaris University. Furthermore, the fact that a girl had dumped Quintin Fang made her empathize.
She wouldn't have visited Quintin Fang's dormitory at all. She said she believed Quintin Fang merely to avoid delving into his truancy. Otherwise, according to the school rules, Quintin Fang would have been expelled.
"I know that Silas Gao once offered you a million-dollar annual salary. Well, I'll offer you the same - a million dollars a year plus one percent equity in the company!" Quintin Fang nodded.
Nora Zhang massaged her temples; this was getting more and more absurd. A million dollars, plus equity. Not to mention the equity part, do you even know how much a million dollars is? According to the exchange rate, that's over eight million dollars. Have you, an eighteen or nineteen-year-old kid, ever seen that much money? And considering your family background, is it plausible for you to offer so much?
Thinking about it, Nora Zhang wanted to be blunt and expose Quintin Fang's lie, but she refrained, realizing it wouldn't be appropriate or kind. Finally, she semi-jokingly said, "Fine, when you have a company, I'll work for you."
"No need to wait; I have one now!" Quintin Fang waved his hand.
"You..."
Nora Zhang was exasperated, "Alright, take me to your company now, but let me make this clear, if you dare to deceive me, I'll punish you... I'll make you... clean the classroom for a month!"
"Ms. Zheng, please," Quintin Fang smiled, making a pleased gesture.
Humph! Keep pretending! I'll show you if I don't see an honest company later!
Nora Zhang snorted heavily and walked out of Quintin Fang's dorm, bag in hand.
Quintin Fang smiled, seemingly oblivious to Nora Zhang's anger, and followed her.
Leaving the campus, Quintin Fang hailed a taxi and, along with Nora Zhang, headed to the company's Starlit Building.
An hour later.
The taxi stopped outside the Starlit Building.
Nora Zhang exited the car and looked at the building, quipping, "You've prepared quite well! Renting an office space here isn't cheap, right?"
"Not expensive, just a little over five dollars per square meter."
Quintin Fang, who had come down after paying the fare, shook his head.
Honestly, Quintin Fang felt that the current property prices were cheap.
In the future, an office building in a similar location and with similar conditions would at least double in price.
If he didn't want to emulate TradeNex and ByteSphere and planned to build his office building after the company expanded, he had considered buying a floor for the company's office area.
"Hey, Mr. Fang, you seem quite wealthy! Why haven't I seen you buy a car for transportation?" Nora Zhang sneered.
"It's the startup phase! Saving wherever I can!" Quintin Fang smiled and gestured for her to proceed.
I'm not buying your act!
Nora Zhang sneered repeatedly, walking ahead.
In no time, Quintin Fang led Nora Zhang into the building and took the elevator directly to the nineteenth floor.
Exiting the elevator, they bumped into Ella Su, who was preparing to leave.
"Ella, where are you going?" Quintin Fang was surprised and greeted her.
"Oh, I've contacted people from Nokia's Sorceria City branch according to your requirements, provisionally reserving two thousand Nokia 7650 for the event. I'm going there now to sign the contract," Ella Su said in surprise, "General Fang, who is this?"
Quintin Fang introduced, "This is my teacher, Nora Zhang, a high-achieving graduate from Edencrest Law School, the future CLO of the company."
"This is my secretary, Ella Su, a graduate from Stanford University!"
"Hello!"
"Hello!"
Nora Zhang shook hands with Ella Su, feeling a bit dizzy.
As soon as they let go of hands, Nora Zhang couldn't wait to ask, "Ms. Su, are you really Quintin Fang's secretary? Had Quintin Fang really started a company?"
"Of course! Is there a problem?" Ella Su asked suspiciously.
"Ahem, Ella, let's put aside the contract for now. Please take my teacher around the company and introduce the situation!" Quintin Fang knew exactly why Nora Zhang reacted this way and cleared his throat, saying, "I'll go see Siming and the others."
With that, he left Ella Su and Nora Zhang, heading straight to the office area to find Chen Siming and the others.
Ella Su was perceptive and probably guessed something. She turned around, taking Nora Zhang into the office area, introducing the company and Quintin Fang as they walked.
Only now did Nora Zhang learn about Quintin Fang skipping classes and dabbling in stock and futures trading?
However, she found it hard to reconcile the investment genius described by Ella Su, who made billions from the stock and futures market, with the reserved and quiet, financially struggling student she knew from the school.
So much so that she felt dizzy, like a puppet being passively led by Ella Su.
Half an hour later, the somewhat dazed Nora Zhang was guided by Ella Su into Quintin Fang's office.
Quintin Fang, planning something, put down his pen and gestured to Ella Su. She invited Nora Zhang to sit on the office sofa and poured a glass of water for her, placing it on the coffee table before Nora Zhang.
Then Quintin Fang asked, "Ms. Zheng, you've got an understanding of the company now, right? I'll have Ella prepare the contract, or you can draft one, and I'll sign!"
"You really made ten billion in just over half a year?"
It took a while for Nora Zhang to return to her senses, her gaze peculiar.
Quintin Fang nodded and smiled, "Ms. Zheng, that's all in the past. Let's talk about your joining the company!"
"But you promised me you can't go back on your word!" Nora Zhang blushed and thought of backing out.
Before, when she mentioned working for Quintin Fang, she thought he could never start a business, let alone afford someone at her rate.
Who knew Quintin Fang was so extraordinary? In less than half a year, he started from scratch, establishing a company and amassing a net worth of ten billion.
She dug a hole with a casual comment and fell into it herself!
"Ms. Zheng, you're not really thinking of going back on your word, are you?" Seeing Nora Zhang not saying anything, Quintin Fang became a little anxious.
Holding the water glass, Nora Zhang took a sip and steadied her mind. She changed the topic, "Let's not talk about this for now. I'm curious about something. At your offered price, it should be very easy for you to find a top-notch lawyer. Why do you insist on having me as your company's CLO?"
"I mean, it's for the future. Do you believe me?" Quintin Fang pondered for a moment and asked back.
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