Chapter 60: Cooperation and Equity Distribution! A Marvelous Misunderstanding!

At this moment, Chu Lin truly felt that this Young Master Chen was quite an agreeable person. Despite being the scion of a wealthy family, he exhibited none of the arrogance or unruliness so often attributed to such heirs online. Instead, he gave off an air of tact and emotional intelligence, a sense of authenticity that was hard to come by.

Since the new aquaculture project was already underway, Chu Lin continued, “Mr. Chen, since you’re interested in investing, why don’t we sit down and calculate the relevant costs? Once we’ve done that, we can sign a contract and officially launch the project. How does that sound?”

“I’ll follow your lead, Brother Lin,” Chen Feng replied, now so accustomed to addressing Chu Lin as “Brother” that it seemed entirely natural. He even added, “Brother Lin, you can just call me Chen Feng from now on. ‘Young Master Chen’ makes it sound like I’m being mocked.”

He meant this sincerely. After all, he was well aware that someone with Chu Lin’s expertise could have chosen to partner with anyone, not necessarily him. One must always understand their place—this was the very first lesson his father had taught him when he started in business.

Chu Lin didn’t dwell on the matter. People could call him as they wished; it made little difference to him. In truth, Chen Feng’s humility and attitude made Chu Lin feel quite at ease.

The two of them then began to calculate the investment required for the new aquaculture site. First, they would need at least 100 mu of land. The site couldn’t be directly on the bay, but should be near it, just like Chu Lin’s original farm, to facilitate water diversion.

The annual rent for 100 mu in the Pingjiang District would be 110,000, and ornamental aquatic pet farming required leases of at least three years, bringing the total to over 330,000. In comparison to rent, construction would be the real expense. Without the Atlantis Blessing Stone, the facilities wouldn’t even meet the standards for breeding ornamental fish.

Worse still, without this stone, building compliant ponds would be prohibitively expensive—at least 1.6 million just for the construction of ponds over 100 mu. Then there was the filtration and temperature control system. For his original farm, without the Atlantis Blessing Stone, a single set of equipment for two mu cost more than 10,000. By the same calculation, outfitting the new farm, excluding reserved space, would require equipment costing around a million.

In addition, there would be costs for breeding nutrient solutions, feed, labor, stock, utilities, and more—all of which, combined with the lengthy breeding cycle, necessitated at least 2 million in reserve funds.

Altogether, the initial investment would total about 6 million. Of course, this was merely the bare-bones standard. If they wanted something more upscale with automation, the cost would rise to at least 10 million (according to an aquaculture influencer’s data). Such a figure would be unimaginable for ordinary fish farms, which is why ornamental aquatic pets fetch prices far above those of common fish and shrimp.

Naturally, these were just the supporting facilities. The real linchpin was technical know-how, for it was the technology that made breeding blue-ringed jellyfish and Neptune grouper possible, and it was this expertise that had the greatest value.

In Chu Lin’s case, that “technology” was, in truth, the Atlantis Blessing Stone.

Ultimately, the agreement was as follows: Chu Lin would provide the technology, Neptune grouper broodstock, breeding jellyfish, and 2 million in cash for a 70% stake; Chen Feng would invest 8 million, provide distribution channels, and handle sales, holding the remaining 30%.

Chu Lin was well aware that, in terms of foreseeable profits, he was getting the short end of the stick.

After all, with the Atlantis Blessing Stone, a single batch of Neptune groupers would allow Chen Feng to recoup his entire investment with just his 30% share, even if prices dropped. After that, it would be pure profit.

Of course, that presupposed they could sell the product. But with Chen Feng’s distribution network and his management of sales, they could move the inventory swiftly, corner the market, and maximize returns.

It was a classic business conundrum: Would you rather earn 100 million in three years or 300 million in one, as the great entrepreneur Ma once posed?

“Brother Lin, in that case, I’ll go raise the funds,” Chen Feng said eagerly, barely finishing his sentence before hurrying off to his car.

He had 5 million available, but his aquatic pet business needed to retain a million in reserve, meaning he could only put up 4 million. Wait—why should he invest all his own money? He promptly pulled out his phone and dialed the number saved as “Old Man.”

It wasn’t that he avoided using family resources out of principle, only that he saw no need—unless, of course, the situation called for it. After all, he wasn’t stupid.

…

At Li Quan Law Firm, Chu Yan was in excellent spirits. She had just passed the assessment for a Level Two lawyer, and once her license arrived, she would officially hold that title. Compared to legal assistants and Level Four or Three lawyers, she had finally established herself in the field. With a bit of luck and enough cases over the next few years, she could aspire to Level One—the much-coveted Senior Lawyer status. Only then could she even think about making partner.

Just then, her phone rang. Seeing Chu Lin’s number, she answered at once. Her younger cousin had made quite a name for himself, running such a large aquaculture business.

Chu Lin’s voice came through the phone: “Sis, I need your help with something else.”

“Is it about last night’s case? Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on its progress. As things stand, the other party is definitely going down,” she replied.

Chu Lin chuckled. “No, not that. I need your help drafting a contract. We’re starting a new aquaculture business, and I’d like you to handle the paperwork. It’ll go through your firm—think of it as a little extra business for you.”

When it came to legal matters, he trusted his sister above all. She would take care of his interests, and besides, he’d heard that competition for cases at law firms was fierce.

“So, what kind of contract is it?” Chu Yan asked curiously.

Chu Lin explained, “An investment contract. I’ll provide technology and 2 million for 70% of the shares; the other party will provide 8 million and distribution channels for 30%.”

“Wait for me, I’ll come to you right away,” Chu Yan replied, then hurried out of the firm to catch a taxi to the fish farm.

She couldn’t help but marvel at her cousin’s accomplishments. Not only had he built such a large facility, but now he was embarking on another ambitious project. Just going by the numbers, the investment already totaled 10 million. But knowing her brother’s technology was worth more than his 2 million share, she understood it was valued even higher than the full 10 million investment.

She might not be able to help her brother in other ways, but at least she could safeguard his legal interests.

When the taxi stopped outside the farm, Da Huang and Er Huang were already barking. Chu Lin heard them and knew his sister had arrived; he hurried out to greet her, recognizing the way the dogs barked differently at family members.

Sure enough, it was his sister.

“Tell me the details,” Chu Yan said as she stepped into the courtyard, notebook in hand.

Chu Lin explained everything about the new farm in meticulous detail. Chu Yan jotted down notes throughout, and after about half an hour, she closed her notebook and said, “Alright, I have a clear picture. This isn’t a particularly complex investment contract. I’ll head back now and get it drafted tonight—you’ll have it by tomorrow.”

Normally, a lawyer would quote a three-day turnaround, but that was for regular clients—this was her own brother.

Chu Yan made her way outside to hail a taxi.

“Sis, it’s a hassle to take a cab back and forth—why not take my car?” Chu Lin called after her, tossing her the keys to his Panamera.

She caught them reflexively and didn’t refuse. “Alright then, I’ll bring it back tomorrow. I’ve never driven a luxury car before—this will be an experience.”

She accepted her brother’s kindness, started the car, and drove off toward the law firm. As she pulled into the parking lot beneath the office building, she had to admit—the feel of a luxury car was truly something else.

As she parked, she noticed that a pink BMW 5 Series pulled in beside her, clearly driven by a young woman.

Li Qian was visiting a law firm in the building with her cousin to consult on a business partnership. After getting out of the car, she and her cousin noticed the short-haired beauty stepping out of the Panamera and couldn’t help but take note—any woman who could drive a Panamera was surely a winner in life.

But when Li Qian caught sight of the license plate—FC888—she froze. That was the plate she had picked out for Chu Lin. So, the car belonged to him?

Suddenly flustered, she glanced nervously at the short-haired beauty, wondering if this might be Chu Lin’s girlfriend. Remembering her special connection with Chu Lin, her heart began to race.

Chu Yan, for her part, was surprised by the two women in chic, all-black outfits—they were strikingly beautiful. She was certain her brother would drool over such women, but on second thought, perhaps it was best they never met him, lest they fall victim to his unreliability.