Upon arriving in Beijing, Lin Su quickly set aside her emotional turmoil. After landing at the Capital Airport in Shunyi, she hurried to the nearby banks of the Chaobai River.
There was a field survey meeting underway here.
The meeting involved a large-scale cooperation agreement signed on Tuesday between the Westeros System and the Chinese government. One of the projects was to construct the second Egret Data Center in China, located in the Beijing area.
Compared to the first data center in Shanghai, which had a final investment of $30 million and was scheduled to open this June, the investment in the Beijing data center would reach $100 million, highlighting China's commitment to developing its information industry.
Whether it was $30 million or $100 million, the amount converted into Chinese yuan was substantial.
However, these figures pale in comparison to the large-scale data centers Egret had been building in Europe and the U.S. Egret's global data center construction plan, announced after the company went public last year, involved a total investment of $2.5 billion for eight data centers, with an average cost of over $300 million per center.
Naturally, whether $30 million or $300 million, both figures are considerable.
At present, only a few tech giants like Egret can afford to invest in such critical internet infrastructure. Egret is the only company globally using mature cloud computing technology for its data centers.
Other competitors either lack the funds or the technology. Even those with both find it hard to compete, as Egret has already taken a substantial lead.
Lin Su privately felt that this project was overly ambitious.
China's internet industry was still in its infancy, and one data center in Shanghai would be sufficient for the short term. Egret held the same view. Even though they agreed to build a second data center, their initial plan was for it to be on the same scale as the first.
However, the Chinese government, after researching Egret's overseas data centers, felt that $30 million was too modest. In Europe and the U.S., data centers cost $300 million, so they raised the Beijing investment to $100 million.
Like many other projects signed this week, half of the $100 million investment was covered by low-interest loans from the Chinese government. The land was provided for free, and the government had even lined up several large domestic companies that would use the data center.
After a busy day, Lin Su returned to the city in the evening, only to face yet another social engagement.
A South African investment company had recently finalized a $100 million joint venture with Beijing in the heavy machinery manufacturing sector.
According to various reports, this deal was largely influenced by Simon Westeros' trip to China. The influx of foreign capital had spiked, prompting the South African company to accelerate negotiations, fearing competitors might swoop in. This was just one example of how Westeros' visit had stimulated foreign investment in China.
The agreement had been signed the previous day, and the city government was hosting a celebratory banquet tonight. The South African side expressed their desire for a representative from the Westeros System to attend.
Of course, Simon Westeros was unavailable.
Moreover, all other key executives who were still in China had declined the invitation.
Where exactly is South Africa?
Fine.
So the responsibility fell to Lin Su.
Lin Su wasn't particularly interested, but since they had enlisted her father to persuade her, she couldn't refuse. As Simon Westeros' assistant for Chinese affairs, she could ignore others, but not her father.
Reluctantly, she attended.
They even requested that she speak English throughout the event so that the South African guests wouldn't suspect she was just there to fill space.
Fine, she'd speak.
Initially, she expected to be mingling with a group of Black individuals. To her surprise, upon arriving at the banquet, all the attendees were white. This was somewhat unexpected. Nonetheless, there had clearly been good communication beforehand, as no one doubted her identity, and they didn't push her to introduce Simon Westeros. The evening passed pleasantly enough.
The banquet ended at 9 PM.
When she returned to her courtyard home in Nanluoguxiang, two female attendants greeted her. One of them, Jiang Shanwu, usually accompanied by her sister Jiang Yuanchi, was alone tonight. This absence puzzled Lin Su, and as she walked toward the inner courtyard, she casually asked, "Where's your sister?"
Jiang Shanwu followed closely and explained, "She went to the Central Academy of Drama. Mr. Ella Deutschman is hosting an event there tonight, and one of the girls Ms. Chen sent back wanted to attend. My sister is accompanying her."
The famous Central Academy of Drama was just over a hundred meters from this residence. Lin Su was aware of Deutschman's event, but what caught her attention was something else: "What girl?"
Jiang Shanwu replied, "Her name is Li Youhu. Mr. Westeros picked her for a role and sent her back for acting training. Ms. Chen arranged for her to stay here for the time being."
Lin Su's first reaction was a pang of jealousy.
Then she realized she had jumped to conclusions.
If Simon wanted to mess around, there was no need to send the girl back here.
Thinking back, she realized she didn't remember what Li Youhu looked like. With 100 girls to keep track of, and since Chen Qing handled most of it, she had only managed the finances.
Deciding not to dwell on it, she dismissed her attendants for the evening and headed to her suite in the west wing. When Jiang Shanwu and her sister followed her, Lin Su said, "You both should go rest."
Jiang Shanwu, however, didn't leave. "Sister Lin, you've had a long day. Would you like me to prepare a bath for you?"
Entering the suite, Lin Su shook her head. "No need. I have work to do."
Jiang Shanwu stepped forward slightly but didn't enter the room. Instead, she offered, "How about I make some tea for you?"
Seeing how eager the girl was, Lin Su hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
Jiang Shanwu sent away the other attendant and entered the suite to brew tea in the small bar area.
This suite was shared by Lin Su and Chen Qing. It consisted of a living room, a study on one side, and a bedroom with an adjoining spacious bathroom.
Lin Su went to the study, turned on the lights, and opened her computer. She pulled out a stack of documents from her briefcase.
As Simon's temporary assistant for Chinese affairs, Lin Su was responsible for sending updates and important documents from the Westeros team in China to him daily. Essentially, she acted as his eyes. She had no decision-making power, but she had to track and record everything.
In ancient times, this would be akin to the role of a supervisor, often portrayed as the antagonist.
After organizing her tasks, Lin Su began typing on the computer. A short while later, Jiang Shanwu brought over a cup of tea and a fruit platter, placing them quietly by Lin Su's hand. After a brief hesitation, she added, "Sister Lin, should I stay with you tonight? This house is so large and empty; it might not feel right at night."
Since Simon had left, the large courtyard house was now mostly occupied by Jiang Shanwu and her six fellow attendants, along with Lin Su.
There were also security personnel nearby, connected to an extensive surveillance system monitoring the house. Given the importance China placed on the residence, there were no safety concerns, even though the house was full of women.
Still, it was indeed quite empty.
This large five-courtyard complex had once housed more than a dozen families.
Though Lin Su had been too busy to notice, Jiang Shanwu's words made her feel the emptiness of the house.
Jiang Shanwu, seeing no immediate rejection, softly added, "Sister Lin, I'll just sit outside and watch TV. I won't disturb you."
Lin Su paused for a moment before agreeing, "Alright, you can watch TV outside."
Jiang Shanwu smiled sweetly. "I'll keep the volume low. Some background noise will make the place feel more alive."
She then went to the living room.
Moments later, the soft sound of the TV filled the room, barely noticeable.
Lin Su continued with her work, taking a few phone calls along the way.
Chen Qing called to discuss some work matters, including Li Youhu's situation.
Lin Su's younger brother, Lin Dong, also called, asking if she was free for lunch the next day. It was Sunday, but she didn't have time. Understanding her brother's intention, she compromised and arranged to meet him earlier in the morning, promising to send a car to pick him up.
There were also a few other trivial matters.
From time to time, Lin Su glanced at Jiang Shanwu in the other room. She knew the girl was trying to get closer to her, with an approach that was somewhat calculated, similar to Chen Qing's, though not nearly as skilled.
Not devious enough.
Lin Su wasn't worried about the girl overhearing her conversations, as there was nothing particularly important being discussed. If there were any issues, it would only reflect poorly on a certain man.
After all, this was one of the Westeros family's attendants.
Lin Su was well aware of how strictly the Westeros attendants were selected.
By 11 PM, she finished her daily work, scanned some documents, and sent them via email to Yangshuo, finally wrapping up her day.
Seeing her done, Jiang Shanwu eagerly offered to prepare bathwater.
Tired from the day, Lin Su didn't refuse this time.
Changing into a bathrobe, she entered the bathroom. The tub was already filled with hot water, but Jiang Shanwu showed no signs of leaving. Lin Su waved her off,
"Xiao Jiang, you can go rest now."
Jiang Shanwu looked over with a fawning expression. "Sister Lin, do you want me to bathe with you?"
Lin Su froze. "..."
Jiang Shanwu met Lin Su's gaze, her face alluring, her eyes soft, her voice even softer: "Sister Chen really enjoys it. Or, I could call my sister. She should be back by now. Then we could all stay afterward."
...
The next morning, Lin Su almost fled in a panic from the embrace of the two still-sleeping girls.
She felt a mix of excitement, regret, unease, and guilt.
She couldn't quite tell who had taken advantage of whom. Last night had been a blur. If a certain someone found out, there was no telling how he might punish her. After all, she couldn't shake the feeling—and it was true—that all of the women around him rightfully belonged to him.
At some point, it was the strange thought of taking a little from him that had kept her from suppressing her urges.
Scattered in thought, she had breakfast with her brother Lin Dong and his girlfriend Bai Lan, ultimately unable to harden her heart.
You want to go abroad?
Fine, go ahead. You all can go.
After all, this wasn't difficult for her.
He was, after all, her brother.
As for the hidden motives of a certain man, she was just a small woman stuck by his side, unable to escape. There was little she could do.
After breakfast, she sent her brother and his girlfriend off, forcing herself to refocus on the day's work.
In the morning, she met with representatives from a company called New Oriental to discuss a potential collaboration.
This was a project Simon had assigned to her and Chen Qing's small team, an investment under the Apollo Management Company's name but actually controlled by a fund under Westeros. Last year, Simon had taken an interest in China's vocational education industry, and after much research, New Oriental became the first investment target.
The company had been established only three years ago, with a small but rapidly growing presence.
It also had its share of problems.
There were internal disputes over equity and management conflicts.
New Oriental responded positively to Apollo's approach, leading to formal investment negotiations. The framework had already been agreed upon. Apollo would help the company redesign its corporate structure, and through the purchase of shares, remove some troublesome executives to eliminate internal issues.
At the same time, the Westeros System would acquire 40% of the company's shares, providing funds to support its expansion. After all, China was still in the midst of a wave of outbound migration, and there was significant demand for English-language training.
In the long term, the goal was to push the company toward an IPO.
Lin Su followed the project closely but had her own concerns, all because of one person.
Although it was ostensibly an English training business, New Oriental was essentially a professional outbound training institution. While Simon may have had investment motives, Lin Su couldn't help but feel he had ulterior intentions.
Outbound migration?
If all the talent left the country, how would China continue to develop?
This was the most superficial motive she could imagine for Simon's involvement. But she felt the situation was more complicated. After all, China wasn't short on people, and many who left would eventually return.
Yes, they would return.
In the afternoon, there was a meeting between the Leviston Group and Hilton Hotels.
This too was tied to the series of agreements signed on Tuesday.
On April 23, the second day of Simon's public itinerary in China, five major projects were signed.
The first, and largest, was the Leviston International Center construction plan, with a total investment of $1 billion.
The second involved a $500 million cooperation agreement between China's major telecommunications companies and Westeros' Cisco and America Online, covering the procurement of internet equipment and technical support.
The third was a $250 million investment by Nokia in a large technology development and product manufacturing center located in Suzhou Industrial Park.
The fourth was a $200 million restructuring consultancy and IPO underwriting agreement between Apollo Management, First Boston, and China Telecom (the predecessor of China Mobile).
The fifth was the $100 million Beijing Data Center construction project.
The total investment for the five projects amounted to $2.05 billion, or roughly 17 billion yuan.
Among these, the Leviston International Center was located in Chaoyang District at the intersection of Chang'an Street and Zhenzhi Road, just 6 kilometers from the Forbidden City and one block away from the iconic China World Trade Center. It was expected to cover an area of 25 hectares, with a total construction area of 2 million square meters.
Simon knew that, in the original timeline, this location later became the site of the Wanda Plaza.
The Leviston International Center's investment size, land area, and construction area were all double those of the nearby China World Trade Center Phase I. Built in 1985, Phase I of the China World Trade Center covered 12 hectares with a construction area of 1.1 million square meters and a $500 million investment.
Although it seemed to have doubled, the 10-year difference in time indicated just how favorable the terms the Westeros System had secured were.
Moreover, the Leviston International Center wasn't being developed directly adjacent to the China World Trade Center but a block away, likely as a concession to the Malaysian Guo family behind the China World Trade Center. If not for the significant importance of the project, no other large commercial center would have been approved in the area in the short term.
After all, with similar functions, competition was inevitable.
It's likely that China would have offered more behind-the-scenes concessions and compensations to ease any tensions with Southeast Asian Chinese business interests.
That's a side note.
The Leviston International Center's development was expected to take six years: two years for design and relocation, and four years for construction, with final completion in 2002.
However, depending on progress, some buildings could be operational by 2000.
Large-scale commercial centers like this require more than just planning before construction can begin. There must be pre-leasing efforts to secure key tenants, collect deposits, and even adjust the project's layout based on client needs to minimize risk.
Otherwise, millions of square meters of office space could end up vacant, which would be disastrous.
Similar to the Beijing Data Center, the Chinese government had already secured several major tenants for the Leviston International Center, but the Westeros System still needed to attract more.
After all, Simon couldn't move all of his Chinese subsidiaries to Beijing, and no single entity could fill the 2 million square meters of office space.
One clear potential tenant was Hilton Hotels.
This world-renowned luxury hotel chain's presence in the Leviston International Center would become an important landmark.
Of course, Hilton was looking to lease, not buy.
In fact, the entire Leviston International Center would be lease-only.
Selling off prime real estate on Chang'an Street at this time would be crazy. Even if Simon were to sell, it wouldn't be until ten or twenty years down the line. By then, not only would the rent collected over the years be substantial, but the property's value would also have increased several times over.
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]