Chapter 64: Dirt on a Specific Person? Public Opinion Acumen!

Lei Jun?

Zhang Li finally remembered why this person looked so familiar.

He had seen his photo in financial and economic news sections. This man was acquainted with Pony Ma of Tencent, Ding Lei of NetEase, and others. Just a couple of years ago, he was the president of Beijing Kingsoft Software Co., Ltd., and at the turn of the millennium, he had single-handedly founded Joyo.com.

Joyo.com was an e-commerce platform that predated both Taobao and JD.com, and it even possessed its own logistics and delivery service. However, due to the limitations of the era and excessive cash burn, Lei Jun had sold it to Amazon for 75 million USD in 2004.

In October 2007, Kingsoft Software went public in Hong Kong, and by December, Lei Jun had stepped down as CEO citing health reasons, throwing himself into the angel investment industry.

Although he worked in the entertainment circle, Zhang Li also paid attention to the business world because his cheat allowed him to catch glimpses of female celebrities' futures, gleaning pieces of information about various industries from their future news and film projects.

"Adding one to my network is Lei Jun. To be recognized by the system, his future business achievements will definitely be nothing short of extraordinary."

"Opportunities like this are rare. I need to get on his good terms. If he invests in any companies or starts a venture in the future, I'll follow suit and pitch in some money whenever I have the funds."

At this thought, Zhang Li reached out to shake hands with Lei Jun, a faint smile appearing on his face. "Hello, Mr. Lei."

"I just did a small favor. Calling it a life-saving grace is going too far, and the elevator didn't even crash."

"At most, I just spared you a terrifying experience."

"Making friends is naturally not a problem. By extension, we've been through thick and thin together."

"You really know how to comfort people, little brother." Lei Jun's eyes crinkled with a smile. "There was nobody else in the elevator, so it stopped on the fourth floor. If all four of us had gotten in, it would be hard to say what might have happened."

"Even if I wasn't in mortal danger as you said, being scared out of my wits or trapped for a while wouldn't have been pleasant. This is a big deal."

"And I'm in a rush to get home today to celebrate my wife's birthday."

With that, Lei Jun took a business card from his pocket and placed it in Zhang Li's hand.

"This is my number. Make sure to save it, little brother. Call me anytime something comes up, and I will definitely help out within my capabilities."

"Could I leave your contact information as well? I'll treat you to a meal when I'm free in a few days."

Zhang Li looked down and saw the name Lei Jun along with a string of phone numbers.

"You're too polite, Mr. Lei." Zhang Li took out his own business card and handed it to Lei Jun. "This is my contact info."

It had only his name and mobile number, which came as a slight surprise to Lei Jun.

He immediately took out his phone to save the number, then looked up and asked in a calm tone, "Little brother, do you think the elevator right next to us is usable?"

"To be on the safe side, I don't think so." Zhang Li shook his head after a brief hesitation and pointed in a certain direction. "I remember there's a staff-only elevator over that way. We might as well take that one."

"Would you mind leading the way, little brother?" Lei Jun wore a genial smile.

"Of course, I was heading down to buy something anyway." Zhang Li walked ahead to lead the way.

After walking through the corridor and making a few turns, they arrived in front of the staff elevator.

"Ma'am, the elevator over there is broken, so we need to take this one down." Zhang Li stopped a hotel cleaning lady and spoke politely.

Elevators like this one required an internal key card to operate.

Generally, if you asked staff for help, they wouldn't refuse.

Once inside the elevator, Zhang Li descended with Lei Jun and his two companions.

Zhang Li put on an act and looked at Lei Jun a few extra times, which piqued the latter's curiosity. "What is it? Is there something on my face?"

"No, I just think you look somewhat familiar." Zhang Li spoke the truth. "I feel like I've seen you somewhere, but I'm certain there isn't a senior like you in the performing arts circle."

"The performing arts circle?" Lei Jun seized upon the key point and asked, "Are you an actor, little brother?"

"Yes, I'm a freshman in the Performance Department at the Beijing Film Academy." Zhang Li answered honestly.

Lei Jun's gaze fell upon Zhang Li's face. After studying him for a few moments, he remarked, "Your looks are on par with mine when I was young. You're definitely more than qualified to be an actor and star."

Chuckle—

Lei Jun's words brought smiles to the faces of the two people accompanying him.

Zhang Li was a genuinely top-tier handsome guy, and Lei Jun fell far short by comparison.

It wasn't often they saw their "boss" being this thick-skinned. Once they got back to the company, they would have to spread the word.

"Mm, I can see that." Zhang Li stared intently at Lei Jun's face for a few seconds. "Mr. Lei is a handsome man himself. It's not too late for you to enter the industry and become an actor."

"You've got an eye for things, little brother." A smile surfaced on Lei Jun's face. "I love making friends with honest people."

Ding!

The elevator stopped at that moment.

A few seconds later, the doors slowly slid open.

"You first, little brother." Lei Jun waved his hand.

"Please go ahead, Mr. Lei." Zhang Li made a polite gesture.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony with you." Lei Jun led his two companions out of the elevator.

Zhang Li followed closely behind, and the four of them entered the lobby together.

Hotel staff had already put up warning tape in front of the malfunctioning elevator.

Judging by the discussions among the people nearby, that elevator had broken down apparently due to a water leak affecting its operation.

"Little brother, wait for my call. I'll treat you to dinner." Lei Jun made a calling gesture to Zhang Li.

"Have a safe trip, Mr. Lei." Zhang Li waved goodbye to Lei Jun from the entrance.

Once the three of them disappeared around the corner of the parking lot, he turned and walked toward the neighboring street.

"In the end, you deliberately bantered and joked around without revealing your true identity to me."

"Fine by me. I'll just pretend I don't know who you are and befriend you normally."

Buying a bag of snacks at the nearby convenience store, Zhang Li leisurely strolled back to his hotel room.

"Huh?"

As soon as he stepped inside, he found the bed completely empty.

The clothes scattered on the floor and the bag tossed to the side had all vanished.

"Alright, alright. Slipping away without a word again."

Zhang Li took out his phone and called Tang Yan.

As soon as the call went through, he heard, "Sorry..."

Clearly, his call had been hung up.

Immediately afterward, he received a text message.

[Our relationship isn't right, and it's unfair to Shishi. I gave you once, you gave me once, we're even now. From now on, we're just ordinary friends. I have to catch a flight back to Modu, let's have that meal next time.]

"Even?"

Zhang Li saved the text message.

As long as he refused, this matter would never be even.

"Since you chose how it began, I'll be the one to choose how it ends." Light flickered in Zhang Li's dark pupils.

However, he was in no rush to press the attack relentlessly.

Remembering that the candlelight dinner upstairs had already been booked, he began pondering whom he should invite to share it.

Actually, there wasn't much to ponder; it definitely had to be his girlfriend Liu Shishi, who was currently kicking her feet at home and acting like a salted fish.

Right at that moment, however, another voice echoed in his mind.

[Tian Jing stood up for you once using genuine black material; Target's black material +1 / Public opinion sensitivity +1]

"Huh?"

Zhang Li was momentarily stunned.

The wealthy-flower senior's efficiency was truly impressive.

"Can having money really let you do whatever you want?"

A thought flickered through Zhang Li's mind, and he decided to change the companion for tonight's dinner.

"Still... the target's black material?"