He won 900 million in the lottery.

Chapter 120 Factory Closure

I visited three AI technology companies in a row, and to be honest, they were all pretty much the same.

Everyone thinks their ideas and plans are unique.

Actually, they're pretty much the same.

Sun Xiaowei: "Mr. Shen, how is it? Have you made up your mind?"

Fang Liao looked at me expectantly; the less someone understood something, the more excited they became upon seeing it.

He wouldn't dare to do it himself, but if I get involved, he doesn't care about the risks and would throw in a million or two without any problem.

Me: "You don't need to sound me out. My requirements are the same for all of them. Of course, AI is the first company I've invested in, and it's also an industry I value highly. So, in terms of control, I'll most likely choose 67% absolute control. You can convey that and see if they accept it. After all, there are more than just these three companies researching AI in the market."

Sun Xiaowei: "Understood."

I turned to Fang Liao and said, "Let's go, let's go to your factory and take a look."

Fang Liao: "Okay."

Fang Liao's factory is located in Luodian Industrial Park, Shanghai, which is quite close to Bao'an District.

The factory is currently shut down.

When we arrived, the Market Supervision Administration was putting up seals.

Fang Liao stepped forward angrily: "What are you doing?"

"Didn't you see? Your factory is violating relevant regulations, and it is currently under temporary closure."

A single regulation—I don't even know what that regulation is—and it was shut down without warning.

Fang Liao: "I haven't been producing anything. I've been following your instructions and have been in a state of shutdown. Why are you sealing off the premises?"

"If you have any problems, come to our bureau."

Two young men in uniforms arrived swaggering in, and left swaggering away after affixing the seal.

Perhaps it's still a labor dispatch service.

Even so, Fang Liao was helpless.

Me: "What happened to the person you sent away earlier?"

Fang Liao: "They haven't been answering my calls for a long time."

Me: "How much did you give?"

Fang Liao: "10."

Me: "Can we still go in?"

Fang Liao: "Yes, he only sealed the main gate; there's still the side gate."

Fang Liao showed me around the factory and explained in detail the production process of a silicone doll.

Fang Liao: "The most important things in producing a doll are high-precision molds, medical-grade silicone, and precision processing equipment. At the same time, we need to balance automation efficiency with the feel of handmade products, and it must meet safety and environmental protection standards. 3D printing equipment is also crucial to producing the finished product. I made quite a few mistakes back then."

Me: "How much does a production line cost?"

Fang Liao: "The total investment for a complete high-end silicone doll production line is about 100-300 million yuan, mainly consisting of equipment (40-50%), materials (20-30%), and other expenses (30%). I initially prepared 200 million yuan in start-up capital, of which about 70-90 yuan was invested in equipment, about 30-50 yuan in the first batch of materials, and about 30-50 yuan in factory buildings and manpower."

Only someone who has fully experienced an industry can, like Fang Liao, readily offer insights into the costs and investment required to establish a business.

Fang Liao's success is not without reason.

Me: "Why build a factory here?"

Fang Liao: "A friend I met in the CEO training program said he knows some leaders here and can get tax breaks."

The root cause has been found.

Me: "Who? I think I know them too."

Fang Liao: "Liu Junchi, the one who runs a private equity fund, said that the owner of this industrial park is his client, and he can get a discount on the rent."

The rent is discounted.

Tax incentives have been offered.

They subsequently invested an additional 800 million, and it seems they're about to reap the benefits.

This is the biggest problem with investing and starting a business. It's okay, it's too easy for others to take advantage of you, whether you're local or from out of town.

[By the way, I want to ask those readers who say the protagonist is too afraid to spend money boldly after winning the lottery to consider this: Lan Zhanfei is a prime example of what happened to him. The logic doesn't hold up.]

Me: "Okay. Let me think about it."

The factory is definitely gone for good.

I don't know anyone in Shanghai.

Even though we know each other, the relationship between Fang Liao and me isn't close enough for me to lower myself to ask for favors on his behalf.

Back to the hotel.

Before I could even settle in, Zhang Bing called.

"I've sent you your seat for the private collection wine auction tonight. Be sure to arrive on time; there might be an unexpected surprise."

Surprise is out of the question.

I've figured out a bit about Zhang Bing and the other two, but I'm not at that level yet.

You can try it out if you want.

You think you can mess with me? No way.

However, I am still somewhat interested in collecting wine, since my grandfather's hobby is wine, and I want to keep a good amount.

It's better to be prepared.

I said to Fang Liao, "There's a private collection wine auction tonight, are you going?"

Fang Liao: "Go away, anyway, the factory's closed right now, it's annoying."

According to the navigation, we arrived at Dan Palace.

Hey, what a coincidence! The last time I came here, it was to visit that little girl Wang Yan's house.

Someone at the entrance guided us, and we quickly entered a large courtyard.

Zhang Bing was at the door.

I had already informed Zhang Bing beforehand that I would be bringing people. He said it didn't matter.

"Tianyi, is this your friend?"

Me: "Fang Liao, soldier."

Fang Liao: "Hello, soldier."

Zhang Bing: "Come in, we'll get started right away."

The auction didn't last very long, but the bidding was incredibly fierce. There was even a case of JD-exclusive Maotai liquor that I bought from Zhang Bing for 20 yuan, but someone at the auction bid 60 yuan.

I instantly lost interest.

Zhang Bing: "What's wrong? Tianyi's not interested in wine anymore?"

Me: "This isn't filming alcohol; it's more like money laundering—"

Zhang Bing didn't say anything, but gave me a thumbs up.

My face looked rather grim; I'd unwittingly stumbled into a den of thieves.

Just then, someone tugged at my sleeve. I turned around and saw, "Yan Yan?"

Wang Yan pouted: "Cousin, you came to Shanghai without telling me. Look, I caught you."

I asked curiously, "What are you doing here?"

Wang Yan: "There are only 18 households here, and my house is right next door. Why can't I come and join the fun?"

Just then, Fang Liao came over excitedly and told me, "Brother Bing said there are lots of fun things upstairs, do you want to go?"

At this moment, Wang Yan subtly tugged at my sleeve.

Me: "I ran into my cousin. You go have fun, let's talk."

Fang Liao greeted Wang Yan, but Wang Yan didn't even look up or respond.

Fang Liao didn't care and went upstairs on his own.

Wang Yan: "Cousin, come on, let's go to my house to play."

Me: "Okay."

Ever since I found out this place was a money laundering operation, I've felt completely out of place.

It is indeed close, right next door, but the courtyard is huge. Luckily, there is a tram service.

Wang Yan: "Cousin, is this your first time here?"

I nodded: "Yes, I'd like to photograph some good wine, but the prices are too high."

Wang Yan: "Have you been upstairs?"

Me: "No. You were trying to stop me from going, weren't you?"

Wang Yan: "Don't go upstairs, it's addictive."

Me: "What do you mean?"

Wang Yan curled her lip: "Those who participate in the auction are all rich people. The upstairs is just for men to vent their desires."

It's really inappropriate for a sixteen-year-old girl to say such things.

Me: "You're still young, watch your words."

Wang Yan: "I have a high IQ!"

I ruffled Wang Yan's hair vigorously: "Girls should avoid suspicion and not tell everyone everything."

At this moment, Wang Yan's father returned.

A thought struck me: asking Wang Yan's father about investing in artificial intelligence (AI) would actually be a good idea.