My American magical life
Chapter 191 - 191 74 The Sound of Silence

191: Chapter 74 The Sound of Silence 191: Chapter 74 The Sound of Silence If I had to say what the biggest gain for Cheng Daqi was tonight,

Cheng Daqi would have only one answer: using Lisa’s question to create a personal brand for himself.

Although this show of character is rooted in genuine emotion, it also has deliberate, affected, and hypocritical elements.

This point is clear to Cheng Daqi, clear to Temir, and clear to Gru as well.

Even Eris and Li Haiping are aware of it.

True emotions never last; only manipulation wins hearts.

Even in a few years’ time in 2023, many simple and clichéd tricks will still be very effective and have a broad audience.

Cheng Daqi set up his personal brand with deliberate performance, which made the black-haired rich woman and the top black cop see his talent in his capability and adaptability.

These two are currently his top connections in America.

The black-haired rich woman is wealthy and powerful, unfathomably strong, belonging to the elite of the elite that could be mini-bosses in the late stages of a game.

Gru, although not high-ranking, holds power and strength, has people and guns, and directly serves the future emperor of the Democratic Party.

That they approve of Cheng Daqi’s performance is enough.

Here, ‘approve’ does not mean being moved by Cheng Daqi’s personal brand but seeing Cheng Daqi’s wisdom through his actions.

Who wouldn’t appreciate a wise partner?

Besides them, Zhao Hongjin, Elder Li, Domo, Scott, and others were all stirred by Cheng Daqi’s performance.

Zhao Hongjin was purely oblivious to the ruse; she really thought Cheng Daqi had no tricks up his sleeve and had naturally thought of an old friend.

Therefore, with Cheng Daqi’s meticulous performance and Elder Li’s apt flattery, Sister Zhao became even more interested in Cheng Daqi.

And Cheng Daqi, hinting at his experiences in his words, also administered a preemptive shot for the moment he would lay his cards on the table with Zhao Hongjin.

It’s hard to stand out as unique, but it’s simple to put out a reliable and likable persona.

This is the underlying logic of why all kinds of strange creatures like to accumulate personal branding.

Elder Li, however, was different; he saw through Cheng Daqi’s tricks but was stirred by them and played the role of the sidekick.

For Cheng Daqi and Elder Li, their relationship now has a flavor of mutual dedication.

Elder Li hopes he can be of help to Cheng Daqi, showing his ‘loyalty’ and experience.

And Cheng Daqi, through this maneuver, conveniently gave Elder Li an opportunity.

Oftentimes, giving subordinates proper room to perform can make them more loyal.

Having solved problems and charged forward for Cheng Daqi, Li Haiping will feel that Cheng Daqi should naturally regard him as one of his own.

This way, in their future interactions, Cheng Daqi and Li Haiping can trust each other even more.

In the gray market businesses, trust is more valuable than gold.

Strictly speaking, Li Haiping can only be considered Cheng Daqi’s partner, but because the partnership has Cheng Daqi in a leading role, Li Haiping has a bit of a subordinate flavor.

For Domo, however, Cheng Daqi’s performance had a different taste.

In the conversation by the balcony, Domo did listen to Cheng Daqi’s words, but he still needed to think it over carefully.

And Cheng Daqi’s heartfelt confession fully demonstrated his appreciation and respect for friends.

Domo, who observed everything, naturally ended up with an even better impression of Cheng Daqi.

All these gains are intangible, can’t be directly converted into money, status, or system skills, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

Under the right conditions and at the right time, all these preparations and groundwork can become huge bargaining chips.

—————–

For example, right now.

“Cheng, I’m investing in your company!

Name your price!”

The top-ranking black cop was very bold; he skipped the queries about profitability and went straight to the specific price.

With an investor inquiring, Cheng Daqi immediately switched to work mode.

“Mr.

Gru, I need to first ask how much you are thinking of investing.

After all, I’ve already raised a million Dollars, so if you’re thinking of investing more, it might have to be in the next round.”

The first reply was full of bluffs, a very unprofessional attempt to test Gru’s level.

‘You’re investing a lot, so it has to be the next round.’ That was just nonsense, the kind that any professional investor would curse upon hearing.

But in fact, it’s a clever negotiation tactic.

Because Gru’s previous impression gave Cheng Daqi the sense that this top-ranking black cop was only half-competent in business matters.

“Next round?

Your company must have just started; are you already considering the next round?”

Gru was a bit puzzled; what he cared about was not Cheng Daqi’s talk of a next round but why Cheng Daqi was so confident.

Because he saw Cheng Daqi was smart enough, he finally made up his mind to really try a partnership with Cheng Daqi.

The so-called investment was just a foundation of mutual trust; he didn’t plan to invest much.

“Mr.

Gru, let’s talk in detail tomorrow afternoon.

These matters are much more complex than you think.

Your questions about the profit model, including future financing plans, I have clear plans for all of these, but obviously, there’s no time to discuss them today.”

With a smile, Cheng Daqi answered Gru’s questions and smoothly arranged another time to talk.

He was truly busy tonight.

The live stream was only halfway done, Lisa’s performance was due, and Sister Zhao was still sitting there alone.

All these required Cheng Daqi to personally take care of them.

“How about noon?

You come to my place, okay?”