It's just that they have money.

Fang Chen officially decided to pursue the direction of transnational medical care. He first established a company and completed the business registration and tax procedures.

Other miscellaneous tasks were left to Xu Wen.

On the same day the business license was issued, another 30 million yuan was deposited into the system.

Life went on at a leisurely pace.

Fang Chen goes to the gym every morning, handles miscellaneous tasks in the afternoon, and occasionally sends a few messages to Zhao Xiaole to check on his progress in Fengtian.

Zhao Xiaole's trial supply of boxed meals went smoothly. Director Liu has already entrusted him with preparing lunch and dinner. The vehicles and extras are still under negotiation, but there is already progress.

"Once I'm done here in Fengtian, I'll come to Jiangcheng to have a drink with you," Zhao Xiaole said in the voice message.

Fang Chen replied with an "okay" and didn't say anything more.

That afternoon, Fang Chen was leaning back on the sofa flipping through an industry report on cross-border healthcare when his phone rang.

It was a call from my mom.

Fang Chen answered the phone, and Xiang Pingping's voice came through the receiver, filled with her usual urgency: "Chenchen, have you eaten yet?"

"I've eaten, Mom, what about you?"

"We ate too." Xiang Pingping paused for a moment. "I have something to tell you. The design plans for the house back home are out. The designer sent them to us, and your dad and I both think they're pretty good, except for a few things we'd like to change."

"Change what?"

"The kitchen countertop was designed as a straight line, but I want to change it to one with a corner, so we can put more things in the corner. Also, I think the wardrobe in the master bedroom is too small; I'd like it to be bigger."

Fang Chen smiled and said, "Okay, I'll talk to the designer later and have him change it according to your wishes."

Xiang Pingping hummed in agreement, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject: "Chenchen, how have you thought about your personal life?"

Fang Chen's heart skipped a beat. Here it comes.

"Mom, didn't I tell you? This can't be rushed."

"Why can't we rush this?" Xiang Pingping's voice rose a little. "Your cousin is having his one-month celebration next month, and you want me to go. What am I supposed to say when people ask when your Chenchen is getting married?"

"Just say it'll be done soon, that'll be enough."

"Perfunctory?" Xiang Pingping was clearly dissatisfied with this answer. "How many years have I been perfunctory? Tell me yourself."

Fang Chen was at a loss for words, leaning back on the sofa, unsure how to respond.

Xiang Pingping sighed, her tone softening slightly: "Mom isn't pressuring you, she's just worried about you. Now that you're better off, you should find someone who cares for you. Don't wait until you're older and all the good ones are taken."

"Okay, okay, I'll keep that in mind."

Just as Fang Chen was about to find an excuse to hang up, Xiang Pingping suddenly asked, "Does your assistant, Xu something-or-other, have a boyfriend?"

"Mom, what are you thinking? They're here to work."

"What's wrong with a job? Can't I at least look into it?" Xiang Pingping said matter-of-factly. "I think that girl is quite nice; she's highly educated and has a great personality..."

"You've clearly never met her, Mom. I have something to do, I'll hang up now." Fang Chen quickly interrupted, and before Xiang Pingping could say anything more, he hung up.

The phone screen went dark. Fang Chen leaned back on the sofa, shook his head, and couldn't help but chuckle.

My mom's way of thinking is really hard to guard against.

He picked up the report again; the progress of the medical project was far more complicated than he had imagined.

Xu Wen selected five resumes through a headhunter, and Fang Chen spent two days interviewing each of them.

Some are experienced but have rigid thinking, some are young and energetic but lack resources, and some are good in all aspects but ask for too much money.

Until the fifth one.

"Lin Dong, 35 years old, previously worked as the operations director at Shengde Cross-border Medical for five years."

Before the interview, Xu Wen handed over the resume with a comment: "If this person isn't suitable, there won't be anyone more suitable in the short term."

Fang Chen opened the resume and glanced at the photo.

Square face, thick eyebrows, and a calm gaze.

The interview was still arranged at the same coffee shop as before.

Fang Chen didn't beat around the bush: "Tell me your thoughts on the cross-border medical industry."

Lin Dong thought for a moment and then said something that left a deep impression on Fang Chen.

"This industry is essentially about arbitrage."

"Arbitrage?" Fang Chen raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, arbitrage," Lin Dong said. "There are gaps in medical standards between China and other countries, price differences in medicines, and differences in service experiences. This is where the arbitrage opportunity lies. What cross-border medical companies do is move customers from places with high prices to places with low prices, or from places with low standards to places with high standards."

Fang Chen nodded, signaling him to continue.

"But the problems in this industry are also obvious." Lin Dong paused for a moment. "The customer acquisition cost is high, the service chain is long, and the profit margin is thin. A patient has to go through more than a dozen steps from consultation to going abroad for treatment. If any step goes wrong, the customer is lost. Moreover, the repurchase rate in this industry is almost zero. Once a customer has completed treatment, they will not come back a second time. You have to keep finding new customers."

"So, do you think this business is viable?"

"It's possible," Lin Dong said. "But not in the way of scaling up and becoming stronger, but in the way of going deep and thorough. First, we need to establish a complete process for one disease, one source of customers, and one hospital, and provide the best service so that customers are willing to refer others. Then we can gradually replicate this, expanding one disease at a time and one source of customers at a time."

Do you have any questions for me?

Lin Dong picked up his coffee, took a sip, put down the cup, and looked directly at Fang Chen.

"Mr. Fang, I do have a question."

"you say."

"Your company has just been established." Lin Dong's tone was calm, without any intention of offense, more like stating a fact. "I'd like to know, what do you plan to use to support the launch and operation of this project? The initial investment in this industry is not low, and without sufficient capital reserves, you won't be able to survive until you become profitable."

This question is direct, but it hits the nail on the head.

"You've investigated my company, so do you know what I do?"

Lin Dong shook his head: "There is very little publicly available information. All we know is that you just registered this medical company this year and you didn't have any prior experience in the relevant industry."

"I've never worked in the medical field before," Fang Chen said, leaning back in his chair. "But I'm not short of money."

He took out his phone, opened the bank's app, and turned the screen towards Lin Dong.

Lin Dong glanced at it, and his pupils contracted slightly.

People often talk about how much a company is worth, but that's actually a very vague statement.

For a company valued at tens or hundreds of billions, having 100 million in cash on its books is already considered quite good.

Fang Chen, as an individual, has nearly 80 million yuan in cash on hand.

He didn't speak, but looked away from the screen and back at Fang Chen.

"This is the seed money." Fang Chen put his phone away. "Besides, I personally have no debt."

Lin Dong remained silent.

"But I won't invest all of it at once," Fang Chen said. "You're right, this industry relies on a deep and thorough understanding to succeed. So my budget for you is ten million in the first phase, to build the team and get the process for the first disease running smoothly."

Lin Dong's expression changed, from initial scrutiny to serious contemplation.

"Ten million is enough," he said. "But I'd like to know, what are your expectations for this project? Are you planning to build it for a few years and then sell it, or hold it long-term?"

"Hold for the long term," Fang Chen said. "I don't lack quick money; what I need is an industry that can continuously generate value."

Lin Dong looked at him, as if trying to determine whether his statement was true or false.

Fang Chen did not avoid his gaze.

"Of course, if you ever want to quit, I won't stop you," Fang Chen added. "But I can tell you, this company won't be sold."

Lin Dong was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Mr. Fang, when can I start work?"

"Anytime." Fang Chen extended his hand. "Welcome to join us."