"Mr. Mavi? The data you're presenting to us... we are actually aware of it. The issue is that the amount involved is enormous. That's why, at the moment, PetroChina and Sinopec are unable to take this step," Wu Guanyu and Ren Yuan candidly explained to Mavi.
However, at that moment, Mavi, who was sitting across from them, simply smiled and shook his head. "I can invest this 10 billion RMB into your oil group. If 10 billion isn't enough, then 20 billion—until we overwhelm those private gas station owners and they agree."
China is the world's second-largest consumer of oil, three times higher than Russia. Mavi saw this as the perfect opportunity to invest in shares and integrate private gas stations into the network. It was a well-timed move, making it easier for the two state-owned giants to accept his proposal.
As soon as his words landed, Wu Guanyu and Ren Yuan, sitting across from him, were utterly stunned by his immense wealth! They were so shocked that they momentarily lost their composure, struggling to process what he had just said.
"10 billion RMB isn't enough, so he'll invest 20 billion…?" Wu Guanyu, Vice President of PetroChina, was astounded by Mavi's terrifying financial power.
What kind of billionaire could casually say, "If 10 billion isn't enough, let's go with 20 billion"—as if throwing money around was as trivial as tossing cabbages? And without even blinking?!
Ren Yuan, Vice President of Sinopec, was equally dumbfounded by Mavi's sheer financial dominance. At that moment, he recalled how many entrepreneurs in China set their goals as "making the first hundred million" or "earning one billion a year."
But this Russian investor? His goal was to spend a hundred billion first. If that wasn't enough, then two hundred billion… The way he said it was just too domineering! Even among China's wealthiest elites, hardly anyone could match such confidence.
---
Mavi's proposal was highly attractive, and given that PetroChina and Sinopec were indeed in need of funding—especially since they required Ma V Energy to supply 30 million tons of crude oil annually—the two companies carefully considered the offer and ultimately welcomed Mavi's investment.
Thus, the investment teams from all three parties embarked on discussions about collaboration terms and profit distribution, which lasted for two and a half weeks.
For investments of this scale, Mavi never got involved in the finer details—he only made the final decisions. He had the advantage of being a reborn individual with foresight, ensuring that his strategic moves were nearly flawless.
Besides, his bank account still held a staggering $8.354 billion—equivalent to 67.2 billion RMB. As long as his investment direction was correct, he could spend as much as he wanted. Every cent would eventually yield profits—tenfold, even hundredfold.
While his team negotiated the specifics with PetroChina and Sinopec, Mavi didn't stay idle. The next day, Ziyuan No. 1, known as China's most luxurious residential development, was set to open for sales. The price per square meter was the highest in the country, reaching 30,000 RMB per square meter. (For context, in 2001, the most expensive real estate in Shanghai was priced around 11,000 RMB per square meter.)
At the time, this price was astronomical. Only China's top-tier billionaires had the financial confidence to even consider it. After all, the units in Ziyuan No. 1 were all spacious, exceeding 300 square meters.
Purchasing a unit—plus renovations—would easily cost tens of millions! Even the wealthiest individuals in China would have to carefully evaluate their finances before making a move.
As the developer and chairman of the real estate company, Mavi was expected to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony. However, knowing that reporters and media would swarm the event, he had no intention of being too exposed.
If he became widely recognized, it would be impossible to maintain his identity as a discreet, low-key billionaire.
Thus, at the Ziyuan No. 1 opening ceremony, Mavi planned to blend in as an ordinary bystander—just to soak in the atmosphere and gauge the reactions of the country's elite toward the luxury residences he had designed and built.
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The next morning, numerous reporters gathered early in front of the Ziyuan No. 1 sales center, waiting for the ribbon-cutting ceremony to begin. They were eager to cover what was being marketed as "China's most luxurious residence" and investigate what made it so extravagant.
Would there be buyers despite the sky-high price tag? Or would the launch face a cold reception?
After about 15 minutes of waiting, a sleek, black, bulletproof stretch Lincoln limousine arrived at the main entrance, escorted by several Cadillac SUVs.
The moment the journalists saw this, they immediately raised their cameras and camcorders, capturing the scene. They knew that the person inside the Lincoln was the mysterious owner of Ziyuan No. 1—a man whose identity remained largely unknown, with not even a single clear photo available to the public.
"Click! Click!"
As the reporters pressed their shutters continuously, the dazzling flashes illuminated the Lincoln's exterior.
Inside the vehicle, Mavi watched the camera flashes through his tinted windows, fully prepared for the moment. He was dressed in dark casual clothing, wearing a black mask and sunglasses—committed to maintaining his enigmatic persona.
Two minutes later, a bodyguard in a black suit opened the car door. Instantly, the flashes intensified.
"Boss, everything is secure outside," the bodyguard reported.
"Hmm," Mavi responded nonchalantly before stepping out of the car in full disguise.
The cameras went into a frenzy, their blinding flashes reflecting off his sunglasses. Even with his face obscured, the reporters could tell he was someone significant. If not for the fact that he had emerged from the Lincoln with an entourage of bodyguards, they might have mistaken him for a celebrity coming to buy a luxury home.
Basking in the camera flashes, Mavi experienced a brief moment of what it felt like to be a star.
Half a minute later, amidst the flashing cameras, he arrived at the stage to prepare for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Ziyuan No. 1.
He wasn't alone. Also attending the event was Ma Anxiang, the Director of the Pudong New Area Land and Resources Bureau, whom Mavi had previously met at the International Conference Center.
Mavi was more than happy to have Ma Anxiang present at the event. After a brief, cordial exchange, they each took a section of red silk ribbon and a golden pair of scissors, ready to commence the grand opening ceremony.
(End of Chapter)