Chapter 17

Since it was a screened dinner, there were not many participants. After all, although Jiangcheng is a large city with a developed economy and a population of nearly 20 million, it is located in its headquarters area and is relatively low in economic output compared to the coastal city in the east and south directions, so there are not so many rich people with net assets of more than one billion yuan.

There are more than 40 entrepreneurs who have arrived at the dinner venue now, and some have female companions and family members, a total of about 70 people.

However, there is still some time before the dinner begins, so from time to time, participants still walk in.

All of them are Jiangcheng and even the top rich people in Hanzhong. Of course, they have a better name, entrepreneur.

They are all upper class figures, so most of these people are not unfamiliar with each other.

Whenever a newcomer enters the venue, several people will come forward to say hello.

Especially when the chairman of Rising Group, Chen Zhaoxian, who was in his sixties, walked into the venue under the escort of the bodyguard, it caused a commotion.

The entrepreneurs present came forward one after another and stood on both sides to greet them, smiling brighter than the flowers in spring.

Welcome Mr. Chen.

I wish Chen Dong a good fortune as the East China Sea and a long life as the South Mountain.

Oh my, it is a great honor to meet the business godfather of Hanzhong again.

……

Lu Qi was not so excited. After all, although he was also a billionaire, he seemed a bit insignificant compared to a 100 billion-dollar boss like Chen Zhaoxian.

Any branch of Rising Group is much larger than his Qiyuan Group.

What's more, Lu Qi is currently just a rising star in Jiangcheng business world and has no contact with big bosses like Chen Zhaoxian.The main reason is that his Qiyuan Group and Rising Group basically have no commercial cooperation.

So compared to those corporate-level people who came forward to greet each other and were far stronger than him, he was very calm. He stood by the table with tea and poured a cup of herbal tea to moisten his throat.

Gu Wanqing asked: Why, don’t you want to take this opportunity to make friends with the richest man in Hanzhong?

Qi Yuan smiled faintly: If a little god like me is invited to enter this big temple, he is already very proud. A great god like Mr. Chen cannot be made friends with me with my ability.

He looked at Gu Wanqing and said: This is called self-knowledge.

So, today is just a free high-end drink?

No.Lu Qi shook his head, he still invested today, but it was not convenient now.

Gu Wanqing was about to ask questions, but was interrupted by the voice of the host on the stage.

It is honored to invite all the guests to today's dinner. Here are the Chairman of Rising Group, one of the organizers of the dinner, Mr. Chen Zhaoxian, and the Chairman of Rising Group, said.

A loud bang, a warm applause rang out.

As Chen Zhaoxian walked to the stage to speak, the whole dinner officially began.At this time, there were more than one hundred people in the venue.

After ten minutes of brief speech, Chen Zhaoxian walked off the stage, protected by bodyguards, and left the venue directly.

His son, Chen Haiguang, president of Rising Group, came to the stage and said that his father was in poor health and needed to rest, so he could not accompany everyone to continue the next activities.

Chen Haiguang walked off the stage, and the colorful lights on the stage were lit up. A piano was carried on by the staff. A pianist in a Yàn tuxedo followed him to the placed piano and sat down.

As his flexible fingers pressed on the black and white keys, a soothing music kept ringing and drifting throughout the banquet hall.

The dinner was in a Western way, with no fixed seats and sufficient drinks, so everyone could walk around and have casual conversation.

Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs are so fat, I'll try them.Lu Qi picked up the chopsticks and asked for the fresh and tempting hairy crabs on the plate, but was stopped by Gu Wanqing.

What's wrong, Sister Wanqing?He asked.

Gu Wanqing gently tapped his injured right shoulder with her green onion fingertips. The scar has not healed yet, so he forgot that the pain is, right?

Hehe, then I'll have a big lobster.

Big lobsters are even more edible.

But I'm really hungry.

Well, then have some dumplings.Gu Wanqing picked up a small steamed dumpling and put it into Lu Qi's bowl. It tasted pretty good, you can eat one.

Lu Qi swallowed it whole, and the small steamed dumplings disappeared in one bite, but the taste was really delicious, and it was not as good as those quick-frozen steamed dumplings that cost 30 yuan a pack in supermarkets.

Slowly, don't choke.Gu Wanqing picked up another one for him, poured a cup of tea and put it on his bowl.

At this time, a strange sound suddenly sounded across the two, as if someone was quarreling again.

Looking up, it turned out that two European-looking men and women were explaining something to a young boy in a waiter uniform with displeasure.

But they speak neither Chinese nor common English.

I saw the young waiter sweating profusely and tried hard to understand the other party’s meaning. He said several times in English: can yu speaking english?

The other party shook his head.This is strange, which means they can understand English, but they speak a language that the waiter does not move at all.

Lu Qi glanced at him and said: Unexpectedly, he also invited a foreigner.I just don’t know which country these two are from, so I can’t understand it.

They speak French.Gu Wanqing said.

French?

But it seems that they should understand English, so why don’t they speak English?

Lu Qi was very curious and thought that these two foreigners were also stubborn and could speak English but were unwilling to speak.

Gu Wanqing smiled slightly and explained: French are so proud, and French is one of the common languages ​​in the United Nations, so even abroad, there are always people who insist on speaking their French language.

Sister Wan Qing.Lu Qi asked, do you speak French?

Um.

Gu Wanqing nodded, and then in Lu Qi's surprised gaze, she stood up and greeted the two French-speaking foreigners gracefully and politely.

Lu Qi and the waiter couldn't understand, but it was obvious that Gu Wanqing had accessibility communication with the two French people.

Her French was very fluent. During the conversation, the two French people's originally anxious and dissatisfied expressions gradually changed to smiles, and nodded to Gu Wan from time to time.

Then, Gu Wanqing expressed the meaning of the two French people to the confused waiter.

It turned out that they were asking if they could provide French foie gras and French wine.

But because I don’t know Chinese and don’t want to speak English, I talked with the waiter for a long time.

Thank you, Madam, please tell them that the dinner was prepared with French foie gras and wine from France, and I will bring it over immediately.

The waiter said to Gu Wanqing gratefully.

Gu Wanqing translated his words to the French again.

When the two Frenchmen heard that they had the dishes and wine they wanted, they nodded happily.The French woman with blonde hair happily said a few words to Gu Wanqing.

Seeing Gu Wanqing shook her head politely, she immediately showed regret and said something disappointed.

So the French man next to her said to Gu Wanqing: Dear lady, my... well, old... wife, lonely, in China...

The French man spoke Chinese this time, but it was obvious that he didn't know much, so he directly spoke his native language after putting in a few words.

After hearing this, Gu Wanqing suddenly nodded again, as if she had agreed to the other party.

Please prepare three-point mage foie gras, two French snails, a bottle of French wine, and then three wine glasses.Gu Wanqing said to the waiter.

OK, madam, I'll be here soon.The waiter bowed slightly and left with the plate.

Lu Qi listened to Gu Wanqing's words, thoughtful, and then asked: Do I have a share too?

Gu Wanqing smiled and said, "Sorry, the injured child cannot drink."

It's nothing to drink some wine?

Wine is not good either.

Oh, Sister Wanqing, why are you as tight as my mother?

******

Lu Qi didn't know why, but Gu Wanqing was silent for a moment because of his words.When I looked at him again, tears faintly shone in my eyes.

Child, maybe I am your mother.

After all, Gu Wanqing still didn't have the courage to say this.

During this period, two French men and women introduced themselves. The man was Miller, who was the director of a French high-end clothing brand stationed in Jiangcheng; the woman was Alice, who was Miller's wife.

After seven or eight minutes, the waiter who had left the cart was pushed back, uncovered the lid, brought out three portions of French foie gras, two portions of French snails, and a bottle of wine produced from a famous French winery.

The French woman's eyes lit up and she happily invited Gu Wanqing to have a meal together.

Gu Wanqing nodded, then moved down the chair and sat directly opposite the French woman.

bite……

After gently touching the goblet with the two Frenchmen, Gu Wanqing moved elegantly, raised her chin in a moderate range, opened her red lips and took a sip of wine.

Hello, Sister Wanqing, don’t care about me anymore?Lu Qi asked, watching the three of them drinking and talking, his tone full of grievances.

Gu Wanqing was holding a knife and fork to cut off a small piece of foie gras, so she stopped her movements and said to Lu Qi in a teaching tone: It’s not a child anymore, you have to learn to do your own thing.

Then she used her chin to signal to Lu Qi's right front, "Well, don't you invite other girls to dance?"

I just said that I am a child, but now I am not?

Before Lu Qi could look in the direction, a young girl who had been secretly following him for a long time noticed Gu Wanqing's eyes, blushed, and quickly turned her head to face the table full of delicious food.

He held the chopsticks in his hand and stewed them randomly in a plate of dishes.

When she looked back and looked around again, Lu Qi had already withdrawn his gaze.

I don't know her, and I just want to invite you to dance.He said to Gu Wanqing.

I can't dance socially.Gu Wanqing said, clinking glasses with Miller and Alice again.

You lie.Lu Qi didn't believe it at all.

Today, this woman brought him so many surprises.

For example, walking skillfully in high heels, speaking French, and being very familiar with Western dining table etiquette.

He clearly felt that Gu Wanqing was definitely not simple, and she had a mysterious and unknown person, but she was definitely a very wonderful past.

I am old, you should invite those young and beautiful girls, not me, an old woman who is almost fifty years old.Gu Wanqing said.

He is obviously not old, and no one will doubt that you are my sister.And I have a discovery.

Lu Qi suddenly became a little furious and couldn't help but tell Gu Wanqing the thoughts hidden in his heart, Sister Wanqing, I've looked in the mirror these days, looking left and right, and found that we really look a bit like him. Look, my eyes...

Alas, do you think it looks like it?Lu Qi reached out and shook his hand in front of Gu Wanqing, who was a little dazed.

Like, there are...something.Gu Wan counted her head.

Haha, Sister Wanqing, do you think this is a couple?Lu Qi smiled happily.

Nonsense.Gu Wanqing didn't look at him either. Okay, it's very rude to talk to you all the time. I'll talk about it until I finish eating foie gras.

oh.

Lu Qi came to the banquet and there was indeed something serious to do.

In recent years, with the transfer of the central industrial in Mocheng and the development of surrounding areas, Qiyuan Group, which has always wanted to develop in Mocheng, wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to open a high-end hotel in Mocheng New District, which has relatively cheap land prices but has broad development prospects.

However, the price of the Magic City New District is only relatively cheaper than the city center. To obtain a piece of land with an area of ​​15 acres, the current market price will be at least 300 million yuan.

In addition to building a standard five-star hotel, the funds will be increased by at least 200 million yuan.

(The author made it up randomly, don’t be too serious, just watch it for fun.)

With a huge sum of 500 million yuan, Qiyuan Group could easily take out this money before the epidemic.

However, after three years of blow to the epidemic, the national hotel industry has suffered huge losses, and Qiyuan Group is also not included.

Revenue has dropped by more than 30% compared with before the epidemic, so in order to build a five-star hotel in Magic City, if the plan to implement it smoothly on schedule, it is necessary to find external investment.

Lu Qi was also in the dinner venue at this time.It’s just that the other party has been talking to the big guys with stronger assets before, so he is not convenient to disturb him.

Sister Wanqing, I have something to do, so I won’t accompany you for now.Lu Qi stood up and reached out to tidy up his tie.

Well, you go.Gu Wanqian nodded.

Lu Qi left and walked towards a middle-aged man in his fifties.

Hello Uncle Zhou.Lu Qi walked to the middle-aged man and bowed respectfully to him.

The middle-aged man is named Zhou Minhui. He is the chairman of Yaohui Company, a famous real estate company in Jiangcheng. He is 53 years old this year.

He has a square face and a flat head, a slightly fat figure, a small figure, a small figure, and looks ordinary, but his eyes are very smart.

In fact, before Lu Qi came to greet him, Zhou Minhui had already noticed him and expected that he would take advantage of the dinner to come to him to discuss the investment in the new hotel in Qiyuan Group in the Magic City.

Before the epidemic, he had received a message from Qiyuan Group.

Oh, it's Lu Qi.Zhou Minhui pretended to be surprised and said loudly, "Look, everyone, our outstanding young entrepreneur in Jiangcheng."

The people here have some impression of Lu Qi, and say hello to him sincerely or perfunctorily on the occasion.Lu Qi also nodded politely to respond.

Then he would say to Zhou Min: Uncle Zhou, can you please move on? I have some details about the joint investment in the construction of the Magic City Hotel.

Oh, it's easy to say.Zhou Minhui picked up a glass of white wine and handed it to Lu Qi. Come on, drink this glass first, it’s not too late for us to chat.

Smelling the mellow fragrance of white wine, a brief hesitation flashed in Lu Qi's heart, and soon he took the wine glass with his hands and raised his head and drank it all.

Wine is a good wine, but it is not suitable for Lu Qi, who is still injured.After drinking a cup, I quickly reacted.As the blood irritated, there was a faint burning sensation of fire on the wound on the right shoulder.

Although I was reluctant, for the sake of the company's development, I had to accept this so-called wine table culture with a smile.If drinking can attract investment, he is willing to drink a whole bottle of white wine.

This is the helplessness of a man.

Many people only see Lu Qi young and promising, and has a glory. But in addition to the few good brothers who started their business together in the early days, how many people can understand the sadness of starting his business along the way.

Um.Zhou Minhui nodded with satisfaction, indeed generous.

Lu Qi smiled knowingly, picked up the Feitian Moutai on the table and poured a full glass. He endured the discomfort in the wound, raised his glass with both hands and said to Zhou Minhui: Uncle Zhou, I will toast you.

Soon, no drop left.

Lu Qi's alcohol content is pretty good, and two glasses of Feitian Moutai in a row are not enough to make him drunk.

However, as the alcohol content in the blood increases, the faint burning sensation in the wound gradually worsens as if it is burned against fire, which is really uncomfortable.

So the air in the villa was cool, but sweat was faintly oozing from Lu Qi's forehead.

Lu Qi's move gave Zhou Minhui enough face, and he also poured half a cup and did it all.

Under the guidance of the waiter, the two left the banquet hall and walked to a quiet living room to discuss the hotel investment matters.

Zhou Minhui actually has the intention to cooperate with Lu Qi.

Although he has a net worth of more than 30 billion yuan, his life has not been easy in the past two years.

After all, his Yaohui Real Estate naturally cannot escape the cold winter of the real estate industry that swept across the country.Half a year has passed this year, and there is not even 20% of the house he sold.

Now I owe banks loans and suppliers’ payments, the total amount is more than tens of billions.

His assets are more than 30 billion yuan, but most of them are houses that cannot be sold. The company's working capital is getting less and less, and it is almost at a disadvantage.

Especially last year, Hengtai Group, a famous national leading real estate company in southern Guangdong Province, announced that it was unable to repay 2000 billion yuan of corporate debt and filed for bankruptcy, which even sounded a wake-up call for small and medium-sized real estate companies like Huiyao Company.

Can the housing market continue to be as hot as before?

Zhou Minhui didn’t have much confidence.

After all, he was a big shot who had been fighting in the mall for many years. Now there is no way out in front of the mountain, so he had to seek the darkness of the willows and flowers everywhere.

Although the hotel industry is also in the cold winter, that is because of the epidemic. In addition to the first year when the epidemic is strong, in the next two years, even if the epidemic occurs again, the prosperity of the hotel industry is still maintaining, and it has even slowly shown a trend of recovery.

As for the real estate industry, a series of propaganda and policies for rescuing the market have not only failed to promote, but has instead aroused a lot of ridicule among the people.

As an insider, Zhou Minhui knew very well that the glorious moments of real estate had passed, and the future was afraid it would be more and more difficult.

Therefore, when he received an invitation from Qiyuan Group to jointly invest in the five-star hotel project in the Magic City, he did not refuse.