"Understood!"
Her answer was so prompt that Pei Jin couldn't help but look at her. He saw an expression on her face that seemed to say, "You don't need to say a word. I know it all."
"Do you really understand or just pretend to?"
Zhu Ning let out a snorty laugh. "You're getting a commission, right?"
Pei Jin: …
She said, "Don't worry. I like making money too. I can understand you."
Pei Jin averted his gaze.
"Then thank you."
"You're welcome."
Pei Jin let out a speechless laugh.
The restaurant Pei Jin had chosen was near the banking and financial street in the city center.
"Are we having dinner here?"
"Yeah." Pei Jin parked the car and turned off the engine.
"I once came here for a cooperation project with a bank. I had a really good silver fish and purple crab hot pot here."
"I'm not very familiar with Haishi. This is the only good place I can remember, so I brought you here."
Zhu Ning said it was okay, but she thought to herself that she wasn't familiar with the high - end places in Haishi either. She'd have to ask Song Ya to show her around some other day.
The Veneno pulled up in front of the restaurant. The valet quickly stepped forward to take the keys and parked the car carefully. The waiter respectfully led the two of them inside.
When going upstairs, Zhu Ning unexpectedly spotted a familiar figure in the lobby. She stopped and looked over. It was Duan Zimo talking to a middle - aged man in a suit.
The atmosphere between them was tense. When they got up to shake hands, Duan Zimo looked ashen, as if the negotiation had failed.
After parting ways with the client, Duan Zimo noticed the two of them behind him. He was surprised and quickly gathered the documents on the table. Then he walked towards them.
"Mr. Pei, Miss Zhu. What a coincidence. You're here too."
"Hello," Pei Jin said. "We just finished looking at the manor and came here for dinner. What about you?"
"I'm here to discuss some cooperation." Not wanting to talk about his situation, Duan Zimo asked, "How did you two like the manor?"
"We've basically finalized it. We'll sign the contract after the lawyer team finishes the survey."
Just as Zhu Ning finished speaking, Cen Shen sent her a message saying that the lawyer had signed the contract and would arrive in Haishi tomorrow to survey the residence. Then the young lady could place the order.
【Ding! Newbie task activated: Spend a total of 500 million yuan. Reward: 67% absolute controlling stake in Jude Wang Teahouse. The full amount of the consumption will be refunded after the task is completed.】
The sudden system prompt startled Zhu Ning.
Even after she understood it, her emotions were still in turmoil.
"System, does 'the full amount of the consumption will be refunded' mean that after I spend 500 million yuan, it will all come back to my pocket after the task is completed?"
【Yes, Host.】
Wasn't this just like getting something for nothing?
Zhu Ning was excited. Then she unconsciously looked in Duan Zimo's direction.
It seemed that her guess was right. The crisis in the Duan family hadn't been resolved yet.
Zhu Ning didn't doubt the value of the system's reward.
As the largest teahouse enterprise in the area, Jude Wang's industries included KTVs, arcades, bathhouses and other entertainment and leisure venues. It had dominated the entertainment and leisure market in Haishi for the past decade. It was just facing a capital chain problem at the moment.
Since the system could offer such a high - stake acquisition as a reward, it meant that it could offer the Duan family an offer they couldn't refuse.
With such a large sum of money, the crisis of Jude Wang would be solved, wouldn't it?
All she had to do was spend 500 million yuan to trigger the reward. It was easy.
Duan Zimo felt a bit creeped out by Zhu Ning's stare. "Why are you looking at me and smiling?"
"Nothing." Zhu Ning gave him a mysterious smile. "It's a secret."
Duan Zimo looked confused.
Since they met in the restaurant, Pei Jin naturally invited Duan Zimo to join them for dinner.
Duan Zimo declined politely, saying that he still had work to do.
Pei Jin said, "That's a pity."
Duan Zimo also thought it was a pity. Then he seemed to remember something. "By the way, Zhu Ning, here you are."
He took out the keys to the Divo from his pocket. "I originally planned to return the car to you tonight, but I didn't expect to meet you here. Thank you for lending me the car."
"If you return it to me now, how are you going to get back?"
"I'll take a taxi." Duan Zimo said, "Don't worry about me. Besides, you need to go home too."
"No need."
Pei Jin suddenly spoke up. Duan Zimo paused slightly.
The man's face was calm. "I'll take Miss Zhu home tonight."
Since it wasn't a good idea to return the car now anyway, and Zhu Ning had someone to take her home, Duan Zimo felt relieved.
"Okay. I'll go home first. Enjoy your dinner, you two."
Pei Jin nodded calmly, and Zhu Ning waved with a smile.
After Duan Zimo left the restaurant, his father, Duan Wensheng, called to ask how things had gone.
"Not ideal. They all want to take advantage of our situation. None of them want to cooperate sincerely."
The weak voice of the old man on the other end of the phone let out a deep sigh. "Given our current situation, it's normal for them to try to take advantage."
"You should visit a few more companies. There's always a way out. If all else fails, we can raise funds and sell shares publicly."
Duan Zimo let out a bitter laugh. "Got it."
After hanging up the phone, the valet had already brought the car.
The shiny black car body reflected the desolation on his face at the moment.
Duan Zimo lowered his head bitterly.
Indeed, in this world of interests, it was rare to find someone like Zhu Ning who would offer help in times of need.
He'd just have to keep looking for someone to talk to...
In the restaurant.
Zhu Ning and Pei Jin went upstairs and took their seats. It was almost dusk. The window seat they'd reserved was bathed in the slanting sunlight. Zhu Ning sat opposite Pei Jin and caught a glimpse of the sunset glow on half of his face. She suddenly felt that the frost on his body seemed to melt away, making him look a bit gentle.
"Why are you looking at me?"
He asked without looking up.
Zhu Ning didn't expect this man to be so perceptive. She gave an embarrassed laugh.
"Nothing. I just think Mr. Pei has a good eye for restaurants. The view here is great."
Pei Jin's slender index finger flipped through the menu on the table. Hearing this, he let out a faint laugh.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing." Pei Jin selected the dishes and handed the menu to the waiter. "I just thought that maybe I really chose the right restaurant."
Zhu Ning was confused.
The dishes were served quickly. The silver fish and purple crab hot pot that Pei Jin had mentioned was soon placed on the table.
One bite and the delicious, tender taste filled her mouth. The famous Tianjin delicacy really lived up to its reputation!
"Delicious!" Zhu Ning's eyes lit up. "Mr. Pei really knows how to find good food."
Pei Jin said, "I'm glad you like it."
"I like it very much. Thank you!"
The two of them raised their glasses and clinked them.
The other dishes in the restaurant were also delicious, but since Zhu Ning was trying to lose weight, she didn't eat much. Pei Jin was considerate and respected her decision. They ate and chatted, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
In the middle, her phone buzzed with a message. It was from a client who had previously hired her as a game substitute player, asking if she was still taking orders. Zhu Ning glanced at it and replied that she was no longer doing it and recommended that he find someone else.
Before she could block the number, the other side quickly replied.
【?】
【Do you think the money is too little?】
【Don't you want to take my order?】
【You're such an ungrateful person!】
【If it weren't for me giving you orders back then, could you, a poor loser, have survived?】
【Now that you've become more capable, you dare to reject me. You little scumbag. Do you want to ruin your career?】
【Apologize to me right away and take my order for free!】
【Otherwise, I'll find someone to kill you and make sure you can never work in this industry again!】
【Be smart and think it over!】
In the past, when she was a game substitute player, she had no choice but to tolerate such clients.
But now, Zhu Ning was no longer someone these annoying people could bother.
She wasn't going to put up with him.
She simply typed: 【Get lost.】
The other side showed that they were typing. Without even thinking, Zhu Ning knew it would be a bunch of swear words. She blocked and deleted the number in one go.
Then she sent the client's account to Cen Shen and ordered, 【Check this out. Find out his background.】
She'd like to see just what kind of big shot this person was who dared to claim he could ruin her!