Cao Jinbo kept looking at me with an inquiring gaze, which left me with even less space to think of a solution. I was quite anxious, and then I subconsciously looked out the window, trying to buy myself some time to calm down.

I finally said to Cao Jinbo, "Don't rush to ask me for an answer. Let's talk about the matter at hand first... I've always worked in the product field in Shanghai, so I don't have much relevant experience with guesthouses and bars... Now you're suddenly asking me to manage so many bars and guesthouses, I'm really afraid I can't handle it... It's not about whether I have confidence or not, it's mainly about my personal resume, which is indeed a bit too much for me to handle!"

"Is this... a rejection?"

"I'm not refusing, I just hope you can reconsider... Cooperation requires trust, but risks also need to be assessed. If we don't say some things upfront, I'm afraid it might lead to an unpleasant outcome later..." I smiled and continued, "Unless, Mr. Cao, you have other ideas besides cooperation... You feel that whatever my performance is like, as long as I do things for you, that's fine!"

Cao Jinbo paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "Tell me, what ideas do I have besides cooperation?"

"Haha... I'd like to hear more from you, otherwise I'll feel guilty!... If I were really as capable as you say, I wouldn't have failed to make it in Shanghai, and wouldn't have come to Dali only to face so many setbacks!"

Just as Cao Jinbo and I were talking about the truth and the falsehood, I saw Ye Zhi's familiar figure outside the window... I had contacted her this afternoon. She understood my work and told me to focus on my work. She said she would come to the ancient city for a stroll in the evening and didn't need me to accompany her the whole time. I didn't expect to run into her on this Renmin Road.

Ye Zhi took a few steps when a vendor stopped her, offering her a free sample of Dali's homemade yogurt. Just as Ye Zhi turned her head, she spotted me...

I smiled at her, and she came over and returned a very pleasant smile to me.

...

This was the first time Cao Jinbo had met Ye Zhi face-to-face. He asked me, "Is this your girlfriend?"

I observed Ye Zhi's expression; she had no expression.

I replied with a smile, "Mr. Cao, you're too kind. Let me introduce you... You may not know her personally, but you'll definitely know about the projects she's invested in in Dali."

Cao Jinbo seemed very interested and said, "Dali has always been a place where hidden talents abound. Tell me about it, I'm all ears!"

"The project in Longkan was done by their group."

Cao Jinbo looked at Ye Zhi again with great seriousness and said in amazement, "This is indeed the largest cultural tourism project in Dali in recent years... Is she in charge of this project?"

Ye Zhi replied proactively, "I came here on behalf of the group to discuss the project... If I'm not mistaken, you must be Cao Jinbo, President Cao."

Cao Jinbo stood up and extended his hand to Ye Zhi, saying, "Ye Zhi, President Ye... It's a pleasure to meet you."

Ye Zhi didn't extend her hand, perhaps feeling it was a bit strange to shake hands through the window, but she still said "Nice to meet you" to Cao Jinbo.

Cao Jinbo looked a little embarrassed. He withdrew his hand and then turned to me, saying, "Outside, people always call me President Cao, which makes me feel quite ashamed... Only at President Ye's level can one truly deserve the title of 'President'. She is a true entrepreneur... We can't compare to her!"

Ye Zhi smiled politely, and then, to my surprise, asked Cao Jinbo, "I heard that you're planning to invite Michael to work for you, Mr. Cao?"

Cao Jinbo was also surprised. He replied, "Mr. Ye, do you have any advice for me?"

“Talent is in demand everywhere. Since we’ve met today, I’ll just mention it. I also hope he can work at our group’s newly opened hotel in Dali.”

Cao Jinbo smiled and then said to me, "No wonder you beat around the bush with me earlier, buddy. Turns out you've already latched onto President Ye's coattails!"

I didn't expect Ye Zhi to say these things to Cao Jinbo, and I couldn't fathom what these two, who were especially shrewd in the business world, were thinking, so I felt it was difficult to respond...

Cao Jinbo then said to Ye Zhi, "It is said that a gentleman does not take what others cherish. Could you please be lenient this time and give me, Cao Jinbo, a talented man?"

"I am not a gentleman, I am just a woman."

When Ye Zhi said that, even the experienced Cao Jinbo seemed a little unsure how to respond... And Ye Zhi truly had that ability; when she said something joking, it didn't sound like a joke at all.

I quickly chimed in, saying, "President Cao, you keep calling me a talent, it's going to make me arrogant... President Ye did mention this to me, but I didn't give a definite answer, for the same reason I gave you. I really think you're overestimating me... But if you insist on believing you're right, then I'll be even more confident... Hehe, wouldn't it be better if I started my own business?... Anyway, I am a talent!"

The atmosphere finally eased, and Cao Jinbo seemed to take my words as a joke. He smiled and said to Ye Zhi, "Then let's compete fairly... But President Ye, I also have some suggestions for you. It's a great thing for you outside entrepreneurs to help Dali develop its economy, but you should also consider the livelihood of our local people... You see, since you came, our opportunities have become fewer and fewer. My seaside inn by Erhai Lake is still closed!"

"Mr. Cao, you mean you also want to find a job at our hotel? I can arrange that, but if you have higher requirements, then I can't help you."

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