Chen Ke had been thinking about something, and after hearing Chen Zhuo's words, he casually replied, "How can we bring a female partner? Besides, we're not really going there to dance."

!!

A hint of secret joy flashed in Chen Zhuo's eyes, but he replied nonchalantly, "That's true."

Chen Ke remembered that the host of the ball was a senior executive of a trading company, so he was not surprised to see Lauters at the gate. Lauters was not qualified to attend salons, but he was fully qualified to attend business balls like this.

"Haha, Mr. Chen, I came to the door to greet you after I learned that Mr. Avery had also invited you." Lauters greeted Chen Ke warmly as soon as he saw him.

Chen Ke also put on a friendly smile, "You truly are my old friend, thank you Lauters."

"It's been a few days since I've seen you, and I've actually missed you a bit." Lauters gave Chen Ke a big hug, then noticed Chen Zhuo behind him, who had no expression on his face. "Hey, did this boy come with you?"

Chen Ke subtly pulled away from Lauters' embrace. "Yes, this is my younger brother, Chen Zhuo. Kids are very curious, so I brought him here to broaden his horizons. Chen Zhuo, this is Mr. Lauters."

Chen Zhuo lowered his eyes and said in a cold voice, "Hello, Mr. Lauters."

"Hello, Mr. Chen, as expected of your brother, he's very handsome. Come on, let me take you inside." Lauters said, patting Chen Ke on the back as the two brothers walked inside.

Chen Zhuo, who remained where he was, had a gloomy expression.

Chen Ke gave Chen Zhuo a wink, signaling him to follow.

As soon as Chen Ke entered the hall, Lauters led him to the host, Avery. Only then did Chen Ke realize that Avery was actually Lauters' general manager, and that he had invited him to the ball because he really liked the antique Chen Ke had given him.

Chen Ke suddenly realized that the porcelain Lautes bought on the ship must have been given to Avery, and Avery liked it very much, which is why Lautes later became "friends" with him.

After hearing Lauters' introduction, Avery was somewhat amazed by the serenity of fate. Chen Ke smiled and said, "I've heard so much about you. I'm very honored to be able to attend Mr. Avery's ball."

At this moment, Chen Zhuo, who had been half a step behind, handed Chen Ke a glass of wine. Chen Ke took it, clinked glasses with Avery and Lauters, and then naturally introduced Chen Zhuo to the outside.

The business ball that Avery specially organized was of course different from the Hebrew salon that day; the ball was filled with elegant ladies and clinking glasses.

After a brief introduction and a few words with Chen Ke, Chen Zhuo, and Avery, they found a quiet corner.

"Lautes's compliment on your beauty just now probably didn't mean anything by it. He's not very cultured and can't distinguish between pretty and handsome."

Chen Zhuo's lowered eyes were deep and serious. "Are you trying to explain for him?"

Chen Ke was surprised by Chen Zhuo's thought process. "I was just afraid that you would feel uncomfortable because of what he said. Why would I explain it for him?"

"oh·····"

Chen Ke: "...Don't say 'oh' anymore. You did a good job just now, and you even knew to seize the opportunity to show yourself."

Chen Zhuo listened without saying anything. At the time, he simply thought that Chen Ke had been talking for so long and should be tired of reading.

"Eat something first. Don't leave right after the ball. We need to talk to Avery alone."

What should we talk about?

“Selling antiques one by one is not a long-term solution.” After all, it’s rare to find a super sucker like Matsumoto anymore.

Chen Zhuo picked up a plate of pastries and started eating. "So? You want to expand your distribution channels?"

Chen Ke gave Chen Zhuo an approving look, thinking that Chen Zhuo was really smart, and if his personality were a little better, he would definitely be a younger brother that everyone would like.

Perhaps spurred on by Chen Ke's glance, Chen Zhuo continued without waiting for Chen Ke's reply: "From what I overheard of your conversation, Avery is the general manager of a French trading company in China, so... you want to cooperate with him to directly export antiques to France for sale?"

Chen Ke praised Chen Zhuo without reservation, "Not bad, being able to think of this shows that you have great foresight, but there is one thing you didn't get right."

"Aren't they selling antiques?"

Chen Ke was genuinely surprised; Chen Zhuo immediately understood what he meant.

Seeing Chen Ke's surprised expression, Chen Zhuo remained calm on the surface, but his heart was actually churning with excitement. Even his voice when he spoke again revealed his joy, "What's so surprising about this? Antiques aren't consumables or daily necessities, so they can't be sold in bulk."

If you were to sell in bulk, not to mention how the buyers would react, the government would likely have a word with you first.

Chen Ke found it amusing to look at Chen Zhuo, who was so smug and oblivious to his own arrogance. However, he genuinely believed that Chen Zhuo was a promising businessman, so he said, "Chen Zhuo, have you ever considered doing business like your father? If you want to, I have connections and I'll provide you with the capital. You can start now." This is much safer than joining the army.

Chen Zhuo refused without hesitation, "No, I've already made up my mind." Suddenly, Chen Zhuo squinted at Chen Ke, "You didn't bring me here just to try and change my mind about joining the army, did you?"

Chen Ke chuckled and said, "How could that be? If you still insist on joining the army now after three months, I'll help you persuade your mother. Besides... if I'm going to fight, it'll be to make you postpone your enlistment."

Their rare calm conversation came to an abrupt end here, and the ball didn't draw to a close until two hours later.

During this time, several ladies took the initiative to invite Chen Ke to dance on the dance floor, but Chen Ke politely declined them all. Chen Zhuo's expression grew colder and colder as he watched Chen Ke, who was attracting people just by sitting there.

Sitting next to him, Chen Ke thought he was getting impatient, so he said, "Look, there are a few young girls over there who have glanced at you several times, but they probably don't dare to come over because of your sour face. If you're really bored, then you should look nicer and go find them to dance."

Chen Ke's suggestion was well-intentioned, but Chen Zhuo's face immediately became even uglier.

Chen Ke: ""

"Hey, Mr. Chen, I've been looking for you for ages." Luckily, Lauters suddenly showed up, and Chen Ke quickly stood up. "What's wrong, Lauters?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to talk to Avery after the ball? I've got you a chance, come on."

Chen Ke's expression immediately lit up with surprise. "Really? Thank you so much, Lauters!"

"Haha, we're all friends, come on."

Lauters led Chen Ke and Chen Zhuo to a quiet reception room, where Avery was already sitting in a chair waiting, his eyes vacant, his face flushed, and he seemed slightly tipsy, but he could still recognize them.

Upon seeing the three enter, he greeted them warmly, "You're here! Come in and sit down, we can have another drink!"