"Hello, Uncle Chen." Li Shiguang shook the hand that Old Chen had extended and responded with a smile.
"Come, come, sit here." After greeting him, Old Chen warmly pulled Li Shiguang to the dining table, and then reminded Chen Guanhai, who was standing next to him grinning, "Go and tell them to serve the dishes, and then bring over my two bottles of good wine."
Chen Guanhai looked aggrieved: "Dad, I just got in too!"
Upon hearing this...
Old Chen's eyes widened immediately as he looked at Chen Guanhai and said, "There are only the three of us in this room. If you're not going, are you suggesting that I and your brother Li go?"
"Ah!? Hahaha, that's true." Chen Guanhai scratched the back of his head and left with a sheepish grin.
"That kid has no sense of propriety." Old Chen chuckled and scolded, then pulled Li Shiguang down to sit. "Little Li, how's it going? This hotel of yours is alright, isn't it?"
Li Shiguang nodded, his face full of smiles: "Yes, it's great. Guan Hai used to tell me how good his family's hotel was, and today I've finally seen it for myself."
Receiving praise from Li Shiguang made Old Chen feel quite pleased: "Hahahaha, it's so much more pleasant chatting with you than with that brat Chen Guanhai, hmph!"
"Dad! How did I become such a brat again? I heard you scolding me as soon as I walked in!" Before Old Chen could finish speaking, Chen Guanhai walked in with wine, and the waiter followed behind him pushing dishes into the room.
"Xiao Li, Guan Hai said you love Sichuan cuisine, so tonight Uncle specially asked the kitchen to prepare a table of authentic Sichuan dishes for you. Try them." Looking at the dishes being placed on the table, Old Chen's smile widened. "By the way, Guan Hai told me that your father's hometown is in the north, right? Why do you like Sichuan cuisine?"
Trying to find out my secrets?
But what's the point?
I'm not going to go back to China to develop my career!
Old Chen's question made Li Shiguang feel a little strange. For a moment, he couldn't figure out whether Old Chen did it on purpose or just said it casually.
Logically speaking.
People who can reach Old Chen's level are all shrewd and calculating!
Knowing that the two might reach some agreement after tonight's dinner, Li Shiguang had to carefully consider every word he said to Lao Chen.
Li Shiguang glanced at Old Chen discreetly, his face full of helplessness, and replied, "My father is a second-generation immigrant, and he's long since lost his eating habits. As for me, in Leeds, there's only one decent Sichuan restaurant; the others... well, let's just say they're not great..."
"Hahaha, so that's how it is." Seeing that all the dishes had been served, Old Chen waved for the waiter to leave, then picked up the wine glass that Chen Guanhai had just poured and smiled at Li Shiguang, "Come on! Little Li! Consider this a welcome drink for you!"
Li Shiguang smiled, raised his glass, clinked it with Lao Chen's, and drank it all in one gulp.
During the meal, the three talked about everything, from Chen Guanhai's life as a rich second-generation to Leeds United's outstanding achievements this year.
They learned that Li Shiguang had already bought Kaka and Adria.
Old Chen, who has a deep understanding of football, was even shocked, especially after learning that Li Shiguang had already reached an agreement with Galliani to bring in Kaká during the winter. Old Chen repeatedly praised Li Shiguang's eye for talent!
Kaka just helped AC Milan win the Champions League with a phenomenal performance, and he is also a strong contender for this year's Ballon d'Or.
From a business perspective, the signing of a handsome, disciplined, and exceptionally talented world-class player would undoubtedly greatly enhance Leeds United's global influence.
What's more, there's also Adriano, a world-renowned and powerful center forward!
Although Lao Chen knew that Adriano's form had been somewhat poor in recent years, Chen Guanhai had told him the story of Deisler, which made Lao Chen have no doubt about Li Shiguang's professionalism in training players.
A picture had already appeared in Old Chen's mind.
The moment Leeds United announced the signings of Kaká and Adriano, the club and Lee Shih-shih received tremendous attention worldwide!
He stared in shock at Li Shiguang, who remained calm and composed.
Even the way Old Chen looked at Chen Guanhai softened a little.
Although this son only knows how to spend money and play with women every day, who knew that as he played around, he actually managed to create a way out for himself that would at least ensure he would have enough to eat and wear in his later years!
At this moment, he was filled with mixed emotions: shock, relief, and bitterness.
Fortunately, my trip to Germany last year was the right one! I successfully boarded Li Shiguang's ship!
The bitter part is that after I reveal my request, I'll probably have to return some of the Leeds United shares I acquired to Li Shiguang!
····
Dinner is over.
Li Shiguang and Lao Chen, who were having a pleasant conversation, did not leave the private room. After the meal, the two sat on the sofa, each enjoying a large cigar, while Chen Guanhai smoked his favorite Xiaohuazi next to them.
After the staff packed up their belongings and left the room.
Old Chen glanced at his watch and placed the cigar he was holding on the ashtray next to him.
Li Shiguang, who had always kept Old Chen's things, knew this.
The important business is about to begin.
So he subconsciously shifted his body upwards, trying to make himself look more imposing.
really.
After setting out the cigars, Old Chen turned to look at Li Shiguang with a broad smile, and began to explain the main purpose of tonight's meal.
"Xiao Li, with your intelligence, I'm sure you've already gleaned some of my thoughts from our previous phone call, right?"
“Yes, Uncle Chen.” Li Shiguang nodded. He didn’t want to beat around the bush with Old Chen. On this issue, he wanted to get straight to the point. “Just tell me, how much money do you need right now? And what can I get in return?”
Li Shiguang's steely words stunned Old Chen, his previously natural smile suddenly freezing, and he couldn't quite process what Li Shiguang had said.
In Old Chen's mind, he had rehearsed this conversation tonight countless times.
But what I didn't expect was that I had barely started when Li Shiguang was already preparing to end it!
"Uh... Xiao Li, it's not like I haven't done business with Europeans before, but I feel like none of them are as direct as you!" Old Chen shook his head with a wry smile.
“But I’m not European, I’m of pure Chinese descent! Uncle Chen, we’re speaking Mandarin right now!” Li Shiguang spread his hands and reminded him innocently.
"Fine, I can't argue with you."
Old Chen knew that if he continued to argue with Li Shiguang, he would definitely suffer the consequences, so he proceeded with his planned response.
"I urgently need some funds! And it's likely a sure-fire way to make a profit!"
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