It feels very comfortable to be with Lu Rong. I can feel her professionalism and experience the ambiguity between lovers.
Occasionally, we would joke with each other like friends and talk about everything.
This woman has her own unique charm.
It's not the kind of desire that makes people just want to possess, but a natural magical affinity.
It makes people unconsciously want to get closer to her and get to know her more deeply.
"Believe me, that day will never come."
Li Zhenyu's eyes were clear, and he responded jokingly like an old friend.
Lu Rong chuckled helplessly and said, "That's really... a pity."
He shrugged nonchalantly and the car arrived at the destination.
Waldorf Astoria, Park Avenue, East Side Manhattan.
This old luxury hotel with a history of more than 100 years has witnessed and participated in many important events in modern times.
For example, Li Hongzhang lived here when he visited New York during his inspection tour of Europe and the United States.
At the end of World War II, the four big gangsters signed the "World Peace Agreement" here.
The wife of the Neon Emperor, she settled here after Eisenhower's death.
Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, Elizabeth and other dignitaries from various countries have stayed here.
Monroe often held dances here, and the Rolling Stones also performed here.
The New Millennium Manifesto was also born here...
On the 60th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, 32 heads of state stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and the five permanent members of the UN held bilateral talks at the hotel and even talks between multiple countries at the UN headquarters.
Since then, it has been nicknamed the 'Little United Nations'.
The original site of the hotel is not here, it has now become the Empire State Building.
After being demolished, the hotel reselected its current address and rebuilt what was then the world’s first skyscraper hotel, which was also the tallest and largest hotel in the world at the time.
Now, she has set out again after the renovation. When she walks into the hotel, the historical deposits everywhere give people a heavy sense of depression.
It makes people unconsciously slow down their pace and lower their voices to show respect.
Walking to the front desk, Li Zhenyu also saw the famous slogan: Difficult things can be done immediately. Impossible things can be done in a few more minutes.
This is the motto of Waldorf Astoria and the belief it has always adhered to.
The fact that Waldorf has been recognized by the heads of state of 32 countries shows that it has truly fulfilled its service commitments as stated in the declaration.
"Boss, how do you feel?"
After getting on the elevator, Lu Rong, who had been observing him all the way, wanted to know what he thought of this hotel.
"Very good. Very good."
Li Zhenyu had to admit that the feeling this place gave him was completely different from Silla.
In Silla, everything was like a clockwork machine.
Every greeting, smile, word and behavior was standardized, and he used to think it was fine.
But now, Li Zhenyu has completely changed his mind.
Maybe he should suggest that Li Fuzhen come here and take a look, preferably staying for a few months to deeply experience the Waldorf culture.
Li Zhenyu did it as soon as he thought of it and dialed her number immediately.
"Zhenyu?"
Li Fuzhen's slightly hoarse tone was full of questions. He should understand himself.
But if he understood himself, he shouldn't call at this time.
"Sister Fuzhen, have you ever been to the Waldorf Astoria in New York?"
After starting a conversation, Li Zhenyu told her about his experience in the hotel and strongly suggested that she come and experience it as soon as possible.
He promised that he would go, and the two ended the call.
After hanging up the phone, Li Zhenyu's worries were relieved and he finally found a suitable reason to check on her situation.
Judging from the conversation just now, Sister Fuzhen’s mood should be very unstable recently.
He drank a lot, and his hoarse voice was proof of that.
However, apart from that, her emotions did not fluctuate too much and she was relatively calm.
So, don't worry about her overreacting.
Although in his memory, Lee Boo-jeong left at a cost of hundreds of billions.
But this is not the world in memory after all, so it would be more reassuring after confirmation.
After doing all this, Li Zhenyu asked, "Why did you bring me here?"
"Hilton is planning to sell this high-end brand, and I think Universe should buy it."
“We are an investment company, not a hotel operator.”
"I have discussed this with Hilton, and they can continue to manage it on my behalf and charge the corresponding management fees."
"Why?"
Why did Hilton sell the hotel and agree to manage it?
"Their financial situation is not ideal, and it is too expensive to maintain the brand value of the Waldorf Astoria."
Li Zhenyu didn't say anything, but Lu Rong understood what he was waiting for.
"The world needs a good reputation and even more so recognition from the upper class. Both of us are outsiders in this country.
So, more than anyone else, we need the history and respect that Americans recognize.”
This reason convinced Li Zhenyu, and it was exactly as Lu Rong said.
A good reputation is important in any country in the world.
Especially in this damn hypocritical country which seems free but is actually full of discrimination.
Since you are powerless to change the world, then become as hypocritical as them.
“I love freedom.”
Li Zhenyu spread his hands and shouted loudly like an opera protagonist.
Lu Rong stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled and raised his hands, shouting: "Yes, I love freedom."
Want to acquire such a historic and influential luxury hotel brand.
The price was ridiculously high! After Lu Rong made initial contact with the other party, he received a quote of $1.5 billion.
In addition, the other party does not accept any stocks, bonds, or collateral, and the 1 billion must be paid in cash.
"Five years?"
Li Zhenyu thought that this time limit was reasonable and he would pay off US$1 billion in 5 years.
Lu Rong shook his head and said, "Two years. If the situation cannot be reversed in two years, Hilton will be in big trouble."
In other words, Hilton only has two years left, they don't have five years to wait.
Five years later, it is still a question whether Hilton will still be there, so what is the point even if he pays off the balance.
“Two years…”
After entering the room, Li Zhenyu fell into deep thought and began to consider the feasibility.
Two years later, he is confident that his net worth will increase several times.
But net worth and cash are always two different concepts.
One billion US dollars is not a small amount.
But considering the value behind the Waldorf, Li Zhenyu believes it is worth the number.
"I agree. I'll try to keep the price down."
Seeing that he agreed, Lu Rong said happily: "I will, Boss, you will not regret your decision today."
How much will it help his future career if he becomes the owner of an established hotel?
The day he gets the hotel, he will realize it clearly.
This is more of a deal, Lu Rong can say with certainty: he will never be disappointed!
With a positive answer, Lu Rong left the hotel.
Li Zhenyu also began to prepare for tomorrow's meeting. Many old friends came to this financing meeting.
Capital, Vanguard, BlackRock, and T. Rowe Price, all of these veteran capital companies that have appeared at Facebook's financing conference, came.
Grey Lock, a long-established venture capital firm founded in 1965, is also among them.
Founders Fund, a newly established company in 2005, has invested in companies such as Yammer, Path, Spotify, Gowalla, Slide, etc.
Of course, this now includes Facebook.
Sequoia Capital, Neon SoftBank...
Microsoft and Li Bancheng are also on the list, as well as an old acquaintance of Google Capital, Steve and Lu Rong’s former employer, Goldman Sachs.
A simple piece of paper can capture almost all the bigwigs in the investment field.
Tomorrow's meeting will surely be a grand event in the investment field.
(End of this chapter)