Chapter 147 Let me introduce someone to you
"Brother Xiao! Hahaha, you are such a punctual person! I thought you would be a little late." Chen Zetao stood outside his villa to greet Xiao Peng. Standing next to him was a Chinese man wearing a gray suit and gold-rimmed glasses.
Xiao Peng got out of the car and shook hands with Chen Zetao. He said, "Brother Chen, I've been in France for over two years and I haven't learned the 'lateness' culture here."
It is no secret that the French love to be late. In any case, Xiao Peng has never seen a French person who is punctual in the more than two years he has been here.
After greeting Chen Zetao, Xiao Peng asked, "Brother Chen, who is...?"
He was talking about the man in the gray suit next to Chen Zetao.
"This is Zhang Cuijian," Chen Zetao introduced. "She's the representative of AXA Insurance Company's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region."
After hearing his introduction, Xiao Peng understood why he was looking for him.
France has a highly developed insurance industry. AXA, the world's largest insurance company, is a French company. AXA is also among the top three insurance companies in France. AXA was also among the companies seeking to insure Mata Hari's jewelry.
It is not surprising that AXA Insurance has a Chinese or Chinese-American as their regional head.
This insurance company has strong Chinese roots.
Many years ago, this company invested in a joint venture with China Aviation Industry Group called China Aviation Group Insurance Company. This insurance company has a strong relationship with China Aviation Industry Group.
Xiao Peng shook hands with Zhang Cuijian and said, "Hello, Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Cuijian laughed and said, "What Mr. Zhang? I'm just here to work."
Xiao Peng asked curiously, "Chinese? Overseas Chinese?"
Zhang Cuijian smiled and said, "The former, but he has been here for many years, and has been here since he graduated from university."
Xiao Peng was stunned after hearing this: "It's been so long and you haven't obtained French citizenship?"
Zhang Cuijian shook her head. "My grandfather was a veteran. He participated in the Hoengseong Counterattack, the Battle of Wendenli, and the Battle of Chipyongni on the Korean Peninsula. If I became a French citizen, I might not even be able to enter the ancestral tomb after I die."
After hearing this, Xiao Peng gave a thumbs up and said from the bottom of his heart: "Old man, you are awesome!"
During the Peninsular War, France did not send any "advisory groups" to other countries. Instead, it had an independent "French Independent Battalion", which was almost completely wiped out after three battles. The three battles they participated in happened to be: the Battle of Hoengseong, the Battle of Wendeongni, and the Battle of Chipyongni.
Zhang Cuijian smiled bitterly and shook her head. "I had no intention of becoming a French citizen before my grandfather passed away. But he's almost a hundred now and still in very poor health, eating only three steamed buns for a meal! Looking back, I'm glad I didn't become a French citizen. Someone like Dick Sun would be dumbfounded."
"Dick Sun? Who is he?" Xiao Peng was stunned. "Is there anyone with that name in France?"
Dick is an English name, not a French name. In fact, 'Dick' is a nickname of 'Richard', and this word has another meaning in English, which is a man's 'thing'.
There aren't many people in foreign countries who call themselves Dick. It's like being called "Ergou," "Gousheng," "Tiezhu," or "Shagen" in China. But in China, there are quite a few people who call their employees by their English names. For example, Mr. Wang of SF Express is called Dick-Wang in English.
No one will laugh at a rich person no matter what he is called. Even if he is called "Bitch King", people will nod and bow to him when they see him and no one dares to laugh at him in person. This is the reality.
Before Zhang Cuijian could answer, Chen Zetao said, "Wouldn't it be better if we went inside to talk? Do we have to stand here? Is my house too old for you to like?"
"You call this a house?" Xiao Peng followed Chen Zetao, carrying a suitcase from the car. "Wouldn't it be better to call it a 'palace'? In fact, I can't wait to go in and take a look!"
He wasn't exaggerating. Chen Zetao's residence was a standard Renaissance-style villa in the suburbs of Marseille. Although it only had three floors, it covered a vast area, making it a truly "manor-class" house. All the walls were built of neatly cut stone.
Chen Zetao shrugged and said, "I have a mild obsessive-compulsive disorder, so I can only choose a house like this."
Xiao Peng smiled knowingly after hearing this.
Renaissance architectural style houses are the most suitable architectural style for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Its biggest feature is left-right symmetry. Looking from the main entrance, if the left wall uses 100 bricks, the right wall will definitely not use 99 bricks. They pay attention to the beauty of symmetry.
"This house looks very historical! It would be great if I could have a house like this one someday!" Xiao Peng looked around as he followed Chen Zetao's footsteps.
Chen Zetao said, "Brother Xiao, believe me, no matter what kind of house you want to buy in France in the future, don't buy an old house!"
"Oh?" Xiao Peng was confused.
Chen Zetao explained, "You've been in France for a while now. Aren't the ancient buildings in France well-preserved? Not to mention those historical buildings with backstory, even ordinary buildings like this are in terrible condition. But do you know how high the property fees are for an old building like this? Just repainting the exterior walls last year cost me 250,000 euros! As for replacing the water pipes and renovating the pipelines, the cost is even higher. The monthly water, electricity, pipe cleaning, garbage, and landscaping fees all add up to tens of thousands. This house is so damn unaffordable!"
"Then can you sell it?" Xiao Peng said.
Chen Zetao smiled and shook his head: "Fortunately, I am one of those who can afford to live here."
Xiao Peng gave him the middle finger: "Brother Chen, is it really okay for you to speak so irritatingly?"
Chen Zetao laughed and said, "Brother Xiao, if you say that, you will soon become one of the richest people in Marseille."
Xiao Peng shrugged and said, "But not yet. At this rate, I'll have to wait a long time! I asked Mayor Godin to do something for me, and the price I paid was to hold a jewelry exhibition at the Marseille Museum. You should know this!"
Chen Zetao did not deny it. Zhang Cuijian on the side said directly: "That's why I came here."
Before Xiao Peng could say anything, Chen Zetao said directly, "If you have anything to say, wait until you've had enough to eat and drink. Brother Xiao, do you like Sichuan cuisine?"
Xiao Peng said: "I basically love spicy food."
"That's good." Chen Zetao said, "Although my chef was a senior cooking technician with the national professional qualification level 1 before leaving, he is mainly good at Sichuan cuisine and is not outstanding in other cuisines. I don't want you to come all this way and be dissatisfied with my family dinner."
Xiao Peng nodded and said, "Actually, I'm happy to eat any Chinese food now. If you stay at sea for more than a month, believe me, there's nothing you won't find delicious!"
Chen Zetao smiled and said, "Although I have a boat, I haven't been at sea for very long! Tell us about your experiences along the way while we eat."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
