Chapter 592: Smell of Gunpowder
In Xiao Peng's study, Friedrich wore a very satisfied expression. "I have to say the Chinese really know how to eat. I've eaten barbecue my entire life, but I still don't think I ate as much as I did today. This was absolutely delicious! The most important thing for a person to live longer is self-discipline, but today I violated that principle. I haven't felt this full in a long time."
"Have some tea?" Xiao Peng asked.
"Sorry, just give me a cup of hot coffee. I've tasted your Chinese tea, and I really can't accept this." Friedrich said.
“Is instant coffee acceptable?”
"……Can."
Xiao Peng brought Friedrich a cup of instant coffee and poured himself a cup of tea.
Friedrich sighed, "Xiao, this doesn't seem like the lifestyle of a billionaire. Don't you have servants?"
Xiao Peng took a sip of tea and said, "There are two female employees at home who are responsible for taking care of the house. However, their main job is not to take care of me, but because I have a little girl at home."
"Oh, you mean Emil?" Friedrich said, "You are such a kind person. I should say you and your partners are all kind people."
Xiao Peng smiled and said, "Your investigation is quite clear."
Friedrich said, "It's all in the newspapers. There's no need to investigate. I'm sorry about Xiao Hengheng's situation."
Xiao Peng took a sip from the teacup to ease his emotions, then said, "Thank you. Fortunately, I've witnessed the death of my relatives before, otherwise I really wouldn't be able to accept it."
Watching Xiao Peng sitting there slowly pouring tea and water, Friedrich asked in confusion: "Wouldn't it be better to have a servant do this?"
Xiao Peng shook his head. "Friedrich, you still don't understand Chinese culture. This process of brewing tea is actually a process of meditation. I don't understand the tea ceremony, but I can still find a moment of peace in it. You just said that the most important thing for people to live longer is 'self-discipline'. I think that's correct, but I think people who want to live longer need to move. If they don't move, they are like dead bodies. Why delegate everything you can do yourself? I do need servants to help me with cleaning, cooking, and other chores. It helps me save time, but I can't let them do everything for me and just sit back and wait for everything."
Friedrich smiled and said, "No wonder you're working on the front lines right now. I've been keeping an eye on you for the past few months, and I have to say you've done a fantastic job. I was initially worried you wouldn't be able to carry out your work, but you've managed to shift people's attention to the Mediterranean through a series of operations. Even I have to admire your methods. Could it be that this tea-drinking meditation method really works?"
"You can try it." Xiao Peng said, "This is white tea. It's not fermented or roasted, so the taste is relatively light!"
Friedrich thought for a moment: "Is there any milk?"
Xiao Peng shook his head and said, "Forget it, you'd better not waste my tea."
Friedrich picked up his coffee to cover up his embarrassment. He decided to get straight to the point: "Xiao, are you looking for a dredger in the Netherlands because you made a new discovery?"
Xiao Peng didn't deny it: "Of course. Otherwise, wouldn't I have suffered for so long in vain?"
"What about our cooperation?" Friedrich asked hurriedly.
Xiao Peng said, "Cooperation? Cooperation should have partners, right? Do I have a partner?"
Friedrich chuckled after hearing this. He thought for a moment and said, "Xiao, do you know why so many people pray to God when they encounter difficulties?"
Xiao Peng said calmly, "I'm stupid and can't play dumb."
Friedrich said: "When people encounter difficulties, they pray to God because they believe in God, and God does not answer you because God believes in you."
Xiao Peng nodded and asked, "Wolfgang, are you God? Can you speak for him?"
"Uh..." Friedrich was stunned.
Xiao Peng spread out his hands. "This toxic chicken soup is particularly effective for those who are just starting out. That's why we have a saying in our country that the two most vulnerable people these days are the elderly and college students. But Wolfgang, I'm not someone who hasn't suffered or endured hardship. If I really believe this chicken soup, my grave will be overgrown with weeds. You say we are partners? You should know what I've been through here these past few months, right? Why didn't you show up when I was trapped at Norderney Pier? Why didn't you show up when I was searching for fortune at sea? Now that you think I've made a discovery, you say we are partners and want a piece of the action? Wolfgang, tell me, is there anything so good in the world?"
Friedrich frowned after hearing this and said, "Xiao, I know there are some misunderstandings between us, but what misunderstandings in the world can't be solved by 'interests'? There are only two things in this world: one that can be solved with money, and one that can be solved with more money."
Xiao Peng laughed heartily after hearing this: "Well said! But you've overlooked one thing. This might be a money-making venture for you, but a 'loss of wealth' for me, right?"
Friedrich said: "Xiao, I still want to remind you that this treasure belongs to Germany!"
Xiao Peng was stunned. "Treasure? What treasure? I just said I found something. Did I say I found treasure? I just said I found a German U-boat from World War II with the remains of victims on board! Besides, I found the shipwreck in the high seas. What does it have to do with you, Germany?"
Friedrich frowned. "I do business with the Dutch IHC Group. I heard you're renting a dredging vessel without a crew. That's a condition the IHC Group would find difficult to agree to."
Xiao Peng was stunned: "Are you threatening me?"
Friedrich took out a cigar box, took out two cigars and handed one to Xiao Peng. He took out a cigar cutter, carefully trimmed the end of the cigar, lit it, and handed the cigar cutter to Xiao Peng. As a result, Xiao Peng bit the end of the cigar with his teeth, spit out the remaining leaves, and then lit it himself.
"I know a Cuban in Marseille who makes a living selling homemade cigars. He always scolds those who use cigar cutters, saying they are 'pretentious'. But I also think using a cigar cutter is very elegant. If I meet someone I don't know well, I will also use a cigar cutter to show off. In fact, it feels pretty good to show off."
Friedrich was furious after hearing this and asked, "Who are you talking about?"
But for the sake of the money, he took a deep breath and said, "Xiao, believe me, this is Germany after all. To put it more broadly, this is Europe. If you don't have a partner, you will encounter many difficulties beyond your imagination. Just like what happened on Norderney Island a while ago, it was just a small matter."
After hearing this, Xiao Peng stared at Friedrich, and the two looked at each other for a long time with a strong sense of tension.
But Xiao Peng suddenly laughed, opened the drawer of his desk, took out a document and placed it on the table: "Wolfgang, I won't beat around the bush with you, just read it yourself."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
