41: Chapter 41 also contains an unexpected surprise.

"Safe travels, CEO Chen."

"CEO Zhang, remember to contact me tomorrow."

Factory Director Qiu, Factory Director Qian, and Xiao Li stood at the entrance of the nightclub, waving goodbye.

Chen Hao and Zhang Menglu sat in the taxi.

"To the night market."

The taxi sped away.

Xiao Li turned around and went back into the nightclub to settle the commission she earned today.

Qian Zhaodi watched the departing taxi, muttering to herself.

"I don't get it. I really don't get it."

Factory Director Qiu, while placing an order for a designated driver, chuckled.

"If you could understand it, would it still be called business? In short, CEO Chen is very sharp. A casual suggestion from him can bring a near-bankrupt factory back to life. As long as you latch onto him, building your brand's reputation will definitely not be an issue."

Qian Zhaodi shook hands with Factory Director Qiu.

"Thank you, Uncle Qiu, for introducing me to CEO Chen."

"Your father and I are old comrades; introducing you two was the least I could do."

Factory Director Qiu was driven away by the designated driver. Qian Zhaodi waited at the entrance. About 30 minutes later, Wang Lichun walked out wearing casual clothes.

"Where are you going? I'll give you a ride."

The designated driver took the wheel. Qian Zhaodi and Wang Lichun sat in the back. Xiao Li kept blushing; what she was told earlier about throwing away the Holy Grail leading to wealth turned out true. Between her commission and the tip, she made over 50,000. Guests this generous were rare.

Qian Zhaodi spoke while driving.

"Do you know why I insisted on driving you?"

Wang Lichun knew there was more to it, so she casually asked.

"Does Director Qian want to persuade me to turn back to the right path?"

"Not at all. You're overthinking it."

Qian Zhaodi managed a factory of nearly a thousand people; how could she be a bleeding-heart saint?

"Tomorrow, CEO Chen and CEO Zhang will inspect the factory. I need you to accompany them the entire time. While ensuring you don't damage their relationship, help me probe CEO Chen's intentions."

This was a huge business opportunity. Wang Lichun instinctively inquired.

"Director, what do you want to know?"

Qian Zhaodi stared straight ahead and said firmly.

"I want to know how strong CEO Chen's willingness to cooperate is, or find out his background—how much capital he has and how he intends to cooperate. If this succeeds, I’ll give you 100,000."

...In the taxi.

Chen Hao had just converted Wang Lichun's keepsake, the bra, into points.

"Current cumulative available points: 439."

Suddenly, he heard a system notification.

"Ding, Wang Lichun's favorability increased by 5. Current favorability: 95."

It increased by another 5 points. He exchanged it too hastily.

But on second thought, the system rated the difficulty of conquest as 'Very Easy.' As expected, for how much money he spent, her favorability had already reached 95. Just 5 more points to complete the conquest—it was indeed very easy.

In exchange, Zhang Menglu's favorability dropped by 5 points. He needed to focus on restoring her favorability next.

"What are you thinking about? You seem completely lost."

Chen Hao's interruption brought Zhang Menglu back to reality.

"I was thinking about your purpose in doing all this tonight."

Chen Hao smiled and said.

"When we get to the food stall, we can eat and I'll explain."

The taxi didn't travel far before arriving at the night market food stalls. Close to midnight, Guangcheng's night market was still packed with people.

The two casually found a roadside stall. Chen Hao 'washed cups' while explaining.

"Business people have three wallets: face, substance, and foundation."

"'Face' can be understood as reputation. The higher your reputation, the more valuable your 'face' is. Once business reaches a certain level, you can make big money relying solely on 'face'."

Zhang Menglu listened to Chen Hao explain business principles like an elementary school student.

"'Substance' refers to your business—the broader your vision and the longer your goals, the bigger your business can become."

"The first two can be shown to others at any time, but the 'foundation' cannot. You can understand it as your reserve strength, or the bottom line you can withstand."

"In business, one must use any means necessary to achieve the goal, whether clean or dirty. The 'foundation' must be hidden deep in your heart and never allowed to be tested by others, or you will be led by the nose."

Zhang Menglu shook her head.

"I don't quite understand."

Chen Hao smiled.

"Let me tell you a story."

During an ancient famine, the imperial court had no grain for disaster relief, and chaos was imminent. The prefect came up with an idea that solved the immediate crisis: arranging a caravan of carts loaded with gravel and sending them to the disaster area, making the famine victims believe relief grain had arrived.

The prefect then opened the granaries, lowered grain prices, and engaged in a price war with the wealthy landlords who were hoarding grain. This made the landlords mistakenly believe that hoarding grain was useless, so they rushed to lower their prices. The famine problem was thus solved.

The two ate their late-night snack while Chen Hao told the story.

"'Face' was the prefect's reputation. No one thought the prefect would lie, so he managed to trick the landlords. 'Substance' was the imperial court having no grain; standing by would only lead to more chaos. Therefore, to achieve his goal, the prefect had to resort to unscrupulous deception to secure grain. Regardless of the means, at least he succeeded in the relief effort."

Zhang Menglu nodded.

"That makes sense."

Chen Hao continued.

"Tonight was an impromptu gathering. Factory Director Qiu was the middleman. Factory Director Qian and we don't know each other's true background or depth."

"Their willingness to cooperate was merely to offer me face and test the waters; their actual desire to partner isn't strong."

"If I want to become her partner, I must display my strength, including being wealthy and showing caution regarding investments."

"You can't agree to an investment on a whim, nor can you appear too indifferent. This is like fishing: once you cast the bait, big fish will naturally take the hook if they have an appetite."

"Only you know my foundation, but they don't know mine. The 88,000 'Great Divine Dragon' was actually a smokescreen."

Zhang Menglu pondered for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject.

"Was taking Xiao Li's bra also a smokescreen?"

Chen Hao had just taken a sip of beer, only to spray it all out.

"Pfft~"

"Th-this is my personal preference. You should be able to understand, right?"

Zhang Menglu rolled her eyes.

"I understand. If my legs are long, you want stockings. If she has large breasts, you want a bra. Hmph, and you still claim you're not a pervert."

Chen Hao quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Don't focus on those details. Although tonight was a hastily assembled gathering, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you. I'll ask you: Do you want to make big money?"

Zhang Menglu nodded.

"I do."

"Do you want to start a company, export goods, go public, and get rich?"

"I do."

Chen Hao abruptly changed his tone.

"Good. Keep dreaming. Anything can come true in a dream."

"You're messing with me!"

Zhang Menglu put her hands on her hips and playfully scolded him in anger.

Chen Hao smiled and explained.

"I was just joking with you. If you want it, I can make it happen. This opportunity is incredibly rare for you. From now on, do exactly as I say, and I can let you secure goods worth hundreds of thousands without spending a single cent."

"Once this batch hits the market, the next steps are setting up the company, hiring staff, advertising, building brand effect, celebrity endorsements, and going public. You'll be the boss, and a net worth in the tens of millions won't be a dream!"

Zhang Menglu's eyes shone with little stars.

"Zhang Menglu's favorability +5. Current favorability: 100. System special reward: bone tempering pill."

When Chen Hao saw the bone tempering pill in his hand, his eyes widened.

Damn it!

There was an unexpected surprise!