36: Chapter 36 Welcome Banquet

Zhang Wei had initially leased the land only because he wanted to retrieve the imperial seal of china buried within it, but his cousin had come here specifically to work and earn money. Zhang Wei couldn't let him down.

Therefore, he took the two of them to buy quite a few things: bedsheets, quilts, cooking utensils like induction cookers, and other necessities. Worried they might get bored, he even bought a TV to help them pass the time. All in all, he spent over ten thousand yuan.

“Brother, you really didn't need to buy all this.” Zhang Hong felt a bit embarrassed. Honest and hardworking by nature, he felt both moved and guilty that his cousin had spent so much money on him before he had even started working.

“These are all necessities. If you feel bad, then just work hard and help me make the big bucks, haha,” Zhang Wei laughed.

Zhang Wei spent the entire afternoon shopping.

Meanwhile, at Jiangnan Garden...

The real estate agent Wang Xiaohua was standing at Zhang Wei's door holding a bag of fruit.

Ever since her best friend's ex-boyfriend had rented a unit in this high-end community, she had been wanting to do some scouting on her friend's behalf.

She had come once a few days ago under the guise of an agent's follow-up visit, but no one was home. She had wasted money on a bag of fruit and had to eat it for dinner herself.

She had thought about giving up, but Lin Wanting had called her yesterday. Although she didn't say it outright, her words were laced with hints asking how the investigation was going. So, she had no choice but to make another trip.

She knocked on the door three times.

Inside the house, Liu Haorui and An Xiaoxi were currently in front of the computer editing a video. An Xiaoxi had filmed the entire process of the Museum shelling incident. Although the footage shook terribly when the shell was fired, it actually made it look incredibly authentic.

Liu Haorui came to open the door: “Beautiful, who are you looking for?”

“Hello, I'm the real estate agent Wang Xiaohua. I've met Zhang Wei before, and I'm here today to... wait? You look so familiar! Right! Aren't you that Interview Brother?” Wang Xiaohua's eyes widened.

Liu Haorui laughed loudly. “That's right, it's me. But since you know Zhang Wei, we're all friends. Just call me Liu Haorui. By the way, do you want a photo together? It's free!”

“Of course I do!” Wang Xiaohua was quite happy to see a big internet celebrity. After the two of them finished taking photos at the door, Wang Xiaohua asked again: “Is Zhang Wei home today? I'm here for a follow-up visit.”

“I see. He's out running errands this afternoon. You definitely won't catch him at this hour.” At this point, Liu Haorui slapped his forehead. “Oh right, we closed a big deal today and happen to be having a celebration banquet tonight. Why don't you come in and sit for a while, then come along with us to join the fun? You'll be able to see him at dinner.”

Wang Xiaohua waved her hands repeatedly: “Huh? It wouldn't be appropriate for me to go.”

Liu Haorui made a grand gesture: “As the first fan to take a photo with me, you have to go! Otherwise, you're looking down on me. Besides, don't you know Zhang Wei too?”

To gather intel for her best friend and not wanting to waste another trip, Wang Xiaohua hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Once inside, she saw a young girl tapping away at a keyboard in the living room and greeted her.

“Make yourself at home for a bit, watch some TV or something. We'll head out together in a while.”

Just as he spoke, Zhang Wei's call came in. Liu Haorui explained that he was bringing Wang Xiaohua along.

Zhang Wei was a bit surprised to hear this, but he had already moved on from his previous relationship. Having an extra person at dinner would make it livelier. Besides, his impression of Wang Xiaohua wasn't bad, and he was very satisfied with the house she had recommended, so he just treated her as a casual acquaintance.

He sent the location to Liu Haorui, and everyone met up at the restaurant entrance, greeting each other. When Zhang Wei saw Wang Xiaohua, he also smiled and nodded, which calmed her nervous heart quite a bit; after all, her position was somewhat awkward.

Beijing Cuihuang Tower was a high-end restaurant serving Beijing cuisine, famous nationwide for its luxurious decor and exquisite dishes. Their Beijing Roast Duck was a must-try dish.

“A private room for six, please. Thank you.”

The waiter kindly reminded them, “Sir, our private rooms have a minimum spend. For a six-person room, the minimum is ten thousand yuan, excluding drinks. Would you like to consider sitting in the main hall instead? It might be more economical.”

Zhang Wei waved his hand casually: “No need, we'll take the private room.”

Wang Xiaohua was shocked to hear this. Over ten thousand for one meal? Isn't that too exaggerated?

The group followed the waiter to the private room, which was more like a suite than a simple dining room. The spacious room not only had a dining area but also a small reception room and an attached restroom for the guests' convenience. In the center of the dining area was a large round table covered with a purple velvet tablecloth, with a magnificent crystal chandelier hanging above it.

Everyone took their seats and Zhang Wei ordered the food. Worried there wouldn't be enough, he ordered three roast ducks. Seeing that Zhang Hong and Wang Sheng were a bit ill at ease, he teased: “Besides the celebration, today is also a welcome banquet for you two. Once you go to the suburbs tomorrow, you'll have to cook for yourselves.”

He then began discussing the land leasing with Liu Haorui and the others.

“Old Liu, just letting you know, Zhang Hong and his friend's salary will be eight thousand a month. Since lodging is already provided, we won't worry about that, and we'll budget one thousand yuan a month for food. Once we have profits, we'll issue bonuses accordingly.”

Liu Haorui nodded, noting it down.

Zhang Wei added: “Next, we need to purchase greenhouses and decide which crops are suitable to plant. You don't know much about this, so listen more to Zhang Hong and the others' opinions.”

When it came to farming, Zhang Hong and his companion perked up: “Brother, I already discussed it with Wang Sheng on the way here. Greenhouses are cheaper back home, but the shipping is too expensive. If possible, it's better to buy them locally for easier installation and maintenance. We can get 20 acres of greenhouses for under fifty thousand yuan. “

“As for planting fruit, the off-season fruits with better returns right now are strawberries and watermelons. They are both plants that can be harvested in a short time. I think we could do half of each.”

Zhang Wei nodded. He had looked up some information before. The specialty of Fengxian District was yellow peaches, and it was a famous production area nationwide. However, Yellow Peach trees don't bear fruit for three years. The investment cycle was too long.

“We'll do as you say.” Zhang Wei turned to Liu Haorui and said, “I'll transfer a hundred thousand to you first for the initial purchases and salaries. If it's not enough, just ask me for more.”

By now, the dishes were being served one after another. Seeing that the leasing matters were settled, Zhang Wei was in high spirits. He raised his glass and said loudly: “I'm happy today! We've accomplished something big, and we have Zhang Hong and Wang Sheng joining our family. Let's have a toast!”

After the toast, Liu Haorui impatiently recounted what had happened at the Museum today. Wang Xiaohua felt like she was listening to a novel. This was too bizarre, wasn't it?

Seeing her skepticism, Liu Haorui laughed loudly: “An Xiaoxi has already finished editing the video. Follow my new channel later; you'll be able to see it tonight.”

At that moment, An Xiaoxi was eating a roast duck wrap, her mouth stuffed so full she couldn't speak, so she could only nod at everyone.

After some wine, everyone began to relax. With Liu Haorui cracking jokes and bantering on the side, the atmosphere was incredibly lively.

Zhang Wei got up to go to the restroom. Just as he left, the phone he had left on the table suddenly chimed. Wang Xiaohua subconsciously glanced at it, and her jaw dropped in shock!

A text message had popped up on the screen.

(Industrial and Commercial Bank of China: Your account ending in ****** has received a deposit of RMB 750,000.00. Current balance: 897,600.00 yuan.)

OmouthO! OmouthO! OmouthO!