Zhou Zhaokun’s answer completely caught me off guard. The extent of this man’s wealth was beyond my comprehension. To him, 30 million seemed to be worth no more than a single sentence.
After a brief moment of shock, I quickly considered how to respond. Finally, I said, “Mr. Zhou, you and I both understand that the credibility of charitable organizations is decreasing. I think this 30 million should be spent more effectively, or perhaps reduce the middlemen and directly give it to the beneficiaries.”
Zhou Zhaokun smiled and said, “Is this merely your suggestion for how I should allocate the funds, or do you have other intentions?”
I replied sincerely, “Half suggestion, half other intentions. I believe I have a better plan to meet your needs. Of course, if you don’t agree, then it’s just a sincere suggestion. I hope this 30 million can be donated to achieve the maximum value.”
“Then tell me about your intentions.”
I quickly sorted out my thoughts and said, “I hope you can lease the inn to me for operation. I will pay you 100,000 yuan as monthly rent. This rent will be used to help the nearby underprivileged groups start small businesses. After all, giving them money alone isn’t as effective as providing them with a tool to earn money. Moreover, this inn will continue to appreciate in value. In a few years, its value may far exceed 30 million. At that time, as the owner, you can deal with it however you like, and it will be more valuable than it is now.”
After I finished speaking, Zhou Zhaokun showed a thoughtful expression. After a long while, he asked me, “It seems like a win-win plan for all three parties, but I’d like to know how you plan to help these underprivileged groups start small businesses?”
After a brief consideration, I replied, “I plan to build a food court in the square in front of the inn and collaborate with nearby bars to regularly hold events and performances. While transforming this inn into a cultural and artistic-themed guesthouse, the food court will be provided free of charge to the nearby underprivileged groups for selling snacks. The 100,000 yuan monthly rent paid to you will be used to purchase various equipment for making snacks and giving them away, truly providing them with an opportunity for no-cost entrepreneurship.”
Zhou Zhaokun once again showed a thoughtful expression. I waited quietly, while Ah Feng beside me gently nudged me and gave me a thumbs-up, clearly impressed by the proposal I had put forward.
After a long while, Zhou Zhaokun finally spoke, “Your plan indeed fully meets my needs and genuinely helps the nearby underprivileged groups… However, I still need to carefully consider it.”
I nodded and said, “Of course, after all, this is not a small matter.”
“Alright, I will give you a reply as soon as possible. Please leave me your contact information.”
I took out a business card from my wallet and handed it to him with both hands. He also politely accepted it with both hands. After glancing at it, he smiled at me and said, “Zhaoyang… nice name. You have great business talent and truly understand others’ psychological needs. I’ll remember you.”
I extended my hand to him and said, “Looking forward to cooperating with you.”
He shook my hand, nodded, and after letting go, he put my business card into his wallet.
…
After leaving the “Yuanlai Inn,” Ah Feng and I walked and talked. He said to me, “Zhaoyang, I really admire you. You just mentioned that square earlier, and then you quickly applied it into a business plan, and even met Zhou Zhaokun’s psychological needs. I think this matter might really be feasible!”
I smiled and asked, “What’s your basis for that?”
“If I were Zhou Zhaokun, I would accept this plan… It’s truly a perfect plan that benefits multiple parties!”
“Until the matter is finally decided, we shouldn’t be too optimistic… Just calm down and wait for his reply.”
Ah Feng nodded and then sighed, “If you can take over Yuanlai Inn, you’ll really have it made. After all, it’s already elegantly decorated and doesn’t need any renovation to start operations immediately. With 56 rooms plus the 16 rooms from your inn, during the tourist season with 100% occupancy, you could earn tens of thousands of yuan a day. Plus, the advertising resources from Yiji Travel wouldn’t go to waste either!”
I felt excited because of Ah Feng’s vision. If it could succeed, I would truly be close to earning my first fortune!
…
When I returned to the inn, it was already 4 PM. I sat alone on the rattan chair on the balcony of the inn and remembered to check my phone, which I had set to silent mode.
With difficulty, I pulled out my phone from my pocket, swiped the screen, and found an unread text message from Mi Cai sent three hours ago. I quickly opened it.
In the message, she simply reminded me not to overwork myself and to take care of my rest. Yet I still stared at this message for a long time because I realized that at this moment, I really missed her…
But why is it that only when she cares about me do I realize how much I miss her? At other times, I can’t even remember to send a message to care about her, who is also busy.
Perhaps even until now, my love is not yet sincere enough!
Although it was already the late night before dawn in New York, I still replied to her message: “I’m fine, not too tired. But you should take care of your rest too.”
After sending the message, I waited for a long time, but Mi Cai did not reply. So without a response, I missed her even more, imagining her returning to my side wearing a white dress, and us living a simple yet happy life together.
As this feeling grew stronger, I suddenly wanted to go back to that old house in Suzhou. It seemed like I hadn’t gone back to water the plants inside for many days. So, just before dusk, I impulsively drove to Suzhou.
After an hour and a half of driving, I returned to the old house at dusk. First, I opened all the windows to let in fresh air, then watered the plants that needed nurturing. Finally, I picked up a mop and a cloth to clean the entire house. Only after it got dark did I lie exhausted on the sofa, catching my breath.
I gradually emptied my mind, and my eyelids began to feel heavy. Then, I dozed off on the sofa until I was awakened by the sound of my phone ringing.
I turned over with effort, took out my phone from my pocket, and in a daze looked at the screen, only to find it was Yue Yao calling.
I answered the call. Her tone was quite displeased as she asked, “Zhaoyang, where did you go?”
“Back to Suzhou.”
“Are you even a friend? You didn’t even tell me you were going back to Suzhou, leaving me alone in Xitang!”
Yue Yao’s displeasure made me realize that my return was indeed quite impulsive. But I couldn’t bring her back to this old house either, because it belonged to no one but Mi Cai.
I apologized to her somewhat and said, “I’ll go back tomorrow morning. If you’re bored tonight, you can go to Ah Feng’s bar. The atmosphere there is pretty good.”
“Do you think I need you to tell me where to go for fun?” Yue Yao hung up the phone with obvious emotion.
I scratched my head and gave a helpless smile.
…
Looking out the window at the darkened sky, I decided to go buy something to eat to satisfy my hunger. So I bought a steamer basket of xiaolongbao from a snack shop downstairs, put it in a plastic bag, and held a cup of soybean milk. While taking a walk, eating, and thinking about the future operation of the inn…
Unknowingly, I walked along the streetlights for several stops until I found myself back in the city center, once again seeing the towering Zhuo Mei Shopping Center and Bao Li Department Store standing opposite each other. I couldn’t help but feel emotional and stood by the roadside, staring blankly at the giant neon signs of the two department stores for a long time.
Suddenly, an Audi A4 drove out of the underground parking lot of Zhuo Mei. The car looked familiar, so I couldn’t help but take a second look—only to realize it was Fang Yuan’s car. However, it was moving along the motor lane on the opposite side of the street, making it impossible for me to approach and greet him. I took out my phone from my pocket, ready to give him a call.
I lowered my head, found Fang Yuan’s number on the phone screen, pressed the call button, and then raised my head. To my surprise, the car driving toward me had Fang Yuan and a woman inside—none other than Mi Lan!
Seeing them once might be a coincidence, but seeing them a second or third time—could that still be considered a coincidence?
I frowned and instinctively ended the call before it connected.
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