Are you interested in joining me to take advantage of some great deals?

In his previous life, when Chen Ling had treated clients to a meal through an intermediary, he had also dined at the Tower Pavilion.

Private rooms like these were not only expensive, but being part of a century-old establishment, located by the picturesque and highly coveted Cuiming Lake, it was nearly impossible to book a table.

This alone showed how much effort Wang Zhicheng had put into this. By all appearances, both Wang and his son seemed to be people worth associating with.

As for the taste of the food at the Tower Pavilion...

Ahem, best left unmentioned.

Wang Xiaobo knocked gently on the door, then led Chen Ling into the private room.

However, upon entering, Chen Ling found himself puzzled by the seating arrangement inside.

Wang Zhicheng sat in the vice-host’s seat, followed by two middle-aged men, while the main seat remained empty.

Before he could think too much about it, the three men had already risen to greet him.

“Mr. Chen, allow me to introduce you,” Wang Zhicheng said, standing in front, giving Chen Ling a meaningful glance as he spoke.

Chen Ling’s mind worked swiftly, and he immediately understood.

By addressing him as “Mr. Chen” rather than the more familiar “Xiao Chen,” Wang Zhicheng was signaling that this meeting was to be purely a business affair.

Chen Ling didn’t know why he had made that choice, but he wasn’t in a hurry—the reason would reveal itself in time.

Wang Zhicheng stepped aside and gestured to one of the middle-aged men. “This is Lin Yi, project leader of Maple Grove Community, and Marketing Director at Taihe Group.”

He then indicated the other. “This is Yan Ji, project leader of Lakeside Flower City and Sales Manager at Lakeside Group.”

Chen Ling smiled and shook hands with them both, discreetly sizing them up.

Lin Yi appeared to be in his early forties, with a robust build that spoke of regular exercise. His eyes were bright, and he radiated energy and competence.

Yan Ji looked a bit younger, around thirty-seven or thirty-eight. He had a prominent belly and his handshake betrayed a certain frailty, yet his eyes gleamed with a sharp, calculating light.

Clearly, these were not men to be taken lightly—executives from the two real estate giants of Linjiang City. Underestimating them would come at a price.

But then Wang Zhicheng introduced him, “Gentlemen, this is Mr. Chen, who saved me from dire straits, and also the General Manager of Chengyi Company.”

“Mr. Chen has just started his own business and is a very busy man. It took me quite some effort to bring him here today.”

Before he could finish, the other two had already begun their flattery in turn—

“I never expected Mr. Chen to be so young! Truly, with each generation, new talents emerge!”

“Indeed. Compared to Mr. Chen, our own achievements really pale in comparison.”

“Old Wang, you’re really too modest. Someone like Mr. Chen, and you didn’t introduce us sooner? Are you afraid we’ll steal business from you?”

“Mr. Chen, you must be busy with important matters. Why don’t we all sit down and chat over dinner?”

Chen Ling: “……”

He shot Wang Zhicheng a subtle look, only to see the latter smile back at him, entirely at ease.

Amid the chorus of praise, the group prepared to take their seats.

The earlier mystery was thus resolved—though Chen Ling demurred out of modesty, doing his best to decline, the three middle-aged men insisted and practically forced him into the host’s seat, with Wang Xiaobo sitting on his other side.

“What’s going on?” Chen Ling murmured a tactical question to Wang Xiaobo while smiling at the two men.

Wang Xiaobo grinned. “Industry folks have all heard about my family’s company’s troubles. When my dad tried to contact them a few days ago, they barely acknowledged him.”

“But then your brilliant move helped us turn everything around in an instant. These guys were stunned and came begging my dad to set up a meeting with you, the real powerhouse.”

“So my dad told me to let you know—don’t put them on a pedestal.”

“The market’s been rough these past two years. They’re under a lot of pressure.”

“I don’t know what you want from them, but… as long as you can squeeze them dry, do it! Don’t hold back.”

So that’s how it is.

They’re treating me like some kind of genius? No wonder they’re being so courteous.

Chen Ling smiled, his mind already calculating, and settled comfortably into the host’s seat, watching as the two men busied themselves ordering food and opening wine, not daring to broach the real topic too soon, instead showering him with flattery and urging him to drink.

It wasn’t until the dishes had come in waves and the wine had flowed freely, with everyone’s cheeks a little flushed, that Lin Yi and Yan Ji exchanged a glance. Lin Yi finally raised his glass and stood up.

“Mr. Chen, we must apologize for asking Mr. Wang to invite you here today on such short notice.”

“No trouble at all,” Chen Ling nodded. “I’ve only just entered this industry myself and have much to learn from you two veterans.”

“We’re not worthy of your praise,” Lin Yi hurriedly shook his head. “We’ve all heard from Mr. Wang about your solution to his company’s financial issue—it took you only a few words to sort it all out.”

“Exactly!” Yan Ji chimed in. “A few units, and in just a few days you made hundreds of millions! Honestly, if I hadn’t seen it happen, I wouldn’t believe such an… er, such a brilliant move was possible!”

Chen Ling feigned surprise. “Oh? My method was nothing special, just securing some low-interest cash flow. It’s not all that complex. Didn’t anyone on your teams think of it?”

“Frankly, it’s embarrassing!” Lin Yi gave a wry smile. “People like us, stuck in the same circle every day, our thinking gets rigid. We really couldn’t see that solution.”

He paused, sensing the time was right, then continued, “So today, we have a small, perhaps shameless, request…”

“Please, go ahead.”

“We have two projects in hand—Maple Grove Community and Lakeside Flower City,” Lin Yi began. “As for quality, modesty aside, both Taihe and Lakeside are reputable companies.”

“But as you’re no doubt aware, the market’s been tough these past couple of years… The opening is coming up, but both inquiries and visits are pitifully low. So…”

“We’d like to ask for your help. You’re in real estate sales yourself—perhaps we could find a way to work together?”

As he spoke, Lin Yi didn’t dare urge Chen Ling to drink, but instead downed a glass himself to show his sincerity.

Yan Ji quickly followed suit, standing and draining his own glass.

Chen Ling listened without a word, simply watching them.

Both men remained standing, smiling uncertainly, unsure of his response.

Seeing this, Wang Zhicheng’s eyes flickered with understanding and he spoke up: “Mr. Chen, Taihe Group and Lakeside Group are both renowned companies in Linjiang City, even across Qujiang Province.”

“Working with them would be greatly beneficial to your own business.”

At these words, Lin Yi and Yan Ji cast him grateful looks.

Satisfied that he had done his part, Chen Ling finally spoke. “Gentlemen, please, have a seat. As for cooperation, to be honest, I am interested.”

The two perked up, ready to raise their glasses again, but then Chen Ling’s tone changed: “However, not with your companies.”

“Ah…?” The two looked to Wang Zhicheng again, hoping he would speak up for them once more.

Chen Ling smiled, waving his hand. “What I mean is—I only want to work with you two personally.”

His words left Lin Yi and Yan Ji momentarily stunned. After a moment’s thought, their expressions began to change.

“Mr. Chen, what do you mean?”

Chen Ling spoke slowly. “Gentlemen, are you interested in teaming up to shear the sheep together?”

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