Zeng Wei had just taken office as the new president of the Jiangnan City Catering Association. He wanted to establish a positive public image, which Jiang Beicheng could understand. However, Jiang Beicheng didn't like this old fox who spoke of benevolence, morality, and loyalty while secretly scheming for his own benefit.
People like him thrived in society.
But it was hard for them to reach the top tier.
To put it simply, they couldn't ascend to the grand stage and were unlikely to be promoted by the government as exemplary figures.
The Jiang family had lost many of its political and business connections, but that didn't mean the Jiang family had faded into obscurity in Jiangnan City. With the system's assistance, Jiang Beicheng was determined to make some waves in society.
On one hand, he would level up and enjoy a fulfilling material life. On the other, he would accumulate experience, enrich his inner self, and gradually make his mark.
He aimed to navigate effortlessly through various circles and social strata, building a reputation that resonated far and wide.
Jiang Beicheng's tough stance was within Zeng Wei's expectations. The last time they met, Jiang Beicheng had disciplined Zeng Haifeng right in front of him, showing that he was very much like Jiang Tao—a man of great courage and determination.
To be honest, Zeng Wei was somewhat wary that this younger man might cause a major stir in the catering industry.
Back in the day, Jiang Beicheng's mother, Li Yun, had many admirers and old friends in Jiangnan City's catering scene.
It was true that when a tree falls, the monkeys scatter. But if Jiang Beicheng managed to prop the Jiang family tree back up, all of Zeng Wei's years of careful planning might go down the drain.
Humans are creatures who crave honor and power, and Zeng Wei was no exception.
He hadn't expected Jiang Tao to leave Jiang Beicheng a sum of money, nor had he anticipated that Jiang Beicheng would choose to enter the same industry as him.
He couldn't openly oppose Jiang Beicheng either. If he blatantly tripped him up, Li Yun's old friends would surely disapprove.
Even if they weren't genuinely protecting Jiang Beicheng, they'd seize the opportunity to pull Zeng Wei down from his position as association president.
Who wouldn't want to sit at the top of a social organization directly connected to the government?
Right now, Chao Niu Hotpot was expanding rapidly, and Zeng Wei was also afraid that Jiang Beicheng might resort to extreme measures to tarnish the brand's reputation.
After weighing the pros and cons, Zeng Wei had to maintain his "good guy" persona and use "gratitude" as a tactic to win Jiang Beicheng over.
He didn't get angry at Jiang Beicheng's attitude and instead patiently advised, "Nephew Beicheng, it's great for young people to have ambition. Seeing your drive makes Uncle Zeng very pleased.
I've been in the catering industry for years, and I know how tough it is.
The current market environment is harsh, and Uncle Zeng doesn't recommend diving in headfirst.
In this market, the biggest taboos are irrational investments and, worse, taking out loans to invest. Nephew Beicheng, keeping your money in hand is the safest bet."
Zeng Wei's words carried two layers of meaning.
The first was an analysis of the current market environment, which Jiang Beicheng agreed with. These past few years had been tough for brick-and-mortar businesses, including catering. Everyone was holding onto their money tightly.
Investments had to be made with utmost caution.
The second layer was a suggestion for Jiang Beicheng to take the living expenses his father left him, settle down, and live an ordinary life.
No need to stir up trouble.
Zeng Wei didn't believe Jiang Beicheng could suddenly pull out tens of millions to invest in the catering industry without leaving himself any fallback.
He even thought the money Jiang Beicheng had wasn't substantial and that he might be planning to take out loans to start a business.
After all, the story of the little secretary selling the company and fleeing abroad had spread like wildfire in Jiangnan's business circles.
Jiang Tao had probably only left Jiang Beicheng enough for a comfortable life, nothing more.
A father gone, no backing left, and a second-generation playboy who'd never touched business—could he really make it in catering?
He was oversimplifying things.
Jiang Beicheng suddenly found it quite interesting to deal with these seasoned business veterans. Their words were airtight, leaving no gaps.
He smiled and said, "Old Zeng, when my dad was around, you weren't this chummy with me. Now that he's gone, you should focus on managing your son, Zeng Haifeng. No need to worry about me."
Zeng Wei replied, "Nephew Beicheng, it's exactly because President Jiang and Madam Li are no longer here that I, as your uncle, feel obliged to lend you a hand.
I can't bear to see you hit a wall.
Nephew Beicheng, let me rent that shop in Guanghuan to open a hotpot restaurant—a premium black-gold store.
You can take a stake in it, and we can negotiate the share distribution.
As long as we use the Chao Niu Hotpot brand, it's fine. The management company at Guanghuan has already extended a sincere invitation for me to move in.
If the store loses money, it's on Uncle Zeng. If it profits, I'll split the dividends with you proportionally."
To be honest, it showed some sincerity.
But this wasn't Jiang Beicheng's life goal. Whether it was opening a restaurant or venturing into other industries later, his ultimate aim was to create an ideal world of his own.
A world where his employees, their families, and grassroots workers could all enjoy this beautiful era, finding happiness in their labor and lives.
These were thoughts about society that had emerged in his mind after his father's death.
Jiang Beicheng rejected Zeng Wei's olive branch. "Old Zeng, our starting points and fundamental goals in business are different, which means we can't walk the same path.
As for that shop in Guanghuan, I'll still negotiate for it. If you end up getting it, I'll congratulate you in advance."
Zeng Wei was momentarily stunned.
Jiang Beicheng's final "congratulations" made him faintly sense that this second-generation playboy had changed significantly.
This wasn't the blindly arrogant Jiang Beicheng he knew.
Those last few sentences showed a grand vision.
"Dad, I don't get why you're so accommodating to Jiang Beicheng!" Zeng Haifeng said excitedly. "He's clueless and overconfident. Let him do whatever he wants—why do you care?"
Zeng Wei replied, "Business is an art, and you need to learn the culture of these circles.
I'm planning to close Li Ji's store. You should go work at one of the lower-tier branches to gain experience."
Zeng Haifeng looked dumbfounded. "Dad, sending me to the front lines is such a waste of my talent!"
Zeng Wei glanced back at him, then went upstairs to sleep.
…
That evening, Jiang Beicheng called the owner of the Changcheng Premium Club. At a previous cigar enthusiasts' gathering, he'd seen a Caribbean cedarwood humidor at Boss Li's place.
It was imported from the States.
He wanted to buy the humidor from Boss Li to give to his uncle, Hai Lin.
His current network was too limited, and even his father's old friends probably wouldn't give him face.
The only reliable connection he could think of was the Hai family.
Their bond was genuine.
Hai Lin would likely help. A shop was just a phone call away for him.
Originally, Jiang Beicheng had planned to negotiate the price himself and sign with Guanghuan if it was reasonable. But then Zeng Wei had unexpectedly intervened.
If Hong Kong Land gave him face and the price was right, Jiang Beicheng decided he'd buy the 600-square-meter shop outright.
He had just checked online and learned that the reason Chao Niu Hotpot wasn't worried about its cash flow during its rapid expansion was that Zeng Wei had secured 100 million in financing. An investment firm was backing him to go public, following a model like Haidilao, launching a nationwide expansion.
Most of Jiangnan City's investment firms were based on Financial Street, and the bank they interacted with most closely was the Financial Street branch of Jiangnan City Commercial Bank.
Everyone knew Jiangnan City Commercial Bank was the government's favored child.
External investment firms had to maintain close ties with it.
As the president of the Financial Street branch, Hai Lin's name carried weight in financial circles.
If he spoke, people would listen.
Beyond the shop matter, Jiang Beicheng felt it was time to pay a visit to Hai Lin and his wife.
"Old Li, sell me that cedarwood humidor from the States for 20,000," Jiang Beicheng said directly. "Consider it a favor I owe you."
Boss Li laughed. "Little Brother Jiang, you're asking for a favor? How could I, as your big brother, refuse?"