The high-end commercial property like Halo Plaza being put up for sale was something Zeng Wei hadn't anticipated.
If he had gotten wind of it first, he would've thrown his money down to secure that 600-square-meter standalone commercial space.
With Halo Plaza's brand influence and the prime location of the property, it would've been perfect for establishing a flagship Black Gold Tide Bull Hotpot restaurant to boost the brand's image.
He had initially thought that with the dual buffs of his Tide Bull Hotpot brand and his title as president of the Catering Association, leasing the property was a done deal. But no matter how much he calculated, he hadn't expected the developer to outright sell it.
The name Jiang Beicheng still echoed in his mind, and Zeng Wei still couldn't believe Jiang Beicheng had bought the property.
But that afternoon, the information his son, Zeng Haifeng, brought back made his expression darken instantly.
"When I went there, Xu Ru was already there with a designer measuring the site," Zeng Haifeng said. "Nine out of ten, it was bought by Jiang Beicheng.
Where did he get that kind of money?"
That was also Zeng Wei's question.
A 600-square-meter commercial property wouldn't come cheap, and with the additional investments needed for Beicheng Restaurant, Jiang Beicheng's investment in opening this restaurant would likely exceed 20 million yuan.
Investing this much in a high-end business restaurant was actually quite common.
But where did Jiang Beicheng, a newcomer to the catering industry, get the confidence to play such a big game?
Was it sheer ignorance of market conditions and investment risks, or was this guy hiding some real skills he hadn't revealed yet?
Moreover, Zeng Wei still didn't believe Jiang Tao had left Jiang Beicheng that much money.
"I may have underestimated this nephew's boldness. He's indeed a lot like his father," Zeng Wei muttered.
"Dad, the site selection for the Black Gold store…"
Zeng Wei picked up his phone and raised his hand. "I'm taking a call."
Zeng Haifeng nodded, staying quiet.
"Hey! Alright, Manager Zhang, you arrange it, I'll cover the bill… No need to be polite, it's only right. Thanks for your help with the financing."
"President Hai is coming too?" Zeng Wei said excitedly. "Great, great, great, we must receive him with the highest standards. Absolutely."
After hanging up, Zeng Wei hurriedly left, turning back to give one last instruction: "Have the marketing team pick one from the backup plans.
I've got a dinner to attend to shortly."
"Dad, take me with you!" Zeng Haifeng said.
"You need more seasoning," Zeng Wei replied bluntly.
In Zeng Wei's eyes, this dinner was a high-level affair. Though he doted on his son, he knew his son's capabilities and that he wasn't ready to sit at this table.
Zeng Haifeng looked dejected but had nothing to say.
Zeng Wei specifically had his driver return home to pick up his prized zodiac-themed liquor bottle. With President Hai attending tonight, it was a rare opportunity, and he had to share a few drinks with him.
Build some connections.
When he was Jiang Tao's driver, he had already learned of the Hai family's reputation in Jiangnan City's financial circles.
Back then, Jiang Tao's ability to acquire three Kenyan titanium mines in one go was inseparable from Hai Lin's operations and financial backing.
The fact that his Tide Bull Hotpot secured 100 million yuan in financing was also thanks to an introduction from one of Hai Lin's subordinates to an investor.
If he could establish a direct relationship with Hai Lin, the subsequent IPO process would surely be much smoother.
Zeng Wei placed great importance on this dinner, specifically instructing Hai Lin's subordinate, Zhang Zhi, the marketing manager of Jiangnan City Commercial Bank's Financial Street Branch, to book a high-end business restaurant, prepare the food, and warmly host President Hai and his investor.
"Manager Zhang," Zeng Wei said hurriedly, rushing to the private room's entrance and shaking hands with Zhang Zhi. "Have President Hai and Mr. Shen arrived?"
"Mr. Shen is here; President Hai will arrive shortly," Zhang Zhi replied.
Zeng Wei entered the room and respectfully greeted Shen Ping, the investor from South Wind Ventures.
"Mr. Shen, thank you for your support. With South Wind Ventures backing Tide Bull Hotpot, the road ahead will be smooth sailing," Zeng Wei said with a smile, shaking Shen Ping's hand.
It was both flattery and an expression of his confidence.
Shen Ping smiled and said, "Mr. Zeng, you should really be thanking Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Zhi humbly said, "I don't dare take credit."
Zeng Wei laughed. "Then let's thank Jiangnan Commercial Bank and President Hai."
The three chuckled together.
"Your laughter could be heard from the elevator."
Hai Lin entered the private room.
Zhang Zhi and Shen Ping hurriedly went to greet him, and Zeng Wei excitedly stood up, but halfway through, his gaze froze.
Hai Lin hadn't come alone—he brought someone else.
It was Jiang Beicheng.
"Let me introduce: Jiang Beicheng, the son of my dear friend Jiang Tao," Hai Lin said. "Beicheng, this is Mr. Shen from South Wind Ventures, and this is Manager Zhang from the Financial Street Branch's marketing department.
And this…"
His gaze turned to Zeng Wei.
Jiang Beicheng smiled slightly. "Mr. Zeng, the founder of Tide Bull Hotpot and president of the Jiangnan City Hotpot Association.
We're old acquaintances."
Zeng Wei gave an awkward smile and nodded in agreement.
Something about Jiang Beicheng's introduction felt off.
Before he could process why Hai Lin would bring Jiang Beicheng to such a dinner, Shen Ping and Zhang Zhi were already smiling and stepping forward to shake hands with Jiang Beicheng.
They politely addressed him as "Young Mr. Jiang."
Zhang Zhi: "Young Mr. Jiang, I met your father a few times and benefited greatly."
Shen Ping: "Young Mr. Jiang, your father was an entrepreneur I deeply admired."
Zeng Wei was stunned.
What should he do?
He couldn't disrespect Hai Lin, could he?
Nor could he go up with a smile and call him "Nephew Beicheng"—where would that leave Shen Ping and Zhang Zhi's dignity?
He could only plaster on a grin, step forward, shake Jiang Beicheng's hand, and follow suit with, "Young Mr. Jiang."
Hai Lin smiled and said, "Mr. Zeng has deep ties with the Jiang family. We're all acquaintances here, so let's keep it casual tonight."
Zeng Wei forced a smile.
But inside, he felt a bitter taste.
Was Hai Lin subtly calling him out?
At a dinner like this, if Hai Lin had outright said he was Jiang Tao's driver, Zeng Wei would've lost all face and would've had to treat Jiang Beicheng like royalty.
Hai Lin hadn't exposed him, which saved him some dignity, but it was also a warning not to mess with Jiang Beicheng.
Zeng Wei could never have imagined that someone as prominent as Hai Lin in the financial world would support a seemingly talentless playboy like Jiang Beicheng.
Did he not care about his reputation at all?
Even Zeng Wei, for the sake of his own reputation, wouldn't bring Zeng Haifeng to important dinners or public occasions.
Undoubtedly, Jiang Beicheng's presence by Hai Lin's side instantly elevated his status several notches.
If Hai Lin hadn't stepped in, the business world might've forgotten that Jiang Tao even had a son.
While marveling at the deep bond between Jiang Tao and Hai Lin, Zeng Wei also felt concerned for Hai Lin. Was Jiang Beicheng worth the Hai family staking their reputation to support?
Jiang Beicheng noticed Zeng Wei's gaze—surprised, puzzled, as if unable to comprehend the longstanding friendship between the Jiang and Hai families.
It's only when both sides are on the same level, standing on equal footing, that true trust can be built.
Zeng Wei had gone from being a driver to where he was today, largely by flattering Jiang Tao, often using the Jiang family as a stepping stone for his career.
Once he climbed up, it was normal for his mentality to change. As the older generation would say, his wings had hardened after flying out.
The Zeng family might have money now, but they lacked the deep-rooted wealth and foundation accumulated over generations by the Jiang and Hai families.
In the end, their perspective was still a bit shallow.
"Beicheng, how does the food at this restaurant compare to the one your mother founded, Li's?" Hai Lin suddenly asked while eating.
Zeng Wei's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, a chill running down his spine.