Even though Luke's learning ability was known to be strong, David couldn't help but be a bit surprised.
What a freak.
...
Next day at noon.
Nearby the Palisades Community, Mao Family Cuisine Restaurant.
Last night, Zhang Jianguo proactively called and invited Luke for a al.
Luke drove to the restaurant, and the Zhang brothers were already waiting at the entrance.
Whatever else can be said, their attitude was impeccable.
As soon as Luke parked the car, the Zhang brothers approached, "Mr. Li, we saw your car from afar, I must say, your aura really matches this car."
Zhang Jianguo spoke in Chinese, while Luke smiled and replied, "Hearing your familiar hotown dialect makes feel at ho."
The three casually chatted as they went up to the private room on the third floor.
Zhang Jianguo said to a nearby server, "You can start bringing out the dishes."
"Certainly, Mr. Zhang," the server responded and left the room.
Zhang Jianguo handed the nu to Luke, "Mr. Li, I've already ordered the restaurant's signature dishes. If there's anything else you want, let's add it."
Luke didn't hesitate, picked up the nu, glanced over it, and added two dishes.
Carrying a box of white liquor, Zhang Jianmin grinned, "Mr. Li, I heard you don't like the flavor of sauce, so I brought a box of 30-year-old Qinghua Fen."
Luke nodded, "This liquor has a nice taste."
Zhang Jianmin poured three glasses of liquor, and the three toasted with a glass.
Because the dishes were pre-ordered, they ca quickly.
After the server left, Zhang Jianguo invited Luke to eat.
A dish of braised pork sat in front of Luke, which is a must-order at the restaurant, along with chopped chili fish head, bamboo shoots with cured pork, black goat, braised turtle, roast goose, oil-drenched seasonal vegetables, Long March chicken, and salmon sashimi.
The dishes were abundant and tasted pretty good.
Luke preferred the braised pork, chopped chili fish head, and bamboo shoots with cured pork; sotis delicious dishes aren't necessarily expensive, the key is that they feel comfortable to eat.
A few glasses downed, and the relationship between both sides beca closer, Zhang Jianmin couldn't sit still, pouring another drink for Luke, "Mr. Li, yesterday people from Jinlang Materials Company called threatening us again, we still need your help on this matter."
Luke used a Detection Card, confirming the Zhang brothers weren't recording, and then said, "Just what I was planning to ntion. Yesterday, I t up with a friend from the Anti-Gang and Anti-Drug Division, he's the deputy team leader mainly responsible for handling gang affairs; it's more appropriate for him to handle this.
I explained the situation to him, and he has his concerns too.
Cleaning up gang mbers isn't hard for him, but a cornered dog may jump over a wall, let alone people.
Without any conflicts of interest, he doesn't want to provoke the other side either."
"Mr. Li, we understand your friend's perspective, and we definitely won't let him work in vain." Zhang Jianmin held a heavy gift bag with both hands and placed it in front of Luke, "Mr. Li, isn't it almost Dragon Boat Festival? I prepared so zongzi for you and your family to take ho and try.
If your friend has any requirents, please let us know."
Luke didn't reach for the gift, looking at the silent Zhang Jianguo beside him, he smiled, "Gentlen, zongzi are good, but it's only April, Dragon Boat Festival is a while away.
Eating them now seems untily."
Feeling Luke's attitude, Zhang Jianguo quickly stood up, waving his hand at his brother, signaling him to put the items away, "Yes, yes, I ntioned it, giving zongzi is too tacky. Next ti, we'll send so red wine."
Zhang Jianmin flashed an awkward smile, putting the gift away.
Zhang Jianguo raised his glass, "Mr. Li, another toast to you."
Luke was great at drinking, never refusing, drinking a glass with them.
This matter seed brushed over.
Zhang Jianguo put down his glass and asked, "Mr. Li, what does your friend an, then?"
Luke replied, "My friend has so money, has always wanted to do so business but doesn't have the energy for it, so he's looking for a reliable company to invest in.
After I ntioned your construction contracting firm, he was quite interested and wanted to know if your company needs investnt."
The Zhang brothers exchanged a look, as Zhang Jianmin asked, "Mr. Li, how much does your friend intend to invest in our company?"
Luke responded, "I didn't inquire in depth since I didn't know your thoughts, but his intention is to acquire a twenty percent stake."
Zhang Jianmin sensed sothing was off; not ntioning the investnt amount, just talking about stake ratio, felt like asking for free shares.
He glanced at his brother again.
Zhang Jianguo understood; Luke wasn't refusing money, but considered such tactics too lowbrow; he sought longer-term benefits.
No wonder he could live in a luxury ho at such a young age; he truly knew how to calculate.
Seeing the brothers a bit tense, Luke smiled, "My friend was just proposing, you brothers needn't take it seriously. Since it's business, it should be mutually agreeable; if your company doesn't need investnt, I'll directly decline him and suggest other industries for investnt; it's rely a word."
Luke wouldn't directly accept the Zhang brothers' money; it's too hot to handle.
If the Zhang brothers have long-term vision, everyone can collaborate together.
If it doesn't work out, there's no need to force; this matter was their proactive request, not sothing Luke sought out.
Zhang Jianguo thought for a mont, asking, "Mr. Li, Zhang Brothers Construction Company, currently only has my brother and as shareholders; your friend's investnt isn't out of the question.
I also wish to find like-minded partners to grow the company, so what are your friend's expectations for the company's future developnt?"
Luke sipped his Maojian, joking, "He's just a rough guy; what kind of expectations could he have? The company's operations are still for you brothers to manage, he doesn't involve himself.
However, if anyone causes trouble, pulls tricks, uses unfair ans to compete, that's his specialty to handle."
Zhang Jianguo understood, cautiously stating, "Mr. Li, I personally think this cooperation model is worth considering, but I don't know your friend, compared to him, I'm more inclined to cooperate with you, after all, we both have Chinese blood, I trust you more.
If we really exclude you and work directly with him, I wouldn't feel at ease."
"You and my friend both thought alike; he wouldn't feel at ease working solely with you either, hoping I'd invest alongside him; he hopes to hold one of the twenty percent shares."
Zhang Jianmin asked, "Mr. Li, I'm also a straightforward guy, so I'll speak frankly.
If you invest in our company and solve this problem,
what if people cause issues in the future, and you find it botherso and don't want to assist?
Would you demand more shares?"
"You're asking two questions; I'll first answer the first one. If we invest in Zhang's Construction Company, the profits include us, and if anyone causes trouble affecting the company's normal operations, they damage our interests; we won't be lenient with them anyti.
The second question, regarding stake proportion, neither my friend nor I are greedy; we don't understand running a company. You do certain work, receive certain pay, and hold certain share.
With obligations unchanged, we won't ask for higher stake proportion.
As long as we cooperate to expand the operation, that would be the best."
"Right, Mr. Li is correct," remarked Zhang Jianguo with so fervor, "as long as the company expands, what do twenty percent shares matter?
I think the investnt idea is worth considering."
Zhang Jianmin pursed his lips, refraining from comnts.
Luke was observing the brothers, raising his glass, "About investnt, let's pause here for today; there's no rush to decide, go back and think it over carefully.
After all, it's not a one-ti deal; we aim for long-term cooperation, and I don't want anyone to feel uneasy.
Always the sa line, if it feels right, let's work together.
If there are concerns, tell directly.
My friend's interest is rather spontaneous, with only a brief interest in investing.
Us eting was fate, today we'll drink until we're rry; co, I toast to the two Zhang bosses."
This construction company is the Zhang brothers' labor of love; Luke didn't expect to seal the deal over one al, surely allowing ti for them to deliberate and buffer.
Collaboration must be built on mutual consent.
Zhang Jianguo raised his glass, drained it, "Mr. Li, I'm very interested in you and your friend's investnt, we'll discuss thoroughly after returning and respond to you promptly."
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