76: Chapter 76 After a few rounds of drinks

Less than twenty minutes after Lin Hao sent his message, the private room's door was pushed open.

Three people entered, all dressed in casual attire, yet the fabric and cut exuded a low-key air of wealth.

The man leading the way was around thirty-five, with a round face and rimless glasses; his smile made him look like a harmless middle school dean.

Lin Hao immediately stood up, his posture more formal than before.

"Come, come, let me introduce you."

He first patted Jiang Chen's shoulder, his tone clearly indicating a recommendation.

"This is Jiang Chen, a brother I met in Jiang City. Although we haven't known each other long, we hit it off immediately—he's closer to me than my own flesh and blood."

"He has a sharp eye; nothing subpar ever passes through his hands. He brought a Mutant Chinchilla to Lanbei this time. I've seen its quality with my own eyes. To be honest, I've never seen such top-tier stock in my life."

Then, he pointed to the three newcomers in turn.

"This is Zhou Zhengtao, Brother Zhou, one of the two vice presidents of Lanbei Cultural Tourism Investment. Don't be fooled by his youth; he holds the approval authority for the development of all Lanbei's scenic areas. If you want to do business related to cultural tourism in the future, you can't bypass Brother Zhou."

Zhou Zhengtao pushed up his glasses and smiled as he extended his hand. His grip was moderate, carrying the specific sense of propriety found within the government system.

"President Jiang is young and promising. Any friend of Lin Hao is certainly no ordinary person. Welcome to Lanbei."

Jiang Chen bowed slightly, his tone neither servile nor overbearing.

"President Zhou, you're too kind. I mainly came to Lanbei this time to meet my seniors. I'll be counting on your guidance in the future."

"Hey, what 'President Zhou'? Just call him Brother Zhou," Lin Hao interjected from the side.

The second person was a lean man with dark skin, high cheekbones, and eyes as bright as a hawk's. Deep wrinkles formed at the corners of his eyes when he smiled.

Lin Hao put an arm around his shoulder and introduced him. "This is Zhao Yong, President Zhao, from Lanbei Port Group. Docks, warehousing, logistics—in the Lanbei Port area, President Zhao's word is more effective than a traffic light."

Zhao Yong didn't say much; he simply nodded and shook Jiang Chen's hand with considerable force.

"Haozi's brother is one of us. No need for all those formalities. A Mutant Chinchilla? Let me see it later to broaden my horizons."

Jiang Chen nodded with a smile.

"Certainly. If President Zhao is interested, I'll have Lin Hao take you to see it later."

The last one was a man in his early forties, burly, with a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. He wore a deep blue casual jacket and a low-key Omega watch on his wrist, exuding a steady and capable aura.

Lin Hao put an arm around his shoulder, his tone becoming even more intimate.

"This is Chen Jianguo, Brother Chen, chairman of Lanbei Construction and Development Group. In this territory of Lanbei, half the residential complexes and a third of the commercial complexes you see came from Brother Chen's hands. For anything in the real estate circle, Brother Chen is the one to go to."

Chen Jianguo laughed heartily and extended his hand. His palm was broad, and his handshake was solid and powerful.

"President Jiang, Haozi has mentioned you to me several times. Come visit Lanbei often in the future; we're all family here."

Jiang Chen shook his hand and nodded slightly.

"President Chen, you're too kind. I've long heard of the Construction and Development Group's great reputation. I'll surely have much to learn from you in the future."

"I wouldn't go so far as to say 'learn from me'; let's just look out for each other."

Chen Jianguo laughed brightly.

"Haozi's brother is one of us. If you need anything in Lanbei, just say the word."

Lin Hao invited everyone to sit down and clapped his hands, snapping his fingers at the Madam waiting at the door.

"Everyone's here. Bring in those girls from earlier."

The Madam understood immediately and pushed the door open to leave. Moments later, the four girls who had been led away earlier filed back in, their positioning even more deliberate than before.

One girl sat beside each of them: Zhou Zhengtao, Zhao Yong, Chen Jianguo, and Lin Hao.

Sitting next to Zhou Zhengtao was the girl with an intellectual and elegant aura, wearing thin-rimmed glasses and looking like a graduate student fresh out of a library.

Beside Zhao Yong sat the cold, mature beauty. With her tall figure and delicate collarbones, she quietly leaned toward Zhao Yong as she sat down.

Next to Chen Jianguo was the girl with striking, vibrant features, sporting wavy hair and bright red lips. As soon as she sat down, she obediently poured tea for him, her movements quick and attentive.

Beside Lin Hao, naturally, was the gentle and refined lady, softly pouring wine for him with a tranquil smile.

Su Xiaoxi sat beside Jiang Chen, her eyes sweeping around as she breathed a small sigh of relief.

Fortunately, no one was left out.

After sitting down, Zhou Zhengtao first picked up his wine glass, looked around, and said in a relaxed tone.

"It's rare for Haozi to organize a gathering, and it's to welcome a brother. Tonight, we must make Brother Jiang Chen feel the hospitality of the people of Lanbei."

He turned to Jiang Chen and raised his glass.

"Jiang Chen, since this is our first meeting, I'll toast to you. Lanbei isn't exactly huge, but it's not small either. One thing's for sure: once you come, you won't want to leave."

"When I was first transferred here from the provincial capital, I wasn't happy about it at all. Now, I wouldn't leave even if you tried to kick me out."

Having said that, he tilted his head back and drained the glass.

Jiang Chen also picked up his glass and drank it in one go. The movement of turning the glass upside down was clean and decisive, without any hesitation.

Watching from the side, Zhao Yong nodded, a slight smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

"Drinking straightforwardly like that—I like it."

He poured himself a glass and, without any nonsense, raised it.

"Haozi and I are childhood friends; we grew up together. Haozi's brother is my brother. I'll finish this glass; drink as much as you like."

After saying that, he also downed it in one gulp.

Jiang Chen didn't just drink 'as much as he liked'; he returned the gesture with a full glass.

A layer of approval appeared in Zhao Yong's eyes.

Chen Jianguo watched with a smile. Only after the two finished did he slowly pick up his glass.

"With the way you two are drinking, you'll be under the table in no time."

He looked at Jiang Chen with the shrewdness and warmth typical of a businessman, yet without losing his hearty nature.

"Jiang Chen, let me toast to you. I heard about your chinchilla from Haozi. He praised it to high heaven, saying it could sell for at least four million. It's rare to hear him praise something so much. You must let me see it for myself one of these days."

After saying that, he downed it in one gulp and placed the glass on the table with a hearty thud.

Jiang Chen raised his glass in return and drained it.

"President Chen, you're too kind. Lin Hao was exaggerating. However, the chinchilla's quality is indeed rare. I'll bring it over later for you all to appraise."

Lin Hao chimed in from the side, "Exaggerating? When have I, Lin Hao, ever exaggerated about good things? Jiang Chen is great in every way, except he's too humble."

"I'm telling you, its fur color, posture, and genetic stability—in all my years in this circle, it's the first time I've seen anything like it. Four million is just the starting price. If it really goes to auction, five million might not even be the limit."

Zhou Zhengtao became interested and pushed up his glasses.

"Whoa, since you put it that way, Haozi, I really do need to see it."

Zhao Yong also nodded.

"If Haozi praises it like that, it's definitely something special."

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere in the private room gradually warmed up.

Lin Hao was very good at controlling the room. The topics shifted from Lanbei's property prices to the approval process for cultural tourism projects.

From the port's cargo throughput to the recent provincial policy trends.

He ensured Jiang Chen didn't feel left out while preventing any awkward silences.