Chapter 405: Banquet

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Hello, Mr. Norman!”

“Mr. Zhou, I wonder if you are free? I’d like to invite you for lunch to taste the cuisine of our fashion capital!” Norman’s cheerful voice came through.

Zhou Chao pondered for a moment and replied, “No problem, just let me know the place, and I’ll come over!”

“Le Pre Catelan, a Michelin three-star restaurant that’s still very famous in Paris!”

“Alright, I’ll get ready and head there!”

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Chao began to think about why Norman had called him, but after a while, he decided not to dwell on it since he would find out soon enough.

“Miles, please find a high-end restaurant for Todd and the others to have a meal later. Lin Wu, accompany me to meet Norman.”

“Young Master Zhou, maybe 1 should go with you. After all, the place you’re going to is in the suburbs of Paris, and I’m quite familiar with that area. I also know there are other restaurants near this Michelin three-star one, which might be suitable for us!” Todd quickly suggested.

Zhou Chao thought for a moment, realizing that Todd had a point. After all, he and Lin Wu were not familiar with Paris. After some consideration, he nodded and agreed to Todd’s suggestion.

“Alright, let’s go!” With that, they all left the hotel.

Lin Wu and Todd naturally followed Zhou Chao into a car, while Miles got into the last car. The three Mercedes-Benz vehicles then left the hotel and headed to the agreed-upon location.

The restaurant was located in the midst of the Boulogne Forest, considered a suburban park in Paris. It was a small white villa-like structure that didn’t look very conspicuous. As they passed by other restaurants, they all appeared much more luxurious on the outside.

The cars parked steadily at the restaurant’s entrance, and the well-dressed bodyguards accompanying them drew the attention of passersby.

“Todd, take them and find a good restaurant nearby. Lin Wu, you go with them. I’ll go in alone.”

“Boss, how about I go with you?” Lin Wu quickly stepped forward and suggested.

“No need. If there’s anything, I’ll call you guys. Alright, go ahead!” With that, Zhou Chao turned and walked into the restaurant.

Zhou Chao was dressed casually in simple leisurewear. Technically, he should have been stopped by the restaurant’s doorman because there was an unwritten rule that Michelin three-star restaurants required formal attire. However, did Zhou Chao care about such things?

Not at all!!!

The doorman also had a keen eye. When he saw Zhou Chao and the row of men in black accompanying him, carrying suitcases, he couldn’t help but feel nervous.

Seeing Zhou Chao approaching, the doorman respectfully opened the glass door of the restaurant and let him in.

“Sir, good day. Do you have a reservation?” A formally dressed greeter quickly approached.

“Norman!”

Hearing this name, the greeter was taken aback for a moment, and his gaze toward Zhou Chao became even more respectful.

“Mr. Norman has already arrived. Please follow me, sir!” The greeter quickly extended his right hand in a welcoming gesture and led Zhou Chao into the restaurant.

The interior of the restaurant was decorated in the style of Napoleon III, with lavish decorations including colorful marble, peacock stone, onyx, granite, mosaic, and silver or gold-plated bronze, creating a rich and vibrant atmosphere.

For Zhou Chao, it felt luxurious and had a touch of nobility, almost like a royal ambiance. Perhaps he hadn’t seen much of this kind of thing, but it still impressed him.

Soon, the greeter led Zhou Chao to the entrance of a private room, knocked gently, and then opened the door.

“Mr. Norman, your guest has arrived!”

A slightly overweight middle-aged man was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, admiring the view outside. Upon hearing the greeter’s words, he quickly turned around.

Upon seeing Zhou Chao, he was momentarily stunned, but as the CEO of a top corporation, Norman quickly regained his composure and warmly greeted Zhou Chao.

“Hello, Mr. Zhou. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I didn’t expect you to be so young and handsome!”

“Thank you, not at all!” Zhou Chao replied calmly, shaking hands with Norman.

Norman, with a hint of curiosity, said, “Mr. Zhou, your features are perfect, you have a strong physique, and you’re remarkably handsome…”

Now it was Zhou Chao’s turn to be puzzled. Why was Norman, this old man, suddenly praising him so much?

“Um… Mr. Norman, there’s no need to praise me like this!”

ii

Zhou, you asked me just now, and I certainly wanted to point out what you were asking about!”

It finally dawned on Zhou Chao. It turned out that his polite words earlier were interpreted by Norman as him inquiring about what part of himself Norman found impressive.

This made Zhou Chao feel a bit awkward.

After explaining the meaning behind his words to Norman, he nodded with a look of realization.

“Zhou, please have a seat!”

They both took their seats, and at this point, the attentive greeter asked, “Mr. Norman, may I arrange for the kitchen to start serving?”

Norman replied, “Yes!” The greeter quickly exited the private room.

Seeing the greeter leave, Norman turned to Zhou Chao and said, “I apologize, Zhou. I didn’t know your taste preferences, so I ordered everything from the restaurant’s menu.”

Zhou Chao smiled and shook his head, saying, “It’s alright; I’m open to trying any gourmet food!”

Soon, a waiter pushed open the door to the private room, and beautifully plated dishes were presented before them one by one.

“Zhou, these are specially prepared by the head chef for you. Please taste them to see if they suit your palate!”

Zhou Chao looked at the dishes on the table. Each dish had a very simple presentation, unlike the elaborate dishes he had experienced at Michelin three-star restaurants in the past. He thought that perhaps the head chef here favored simplicity in their culinary style.

After scanning the dishes, Zhou Chao’s gaze settled on the caviar and a champagne ice sphere. Without hesitation, he picked up a spoon and began to taste. The moment the caviar entered his mouth, he mentally gave it a score of 80 points. After all, he had been somewhat tired of top-quality caviar recently.

“How is it? Do you like it?” Norman asked with a smile.

“It’s not bad.”

“As long as it suits your taste!”

Then, the two of them began to eat, taking their time. Zhou Chao was mainly slow because he didn’t particularly enjoy this kind of food. On the other hand, Norman seemed absentminded, as if he had something on his mind but didn’t know where to start.

Seeing this, Zhou Chao decided to bring up the topic.

“Norman, you invited me all the way to Paris, and it can’t be just to attend a celebration banquet, right?”

Upon hearing Zhou Chao’s words, Norman’s expression changed several times. After a long sigh, he finally said, “You also know that the Lei Du Group was founded by our family, and it has developed quite well over the years. But now, our family only holds 40% of the shares. Previously, there were other shareholders who were on our side, so our family could maintain full control.”

Norman paused for a moment and looked at Zhou Chao with complex emotions in his eyes. After a while, he continued, “But recently, you’ve acquired the shares held by these minority shareholders, becoming the second-largest shareholder in the group. At the same time, the balance of power that determines the fate of Lei Du is now in your hands!”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chao instantly understood. Miles had mentioned before that there were constant internal factional struggles within the Lei Du Group. Now he realized that he was seen as the key to determining the outcome of this power struggle.

“Who is the other shareholder, and why haven’t 1 met with them?” Zhou Chao asked with curiosity. After all, the opposing faction would surely try to win him over.

Norman pondered for a moment before saying, “Within the entire group, apart from Miles, whom you sent, I’m the only one with your contact information. Miles has done a good job in maintaining confidentiality. As for why I wouldn’t provide my contact information to my own competitors, it should be self-explanatory.”

Zhou Chao nodded in agreement with Norman’s statement and said, “Norman, you can rest assured on this point. I am on your side.”

Norman was now filled with doubt. He had not expected Zhou Chao to be so agreeable. He wondered if it was a smokescreen he had thrown out, and if Zhou Chao would abandon him when a better offer came along. After all, capitalists prioritize their interests above all else.

Norman then took out a bank card and handed it to Zhou Chao.

“Zhou, this is an unregistered top-tier black card from a Swiss bank. It contains two hundred million. 1 hope you’ll accept it.”

Zhou Chao picked up the card and examined it. He hadn’t had a top-tier black card from a Swiss bank before. After careful consideration, he returned the black card to Norman.

“Norman, please take it back. I don’t need this black card.”

Norman’s expression suddenly changed, and he was stunned for a moment. His mind was racing, wondering what was happening. Had his competitors beaten him to the punch, or had he made a mistake somewhere? It took him a while to regain his composure.

“Zhou, why won’t you accept it? Did Wayne Fielding find you? How much did he offer you? I can offer more!” Norman looked at him nervously.

Zhou Chao chuckled and said, “Norman, there’s no need to be anxious. I don’t know this Wayne you’re talking about, and he hasn’t contacted me. 1 declined your black card for a reason.”

After a pause, Zhou Chao continued, looking somewhat nervous himself. “You should actually thank yourself for this.”

Norman was puzzled and asked, “Zhou, why do you say that?”

“Haha, do you remember which country I’m from?”

“China, it’s a place I’ve always admired,” Norman replied with a dreamy expression.

“You should thank yourself for an act of kindness you did a few years ago.”

“A few years ago?” Norman furrowed his brow in deep thought, trying to recall what he had done.

Zhou Chao looked at Norman, who still seemed puzzled. He smiled and said, “I want to thank you for returning the rat’s head and the rabbit’s head to us in 2013. I’m expressing my gratitude here. You can rest assured that we, in China, believe in repaying kindness and settling debts.”

As Zhou Chao spoke, a glint of coldness flashed in his eyes. Norman, who had been observing Zhou Chao closely, felt a chill in his heart.

But quickly, Norman snapped back to reality. He hadn’t expected that his actions from several years ago would result in regaining the strongest support for his family.

Norman hurriedly stood up, preparing to bow to Zhou Chao, but Zhou Chao quickly stopped him.

“We are friends now; you don’t need to do this!”