Chapter 407: I’ve Become a Hot Commodity

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Zhou Chao slept until around five o’clock, sitting up on the bed and rubbing his temples. He felt much more awake and walked to the bathroom.

After a quick wash-up and a glance at himself in the mirror, he tidied up his hair a bit.

“All, my habit of afternoon naps hasn’t changed in so many years!” He sighed and then opened the door and walked out.

“Boss!” As he emerged from the bedroom, Lin Wu and Todd quickly stood up from the sofa and greeted him respectfully.

Hearing Todd address him as “Boss,” Zhou Chao found it rather surprising. Before he could speak, Todd began to explain.

“Boss, someone came to see you this afternoon, but since you were sleeping, we turned him away. Before leaving, he gave Lin Wu a business card and a bank card with 200,000 euros in it. Lin Wu gave me the card and said 1 could use it for daily expenses.” Todd took the card out of his pocket and handed it over.

“No worries, keep it for yourselves. You can either split it among yourself or use it for your daily expenses. If you run out of money, just let me know. I’m not short on this little bit.” Zhou Chao sat on the sofa and waved his hand, signaling them to keep the money.

“Boss, whose business card is this from the visitor?” Lin Wu also took out the visitor’s card from his pocket and handed it to Zhou Chao.

“Wayne Fielding!” Looking at the name on the card, Zhou Chao recognized him as another major shareholder of Lei Du Group, holding twenty-five percent of the company’s shares.

“It’s quite interesting. Look at how they found the hotel we’re staying at. It seems someone with an agenda is involved!” He casually flicked the card a few times, wearing a somewhat amused smile on his face.

Todd and Lin Wu exchanged a glance, and Todd shook his head, indicating that he didn’t understand the Boss’s meaning.

With a hint of doubt, Lin Wu said, “Boss, do you suspect that someone close to Norman, the President of Lei Du Group, might be involved with this Wayne, or perhaps someone sold your information to him?”

“It’s not impossible, but these things don’t matter anymore.”

“Boss, do you want to call him?”

“Why, do you want to tease him?” Zhou Chao glanced at Lin Wu without much patience.

“Hehe.” Lin Wu chuckled awkwardly and touched his head.

“Just remember, we don’t get involved in such conflicts. However, if someone dares to offend us, then we won’t be polite. It’s getting late now; let’s get going!”

Looking at the time, it was already half-past five, and there was still an hour and a half left until the evening banquet. The gathering was taking place in a luxurious villa on the outskirts of Paris.

Lin Wu and Todd had also caught the initial implication, and they exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

Just as the three Mercedes-Benz cars were leaving the hotel, they encountered Miles, who had just returned. Seeing the three Mercedes-Benz cars, he quickly hailed them to stop.

As he passed by the car Zhou Chao was sitting in, Miles apologized, “Sorry about that,” and quickly got into the last car.

“Boss, do you think Miles sneaked off to have some foreign alcohol?” Lin Wu whispered to Todd with a mischievous tone.

“For you, it might be foreign, but for Miles, it’s probably alcohol he drinks every day. Do you also want to taste some foreign alcohol too?” Zhou Chao teased, looking at Lin Wu.

Lin Wu shook his head hastily, his face blushing with embarrassment, as if his inner thoughts had been exposed.

Todd, sitting in the front seat, gave Lin Wu a knowing look, and this incident left a lasting impression on Lin Wu in Todd’s mind.

The venue for the banquet was a luxurious mansion in the sixteenth district. The three cars came to a steady stop in front of the opulent villa. There were also four or five cars parked at the entrance, most likely drivers or bodyguards waiting for the attendees.

“Todd, have them wait outside. You guys, come in with me!” Zhou Chao instructed as he prepared to enter the villa.

“Yes, Boss!”

Immediately, Zhou Chao led the three of them towards the mansion villa.

At the entrance, two men who appeared to be bodyguards were standing. They were about to approach and inquire when they heard a voice coming from inside the villa.

Zhou, you finally made it! I’ve been waiting for you for quite a while!” Norman walked out of the villa with a delighted expression.

“I took a short nap in the afternoon and ended up losing some time. 1 woke up feeling better and came right over. I hope I’m not late!”

“Not at all, they just arrived as well. Please come inside!” Norman welcomed Zhou Chao and the others into the villa.

As they entered the villa, Zhou Chao’s first impression was that it was exquisite, even more luxurious than his East Suburb Residence back in China.

He noticed several beautiful women in the living room, most likely high-ranking female associates or secretaries from the group.

“Where are the others?” Zhou Chao asked Norman.

“They are all in the reception room.”

Zhou Chao nodded and then turned to the three men behind him, saying, “You guys go grab something to eat outside.”

“Yes, Boss!”

Norman led Zhou Chao into the reception room, where five people were already seated and engaged in conversation.

“I wonder who this second-largest shareholder of ours really is. He’s such an enigma!”

“I’ve only heard that he’s from Huaxia, but 1 don’t know anything else. 1 heard only President Norman has met him.”

Listening to their conversation, Wayne wore an anxious expression.

“Did I give my bank card away this afternoon for nothing? Why haven’t 1 heard any updates? Could it be that the bodyguard took the money and did nothing?”

While Wayne was still pondering, the large doors of the reception room swung open, and two figures walked in.

Seeing the newcomers, everyone on the sofa quickly stood up.

Upon seeing Zhou Chao next to Norman, almost everyone displayed an astonished expression.

“How could he be so young!”

As they looked at Zhou Chao, who was in his twenties, everyone wondered if they were seeing things.

Glancing at the expressions of the others, Norman felt ecstatic inside. It seemed that everyone had the same reaction.

“Let me introduce everyone. The person next to me is Mr. Zhou Chao, the second-largest shareholder of our Lei Du Group!”

Norman enthusiastically announced, prompting everyone to applaud.

“Hello, everyone!” Zhou Chao greeted them in fluent French.

“Zhou, let me introduce you. This is Wayne, our third-largest shareholder. And this is Payne, Rosie, Kevin, and Joey, all high-ranking executives of our group!” Norman warmly introduced the names of the individuals to Zhou Chao.

“Nice to meet all of you,” Zhou Chao shook hands with each of them in turn.

“Please have a seat, don’t stand,” Norman said in a host-like tone, gesturing for Wayne and the others to take their seats.

Everyone sat down, and the conversation continued. They were all curious about Zhou Chao’s identity and tried to probe, but Zhou Chao skillfully deflected their questions.

During the conversation, a maid brought coffee, some snacks, and desserts for everyone.

After about half an hour of chatting, Wayne and the others realized that Zhou Chao was keeping his secrets well-guarded, so they changed the topic.

Norman, seeing the right moment, stood up and said, “Let’s talk about our gains from this operation.”

Norman’s words grabbed everyone’s attention, and their eyes gleamed with curiosity.

“Ahem, the main credit for our gains this time goes to our second-largest shareholder, Mr. Zhou Chao. Of course, we could have earned even more, but 1 won’t dwell on that now,” Norman said, casting a sidelong glance at Wayne.

Hearing this, the others in the room also glanced at Wayne, as it was Wayne who had opposed the operation against AD initially.

If Wayne had agreed back then, the shares they would be dividing tonight might have been significantly larger.

Wayne’s expression turned sour because he knew he had lost this time, and there was no turning back. Norman had planted a seed of doubt in the hearts of many high-ranking executives.

Zhou Chao looked at everyone with a smile and couldn’t help but admire, “The cunning tactics of capitalists are truly impressive.”

“Our total earnings from this operation amount to 8.5 billion. I plan to allocate

1.5 billion from it as development funds for the group. What are your thoughts on this?” Norman asked, mainly addressing Zhou Chao.

“Okay,” Zhou Chao replied succinctly, leaving the others with different thoughts.

Before Wayne could say anything, the others quickly voiced their agreement, saying, “Agree!”

Wayne nodded reluctantly.

“For the remaining 7 billion, here’s what I propose. This operation was decided by Mr. Zhou, so 1 suggest that he take 50 percent for himself. I, as the leader, take 20 percent, Director Wayne takes 10 percent, and the remaining 20 percent will be evenly distributed among our high-ranking executives.”

As Norman finished speaking, it brought joy to some and worry to others. The high-ranking executives were delighted, as they would collectively share 2 billion, with each receiving 350 million. This was an amount they might not earn in many years of hard work.

On the other hand, Wayne was worried. If he agreed, it meant he had conceded, and his future influence within the group might diminish.

However, if he disagreed, he risked offending Zhou Chao, whose identity he suspected was far from simple.

“Mr. Zhou, what do you think of this distribution?”

“I don’t mind,” Zhou Chao replied nonchalantly. He didn’t need to say or do anything to receive 3.5 billion for himself. Why not? Besides, Norman had previously donated the Rat’s Head and Rabbit’s Head back to the country without compensation. Zhou Chao didn’t mind helping Norman repay that favor.

“I agree.” After much consideration, Wayne finally accepted Norman’s proposal. Offending Norman might still allow him a chance to regain his position, but offending an unknown entity could be much riskier.

Norman couldn’t hide his joy upon hearing this. With Wayne’s agreement, he would practically have complete control over the group’s affairs in the future, as Zhou Chao had no involvement in management.

Norman then took out several unmarked Swiss bank cards from his pocket and handed them to each person. Among them, Zhou Chao’s card was the most eye-catching, with a diamond-like emblem on its surface.

“Your respective earnings will be transferred to these unmarked cards later. You are free to use them as you wish.”

Zhou Chao glanced at the card and casually put it in his pocket.

Norman then opened a bottle of top-notch champagne and poured a glass for each person.

“Cheers!”

To success!”