Chapter 109: Pretending to Be Impressive?

Chu Lin’s phone call drew the attention of everyone around him.

All the catering companies present today naturally knew that Tianhui Plaza was a property under the Erbai Real Estate Group. Yet, Erbai Group was a massive conglomerate in Min City, and its owner was an important member of the Minjiang Chamber of Commerce.

Within the Erbai Real Estate Group, it seemed that the only senior executive with the surname Wu was the owner himself, Wu Cuo.

Such a figure was completely out of reach for catering companies like theirs. Even Ma Zhen, despite his connections, was far from qualified to approach him. No matter how powerful the Ma family’s capital behind him was, he was merely a wealthy heir and could not represent the Ma family.

Yet now, this young man in front of them was pulling out his phone and directly discussing this restaurant space with the owner of Erbai Real Estate?

Cai Yao stared blankly at Chu Lin, recalling that Chu had previously denied having any relationship with the Tianhui Group.

Ma Zhen found it hard to believe Chu Lin’s claim of having ties to the Erbai Group.

How could that be possible?

Cai Sen had clearly said Chu was just a pretty face.

Chu Lin paid no mind to the curious gazes around him and continued speaking into his phone, “Mr. Wu, I’m planning to open a high-end restaurant soon, and I think the restaurant space you have for sublease under Erbai in the plaza is perfect. I want to take it over.”

At the Minjiang Chamber, Wu Cuo, who was getting a massage with a friend, was also a little stunned.

He had thought this Mr. Chu was someone important and had made a special call to him, only to find out it was over something so trivial.

He had been keeping an eye on that restaurant space. Since it was part of a reform effort, it was worth trying out. If successful, the group could have a matching property for all its real estate.

Unfortunately, it had failed in the end.

The two-floor restaurant was 3,000 square meters—not a small space.

But afterward, Wu Cuo had lost interest in this failed experiment. Such minor follow-ups did not warrant his personal involvement.

If he had to handle every minor issue like this, he might as well fire a whole batch of managers beneath him.

Still, since Mr. Chu had personally called, it was only proper to show some respect. After all, Chu had promised to sell them two jin of rare White Dragon Saliva first, a small favor in return.

But even with minor matters, one should not agree too easily. Even small deals should be leveraged to increase value, making the other party more appreciative.

Before Wu Cuo could say more, Chu Lin added, “Mr. Wu, I understand this might disrupt your company’s usual processes and plans. However, I assure you, my high-end restaurant will be no worse than others. If I mess up and negatively affect Tianhui Plaza, I can offer you four priority shipments of rare White Dragon Saliva, at least one jin each time.”

Messing up was out of the question, so Chu’s words were deliberately aimed at Wu—to convey a message: see, I can still secure plenty of rare White Dragon Saliva later. If you want it, let’s get this deal done quickly.

Wu Cuo had initially thought it was a trivial matter to be handled with a call, but hearing this, he was surprised. Apparently, Mr. Chu could obtain a substantial amount of rare White Dragon Saliva in the future.

With that in mind, he quickly responded, “Mr. Chu, there’s no need for a sublease. How about we cooperate directly with Erbai Group? During the partnership, the restaurant space can be considered an equity investment. We’ll hold a 10% stake but won’t participate in management.”

He made this proposal not only because he believed in Chu’s confidence to run the high-end restaurant well but also because of Chu’s special channels. Now that they had a new partner, Chu should consider more collaboration opportunities for rare White Dragon Saliva.

Moreover, Chu had mentioned he also had access to other fine wines comparable to rare White Dragon Saliva—worthy of anticipation.

“All right, let’s proceed as you suggest, Mr. Wu,” Chu Lin agreed immediately.

Because there was no downside.

First, the 3,000-square-meter space had already been lavishly renovated by Tianhui Plaza, sparing him future rental expenses.

Second, Mr. Wu’s network would spare the restaurant many headaches.

Also, since it was a partnership, it would be fine to use their name for promotion.

Wouldn’t the people from the Minjiang Chamber of Commerce show face then?

Would companies wanting to cooperate with the Minjiang Chamber want to come to this restaurant?

Most importantly, he would profit on both ends—first from supplying shrimp and oysters, then from the restaurant’s operations. The 10% equity stake was not a big concern.

“All right, I’ll arrange things immediately,” Wu Cuo said with a smile as he ended the call.

Chu Lin put away his phone and turned to Ma Zhen. “Done. I’ve secured the restaurant space. Now it’s time for you all to leave.”

His words sparked an uproar among those nearby.

“Is this for real? Just one call and it’s settled?”

“I can hardly believe it. It must be fake.”

“I think so too. Maybe Ma Zhen was being mocked; he was just putting on a show. At his age, it’s unrealistic.”

At first, Ma Zhen was somewhat intimidated, but hearing the surrounding voices, he began to see their point.

Thinking it over, he took out his own phone and made a call.

Once connected, he said, “Director Lin, this is Ma Zhen. Aren’t you the general manager of Tianhui Plaza in Lougu District? … I was accompanying a friend today, hoping to negotiate a cooperation on that restaurant space in Tianhui Plaza. Now someone claims they’ve spoken with your Erbai Group chairman and secured the space, telling others to leave. Is that true?”

The voice on the other end grew annoyed. “What nonsense is this? There’s no such thing. Who’s causing trouble?”

“It’s from Zhizhen,” Ma Zhen said with a sly smile.

“Zhizhen? The chain restaurant that was sanctioned?” Lin Quan immediately grew angry. “A restaurant that can’t operate properly and instead tries dirty tricks? How could Tianhui possibly cooperate with them? And now they dare to cause trouble. I want to go down there and see what they’re up to.”

After hanging up, Ma Zhen looked at Chu Lin and Cai Yao teasingly. “Heh, the general manager of Tianhui Plaza says there’s no such thing. That’s odd.”

This only stirred more commotion.

“If the general manager says there’s no such thing, then it must be false.”

“So it was all just a bluff, and a poorly executed one at that.”

“Still, Ma Zhen seems to have connections with the general manager. Looks like we can’t compete with Yunhe Restaurant!”

“……”

Suddenly, Cheng Jian, the young owner of Yunhe Restaurant, glanced at Cai Yao. “Miss Cai, I’ve heard of you in the catering industry. They say you’re a management talent among the younger generation. Some even compare me to you. But it seems your taste in men leaves something to be desired.”

Cai Yao looked at Chu Lin with concern.

Mr. Chu had just said he had no ties to Tianhui Plaza, yet now this drama was unfolding. She had no idea what was going on.

Seeing her worried gaze, Chu Lin smiled and gently squeezed her hand reassuringly, telling her there was no need to worry.

The intimate gesture caught Cai Yao off guard.

Just then, a middle-aged man hurried down from the second floor—Lin Quan, the general manager of Tianhui Plaza.

He cared deeply about the restaurant space, so he had brought several senior executives upstairs to select a catering company to take over the space on the spot.

Hearing that someone was causing trouble by spreading false news under the chairman’s name, he was furious.

Especially since it was Zhizhen, a chain restaurant with a terrible reputation.

Did they really think making others leave by such means would secure the space?

What a joke.

No wonder they had done something ridiculous like selling ordinary oysters for 400 yuan each when they only cost 10 yuan.

Lin Quan came down, visibly angry. “Who just said our big boss gave that restaurant space to them?”

Everyone around could feel his fury.

But just as Lin Quan finished speaking, his phone rang.

Seeing the caller ID, he was shocked and immediately answered.

Why was the big boss calling him out of the blue?

After the call, he was stunned for a moment.

But only a second later, an enormous smile spread across his face as he asked those around, “May I ask, who here is Mr. Chu?”

“It’s me!” Chu Lin spoke up immediately.

“Ah, Mr. Chu, truly a promising young man,” Lin Quan said quickly, stepping forward to shake Chu Lin’s hand. “Our big boss has already instructed that the restaurant space in Tianhui Plaza will be invested in and used by you. If you encounter any issues, Tianhui Plaza will fully cooperate!”

Lin Quan’s sudden change of attitude left everyone around momentarily speechless.

Even Ma Zhen and Cheng Jian, who had been ready to gloat, found their expressions frozen in shock.

(End of chapter)