Li Chaoren watched Li Zekun drone on with useless small talk, never getting to the point. Wasn't that just annoying?
Li Zekun glanced at his father, then changed the subject, asking, "Old Ma, what have you been busy with lately? Where are you? I'll come to the mainland to find you for a drink."
"Brother, that probably won't work out. I'm not in Fisher City, I'm in Modu," said Penguin Ma.
"Why did you run off to Modu? What are you doing there?"
Li Zekun, like a girl in love, kept asking questions. It was as if he needed to know Penguin Ma's whereabouts to feel at ease.
"Brother, that's a bit inconvenient to say. It's personal matter, and I'll tell you when there's a chance," Penguin Ma kept his mouth shut, unwilling to say more.
Li Zekun understood Penguin Ma's meaning and smiled, "Do you still consider me your brother? Then give me a hint."
"Brother, let me put it this way, I'm a guest at an important person's home. It's not that I don't want to tell you, but I can't. Please understand," Penguin Ma said.
"Alright, I get it. I won't bother you then. Remember to tell me when you return to Fisher City, and I'll come find you then." Li Zekun felt he had asked enough and didn't want to pressure Penguin Ma any further. He knew that if Penguin Ma could say it, he would have, and asking more about what he couldn't say would yield no results.
"Okay, I'll contact you then." Penguin Ma agreed and hung up the phone.
As soon as the call ended, Li Chaoren eagerly asked, "Did you find out anything?"
"He's not in Fisher City, but in Modu. He said he's a guest at an important person's home," Li Zekun told Li Chaoren what he had learned. This was Penguin Ma flattering himself; calling himself a guest when he was a sycophant. Of course, Penguin Ma wouldn't say, "I'm being a sycophant, don't bother me unnecessarily."
Li Chaoren didn't say anything after hearing this. It was as he expected. He just wanted to confirm, and indeed, everyone was at that mysterious magnate's house. Old Wang, Jack Ma, Penguin Ma, and Jiang Quanshui were all there. Lei Ming was also aware of the situation but hadn't gone for some reason. Li Chaoren himself really wanted to go, but showing up unannounced seemed too rash. There had to be a reason to go.
"Cancel the investment in Switzerland next month and invest it directly in Modu," Li Chaoren suddenly instructed Li Zekun.
"What? Dad, we've already signed the contract. Breaking it will cost over a billion in liquidated damages," Li Zekun exclaimed in shock.
"Do I need to tell you? Just listen to me. I have a feeling that Penguin Ma, Old Wang, and the others are acting strangely. If we don't seize this opportunity, we'll regret it," Li Chaoren, with his always sharp intuition that made him so successful in the business world, spoke with certainty.
"Okay." Li Zekun didn't dare to disobey his father and nodded in agreement. Although he didn't quite understand his father's strategy, investing in Modu wouldn't result in much loss. Besides, was over a billion in liquidated damages really that much money?
After hanging up the phone, Penguin Ma didn't think much of it. He had a good relationship with Li Zekun, so a casual phone call to check in was normal.
"Holy cow... Teacher Ma is going to gain another wave of admiration," Jiang Quanshui, sitting opposite Penguin Ma, shouted.
"What's up?" Old Wang asked.
"This year's charitable entrepreneurs list is out. Teacher Ma is solidly in first place for charitable entrepreneurs, becoming the top philanthropist this year. Old Ma, you're not doing well, you're third. Old Xu is second." Jiang Quanshui said, looking at the news on his phone.
"And you have the nerve to talk about me? What about yourself?" Penguin Ma asked.
"Heh heh, how can I compare to you guys? I'm not as rich as you. I'm in the teens," Jiang Quanshui chuckled.
"Old Wang, you're doing well. You're ranked eighth even though you're so poor. Are you faking poverty?" Jiang Quanshui then asked Old Wang.
"You all know my character. I only do what's factual, I don't brag. If I have money, I donate more; if I don't, I donate less. I didn't donate much in the past couple of difficult years. Since things are better this year, I'm donating more. We entrepreneurs should contribute more to the country, not engage in flashy displays. Just do what's factual, don't put on a show," Old Wang waved his hand indifferently. He never cared about these rankings; as long as he did what he was supposed to, that was enough. Old Wang, being a former soldier, acted decisively and never played games; he was someone worth learning from.
"Alright, you've got one compliment and now you're showing off," Jiang Quanshui interrupted.
Then, Jiang Quanshui posted the list to the China Forbes group chat.
Jiang Quanshui: @Xu Who Loves Football, not bad, top three every year.
Xu Who Loves Football: Small matters, just doing my part. Xu Who Loves Football: You two Mr. Ma are the real deal. I'll have to learn from you two Mr. Ma in the future.
Penguin Ma: Cut the crap. Do you still need to learn from me? I need to learn from you.
Ms. Dong: Unite as one, strengthen China.
Lei Ming: 66666. What Ms. Dong says is different. A woman who is as capable as a man, brilliant.
Ms. Dong: Stop the flattery. No matter how much you flatter, you still owe me a billion, and that debt cannot be erased.
Lei Ming: ..... (Image of farewell).
After a while, Lei Ming, acting mischievous again, said:
Lei Ming: Retract (Image of farewell). Lei Ming: @Old Wang, I'm coming to Modu tomorrow.
Old Wang: Come if you want. Come and scrub the toilets. I'm tired of scrubbing.
Lei Ming: .....
Ms. Dong: ???
Xu Who Loves Football: ???
Ms. Dong: It seems the photo of you scrubbing toilets that Mr. Ma posted earlier was true. Old Wang, what exactly are you guys up to?
Old Wang: Which Mr. Ma leaked the information?
Xu Who Loves Football: @Penguin Ma. It was him. Who else? Scroll up and check the messages, and your heroic appearance.
Old Wang: This scoundrel retracted the message. I'm going to confront him right now.
Jack Ma took about an hour to prepare a table of dishes, with a wide variety, so they never ate the same thing twice. Orville looked a bit amusing with his honest and simple demeanor as it was his first time dining there.
"Mmm, delicious. Chinese food is the best I've ever eaten. Very good," Orville praised while eating.
"You're planning to invest ten billion euros in China, so it's only right to treat you to an authentic Chinese meal," Xia Feng said with a smile, looking at Orville.
"Respected sir, I dare not, I dare not. It's just a small token of my appreciation, it's what I should do," Orville said, overjoyed. Receiving Xia Feng's approval made this trip to China worthwhile. He planned to transfer more of his assets to China in the future, investing everything in China to contribute his humble efforts to China's prosperity.