The private room was filled with the praise of the three business magnates.
In reality, Gao Fei’s fame in Hong Kong was nowhere comparable to that of local stars.
Hong Kong residents recognized him by only two identities.
One was that he was a popular star from the mainland who had previously led mainland Chinese films to go international and win awards at film festivals.
The other was his identity as the chief engineer of a civilian navigation system.
As for industries like Feiteng Investment Company, Mingyuan Milk Tea, Gaolan Cosmetics, and Fengchao Post Station,
Hong Kong locals hadn't even heard their names.
The reason Chen Guanglin, He Xudong, and Huang Chen praised his business acumen and success in business was because before Gao Fei arrived, Huo Dongcheng had told them about his identity, background, and rise to fortune.
As soon as Huo Dongcheng finished his introduction, the three, who had long wished to enter the mainland market, immediately offered various forms of praise and showed their friendly attitude.
Gao Fei had done his homework before coming to Hong Kong and was aware of his lack of recognition there.
Facing the praise of the three business magnates, he knew it must have been revealed by Huo Dongcheng in advance.
He neither humbled nor overstepped, first shook hands lightly with the three, and then smiled, saying, “Thank you for your praise, bosses. I was merely lucky enough to seize the opportunity, and compared to you all, I am nothing!”
Before the three could respond, the seasoned Huo Dongcheng immediately signaled the waiter to serve the dishes and wine.
Meanwhile, Chen Guanglin and He Xudong, who had matters to attend to, cast puzzled glances at them.
Huo Dongcheng smiled without speaking and gave them a look, signaling them not to rush.
In Hong Kong, business discussions usually took place before the meal. If the cooperation was successful, they would then dine together.
If the talks failed, there was no need to continue, and they would go their separate ways.
However, the customs on the mainland were different from those in Hong Kong.
Huo Dongcheng, who frequently traveled to the mainland for business, was well aware of the "wine table culture" on both sides.
After signaling the three to be patient, he took charge, waiting for the food and drinks while initiating conversation.
Once the unique Hong Kong delicacies were all laid out on the table, the waiter poured wine for the five of them.
The banquet officially began.
After a couple of rounds of drinks, with two bottles of specially supplied baijiu consumed, the conversation flowed freely.
The first to speak was Huang Chen, the owner of Anhelin Restaurant.
“Mr. Gao, although I am in Hong Kong, I have heard about your Yuanfei Catering.”
He raised his wine glass, clinked it gently with Gao Fei’s, and continued, “Your Yuanfei Catering specializes in street food stalls and has expanded from Yunnan Province to five surrounding provinces.
Most of the franchised stores are run by vendors in first and second-tier cities, and their monthly revenue…”
Huang Chen detailed the provinces and cities where Yuanfei Catering currently operated, as well as its monthly revenue, in broad strokes.
Even Gao Fei, the founder, did not know as much as he did.
It should be noted that after he settled in the capital to establish Feiteng Investment, he no longer interfered with Yuanfei Catering.
For the past year, his mother had been in charge.
He never expected Huang Chen to know the current situation of Yuanfei Catering Company even better than he, the founder.
Gao Fei shot a glance at Huo Dongcheng.
Before the latter could explain, Huang Chen immediately interjected, “Mr. Gao, I am in the catering business and have my own channels to gather information about mainland catering companies.
Old Huo only introduced you, he didn’t go into detail.”
This was indeed the case.
When Huo Dongcheng had introduced Gao Fei’s Yuanfei Catering Company earlier, Huang Chen had already investigated it through his own channels.
Gao Fei then turned his gaze to Chen Guanglin and He Xudong, “Gentlemen, was my background also briefly introduced by Mr. Huo before I arrived?”
They nodded with a tacit understanding and a smile.
“So, you two have also investigated my logistics and cosmetics businesses through your respective channels?”
He asked again.
He Xudong, the logistics boss, nodded and said with a smile, “Mr. Gao, your Fengchao Post Station project has spread throughout northern China, and you have also started a separate logistics company privately.
If I’m not mistaken, once Fengchao Post Station covers the entire country, you plan to phase out the other two courier companies, correct?”
Gao Fei smiled without replying, took out a cigarette from his pack, lit it, and took a deep puff.
He did not answer He Xudong’s question and instead turned to Chen Guanglin, smiling, “Boss Chen, how about you analyze Gaolan Cosmetics?”
Chen Guanglin, who already had something to say in mind and was about to speak, noticed Huo Dongcheng’s gaze and immediately waved his hand and smiled, “Mr. Gao, your Gaolan Cosmetics is already popular nationwide; I have nothing much to analyze.
However, if Mr. Gao wishes to cooperate, we can try to take the brand overseas.”
He subtly brought up cooperation.
Gao Fei, seizing on Chen Guanglin’s topic, turned to Huang Chen and said, “Boss Huang, your catering company is limited to Guangdong Province. If you want to cooperate with me, you want to leverage Yuanfei Catering’s resources to expand Anhelin Catering’s reach, right?”
“Exactly!”
Huang Chen did not hide anything and directly nodded in agreement.
“Boss He, your cooperation with me is mainly because you value the future of Fengchao Post Station, and you want to invest your logistics company into the Feidong Logistics I’m privately running. After all, once Fengchao Post Station takes off, logistics will be paramount, correct?”
“Exactly!”
He Xudong also nodded in agreement.
Gao Fei leaned back in his chair, swept his gaze across the three, and then looked at Huo Dongcheng, “Old Huo, you want to facilitate our cooperation, which means you have discussed other terms with them, right?”
As soon as he finished speaking.
The expressions on the faces of Chen Guanglin, He Xudong, and Huang Chen shifted slightly.
The three exchanged glances, and then excused themselves to use the restroom, temporarily leaving the banquet.
This left space for the two to talk privately.
After they left, Huo Dongcheng, who had been unexpectedly called out, swallowed nervously and said with a fawning smile, “Oh my, my young brother Gao, I saw you were coming to Hong Kong and wanted to introduce you to more business partners.
What terms could Old Chen and I possibly discuss? Our businesses don’t conflict.”
“Do I need to spell it out?”
Gao Fei stared at him, his gaze becoming sharp.
Huo Dongcheng’s smile slowly froze, and he sighed, shaking his head, “You already know?”
“Just heard!”
Gao Fei replied casually.
“I, I, I…”
Seeing his hesitation, Gao Fei spoke directly, “November, the five-year general election, your half-brother wants to rise up, right?”
“How, how did you know about our relationship?”
Huo Dongcheng was startled and his tone suddenly became tense.
“Old Huo, where is my company? The Capital! Where are my connections? Still in the Capital!
The secret you and your brother are strictly guarding, the relationship you dare not reveal, is completely open in certain circles, don’t you understand!”
Hearing Gao Fei’s words, Huo Dongcheng immediately understood what that so-called circle was.
It was a "red circle" that was even more elite than business circles or entertainment circles.
Having exposed his identity, Huo Dongcheng let out a wry smile and no longer concealed his intentions, saying, “Since you already know, I’ll tell you the truth.
As long as my young brother, you, can reach a cooperation agreement with Chen Guanglin and the others, my brother can gain the support of that faction.
The reason I want you to cooperate is that their support is secondary.
The main reason is that I want you to owe me a favor, after all, given your current status, you can also speak for my brother in the Capital.
Whether my brother can rise up ultimately depends on the attitude of the Capital.”
Old Huo stated it directly, revealing the terms he had reached with Chen Guanglin and the others, as well as his own hidden agenda.
After hearing the hidden truth behind it, Gao Fei frowned with strong displeasure.
He had only arrived on the first day, and the movie issue had not been resolved, yet he almost found himself embroiled in a deeper struggle.
Fueled by alcohol, he stood up from his chair and stated very seriously, “I can tell you clearly, you want me to cooperate with Chen Guanglin and the others, fine. After all, everyone needs to make money.
But if you want me to find people in the Capital, that is absolutely out of the question.
If you force me, then our business cooperation can be terminated after tonight, and I will willingly pay any breach of contract fees.”
Seeing Gao Fei’s resolute expression, Huo Dongcheng did not press further.
He knew very well that even if Gao Fei broke off this connection, he would not get involved.
“My young brother Gao, it was my haste. Please don’t take my earlier words to heart. This matter will end with your cooperation.”
Saying this, Huo Dongcheng poured himself a glass of wine. “Your brother will punish himself with three cups, and this matter is completely over.”
Before Gao Fei could reply, he downed three cups of baijiu in quick succession.
“My young brother Gao.”
“That’s enough, Mr. Huo. When those three return, we’ll call it a night!”
Gao Fei waved his hand, giving Huo Dongcheng no chance to speak.
After about two minutes, Chen Guanglin and the other two returned to the private room.
As they sat down, Gao Fei immediately picked up his wine glass and, citing the late hour and the fatigue from flying, excused himself from the banquet.
After drinking a glass of wine, he picked up his small bag and said with an apologetic smile, “Gentlemen, regarding cooperation matters, we will discuss them in detail after I’ve finished my business. Farewell!”
With that, he turned and walked directly towards the exit of the room. Huo Dongcheng and the others immediately followed, escorting him out.
Downstairs at the restaurant.
Gao Fei waved goodbye to the four of them and then got into the arranged vehicle to leave.
Watching the car depart, Chen Guanglin couldn’t help but ask, “How did your discussion with that kid go?”
“Cooperation is possible, but asking for his support? No chance!”
Huo Dongcheng said, taking a deep drag from his cigarette.
Huang Chen, standing beside him, frowned slightly. “Old Huo, I really don’t understand. He’s just a nineteen or twenty-year-old kid, barely out of his teens, and doesn’t know anything. What’s the use of his support?”
He Xudong immediately chimed in, “Exactly, what does an immature brat like him know about politics? Even if he supports us, can his connections reach the heavens?”
Chen Guanglin also found Huo Dongcheng’s intentions somewhat baffling and said directly, “Asking us to put on a show and cooperate with him is to fully tilt the overseas market towards him. This kind of substantial profit, anyone would be tempted.
Gao Fei’s focus is only on the domestic market, and his business acumen is at best superficial. Using vast resources to gain his support would be utterly shameful if it got out.”
After speaking, Huo Dongcheng’s gaze swept coldly over the three of them. “Whether his connections can reach the heavens, I don’t know. But it’s best you don’t let him hear these words, otherwise, your businesses in the mainland will completely collapse.”
With that, he got into his Mercedes-Benz and left the restaurant.
Seeing Huo Dongcheng leave with a cold expression, Chen Guanglin and the other two shrugged indifferently.
After all, they were just there to play a game of favors today.
Whether they cooperated with Gao Fei or not had little impact on them.
Moreover, the idea that a single Gao Fei could bring down their mainland businesses…
To them, it was a colossal joke!
…
Berlin Hotel.
Back at the hotel, as Gao Fei got out of the car, before he could even enter the main entrance.
Suddenly, a group of men in black suits strode towards him menacingly.