The patriarch of the Habsburgs wants to see me.
Maltz-Morey's words kept echoing in Li Chaoren's ears. Was it that serious?
Li Chaoren could hear the fear in Maltz-Morey's voice over the phone, mixed with an inexplicable panic.
Li Chaoren could understand Maltz-Morey's fear. He was Italian, and despite being Italy's Minister of Commerce, if the Habsburgs wanted to remove him, a quiet disappearance would be a matter of minutes.
"Minister Morey, don't worry. Perhaps it's a good thing? Besides, you haven't done anything against the Habsburg family's interests. Don't worry. Call me anytime if anything happens. This is all because of me, and I will do my best to help you."
Li Chaoren didn't abandon Maltz-Morey but offered some comfort.
Maltz-Morey felt a little better hearing that.
"Alright, I'm going now. I'll call you later." Maltz-Morey hung up, too busy to even eat, and rushed to drive towards the Habsburg family's castle.
Maltz-Morey sped along the road towards the castle.
Maltz-Morey's speed wasn't very fast; it seemed more like flying too slowly.
He arrived at the castle about half an hour later. Maltz-Morey didn't even bother to turn off the engine before running out.
The guards at the entrance knew Maltz-Morey was coming. Upon seeing him arrive, they immediately escorted him into the castle.
This was Maltz-Morey's first time in this mysterious place. He had longed to come here before and had wondered if he would ever be worthy of entering.
Now that he was actually inside, Maltz-Morey had no intention of admiring the scenery, his mind focused on how he would face the Habsburg patriarch.
Maltz-Morey followed the guards through layer after layer of gates, finally arriving at the largest building inside the castle. The guard turned to Maltz-Morey and said, "The patriarch is waiting for you inside. Please."
Maltz-Morey nodded and walked towards the building.
Upon entering, he saw a long dining table laden with a dazzling array of delicacies. An old man was seated at the head of the table.
"Minister Morey, hello. I am Gusri, the patriarch of the Habsburgs. I apologize for disturbing you." Gusri greeted Maltz-Morey as soon as he entered.
Maltz-Morey was dumbfounded by Gusri's demeanor.
This wasn't the terrifying encounter he had imagined.
It seemed like he was being hosted.
Yes, that's right, he was being hosted.
But why?
"Patriarch Gusri, hello. Morey greets you." Maltz-Morey bowed deeply, performing a standard European gentleman's bow.
No matter how polite Gusri was, Maltz-Morey dared not be careless. Who knew if it was genuine?
Besides, he knew his place. Was it necessary for the patriarch of the Habsburgs to be so polite to him?
"Minister Morey, you should know why I called you here today. Please sit down, and we can talk while we eat."
Gusri gestured for Maltz-Morey to sit and eat.
Maltz-Morey had no choice but to follow Gusri's arrangement, fearing this might be his last lunch.
"Patriarch Gusri, that photo was sent to me by a business partner from Hong Kong, China. I was unaware of its contents."
Maltz-Morey stood up again as soon as he sat down to explain.
"Minister Morey, I am not blaming you. Please sit and speak. Consider me your friend."
Gusri naturally knew that Ovell had gone to China, so it was not surprising for the photo to come from China.
Furthermore, judging by the angle of the photo, Ovell had deliberately had it taken. There was only one place where such a photo could be taken, and that was at Lord Xia Feng's residence.
Gusri had called Maltz-Morey over simply to understand the situation, inquire about who leaked the photo, and perhaps to curry favor.
"Yes, yes, yes." Maltz-Morey repeatedly agreed submissively.
"Minister Morey, I won't beat around the bush. The person in the photo is my father, Ovell," Gusri said with a smile.
Buzz...
Maltz-Morey's head buzzed with shock.
Who in Italy didn't know the name Ovell? He was once a giant who ruled half of Europe. Why did he look so young? How was he still alive?
If it were true, then wouldn't Gusri before him be hundreds of years old?
The Habsburg family was very mysterious. Ordinary people could not access their core, only come into contact with some of the Habsburgs' peripheral members.
Gusri seemed to read Maltz-Morey's thoughts and smiled, "We are somewhat mysterious, so you don't need to doubt our identities."
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare," Maltz-Morey said, startled.
"Now, tell me, where did the photo come from?" Gusri asked.
"The photo was sent to me by Li Chaoren, the richest man in Hong Kong, China. I don't know the specifics," Maltz-Morey replied truthfully.
"Then call Li Chaoren and ask him." Gusri suggested.
"Alright." Maltz-Morey dared not refuse and immediately took out his phone to call Li Chaoren.
"Minister Harley, how did it go?"
Li Chaoren had been waiting for Maltz-Morey's call. As soon as the phone connected, Li Chaoren answered.
"Respected Li, where did your photo come from? I am currently with the patriarch of the Habsburgs," Maltz-Morey asked.
"The photo was leaked by Old Wang from Yida Group. He also took it, and he also sent a photo of Duke Peter of Great Britain."
Li Chaoren did not hide anything and told the truth.
Gusri inwardly noted, "As expected."
"It seems my father went to see the Lord. That explains it."
"Judging from the information in the photo, Old Wang has a very close relationship with the Lord."
Gusri silently remembered the name Old Wang of Yida Group.
Maltz-Morey didn't know how to respond and looked to Gusri for guidance.
Gusri gestured for Maltz-Morey to hand him the phone.
"Respected Li, hello. I am Gusri, the current patriarch of the Habsburgs. It's a pleasure to speak with you." Gusri greeted him after taking the phone.
"Patriarch Gusri, hello. It's a pleasure to meet you." Li Chaoren's heart stirred, and his tone became somewhat deferential.
Reputation precedes a person. Li Chaoren had been in Europe for a long time and naturally knew the capabilities of the Habsburg family, thus showing some respect.
"The person in the photo you sent is my father. My father is visiting a highly respected figure in China. Please do not spread the photo further, to avoid unnecessary trouble."
"To express my gratitude, all your investments in Italy will be tax-exempt for three years."
Gusri directly made decisions for Italy, stating tax exemption for three years.
This was a display of confidence from the Habsburg family.
Li Chaoren was stunned. Tax exemption for three years?
He hadn't done anything.
... (Two-in-one chapter) ...
However, Li Chaoren did glean important information: Gusri's father was visiting a highly respected figure in China and was even washing vegetables.
So, who was this important figure?
Old Wang definitely knew, as he was the one who took the photo.
No wonder Duke Dura Peter was sweeping, and the even more formidable Ovell was washing vegetables.
Someone who Gusri would call a great figure – what kind of person could they be?
Even the top figures in China couldn't achieve this, right?
Because Li Chaoren knew about the Habsburg family's deeds, even the top figures couldn't make Ovell wash vegetables.
This completely subverted Li Chaoren's understanding of the world. He felt as if his ninety-plus years had been lived in vain. Did China have such an influential figure?
"Thank you for your help, Patriarch Gusri. I will definitely not spread it further," Li Chaoren said, knowing the seriousness of the matter and quickly promising.
"Good. Then I won't disturb you further. You can contact Minister Morey about the tax exemption later."
"Alright, Patriarch Gusri, goodbye." Li Chaoren said and hung up.
"Minister Morey, do you know about this Old Wang from Yida Group?" Gusri asked about Old Wang after hanging up.
"Yes, I do. Yida Group has three businesses in Italy. They sold two at a loss two years ago and now only have one in Milan left."
As the Minister of Commerce of Italy, Maltz-Morey knew these things best.
"Why did they sell them at a loss?" Gusri asked curiously.
"I'm not sure about the specifics. It seems like he had some funding issues," Maltz-Morey said, shaking his head.
"Buy back the two sold businesses at double the price, and you handle the excuse." Gusri instructed.
"Yes." Maltz-Morey quickly agreed.
For Maltz-Morey, Gusri's words were more effective than their king's.
Therefore, he dared not refuse or delay any of Gusri's orders.
Old Wang never dreamed that by simply sending a photo, he could earn tens of billions of euros. If such good things existed, he would take photos every day and stop doing business altogether.
After hanging up, Li Chaoren's heart was in turmoil.
What he had seen and heard today exceeded his imagination. It seemed he only understood a tiny fraction of this world; the more he discovered, the more astonishing it became.
China Forbes Group Chat.
Li Chaoren: @Old Wang, I've asked about the person in the photo, and their status is incredibly noble. How did you end up with them?
Xu Zong, Who Loves Football: Uncle Li, what's going on?
Li Chaoren: I just asked about Ovell's identity, and it's unbelievably high. I won't go into specifics.
Miss Dong: Uncle Li, are you saying Old Wang wasn't bragging?
Li Chaoren: No, not only was he not bragging, but he was also very low-key.
Miss Dong: ...
Miss Dong: @Old Wang, come out, hurry up.
Penguin Ma: Old Wang is washing the toilet and can't look at his phone.
Miss Dong: ???
Xu Zong, Who Loves Football: ???
Miss Dong: What's going on? Are we not worthy of playing with you anymore?
Penguin Ma: He's really washing the toilet. Washing the toilet is Old Wang's job.
Penguin Ma: (Photo of Old Wang squatting in the toilet, washing the toilet).
Miss Dong: (Shocked expression.) (Picture of me being completely stunned.)
Li Chaoren looked at the photo sent by Penguin Ma. He wasn't surprised at all. Since Ovell and Dura Peter were washing vegetables and sweeping, it wasn't strange for Old Wang to be washing the toilet.
It could only be considered commonplace.
Li Chaoren quietly put down his phone and called his son, Li Zekun, in.
"Dad, what is it?" Li Zekun asked as he entered.
Although Li Zekun was over fifty, he still looked energetic. He had a good relationship with Penguin Ma.
Penguin Ma even called him "Big Brother."
"You have a good relationship with General Manager Ma. How long has it been since you last contacted him?" Li Chaoren asked, looking at his innocent son from the landlord's house.
"It's been a while. He doesn't talk much, so I usually contact him. I haven't contacted him much recently, and it feels like we've lost touch."
Li Zekun didn't quite understand why his father was asking about Penguin Ma.
"Contact him more often. Perhaps he won't interact with you anymore. Call him now and ask what he's doing," Li Chaoren said meaningfully, looking at Li Zekun.
"Dad, what's going on? Your way of speaking is unusual today." Li Zekun asked curiously.
"I'm asking you to call and reconnect, what else could it be? Go see him when you have time," Li Chaoren instructed.
"Okay." Li Zekun reluctantly took out his phone and called Penguin Ma.
"Hello, Brother Li, how have you been recently?" Penguin Ma asked.
"Old Ma, you're too unkind. If I don't contact you, don't you ever contact me?" Li Zekun said with a laugh and a mock scolding.
It was as if in a romantic relationship, someone always had to make the first move.
If one person stops contacting, it feels like losing touch, and Li Zekun hated this feeling.
He felt like a humble suitor, receiving no response from Penguin Ma.
In a relationship, it's also important for both parties to be devoted, not to be calculating or competitive. If this attitude persists, the relationship will eventually fail.
What does it mean to be devoted? It means your eyes are only on me, and my eyes are only on you.
Whether it's a boy or a girl, they should not interact with friends of the opposite sex other than their significant other. If you respond to someone else, you give them hope. A fly doesn't land on an egg with no cracks.
Nowadays, some boys have one foot in the door and their eyes on what's outside. They like to flirt with people other than their girlfriends, and even want to sleep with them.
Similarly, girls, besides their boyfriends, also enjoy the pursuit of others. Even if they don't cheat, they enjoy the feeling of being pursued.
These two types of people are not truly devoted lovers. If you love someone, why would you respond to someone who is insignificant?
Li Zekun felt this way now. He felt that Penguin Ma had changed, and had become less sincere.
"Haha... I've been busy recently. I haven't been to the company for a month." Penguin Ma replied with a laugh.
Li Zekun had helped quite a bit when Penguin Group was first established, and Penguin Ma was grateful for that.
Li Chaoren saw that Li Zekun was like a resentful wife, talking a lot without getting to the point. He gave him a meaningful glance, as if to say:
"Stop the nonsense."
.......................
(Kind Miss is online to help you solve difficult problems in love. Have you encountered渣男渣女 (scumbags/gold diggers) who flirt with others despite having a partner? This is a two-in-one chapter, released today.)