Noon saw Lao Wang and Penguin Ma finish lunch with Li Chaoren and stay for tea.
After Li Chaoren brought up the matter of them introducing Xia Feng, he was immediately rejected by both of them, so Li Chaoren dropped the subject.
Some things needed to be done step by step, slowly; the more anxious one was, the worse things would turn out.
"Lao Wang, your business has been picking up lately. If you need funding, just let me know. I don't have much, but I can allocate hundreds of billions to you at will," Li Chaoren said with a smile, looking at Lao Wang.
The five of them drank tea and chatted.
"Alright, Uncle Li."
Lao Wang nodded in agreement.
"Who believes you? You didn't say this two years ago, and now you're saying it because you're clinging to Young Master Xia's leg."
"In this circle, not kicking someone when they're down is considered being a good friend; don't even talk about financial help."
Only a few people had asked Lao Wang for help in the past two years.
They were Jiang Quanshui, Jack Ma, and Miss Dong.
Lao Wang had good private relationships with them, but their help was like a drop in the bucket; it couldn't solve the problem, which was no longer a deficit of tens of billions. Therefore, Lao Wang had rejected them all.
The outside world always thought Lao Wang and Jack Ma were rivals, but in private, their relationship was quite good.
Now that Li Chaoren brought up helping him, Lao Wang just smiled inwardly and said nothing.
"Your help is not as satisfying as shamelessly leeching off Penguin Ma."
His enterprise was now showing signs of recovery, and he wasn't under much pressure.
"Uncle Li, Lao Wang has had good luck this year and doesn't need help. He sold his property at a high price in Great Britain and bought Boss Xu's land at a low price. He's going to make a big profit this year."
Miss Dong was genuinely happy for Lao Wang.
After all, they were old friends, and no one wanted to see Lao Wang truly fall.
As they were drinking tea, Lao Wang's phone rang:
"Endless vistas stretch before my eyes, the wind cuts my face like a knife, I wait in vain for the blue skies of the West Sea, silent on the vast plateau, I still remember you promised me you wouldn't let me lose you..."
Lao Wang saw the call was from Italy.
Lao Wang, puzzled, answered the phone. He still had a property in Italy that hadn't been sold.
"Uncle Li, I'm taking a call from Italy," Lao Wang said, standing up to inform Li Chaoren.
"Lao Wang, take it here. I have some connections in Italy, perhaps I can help if there's anything," Li Chaoren called out to Lao Wang, who was preparing to step away.
"Okay." Lao Wang nodded and answered the call, "Hello... who is this?"
"Hello, Mr. Wang. I am Malz-More, the Italian Minister of Commerce. It's a pleasure to speak with you. Please forgive my intrusion."
Malz-More's humble attitude surprised Lao Wang.
Lao Wang had met this Malz-More once before, a few years ago when he was in Italy to discuss business. At that time, Malz-More was still the former minister's secretary and was quite dismissive of Lao Wang, acting very high and mighty.
Why was he calling him now for no reason?
Lao Wang was filled with questions.
"Minister More, hello, long time no see," Lao Wang greeted him.
Li Chaoren, overhearing Lao Wang's greeting, looked at him with curiosity.
This Minister Malz-More was one of Li Chaoren's closer Italian friends.
"Long time no see. When we meet next, I must entertain you handsomely, Mr. Wang. Are you busy? I have a small matter to report to you."
Malz-More spoke to Lao Wang in a hushed tone, as if addressing a superior.
It was very much like a superior-subordinate relationship.
In reality, Lao Wang had no connection with him other than familiarity; they were not acquainted in any other way.
"What is it?" Lao Wang frowned.
Could there be a problem with his property in Italy?
"Mr. Wang, you sold two properties in Italy two years ago. Our country recently launched a public welfare subsidy program, and there are some subsidies for the properties you sold," Malz-More said with a smile.
"Public welfare subsidy?"
"I'm not one of your citizens. What does your public welfare subsidy have to do with me?"
"I am Chinese in life, and I will be Chinese in death."
"Minister More, are you mistaken? What does your public welfare subsidy have to do with overseas entrepreneurs like us?" Lao Wang asked sternly.
Malz-More really couldn't think of a good excuse.
He couldn't say that this money was ordered by the head of the Habsburg family for Lao Wang, and that he must accept it.
"Mr. Wang, there's no mistake. The total transaction price for the two properties you sold was 7.2 billion euros. We are now giving you an additional subsidy of 7.2 billion euros," Malz-More explained.
"What?"
Lao Wang once again thought he had misheard, or that Malz-More on the phone was not himself; this was definitely a scammer.
Selling a property two years ago, and then one day someone tells you they have a subsidy and will subsidize you the original transaction price.
Even with ten years of brain damage, one wouldn't believe such a good thing.
Are you guys in Italy so desperate for money?
Free money?
"What the hell are you talking about? Are you a scammer?" Lao Wang couldn't help but curse.
"Are you playing me for a fool here?"
"Mr. Wang, please don't be angry. My identity is beyond doubt. You can call Li Chaoren, Mr. Li, of China. I am his friend, and he can confirm my identity," Malz-More said anxiously, afraid Lao Wang would refuse and his money wouldn't be delivered. Would Gusri let him off the hook?
This was the first time he was mistaken for a scammer while trying to deliver money.
Malz-More felt his situation was truly difficult.
"Uncle Li is right beside me. Let's see how long your act lasts," Lao Wang said.
"Is Mr. Li also beside you? That's great! Can you put the phone on speaker so I can speak with Mr. Li? I promise I'm not a scammer."
Malz-More was overjoyed. Could it be such a coincidence?
"Okay," Lao Wang said, turning on the speaker, "I've turned it on. Continue your performance."
"Dear Li, hello. Do you remember your old friend?"
Malz-More used the affectionate greeting he reserved for Li Chaoren.
"Minister More, hello. It is indeed you speaking with Mr. Wang," Li Chaoren said with a smile, having heard Lao Wang's greeting when he answered the phone.
"Yes, yes, yes. Mr. Wang had some misunderstanding just now. I wanted to ask for your help to confirm my identity," Malz-More quickly responded.
"Minister More, I will speak with Mr. Wang about it," Li Chaoren said, nodding at Lao Wang, signaling that this person was indeed the Italian Minister of Commerce, Malz-More.
Li Chaoren had known him for many years, and he recognized Malz-More's voice instantly.
Lao Wang was stunned. Could this scammer have been telling the truth?
"You said you'd subsidize me 7.2 billion euros. What do I need to do?" Lao Wang was still skeptical and asked again.
Scammers these days had many tricks; one could easily fall into their trap.
"You don't need to do anything. I'm just informing you. After your confirmation, the subsidy of 7.2 billion euros will be transferred to your company's account shortly," Malz-More's voice came through.
"Subsidy of 7.2 billion euros?"
The other four people were stunned, especially Li Chaoren, who's eyes widened in disbelief. He could vaguely guess the reason.
Lao Wang himself was utterly bewildered. Was this a pie falling from the sky?
"What's going on?"
..................
(ps: Are there any young gentlemen who would buy me my first cup of milk tea for autumn? Hehe..... mua! (*╯3╰))