Chapter 1057: Not Much of a Chance

A-Qi's expression was grave as she took a deep breath. Looking at Shen Ci, she spoke slowly and softly: "I don't know what Director Sun told my mother, but looking at the current hotel layout across the various bays, the chances of you getting a core location are not high."

"'Yahai' currently has six bays. The core location of 'Donglan Bay' is the Ritz-Carlton, under the Marriott Group."

"'Jiulong Bay' is the Four Seasons Hotel, under the Four Seasons Group."

"The core locations of 'Qianyue Bay' are the Park Hyatt under the Hyatt Group and the Capella under the Capella Group."

"'Guiqiao Bay' is the St. Regis and Edition, both under Marriott."

"Even in the most remote 'Qingshui Bay', the core location is entirely occupied by Aman Resorts."

"Jinshui Bay is currently still in the bidding stage, but based on the final results of the first five bays, the core locations will likely be taken by international top-tier luxury hotel brands."

Hearing this, Cheng An couldn't help but interject: "They're all given to big foreign brands? I feel like in such a prime location, there should be at least one of our own domestic brands, right?"

A-Qi looked helpless: "There isn't that much sentimentality in business, and this isn't charity. Business values worth and return on investment. Furthermore, one must consider the city's development and construction. The authorities won't use this kind of thing to support a brand; that would be extremely unprofessional."

Shen Ci nodded gently. She felt that everything Sister A-Qi said made sense, and she could also understand the approach taken by the relevant departments of 'Yahai'.

Because results don't lie. 'Yahai's' bay tourism economy is ranked first in the country and holds its own in Asia precisely because all these decisions combined to build the current situation.

If the seaside hotels were all mediocre domestic brands, tourists from around the world wouldn't flock here, and the economy would certainly suffer a major blow.

Cheng An leaned slightly toward Shen Ci and whispered: "So what do we do? Feels like there's no hope."

Shen Ci smoothed her expression, a smile returning to her face: "Since we're here, we'll make the best of it. Even if things don't work out, don't we still get to eat the raw fish prepared by Grandma? It won't be a wasted trip."

Seeing her so relaxed and composed, A-Qi couldn't help but smile: "It's best if you can think that way. If nothing else, my mother's raw fish is the best; you won't find a second place like it in the country."

"Then I'll have to eat a lot more. If I crave it later, I'll come back."

Just as she finished speaking, Grandma's voice rang out from the courtyard: "A-Qi, call the guests to eat."

The group quickly left the room. In the corner of the courtyard was a gazebo where Grandma had already set the table, laden with various fresh seafood and condiments for the raw fish.

Grandma washed her hands and said with a smile: "Come and eat quickly. This stuff has to be eaten fresh, otherwise, these seafood would have died in vain."

"Thank you, Grandma. You've worked hard."

Shen Ci and Cheng An washed their hands before taking their seats.

Seeing the table full of food, Cheng An couldn't help but take out his phone to take pictures. Shen Ci also took two and sent them to the group chat: "It's such a pity you guys didn't come today. Grandma invited us and personally prepared so much seafood. I'll eat extra on your behalf."

"Come, let me teach you how to eat raw fish."

A-Qi picked up her bowl and chopsticks and demonstrated while speaking: "Take a little of each of these condiments, add a bit of fresh wasabi and soy sauce, then place a few slices of raw fish on top, drizzle with a little edible oil, mix it all up, and eat it in one bite."

Cheng An followed suit, clumsily preparing a portion and eating it. He widened his eyes, nodding as he chewed: "Delicious."

Shen Ci was quite deft; one could tell she was a veteran at eating raw fish.

Grandma asked with a smile: "You've eaten raw fish before, haven't you?"

"Grandma, I'm from Shengang; we eat raw fish there too. But yours is delicious—better than any I've had before," Shen Ci said.

"If it's good, eat more. This stuff can't be eaten once it's left over."

"Okay, I definitely will."

Shen Ci ate with great gusto. Besides the raw fish, there were fresh mixed sea snail meat, steamed oysters, and more.

Shen Ci's favorite was the flower snail; she ate half a basin by herself.

She didn't mention the Jin Haiwan project at all. Some things can't be rushed. Since her father had already pulled strings and she had met Grandma, Grandma would bring up the result herself when the time was right.

So, out of curiosity, Shen Ci asked Grandma with concern: "Grandma, do you usually live in the village? Did you grow up here?"

Grandma laughed upon hearing this and waved her hands repeatedly: "I haven't been back much in recent years. It's too remote; it's more convenient living in the city."

"I've only come back to stay for a while during this period because of the Jin Haiwan project, leaving the company matters to Dafu."

A-Qi explained at the right moment: "My mother means the social engagements. She's getting older and doesn't like such frequent socializing, so she left it all to my husband."

Shen Ci nodded in understanding: "I saw in the relevant materials that Jin Haiwan is currently under the 'Yahai' Berna Group. Is Grandma the Chairperson of the Berna Group?"

Grandma nodded: "Yes, but I'm retiring soon. A-Qi is following me now, getting familiar with the business. In a few years, when I can no longer handle the stress, I'll hand the group over to A-Qi."

A-Qi added at the right moment: "The group was built from scratch by my parents decades ago. Back then, the bay tourism economy here hadn't developed yet, and they spotted the opportunity and started getting involved."

"Later, after my father passed away, my mother took over as Chairperson. We have had close cooperation with the government for decades. Currently, our group holds the authorization for four of the six bays in 'Yahai'."

Shen Ci and Cheng An both raised their eyebrows in surprise.

If they hadn't known this, who would have guessed that the Grandma before them was such a formidable figure?

Just as they were chatting, the sound of a motorcycle pulling up and cutting its engine came from outside the courtyard.

Through the gaps in the fence, they saw a young man in a suit take off his helmet and pull a briefcase from the back seat.

Grandma recognized the person and stood up slowly.

"Chairperson!"

The man walked in quickly. Upon reaching them, he deftly pulled a stack of documents from his briefcase and handed them to Grandma: "The design proposal for this AI filtering system is out. The other party says we need to match it with the village's pipeline environment to see if it's compatible."

Grandma glared upon hearing this: "Tell them to evaluate it! Didn't we give them the village map and pipeline layout? Or send it to the relevant department for evaluation."

"Our group doesn't do AI; how are we supposed to evaluate it?"

The man looked troubled and hesitated: "We told them that, but they said if we want them to send someone to evaluate it, we have to wait in line. At the earliest, it won't be until the second half of next year."

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