Chapter 283: The Virtues of a Great Family

Aodao He Family mansion.

He Lao Deng's welcome banquet let Li Xin know one thing: he doesn't understand the rich's world, it's too extravagant!

He Xin introduced to Li Xin: "This head chef is called Dai Long; his cooking suits my taste, he is a renowned chef in Southeast Asia."

"He was born in the 1940s, a native of Puning, Guangdong; from childhood his family was poor, he dropped out of school at thirteen to learn cooking, and became a chef three years later—his progress can be described as rapid."

"In the early 1970s, when Dai Long was just over twenty, he went alone to Indonesia to serve as head chef at the Bandung five-star hotel."

"For the next ten-odd years, he served as head chef at many five-star hotels, especially his authentic fried rice, which I never tire of eating."

Li Xin is most enthusiastic toward talented people.

Moreover, he truly knows this person—a later renowned chef in Gangdao, acclaimed as the 'Food God', and the prototype for the film *The Food God*.

Well, he has never been to Shaolin Temple, nor been beaten by the Eighteen Bronze Men.

Smiling, he extended his hand and said, "Hello Chef Dai, I am Li Xin."

Dai Long felt somewhat moved: no wonder Li Xin has such great fame.

He had heard that name even in Indonesia; his manner of dealing with people is indeed extraordinary.

For a chef like him to receive such treatment is truly rare!

If Li Xin knew what he was thinking, he would certainly tell him.

As for Hongwu Ye, he started with a bowl and ended up with a kingdom.

Can anyone compare to that?

Such a person must treat chefs well; there is definitely reason in that.

What does he count as?

Does he dare to act independently?

Dai Long wiped his hands on his white apron and shook Li Xin's hand.

Smiling, he replied, "Hello Mr. Li, I am Dai Long; please look after me in the future."

Li Xin pointed at the ingredients and asked, "Chef Dai, are there any particulars about these ingredients?"

Dai Long introduced them one by one: "Mr. Li, these are all ingredients I invented for fried rice."

"These eggs come from Malaysia; the rice is selected premium Thai tribute rice, plus Sri Lankan crab claw meat, Italian olive oil, Shaoxing huadiao wine, and Vietnamese fish sauce."

"Only by seasoning with these high-end ingredients can my fried rice reach its perfect flavor."

"The flavor is beyond compare, but the price is high, so it cannot be popularized!"

"Only someone like Mr. He and Mr. Li, men of stature, can let me show my skills—I must say, this is a pity!"

After hearing that, Li Xin laughed outright; this Dai Long is interesting.

His talk is impressive!

They chatted no further; Li Xin and He Xin went to the sitting room and began formal talks.

Li Xin said, "Uncle He, you personally picked me up and set up such a grand reception—there must be business; speak plainly."

He truly couldn't fathom what He Lao Deng meant.

Li Xin is not being self‑deprecating; he knows his own standing—with his modest means, He Xin might not think highly of him.

They are not on the same level!

In the early 1960s, Fu Lao Rong, who had monopolized Aodao's gambling industry for over twenty years, died; the struggle for Aodao's gambling license entered a white‑hot stage.

Sensing opportunity, He Xin, with the help of many, smoothed relations with the Aodao authorities, successfully defeated Ye Han, known in the martial world as the 'Gambling Saint', and seized the gambling license in one fell swoop.

In the late 1960s, He Xin invested over sixty million to build the Pujing Entertainment Venue, which remains today the largest hotel in Aodao.

It attracted countless tourists who crossed oceans to come; they arrived full of fervor and left spotless!

In 1975 they drove Ye Han out of the casino; this old-timer has monopolized the gambling business for nearly ten years—one can imagine his cash flow.

It is absolutely an astronomical figure!

He Xin laughed and said, "A Xin, you are a smart person; to a person's face I won't lie—I'll speak plainly!"

"At first I wanted to bring you under my command, but over the past year your actions have truly made me look at you anew."

"If you don't act, fine; but whenever you act, you are steady, accurate, and ruthless—nothing lacking. Moreover, you are a sentimental person; from your bringing Jiang Tian Sheng into the trade, that can be seen."

"Do not forget your roots!"

"This is quite rare!"

Li Xin did not interrupt him; hearing those kind words, he knew there was no good intent!

Just see what medicine he's selling!

He Xin changed tone and said, "But you have a weakness: your foundation is too shallow; wanting to rise further is very difficult—have you thought of finding assistance?"

Li Xin lit a cigarette, took a big puff, and exhaled smoke.

Smiling, he asked, "What's up? Mr. He, do you still want to recruit me into your He Family?"

He Xin waved his hand and explained, "Recruit what? With your current standing you can live quite well; I never thought of that."

"I mean a marriage alliance."

Only then did Li Xin smile and say, "Uncle He, look—this is where you're wrong!"

"This matter can still be eased; my attitude just now was bad—don't take it to heart!"

He Xin smiled helplessly; although he knew Li Xin was thick‑skinned, he still felt unaccustomed!

Changing faces is faster than turning a page!

Without delay, he said directly, "I want to marry He Yi to you—I don't know what you think."

"……"

Li Xin felt somewhat moved: this old-timer is not on the right path!

Didn't you see him straining for He Qiong?

Smiling, he replied, "He Xin, the marriage alliance is no problem; this person is A Qiong—I've taken a liking to her."

"I don't care about anything else; to me, the difference between one billion and a hundred billion isn't big."

He Xin heard Li Xin say that, frowned slightly, and said, "A Xin, you should know, A Qiong is very independent—not a good choice for a wife."

"If she weren't so independent, I wouldn't even look at her!"

Li Xin looked at He Xin speaking, flicked his ash, then said, "He Xin, I'm not cut out for the business world."

"If I don't have a capable wife, who will manage my businesses after I expand them?"

"Just rely on managers?"

"If we form a marriage alliance, I have only one choice—A Qiong; if you disagree, don't bring this up again."

"Bringing it up is useless!"

He Xin had some plans; last year he already intended to form a marriage alliance with Li Xin, but he just wanted to test him for a while.

"Unexpected!"

"In just over a year, this kid has caused such a big scene!"

"Even the famous Li Family of Gangdao bowed their heads and admitted defeat to him."

"He also reached a cooperation with the Hong Kong government, settled the Kowloon Walled City issue, and earned a seat at the table."

"Now he has the qualifications, but they've also given him a difficult problem!"

"In the He Family's next generation, the only one showing promise is A Qiong, who has some ability."

"He doesn't want to marry her off so early, so that he can have a backup option later."

"Now this kid says, besides A Qiong, no one else is in his consideration—this makes it somewhat difficult for him to choose!"

"This old geezer and Li Huanggua are of the same ilk, constantly testing him."

"They still haven't figured out the test!"

"Old He really has to agree this time; he's already on board, and coming over now is just to make up the ticket—otherwise it would be impolite!"

"(Begging for updates and free electricity!)"