Chapter 2641: Survival Instinct

"In the face of life and death, even a fool has a survival instinct." Zhou Guodong picked up the ashtray and placed it in front of himself, tapping off the ash: "If you can gather enough evidence to make her feel desperate, Hong Jinyan will surely bite back to save her life."

Zhou Andong nodded: "Hong Jinyan has a big net behind her; it just depends on whether she has the courage to tear it open herself to save her own life."

"I think Hong Jinyan will tear open the net behind her." Nie Wen said with a smile: "Just as Uncle Zhou said, in the face of life and death, even a fool will have a survival instinct—let alone Hong Jinyan, who is quite shrewd; otherwise, she couldn't have reached this point."

"Let's not talk about this anymore." Zhou Andong looked toward Zhou Guojiang: "Leader, let's first discuss that batch of smuggled cars."

"I had the same idea." Zhou Guodong asked: "Do you really intend to take all of these smuggled cars, and settle in US dollars?"

"Yes!" Zhou Andong said: "As long as the price is reasonable, I can take all of these cars, and settling in US dollars is no problem."

"Chairman Zhou!" Zhou Guodong smiled slightly: "The price can be negotiated, and I can offer you an unexpected discount—but I have a condition you must agree to."

Zhou Andong naturally knew what Zhou Guodong's condition was, but still said with curiosity: "What condition? Please tell me."

Zhou Guodong didn't beat around the bush, speaking directly: "Although our Qiong Province has only recently been established—just six years old—our development achievements over these years are still quite significant.

Therefore, I sincerely hope Chairman Zhou will visit Qiong Province for an on-site inspection, walk around, explore. If there's a suitable project, you could settle down in our Qiong Province, and we can jointly build a better future!"

Zhou Andong remained silent, silently puffing on his cigarette, as if considering whether to agree—but actually pondering what price he could use to acquire that batch of smuggled cars.

After a while, the private room door was knocked on, and Zhou Qianyi shouted: "Come in!"

The door was gently pushed open, and Qiao Yunshi entered, respectfully asking Zhou Qianyi: "General Zhou, can we serve the dishes now?"

Zhou Qianyi said: "Serve the dishes!"

Qiao Yunshi turned and left the private room: "Serve the dishes!"

Immediately, the waiters began serving the dishes; within ten or so minutes, all sixteen dishes were served.

Zhou Andong picked up the Imperial Tribute wine, just about to open it, when Zhou Jie snatched it away: "Chairman Zhou, let me do it."

Zhou Jie opened the wine, first filling Zhou Andong's cup, then filling Zhou Qianyi's and her father's cups, then looked toward Nie Wen.

"Wen sister, would you like a drink too?"

Nie Wen picked up her teacup in front of her, smiling: "I'll use tea instead of wine."

Tang Lin also shook his head: "I don't drink either."

Zhou Jie glanced at their faces, smiling: "Are you two planning to have a child?"

Nie Wen readily nodded: "Yes, I originally wanted to enjoy myself for another couple of years, but my parents and Dad Lin's parents are anxious, urging us to have a child soon."

"Having a child early is good!" Zhou Guodong glanced at his own daughter: "Unlike some people—already not young, without even a partner, let alone a child."

Zhou Jie, as if not hearing, poured herself a cup, then raised her glass: "Chairman Zhou, my father's stomach isn't good, so he can't drink much. This first glass, I'll offer it to you on his behalf."

"Miss Zhou." Zhou Andong said: "My relationship with Dad Lin needs no explanation—it's like that of real brothers. You and Nie Wen are close friends, and our families are old acquaintances, so we're not outsiders—there's no need for such formality."

A sly glint flashed in Zhou Jie's eyes: "Look, Chairman Zhou, you say we're not outsiders, yet you still call me 'Miss Zhou' one after another, and address my father as 'Leader Leader'—isn't that being polite?"

Zhou Guodong burst into laughter: "Exactly! Chairman Zhou, you're showing double standards here."

Zhou Andong looked at Zhou Guodong, somewhat embarrassed: "Then I'll just flatter you—call you Uncle Zhou."

"That's right!" Zhou Guodong happily said: "Then I'll take the liberty—call you Andong."

"Uncle Zhou!" Zhou Andong raised his glass: "This first glass of wine, I toast to you."

Before Zhou Guodong could speak, Zhou Andong tilted his head back and drained the glass in one gulp.

Zhou Guodong didn't want to be outdone, picked up his glass, and finished the wine in it.

Zhou Jie raised her glass, gestured toward Zhou Andong, and drank it down with the poise of a heroine: "Chairman Zhou, can I call you Elder Brother Dong from now on?"

"Of course not a problem." Zhou Andong smiled: "Then I'll call you Little Jie from now on."

"Good!" Zhou Jie beamed: "Elder Brother Dong, just now my father told you something—you haven't agreed yet."

"Oh?" Zhou Andong feigned sudden realization: "You called me Elder Brother Dong—so you've been waiting for me here all along."

"Gotcha!" Nie Wen teased: "Who would've thought even the sharp-minded Boss Zhou could fall into a trap sometimes."

Zhou Andong gave a wry smile: "Uncle Zhou, I can go take a look—no problem—but whether I can stay and invest depends on the situation. Of course, if there's a suitable project, I will definitely invest. Besides..."

Zhou Andong looked toward Zhou Qianyi: "My cousin will also come with me—her chances of investing are much higher than mine."

"Really?" Zhou Guodong quickly raised his glass: "General Zhou, I toast to you."

Zhou Qianyi also raised her glass; the two gestured to each other across the room and simultaneously drank their glasses.

"General Zhou!" Zhou Guodong set down his glass, speaking sincerely: "Welcome to Qiong Province for investment inspection—you can rest assured, we will not withhold any preferential policies we have. For those we don't have, we will do our best within reasonable and legal limits to meet your needs."

After drinking a glass of wine, Zhou Qianyi's face flushed slightly, looking radiant and alluring: "Provincial Governor Zhou, when the time comes, I'll come with my brother for inspection. As for whether we'll invest, that decision will come after the inspection."

"That's only right." Zhou Guodong couldn't hide his inner excitement—in his view, just getting Zhou Andong to visit Qiong Province for a tour would be a win. He hadn't expected an unexpected surprise—foreign capital wanting to come for inspection.

"Uncle Zhou, you might not know much about Jinwan Group—I can give you a brief introduction." Zhou Andong picked up a large shrimp, placed it in front of his bowl, then gave Zhou Guodong a simple overview of Jinwan Group: "The Jinwan Hotel is the first five-star hotel invested in by Jinwan Group domestically."

Zhou Guodong, upon hearing how strong Jinwan Group was, became even happier: "Dongzi, when can you come to Qiong Province for inspection?"

"Several years is definitely out of the question—I can't free up that time." Zhou Andong pondered: "Maybe March or April next year—around then."

"Fine!" For Zhou Guodong, as long as Zhou Andong could come, that was enough: "Now we can talk about the price for that batch of smuggled cars."