Chapter 981

Zhou Andong froze, staring blankly at Zhou Qianyi and Zhou Laoyezi surrounded by several people.

“You really didn’t notice?”

Jian Qiu looked at Zhou Andong, who was lost in thought: “He looks just like your grandfather, especially his eyes—if you look closely, they’re practically identical.”

Zhou Andong took a deep breath and stood up to find Zhou Laoyezi, when a medium-height man in neat attire with gold-rimmed glasses approached, speaking in Cantonese-accented Mandarin:

“Mr. Zhou, apologies for the intrusion—I hope you don’t mind.”

Zhou Andong suppressed his impatience and smiled as he shook the man’s hand: “No problem.”

The man introduced himself: “I’m Wu, Wu Dahong, Chairman of the Hong Kong Wine Industry General Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Hongyun Wine Company, originally from Huanggang Town, Chaozhou.”

Zhou Andong understood—he was likely seeking distribution rights for Jiang Xiaobai. After all, Jiang Xiaobai was hugely popular in Hong Kong’s upper class, yet unavailable locally; such a massive business opportunity couldn’t possibly be missed by Hong Kong distributors.

“Mr. Wu, please sit!”

Zhou Andong gestured for him to sit, then sat down himself.

Wu Dahong got straight to the point: “My main reason for returning to the mainland for this forum was to meet you, Mr. Zhou.”

Zhou Andong smiled: “I understand—you want to distribute Jiang Xiaobai, right?”

Wu Dahong smiled back: “Not just Jiang Xiaobai—I’d also like the Imperial Tribute Wine, and hope you can allocate us a small annual supply of the special edition.”

Zhou Andong asked: “Is there a market for Imperial Tribute Wine in Hong Kong?”

“There will be!” Wu Dahong said. “Jiang Xiaobai and Imperial Tribute Wine come from the same brewery. With proper promotion, the market will be huge.”

Zhou Andong considered this, then nodded. After all, Britain had ruled Hong Kong for nearly a century—in influence, Hong Kong far surpassed Taiwan.

In certain respects, Hong Kong's cultural identity was far stronger than Taiwan's; with proper promotion, Imperial Tribute Wine's prospects in Hong Kong could indeed be very promising.

“No problem. But the special edition Imperial Tribute Wine has low output, and the domestic market is always in shortage—I can supply Hong Kong with no more than five tons annually. No more than that.”

Wu Dahong was dissatisfied, but ultimately had to accept it—he’d already researched the special edition Imperial Tribute Wine and knew the domestic supply couldn’t meet demand.

Moreover, its market price of 168 had been inflated to 268, yet even at that price, it was impossible to find—bottles were scarce. Five tons per year from Zhou Andong was genuinely generous.

“Good!” Wu Dahong agreed. “Mr. Zhou, let me introduce you to another friend.”

Wu Dahong waved toward a thin, slightly bald man in his fifties nearby.

The man walked over with a wine glass: “Mr. Zhou, sorry to disturb you.”

His Mandarin was excellent—far better than Wu Dahong’s.

“This is Mr. Wang Jinfu, Chairman of Hong Kong Jin Fu Tang Food Company.”

Wu Dahong added: “Jin Fu Tang has a century-long history. Its products—Jinju Beverage, Xin Kou Fu Juice Series, He Huang Canned Goods—are all famous Hong Kong brands.”

“Hello, Mr. Wang!” Zhou Andong stood and shook Wang Jinfu’s hand.

Wang Jinfu sat down: “Like Mr. Wu, I’m here to propose a partnership with you—to distribute Ice Red Tea.”

Zhou Andong was puzzled. A food company with its own beverage brands—why would it want to distribute Ice Red Tea?

That made no sense. For example, Xuri Sheng would never distribute a competing brand.

Wang Jinfu sensed Zhou Andong’s confusion and sighed: “Jin Fu Tang was founded over a century ago, listed in 1975. In 1979, my son died in an accident; I lost interest in managing the company and handed it to my brother.”

“He developed a gambling addiction. In 1991, he lost over 300 million in Las Vegas. Competitors exposed it, causing our stock price to crash.”

He sighed again: “Family misfortune. When I took back control, I discovered he’d embezzled 120 million yuan from the company, invested it in finance, and lost everything. The company suffered heavy losses.”

“Though I tried every means possible, competitors gave me no chance. If we don’t turn a profit next year, we risk delisting. So I’m seeking fresh capital to save the company.”

Zhou Andong shook his head: “If that’s the case, I won’t grant you distribution rights for Ice Red Tea.”

Wang Jinfu blinked, then gave a bitter smile—he’d come hoping for luck.

He knew full well: no brand, especially a famous one, would entrust its distribution to a company with negative reputation and on the brink of bankruptcy.

But if he didn’t say it, Xuri Sheng would investigate anyway—he couldn’t hide it.

“Besides!” Zhou Andong continued, looking at Wang Jinfu: “Ice Red Tea alone won’t save your company.”

“I know,” Wang Jinfu said helplessly. “But I have to try.”

Zhou Andong thought for a moment: “Perhaps we can cooperate in another way.”

“Hmm?” Wang Jinfu perked up. “What way?”

Zhou Andong said: “Xuri Sheng is undergoing restructuring and preparing to list in Hong Kong.”

Wang Jinfu immediately understood. Jin Fu Tang wasn’t without potential buyers—but he couldn’t bear to sell it outright, nor could he face his ancestors.

But partnering with Zhou Andong was different: asset swap, retained equity, just a matter of how much.

And becoming a shareholder of Xuri Sheng might offer a better future than keeping Jin Fu Tang.

“Mr. Zhou!” Wang Jinfu declared first: “Personally, I have no objection to cooperation—but I must consult other shareholders. Still, I believe they won’t oppose.”

“Fine!”

Zhou Andong smiled. Such a major matter couldn’t be settled in a few words; if listing happened by the end of next year, it’d be good enough.

After more small talk, Wang Jinfu and Wu Dahong left, satisfied.

Especially Wang Jinfu—he hadn’t secured Ice Red Tea distribution, but the final outcome was even better.

Zhou Andong feared more people would approach, so he grabbed Jian Qiu and went to find Zhou Qianyi and Zhou Laoyezi.

He circled the room, greeting unfamiliar faces, then found Zhou Laoyezi near the entrance.

He was chatting with two middle-aged men, while Zhou Qianyi stood aside, holding a glass of red wine, nibbling on pastries, beside her stood a beautiful woman.

“Miss Zhou!” Zhou Andong walked over.

“Mr. Zhou!” Zhou Qianyi quickly brushed cake crumbs from her hands. “Sorry.”

“I’m the one who disturbed you.” Zhou Andong waited until Zhou Qianyi had tidied herself before asking: “May I ask your grandfather’s full name?”