Chapter 3367: Eating and Chatting

Hong Wu never expected Ye Chen's attitude toward this matter to be so firm.

He naturally knew Ye Chen meant well by him, but for a big man like him, it really made him feel undeserving.

So he said to Ye Chen: "Master Ye, since I met you until now, not to mention you saved my life, you've helped me too much already—Xiang Fragrance Mansion suddenly gaining such fame is also thanks to you. With this foundation, even casually doing something would be better than before. I'm already deeply grateful—how could I divert that money for my own use..."

Ye Chen said displeased: "Hong Wu, between you and me, there's no need for such politeness. What I can directly give you, in my view, is what you deserve. If it's not what you deserve, even if you ask me for it, I might not give it."

Hong Wu said embarrassedly: "Master Ye, I understand your meaning—it's like a really good boss who always wants to give employees a raise, but the little work I've done, this much already is excessive; more would truly make me feel undeserving..."

Speaking, Hong Wu recalled what Chen Zekai had told him, moved, and said: "Moreover, Mr. Chen told me he's already helped me clear up those unsavory parts of my past—this help to me is too great, I haven't even had time to thank you yet."

Ye Chen smiled: "Hong Wu, have you heard of some companies going public, where even their cleaning ladies become millionaires?"

Hong Wu shook his head repeatedly: "Is there really such an outrageous thing? I've never even heard of it."

Ye Chen said seriously: "This kind of thing isn't outrageous at all. Cleaners are also company employees. If one, during the company's founding phase, works diligently and steadfastly, then he's also a veteran of the company, and even of its engineering firm. Before going public, he'd also be allocated a certain proportion of stock options—so when the company goes public, the cleaner's net worth can exceed a million or even more."

Saying this, Ye Chen added: "Of course, my meaning isn't to compare you to a cleaner. During this period, the one who's served me most diligently has been you. Now there's an excellent opportunity to help you build a career—naturally, for me, why not?"

Hong Wu was deeply moved, tears unconsciously sliding down his cheeks, sighing: "For Hong Wu to meet Master Ye, you—is a blessing across three lifetimes."

Ye Chen laughed: "No need for these pleasantries. I still hold the view from earlier: seize the opportunity, strike while the iron is hot, maximize benefits—that's what's most important for you now."

Hong Wu thought, then said: "Master Ye, why not just count that sum as your investment in Xiang Fragrance Mansion? I'll give you 51% of its shares!"

Ye Chen waved his hand: "Those fifty million US dollars aren't my investment in you—they're my gift to you as startup capital. I've calculated it for you: with fifty million US dollars as startup capital, you can not only build a complete team, craft a complete brand, but even open several chain stores in first-tier cities. Once your development gets on track and you do well, you can choose to finance yourself, or let the Ye family invest in you;"

"At that time, I'll take money in exchange for your shares, while helping you develop faster. If you someday become like Haidilao Hot Pot, taking Xiang Fragrance Mansion public, then as early shareholders, the Ye family would also have great profit potential—isn't this just capital operations?"

"As long as you're willing to act, as long as you're willing to start, then everything is possible. But if you hesitate from the start, then this will surely fail."

Hong Wu said embarrassedly: "Master Ye, I understand what you're saying, but I also worry I lack the ability—if I mess up and waste your money, not to mention, I'd also embarrass you."

Ye Chen laughed: "If Tawana hadn't come to your Xiang Fragrance Mansion, your chances of messing up would indeed be high. But now, with such a good foundation, as long as you do well, you'll surely not fail."

Speaking, Ye Chen added: "Hong Wu, once you go public successfully, you could become a company worth tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars—fifty million US dollars is nothing. If you can pull this off, you benefit and I benefit too. So from now on, stop wasting my time—hurry up and start!"

Hong Wu pondered a moment, then nodded firmly: "Master Ye, since you think highly of me, I'll give it my all to get this done!"

"That's about right!" Ye Chen said satisfied: "Tawana will still often come to China for performances. As half a Jin Ling native, out of gratitude to Jin Ling, I'll definitely make her first stop in China each time she holds a concert here be in Jin Ling. I'll also invite her to, upon arriving in Jin Ling in the future, immediately come to your Xiang Fragrance Mansion to show support. If your Xiang Fragrance Mansion happens to have branches in other cities where she performs, I'll also have her go first to your branch. So future traffic—you needn't worry at all. Just do it well."

"Good!" Hong Wu said immediately: "Hong Wu has been taught, Master Ye, rest assured—I won't disappoint your expectations!"

Ye Chen smiled faintly, about to speak, when his phone suddenly rang.

He lowered his head to see—it was actually Steven Rothschild calling.

He answered, smiling: "Steven, why are you calling me so early in the morning?"

Steven laughed: "Mr. Ye, I've already arrived in Jin Ling. This time I came, I won't be leaving for a short while!"

"Again?" Ye Chen couldn't help but laugh: "You've been coming quite frequently lately. When did you arrive? Why didn't you tell me in advance?"

"Just arrived!" Steven hurried: "I just got off the plane, and I also have something to tell you—this time, someone else came with me."

Ye Chen asked curiously: "Where did you dig up this little brother again? Is he another branch member of your Rothschild family?"

"No no!" Steven laughed: "This time, the one who came with me is Matt Finkelshtein, who secretly plotted against Tawana a few days ago. I've already told him—from now on, he'll follow me wherever I go."

Ye Chen laughed: "After he defected to you, quite a few people in the US probably won't be able to sleep now?"

"Haha!" Steven laughed: "These past two days I've also asked him many questions—those guys really play dirty, each one deserves to be locked in your dog farm, Mr. Ye. Now those secrets are all in my grasp—later, those bastards seeing me will only be more obsequious."

Ye Chen said: "I'm currently at Xiang Fragrance Mansion. If you're free, bring him over for a visit."

"Sure!" Steven said excitedly: "Actually, I called just to ask when you're free—I'd like to treat you to a meal!"

Ye Chen said: "Come to Xiang Fragrance Mansion—let's eat and talk."