Chapter 405 - 405: Banquet

Chapter 405: Banquet

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Hello, Mr. Norman!”

“Mr. Zhou, I wonder if you are free? I’d like to invite you for lunch to taste the cuisine of our fashion capital!” Norman’s cheerful voice came through.

Zhou Chao pondered for a moment and replied, “No problem, just let me know the place, and I’ll come over!”

“Le Pre Catelan, a Michelin three-star restaurant that’s still very famous in Paris!”

“Alright, I’ll get ready and head there!”

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Chao began to think about why Norman had called him, but after a while, he decided not to dwell on it since he would find out soon enough.

“Miles, please find a high-end restaurant for Todd and the others to have a meal later. Lin Wu, accompany me to meet Norman.”

“Young Master Zhou, maybe 1 should go with you. After all, the place you’re going to is in the suburbs of Paris, and I’m quite familiar with that area. I also know there are other restaurants near this Michelin three-star one, which might be suitable for us!” Todd quickly suggested.

Zhou Chao thought for a moment, realizing that Todd had a point. After all, he and Lin Wu were not familiar with Paris. After some consideration, he nodded and agreed to Todd’s suggestion.

“Alright, let’s go!” With that, they all left the hotel.

Lin Wu and Todd naturally followed Zhou Chao into a car, while Miles got into the last car. The three Mercedes-Benz vehicles then left the hotel and headed to the agreed-upon location.

The restaurant was located in the midst of the Boulogne Forest, considered a suburban park in Paris. It was a small white villa-like structure that didn’t look very conspicuous. As they passed by other restaurants, they all appeared much more luxurious on the outside.

The cars parked steadily at the restaurant’s entrance, and the well-dressed bodyguards accompanying them drew the attention of passersby.

“Todd, take them and find a good restaurant nearby. Lin Wu, you go with them. I’ll go in alone.”

“Boss, how about I go with you?” Lin Wu quickly stepped forward and suggested.

“No need. If there’s anything, I’ll call you guys. Alright, go ahead!” With that, Zhou Chao turned and walked into the restaurant.

Zhou Chao was dressed casually in simple leisurewear. Technically, he should have been stopped by the restaurant’s doorman because there was an unwritten rule that Michelin three-star restaurants required formal attire. However, did Zhou Chao care about such things?

Not at all!!!

The doorman also had a keen eye. When he saw Zhou Chao and the row of men in black accompanying him, carrying suitcases, he couldn’t help but feel nervous.

Seeing Zhou Chao approaching, the doorman respectfully opened the glass door of the restaurant and let him in.

“Sir, good day. Do you have a reservation?” A formally dressed greeter quickly approached.

“Norman!”

Hearing this name, the greeter was taken aback for a moment, and his gaze toward Zhou Chao became even more respectful.

“Mr. Norman has already arrived. Please follow me, sir!” The greeter quickly extended his right hand in a welcoming gesture and led Zhou Chao into the restaurant.

The interior of the restaurant was decorated in the style of Napoleon III, with lavish decorations including colorful marble, peacock stone, onyx, granite, mosaic, and silver or gold-plated bronze, creating a rich and vibrant atmosphere.

Seeing this, Zhou Chao decided to bring up the topic.

“Norman, you invited me all the way to Paris, and it can’t be just to attend a celebration banquet, right?”

Upon hearing Zhou Chao’s words, Norman’s expression changed several times. After a long sigh, he finally said, “You also know that the Lei Du Group was founded by our family, and it has developed quite well over the years. But now, our family only holds 40% of the shares. Previously, there were other shareholders who were on our side, so our family could maintain full control.”

Norman paused for a moment and looked at Zhou Chao with complex emotions in his eyes. After a while, he continued, “But recently, you’ve acquired the shares held by these minority shareholders, becoming the second-largest shareholder in the group. At the same time, the balance of power that determines the fate of Lei Du is now in your hands!”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chao instantly understood. Miles had mentioned before that there were constant internal factional struggles within the Lei Du Group. Now he realized that he was seen as the key to determining the outcome of this power struggle.

“Who is the other shareholder, and why haven’t 1 met with them?” Zhou Chao asked with curiosity. After all, the opposing faction would surely try to win him over.

Norman pondered for a moment before saying, “Within the entire group, apart from Miles, whom you sent, I’m the only one with your contact information. Miles has done a good job in maintaining confidentiality. As for why I wouldn’t provide my contact information to my own competitors, it should be self-explanatory.”

Zhou Chao nodded in agreement with Norman’s statement and said, “Norman, you can rest assured on this point. I am on your side.”

Norman was now filled with doubt. He had not expected Zhou Chao to be so agreeable. He wondered if it was a smokescreen he had thrown out, and if Zhou Chao would abandon him when a better offer came along. After all, capitalists prioritize their interests above all else.

Norman then took out a bank card and handed it to Zhou Chao.

“Zhou, this is an unregistered top-tier black card from a Swiss bank. It contains two hundred million. 1 hope you’ll accept it.”

Zhou Chao picked up the card and examined it. He hadn’t had a top-tier black card from a Swiss bank before. After careful consideration, he returned the black card to Norman.

“Norman, please take it back. I don’t need this black card.”

Norman’s expression suddenly changed, and he was stunned for a moment. His mind was racing, wondering what was happening. Had his competitors beaten him to the punch, or had he made a mistake somewhere? It took him a while to regain his composure.

“Zhou, why won’t you accept it? Did Wayne Fielding find you? How much did he offer you? I can offer more!” Norman looked at him nervously.

Zhou Chao chuckled and said, “Norman, there’s no need to be anxious. I don’t know this Wayne you’re talking about, and he hasn’t contacted me. 1 declined your black card for a reason.”

After a pause, Zhou Chao continued, looking somewhat nervous himself. “You should actually thank yourself for this.”

Norman was puzzled and asked, “Zhou, why do you say that?”

“Haha, do you remember which country I’m from?”

“China, it’s a place I’ve always admired,” Norman replied with a dreamy expression.

“You should thank yourself for an act of kindness you did a few years ago.”

“A few years ago?” Norman furrowed his brow in deep thought, trying to recall what he had done.

Zhou Chao looked at Norman, who still seemed puzzled. He smiled and said, “I want to thank you for returning the rat’s head and the rabbit’s head to us in 2013. I’m expressing my gratitude here. You can rest assured that we, in China, believe in repaying kindness and settling debts.”

As Zhou Chao spoke, a glint of coldness flashed in his eyes. Norman, who had been observing Zhou Chao closely, felt a chill in his heart.

But quickly, Norman snapped back to reality. He hadn’t expected that his actions from several years ago would result in regaining the strongest support for his family.

Norman hurriedly stood up, preparing to bow to Zhou Chao, but Zhou Chao quickly stopped him.

“We are friends now; you don’t need to do this!”