Chapter 146 - Step 3 (VI)

Xiong Zhi sighed in relief. There was no bloodshed. At least for now. 

Even though it was a loss for her, she still managed to get the deal done. 

At least IHZHI could still pay back Liu Fung after a month. 

'That money..' Xiong Zhi felt heartbroken. 

Her ArtWorld was not yet built but she already loses money. Just for a single seat in IAmFashionista cost her millions or probably a billion, with the added fact of her two favors.

She wiped her unshed tears and contacted Linfeng. She needs to move on and proceed to the plan. At the same time, she needs to recharge.

"Young Miss?" The gentle voice of Linfeng was like a spring in Xiong Zhi's loss and broken heart.

"It's me. How are you doing?" Xiong Zhi's tone was unconsciously gentle. Even though there were traces of coolness on it.

"I'm good. Thanks for asking. How about you young miss?" 

Xiong Zhi looked at the window. She had just come out of Liu Fung's company. She already told the two to take a rest and they would talk about the matter tomorrow. Their nerves were tight. They need a rest.

"I'm alright. A bit tired though. " She answered truthfully.

She had been contacting people left and right. She had been weighing the benefits and disadvantages of their deals. She had not been feeling the tiredness since the deals were all smooth. 

Except for this one, where she almost make a big enemy that she couldn't handle with her mere IHZHI. After that talk, the stress she was suppressing came out. She knew she could handle it well. But she doesn't have time to relax. She has still business to finish today.

And the shortest way to recharge and to clear her mind was being with Linfeng. Just hearing his voice already made her relax. His presence had a really great effect on her.

"Where are you? Do you mind it if I come to you?" Linfeng sounded worried. Well, it was his first time hearing Xiong Zhi that she was tired. And she sounded really tired.

"I don't mind it. I'm in the car. Do you have a place to recommend so we can meet?" Xiong Zhi said as she leaned on the back seat.

"Yes. I do have a place in mind. But where are you right now?"

Xiong Zhi told him where she was. Coincidentally it was near the place where Linfeng was.

"I'll go to you. Just wait for a bit." 

After ten minutes, Linfeng's car appeared in Xiong Zhi's sight. Linfeng went in her car.

"By the way, young miss. I have a place in mind where you can relax. But it's a bit far. Do you have any business after?"

Xiong Zhi does have business. She needs to talk to the three men that invested 20% of Art World. They are the people that she seriously needs to not fail. That's why she needed SC to secure it. Now, what left was for her to talk to them for the upcoming investing month.

"I do. Can you go with me first to talk with some people?"

****

Yi An, Er Bing, and San Chin collaborated to have the biggest share after the Xiong Empire in ArtWorld. The said project was supposed to be a good deal if the land issue was not been raised. But since the fundamental factor of building the Art World was gone, no matter what good the idea was, it was nothing. 

The three investors really felt it was a loss for such a great project to go to waste. But they look more for the profit and the gains. Since they couldn't back off immediately due to the Xiong Empire's influence, they already made their back up plans and excuses to cut the tie in ArtWorld. 

A few days ago, they have been contacted by Xiong Zhi, the young miss of Xiong, to discuss the ArtWorld. 

Now, earlier than the appointment time, Xiong Zhi personally called their secretaries and ask for them to meet in a high-class restaurant.

There was a violin played by a professional in the background as few people were chatting and eating their food. It was not yet the time for dinner so their food was light and most of the foods are light snacks. But this little food costs a thousand bucks on each plate.

"It's all on me. Pardon me for meeting you earlier than the appointed time." Xiong Zhi said to the three middle-aged men before her.

"Oh. Young Miss Zhi. It's our pleasure that you reach out to us. Even you call a day earlier is fine with me." Yi An, with a big round stomach, bootlick Xiong Zhi.

"To me as well." 

"Don't worry about it."

The two other men said consecutively.

"Oh My. Gentleman, you all have a generous heart. I really admire you all." Xiong Zhi said as she wipes her mouth with a napkin.

Linfeng who was standing near the table glanced at Xiong Zhi. It was his first time witnessing Xiong Zhi acting like this. 

Xiong Zhi learned of this manner from Mr. Ji. When she asked Mr. Ji how to effectively ask for a favor. 

Now she was mastering it.

The three men blushed at the young and beautiful girl's compliment.

"You complimenting us too much." Er Bing, who wears eyeglasses speaks humbly.

"Not at all. You are being modest." Xiong Zhi smiled lightly. Hoping it could help to show them that she was being friendly.

"You see. I'm very grateful that even I'm young you allow me to meet all of you to discuss ArtWorld. I've heard of your names and your great achievements. I'm really impressed. So, gentlemen, can you impart some knowledge to me? How about the ArtWorld? What do you think about it? "

Xiong Zhi tried to act to be a motivated student that sincerely wanted to hear them out.

"Ahm. That is...ArtWorld is a very great project. It has a lot of potentials." After some hesitations, Yi An spoke.

"Sure it is. I heard about it from Mr. Bang. It is a great project that will surely make all people, young and old to not miss it. No matter who the target is, they would like it." Xiong Zhi said.

"But..young miss, have you heard the rumors about the ArtWorld?" Er Bing asked.

"I do. I hear rumors that ArtWorld will no longer be built because of the issue of the land." Xiong Zhi said acting innocent.

"Yes. Because of that matter, ArtWorld is no longer safe to invest." San Chin who was silent all this time spoke. 

Xiong Zhi looked at him. 

"Why it is?" She asked acting more innocent and she even furrowed her brow like she was confused.

"Do you know, young miss, what investors look for?" San Chin asked. Among the three he was the most direct. He was also the brightest one.

Xiong Zhi knew that San Chin might have looked through her. But she did not care. She did not erase her facade.

"Investors..mmhmm. They scout projects that have a lot of potentials." She answered slowly.

"You're right. We looked for a project that will gain a lot of profit. And do you know what we care about the most?"

"Aside from profit. It is a reputation, right?" Xiong Zhi answered. Going with the flow.

"Young miss, once again, is right. Since young miss understands it so much, young miss should know that with the rumors, which probably true, surrounding ArtWorld would make investors like us to withdraw. I hope as the young miss of Xiong, you will not take it against us." San Chin rejected Xiong Zhi outright.

He knew it the moment he received the call from his secretary a few days ago. The Xiong Empire sends the young miss to convince them to stay for ArtWorld. It might be a task from Master Xiong to the young miss. But this is all the concern of the Xiong Family. They, investors, only care about profits and reputation. If they want to leave they will leave.

"We have already taken a new project. This project takes a huge sum of money. We need to focus on this one rather than the project who surely fails. I'm sure young miss understand." San Chin said.

The two other men looked at San Chin, they were bewildered. They have been worried for a long time how to pull away from ArtWorld. But San Chin managed it with this meeting!

They are worried they might aggravate Xiong Zhi. However, it was better to let the Xiong Empire know their intentions to pull away from the ArtWorld. At least they had done so in a polite manner.

Xiong Zhi took a sip in her glass as she listens.

"I understand. Don't worry too much Sir Chin. " the three men sighed in relief. 

'Maybe it's good they send the inexperienced little girl to handle-' before they complete the thought, Xiong Zhi spoke again.

"But what if...ArtWorld could be built? Could you say the same thing as well?" Xiong Zhi said as she put down her glass.

***