Chapter 77: The Celebration Banquet, and Then the Proud Young Lady Peeks from Next Door!

That night, at 9:20 p.m.

“Miss Elena, the acquisition of this seafood restaurant is complete, and all the contracts have been signed.”

“Good, that was fast.”

“If I may ask, did you acquire this restaurant to learn more about Chen Luo himself, or are you interested in their business strategy?”

“Hmph! What are you talking about? Is Chen Luo really worth all that effort? I just want to better understand the seafood restaurant market in Hangzhou, that’s all.”

At that moment, Elena was dressed in a form-fitting qipao; though petite, the dress on her brought out a striking contrast between adorable charm and sensuality. She sat at the restaurant’s front desk, tilting her face up slightly and pretending to review some of the restaurant’s documents and ledgers.

Her maid-assistant, to match Elena’s role, wore a simple black dress and stood quietly by, watching. This young lady was outstanding in both beauty and talent, but her lack of candor was remarkable. After serving her for so many years, the assistant knew all too well that the more Elena insisted otherwise, the more she actually cared about Chen Luo.

“Forgive me, Miss Elena, I thought you might be interested, so I reserved the large private room 101 for Chen Luo and his group in advance. The adjacent room, 102, is still available, and the sound insulation isn’t very good.”

The implication was clear: the adjacent room had already been equipped with eavesdropping devices, making it easy to hear whatever Chen Luo and his companions discussed.

“If I misunderstood your intentions, then I’ll just book out that room to someone else.”

At these words, Elena immediately raised her hand.

“No need, you’re always taking such initiative—so troublesome. I’ll go check it out myself. You stay here and watch over the restaurant.”

“Understood. There’s one more thing, Miss Elena. The partner for the online food delivery project said they’d like to give you a progress report tomorrow. Will you see them or not?”

At this, Elena’s expression grew serious. This food delivery development project was one she’d been eyeing for some time; she had already bought into a new company, investing a large amount of capital for development, aiming to start trial operations in the Hangzhou area by November. Depending on the results, she would adjust the software requirements and business strategies, craft targeted promotional campaigns, and gradually expand in the market, aiming to seize this untouched blue ocean of the food industry.

However, at the current pace, it would take until at least the end of 2014 to roll out fully.

“Tell them to come tomorrow afternoon. I’ll set aside two hours for their special report. Make sure they prepare plenty of data for me.”

“Yes, ma’am! So, about the 102 private room—are you still going?”

“Hmph! I’m not going. Anyone who wants to can go. I’m just going to the restroom.”

Watching Elena say she wasn’t interested while walking straight toward room 102, her assistant couldn’t help but cover her mouth, stifling laughter.

“My dear young lady, in all these years, I’ve rarely seen you so interested in a man. Be careful you don’t fall for him.”

Elena entered room 102, and upon stepping inside, she immediately saw a large computer monitor and a pair of headphones. So much for poor sound insulation—this was a full-scale surveillance setup, offering a clear view and sound of everything in room 101.

“Well, this isn’t my doing, Chen Luo—it’s all my subordinate’s idea,” Elena said as she clicked the mouse, zooming the camera in so close that it was practically in Chen Luo’s face.

“I must admit, it’s quite a pleasing face—more attractive than your average pretty boy.”

She adjusted the focus, shifting the lens up and down to size up Chen Luo’s physique.

“Seems like he’s got quite the figure—better than those skinny college boys. Could he be the type who looks slim in clothes but is actually built underneath?”

Lost in thought as she gazed at Chen Luo’s face on the screen, Elena put on the headphones, and his voice came through.

…

Inside room 101, there were two tables—one large and one small. Both were laden with all kinds of seafood; there were no fewer than thirty hairy crabs alone.

“Come on, everyone! To celebrate our anime-themed milk tea shop’s grand opening and fantastic first day sales—cheers!”

“Cheers!”

“All right! Eat to your heart’s content! There’s plenty more—no one’s allowed to leave unless you’re completely stuffed tonight!”

“Thank you, boss!”

At Chen Luo’s word, everyone sat down and dug in with gusto. The employees’ impression of him rose another notch; they especially loved a boss who didn’t waste time with speeches or force drinks but only insisted they eat their fill.

In his past life, Chen Luo had always hated those pointless corporate gatherings—stingy, long-winded leaders, always pushing the so-called drinking culture. In his view, a team-building dinner should be relaxing and fun; instead of wasting time talking, it was better to order more dishes, let everyone enjoy a good meal, and chat freely.

That’s why Chen Luo had the restaurant set up two tables—one for the employees, and one for himself, Zhou Zheng, Liu Hua, and Mo Ye. It wasn’t about hierarchy, but rather because employees tended to feel awkward eating with the boss; it was better to let them have their own table and enjoy themselves.

“Crack!” Liu Hua split open another hairy crab and started feasting.

“Mmmf, these are delicious—you guys better not try to steal any from me!” she declared, fiercely protective of her food.

Chen Luo laughed and placed the crabs in front of him onto her plate. “Go ahead, my star performer. If you want more, just say the word.”

Then Chen Luo picked up a beer and poured a glass for Zhou Zheng.

Clink.

They tapped their glasses and shared a smile—no need for thanks or formalities. The camaraderie and understanding between men needed no words; everything was expressed through that drink.

After a few rounds of drinks and several courses, half an hour had passed, and it was nearly 10 o’clock.

Liu Hua leaned back in her chair, thoroughly satisfied, with a heap of crab shells before her. Chen Luo handed her a glass of cola, then turned to discuss business with Zhou Zheng.

“Zheng, how’s the progress on Zhou Mei’s food delivery app?”

“It’s already in testing. Most of the bugs should be fixed within three days.”

“Good. I have a promotional plan here—I’ll send it to your phone. If you’re good with it after reading, we’ll start the pre-launch campaign. What we lack most now is time. We have to get this on the market before November!”

Zhou Zheng nodded, opened the promotional plan on his phone, and began reading intently. Meanwhile, in room 102, Elena’s expression had grown grave.

“A food delivery app? Isn’t that in direct competition with my project? Could it be that Wen Wan is trying to use Chen Luo to go after my business?”

“Has that woman already started targeting me? Isn’t she moving a bit too fast?”

As Elena puzzled over this, she glanced at the screen—and suddenly shot upright.

“She? She actually came in person? How is she here?”

At that moment, the door to room 101 swung open, and a woman of breathtaking beauty entered.

“Sorry, Chen Luo, I’m late to your celebration banquet.”