In the villa, Jack Ma and others were chatting with Xia Feng.
It was a peculiar scene, with a group of influential figures discussing everyday life with Xia Feng.
Just then, Jack Ma’s phone rang. He stood up, nodded, and walked out of the villa to take the call.
“Hello, what is it?” Jack Ma asked after answering.
“Mr. Ma, our business in India has been fully activated. How did you manage that?” Zhang Zong’s excited voice came from the other end of the line.
“Last night, Dubaid called Modi, and Modi got scolded again. This morning, he issued an order to fully unblock all operations for the Alibaba group.”
Modi, as the leader of India, had been scolded twice by Dubaid in a few days. He was quite frustrated but helpless.
If only no one knew about this, otherwise, the loss of face would be immense.
“Oh, just this small matter? I thought it was something that made you so excited. Alright, I understand. I’ll be in Modu for the next few days and can’t come back. I’m entrusting the company matters to you.”
Jack Ma appeared calm. If such a small matter could get him excited, how would he handle bigger things?
Zhang Zong on the phone sounded puzzled. Just the day before yesterday, Mr. Ma was still wearing a deathly serious face over this matter. How could he be so nonchalant after just two days?
If you were really that calm, why were you so worried the day before yesterday?
It seems Mr. Ma found a master to help. Mr. Ma, don’t worry, I will arrange everything for the company these few days.
Although Zhang Zong had some doubts about Jack Ma’s words, he couldn’t ask. After all, everyone knew Jack Ma liked to brag and exaggerate.
He recalled an interview where the host asked Jack Ma about Alibaba’s current achievements.
Jack Ma began to brag seriously, saying: “I have no interest in money. I only miss my time as a teacher. Back then, the salary I received every month made me feel happy.”
“One should not give up their dreams for money. You must achieve your dreams before you can talk about money.”
“See? Can anyone brag better than this?”
“Okay, call me less if there’s nothing important. I have significant matters to attend to.” Jack Ma hung up the phone.
This feeling, this comfort.
No wonder Jack Ma was happy even when his wok for stir-frying kept flipping over.
After receiving this call, Jack Ma felt somewhat pleased, as it resolved a major concern.
His steps became lighter. Upon returning, he couldn’t resist casting a proud glance at Jack Ma.
The implication was clear: What you can do, I can do too.
“Xia Shao, what kind of dishes do you usually like?” Jack Ma asked, sitting down, ready to show his hospitality.
Jiang Quanshui’s eyes lit up upon hearing this. He quickly put down his teacup and said, “Xia Shao, Mr. Ma’s cooking is absolutely delicious. How about you try it today?”
He had called Jack Ma over specifically to curb Jack Ma’s arrogance. Now that Jack Ma had proactively asked about food, Jiang Quanshui stepped forward without hesitation to assist.
“I’m not picky about food, but I do miss the home-style dishes my grandmother used to make, especially the pan-fried tofu and stir-fried leeks with eggs. The tofu should be pan-fried until golden brown on both sides, then add some lean pork and chopped scallions – it’s especially delicious.”
Xia Feng, prompted by Jack Ma, was reminded of his childhood, when he was young and hadn’t started cultivating. He was raised by his grandparents.
Jack Ma understood instantly. These two dishes were quite common home-style dishes in the 90s. Some restaurants still have them now, but the taste is gone.
“Xia Shao, I’ll make these two dishes for you tonight. I’m skilled at making them. I used to make them for my colleagues every day when I was starting my business,” Jack Ma quickly promised.
Jack Ma felt a bit anxious. They had agreed to get along harmoniously this morning, and now he was trying to take over his role?
If the dishes are already made, what will I do?
“Xia Shao, I can do that too,” Jack Ma said urgently.
“Don’t push it. Have you ever experienced hardship? Do you even know what leeks look like?” Jiang Quanshui immediately attacked Jack Ma.
Jack Ma’s family background had always been good. Whether he had truly eaten these dishes before was unknown.
“Who doesn’t know about leeks?” Jack Ma retorted, as the statement was too mocking.
“Are there people in this era who don’t know what leeks are?”
“Who are you looking down on?”
“Alright, alright, let Mr. Ma do it. I’ll try Mr. Ma’s home-style tofu and stir-fried leeks with eggs tonight and see how they taste,” Xia Feng said with a smile, waving his hands as the two were about to argue.
“Okay, I guarantee to satisfy Xia Shao,” Jack Ma said with delight.
The villa didn’t have tofu or leeks, and they hadn’t returned yet. I’ll call them to buy the ingredients. Jiang Quanshui was also happy that Jack Ma had taken on the task of cooking tonight. He got up and went to make a phone call.
As Jiang Xin was driving towards the villa, his father called.
“Why is my dad calling me?” Jiang Xin asked, looking at the incoming call on his phone.
“Answer it,” said the national young king.
Jiang Xin then pressed the answer button on the steering wheel. Jiang Quanshui’s voice came through: “Are you back yet?”
“Almost home,” Jiang Xin replied.
“Don’t rush back. I have something to arrange for you. Xia Shao wants to eat Mr. Ma’s home-style tofu and stir-fried leeks with eggs tonight. Go and buy the ingredients now,” Jiang Quanshui instructed his son.
“Dad, it’s probably too late to buy tofu at this hour.”
“They just came out of the supermarket. They didn’t seem to see any tofu for sale.”
“No tofu? What the hell are you talking about? If you can’t buy it, grind soybeans yourself! I told you to buy it, not to tell me if it can be bought,” Jiang Quanshui cursed.
“You’re so dense. Shanghai is so big, you can’t find tofu?”
“Even if the vegetable market and supermarkets are out, you can find it by going to restaurants one by one.”
“People need to be adaptable. No wonder you’re always a step slower than the national young king and Qin Dou in everything you do.”
Jiang Xin: ……
“Got it.” Jiang Xin replied, holding back a question that was about to slip out.
Actually, he still wanted to ask, what are leeks?
He dared not ask now. If he did, he would surely be scolded again.
“Alright, you go handle your business. Take good care of Lin’er,” Jiang Quanshui added a flattering remark at the end of the call.
He never missed an opportunity to flatter. He was a master of it, and compared to him, Jiang Xin was far behind.
Ding…
The phones of the national young king and Jiang Xin rang simultaneously.
The national young king opened WeChat and saw a message from Yu Wei in the Shanghai Four Young Masters group:
Yu Wei: “Brothers, a day has passed, and not only are you not sending red envelopes, but you haven’t even said happy birthday?”
“Haha… Fatty Yu told us yesterday that it’s his birthday today, and I completely forgot,” the national young king laughed after seeing the message.
“Same, same,” Jiang Xin chuckled.
“Aren’t you guys going to Fatty Yu’s birthday?” Qin Wen, sitting in the back seat, leaned over and asked.
The national young king thought for a moment, then turned to look at Xia Lin in the back seat and asked, “Lin’er, how about I take you to a friend’s birthday party on a yacht tonight?”
“Okay.”