These teas were like life itself to Old Li.
While others might not understand the tea's exquisite taste, anyone who had tried it was captivated, to the point of being utterly enthralled.
Old Li now felt a touch of envy towards Jack Ma and others who could drink this tea daily at Xia Feng's place.
When Old Li last visited Shanghai, he only requested two cans and deeply regretted it.
Since drinking this tea, he felt much more energetic, sleeping soundly until dawn.
Elderly people generally don't sleep for long, usually only five or six hours, and often wake up during the night. Now, Old Li slept eight hours without even dreaming.
Zhou Lao's secretary wasn't surprised by the affirmative reply, as they had been facing rejections recently.
Accustomed to rejection, he would have felt unsettled if Old Li had agreed.
Zhou Lao's secretary returned to report, entering Zhou Lao's office. Old Huang and Old Feng were both there, and the three chuckled at the empty-handed secretary: "Old Li refused again?"
"Esteemed sirs, Old Li has refused once more," Zhou Lao's secretary replied respectfully.
"Understood," Zhou Lao waved him away.
"Old Li is rather unreasonable. It's just tea, yet he guards it like a treasure. He let us have just two sips, and as soon as we felt satisfied, it was gone," Old Feng grumbled, chiding Old Li.
"You should have just kept it hidden and not brought it out at all."
"You let others develop an addiction, and then you stop giving it to them."
"Old Huang, Old Li isn't even giving you face," Zhou Lao chimed in.
"Haha... Recently, due to Xia Feng, many foreign investors have come to Shanghai. It's been a while since I've visited Shanghai for an inspection. You two hold down the capital; I'm planning to inspect Shanghai."
Old Huang laughed, not directly answering their remarks, instead stating his plan to inspect Shanghai's economy.
The other two understood his true intentions perfectly: the inspection was a pretense; the real goal was the tea.
"Old Huang, I believe Old Feng and Old Li can hold down the capital. I'll accompany you to Shanghai," Zhou Lao quickly agreed.
"What are you going for? If anyone goes, it should be me. With Old Huang away from the capital, you should be the one to hold down the fort," Old Feng objected.
"You two are quite clever, leaving me in the capital?"
"I plan to bring Old Li along. After all, Old Li often interacts with Xia Feng. Since we're going to Shanghai, we'll surely have drinks with Xia Feng. You two will stay in the capital."
Old Huang had clearly mapped out his itinerary and assigned Zhou Lao and Old Feng to remain in the capital.
"Old Huang, isn't this a bit underhanded?" Zhou Lao expressed his dissatisfaction.
"Only if you bring us some tea too," Old Feng stated bluntly.
Having worked together for many years, they all knew each other's thoughts; wanting to tag along for tea was evident.
"Alright, I'll mention it then," Old Huang readily agreed.
Old Huang's decision to visit Shanghai was primarily to see Xia Feng and, incidentally, to get some tea. Furthermore, he genuinely hadn't visited Shanghai for an inspection in a long time.
Li Chaoren was also in Shanghai, so it would be good to see him as well. Li Chaoren had recently reacquired his nationality. Regardless, Li Chaoren had contributed to the country in the past.
As the leader of a Hong Kong enterprise, some conveniences were still necessary.
"Old Huang, we're counting on you! Don't end up like Old Li," Zhou Lao reminded him.
"Definitely not," Zhou Lao smiled.
Old Huang's inspection trip to Shanghai was thus happily decided.
The news of Old Huang's decision to visit Shanghai was relayed by his secretary, who began making all the necessary preparations and arrangements for the trip.
...
Long Aotian drove steadily, bringing Xia Feng back to the villa. As soon as the car stopped, Zhou Gangyi eagerly rushed to open the car door, smiling respectfully and saying, "Grandmaster, you've worked hard."
After getting out of the car, Long Aotian gave Zhou Gangyi a strange look. This guy actually knew to do his job for him.
Xia Feng smiled and walked into the villa.
As soon as he entered, Jiang Quanshui greeted him with a smile, saying, "Young Master Xia, you're back. Dinner will be served soon. Teacher Ma made two extra home-style dishes today."
"Good, let's eat then," Xia Feng nodded.
Jiang Quanshui looked at Long Aotian, who was following closely behind, and asked with feigned surprise, "Isn't this Little Long? You're here too."
Long Aotian acted as if he hadn't heard. "You can be arrogant for now. Your crying time will come."
"This old fellow is too oblivious."
Jiang Quanshui was confident that Long Aotian wouldn't dare to hit him, knowing Xia Feng was at home.
Due to Long Aotian's arrival, Jack Ma specially added two more dishes.
The whole group was like a large family, filling the table and creating a lively atmosphere.
After dinner every day, everyone would drink tea, chat, play games, practice martial arts, or arrange work, not feeling bored but rather a sense of fulfillment in life.
Since Jack Ma and Pony Ma arrived at Xia Feng's place, they hadn't returned to their companies. This had exhausted their company's vice presidents, who were hiding here for a break.
Pony Ma was on the phone with Manager Zhang of Tencent. Pony Ma had been out for several months and hadn't returned.
The company hadn't seen him for a long time, and they thought something had happened to him.
"Mr. Ma, if you don't come out to oversee work soon, I'm about to collapse," Tencent's Manager Zhang said with a dejected expression.
Three months ago, Pony Ma had canceled an interview, stating he was going to Shanghai for the India matter, and hadn't returned since.
As a CEO, his absence from the company for several months would inevitably lead to many speculations.
What's more, he knew that Pony Ma was spending every day with Jack Ma.
"This is an opportunity for you to hone your skills. Jack Ma's company operates normally even when he's not there. If they can do it, why can't we?"
Pony Ma used Alibaba as a comparison. In this regard, Jack Ma performed better than Pony Ma. Jack Ma had delegated power years ago and was basically in a semi-retired state.
Although Jack Ma was semi-retired, Alibaba Group was still essentially Jack Ma's domain.
Jack Ma was like a god within Alibaba Group.
"Mr. Ma, I've been thinking a lot lately, and I just can't understand why you and Jack Ma are together every day?"
Tencent's Manager Zhang was baffled. A May-December romance?
It was truly unfathomable that the two who disliked each other could end up together.
"Some things are better left unknown. Don't ask me when I'll return, because I don't know myself," Pony Ma gave him a definitive answer.
In any case, returning anytime soon was out of the question.
If he returned, wouldn't his position be taken by someone else?
He had plenty of money, and the company was stable anyway. Let it be whatever it wants.