Chapter 418: What Role Do You Want to Be?

Chapter 418: Chapter 418: What Role Do You Want to Be?

Everyone knew what this display from the women meant without it having to be spelled out.

It meant that Wang Chenning was the final decision-maker, and his opinion was what mattered most.

Li Dongjun and the others had no idea why. They knew Yang Xiaofei, Luo Yuqing, and Li Fuzhen were all exceptionally shrewd women. They believed nothing could sway their decisions unless the women themselves felt it was the best course of action.

It was unlikely that Li Fuzhen had designs on Wang Chenning, and as Zhao Xiao’an’s elder, Luo Yuqing also shouldn’t be involved in some complicated relationship with him.

Yang Xiaofei was the president of Lingyang Group. Many said she was a "stone woman," completely uninterested in men.

Of course, they couldn’t completely rule out the possibility that these women were interested in a young, handsome man like Wang Chenning. But for women of their caliber, matters of the heart were never a top priority—especially for Li Fuzhen, who had been badly hurt by love in the past.

Unaware of the complex history between these individuals, Li Dongjun and his colleagues could only conclude that Wang Chenning’s capability and charisma had won the women over.

And so, another layer of mystery was added to Wang Chenning’s persona.

After the banquet, the two parties sat down for tea to continue their discussions.

Li Fuzhen gave Li Dongjun a clear answer: she would definitely invest in the first-tier city of Jinling, and the construction of The Shilla Hotel’s Jinling branch would be put on the agenda. Naturally, all of this would be done in partnership with Wang Chenning. Furthermore, she added that she would cooperate with Wang Chenning in other areas as well.

Yang Xiaofei was more direct. She told Li Dongjun that Lingyang Group’s real estate division was preparing to launch at least three projects in Jinling this year, with a total investment exceeding ten billion. As for any new investment projects, those would be announced after further negotiations with Wang Chenning.

Luo Yuqing expressed a similar sentiment, promising some additional investments.

Li Dongjun knew that with Wang Jiangxing having already seized the initiative and Dai Xingfeng having blocked their path, it was unlikely that Wang Chenning and his companions would launch any new large-scale projects in Jinling. However, he was looking at the bigger picture. Wang Chenning’s investments in Gusu could also be counted as part of his own accomplishments.

Furthermore, Li Dongjun knew that his relationship with the Zhao family wasn’t as close as Wang Jiangxing’s; in fact, he was closer to the Wu family. Because of this, Wang Chenning’s group wouldn’t be as generous with him as they were with Wang Jiangxing. The patrons behind them had likely given them instructions to that effect.

Thus, having secured so many commitments from Wang Chenning, Luo Yuqing, Li Fuzhen, and Yang Xiaofei, he was satisfied.

So, he then asked Wang Chenning if he would be willing to serve as a tourism ambassador for Jinling.

After a moment’s thought, Wang Chenning readily agreed.

The two parties immediately signed an agreement appointing Wang Chenning as Jinling’s tourism ambassador.

Wang Chenning had originally expected Li Dongjun to ask him to be the tourism ambassador for all of Jiangdong Province, not just the city of Jinling.

But the thought of the legendary "Thirteen Grand Protectors of Jiangdong" made him understand.

After all, many people joked that Jinling was the capital of Hui Province!

After signing the agreement, Wang Chenning gave Li Dongjun another surprise.

He announced his plan to establish multiple procurement centers for raw medicinal herbs throughout the Jiangnan region. He had already signed an agreement to create one in Qiantang and now intended to establish another in Jiangdong Province, hoping Li Dongjun and his colleagues could provide policy incentives and administrative support.

Li Dongjun felt a flush of embarrassment, hearing Wang Chenning proactively bring up something none of them had even considered.

The two parties immediately signed another agreement, in which Li Dongjun, representing Jiangdong, promised to give Wang Chenning the fullest possible policy support.

Li Dongjun had gained more than he had anticipated, and he was naturally in high spirits.

Wang Chenning and his companions had also reaped considerable benefits, so they were in good spirits as well.

After settling the schedule for the following day, they each retired to rest.

"We need to discuss something with Wang Chenning," Luo Yuqing said directly to Li Fuzhen and Li Yanxian after they returned to the hotel. "Why don’t you and your nephew go rest for a bit? Of course, if you’re interested, you’re welcome to join the discussion."

Li Fuzhen was far too clever not to catch the underlying meaning in Luo Yuqing’s words. She smiled. "Of course, I’m interested."

Then she turned to Wang Chenning and Yang Xiaofei. "You don’t mind if Yanxian and I listen in, do you?"

"Of course not," Wang Chenning said with a smile, then glanced at Yang Xiaofei. "You don’t mind either, do you?"

Yang Xiaofei nodded but didn’t say whether she minded or not.

In the end, however, the aunt and nephew excused themselves temporarily, saying they would come over to discuss things in a little while.

Once they were seated in her room, Luo Yuqing said directly to Yang Xiaofei and Wang Chenning, "We’ve pretty much exhausted our investment potential. From now on, no matter who comes to us with tempting offers, we can’t accept. This isn’t just about return on investment; we need to tie it to other things."

"So, our next move is to wait for them to make the first gesture of goodwill before we offer them anything?" Wang Chenning asked, lounging on the sofa and grinning at Luo Yuqing and Yang Xiaofei. "And then we’ll gauge their sincerity and sell to the highest bidder?"

"That’s more or less the idea," Luo Yuqing nodded. Her expression then turned serious as she looked at Yang Xiaofei. "When Wang Chenning mentioned being an emperor earlier today, he wasn’t just making a casual remark. He truly has that ambition. So let me ask you: are you interested in being a part of it? And if you are, what role do you want to play after he succeeds? The Empress, or an Imperial Consort?"