Financial freedom starts from graduation

Chapter 539 Beauty Cup

Regardless of how extravagantly this "Little Lai" boasts about the industries Mr. Mu is involved in, one thing is certain: Mr. Mu did indeed start his business in the high-end service industry, which is why he has achieved his current success.

In other words, the club industry is Mr. Mu's real main business.

As the place where he started his business, Pengcheng Club's first store was built in a luxury residential area like "Yantian Tianlu," so Zhou Wang was indeed very curious about its appearance and specifications.

Although he hasn't been to many clubs so far, he has only associated with people in this circle. So far, he has neither seen nor heard of any clubs that are more upscale or more extravagant than the Hangzhou Sanatorium Club or the Shanghai No. 9 Building Club.

Zhou Wang's own Dianwang Club and Jingwang Club, as well as the Wangjiang Club that will soon open on the Bund in Shanghai, are all legitimate businesses. They are not on the same track as these clubs that specialize in high-end services and cannot be compared.

At least Zhou Wang doesn't need to curry favor with anyone; on the contrary, it's the members who want to join who need to fawn over him.

Led by a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the Rolls-Royce Phantom wound its way along the inner road for a while, then passed a guard post and arrived at a cluster of villas halfway up the mountain.

Zhou Wang noticed from the window that this villa complex was different from the villas in other residential areas. It was surrounded by a separate green belt of trees, so it was difficult to see the whole complex clearly from other ordinary residential areas unless you went to get closer.

At the edge of the woods, there is a separate, two-meter-high fence painted in dark green, making this cluster of buildings look more like a large estate than a villa area.

The convoy turned into what was possibly the main entrance. At some of the interior paths with fountains or sculptures, Zhou Wang saw security guards in black suits using earpieces to confirm something and silently guide the convoy's progress.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhou. Our CEO, Ms. Mu, also lives here often. She is quite concerned about security, so the route inside is a little roundabout."

Perhaps worried that Zhou Wang was feeling a little dizzy, Xiao Lai offered an explanation.

"I understand. As a guest, I naturally hope this place is as private as possible."

Zhou Wang nodded with a smile.

A few minutes later, the Rolls-Royce Phantom stopped in front of a five-story castle-like villa. Xiao Lai got out of the car before Huang Duming could open the door for Zhou Wang.

As Zhou Wang opened the car door, he vaguely heard the sound of the tide, which made him realize that his previous judgment might have been wrong. This should not be halfway up the mountain, but some area near the coast at the foot of the mountain.

Before him stood the open gate of a villa with a typical French-style facade. As Zhou Wang got out of the car, he immediately saw the woman standing in front of the villa.

She was around thirty or forty years old, dressed in an elegant and elaborate white cheongsam. Behind her stood four tall, model-like girls on each side, dressed in white dresses, forming a clear contrast with the bodyguards outside the door.

When Zhou Wang's gaze fell upon this woman with an exceptional air of elegance, he was genuinely taken aback. He hadn't expected that this so-called "President Mu" would actually be a woman.

The moment Zhou Wang saw the other person, a figure inexplicably popped into his mind: a woman surnamed Gao from a popular anti-corruption TV series a few years ago... They didn't look alike, but their temperaments were very similar.

As for her looks, she can't compare to a young and beautiful girl, but she still retains her charm and is probably the type that some men like the most.

Immediately, Zhou Wang had another question. Although this President Mu was not young, it was hard to say that he had been working in Shenzhen since the last century. But Zhou Wang quickly remembered that Xiao Lai had mentioned "two generations" in his previous introduction, and Zhou Wang was relieved.

Judging from this, this Ms. Mu should just be a "second-generation" who took over the business from the previous generation, but it's unclear where her roots lie.

These thoughts flashed by in an instant, but they did not stop Zhou Wang from smiling as he stepped forward and shook hands with the smiling woman who greeted him.

"Mr. Zhou, I've heard so much about you. I'm Mu Li... Li as in 'glass'."

"Hello, Mr. Mu, it's great to meet you."

Zhou Wang originally intended to hold on briefly and then let go, but President Mu showed no sign of letting go, so he had no choice but to continue holding the other's hand.

...To be honest, although President Mu is getting on in years, he obviously spends a lot of money to take care of himself, and his skin is so smooth that it's not much different from that of a young girl.

"Mr. Zhou may not know, but our CEO Mu was originally going to visit relatives in Beidu these past few days. However, since Mr. Zhou came to Pengcheng, Mr. Mu has been staying in Pengcheng to better entertain him..."

Xiao Lai, who was standing to the side, suddenly said something with a smile, which made Mu Li frown.

"Ingots!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Mu, Mr. Zhou, I misspoke..."

The man whose full name might be "Lai Yuanbao" should apologize immediately.

Zhou Wang was taken aback. Although he didn't know if Xiao Lai was really unintentional, he still followed his words and put on a flattered expression.

At the same time, he was also thinking about the information that Xiao Lai had "unintentionally" revealed: going to Beidu to visit relatives... that's interesting.

"This... Mr. Mu, you're too kind. Why let me delay your important business?"

Thinking to himself, Zhou Wang didn't delay and said apologetically, "I should have come to visit President Mu earlier, but I've been spending time with my girlfriend these past two days and haven't been able to get away..."

"President Zhou, don't listen to Yuanbao's nonsense. I'm staying in Pengcheng not only because of your arrival, but also because I have other things to attend to."

Mu Li smiled gently, and only then did she seem to realize that she was still holding Zhou Wang's hand tightly. She said with a hint of helplessness, "It seems that I haven't been close to a man for too long. Maybe it's because President Zhou feels so familiar to me that I'm a little reluctant to let go. Please don't take offense, President Zhou."

With that, she released Zhou Wang.

These words, which should have carried a slightly frivolous connotation, somehow sounded natural and sincere coming from Mr. Mu's mouth, without causing any offense.

"That would be my honor."

Zhou Wang smiled and said, "But judging from President Mu's implication, it seems you're not married yet?"

Do I really look that old?

Mu Li smiled reproachfully, then shook her head, "Actually, it's considered settled, but we don't have any contact with them anymore."

Going any further would involve privacy, so Zhou Wang didn't press the matter further. Instead, he laughed and said, "Of course it's not because President Mu looks old. On the contrary, it's precisely because President Mu looks so young and handsome that even I am a little tempted. That's why I subconsciously think that someone like President Mu must have had countless suitors before, so how could he still be single?"

"Mr. Zhou's speech was very interesting, just what I wanted to hear."

Mu Li responded with a smile in Cantonese, and then reached out to invite Zhou Wang to come inside.

"Mr. Zhou, this way please. It's windy outside, let's go inside and talk."

Zhou Wang turned around and gestured for the others to stay outside, then led Huang Duming and Gao Xing, who appeared out of nowhere, inside.

At this moment, he noticed that Xiao Lai and the others had also stopped, as if the villa's garden gate was some kind of boundary that they would not cross.

Perhaps noticing Zhou Wang's gaze, Mu Li, who was standing next to him, explained softly, "Generally, except in case of emergencies, male staff are not allowed to enter or leave the indoor areas of this premises. This is to ensure the experience and privacy of our guests..."

Zhou Wang understood immediately after Mu Li said that. No wonder all the people following Mu Li were girls. So that's why. They were trying to create a boundary between Yin and Yang, right?
However, considering that the main audience of the club opened by President Mu is definitely male, this approach can indeed enhance the members' experience.

Zhou Wang was also wondering if it was because President Mu herself was a woman that she was better able to understand men's subtle thoughts...

"It's still a little while before lunchtime, how about I show Mr. Zhou around first?"

After entering the porch, Mu Li glanced at the sparkling watch on her wrist and then made a suggestion.

Zhou Wang immediately recognized that she was wearing Patek Philippe's Rare Craftsmanship Collection, each piece being a unique "enamel-painted minute repeater".

These watches are not available on the market, but they are frequent items at auctions, often starting at tens of millions.

“Sure.” Zhou Wang quickly looked away, nodded and smiled, “I just heard that this is the first club that President Mu opened. I also heard Manager Ma from Shanghai say that President Mu’s clubs in each place have different characteristics. I am indeed a little curious.”

"This was indeed our first club to open to the public, but as time went by, it's not really open to the public anymore."

Mu Li nodded and explained, "For most members, the places they go to more often now are the new stores we opened in the city... However, there are still some customers here occasionally, but only a very small number of invited guests."

"I feel even more honored that Mr. Mu said that."

“Mr. Zhou is already a holder of our Black Gold Card, so it’s impossible that he doesn’t even have this much privilege.”

Mu Li smiled gently, her charm captivating. "This way, please."

She led Zhou Wang through the spacious and elegantly furnished living room. Suddenly, they could faintly hear some rustling sounds and voices coming from a patterned double door.

Seeing Zhou Wang glancing in that direction, Mu Li didn't explain further. She led Zhou Wang to the door and then pushed it open.

Before my eyes was a spacious area with large floor-to-ceiling windows, resembling a dance studio. The windows connected to an outdoor garden with a large lawn. This area, which included the large classroom and the outdoor garden, was filled with a large number of girls.

They were all dressed in matching white dresses. Some were practicing dance in an indoor classroom, while others were scattered in the garden, reading, drawing, or practicing some kind of language skill with another teacher. It might be singing, or it might just be vocalization. Zhou Wang couldn't hear them clearly because they were too far away...

Upon seeing Mu Li and her group enter, the teacher leading the group cast a questioning glance, and the girls stopped what they were doing. However, after Mu Li shook her head slightly in acknowledgment, they continued with their own activities and paid no further attention to the group.

Occasionally, curious glances from young girls would drift over and linger on Zhou Wang, who was clearly standing in a position of honor.

"This is……"

Zhou Wang vaguely guessed what was going on, but still asked.

"This house is mostly vacant, and since it's just sitting empty, part of it has been used as a training base."

"...Beauty Workshop?"

Zhou Wang asked tentatively, wondering if Li Nuoyi and Bai Feifei had left from here.

"Yes and no."

Mu Li laughed and said, "Some of the girls here come from the base in Australia, but some are girls who were discovered by talent scouts and found by entertainment companies, but I intercepted them halfway."

"Another group of girls comes from completely respectable families and has come here for their own dreams, simply to find a better future..."

Zhou Wang never expected that Mu Li could explain all of this in such a...refreshing and unconventional way. The key point was that Mu Li's expression was also very sincere. For a moment, he couldn't tell whether what she said was against her will.

However, judging from the girls' energetic spirits and from Zhou Wang's previous interactions with Li Nuoyi and Bai Feifei, they all seemed to be willingly dedicating themselves to this career.

From this perspective, Mu Li's words seem to make sense. She simply provided these girls with a promising platform and did not force them to do anything. In fact, one could say that she was a "great philanthropist" to these girls.

"Mr. Zhou, would you like to come in and take a look around?"

At this moment, Mu Li made a suggestion.

Zhou Wang was indeed curious, so he readily agreed.

At this moment, Zhou Wang noticed another detail: although Mu Li gestured for him to go inside, she did not follow, which obviously made Zhou Wang feel a little more comfortable.

Zhou Wang didn't disturb the girls; he simply walked a little closer to see what courses they were studying.

The result was pretty much what Zhou Wang had expected. Dance, vocal music, etiquette, traditional Chinese painting, equestrianism... all the mainstream courses that can improve a person's quality, physique and demeanor were covered here. If you didn't consider the girls' real backgrounds, it would be as if you had accidentally entered the classroom of a noble girls' school.

What Zhou Wang truly appreciated was that these girls, regardless of their looks, all had natural appearances. He couldn't tell if they had undergone minor cosmetic procedures, but they didn't have the kind of "snake-like face" that he hated most.

There were also a few mixed-race and foreign girls among them, which caught Zhou Wang's eye a few more times.

After walking around for a while, under the shy and timid gazes of many girls, Zhou Wang quickly went back.

"Mr. Mu, that's enough, let's go."

"it is good."

Mu Li didn't say much, just nodded and led Zhou Wang to other places.

A greenhouse cultivating rare plants, a showroom with a number of antiques, a cigar room, a wine cellar...

They took a quick tour of the castle-like villa, not for sightseeing, but to increase their familiarity with each other.

It wasn't until lunchtime that Mu Li led Zhou Wang to a restaurant located on the basement level, which featured a sunken, independent outdoor view.

Upon arrival, Huang Duming and Xiao Wang were led to a side hall for a meal, while Gao Xing stood silently in a corner.

"Does Mr. Zhou have a habit of drinking wine before meals?"

After the surroundings quieted down, Mu Li suddenly asked softly.

"If you're having Western food, you can have some."

Zhou Wang glanced at the arrangement on the long dining table and nodded.

Mu Li nodded and smiled, then clapped her hands.

The sound of stiletto heels clicking on the floor rang out. At first, Zhou Wang thought it was one of the girls who had been following Mu Li. It wasn't until the distinctly fresh scent of perfume wafted into his nose that Zhou Wang realized something was amiss.

Zhou Wang looked up and saw a tall girl carrying a tray in front of him. Her face was pure yet alluring, somewhat like a perfect blend of Bai Feifei and Li Nuoyi, but she was a cut above them both. She was a stunning beauty who could attract countless eyes wherever she went.

Her features were slightly deep-set, her eyelashes were long and curved, and her pupils were an amber color, which is not common among Asians... She was a mixed-race girl.

Coincidentally, Zhou Wang had seen her before in the dance studio, where she was standing in the center during rehearsals.

Zhou Wang glanced at her a few more times, mainly because her aloof demeanor reminded him of his senior.

She had changed into a dress, still white, but with a more sophisticated design. Zhou Wang's gaze involuntarily fell on her exposed, almost perfect right-angled shoulders. The fair and tender texture seemed like a gift from heaven, and the lines were exquisitely beautiful.

"Is tequila okay? Don't worry, Mr. Zhou, it's cleaner than you think."

At this moment, Mu Li suddenly asked from the side.

Zhou Wang was a little confused, wondering why drinking alcohol could be associated with the word "clean," but he assumed Mu Li was talking about hygiene, so he nodded.

The next second, the tall, mixed-race girl put down the tray, picked up one of the small bowls containing white salt, and then lightly flicked some of it towards her shoulder blade.

While Zhou Wang was still in a daze, the girl put a slice of lemon on her luscious, glistening lips. Then she picked up the bottle, tilted her body slightly, and pointed the bottle at her fair shoulder, slowly pouring out a pool of dark green liquid...

Only then did the girl, her cheeks slightly flushed, take a step forward, bringing her fair, butterfly-wing-like shoulder blades close to Zhou Wang's face, letting her emerald lips touch his mouth, and whisper:

"Please, Mr. Zhou... sample the wine."

(End of this chapter)