Courtyard House: A Start with Black Gold Swallowing 100,000 Silver Dollars

Li Guoshu knew perfectly well that anyone would think that way in this situation... The girl had already given herself to him, so if they were really going to talk about marriage, he was definitely the first person who should be put on the agenda.

But he simply doesn't have the time to seriously date right now. This afternoon, Li Jiayu led seven or eight young people from his clan to his door, where they finalized several business deals around a few tables: the other party would build connections and pave the way, while he would provide the capital and handle the implementation. The process of going through the formalities, signing contracts, and getting approvals will keep him busy for quite some time.

As for the evenings... I actually do have some free time.

"This matter?"

"I?"

Li Guoshu's throat was dry, and before he could finish speaking, he mumbled two incoherent words.

Wang Tingxi narrowed her eyes, not smiling, but her tone was barbed: "What? You're turning your back on me after it's all over?"

"Hehe, that's not what I meant... it's just..."

He paused, swallowing the rest of his sentence, "It felt too fast."

"Meeting the parents already?"

"We haven't even had a proper date yet, what do you think?"

It's all about dragging things out, no matter what.

"I'm just asking you to come home with me for a meal and meet my parents. I'm not forcing you to get a marriage certificate on the spot, so what's the rush?"

Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, curved like willow leaves; she wasn't fierce, but she was intimidating.

"Or... do you think I'm not good enough for you?"

"How could that be!" Li Guoshu quickly waved his hand. "You're beautiful and have a good personality. Otherwise, I would have avoided you long ago. How could I possibly... you know?"

He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was clear.

"I was thinking that when it comes to meeting the parents, we should spend some time together first, until we're both ready to go, so it doesn't seem rushed. What do you think?"

"No," she answered decisively. "Tomorrow night at six, at my house."

She had already spoken with her parents, and the meal was all prepared. Break her promise? Wang Tingxi wouldn't do such a thing.

"There's a drinking party at the factory tomorrow night, I can't cancel it," Li Guoshu tried to decline.

"I'm staying tonight." She stared straight at him. "Come home for dinner tomorrow night, okay?"

The two weren't actually that close, and there wasn't much of a bond between them. Forcing him to go might result in him getting a long face and refusing to talk when he got home, which would be awkward; using force might even backfire. It would be better to offer him a little incentive to get him to agree.

Li Guoshu's gaze swept over her black hair that fell over her shoulders and the lines of her fitted shirt. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he already had his answer in his heart.

"Okay, I'll reschedule the one at the factory." He sat up straight, adopting a businesslike demeanor.

"Tch..." Wang Tingxi snorted lightly, "No man is easy to deal with."

"Tingxi, let's go eat first."

This time he didn't order any alcohol, just two glasses of orange juice.

The following evening, Xu Damao and Wang Hanli met in a private room on the second floor of the teahouse.

"Mr. Xu, I've heard so much about you."

"Mr. Wang, you're too kind."

Qin Youzhi was the face of the tape factory promoted by Li Jiacheng, while the man in front of him, Xu Damao, was in his early forties, with his hair neatly combed back, his dark blue suit perfectly pressed, and his white pointed leather shoes shining brightly. There was no ostentation in his every move, but rather a calm and capable air about him... He was clearly someone who had truly managed things and seen it all.

Wang Hanli knew in his heart: this person must be the real owner of the electronics store.

"Mr. Xu, I am a Chinese American. I've come to ask for your help." He maintained a composed demeanor, his smile calm and sincere.

"Oh? I'd like to hear more about it."

These days, having a foreign investment label carries a different weight. Especially for those in the investment promotion department, they dare not be slighted in their etiquette.

"I run a refrigerator factory in the United States, under the brand name 'Venus'. The entire production line is based there, using American standards. From materials to design to ease of use, everything is geared towards the high-end market. I'd like to use your network of ten appliance stores to stock our products."

Xu Damao listened and nodded slightly.

People are buying into this now... Even if it's just a label on something from the US, it sells for 200 yuan more than domestic products. Not to mention the goods that are actually shipped from there; just the words "original import" are enough to make customers' hands drop without hesitation when they pay.

He was tempted.

If you're not opening an electronics store to make money, what's the point?

Besides, this refrigerator is priced at three thousand, which is five hundred more than the two thousand five sold by Li Guoshu and his team. They're not competing for the same customers at all. With the price difference there, he doesn't need to worry about whose connections are stronger; he just needs to do the math.

If the price is fixed, he'll turn around and leave without saying a word.

He has to curry favor with Li Jiayu and Li Guoshu.

The Li family's power is undeniable; Xu Damao's rise to where he is today is solely due to clinging to their coattails. Let go? Only a madman would do that.

"Venus...what's the cost price per unit?"

"Three thousand." Wang Hanli held up three fingers.

Xu Damao quickly went through the calculations in his mind: 3,900 yuan for a gross profit of 900 yuan, a 30% net profit. Sounds safe.

"Let's start with a hundred units for trial sales. If they sell well, I'll place an additional order."

Transaction.

Quality? Design? He didn't ask in detail.

It's made in the US, what's there to doubt?

That place is the world's number one superpower; you can trust anything it produces without question.

The benefit of years of promotion is that everyone implicitly believes that anything associated with the "United States" is high-end, reliable, and presentable.

"It's a pleasure working with you."

"It's a pleasure working with you."

The two wine glasses clinked gently, the red wine swirled but didn't spill.

In the eyes of a businessman, the greatest sincerity is the prospect of making a profit.

Of course, if Xu Damao knew that Wang Hanli's son, Wang Tingwei, was secretly competing with Li Jiayu and Li Guoshu... he would never sit here and raise this glass of wine.

Chapter VII

Xu Damao was unaware that Wang Tingwei had offended Li Jiayu, and Li Jiayu had no intention of revealing it.

"Mr. Xu is from Beijing and has extensive connections and resources. I wonder if there's any way to introduce me? I'd like to get my refrigerators into the Beijing market."

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became more lively, and Wang Hanli took the opportunity to speak.

He had not yet received a reply from the salesman sent to the north, so he was unaware that... Xu Damao had already opened ten appliance stores in Beijing.

"Haha, Mr. Wang, you've really come to the right person this time!" Xu Damao put down his wine glass, laughing heartily. "To be honest, I do have ten stores in Beijing, and business has always been very stable. Let me sell your refrigerators for a while, and then I'll see how the sales and feedback are before deciding whether to expand into Beijing."

Wang Hanli's eyes lit up. If they could really use Xu Damao's channels to enter Beijing, sales would definitely take a leap forward.

"Don't worry, Mr. Xu. Venus products are imported directly from the United States. They are of excellent quality and have consistently ranked number one in market feedback."

"You'll have priority in ordering then."

"Hehe, then I'll wait for your good news."

Xu Damao raised his glass and lightly clinked it against his, the rim of the glass lifting slightly.

He didn't mention that he also had an electronics store in the northern provincial capital... that was a trump card he was keeping for future price negotiations.

Xu Damao is always shrewd and accurate in his business dealings. Except for the Li family, he never hesitates to negotiate with others.

After signing the letter of intent, Wang Hanli returned to his suburban villa with a light step and immediately asked Wang Tingwei to prepare the sales contract.

"Dad! We got a reply from the North!" Wang Tingwei shouted as he entered the door. "Guomao Electronics City has branches in every provincial capital, and even in several sub-provincial cities. Roughly speaking, Guomao alone has branches in a dozen or twenty key cities in the North, with ten stores in each city, totaling one hundred and fifty or sixty stores!"

He spoke rapidly, his eyes shining.

If all these stores were to go online with Venus, it would be like stepping into half of the northern market.

How could sales be bad?

Wang Hanli was shocked. He had thought Guomao was at most a regional player, but he hadn't expected it to have penetrated so deeply.

After the initial surprise, they were eager to try it out.

As long as Xu Damao is kept on the hook, we can bypass the underground supplier in Beijing and get the refrigerators directly to the end consumers... Once the channels are open, the money will naturally flow in.

He almost burst out laughing if his son hadn't been there.

As for why Xu Damao didn't mention anything about the plans for other cities, he knew perfectly well: either he would lower the price, or he would wait and see. It was their first meeting, and neither of them was in a hurry to reveal their hand.

In the evening, Li Guoshu drove Wang Tingxi to the compound of the government office.

She glanced at the back seat, which was empty, and asked, "Have you brought all the gifts?"

"It's all prepared," Li Guoshu replied crisply. "Cigarettes, tea, and wine are all in the trunk."

"I still know my limits."

He comes from a distinguished family, and etiquette is ingrained in his bones.

Wang Tingxi turned to the side: "You're here to meet my parents later. You're here to pursue me, not to go through the motions. Be sincere, speak warmly, and don't let them think you're not interested."

"Understood." He nodded, his right hand sliding down from the steering wheel and gently resting on her thigh.

She frowned slightly but didn't flinch.

I'm almost home and don't want to cause trouble. I already gave him away; let bygones be bygones.

"It depends on your performance." Her tone was indifferent, like an official document, or a test question.

Li Guoshu's mind raced: being too direct seemed frivolous, while being too vague risked missing an opportunity. Perhaps he should first make a show of it... just in case she actually offered some incentive? If all else failed, he could stop by the Holiday Inn after the dinner; if she seemed reluctant, it would be a natural progression.

A perfunctory response? Absolutely not.

He gripped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes darkening.

The car pulled into the courtyard. Li Guoshu picked up three gift bags and followed Wang Tingxi into the building.

Wang Hancheng opened the door.

"Hello, Uncle." Li Guoshu greeted him with a polite smile and upright posture.

"Hey, good! You're a strong young man!" Wang Hancheng reached out to help him up. "Come in and sit down."

My first impression was of an entrepreneur, and my second impression was of his physique and demeanor... not something that could be cultivated by an ordinary family.

The sound of a spatula clattering in the kitchen rang out, and Lu Wanchan came out wiping her hands: "Oh my, is this Xiaoxi's boyfriend?"

The moment she saw Li Guoshu, her face lit up with a smile, and her previous concerns vanished on the spot.

"Hello, Auntie, I'm sorry to bother you while you're cooking."

"No problem, no problem!" She waved her hand. "We're just one dish away from eating, time to eat." Then she went back into the kitchen.

Wang Tingxi also went in to help.

"Girl, this young man is alright." Lu Wanchan smiled as she chopped vegetables. "He looks very mature and reliable."

"Mom, it's not even close to being settled yet," Wang Tingxi said, but her hands deftly began peeling garlic cloves.

"Heh..." Lu Wanchan smiled without saying a word.

In her view, once the person is led in and both parties are satisfied, the matter is considered settled... The next step is to visit each other's parents and choose a date.

Have you mentioned our family situation to him?

"Just say Dad works at the municipal government office."

"oh……"

Soon, the four men sat down and opened a bottle of Moutai. After a few rounds of drinks, Wang Hancheng raised his glass and naturally turned the conversation to Li Guoshu.