Arranged marriage, love blossoms; a fiercely devoted soldier dotes on her alone.

As night fell,

At the entrance of Anxiang Tea Restaurant.

Xiao Zhan gave Deng Ying a thumbs up and said, "No wonder your tea restaurant is so successful. It turns out you did a lot of research beforehand. You never fight a battle you can't win."

"Quickly share your experience with me so that I, a self-taught businessman, can learn from you."

Deng Ying was overjoyed by Xiao Zhan's praise. What could be more joyful than being recognized by the one you love?

Deng Ying's face beamed with joy. As an overseas returnee entrepreneur, it was something to be proud of that her entrepreneurial experience was recognized by others.

Seeing Xiao Zhan's humble attitude in seeking her advice, Deng Ying wanted to demonstrate her self-worth in front of her Zhan-gege (brother Zhan).

Furthermore, Deng Ying is not a pretentious person. Having grown up in a large family, she has always been outstanding.

So she spoke eloquently: "Actually, the business world is like a battlefield, except it's a battlefield without gunpowder. In the ups and downs of the business world, it's a battle of strength, but also full of deceit and treachery. In the end, only those with both strength and wisdom can prevail."

Xiao Zhan nodded in approval.

Deng Ying continued, "The business world is like a battlefield. Both require the courage to win in a close contest. Business competition and battlefield battles are endless. Both the market and the battlefield are unpredictable. Only by adapting to the environment and the market can a company remain invincible."

"For a business model to develop rapidly, it must change, which means having an innovative mindset and ability. A business model that remains unchanged will perish. The market competition is too fierce now, and many business opportunities are fleeting. Only a few people who are good at discovering business opportunities and can seize them can break through the encirclement and rise to success."

"The business world, like a battlefield, operates on the brutal law of competition: survival of the fittest. Therefore, for a company to thrive, it must be innovative and unique, and it must prioritize quality for survival."

"The business world is like a battlefield. You must know yourself and your enemy to win every battle. You also need to seize the opportunity and strike first. By the time others follow suit and imitate, I have already made my first pot of gold and started looking for the next business opportunity. This is my way of doing business."

"Clap clap clap!"

Xiao Zhan clapped his hands and said, "Insightful! Impressive, my sister! No wonder you're a returned overseas PhD. Your rich theoretical knowledge, unique and unconventional business model, combined with practical case experience, is the only secret to your company's success."

Deng Ying was flattered by Xiao Zhan's praise and said with a hint of pride, "Brother Zhan, I plan to list Anxiang Tea Restaurant on the A-share market within three years. To be honest, I have already secured a $100 million angel investment in the first round."

Xiao Zhan was secretly delighted upon hearing this.

This is exactly the effect he wanted.

In fact, Xiao Zhan inquired about Deng Zhi's situation by chatting with Deng Ying.

You can't just ask directly, can you?

That would not only alert Deng Zhi, but Deng Ying would also likely refuse on the grounds that she didn't know or that it was a business secret...

Xiao Zhan feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow and asking, "Angel investment?"

Do you still need other people to invest in you?

Deng Ying smiled coquettishly and said, "Hehehe, why don't I need other people's investment?"

Xiao Zhan pretended to be puzzled and said, "With the Deng family's strength and your elder brother's strength, a hundred million US dollars investment is just a drop in the ocean. If you take a hundred million US dollars investment from someone, you have to give them a corresponding share ratio."

"There's a saying, 'Don't let the good stuff go to outsiders.' Such a great project, such a booming franchise industry—I'm curious, why doesn't Brother Zhi invest in you? Or wouldn't it be better if you and your siblings partnered up to open a franchise?"

Deng Ying still giggled sweetly, "Hehehe, Brother Zhan, there's a saying that even the landlord's family has no surplus grain. You don't know, but my eldest brother is actually in a lot of trouble right now. Several of his large overseas investment projects have suffered heavy losses due to uncontrollable factors."

Xiao Zhan feigned confusion and asked, "Overseas projects? Brother Zhi's business has expanded overseas?"

"That's amazing!"

"I admire you!"

Deng Ying glanced around to make sure no one else was there, then lowered her voice and said, "What are you admiring? Let me tell you, but don't tell anyone else, my older brother bought a diamond mine in Africa. Business was going really well. He had close ties with high-ranking local government officials. But then the local president was suddenly ousted by the military, and the army took over the country. The military leader ordered the permanent closure of the diamond mine. My brother said he invested three or four billion US dollars to build that mine, and it was about to start generating profits, but then it was shut down. Now he's lost everything."

Xiao Zhan exclaimed in surprise, "Wow, is that so? Why didn't Brother Zhi contact the local government? There should have been a cooperation agreement signed back then. If that doesn't work, he could have complained to the United Nations. After all, three or four billion US dollars is no small amount."

"Why!"

Deng Ying sighed and continued, "My brother has been really stressed lately. He's already sent a legal team to Africa to fight the case, but the lawyers say the chances of winning are slim. The new government not only doesn't recognize the old contracts, but also says that the contracts signed back then were illegal and that there are many violations involved. It's so difficult, it's a real headache."

Xiao Zhan: "I see. No wonder when I saw Brother Zhi a few days ago, he seemed to have some kind of struggle between his brows."

"But this amount of money shouldn't be enough to cripple you. Brother Zhi's influence in Beijing is like that of a king. If he says he's second, no one dares to say they're first. Investing you a few hundred million is nothing."

"Why!"

Deng Ying sighed, opened her mouth but swallowed her words, looking like she wanted to say something but couldn't.

Xiao Zhan: "Ying'er, just say what you have to say. Why are you hesitating? Tell me what's wrong, and maybe I can give you some advice. Many hands make light work, and three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang."

Deng Ying looked at Xiao Zhan and said, "It's not that I don't want to tell you, but even if I did, you wouldn't be able to help."

Xiao Zhan sneered, "How do you know I can't help if you don't tell me?"

Deng Ying hesitated for a moment and said, "It's not my problem, it's my brother's problem. There's a saying that when it rains, it pours. My brother's investments in thermal power plants and oil extraction companies in Syria and Afghanistan have been shut down by the local governments. It turns out that these countries have changed presidents. After taking office, the new presidents announced that they would not recognize the previous cooperation agreements, saying that the agreements were unfair. They demanded that the companies be shut down or sold to the local governments. However, the local governments not only offered extremely low prices, but also did not pay in cash. They said they would pay in installments. Who knows how long such a temporary government can last? Maybe it will be replaced in a few months. There is no trust between them."

"My older brother is now in a dilemma, completely overwhelmed."

Xiao Zhan: "I see. That's definitely giving Brother Zhi a headache."

"Beep beep!"

At that moment, a Cullinan stopped in front of the two of them...

There was a Maybach bodyguard car in front and behind.

Deng Ying said, "My brother has arrived."

Looking at the limited edition Cullinan, Xiao Zhan said, "I've heard that Brother Zhi's car is one of a kind in Beijing. Today I finally get to see it for myself. It's high-end, classy, ​​and awesome."

At this moment, the bodyguard opened the car door, and Deng Zhi got out, saying, "Why are you two standing at the door?"

Xiao Zhan stepped forward and said with a smile, "I've been waiting for Brother Zhi to arrive."

Deng Zhi looked at Xiao Zhan and grinned, "Hahaha, Xiao Zhan, you're being a bit glib today!"

"This isn't like you at all."

Xiao Zhan thought to himself, "As expected, that old fox is incredibly cunning."

But he said aloud, "Haha, Brother Zhi really has a good eye. Actually, Ying'er and I were talking about her chain store going public."