During the course of three days, nothing particularly unexpected happened. The Zhao family did not come looking for trouble, and Li Zhi and Dong Xiaorou remained unscathed. It's unclear whether Zhuge Meili's influence played a role behind the scenes or if Zhao Sihai simply didn't consider the two of them significant. Nevertheless, this did little to ease anyone's mind.
There's always a sense of calm before the storm.
Li Zhi spent half a day at the "Number 5 Fishing Port," temporarily leaving the factory in the hands of "Little Master" Yiqiu Shuang. He needed to purchase raw materials and sell fish balls every day, and the lack of personal assistance was indeed inconvenient.
The net profit of a pound of cod fish balls could be maintained at eight dollars, and the net daily income of the primary fish ball manufacturing plant was forty-eight thousand US dollars.
As for whether more profit could be obtained, Li Zhi temporarily didn't have the energy to focus all his time on this. For now, he would set aside the company's accounts and revisit the specifics later.
In the evening, Li Zhi made plans to have dinner with Dong Yingsnow, and she did not object.
At the noodle shop, Dong Yingsnow ordered a bowl of braised noodles.
The location was chosen by Dong Yingsnow, and the braised noodles were her request. She said that in the summer, she most enjoyed eating braised noodles more than anything else.
"Do you not like noodles?" Dong Yingsnow asked Li Zhi as they sat facing each other.
"I do!" Li Zhi touched his nose and said with a wry smile, "If your teammates were to find out that the dignified Miss Dong is out on a dinner date with a man, and they discover that you chose to eat braised noodles, I wonder what they would think!"
Dong Yingsnow nonchalantly replied, "What's wrong with eating braised noodles? Some people enjoy Western food, some prefer barbecue, and I happen to have a liking for braised noodles." "It's all about personal taste." "Why force others to be the same as you?"
"Exactly, only you know if the shoe fits," Li Zhi nodded with a smile.
Dong Yingsnow calmly said, "Zhao Sihai's son, Zhao Xinyang, has become incapacitated." Did you know?
Li Zhi was taken aback and asked in surprise, "He didn't die?"
"Do you really wish for him to die?" Dong Yingsnow gave him a reproachful look.
Li Zhi chuckled and said, "It's not that." "It's just that your cousin said Zhao Xinyang was bound to die, and now he's become a vegetable."
Dong Yingsnow said softly, "There are also reports that Zhao Xinyang is already brain dead, beyond saving."
Brain dead?
Good grief!
"Did Zhuge Meili tell you about this?" Li Zhi asked. He still hadn't quite figured out the relationship between Zhuge Meili and Dong Yingsnow. He felt that with Dong Yingsnow's strong personality, she couldn't possibly listen to everything Zhuge Meili said. However, Zhuge Meili's demeanor, though she seemed perpetually young, was quite assertive and did not tolerate refusal.
"She mentioned some things, but you don't need to worry about it," Dong Yingsnow nodded. She was referring to the purple aura surrounding Li Zhi, indicating that she wouldn't ask anything of him.
Li Zhi pondered for a moment and asked quietly, "Who did Zhuge Meili assign to deal with Zhao Sihai? Can they truly control him?"
"I don't know!" Dong Yingsnow hesitated and shook her head. "Although Zhao Xinyang's death doesn't have much to do with you, it may not be the same in the minds of the Zhao family." Zhao Sihai has been dominating the business world for decades and is exceptionally influential. Some things may not completely influence him, even if others intervene. "At his age, with one foot already in the grave, he may not care about many things anymore!"
"Zhao Sihai may not care, but what about the Zhao family?" "Zhao Sihai can't possibly only think of himself; after all, he's not an only child, right?" Li Zhi smiled and showed his open-mindedness. Even if Zhao Sihai had one foot in the grave, he would still have to contemplate breaking free from the net and risking death if he wished to.
If he died, the Zhao family would still be around, and he wasn't a lone wolf!
Dong Yingsnow understood what Li Zhi meant and said calmly, "You're quite open-minded." Although Zhao Sihai may not directly confront you, there is no guarantee that he will not take action behind the scenes. Zhao Sihai may give face, at least on the surface, but behind the scenes, no one can be sure. If Zhao Sihai doesn't get his way, he may resort to underhanded tactics. "Until we catch him in the act, we can't say much."
"Understood!" Li Zhi smiled and said, "As long as that old fox doesn't confront us directly, we just need to be more cautious in secret!"
"If things don't work out, you should go stay at Bingxin Automobile Factory for a while," Dong Yingsnow reminded Li Zhi.
There were hundreds of employees at Bingxin Automobile Factory. If Li Zhi stayed there, even if Zhao Sihai wanted to make a move, he wouldn't find an opportunity.
As Li Zhi mentioned, Zhao Sihai might not go as far as hiring a hitman for the sake of Zhao Xinyang. Even if he did, he would have to find a way to cover it up.
Flattery goes a long way, and respect is mutual. Since someone has spoken up for Li Zhi and Dong Xiaorou, it indicates that this person holds influence. If they were lightweights, they wouldn't be able to suppress Zhao Sihai.
After dinner, with time still early, Dong Yingsnow didn't feel like going to the movies or KTV after a tiring day at work. After a busy day, all she wanted to do after dinner was to take a shower, lie down in bed, and do nothing else.
The two of them took a stroll in the park, and before ten o'clock in the evening, Dong Yingsnow said she wanted to go home. That night, Li Zhi didn't even dare to hold her hand.
"Are you my girlfriend now?" Li Zhi asked Dong Yingsnow as he escorted her to the entrance of his building, grinning playfully.
Dong Yingsnow looked at him and suddenly smiled, "Have you sorted out your relationships with those women?" "And before you answer, I'm going in," she said, opening the car door, waving at him, and then walking into the building.
"I don't really have deep relationships with those other women!" Li Zhi muttered to himself, shaking his head with a wry smile. How could he sort out that kind of relationship? Everyone else was easy to explain, but what about Dong Xiaorou?
Should he let that little demoness go?
Li Zhi couldn't bear it!
In the span of three days, the Zhao family had ample time to thoroughly investigate Li Zhi and Dong Xiaorou. However, Zhao Sihai chose not to take direct action against them. Someone who couldn't be ignored by Zhao Sihai called and said that children and grandchildren have their own destinies, and at their age, they should have gained wisdom about the world. They should be clear about what they can and cannot do, and they should consider the consequences before taking action.
There were threats and persuasion, but the threats were more prominent.
Zhao Sihai was indeed a tycoon in Haicheng, but the city was not his only domain!
Tolerance?
He had it, but at his age, he still talked about tolerance. He only wanted to enjoy his remaining years in peace and didn't want to meddle in outside affairs. But just because he didn't want to meddle, it didn't mean that things would necessarily avoid him. When it came to the life and death of his son, others naturally had something to say.
"If you want someone to suffer, it doesn't necessarily mean they have to die." No matter who it is, my son needs someone to accompany him. "He's my own son..."
On the recliner, Zhao Sihai's face showed signs of aging, but his eyes were sharp.
"Have someone take over the opponent's company before taking action," Zhao Sihai's eyes held a cold gaze. He might not move against the two young people today, but that didn't mean he wouldn't do so tomorrow.
The face also had a time limit.
"Don't use unofficial means; handle business matters in the business world." "I, Zhao Sihai, have been in the business world for decades, and even in my old age, I don't want to be a laughingstock!" Zhao Sihai waved his hand, closed his eyes, and said, "Go!"
The business world is like a battlefield.
Although there might not be gunpowder, there certainly wouldn't be a lack of bloodshed.
A week passed without any commotion from the Zhao family, and Li Zhi and Dong Xiaorou did not encounter any unexpected incidents.
"Dong Xiaorou, can we go to Japan now?" Li Zhi sat in Dong Xiaorou's office, with his legs propped up on her desk, leisurely asking with a smile.
Dong Xiaorou walked over, circled around the chair, and placed her hand on Li Zhi's shoulder, gently massaging it. Leaning down, she asked, "I don't understand why you're so eager to send me to Japan." The cooperation intentions with Da Zhiming Fisheries Company are unclear, and it doesn't seem to matter much whether I go or not!
"No!" Li Zhi groaned in discomfort and said earnestly, "Collaborating with Da Zhiming Fisheries Company is just one facet." The other aspect is the market in the island country. "I believe that the future expansion of 'Happy Fish Balls' will be crucial in the island country market."
After a brief pause, he smiled and continued, "Do you remember what I told you before?" We need to broaden our horizons and not limit ourselves to one city or place. Our world is vast, and Haicheng cannot confine us. By venturing out, we can see farther!
Dong Xiaorou was momentarily stunned. Since Li Zhi had his back to her, she couldn't see what was going through his mind.
"Alright, I'll go to Japan and help you expand your territory." "But what about the situation in Haicheng?" Dong Xiaorou said softly.
Li Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Leave the processing plant in Yutou Island Village to Xiao Hei, and as for the people you brought over, you know better than I do whether they're reliable." Please bring Xiao Qing back to the Yutou Island Village processing plant and appoint her as the head of the finance department. If she's not capable, find a place for her to learn.
"I'm not too worried about the situation at the factory, but what about the situation in the city?" "This is our foundation, and we can't afford to make any mistakes!" Dong Xiaorou said.
"Find a professional agent!" Li Zhi smiled and said, "Happy Fish Balls is already a company, and even if you're not around, it won't collapse."
"In that case, after visiting Japan, you can establish a branch of 'Happy Fish Balls' and expand beyond Haicheng." Even if the Zhao family wants to cause trouble, they probably won't be able to reach us using the Su family's name. Su Xiaorou's abilities are also superior to mine, and in her hands, 'Happy Fish Balls' can develop even faster!" Dong Xiaorou said.
Li Zhi reached out and pulled Dong Xiaorou over, allowing her to sit on his lap. The feeling of her softness made him react instinctively. In the summer, everyone's clothing was minimal, except for professional attire; they only wore a pair of stockings underneath.
Dong Xiaorou blushed and struggled to get up, but Li Zhi held her in place, not letting her move.
"Don't move, we're discussing serious matters!" Li Zhi scolded in a low voice with a stern face.
Dong Xiaorou hesitated and didn't struggle, saying with a straight face, "Boss, the office door isn't closed, and someone could come in at any time!"
Li Zhi chuckled and patted her on the buttocks, saying, "What are you afraid of? I'm in charge here, and who dares to gossip!"
Dong Xiaorou rolled her eyes, feeling somewhat helpless. "Is this what you call a serious matter?"