"Father, it's too much for you to go in person and confront him."
"Yes, father, I think it's enough for you to let me go with my big brother," Zhao Xueying echoed from the side.
The eldest Zhao Guojian, the second Zhao Guoqiang, and others were also present.
In the Zhao family's old mansion, Zhao Sihai was dressed in a white Tang suit, already prepared, holding a string of exquisite beads in his hand. He looked calmly at his children, feeling somewhat helpless. The Zhao family had many descendants, but only a few could be brought out and utilized, and even fewer could stand independently. Perhaps the youngest daughter, Zhao Xueying, could have helped, but she was too proud and spoiled since childhood. In detail, she was not suited for the business world.
Having been in the business world for fifty years, he had seen many ups and downs. As he grew older, it was expected that his mindset would become more peaceful, allowing him to enjoy his remaining years without getting easily angered. The worldly affairs should have been left behind long ago. After all, it's rare for someone to live past seventy, and he was almost eighty years old. What else was there that he couldn't see through?
Originally, Zhao Sihai also thought so. He gradually began to delegate responsibilities and handed over the company to a few of his children to manage. His intention was to stay in the old mansion and live a peaceful life for a few years.
That was what he thought, but when the time came for him to relinquish his power, his reluctance clouded his judgment. Was he getting old?
Zhao Sihai thought he was still fine. In fact, being in his seventies was not considered old. If he could live to be a hundred, he still had more than twenty years left. The Zhao family was wealthy, and naturally, Zhao Sihai did not want to die. With technology becoming more advanced, couldn't he live for another fifty years?
There is a saying, "A treasured sword does not age," and similarly, there is another saying, "To be old and not die is to be a thief."
As he aged, his fear of death grew stronger. So, Zhao Sihai officially handed over the family's business to his children to manage, but in reality, he still secretly controlled the power. He couldn't bear to let go.
Zhao Xinyang was the youngest son who was beloved by Zhao Sihai. It was painful to witness the younger generation passing away before the older generation. Zhao Sihai was indeed heartbroken, sad, and distressed, but the deed had already been done, and there was no use in dwelling on his emotions. If it meant sacrificing his own life to save his son's, would Zhao Sihai agree?
No, absolutely not!
He, Zhao Sihai, had not lived enough yet!
Although he was old, his heart was young.
The woman and the young man whom Zhao Sihai had seen in the hospital that day did not evoke much resentment from him. Even the woman, who was the mastermind behind his son's condition, and the young man who had pointed at him and cursed him, it had been many years since someone had dared to curse him to his face.
In the midst of anger, Zhao Sihai also felt the hidden vitality within him. The best way to motivate a person is to give them an enemy to fight against.
Fighting against the heavens brings endless joy, fighting against the earth brings endless joy, and fighting against people brings endless joy.
Zhao Sihai wanted to kill Li Zhi, and it seemed like an easy task. Even if someone wanted to protect him, Zhao Sihai still had a thousand and ten thousand ways to kill him. At his age, he no longer cared about anything. There were only two choices: to do or not to do. If he killed Li Zhi, how would others treat an old man who was about to be buried?
But then again, what benefit would it bring to Zhao Sihai if he killed Li Zhi?
On the contrary, letting this young man live was the most beneficial thing for Zhao Sihai, especially enjoying watching him bounce around everywhere.
If he could utilize Li Zhi to regain public attention, he would achieve his goal.
Zhao Sihai really liked a song titled "Borrowing Another Five Hundred Years from the Heavens." He also wished to live for another five hundred years. Although he was almost eighty years old, he felt that his mind was becoming younger and younger.
Only when he completely regained control of the Zhao family's business could he afford to invest a significant amount of money in purchasing and researching longevity and life-extending drugs and technologies.
Even towards his own biological children, Zhao Sihai no longer trusted them as much. Only he knew what was in his heart. When Zhao Sihai heard that Li Zhi had opened a restaurant named "Falling Star Tower" across from the Star Moon Bay Hotel, he felt that his opportunity might have arrived.
He didn't want to wait any longer, and he didn't have much time left to wait.
"No need to say more; my mind is made up." Guojian, please stay at the company. Xueying, come with me. Ah Hu, let's go!" Zhao Sihai walked toward the Zhao family's old mansion.
He wanted to personally see what this young man was capable of, daring to challenge the Zhao family. In fact, the concept of transforming a "Happy Fish Ball" into a "Smiling Fish Ball" was Zhao Sihai's original idea. Although he still controlled the rights of the companies under the Zhao family, in recent years, several women have also taken on management roles in some companies, diminishing the effectiveness of his authority.
As the saying goes, "The emperor's mind changes with the minister." Many of Zhao Sihai's former subordinates had retired, and those who remained were no longer involved in the company's affairs.
More importantly, Zhao Sihai's idea was crazy. He wanted to use the Zhao family's money to find a way to extend his life, even if it meant sacrificing the entire Zhao family. Why should he care about others' willingness to sacrifice?
After all, the entire Zhao family's business was built by Zhao Sihai himself. Why should he care about others' willingness to sacrifice? In the end, Zhao Sihai wanted to live and did not want to become a pile of dust!
No one in the entire Zhao family understood Zhao Sihai's thoughts. Although Zhao Sihai had not been going out much in recent years, he had never given up on health preservation. He actively pursued healthcare by inviting Daoist masters to teach him breathing techniques and seeking out experts to instruct him in the art of longevity without interruption.
His body was no longer functioning, but he wanted to persevere. Without this aging body, how could he talk about longevity? Despite being in his seventies, he had a ruddy complexion and bright eyes, not at all like an old man, but more like a vigorous middle-aged man.
After getting into the car, Zhao Sihai began to relax, and Zhao Xueying sat beside him. Speaking from the heart, even though she was Zhao Sihai's biological daughter, she harbored a sense of resistance and avoided being alone with him, especially when their eyes met. She seemed to perceive some kind of malice in him.
Ah Hu was an orphan adopted by Zhao Sihai in his middle age and could be considered a half-adopted son. He had been sent away for a while, but half a year ago, Zhao Sihai called Ah Hu back and appointed him as his full-time driver. Does an elderly man who rarely leaves his home need a designated driver?
Although his descendants were very surprised, since Zhao Sihai had spoken, no one dared to ask.
Compared to Zhao Sihai's descendants, Ah Hu understood him better.
As for the Falling Star Tower, let's discuss Li Zhi later.
After eating to satisfy his hunger, he no longer felt famished. As he emerged from the kitchen, he noticed Huang Pangzi coming down from upstairs, flanked by two waiters!
The waitresses that Li Zhi had "recruited" were all beautiful women, more than qualified to be models at a car show, let alone serving as waitresses.
"Boss, you finally came!" Li Zhi exclaimed with a smile, "Would the Falling Star Tower not have opened for business without me?" "What were you doing upstairs?"
Huang Pangzi squinted his eyes and said, "I was checking the hygiene standards. I was concerned about their hygiene standards, so I went to check it again."
The staff had already been arranged on the second and third floors, with ten people on each floor, and the waiters were assigned to specific floors.
Meng Ruping was entertaining guests downstairs.
"Checking hygiene?" Li Zhi looked at him with a half-smile and said, "Huang Pangzi, don't blame me for not warning you." Even a rabbit doesn't eat grass near its burrow. "If you dare to make a move on the beautiful women of our Falling Star Tower, don't blame me for dealing with you."
"Hehe, how could that be!" Huang Pangzi laughed awkwardly.
Li Zhi also stopped there. Besides managing and controlling himself, he also had to practice self-discipline. Free love was not a problem, and the law did not restrict it. Li Zhi's intention was to prevent Huang Pangzi from causing trouble and creating chaos.
"No problem, let's do it as you said." It's a matter of treating people differently, and we're not begging anyone to come. Remember, the ingredients in our Falling Star Tower are top-notch globally. "If you want to taste success, you need not only money but also luck."
Li Zhi suddenly thought of something and said, "From today onwards, local residents in Haicheng will not be charged a service fee." People from this province who come to dine will be charged a 20% service fee, while those from other parts of the country will be charged a 50% service fee. For international guests, an additional service fee three times the standard rate will be applied. Put up a sign at the entrance in the most prominent place.
Huang Pangzi was taken aback. "Boss, is it a good idea for us to do this?"
Li Zhi said nonchalantly, "It's fine." What's wrong with it? It's about treating people differently, and we're not begging anyone to come. Remember, the ingredients in our Falling Star Tower are top-notch globally. "If you want to taste success, you need not only money but also luck."
Li Zhi smiled and said, "In addition, starting now, we will randomly select ten generous and fortunate individuals from this city and invite them to dine at our restaurant." Random selection with no age, gender, or occupation restrictions. They can work as sanitation workers, taxi drivers, or even beggars. The selection criteria are based on professional ethics, humanity, and kindness. We don't need to choose affluent individuals; they can come and dine on their own. Every day, I will treat ten randomly selected lucky individuals!
"Ten people?" Huang Pangzi said with concern. "Boss, isn't that too many?" "If the average consumption per person is five thousand, we'll need fifty thousand a day, which amounts to one and a half million a month."
Fate? Is it important?
Li Zhi smiled and said, "Just do as I said." Ten people a day, not too many, not too few. "I can afford that amount, and I'll also reserve a table exclusively for generous and fortunate individuals, so they can come and dine at any time!"
Fate, sometimes, is very important! Only kind people can connect with the Falling Star Tower. Li Zhi's initial idea did not stem from any noble cause. Upon reflection, he aspired to offer regular, kind-hearted individuals the opportunity to enjoy high-quality cuisine.
After thinking about it, he added, "Furthermore, beginning today, we will randomly choose ten generous and fortunate individuals from this city to join us for a meal at our restaurant." Random selection with no age, gender, or occupation restrictions. They can work as sanitation workers, taxi drivers, or even beggars. The selection criteria are based on professional ethics, humanity, and kindness. We don't need to select wealthy individuals; they can come and dine on their own. Every day, I will treat ten randomly selected lucky individuals!
"Ten people?" Huang Pangzi said with concern. "Boss, isn't that too many?" "If the average consumption per person is five thousand, we'll need fifty thousand a day, which amounts to one and a half million a month."
Fate? Is it important?
Li Zhi smiled and said, "Just do as I said. Ten people a day, not too many, not too few." "I can afford that amount, and I'll also reserve a table exclusively for generous and fortunate individuals, so they can come and dine at any time!"
Fate, sometimes, is very important! Only kind people can connect with the Falling Star Tower. Li Zhi's initial idea did not stem from any noble cause. Upon reflection, he aspired to offer ordinary, kind-hearted individuals the opportunity to enjoy high-quality cuisine.