The Rich Man's Life Begins with a Comeback

Chapter 327 Hongqi Brand Operation Committee (4k)

The aroma of tea wafts through the air inside the lounge.

Gu Heng sat at the head of the long table, with Deng Zhihong and Oscar sitting opposite him.

Deng Zhihong examined the ink dragon covered bowl made by Yilintang in his hand. After a moment, he put the bowl down and looked slightly enlightened: "So that's why Chairman Gu was spending money so lavishly in Zhonghai last year. It turns out it was to decorate his own 'happy house'."

"The area is a bit small."

"I'm sorry to have made such a fool of myself, Brother Hong and Boss Ka."

Gu Heng skillfully and elegantly poured the freshly brewed Ruiquan Shengjiang tea into servings to Deng Zhihong and Oscar, making it a delightful sight to behold.

"This size is just right; any bigger and it would feel empty."

Oscar handed a freshly lit cigar to Gu Heng and replied with a smile, "What's more, Mr. Gu, the collection in your Happy House—cigarettes, alcohol, tea—is all of the finest quality. Anyone who comes here and takes a look will have to give you a thumbs up."

Bathed in the warm spring sunshine, the three of them sat here enjoying tea and playing with eggplants, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

"Mr. Gu, after delivering this Zilong to you today, I only have the Bugatti Chiron 300+ left to deliver to you. All other vehicles have been delivered."

After a brief chat, Deng Zhihong brought up the important matter: "I've been keeping an eye on that Bugatti Chiron 300+ for you, and it's expected to be delivered to you by the end of September at the latest."

He paused for a moment after saying this.

"Chairman Gu, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Upon hearing this, Gu Heng smiled at Deng Zhihong and said, "Brother Hong, we can just speak our minds to each other. There's no need to talk about whether it's appropriate or not."

"Actually, this matter has nothing to do with me. It's just that someone from Hongqi asked me to invite you to dinner through my connections."

Upon hearing Gu Heng's words, Deng Zhihong immediately stopped being coy.

"You're inviting me to dinner for no reason, there must be something you want to discuss, right?"

Gu Heng raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone becoming somewhat confident.

"I do have a favor to ask, but I'm not quite sure what it is."

Deng Zhihong nodded slightly: "After Chairman Gu returned from Zhonghai last year, didn't he order a Hongqi state gift car from the Hongqi headquarters?"

"As far as I know, the Hongqi state gift customized by Chairman Gu should be the most luxurious among all the Hongqi state gifts that have been ordered. Since the Hongqi state gift was officially launched at the Yanjing Auto Show in April, it has attracted great attention from the outside world."

"In mid-July, the 21st International Auto Expo will be held in your Beichun, so I guess Hongqi wants to take this opportunity to borrow cars from you, Chairman Gu, for exhibition, and then jointly hold a first car delivery ceremony with you, Chairman Gu."

Last year, Gu Heng chose the Hongqi State Gift as his business vehicle for important occasions in the future, between the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Hongqi State Gift.

After returning to Beichun from Zhonghai, Gu Heng rested for a few days before going to the Hongqi headquarters. With Deng Zhihong's connection, the entire car ordering process went very smoothly. Not only did he order the car on the same day, but he also maxed out all the optional features.

The standard version is priced at 770 million, but after Gu Heng's Hongqi state gift car was equipped with options, the total price went straight up to 1500 million.

With its multi-layered composite armor, explosion-proof fuel tank, self-sealing tires, and custom-made interior craftsmanship, Gu Heng's customized Hongqi state gift vehicle can be considered the pinnacle of this model.

Under these circumstances, it's not surprising that Hongqi officials wanted to borrow a car from Gu Heng and jointly organize a first car delivery ceremony with him.

"So that's it."

Gu Heng nodded slightly to indicate that he understood, and then said with a smile, "Want to borrow the car for the exhibition? No problem. Want to use this opportunity to hold the first car delivery ceremony? No problem. But I'd like to know who contacted Brother Hong on the Hongqi official side?"

Upon hearing this, Deng Zhihong's eyes flickered slightly.

He understood the deeper meaning behind Gu Heng's answer.

Want to borrow a car for an exhibition?

you can!

Are they trying to leverage this opportunity to hold a first vehicle delivery ceremony?
That works too!
However, the prerequisite is that the Hongqi official team must find a sufficiently influential person to discuss this matter with, and demonstrate the necessary sincerity and respect.

"Chairman Gu, I understand what you mean."

Deng Zhihong smiled slightly: "The person who called me this time, wanting me to invite Chairman Gu to dinner, is Gao Qi, Assistant General Manager of FAW Group and Vice President of Hongqi Brand Operation Committee. His administrative rank is deputy director-general, and he is only one step away from entering the leadership team."

"Did Brother Hong know him before?"

Gu Heng took a sip of tea and then asked Deng Zhihong again.

"do not know."

Deng Zhihong shook his head and answered truthfully, "However, he should be considered my friend's direct supervisor, which is why he called me directly."

"From this perspective, the Hongqi official team is quite sincere."

"In that case, let's meet and talk."

As a state-owned enterprise at the vice-ministerial level, FAW Group's leadership team members are at least at the department-level, and the highest-ranking leader is at the vice-ministerial level. Whether in terms of administrative rank or the power of their positions, they are no less than Qi Guowei.

For a small matter like borrowing a car for an exhibition to warrant a personal call from a leader of Gao Qi's caliber, it already shows how much importance they place on Gu Heng.

With the Hongqi official showing such sincerity, it would be rather ungrateful of Gu Heng to continue putting on airs.

"Mr. Gu, when would you be available?"

"I'll call them back later and schedule a time with them."

Deng Zhihong was very happy to see Gu Heng agree.

Although the other party called him this time because of Gu Heng, he acted as a go-between and facilitated the matter, so the other party owed him a favor no matter what.

For Deng Zhihong, who is engaged in the high-end automobile trade, a leader who is about to enter the leadership team is definitely a very valuable connection.

"How many days can Brother Hong stay in Beichun?"

Gu Heng did not answer immediately, but instead asked the other party.

When Deng Zhihong heard Gu Heng ask this question, he immediately understood what Gu Heng meant and waved his hand: "Chairman Gu, you don't need to worry about my time. You and President Gao can set a time. I will take care of connecting you."

"How can that be done?"

"Brother Hong, just tell me how many days you can stay."

Gu Heng smiled, but still did not change his original plan.

Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Deng Zhihong felt a warm feeling welling up inside him.

While shrewdness and hypocrisy are lessons every adult must learn, everyone also enjoys dealing with sincere people.

"At most two days, I have to go back the day after tomorrow."

"There's an event in Hangzhou that I need to go there."

After a moment's thought, Deng Zhihong replied to Gu Heng.

Gu Heng immediately said, "I'm free tonight and tomorrow night. Brother Hong, why don't you ask that General Manager Gao when he's available?"

"Row."

"I'll call and ask now."

As Deng Zhihong spoke, he took out his phone and dialed Gao Qi's number. Seeing this, Gu Heng picked up the remote control and paused the music playing from the stereo.

Soon, the call was connected.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they got straight to the point.

The entire call lasted less than two minutes before the two parties ended the conversation.

"Tonight, right?"

While refilling the tea for the two, Gu Heng asked Deng Zhihong a question.

"Correct."

"Six o'clock tonight."

"He'll send the location later."

Deng Zhihong nodded.

I won't go tonight.

"You're discussing serious matters; it wouldn't be appropriate for me to go."

Oscar, worried that Gu Heng would be put in a difficult position, offered not to attend tonight.

"Mr. Ka, you can wander around by yourself for a bit. Hong and I shouldn't be gone too long. We'll call you after we're done, and we can have a drink together."

Whether or not a guest brings other guests is basic social etiquette. Tonight, Gao Qi is the host, so Gu Heng is considered a guest. It's fine for him to bring Deng Zhihong along, since Deng Zhihong is the middleman. However, if he brings Oscar along as well, then it's rather impolite.

"fine."

"You two eat and drink as you please. I have somewhere to go tonight." Oscar chuckled twice and gave the two of them a knowing look.

"Hey kid, wait a minute!"

"You can't eat alone!"

Deng Zhihong got a little anxious and glared at Deng Zhihong.

"Let me scout out the way for you first and see how it goes. How can I eat it all by myself?"

Oscar shrugged and responded confidently.

"With Chairman Gu here, why would you need to scout ahead?"

Deng Zhihong put his arm around Oscar's neck: "Be a good boy and wait for me tonight."

"what……"

"Brother Hong, what you're saying sounds a lot like that old stinky gay guy."

Oscar's feigned disgust nearly made Deng Zhihong so angry he almost lost his temper.

Gu Heng smiled as he watched the two chatting idly. He then interjected, "Brother Hong, Boss Ka, it's only a little past two o'clock. There's still some time before dinner. How about I take you to Tianmu Hot Spring for a bath and let you experience our northern bathing culture?"

"Around six o'clock, Hong and I will go to our dinner appointment. You can stay there for a massage or a spa treatment. By the time you're done, Hong and I should be almost finished eating. Then we'll head straight to Perkins Club."

"Do you two brothers think my arrangement is feasible?"

After Gu Heng finished making his suggestion, his gaze swept over Deng Zhihong and Oscar, his eyes filled with a hint of inquiry.

"I think it's okay!"

"A bath is good, I really need to take a bath!"

Oscar immediately agreed.

"Are you going there just to take a shower?"

"I'm too embarrassed to call you out!"

Deng Zhihong looked at him with a hint of disdain. After he finished talking about Oscar, he turned to Gu Heng with a serious expression and said, "Chairman Gu, I'm different from Oscar. I'm not interested in taking a bath. I think we can fast forward to the massage and spa part!"

Gu Heng was both amused and exasperated by Deng Zhihong and Oscar's behavior.

"As you wish."

"Again."

"It's our own business, so we can do whatever we want with it."

He stood up from his chair, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, glanced down, and then said to the two of them, "It looks like the inspection is almost done. Let's go downstairs, sign the delivery contract, and then take a car directly to Tianmu Hot Spring."

"Walk."

……

Twilight, like a thin veil, gently swept across the city skyline, the orange-yellow afterglow of the setting sun soft and warm.

Gu Heng and Deng Zhihong walked out of Tianmu Hot Spring. The rear door of the pure white Rolls-Royce Phantom had already been opened by Gu Heng's bodyguard, and the two of them got into the car directly.

"Yan Rong Hui."

After the car door closed, Gu Heng gave an instruction to the driver in front, and then turned to look at Deng Zhihong.

"How about it?"

"How does it feel to take a long shower?"

Although Deng Zhihong kept saying he wanted a massage and spa treatment before arriving at Tianmu Hot Spring, once they got there, he followed the two into the bathing area, adhering to the principle of "when in Rome, do as the Romans do."

"It really feels comfortable."

"You bathhouse attendants, your strength and technique are impeccable."

"It not only cleans well, but it also doesn't hurt."

“When I was on business trips in Beijing, I often went to bathhouses with my friends there, but the bathhouse attendants in Beijing are still not as good as the ones here.”

At this point, Deng Zhihong suddenly changed the subject: "However, I may still come to Beichun Bathhouse in the future, but I will never come with you again."

"why?"

Gu Heng was somewhat confused.

"Why did you say?"

Deng Zhihong glanced at Gu Heng's lower body and said in a low voice, "Taking a bath with you is just too humiliating. Is that the size an Asian should have?"

"Brother Hong, take it easy."

Gu Heng sighed and patted Deng Zhihong on the shoulder: "Small ones are cute too."

"Depend on!"

"You're the pervert!"

"I'm a normal person, okay!"

Deng Zhihong couldn't help but swear, his expression slightly annoyed.

There's no way around it; it all depends on who you compare it to.

He would definitely disagree if anyone else said that.

Unfortunately, the gap between him and Gu Heng was simply too large, like the difference between an aircraft carrier and a warship; anyone with eyes could see it.

"Seriously."

"Brother Hong, do any of your friends work on short dramas lately?"

After exchanging a few jokes, Gu Heng asked Deng Zhihong a question.

"how?"

"You're interested in investing in short dramas?"

"I've heard of this industry; it seems to be quite lively lately."

Deng Zhihong was somewhat puzzled: "But as much as it's lively, with your strength, Chairman Gu, you shouldn't care about such meager profits, right?"

“I didn’t intend to make any investments. It’s just that I have a girlfriend who is a college student majoring in vocal music. Recently, she wanted to try making short dramas, and I was thinking of connecting her with some resources so that she could avoid some detours. The industry related to film and television is always murky.”

Gu Heng shook his head and explained the reason to Deng Zhihong truthfully.

Originally, after he told Su Tang about this matter that day, he wanted to contact Su Lei directly. However, the next day he changed his mind and thought that contacting Su Lei for such a small matter would be like using a cannon to kill a mosquito. For resources like Tian Xiwei's, which involve the struggle between multiple forces, it would be more appropriate to ask her to handle it.

The total investment for a short drama ranges from tens of thousands to no more than a million.

This level of investment wouldn't even be enough for Gu Heng's circle to afford a night out with friends, so Gu Heng didn't call Su Lei in the end.

It just so happens that Deng Zhihong flew over today. He is a veteran member of the SSTP Supercar Club and has a complex network of relationships in the Pearl River Delta region. And right now, the Pearl River Delta region is the hottest place for short drama development.

"Oh……"

"So that's it."

"I'll ask around for you tomorrow. I know a lot of people who are starting businesses in the internet industry, and maybe someone is already investing in the short drama industry."

After learning the reason, Deng Zhihong readily agreed.

As for who Gu Heng's girlfriend was, he didn't care at all.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Hong."

"If you really have any resources, please help me get in touch with them."

Gu Heng said with a smile, "No, I'll invest some money; consider it as bringing my own funding to the production."

"It's such a small thing, is it really worth you thanking me?"

Deng Zhihong waved his hand casually: "A woman who can catch the eye of Chairman Gu must be incredibly beautiful. In the end, it's hard to say who will come out on top."

When Gu Heng heard Deng Zhihong say that, he didn't say anything more.

Adult friendships are built on mutual help and support, just like Gu Heng's trip to the banquet was also a favor to Deng Zhihong.

Amidst laughter and conversation, the Rolls-Royce Phantom they were riding sped through the traffic in Beichun, quickly arriving at the venue for tonight's banquet...

(End of this chapter)