My absurd experiences in North America over the years

The two reunited at this banquet of political celebrities in a grand and complex historical context.

While Li Fu was busy with various business investments and acquisitions, in the fall of 2008, the entire United States was caught between two conflicting emotions.

One stems from the economic crisis, the other from the presidential election.

Panic swept across the US financial markets like a plague, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted, AIG was taken over by the government, and the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers wiped out 158 ​​years of history...

The number of unemployed people on the streets is increasing day by day. Some people are queuing at the bank but can't withdraw money, while others are exchanging government-subsidized food stamps for food and milk powder at the supermarket.

At the banquet in Manhattan, crystal chandeliers shone all night, and glasses clinked in celebration.

They weren't discussing people's livelihoods, but rather the presidential election and the impending political upheaval.

With only a few days left until the election results are announced, poll numbers from various organizations are fluctuating like a pendulum.

Just one week, people were saying Obama had a sure thing in several key states, but the next week, polls showed McCain was only two points away from winning.

No one really knows the outcome; everyone is making their final push.

The Hilton family was a staunch donor to the Republican Party during this election cycle. Paris Hilton's father, Richard, donated $4,600 to McCain, her mother, Kathy, donated $2,300, and her grandfather, Baron Hilton, was even more generous, donating a total of $15,100.

This amount of money may seem like a small number, but the actual expenses are estimated to be hundreds or thousands of times greater.

Just like when Musk supported Trump in 2024, the law limited his personal donations to only a few thousand or tens of thousands of dollars, but in reality he spent hundreds of millions.

The Hilton family's funds are burning through cash just like that.

However, Paris Hilton remained defiant, frequently criticizing Republican candidate McCain on social media.

However, if you were to ask who she truly supports, it would definitely be the Republican Party.

Besides her family's stance, it was also because Obama was Black. This heiress from a top business family made it clear that she "could not stand Black people and would never touch them. They are disgusting. If the other person had even one percent Black ancestry, it would be enough for her to refuse."

This has an emotional impact, and also some political one.

When she noticed Li Fu, she immediately walked over with Ivanka, one in front of the other.

A silver halter dress and a black off-the-shoulder long dress swept through the crowd like two figures of different colors.

"Li, long time no see," Pahiel walked up to him, a half-smile playing on his lips. "You haven't even contacted me in so long?"

"I lost my old phone and got a new one, so I can't find my contact information anymore," Li Fu shrugged, making up a reason without batting an eye.

Paris chuckled, clearly not believing it, but she didn't care. She stepped aside to make room for the blonde woman next to her and patted her arm.

"Ivanka, this is Lee, you should have heard of him, right? He's the one who's been making headlines on Wall Street lately."

"What?" Ivanka was clearly surprised.

She had actually noticed Li Fu earlier, but only because he was really handsome; she never expected him to be that financial genius.

"Li, this is Ivanka, a friend I've known since childhood. You've probably heard of her father; he's often on TV."

Hilton continued to introduce the products to them without further ado.

The two shook hands politely.

"Nice to meet you," Ivanka said, her demeanor poised and graceful. "I saw you earlier, and I never imagined you were the investment partner of the Forrest family that my father often mentioned."

She had heard her father, Trump, mention the Forrest family more than once. He was somewhat resentful about the two real estate projects he had taken over, and later found out that Li Fu was the mastermind behind them, so he kept grumbling about it.

"Your father mentioned me?" Li Fu asked, somewhat surprised.

“Yes,” Hilton glanced at him, “it’s all because the real estate projects he took over from the Forrest family are losing money badly.”

This is undoubtedly a real estate winter.

As a real estate tycoon, Trump was naturally severely affected.

Li Fu couldn't help but laugh; he really couldn't believe that two of Lucy's publicly tendered real estate projects had ended up in Trump's hands.

"This is indeed an accident, but there's no need to panic. The real estate market has bottomed out, and there will be opportunities to sell later."

"Are you that sure?" Hilton leaned against the balcony railing, looking at Li Fu with a suspicious expression.

Li Fu was certain that the real estate industry couldn't be any worse than it was now. He had already instructed Lina to keep an eye on numerous real estate projects in Tennessee, and they should be able to complete a bulk acquisition by the end of the year.

"This is just my personal opinion, one person's view," he said without further explanation.

There's really no way to explain it. You can't exactly say you've traveled through time and know what the future holds, can you?

The three of them sat down at a round table in the corner of the terrace, and the night breeze blew in from the direction of the Hudson River, carrying a hint of autumn and winter chill.

Hilton looked at Li Fu with a complicated expression.

The other party has too many inexplicable secrets.

Strictly speaking, their hotel is also commercial real estate, but because of its large size, it was relatively less affected by the financial crisis.

If the real estate market truly bottoms out, their family could try to acquire more commercial real estate.

"I heard you've been very busy lately, flying around everywhere," Hilton changed the subject, intending to ask about the economic situation privately.

"With the current economic climate being so tough, it's essential to conduct on-site due diligence before making any investments," Li Fu said, glancing at Hilton half-jokingly. "I heard the White Party will still be held as scheduled this year. Do you have an invitation?"

Since 1998, Puff Daddy Sean Combs has held an annual white party at his private residence in East Hampton, New York (part of the Long Island metropolitan area).

If there's any real benefit to staying in touch with Hilton, it's probably only the White Party.

However, the white party is still a celebrity gathering, so there's nothing wrong with him asking a question.

"There are still several months to go! If you're really interested, I can try to get you an invitation." Hilton has connections with rap superstars like Didi and Jay-Z.

Trump and Didi are old acquaintances.

New York is only so big. Trump has been deeply involved in New York State real estate for many years, so it's no exaggeration to say that he has extensive connections in business circles.

Li Fu thanked Hilton, but he really had to consider whether to go or not. If he went there, what kind of leverage might he have left behind? Wouldn't that be a losing proposition?

Who do you think will win this presidential election?

Hilton suddenly lowered his voice and asked this question.

This was probably the topic that the guests at the entire banquet were most interested in.

At banquets for political and business elites, politics always comes first.

"What do you think?" Li Fu asked in return.

"I hope McCain wins, but it looks like it's going to be difficult," the Hilton family said, placing a heavy bet on McCain.