Chapter One Hundred and Twelve
Ye Lao Si came back to his senses, "Nan Nan, where is this building from? It's so beautiful. I don't remember having such luxurious buildings in our country."
"Hehe......" Liangzi smiled and said: "Fourth Shao, it hasn't been built yet, this is just a rendering of what it will look like after it's completed."
"Oh! This is what your new hotel looks like." Ye Laosi thought of it first based on Liangzi's profession.
"It can be said so, but it's not entirely." Liangzi shook his head and said.
"Oh! How can you say that?" Ye Laosi said with great interest.
"It's a hotel, but its main business is the casino." Liang Zitan said frankly, since Fang Moe let him participate, and seeing her subtle nod, he wouldn't avoid him.
"Gambling den!" Ye Laosi's eyebrows furrowed slightly, as gambling was prohibited domestically.
"Don't get any ideas, this hotel was built in America. Atlantic City, that's just a casino town, on par with Las Vegas." Liang Zi hastily said.
Ye Lao Si heard this and his eyebrows relaxed again.
Fang Mo Nan said, "Fourth brother, isn't the capital always arresting people for gathering to gamble?" She smiled and said, "I believe fourth brother also plays mahjong and cards. I didn't know before, but now I do! There must be money involved."
Ye Lao Si was speechless, she had guessed it right. When they were broke, they even stuck up IOU notes, let alone now that they have money, but betting less money is really dull and tasteless. However, they only have a fixed group of playmates, to sum it up, their wins and losses are all within this small circle.
"You! This mouth of yours doesn't even leave any face for your brother." Ye Laosi shook his head, "Anyway, it's not built domestically, I can't control it either."
"But I'm curious, what's the conspiracy you want me to see?" Ye Laosi rubbed his nose, with a hint of being led astray.
"Wronged! Sir," Fang Mo Nan said with a smile, "You can see it too! Our building has a strong Chinese style. And the interior decoration requires a large number of screens, carpets, calligraphy and paintings, porcelain, bookshelves, bed frames, etc. These need to be customized domestically to be authentic." She continued, "This is where we need your connections and relationships to help us find these manufacturers."
"Most importantly, it can earn foreign exchange through exports, I believe the four of them won't refuse, right!" Liang Zi said.
"If foreigners live in this hotel, see things are good and want to buy them, it can also revitalize these factories. For local officials, it's another achievement. Ye Laosi thought deeper and farther, "Alright! I'll take on this task." After a moment of consideration, he said decisively, "For Nan Mei's sake, I have to take it too.""
"Alright, alright, you've got a good deal. This isn't urgent, the house hasn't been built yet? The furniture and decorations still need to be measured before we can get the dimensions right, let's start with the small things first." Liangzi continued: "Later I'll make a list, which will have what we need and where the authentic products are from."
"Good!" Ye Laosi nodded.
The rendering is really great, Fang Mo Nan nodded in satisfaction, an expert is indeed an expert. Combining modern and classical beauty into one. It truly achieves the effect she wants to achieve.
Fang Mo Nan and others left the small conference room. Leaving two architects, Allen continued to discuss follow-up work.
Fang Mo Nan and Liang Zi, Ye Lao Si arrived at the coffee shop downstairs, ordered two cups of coffee and a cup of juice. "Liang Zi, you're really lucky to have found Luo Bingwen. He's truly an expert, much better than me, this unorthodox one."
Liang Zihao laughed and praised: "Nan Nan is humble, you are the real 'everybody'. They are all on your skeleton, plump and beautiful, with flesh and blood, and it's your inspiration that activated both of them."
"Alright, stop bragging, I know how much I weigh." Fang Mo Nan waved his hand and said.
"It was Allen who helped find him, and it turned out to be our good fortune. To make the best of it, we specially searched for domestic students studying abroad in the United States, majoring in architecture. They have strong acceptance abilities, after all, our hotel is built around gambling. Fortunately, we found Luo Bingwen at Princeton University, who was a top student in the ancient architecture department of Peking University back home. Although he was somewhat unwilling to design such a luxurious hotel around 'gambling', the charm of the building itself was too attractive and conquered him." Liang Zi gave them a knowing look, domestic people are still a bit too conservative. "Princeton University is located between New York and Philadelphia, it's a unique countryside city. The transportation is convenient, and it only takes about 1 hour to drive to New York or Philadelphia, so it's easy to communicate if there's any problem."
"What a good design, it's actually a casino, it's really unimaginable, it's a bit of a 'pity'." Ye Lao Si shook his head and said.
What a pity? Maybe it's because gambling is banned domestically. Fang Mennai smiled and said, "Actually, even if we don't do casinos, we can still do clubs! A high-end club for businessmen, integrating resources, which can also be done domestically, mainly targeting domestic and foreign business elites."
Liang Zi nodded and said: "Han Zhiqian has set up a club in the special zone, specifically targeting well-known business tycoons in Hong Kong and the special zone, as well as the entire Lingnan province. The club operates on a shareholder and membership system, with strict access control, requiring unanimous approval from all shareholders for anyone to join. It doesn't take much money to set up a club like this; the main goal is to create a platform for high-quality resource integration and sharing... it's a very attractive concept. Receiving guests, discussing business, and having fun - it seems to have everything. Most importantly, it has strong confidentiality."
"Oh!" Ye Laosi raised an eyebrow, clearly piqued with interest. Liang Zidao said: "You can go take a look, Zhiqian you also know him."
Fang Mo Nan glanced at Ye Lao Si, both of whom were astute individuals who likely understood the underlying situation.
Ye Lao Si thought carefully, and indeed, he was tempted by the idea. As a club owner, he had a natural advantage, and the connections in the 49 cities were not to be underestimated. Gathering resources, networking, and building relationships could benefit himself, even if it wasn't for his family. Besides, he now had plenty of money and didn't know how to spend it. The high membership fees, the gathering of political and business talents, this private club-like nature, carried a communication hub. However, it could play a huge role. He could start by visiting it himself, mainly because he was currently stuck in the Soviet Union and couldn't split himself. It's simple, just delegate someone to build the venue. As for operations, handing it over to professional managers would be fine, if that didn't work, they could poach a high-end club manager from abroad.
"Alright, I've done my part, the rest is up to you all." Fang Mo Nan finished her fruit juice and said, "I'm leaving." She looked at Ye Lao Si again, "Where's Fourth Brother?"
"Fourth Master, you stay behind, I'll give you the list." said Liang Zi.
"Alright then!" said Fang Mo Nan, and Ye Lao Si immediately followed up with: "Since there's something going on, I won't go to your house anymore. After picking up the bill, I'll have to trouble Liang Zi to take me to experience the hotel casino."
"This is no problem, the horse racing circle has been taken down, and the preparation work is proceeding in an orderly manner. The team aspect has also entered the right track. Go visit the casino hotel, it's just a matter of going along the way." said Liang Zi.
Liang Zi and others went to Atlantic City. Ye Lao Si followed Liang Zi to see what a casino city was like. Before the Spring Festival, the two flew back home.
Liang Zi mentioned Ye Lao Si's visit to the casino during a phone call with Fang Mo Nan, and laughed as he brought up the interesting story. He said: "Fourth Young Master said, 'The casino is indeed a money-burning pit, a place where people are drunk on wealth and infatuated with it.' He also kindly told me not to get too caught up in gambling. Fourth Young Master didn't actually go gamble. In his words, 'I'm not a fool or an idiot, I have better things to do with my money.' His composure is quite impressive."
"Heh heh...... He's indeed got a clear understanding, probably due to his strict family upbringing." Fang Mo Nan thought to himself.
Qiu Shi took a leave this time and stayed here to spend the New Year with his little aunt before returning home, so in the following days, he was accompanied by two little devils, playing with them.
The Spring Festival in 89 was on February 9th. Unlike last year, Ludwig and Reinhard also came. After having a sumptuous feast at home, everyone moved to a bar! Looking at the extremely familiar appearance of Andres and the boss, it's estimated that they are acquaintances.
The bar was very quiet with only a few small cats, drinking and listening to music, also in the late afternoon, who would have the leisure to be in this mushroom, only they were specially invited to gather at this time.
Fang Mo Nan and his group arrived with more people, directly surrounding the music stage in a circle. As usual, Fang Mo Nan's group started playing their instruments and singing.
This time the music effect is much better than at home, at least the instruments are all available, and you can play wildly.
The music started, and everyone swayed to the rhythm. This time, these masters all chose popular songs, going wild in every way possible. Even when they were most excited, Renard, Ludwig, and M?nch came up with a crazy idea - turning classical music into electronic music, changing the heavy, oppressive rhythms of classical music into lively, modern beats that made classical music wear casual clothes, making it more accessible to young people who could then enjoy its beauty. Full of passion, fun, and charm, bringing shock, excitement, and a unique flavor.
The people below are drinking, of course, the children are prohibited. They are drinking juice, this kind of self-entertainment is really good, especially the performers on stage are all masters. Also shocked the other customers in the bar, this standard is simply too professional, swaying with the music.
When it was Fang Mengnan's turn, she accidentally discovered that there were also ocarinas here, which was really rare! She only knew how to play one song "The Original Scenery of My Hometown" on the ocarina and did it very well.
Fang Mo Nan sat in front of the stage, holding a clay flute. The clear and melodious sound of the clay flute immediately quieted down the previously turbulent scene, making people thoroughly feel the loneliness and experience the vicissitudes of life. At this moment, tired people opened their windows to find that what was before them was no longer a forest of concrete buildings or a noisy city shrouded in gray smoke, but a vast desert under a red sun, where they became intoxicated with the scenery of solitary smoke rising straight up and a round sun setting over a long river.
After finishing the first round, Fang Mo Nan put down the clay flute and gave a signal with his eyes. Reynard took over the flute and started to play after trying out the sound. At first, it was a bit awkward, but later on, it got better and better. The second round of music echoed through the air. It was even more beautiful than when she played it.
Fang Mo Nan recited:
"Fragmented thoughts of longing,
Following the river downstream, threads of nostalgia.
With the wind, entwined love,
Pure and flawless, the sound of the flute wafts.
Echoing in the valley, the rustling of fallen leaves.
Whose home will the withered leaves drift to? Suddenly looking back,
Reflecting the red glow of sunset, like blood, smiling like a flower, beautiful.
The bright sun floats on the long river,
Depending on the lake ripples, clear and serene thoughts of love.
Like lotus flowers, fragrant and elegant, the sound of the zither,
Moistening the heart, the flock of geese flying south.
Where will they rest tonight? The people in dreams?
Under the sorrowful face, standing still, waiting and watching,
Fragmented thoughts of longing,
Following the river downstream, threads of nostalgia.
With the wind, entwined love,
Pure and flawless, the sound of the flute wafts.
Echoing in the valley, beautiful red sun,
Floating on the long river, bright moonlight,
Depending on the lake ripples, clear and serene thoughts of love.
Like lotus flowers, fragrant and elegant, the sound of the zither,
Moistening the heart.
Time flies, you and I are no longer the you and me of those years. In the real society, we have lost the innocent and kind smile that we once had, which will never return after it's gone. This may be the first loss in our lives, you may not feel it because it is not a pain to your spirit or body, but it belongs to the soul!
Fresh music awakens the soul that has long been faint and elusive, bringing back memories of childhood beauty, tears will quietly fall, and tears are unstoppable. That's your soul carrying you, me, his innocent memories, crying, crying, let it flow freely!
