The World's Richest Man: Start with the Daily Intelligence System

130: Chapter 130 Yu Hongtao Gets PlayedZhang Wei introduced the idea of a Star Jewelry co-branding.

”Uncle Yu, that’s how it is. Given our relationship, you must help me out.” Zhang Wei played the emotional card with an eager expression.

To his surprise, Yu Hongtao waved his hand dismissively. ”Are we that close? The Aerospace Administration Bureau got a lunar meteorite from their co-branding with you. Now you come to our Museum and expect to get a free ride? How can things be that easy?”

”You’ll have to pay more!”

Zhang Wei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ”So you’re quite familiar with current internet memes. Are you going to start calling me your ’dearest friend and relative’ next?”

But thinking about it, it made sense; the Museum had limited funds, so he really should show some sincerity.

”It’s not out of the question to make a donation to support the Museum’s development. How about this: I’ll make a no-strings-attached donation of five million?”

”You’re a boss now, and you’re still this stingy? Let’s settle on ten million. Don’t cry poverty to me; I know you’ve got plenty of money.” Yu Hongtao remained completely unmoved.

If it were a personal matter, he would never have asked. However, current annual state funding was limited, and Yu Hongtao wanted to open a branch of the Museum in Pudong during his term. Funding had always been a major issue, and he was constantly worrying over the Museum’s development.

”I don’t have twenty million! You might as well just kill me; the money might come faster that way,” Zhang Wei shouted exaggeratedly.

After a verbal sparring match, they finally settled on a donation of eight million RMB to the Museum.

”Then it’s a deal. I’ll have Chen Jiayan go to the Museum later to sign the contract. You can’t go back on your word.”

Zhang Wei breathed a sigh of relief after getting Yu Hongtao’s confirmation. He wondered if the old man would regret agreeing so soon once he realized the treasures on the shelf were each worth tens of millions.

The two chatted at the dining table for a while longer. Then, Dr. Zhao, Dr. Wu, and Boss Li arrived one after another. They all exchanged pleasantries.

Boss Li pointed at the curio shelf with a smile and said, ”I didn’t expect my humble shelf to look so fitting in Boss Zhang’s place. For displaying things... uh...”

He noticed the items on the shelf. From a distance, that piece of ambergris looked like an ordinary rock, and he couldn’t tell what it was. But that yuan dynasty blue and white porcelain... why did it look so much like an authentic piece?

Meanwhile, Dr. Wu, a geology expert, noticed at a glance that the rock was unusual. It looked like natural ambergris. Could such a large piece really be genuine?

Everyone turned their gaze toward the shelf by the wall. Dr. Zhao also sensed something was off; he frowned and was about to speak when Zhang Wei cut him off. ”I’m just trying to be cultured; these are all insignificant trinkets. Everyone, please take your seats. You’re in for a treat today. I’ve invited the head chef from Guwen Tower.”

As he spoke, he ushered everyone to their seats. As guests, they couldn’t very well ignore Zhang Wei’s hospitality, so they sat down, their minds full of questions. Yu Hongtao, however, truly knew nothing about antiques and cultural relics; he assumed Zhang Wei had just put out some handicrafts for decoration and didn’t give it a second thought.

The dishes began to be served one by one. There was a reason why Huaiyang cuisine was used for state banquets. It emphasized freshness, with a balanced and delicate flavor that was slightly sweet, catering to both northern and southern palates.

Ignoring their strange looks, Zhang Wei kept serving dishes like Lion’s Head Meatballs and Yangzhou Shredded Tofu. During the meal, he shared his experiences visiting the Aerospace Administration Bureau, specifically praising their cafeteria for being better than the Museum’s, which made Auntie Mei chuckle.

An Xiaoxi was a bit reserved at first, but when the Crystal Pork was served, she dropped the act completely and buried her head in her bowl, eating heartily. Chen Jiayan kept wiping her mouth, absolutely doting on her.

Throughout the meal, Dr. Zhao and the others tried several times to steer the conversation toward the items on the curio shelf, but Zhang Wei acted as if he were oblivious, rambling on with Yu Hongtao. They found it difficult to interrupt.

The meal lasted for two hours. Once the apprentices cleared the table and served a pot of green tea, everyone praised the chefs’ skills.

”It’s getting late, so I won’t keep you from your rest. Thank you all for coming to my home. Let’s do this more often.” Zhang Wei chuckled, intentionally asking them to leave.

”Look at you putting on airs. But you did a good job hosting today; those Lion’s Head Meatballs were incredible. I’ll have the cafeteria cook see if they can replicate them tomorrow.” With that, he took Auntie Mei’s hand and prepared to leave.

The others looked peculiar. They wanted to stay but felt too embarrassed to say so, standing there awkwardly, neither sitting nor leaving.

”Why are you all just standing there?” Yu Hongtao turned back and looked at them strangely.

Zhang Wei laughed. ”It’s fine. They probably ate too much and need a moment to recover. Uncle Yu, you take Auntie Mei home first.”

”Ah, yes, exactly!” Boss Li, being a shrewd man, immediately started rubbing his stomach. ”I ate way too much today. If I leave now, I’m afraid I’ll get appendicitis. I’ll sit for a bit longer.”

Dr. Zhao and Dr. Wu exchanged a glance, their lips twitching as they stiffly began rubbing their stomachs as well.

Even Yu Hongtao, as oblivious as he was, realized something was up. He turned back into the living room. ”What kind of mischief are you all up to? Why am I the only one kept in the dark?”

Zhang Wei stopped pretending and laughed loudly as he placed the items from the curio shelf onto the table one by one. ”Alright, I’m sure you’re all impatient. Come and have a look.”

”Do you have any gloves?” Dr. Zhao said quickly.

Zhang Wei brought gloves for everyone. Under Yu Hongtao’s stunned gaze, each person took an item and began their appraisal.

”Excellent, excellent. You never tire of looking at good things, no matter how many times you see them,” Dr. Zhao muttered to himself while holding the yuan dynasty blue and white porcelain flowerpot.

Beside him, Boss Li had somehow produced a magnifying glass and was comparing Hai Rui’s manuscript line by line, word by word.

The most extreme was Dr. Wu. He was leaning in close to the ambergris, sniffing it repeatedly. He looked incredibly comical.

”So I’m the only one who was kept in the dark?” Yu Hongtao suddenly felt the meal he just had wasn’t so tasty anymore. He was the Museum director, after all. Besides, his wife was right there happily watching him make a fool of himself—didn’t he have any dignity to maintain?

”I’m an honest man. The items were right there; I didn’t set a trap for you.”

An Xiaoxi, meanwhile, grabbed the jewelry box from the shelf. After making sure no dust had settled on the pearls, she carefully put it away. ”We had a deal. You said you’d give it back to me once you finished your joke and Uncle Yu took the bait.”

The realization hit hard. Seeing Yu Hongtao huffing and puffing as if he wanted to string him up and beat him right then and there...

Zhang Wei started to panic a little. He quickly ran a few steps away to gain some distance, then rushed toward Dr. Zhao and the others to change the subject.

”I wonder, what are the results of your appraisal?”