How can I justify myself as a Magnate if I don't indulge myself?

Chapter 464 - 213: Gu Heng’s Influence_2

"I’m a bit curious, Mr. Qian, what’s your purpose in doing this?"

Upon hearing Gu Heng’s straightforward inquiry, Qian Haowei’s mind raced before he replied, "Didn’t I explain it to you just now, Mr. Gu? Tonight, you’ve helped our SOS’s sales soar several times over. As the host, I naturally need to express my gratitude."

Did Gu Heng believe him?

Of course not.

He had put out one million because it was a promise he made, and he naturally had to be responsible.

Unless Qian Haowei had more money than he could spend, like Gu Heng, he wouldn’t just step forward and scatter wealth, but it was clear he wasn’t that kind of person.

Gu Heng, after listening, didn’t say a word and just looked at him with a mocking gaze.

Qian Haowei also knew he couldn’t fool him and tentatively offered, "Mr. Gu, would you be interested in going to our bar’s private room for a sit? It’s a bit too noisy here."

But Gu Heng did not give him that face. If he gave face to every Tom, Dick, and Harry, wouldn’t he be exhausted to death?

He directly said, "Mr. Qian, just speak your piece here. I won’t be staying long and plan to leave soon. I’m quite done for tonight."

Gu Heng’s refusal to give face made Qian Haowei very embarrassed, but helpless. Yet, he also knew, if he didn’t speak up now, he probably would never have the chance later. Setting aside his pride, he brought out his prepared speech.

"It’s like this, Mr. Gu. My colleagues and I from SOS are really fond of making friends.

We’ve wanted to get to know you for some time, but as you know, we’re just small business owners with no real means to connect with someone like you. Today, we finally had the chance, so we took the initiative to get acquainted."

Seeing that Qian Haowei was still beating around the bush, Gu Heng’s patience was nearly depleted.

After all, he had come out to enjoy himself, not to expand his network. And even if he did want to expand his network, it wouldn’t include a small bar owner, right? The smile that had been calmly on his face faded, and he returned to his usual indifferent expression, speaking slowly, "Is that so? Well, now we’ve met, and I suppose your bar must be rather busy?

Go ahead and return to your work; there’s no need to fuss over me."

Shrewd as he was, Qian Haowei could hear the impatience in Gu Heng’s tone and guessed that this man in front of him could not be judged by ordinary standards. He quickly got to the point, "It’s like this, Mr. Gu. Our SOS bar is planning to expand and bring in new shareholders, offering you, Mr. Gu, 30% of the shares."

Investment again?

Gu Heng truly grew impatient.

Did these people have some kind of serious problem?

He did have money, that was true.

But was there a sign on his forehead that read, "Stupid, rich, come quickly?"

He had returned to Hang City for less than a day, and already two people had approached him for investment. Did they really see him as a wealth deity?

With that thought, Gu Heng didn’t hold back, his demeanor turning cold, "Sorry, Mr. Qian, I have no interest in the bar industry and no plans to invest. If you’re looking to bring in shareholders, you can find someone else."

After they entered the room, Qian Haowei didn’t hold back and laid out all the details of the deal he had discussed with the young wealthy shareholders.

Although Gu Heng believed him, the more he heard, the less he understood.

He immediately took out a cigarette from his pocket, threw one to Qian Haowei, and lit one himself, saying with a hint of bewilderment, "If what you’re saying is true, I don’t think you should be coming to me. Wouldn’t it be more convenient for you to partner directly with Mr. Lei of Wuyou Media? Plus, you wouldn’t have to give up that 30% share."

Holding the cigarette, Qian Haowei didn’t light it in front of Gu Heng; instead, he had a somewhat ingratiating smile on his face as he said, "You’re right about that, but I know very well which would bring greater benefits, partnering with Mr. Lei or Mr. Gu.

With your status and position, Mr. Gu, you’re definitely someone who can speak with authority at the upper levels.

I won’t lie to you," he continued. "Bars and nightclubs are essentially part of a legally grey industry. Even though I abide by the law, I can’t control the chaos inside. It’s fine when nothing happens, but once something does, it becomes a pretext for others to target me.

For years, I’ve been walking on eggshells, afraid that I might offend someone and a document would come down from above, forcing us to shut down.

If you were overseeing things, the operations of the bar would be much more stable.

And as I said before, I wasn’t lying to you. I truly do wish to be friends with Mr. Gu. A 30% share feels like a fair price for that privilege."

After hearing Qian Haowei’s words, Gu Heng could more or less understand.

It was the same old saying: "where you stand depends on where you sit."

Being so wealthy, those who couldn’t touch his level would instinctively make up their theories about his background, thinking he was very powerful.

But was Gu Heng really that powerful?

Perhaps not before, but now it was different. Experience exclusive tales on novelhall.Côm

Before, Gu Heng was just someone with a series of impressive numbers in his bank account who hadn’t turned those numbers into influence.

And now?

Now, he was involved in a government project worth 20 billion, a project that was enough to put Gu Heng on the radar of the real power players. They might not regard him as important, but just being noticed was a sort of basic safeguard.

Moreover, he was about to pay 7 billion in taxes to Hang City’s government.

Such a substantial tax payment was a solid performance achievement!

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that once the taxes were paid, he would become a distinguished guest of Hang City’s government, a friendly partner of the municipal department, and an exemplary entrepreneur!

With this halo, as long as he didn’t mess up, no one would want to trouble him over ordinary matters.

That was also why the system went to the trouble of having him pay taxes.

Paying taxes was just a means.

The real benefit was the boost to his personal influence after the tax payment!