Chapter 428 Indebted To You (1)
Li Xiran looked at the condition of the resort their company was currently working on. It made sense to him why Lu Qingfeng would be interested in acquiring it. The place was located in a prime location, yet the owner seemed to think that he didn't need to invest much into it and only thought that it needed some repairs and reconstruction to keep the resort open.
He considered his options at the moment and while his Uncle Mao had introduced him to several of his business associates, it wasn't certain if they would consider investing in their company. However, if he were able to convince Lu Qingfeng to invest in their company, it would save him from a lot of trouble in the future.
"Mr. Cang, have you given a thought regarding the offer I told you about?" He asked the man standing next to him as they overlooked the reconstruction of the pool that Li Xiran didn't doubt had seen better days. The resort was failing terribly to keep up with the competition among its neighboring resorts that could offer better amenities for their guests.
"Are you sure that they are willing to buy the resort from me at the selling price?" Mr. Cang asked him in return. He was already in his late fifties, but it seemed like he still had no idea how to run a business properly.
"Yes, Mr. Cang. They said that they are willing to add on a few more if the title of the land is clear." Li Xiran replied.
Lu Qingfeng told him that he didn't care one bit about the condition of the facilities as he intended to demolish it to build a new one. It would surely be expensive to start from scratch, but Li Xiran knew that the business would be lucrative once everything was done according to Lu Qingfeng's plans.
He had discussed this with his old man and his father told him that it wasn't a bad deal if he knew how to reduce the disadvantage on their part. The old man told him that he trusted his judgment and was giving him the right to decide for the company. Li Xiran could swear that he saw the apology in his father's eyes as he looked at him.
Was his father apologetic for placing him in such a tough situation? Li Xiran didn't blame him anyway. If anything, he blamed himself for being too prideful, refusing to return home earlier. His father wouldn't suffer a serious heart attack and the company wouldn't have fallen into such a dire state if he returned sooner.
"I'll decide to sell the resort then." Mr. Cang said, much to Li Xiran's relief. "I'm not getting any younger anyway. I want to retire and spend the rest of my life traveling."
Li Xiran was pleased with the older man's answer.
"With the money you would receive, I'm pretty sure it would be more than enough to sustain your travels, Sir."
The older man laughed, his big belly jiggled as he did. He was sweating profusely from the heat and Li Xiran tried not to curl his nose from the uncomfortable smell.
"I've given it a good thought. I don't have enough resources to continue running the resort. I would have to apologize in advance to you because this only means that the construction would be halted. I would rather sell the resort at this point rather than watch it go bankrupt."
"Mr. Cang doesn't need to apologize. It's not all about money. One has to consider a better future and cut off losses."
"Then I suppose in our next meeting, I will no longer be the owner of this resort."
Mr. Cang left when his young girlfriend waved to get his attention. Li Xiran could only watch the two leave as he was left to his own devices. Thinking that it wasn't his place to judge Mr. Cang for his choices over business and women, he turned around and picked up his phone, dialing Lu Qingfeng's private number.
Lu Qingfeng picked up the call on the third ring.
"Hello." He sounded preoccupied, not that Li Xiran thought that Lu Qingfeng had a lot of time to spare.
"It's me. I suppose your offer still stands?"
There were still times when Li Xiran wondered if his meeting with the brotherhood was a figment of his imagination. It felt surreal for him to think that he'd spent a night talking with those five businessmen.
"Mr. Li, it has only been four days. Has the owner agreed then?" Lu Qingfeng asked in return.
"En. Mr. Cang has agreed with your terms. He's really tempted to accept it the first time, but claimed he needed some time to give it a thought."
Li Xiran initially thought that it would be hard for him to convince Mr. Cang to sell the resorts to the Lu Conglomerate, but he was surprised by how generous the offer was to the resort owner. Did Lu Qingfeng know that Mr. Cang wouldn't be able to decline the offer?
"I see. My assistant will come and take over the meeting then. Once the resort is officially acquired, expect the investment I promised you. Thank you for your cooperation.
Li Xiran shrugged. "I didn't do much. I should be the one to thank you for the opportunity."
He wasn't sure if Lu Qingfeng made him do this to test him or to use this as an excuse to invest in their company. Regardless of the younger man's intention, the investment that the Lu Conglomerate would place on their company would be a big help.
He heard Lu Qingfeng chuckling on the other end of the line and wondered what the younger man found amusing.
"You've done well, Mr. Li. You should give yourself a pat on the back for doing a good job. As to whether I would regret investing in your company or not, only you could give me the answer."