Chapter 468: Zhou Shuwen's Hongmen Banquet (Part 2)

Chapter 468: Chapter 394: Zhou Shuwen’s Hongmen Banquet (Part 2)

M1NT Modu was located in M1NT Mansion on Fuzhou Road. Because the surrounding area was filled with the generally shorter, old buildings of the Bund, Wu Yun could often see M1NT’s massive illuminated sign from his home across the river at night.

The moment Wu Yun’s car stopped in the dedicated lane, a valet eagerly came over to open the door.

Amid the valet’s thanks, Wang Hao handed him two large red bills.

“Excuse me, sir… Oh, hello, Mr. Wu!” the hostess asked automatically before her expression shifted to a smile upon recognizing Wu Yun’s face. “Mr. Wu, Ms. Zhou Shuwen is waiting for you over there!”

Wu Yun looked in the direction the hostess pointed and saw Zhou Shuwen sitting on a sofa with her legs crossed, facing his way while on the phone.

She wore a white blouse and a professional, knee-length skirt, paired with black stockings and black high heels. Wu Yun had sharp eyes and noticed what looked like a hint of black lace peeking out from her collar. Zhou Shuwen looked younger, possessing a sharp, professional air. She was a completely different person from when he had seen her undressed at the gym.

Perhaps she was too engrossed in her call, or perhaps it was because Da Xiong was blocking the view, but Zhou Shuwen failed to notice Wu Yun’s arrival. She even used a slender finger—her middle one, the only one without a manicure—to adjust the stocking on her thigh.

Wu Yun cleared his throat twice and started walking toward Zhou Shuwen with his men.

The commotion from the approaching group finally caught Zhou Shuwen’s attention. Upon seeing Wu Yun, she spoke a few more words into her phone before hanging up and rising swiftly from the sofa. The abrupt movement sent a ripple across her chest.

“President Wu, I’m so sorry,” Zhou Shuwen apologized, placing a hand over her chest. “I was on a call and didn’t see you arrive.”

Unmoved, Wu Yun kept his eyes on Zhou Shuwen’s face and smiled. “It’s no problem. It’s only natural for a general manager like President Zhou to be busy. Unlike me, I’m idle all day, doing nothing but playing games.”

Zhou Shuwen covered her mouth and laughed. Her body trembled with her laughter, setting off a chain reaction. “You’re joking, President Wu! If you were idle, the rest of us would be unemployed!”

Then, Zhou Shuwen added with another laugh, “I’m not that busy. In fact, I cleared my schedule of several social engagements just for the chance to get to know you on a deeper level! And, of course, to discuss the Pinduoduo matter.”

“I was just on the phone with my daughter,” Zhou Shuwen explained. “She said she’s coming to Modu for the weekend!”

Her few words perfectly showcased the unique allure of a mature woman. While Zhou Shuwen, even with makeup, wasn’t the most beautiful woman Wu Yun had ever encountered, she offered a different kind of appeal.

Wang Hao and the others quickly averted their gazes, even taking a few steps back to give Wu Yun ample space.

“Well, President Zhou, I had no idea you had a daughter! I would have guessed you weren’t even married. Your figure certainly doesn’t look like you’ve had children!” Wu Yun was, of course, telling a bald-faced lie. Through his Detection Glasses, none of Zhou Shuwen’s data could be hidden.

“You look so young, President Zhou. I imagine your daughter can’t be very old, right?”

Zhou Shuwen was so pleased by Wu Yun’s compliments that she couldn’t stop smiling, and her chest swelled as if it might just burst free.

“President Wu, you’re such a smooth talker! I can’t imagine how many young girls you’ve charmed with lines like that!”

Zhou Shuwen gave Wu Yun a flirtatious look. “My daughter is already seventeen! I’m getting old!”

“Alright, let’s head up! Straight to the 24th floor!” Zhou Shuwen glanced at the bodyguards and assistant behind Wu Yun, then added, “President Wu, only two people from your entourage can accompany you upstairs. We have arrangements for the others.”

Without waiting for a command from Wu Yun, Wei Wu and Wang Hao followed with tacit understanding.

Along the way, Wu Yun listened to Zhou Shuwen talk about M1NT, learning more about the club.

Wu Yun also learned that Zhou Shuwen had spent a million to buy her membership the year before last, and the value of her equity had since risen to over two million, not including dividends and services.

“Their most distinctive feature is the seventeen-meter-long aquarium filled with sharks! I heard each one costs over a hundred thousand!” A satisfied expression appeared on Zhou Shuwen’s face as she made the introduction.

DING!

The private elevator doors opened to reveal a corridor with an impressively high ceiling. Alcoves on either side were filled with bottles of liquor of every imaginable color.

Wu Yun followed behind Zhou Shuwen, taking in the dark decor and the dim, atmospheric lighting.

They soon arrived in the main hall, where numerous long tables, chairs, and benches were arranged in a somewhat crowded fashion.

“This is the waiting area for entourages,” Zhou Shuwen said, waving over a nearby server. “Please find a table for these two gentlemen and get them dinner and drinks.”

“Ms. Zhou, shall I get them the standard service, or…?” the server asked, bowing slightly.

Zhou Shuwen waved a dismissive hand. “No need. Let them order whatever they want.”

With that, she turned to Wu Yun with a bewitching smile. “President Wu! This way! The table I booked is just behind the aquarium.”

As they walked around the enormous, illuminated aquarium, Wu Yun figured that installing such a massive tank on the twenty-fourth floor must have cost a pretty penny.

However, Wu Yun only gave it a cursory glance before rounding the tank and settling into a booth behind it. The area was relatively open, with the nearest table more than three meters away.

Under the dim lighting, with Zhou Shuwen seductively crossing her legs and leaning forward, elbows propped on the table, Wu Yun felt the atmosphere instantly grow intimate.

While Zhou Shuwen was ordering, Wu Yun discreetly turned on his phone’s voice recorder and set it on the table. He had a feeling tonight was a bit like the Feast at Hong Gate—a trap he wouldn’t be able to escape without leaving something behind.

After placing their order, Zhou Shuwen finally looked at Wu Yun. “President Wu, why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

Wu Yun chuckled. “It’s nothing. I was just struck by how charming you look right now, President Zhou.”

Zhou Shuwen flirtatiously ran a hand through her long, wavy hair and smiled. “President Wu! Are you implying I’m not charming at other times?”

Wu Yun remained unaffected, simply smiling as he replied, “Not at all. I’m sure most men my age would find your charm irresistible.”

However, Wu Yun had no intention of dwelling on the topic. He changed the subject. “President Zhou, I’d like to know how you convinced Tencent. You’re aware that even if Tencent agrees, it’s a no-go if I don’t.”

Zhou Shuwen didn’t answer right away. Instead, she placed both hands on the table, her prominent chest just cresting the edge of the tabletop. “I know. Actually, it was quite simple. I showcased the resources I have backing me and indicated that I could facilitate more cooperation with Tencent, including WeBank. Besides, Pinduoduo wants to go public, which will require burning through a lot of cash. Having another party to share the burden reduces the risk for everyone.”

“Of course, I also believe Pinduoduo’s potential is enormous. It absolutely has what it takes to go public, which is why I’m so set on investing in it.”

Seeing Wu Yun lost in thought, Zhou Shuwen covered her mouth with a smile. “My previous offer still stands: I can provide the means for Pinduoduo to establish warehousing and logistics centers in various regions. Furthermore, I can connect you with major factories across the country. This will give Pinduoduo an edge in its price war. We can save a significant amount of money while still maintaining quality control.”

Wu Yun replied calmly, “I don’t see those as major issues. If we wanted to build warehousing and logistics centers, plenty of cities would be rolling out the red carpet with favorable policies to welcome us. As for connecting with factories, I’m confident our ground team can handle that if they put in the effort. So, your terms aren’t particularly attractive to me.”

Hearing Wu Yun’s dismissal, Zhou Shuwen’s smile faltered for an instant before she recovered, laughing as if she hadn’t heard a thing. “President Wu, we’ve done our research on you. We know you’re sitting on a mountain of cash, not to mention the massive, steady income from your two games. But that’s still *your* money. Won’t it pain you to just burn through it all?”

“You must realize that as Pinduoduo continues to grow, its need for capital and resources will only increase. Our investment can drastically shorten its development timeline and make your existing shares more valuable. Wouldn’t it be nice to keep your own money and spend it as you please?”

Wu Yun adopted a thoughtful expression. ‘I have more than enough money to burn,’ he wanted to say, but he kept the thought to himself.

“Furthermore, if you ever decide to sell your Pinduoduo shares, we can take them off your hands! Instant cash payment! And… oh, alright! I give up!”