Chapter 4: Zheng Jiancheng’s Schemes

"Do you really know some people there? Want to catch up with old friends? Are you sure you're not just telling me a story?"

Zheng Jiancheng asked in surprise. Zhou Ming nodded seriously, and Zheng Jiancheng chuckled, "Sorry, I didn't mean to mock you, but I really can't help it. I just don't want to say how naïve you seem."

Facing Zheng Jiancheng's sarcasm, Lin Muqing frowned with disdain, but she didn't say anything in the end. She trusted that Zhou Ming had the ability to handle the situation, so she decided to leave the initiative entirely to him.

Zhou Ming shrugged innocently and said to Zheng Jiancheng, "I really don't understand why you're laughing at me, and what you mean by calling me naïve. Although I haven't been in Hong Kong for long, I do know a few people. At least, I'm sure I have acquaintances there."

Zheng Jiancheng looked at Zhou Ming with pity and shook his head helplessly. He suddenly felt that he was wasting his time being jealous of this mainlander.

Although Zheng Jiancheng could tell that Lin Muqing had some affection for this mainlander, it was only because of their prior acquaintance, and Lin Muqing was a woman who valued emotions. This made the mainlander look favorable to her. But this didn't matter now. Now in Hong Kong, the mainlander was clearly still so out of touch with reality, thinking he was still in the mainland, putting on a brave front, and trying to impress Lin Muqing.

Zheng Jiancheng could understand this performance from someone who had just come out of a poor village in the mainland, arriving in a flashy place like Hong Kong. Seeing Lin Muqing thriving here and seeing himself, an excellent man, by her side, the mainlander clearly didn't want to give up easily. It was only natural for him to want to maintain his dignity.

As for Zhou Ming's status in the mainland, it didn't matter. After all, isn't the mainland just a collection of poor villages?

With this thought, Zheng Jiancheng showed a proud smile. Unfortunately, the dignity of this man was simply not worth a second glance.

"Alright then, I'll take Director Lin and you upstairs, considering Director Lin's face."

Zheng Jiancheng intentionally added this last part to remind Zhou Ming that he was relying on a woman, and then continued, "But I have to say something upfront: if the people there don't recognize you, or if your presence causes any discomfort, for the sake of Director Lin and our joint investment company's interests, I will have to ask the hotel security to escort you out."

Zhou Ming nodded, "Okay, but I think you might not get that chance."

For some reason, Zheng Jiancheng became very irritated upon hearing Zhou Ming's words. This mainlander, he couldn't understand where he got the courage to be so calm. Did he really think he could get away with this? If he wanted to make a fool of himself, it would be too kind not to give him the chance.

With this thought, Zheng Jiancheng led Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing upstairs, intentionally taking them through the banquet hall.

Standing at one side of the hall, Zheng Jiancheng pointed to the entire room and introduced, "This is our banquet hall. The setup might be different from what you're used to in the mainland. We have a buffet style here, with all the food and drinks set out together. You can go and get whatever you want. However, please don't take too much. Although everything here is made by top chefs and tastes great, and you can't find such food in the mainland, it's impolite to take more than you can eat. You need to pay attention to this."

Zheng Jiancheng added, "Of course, if you really want to take some of the food with you, I can arrange for the hotel to pack some for you."

"Oh, and another thing," Zheng Jiancheng continued, "the waitstaff here typically expect tips. It's not mandatory, but I suggest that if you're unwilling to give a tip, it's best not to call for service." Zheng Jiancheng deliberately asked Zhou Ming, "I haven't been to the mainland, but since you're here in Hong Kong, you should know what tips are, right?"

"And," Zheng Jiancheng added, "although this is officially a banquet, it also serves as a social stage. Since everyone will be getting food, it's quite normal for people to engage in conversations. Director Lin and I might need to do some networking for the company, so I hope you can understand and support this."

Hearing Zheng Jiancheng's continuous instructions, Lin Muqing finally couldn't hold back, "Zheng Jiancheng, what do you mean by all this?"

"Director Lin, I don't understand why you're reacting this way. I really didn't mean anything by it," Zheng Jiancheng said with a very innocent expression. "I'm just worried that your friend might not be familiar with our customs. I'm just explaining the rules here to avoid any embarrassment. If anything goes wrong, it wouldn't just make you lose face; it would also reflect poorly on our joint investment company."

"Thank you, but no need!" Lin Muqing said stiffly.

Zhou Ming squeezed Lin Muqing's hand to calm her down and then said to Zheng Jiancheng, "Thank you for your concern, but I don't think I'll make a fool of myself."

"Let's hope so. But I'll be with you, so you don't have to worry about that," Zheng Jiancheng said with a smile.

Zhou Ming looked at Zheng Jiancheng with newfound respect. The skills of this rich kid in pursuing women were indeed far superior to those of ordinary people. His psychological tactics alone, not to mention his scheming, were enough to be considered a textbook example of how a rich second-generation should handle love rivals.

Just like in TV dramas and romance novels, where rich kids use various despicable methods to force breakups or lavish money to win affection, such tactics might work on some women. However, the most important point is that such actions, even if they break up couples, often lead to deep resentment. The women who end up with these men are unlikely to be satisfied. As for those who just use money, they might as well keep a mistress instead.

For someone like Zheng Jiancheng, a world-class rich young master, conquering a woman means a full and thorough conquest. The best approach is to defeat the opponent without a fight, making them leave on their own.

Zheng Jiancheng did just that. He first made Lin Muqing call him so intimately and put on an elegant display to challenge Zhou Ming. Then, he intentionally took them through the banquet hall to showcase the lifestyle of Hong Kong's upper class. This was not about flaunting wealth, but about displaying a different level of taste and culture.

Zheng Jiancheng's introduction of the banquet rules, mentioning the buffet style, and instructing Zhou Ming not to take too much food, were all meant to humiliate him. More importantly, these remarks were intended to exhibit Zheng Jiancheng's power, creating an unbearable pressure for Zhou Ming, and making him feel the futility of resisting. He aimed to make Zhou Ming retreat in the face of this psychological warfare.

It must be said that Zheng Jiancheng's tactics were indeed impressive. Under such pressure, even the strongest man would find it difficult to maintain a calm mindset. Regardless of despair or any other thoughts, a disturbed mindset meant defeat. Adding the final blow of meeting Zheng Jiancheng's father, the world ship king, and other Hong Kong elites would ensure a complete downfall.

But unfortunately for Zheng Jiancheng, he encountered Zhou Ming. These schemes of his were destined to be in vain.

At this moment, Zhou Ming's mind was racing. Although he had known from Zheng Jiancheng's introduction that he had acquaintances there, at least the highly regarded Li Cheng was one of them. With his ability to handle relationships, he would not make him feel awkward.

However, what Zhou Ming wanted was not this. He never intended to leave his fate in others' hands. Therefore, he had to break this trap set by the son of the ship king himself.

With this in mind, Zhou Ming continuously recalled everything about the ship king. This year, the ship king would make a significant decision, but due to a major error in this decision, the huge losses led to his decline and the passing of the title of the richest Chinese to Li Cheng. Perhaps this could be used as a point of leverage.

With this thought, Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing were taken by Zheng Jiancheng to the lounge next to the banquet hall. Zheng Jiancheng did not immediately open the door but stood at the entrance, asking Zhou Ming with interest, "Well? Are you really sure you want to go in?"

Zhou Ming nodded, "Of course. Please open the door for me, Mr. Zheng. Sorry, I'm not familiar with how doors work here in Hong Kong."

Lin Muqing chuckled softly because Zhou Ming's words were quite cheeky. Although it sounded fine on the surface, it implied that Zheng Jiancheng was being treated like a servant to open the door.

Zheng Jiancheng was fuming inside but could only keep his anger to himself, silently cursing Zhou Ming. "Damn mainlander, you can only be so smug with your words. Let's see how you act when you get inside."

Zhou Ming, however, understood Zheng Jiancheng's thoughts perfectly. But he was determined to make Zheng Jiancheng's schemes futile. 

As Zheng Jiancheng opened the door, Zhou Ming saw that there were about ten elderly men in the room. They were either sitting or standing, reading newspapers, drinking tea, chatting, all waiting for the banquet to begin.

Seeing these people, Zhou Ming was momentarily stunned, not because he saw Li Cheng or the world ship king Zheng Haolong, but because he saw an even more significant figure.

This made Zhou Ming feel that the world was indeed very small and full of coincidences.