Chapter 682: Chapter 373: Wish (Part 2)
Guo Feng looked straight into Chen Cheng’s eyes and said, "The tax revenue must stay in Banna."
Chen Cheng was silent for a moment. This was an unexpected, yet reasonable condition.
Banna was willing to take the risk and issue the license, naturally to stimulate local economic development, and tax revenue is the most direct representation of that.
"This condition is quite..." Chen Cheng smiled.
Guo Feng flicked his cigarette ash, "It’s up to you how to negotiate. We’ve given the green light, but how to implement it specifically is up to you."
Chen Cheng understood what Guo Feng meant; he was passing the ball to him. He thought for a moment and asked, "Besides the tax revenue staying locally, are there any other requirements?"
Guo Feng shook his head, "No, as long as the tax revenue stays in Banna, everything else is negotiable. Of course, the procedures that need to be followed still have to be, and we need to account to the higher-ups."
"Director Guo, I understand. I will discuss this with Chairman Jiang to see if he can accept this condition." Chen Cheng extinguished his cigarette after a couple of puffs, "Then, Director Guo, I’ll take my leave for now. If you have any issues while you’re in Sanya, feel free to contact me anytime."
Guo Feng stood up, "Eh? Brother, you’re not staying to have a couple of drinks tonight?"
Chen Cheng smiled and said, "I still need to rush back to Lingshui; someone’s waiting at home."
Faced with Chen Cheng’s farewell, Guo Feng did not insist on keeping him.
In this transaction, both were intermediaries; Chen Cheng introduced Guo Feng, and Guo Feng brought in the finance department.
"Alright then, brother, walk slowly."
"Hmm, you stay, and let’s keep in touch."
After leaving the room, Chen Cheng immediately sent a message to Guo Feng, arranging to meet at a café.
Soon after, Guo Feng came in quickly; before sitting down, he asked, "Chairman Chen, how did it go? Did you get any news for me?"
Chen Cheng took a sip of soda water, "The Banna side agreed to issue the loan license, but there is one condition."
Jiang Wenlong’s heart leapt into his throat, "What condition?"
Chen Cheng conveyed the information he had just received from Jiang Wenlong in detail.
Jiang Wenlong was silent for a while. He was mentally prepared, but actually hearing the condition made him feel a pain in his heart.
"Chairman Chen, this condition..." Jiang Wenlong hesitated a bit.
Chen Cheng patted Jiang Wenlong’s shoulder, "Lao Jiang, I know it’s not easy for you, but it can’t be helped. With such strict financial regulations now, it’s already a good deal to be able to get the license."
Jiang Wenlong sighed, "I know, I know. It’s just that this tax percentage..."
Chen Cheng said, "That you can discuss with the Banna side. Director Guo said as long as the tax revenue is retained in Banna, everything else can be negotiated."
Jiang Wenlong nodded, "I understand. I’ll have a good discussion with Director Guo during dinner."
"Alright, everything I promised you has been completed." Chen Cheng stood up with a smile, "So, Chairman Jiang, we’ll meet in Shanghai?"
Jiang Wenlong was also surprised at Chen Cheng’s departure, "Ah? You’re not staying tonight? I’ve arranged everything."
"Eh, today you’re the protagonist." Chen Cheng said, "I won’t steal your spotlight, Chairman Jiang."
"Alright, alright."
Jiang Wenlong understood that all Chen Cheng promised to do was to make an introduction.
Now that Chen Cheng had fulfilled that to this extent, it was already considered more than complete.
He extended his hand, "Thank you, Chairman Chen."
Chen Cheng shook his hand back, "You’re welcome, we’re all friends after all!"
After leaving the cafe, Chen Cheng arrived at the entrance of the hotel, where the Lamborghini was already waiting.
Li Ya leaned against the car, with her cool outfit, outstanding figure, and lovely appearance, on top of this luxury car; she was undeniably eye-catching.
Seeing Chen Cheng come out, she quickly ran over, taking his arm, "Uncle~"
Chen Cheng smiled and said, "Have you waited long?"
"Isn’t it obvious?" Li Ya giggled, "Shall we go? Mom and they have been waiting for you quite a while."
The two got into the car, "Why are you so obedient today, not fighting me over the steering wheel?"
Li Ya stuck out her tongue, "I’m tired from driving today, I don’t want to drive anymore."
With that, she lifted her skirt a bit, stretching out her long legs and placing them on Chen Cheng’s lap, her fair feet swaying, "Let’s go!"
Chen Cheng chuckled, said nothing further, and started the car.
The Lamborghini’s engine emitted a low growl and sped away.
Along the way, Li Ya chirped away with Chen Cheng, who quietly listened, occasionally responding, maintaining a faint smile on his face.
He enjoyed this moment of tranquility and relaxation, temporarily forgetting the scheming in the business world, returning to the initial simplicity and happiness.
...
...
The two arrived at The Sound of the Sea, and Wen Shulin, Xiao Meier, and others were already waiting.
"Did you get the person?" Wen Shulin asked.
Chen Cheng sat back beside Xiao Meier, who handed him a bowl and chopsticks, and Chen Cheng said, "I just dropped them off at the hotel and rushed over."
Wen Shulin was also curious, "What conditions did the Banna side offer?"
Chen Cheng gave a brief account of the situation, and after listening, Wen Shulin said, "It’s similar to what I guessed last night."
Xiao Meier curiously asked, "Sister Lin, what does it mean to keep the tax revenue locally?"
Wen Shulin explained, "It means they want Shanghai CGG to establish a branch in Banna and for the profits generated by the branch’s business operations there to be taxed based on Banna’s local tax rate, instead of in Shanghai."
"That way, Banna can gain more fiscal revenue for local development and construction," Chen Cheng added.
Xiao Meier blinked, "Wouldn’t that be a loss for CGG?"
Wen Shulin smiled, "That depends on whether CGG’s parent company agrees. But if they can obtain that loan business license, I think Alina will nod."
Xiao Meier nodded, "I see. Sister Lin, you’re amazing; you know everything."
"I’m not amazing; the truly amazing one is your Mr. Chen." Wen Shulin smiled, "A single phone call, and he got people here."
"Mom, can’t you stop talking about business?" Li Ya pouted, "It’s rare to get out for a vacation, and you’re still discussing business."
She continued non-stop, "When we went out to sea the other day, you and Uncle Chen didn’t come to play with us either."
Wen Shulin quickly said, "Alright, alright, we won’t talk about it. Didn’t we bring you out today to make up for that day?"
"That’s more like it!" Li Ya handed the menu to Meng Wanning, "Sister Xiao Ning, order! Whatever you want to eat, it’s on me!"
Meng Wanning browsed through, "I’ll have just a steamed grouper."
"Sister Meixiang?" Li Ya asked again.
"Hmm... Scallops please."
Li Ya nodded continuously by the side, "Alright, alright, I love all these!"
The three girls continued ordering dishes on one side, while the discussion on Chen Cheng’s side shifted from business matters to the destination they were visiting today.
"After we finish eating, we’ll head to Nanshan for a walk." He said, "Didn’t you want to pray to Guanyin?"
Xiao Meier nodded repeatedly, "Yes! I heard Guanyin of South Sea is the most effective!"
Wen Shulin chimed in, deliberately asking, "Xiao Er, what are you going to wish for?"
"I’m obviously..." Xiao Meier noticed the smile on Wen Shulin’s face and came to her senses, "Sister Lin, you’re teasing me again!"
"Hahaha..."
"What about you?" Xiao Meier countered back.
Wen Shulin took a sip of tea, "Me, I hope everyone stays healthy and everything goes smoothly."
Xiao Meier laughed and agreed, "Yes, yes, health is the most important!"
She turned to look at Chen Cheng, "Chen Cheng, what about you? What is your wish?"
"I don’t have any wishes."
"How could you not have any wishes?" Xiao Meier furrowed her brows.
"My life is quite good now."
Chen Cheng smiled and said, "Being able to sunbathe and eat seafood in Sanya without worrying about running out of vacation days, what more could I wish for?"
"That’s right!" Xiao Meier realized that at this time, her and Chen Cheng’s life was indeed very satisfying.
"But you must have an ultimate wish, right?" She asked.
Chen Cheng thought for a moment, "Indeed, if I have to say a wish, there is one."
Mei Xiang and the others paused from ordering, their eyes all focusing on Chen Cheng.
Wen Shulin was no exception, with her gaze on him.
Chen Cheng looked around at those expectant eyes and sincerely said, "I hope that everyone around me can always be happy and joyful!"