To Love You Again

A melodious music was accompanying every guest in the first-class restaurant.

A waiter was holding a plate with three different bottles of wine and went to serve the three middle-aged men in one of the tables.

Yi An, a man with a big stomach, who was slicing a beef steak talked.

"I'm telling you, its a solid information. ArtWorld will be gone for sure. The Xiong Empire is concealing this news to us."

The short man with eyeglasses on Yi An's left, Er Bing, who helped the waiter which wine to pour on whose glass, spoke.

"Then when are we planning to back out? We should not back out too soon or too late. If we back out as early as now, the Xiong Empire might take it against us and maybe pinned to us that we're the reason why ArtWorld will not be built. And if it's too late, we will be in disadvantages." Yi An said what he sincerely thought.

San Chin, a big man with shoulder-length hair, reached out for his glass and take a sip. He then nodded and commented.

"I agree. I think its better if we pull out in the middle of the month. We should have our own backup project to put our money on. So we can excuse ourselves that we will be backing out because the later project needs our resources and cooperation more." He suggested.

The three of them knew that it was a lame excuse. However, with this excuse, the Xiong Empire could not blame them even if the empire knew they were just using the later project as leeway.

These three men, Yi An, Er Bing, and San Chin are investors who invest 20% in ArtWorld. They are the second to the highest investors of ArtWorld. They are very important for the ArtWorld. However, because of this, they could not jump out of the sinking boat easily. Because they are afraid of becoming an enemy of the Xiong Empire.

They are all very wealthy. And with these three collaboration, they become one of the top 10 in investment companies in China.

However, they can't still make an enemy out of humongous corporations like the Xiong Empire. So now, they are racking their brains to renounce the ArtWorld project.

"Have you scout any project recently?" Yi An asked the two.

San Chin nodded.

"Have you heard of SC company?"

The two thought for a while then shake their heads.

"Is it a new company? I've never head of SC before. " Er Bing commented.

"We don't take projects from a newbie. You know that, San Chin." Yi An said.

"I know. I know. But hear me out. This company is just built last year. It's like the beans that thrown out by Donald and grew up as a large three overnight. Its stocks are rising constantly!" San Chin told them while gesturing with his hands. He was clearly amazed by SC.

"So? A lot of companies grown overnight then died the next day. We're not sure about this SC." Yin An said. He witnessed a lot of companies who grew too fast but died too soon as well. It might be because of different reasons. But he knew they will not be able to cooperate in the long term for that kind of company.

"I know. I know that. I've looked into them. Because they showed a great surprise to me, I investigate them more. Their revenues every month is increasing. Every project that they take, the return is doubled, tripled, sometimes it is even quadrupled. Not only that, even they are only a year old, they have also taken roots in the agriculture and manufacturing industry. I think they would start to take roots in the entertainment industry as well."

The two were now shocked.

"Wha-? Are they planning to become an empire? " Er Bing said open-mouthed.

"I think the man behind SC has a lot of great connections." Yin An said thoughtfully.

"Furthermore, the partnership they have in those companies is a long term one." Sang Chin added a bomb.

The two were really taken aback.

A long term partnership is rare. It only occurs if both of the parties have trusted each other. It means they are both confident that their partners would not be bankrupt for that long period of time.

This long term partnership usually occurs in big corporations and legendary investors.

Now, if this SC who was only a green company managed to get that long term partnership out of their partners, it means that this SC was a terrifying company. 

If they can manage to achieve this feat at one year old, then how about in the future, when SC is ten, or 20 years old in the industry? Just thinking of these made the three gulped and excitement was boiling in their blood.

Yi An could not help but slapped the table with agitation.

"Why telling it now?! Contact them immediately!"

"Ha. Ha. Ha. No need! I'm not yet done telling my story. Sc actually contacted me." San Chin said with a proud smile. He was so happy he managed to get the two so agitated.

"That's great! What did they say?" Er Bing asked.

San Chin smiled smugly.

"They wanted us to invest in their new project."

The two exchanged glances. This time its no doubt that they will take this on.

*****

The waiter went to the back kitchen. He put down the plates he was holding and he went straight to the back room and straight to his locker room. He opened his phone and type. Then he sends it. He put it back quickly and closed his locker. He runs to the back kitchen again and started to serve another table.

****

Lin Ruo who was waiting in the car received a text.

He read it. Then he forwarded it to their group chat.

The three, who were indifferent locations received it and read it as well.

Ting.

[Who is this SC? They are everywhere!] - Mu Fian

[Let's add it to the report. This SC is suspicious. I'm done with the trio. I'll back up Gi Pieng.] - Lin Ruo

[Thank God! I need help. I'm back to zero here. Seems like they erase all the trace. It will be hard to find a lead.] - Gi Pieng

[Uhm. Guys? Can I exchange it with someone? I don't really like clubs.] - Xian Tao

******

In a fancy lounge bar, a tall man with curly dark brown hair was drinking his wine. He was waiting for someone.

Si Giovanni was half Chinese and half Italian. He has taken roots in the business industry of China. However, he wanted to expand his connections to Italy as well. He had projects in Italy but it was only mediocre. Right now, he was meeting a CEO from Italy who happened to visit China.

A tall man with a mustache sat beside him.

"Mi scuso per il ritardo, signor Si." ( I 

apologize for being later Mr. Si ) the man said while he ordered a glass of wine.

"Non preoccuparti signor Caputo." (No worries Mr. Caputo)

"Ha. Ha. Just Marco is fine." Marco said.

Si Giovanni just smiled and went directly to business.

"I've heard you're looking for an investment company for your new project in Italy. I'm quite interested." 

Marco was not a bit stunned and did not say anything. He continued sipping on his wine.

"I'm willing to cooperate with you in the long term if you allow me to own 50% of this project," Giovanni added.

"Cough. Cough." Marco almost choked on his wine. He looked back at Giovanni clearly taken aback.

"Never. I need investors, not owners. " 

"Just hear me out. Once you let me own 50% of that project, I will continue investing in your other projects. Or your new project. I just need a starting point for me to take roots in Italy. I'm telling you, the risk you are taking is worth it. " Giovanni persuaded Marco more. He was desperate to start building his connections in Italy. 

This CEO, Marco Caputo, owned a big corporation in Italy. He might not be in the top 10 but he was always invited in every gathering where the top 10 was. Having connected with Caputo was a good starting point.

But Mr. Caputo doesn't think so.

"Do you know why my position in Italy is consistent? Because I don't take such risk. "

"If you don't take risk,  how will your company grow? Don't you want to be at the top 10?" Giovanni doesn't want to give up.

"I might not be in top 10 but the benefits I'm having are the same as them. I'm satisfied with where I'm at. Taking you with me will put me into the spotlight. I might grow fast with you. But I will take more enemies and trouble. My company is growing slowly. I prefer this pace. You might call me a coward, but this is the safest path I choose." Marco stands up and left.

Giovanni gulped his wine. 

"One more glass please." 

This was the third time he failed.

The bartender poured him a glass.

When the bartender's shift ended, he went to his locker directly to change his clothes. He bid goodbye to his co-worker. When he existed at the back door he looked around. He then went to a certain car.