As a Magnate, I Started Checking in at a Convenience Store - Chapter 424

Chapter 424: Visiting Chinatown

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

In the evening, Zhou Chao sat on the balcony, admiring the London streets under the setting sun.

“Boss!” Lin Wu rushed in with a phone in hand.

“What’s the matter? Why are you so flustered?” Zhou Chao took the phone from Lin Wu and said calmly.

“Take a look at this message; it’s gone viral on the internet. Instagram and Facebook are already discussing it!”

Zhou Chao took out his phone and began reading the message. He couldn’t help but admire Guan Ze’s speed and accuracy.

The post was made by a cultural enthusiast with over a million followers, who often shared valuable and meaningful artifacts.

“Victoria Parliament Scepter and King John’s Crown may have resurfaced!” The headline alone was enough to attract a lot of attention.

After this video had been posted, over twenty thousand people were already discussing it, which was quite remarkable for foreign platforms.

Zhou Chao also read some of the comments, most of which were from the Eagle Country.

“Oh my god, is this for real? I can’t believe it!”

“We must insist on displaying them at the Great Eagle Museum!”

“Where are these treasures now? Are they in our Eagle Country?”

“Is this real or just a publicity stunt by the blogger? These artifacts have long disappeared in history!”

Various comments expressed hope, skepticism, or disbelief, creating a variety of opinions.

“I see. Go tell Miles to prepare. Don’t forget what I told him earlier!” Zhou Chao handed the phone back to Lin Wu.

“Alright, Boss!” Lin Wu left quickly.

After the departure of people like Guan Ze, Zhou Chao and Miles discussed the situation again and discovered some precious artifacts in the Eagle Country’s museums that Zhou Chao was unaware of, such as the Eastern Zhou Gold Sword Hilt, the Diamond Sutra, and Tang Sancai.

Zhou Chao instructed them firmly, emphasizing the need for a strong stance, using sound reasoning, and not giving an inch. With Miles being a top international lawyer, this task was easy for him.

Not long after Lin Wu left, Zhou Chao’s phone rang again.

“Mr. Zhou, the Duke of Somerset has called again. He wants to meet tomorrow morning for further discussions.”

Zhou Chao could sense the satisfaction in Guan Ze’s voice.

“Haha, no problem. Let them decide the location!”

“This time, are you really not going?”

“Yes, I’ve already made arrangements. Let my subordinates handle the negotiations. Please take care of it for me, Guan Lao!”

“Rest assured, no problem!”

After hanging up, Zhou Chao stood up from his chair, looked at the sun hanging low on the horizon, and sighed, “The sunset is infinitely beautiful, but it’s nearing dusk…”

Early the next morning, Guan Ze sent the meeting location, which was arranged at the embassy. Zhou Chao had Lin Wu and Miles handle the discussion.

“Boss, I’ve compiled the funds that the group can use,” Lin Wu called just after they left.

“How much is there?”

“There’s $23 billion, and I’ve set aside one month’s operating capital. The rest has been withdrawn. Additionally, financial personnel are ready, and we can use it at any time!”

Zhou Chao nodded. This amount exceeded his initial budget by $3 billion.

“Also, you mentioned contacting Li Daoming and Qin Qingchun. I didn’t disclose too much information to them, but 1 told them it was an urgent matter for the company. 1’11 call them to transfer the funds over!”

“Alright, go ahead and contact them. Let them know it’s urgent,” Zhou Chao instructed, and Lin Wu acknowledged, slightly surprised by the situation.

“Mmm!”

Everything was prepared, and they were just waiting for the right opportunity.

Zhou Chao was getting bored at the hotel, so he took Todd out, and they drove straight to London’s Chinatown.

After passing through a grand archway, Zhou Chao finally entered Chinatown. It was still lively as it was morning.

They strolled around Chinatown, with Zhou Chao not buying anything but merely enjoying the atmosphere. On the other hand, Todd seemed curious, inspecting various stalls and shops, appearing as though he was on a shopping spree.

“Boss, how much does this thing cost?” Todd held a palm-sized circular jade piece that looked like a Yuque (a type of ancient Chinese jade ornament) and asked Zhou Chao.

Perhaps intimidated by Todd’s fierce appearance, the seller stammered, “Th-th-this is a Yuque, a valuable item from China. If you really want it, it’s £500!”

“£500?” Todd didn’t know if it was worth the price, but he thought it looked nice and was about to pay when he remembered Zhou Chao standing nearby.

“Boss, do you think this is real?” Todd handed the Yuque to Zhou Chao.

At a glance, Zhou Chao could tell that what Todd held was a piece of domestically produced Songshan Yellow Jade, also known as “Mi Huang Yu” in China. It had a fine texture and pure color. However, it was essentially a type of marble, and many unscrupulous sellers used it to impersonate jade.

“If you need a stone for decoration at home, you can consider buying it,” Zhou Chao said, looking at the middle-aged shop owner who seemed sincere but was likely an unsuspecting seller.

“Stone?” Todd was a bit puzzled but put the item down.

Before leaving, Zhou Chao glanced at the shop owner and said, “Blocking someone’s path to wealth is like killing their parents. But 1 just want to remind you, sir, not to bring disgrace to Chinese people abroad.”

Having said that, he left without looking back. Todd followed him.

The middle-aged shop owner, upon hearing Zhou Chao’s words, felt a bit embarrassed. He collected several pieces of jade-like items from his stall, including the Yuque that Todd had just examined.

Walking down the street, Todd couldn’t help but ask, “Boss, how did that piece of jade turn into a stone? Are you very familiar with this stuff?”

“Mi Huang Yu is produced in a certain town in China, known as the hometown of Songshan Yellow Jade. Its fine texture, softness, and pure color often make people call it ‘yellow crystal,’ ‘yellow agate,’ or ‘golden jade.’ It’s quite inexpensive. It has a good brother called Han White Jade…” Zhou Chao explained with a smile.

“Han White Jade? Is that the stone used in many buildings?” Todd finally understood.

The two of them continued to stroll around, with Todd occasionally asking Zhou Chao questions, making him feel like he was more of a tour guide showing a foreigner around Chinatown.

“Wow, 1 didn’t expect London’s Chinatown to have this!” Zhou Chao exclaimed as he walked into a restaurant, his eyes shining.

“Oh my god, Boss, are you planning to eat this?” Todd looked at the restaurant’s sign and, his mouth watering, followed Zhou Chao inside.

“Boss, bring us a pot of spicy chicken!” Zhou Chao found an empty table and called out to the waiter.

“Big pot or small pot?” The moment Zhou Chao spoke, the owner warmly inquired.

“Big pot, and add extra intestines. It’s been a while since I’ve had this, don’t let me down!” Zhou Chao teased the owner.

“Don’t worry, it’s absolutely authentic. I’ve been making this spicy chicken with intestines for nearly 20 years!” The owner said and then turned to go prepare the dish.

However, Todd had a puzzled expression as he looked at Zhou Chao. “Boss, are we really going to eat this?”

Seeing Todd’s discomfort, Zhou Chao smiled and reassured him, “Once you taste it, you’ll know how delicious it is.”

Since the boss had already placed the order, Todd reluctantly nodded.

It didn’t take long for the owner to come out with a large iron pot, filled with spicy chicken and intestines, placed before them. As the familiar aroma wafted up, Zhou Chao felt his taste buds awaken, and he couldn’t help but salivate.

“Let’s eat!” Unable to contain his excitement any longer, Zhou Chao immediately picked up his chopsticks and took a big bite, ignoring Todd’s startled expression.

After chewing for a moment, he commented, “They’ve cleaned the intestines thoroughly. You can hardly taste anything unusual!”

Upon hearing this, even Todd, who had eaten insects and worms during his training, stood up and rushed to the restroom, where retching sounds could be heard.

Zhou Chao chuckled but didn’t pay much attention to Todd. Instead, he had the owner prepare a bowl of rice and happily continued eating.

The large pot of spicy chicken and intestines quickly became just chicken meat in front of Zhou Chao, as he had devoured all the intestines.

When Todd finally recovered and returned from the restroom, he wore a wry smile and said, “Boss, don’t you find it disgusting?”

“What’s so disgusting about it? Didn’t you eat worms during your training?”

“I did!”

“Well, then it’s the same thing. The only difference is that worms are smaller. Would you eat a big one?”

Todd paused for a moment, not quite comprehending. Then, he heard Zhou Chao telling him to hurry up and eat his meal.

It was only then that Todd noticed that the iron pot in front of him contained only chicken meat, as the intestines had been devoured by his boss.

Without further ado, he picked up his bowl and began eating. Meanwhile, Zhou Chao went to the counter to chat with the owner.

“Boss, are you from Shudu?”

“Yes, you too? Your accent sounds similar to mine!”

“Sort of, I’m from the Fog City!” Zhou Chao took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and handed one to the owner.

“It really is a small world!” The owner’s smile widened.

The two of them stood at the counter and chatted about various topics. Zhou Chao learned that the owner had been living abroad for quite a few years and only went back home a few times. Zhou Chao also shared his own travel experiences from earlier, which deeply moved the owner, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Todd quickly finished his meal. Initially, the owner insisted on treating them without charge, but Zhou Chao declined and paid the bill.

When they returned to the hotel, they found that Miles and the others had already returned. Additionally, with them was Guan Ze, who was sitting in the living room of his room, engaged in a conversation.

“Boss, I’ve got good news!” Miles exclaimed, his face filled with excitement..