As a Magnate, I Started Checking in at a Convenience Store - Chapter 594:

Chapter 594: Hot Pot Must Be Spicy!

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation | Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Zhou Chao hurriedly drove to the old alley of Shichahai, Modu. After a series of turns, he arrived at the Xiao family residence. He greeted the two guards at the entrance and quickly walked into the quadrangle.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw the old man leisurely sitting on a recliner, drinking tea. Beside him was an antique radio playing classic Beijing Opera tunes.

Watching the old man with his eyes closed, tapping his fingers on his thigh in rhythm with the opera, Zhou Chao smiled but didn’t speak.

Instead, he walked straight to the recliner next to Xiao Lao and sat down, leisurely pouring himself a cup of tea and sipping it.

After about seven or eight minutes, the old man still hadn’t spoken. Zhou Chao had refilled his tea twice already.

It wasn’t until the Beijing Opera on the radio stopped that Xiao Lao opened his eyes and looked at him, saying, “Your cultivation still needs some work. You must practice more!”

Zhou Chao was momentarily stunned but then nodded, “Understood, Old Master!”

Although he agreed verbally, inwardly he grumbled, “Really, calling me in such a rush, I thought it was something important. Turns out it’s just to listen to a Beijing Opera tune and criticize my cultivation. Ah, well, what can I say!”

Despite his internal grumbling, he maintained a respectful expression on his face.

Xiao Lao nodded approvingly, unaware of Zhou Chao’s thoughts. If he knew what Zhou Chao was thinking, he would have jokingly suggested mounting that old radio on Zhou Chao’s head.

“You handled the recent matter well. You have ideas and take responsibility, qualities befitting an excellent entrepreneur.”

Hearing this, Zhou Chao couldn’t help but smirk, “Old Master, anyone can talk the talk. Can we get down to business? Just saying a few words of praise doesn’t help much. How about you speak to the higher-ups and exempt my companies from taxes for ten years? What do you think?”

Finishing his statement, Zhou Chao grinned at Xiao Lao.

Seeing Zhou Chao’s shameless grin, Xiao Lao glared at him, “You boy, you’re really asking for the moon! Do you know that your industries generate at least billions in tax revenue annually? If we exempt taxes for ten years, it would amount to tens of billions!”

At first, Zhou Chao didn’t have high hopes. After all, his two largest enterprises, in technology and steel refining, already enjoyed tax exemptions. But if it were possible, it would be great.

“Tch, Old Master, do you know how much I lost this time? I roughly calculated. It’s at least several billion dollars!”

The moment he mentioned it, Xiao Lao became even more irritated. “You boy, I don’t know what you’re up to. Hmph, your audacity is growing by the day. You even dare to scheme against the higher-ups. If it weren’t for the overall benefit this time, you’d be scolded thoroughly!”

Zhou Chao didn’t argue further. He lifted the tea cup from the table, took a sip, and muttered softly, “Benefit? It’s all benefits, not even acknowledging the losses.”

“Don’t mutter. Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I can’t hear. And can you speak up a bit louder?” Seeing Zhou Chao’s slightly aggrieved expression, Xiao Lao chuckled and scolded him.

Zhou Chao’s eyes flickered as he pretended to be aggrieved. “Exactly! I played a significant role this time, more or less. I can tolerate not being praised, but to be blamed instead? Sigh, if there’s a similar opportunity in the future, I’ll have to find someone else.”

Xiao Lao was also astute enough to understand what Zhou Chao was thinking. However, he knew he couldn’t continue belittling him. Although he initially wanted to deflate Zhou Chao’s arrogance, it seemed that it had little effect.

“Ahem, overall, things went well this time. Your father-in-law and your uncle have successfully established themselves. Ah, it’s all thanks to you, Xiao Chao. Otherwise, with just the two of them, who knows how many more years they would have to struggle.”

Xiao Lao couldn’t help but feel deeply moved. Without Zhou Chao’s intervention, Jiang Youdao and Xiao Zhong might have taken another decade to overcome their obstacles.

At this point, Zhou Chao looked at Xiao Lao curiously and asked, “Old Master, does the person in charge of controlled nuclear fusion have any thoughts on this matter?”

Xiao Lao gave him a serious look. “Is this something you should worry about?”

But after a moment of silence, Xiao Lao continued, “But it won’t hurt to tell you. The technology is already in progress. You know it takes time, not something that can be achieved overnight. Perhaps in the near future, you’ll see sky-faring aircraft like those in science fiction movies!”

“Sky-faring aircraft?” Zhou Chao was momentarily lost in thought, his mind already envisioning the feasibility of sky-faring achievements. As the owner of controlled nuclear fusion technology, he was well-versed in the subject.

“Yes, the plan has been approved, and it’s been named the Phoenix Project!” Xiao Lao said excitedly. After all, it was their proposal in the first place.

Zhou Chao couldn’t help but mutter to himself, “The Phoenix Project? That name sounds awful. In my opinion, it should be called the Southern Gate Project. It has a mythological vibe and goes straight to the point. Imagine something like a sky-faring aircraft carrier or a space cruiser. That’s much cooler than your sky-faring aircraft!”

“The Southern Gate Project? Sky-faring aircraft carrier?” Xiao Lao was a bit puzzled by Zhou Chao’s words. They had never considered such ideas before, but upon reflection, Zhou Chao’s suggestions seemed quite reasonable..