Zhou Xuan glanced at Shangguan Mingyue and thought that since Xu Juncheng had arrived, this matter was not particularly shameful. He originally did not want other business people to be present, but now that they were there, it didn't matter. He thought that he had just helped Shangguan Mingyue solve such a big problem for Wu Jianguo, so she probably wouldn't come to cause trouble for him.
Zhou Xuan waved to the waiter, who brought Xu Juncheng a teacup and poured him some tea. Then, Zhou Xuan said to the waiter, "We'll order tea later. You can go out now; we'll talk for a bit!"
After the waiter left, Zhou Xuan raised his teacup and said, "Mr. Xu, please have some tea!"
After taking a sip of tea, Zhou Xuan continued, "Mr. Xu, let me get straight to the point. I think you know a little about this. I'm interested in buying your stone-cutting factory in the western suburbs. I wonder if you're interested in making a move?"
Of course, he wanted to make a move, but Xu Juncheng was trying to figure out the intentions of Li Wei and Shangguan Mingyue being there as well. Especially if he offended someone like Li Wei, the situation would be even more complicated. In the years that Xu Juncheng had been in business, he had always been very clear that the common people could not fight against the officials. It was a battle between officials and businessmen. Businessmen had to rely on officials to survive!
Because Zou Shichang was located in a remote area, Xu Juncheng only spent more than 200,000 yuan to buy the land at that time, and it only cost more than 3 million yuan to build the factory. The factory buildings were all covered with asbestos and glazed tiles, and the few residential buildings were only two stories high. It didn't cost much money, but the land was not small.
This year, someone offered Xu Juncheng an extremely low price, three or four hundred thousand, but Xu Juncheng refused to sell, so it just sat there. Later, it was rented out, and at least a few thousand yuan a month, which was better than leaving it empty, so it was rented out.
Now that Zhou Xuan said he wanted to buy it, Xu Juncheng rushed over with a bit of excitement, thinking that even if he couldn't sell it for his own money, he would be satisfied if he could sell it for a million or so, at least it could help him get through his current difficult situation! But the appearance of Li Wei and Shangguan Mingyue at the scene disrupted his good mood, and he hesitated in his heart.
"Well... I do have the intention to help, but..." Xu Juncheng hesitated, "I don't know how to say it. I want to find out Li Wei's intentions before I can make a decision. In his current situation, it's best not to offend Li Wei. If Li Wei is also here for this matter, then I'll act according to the situation!"
Zhou Xuan didn't want to beat around the bush. Besides, this wasn't like other big deals; there was no need to make it all secretive, full of backstabbing and scheming. That wasn't Zhou Xuan's style. So, Zhou Xuan often considered himself an inept businessman, unable to handle business, and thus left the antique shop to [unclear - possibly a person's name]. "Mr. Xu," he said, "I think our business is very straightforward. You make an offer, I counter, if you think it's right, we sell; if you don't, we don't!"
Xu Juncheng was still hesitant. Li Wei and Shangguan Mingyue were not speaking, and he didn't understand what they meant. But Zhou Xuan had been so direct. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Well... I don't know how to tell Mr. Zhou. I bought that factory four years ago. The land cost about 200,000 yuan, the factory building cost 3 million yuan, and the machinery inside the factory cost about 100,000 yuan. That's about it!"
Xu Juncheng had considered his words. He specifically reminded everyone that it was from four years ago. If Zhou Xuan was just Li Wei's hired gun, speaking on his behalf, you could ignore this and directly negotiate the price. If Zhou Xuan wanted it himself, you could also understand it as something purchased four years ago. The price then is completely different from the price now. But in any case, Xu Juncheng was leaving himself some room for maneuver, not wanting to make any definitive statements or offend anyone.
Zhou Xuan thought for a moment. He didn't really understand the real estate situation here, nor did he know much about the market. He understood what Xu Juncheng meant, but understanding the market and what Xu Juncheng meant were two different things. After thinking for a while, he said, "Mr. Xu, I don't really know how much the difference is between four years ago and now. Let me be frank. Your factory is in a remote area. Realistically speaking, I'd offer you six million. Would you sell?"
Xu Juncheng was taken aback. Zhou Xuan's answer was far beyond his expectations. He had been hoping to sell it for a million or so, but Zhou Xuan's offer was much higher than he had imagined. And from what he said, it seemed that it had nothing to do with Li Wei and Shangguan Mingyue.
"Six million..." Xu Juncheng hesitated. If Li Wei hadn't been there, he would have agreed to the price immediately. But he had to consider the relationship between Li Wei and Zhou Xuan. What kind of relationship did they have? Was Zhou Xuan Li Wei's proxy? Shangguan Mingyue and Li Wei had both caught a whiff of the situation; they guessed Zhou Xuan wanted to buy one of Xu Juncheng's old factories in the suburbs. Shangguan Mingyue's impression of Zhou Xuan had been repeatedly wrong, despite her careful estimations.
Zhou Xuan was really quite ordinary, and Shangguan Mingyue had always looked down on men. Although she often had to deal with these men, deep down she never thought much of Zhao.
But Zhou Xuan, who was just an ordinary person, kept surprising her. Besides his amazing magic tricks, he casually offered a price of six million. Usually, when someone offers a price, she can roughly estimate the person's wealth from that price. Six million, and he didn't seem excited or have his heart racing. This six million was probably only one percent of his assets.
For someone of Zhou Xuan's age to have such wealth, there are generally only two possibilities: one is that it's inherited from a family, the so-called "second-generation official and rich," and the other is that it's earned through one's own hard work. But Zhou Xuan is too young. It's very, very difficult for someone his age to have a net worth of over 100 million. If you list all the youngest billionaires, it's rare to see someone in their twenties with over 100 million in wealth.
While Xu Juncheng hesitated, Li Weiqi said, "Brother Xuan, what do you need to buy a factory for? The western suburbs are too remote. If you need a factory, just tell me, and I'll find you a good one in the I& area—cheap and good!"
Zhou Xuan smiled and shook his head, saying, "Thank you. I think that place is quite nice. I plan to buy it for cutting jadeite rough stones. Because it's noisy and requires a large area, the suburbs are more convenient!"
Upon hearing Zhou Xuan's words, both Xu Juncheng and Shangguan Mingyue were taken aback. Xu Juncheng spoke first, asking, "Zhou Xuan is also in the jewelry business?"
"Hehe!" Zhou Xuan replied with a smile, "For now, I only have an antique shop in Panjiayuan. Because I'm preparing for the opening, I don't have many goods. I bought a large batch of raw stones in Yunnan and need a stone-cutting factory. My friend rented your factory, but I want to make things more convenient and invest in expanding the factory, so I want to buy it."
Shangguan Mingyue thought to herself, looking at Zhou Xuan like this, with his magic tricks, she would never have guessed that he was in the business of antiques and jade. It was completely unrelated. In her impression, people who dealt in antiques and jade were old men and old folks. How could they be related to young people today?
When Xu Juncheng heard Zhou Xuan say that he had gambled on a large batch of rough stones, his heart trembled. He shuddered at the mere mention of "stone gambling." Wasn't his fortune of hundreds of millions gambled on this? If it weren't for stone gambling, although his business wouldn't have reached its later scale, he wouldn't be in such a sorry state now, with debts exceeding his assets. It was all because of stone gambling!
It can truly be said that he made his fortune and also lost his life through gambling on stones!
But Xu Juncheng also clearly heard Li Wei call Zhou Xuan "Brother Xuan," which made him somewhat surprised and suspicious. It was rare to be called "Brother" by someone as fearless as Li Wei, the young master.
Who is this Zhou Xuan? Xu Juncheng is a seasoned veteran in the capital. He has heard of many influential people in the capital. Although he may not have dealings with all of them, he is certainly not as unfamiliar with Zhou Xuan as he is with him!
But Zhou Xuan offered him a price of six million. Should he accept or not? He was truly torn!
Seeing Xu Juncheng's hesitation, Zhou Shi asked again, "Mr. Xu, just tell me, is the price too low or will you not sell?"
Shangguan Mingyue opened her mouth at this moment and said calmly, "Mr. Xu, I'm in the real estate business. I know about your land in the western suburbs. Xicheng doesn't plan to develop there yet, so land prices won't rise anytime soon. In our assessment, the actual value of your land is between four and six million right now, but that depends on someone wanting it. In the current market, your land is only worth three million. If it were a businessman, he would only offer you one and a half million, and that would be the highest he could offer!"
Shangguan Mingyue's words were the kind of jargon used by pragmatic business people. What she really meant was to remind Zhou Xuan that there was no need to spend the exorbitant price of six million.
Although Xi Zhouxuan's magic trick was beautiful, the tone and tactics he used when negotiating business with Xu Juncheng just now made Shangguan Mingyue want to spit it out!
This is worse than a novice. A novice who doesn't know the market might try to negotiate and lower the price, but Zhou Xuan's tone makes it sound like he wants to raise the price and even ask for a higher price. He can't even grasp such an obvious negotiating mindset. If he were doing business, he would really lose money.
Zhou Xuan understood Shangguan Mingyue's good intentions, but he was not a qualified businessman. He wanted the factory, and he didn't care if the price was a little higher. In any case, the extent and methods he used to make money were beyond the comprehension of others. To him, the factory was just something he could pick up from the ground.
However, Zhou Xuan was no fool. He understood Shangguan Mingyue's good intentions and the actual value of Xu Juncheng's land. But since he had already made a bid, he had to wait for Xu Juncheng's reply. Besides, the land's value would be different once it was in Zhou Xuan's hands, but of course, he couldn't reveal that reason.
Xu Juncheng was also an experienced man. He could immediately deduce from Shangguan Mingbei's words that Shangguan Mingyue and Li Wei both had close ties with Zhou Xuan, because both of them were speaking up for Zhou Xuan.
However, Xu Juncheng was truly desperate. Think about it: a billionaire with hundreds of millions in assets, now he's lost his car and house, his company is on the verge of bankruptcy and being swallowed up, and he's being chased by countless huge debts. His desire for money is stronger than anyone else's! As long as he can get the money, as long as it's better than the price offered by others, Xu Juncheng is willing to sell. "Well then, Mr. Zhou, since you and Third Brother are friends, then just give me any price!" Xu Juncheng also had his own calculations. In the past, he certainly wouldn't have said that, but now he's down on his luck and can't afford to be proud.
Zhou Xuan thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Xu, I think I'll still offer six million. Perhaps you really need this money right now. To be honest, I'm not cut out for business, but I don't want to do anything against my conscience. If you're willing, we can make a deal!"
Xu Juncheng was stunned for a moment, and suddenly felt a warmth in his heart. The people he had met were not trying to swallow his property and seize his business, but he did not blame them. This society is a dog-eat-dog world. Before, he had the same thoughts, the same ideas, and the same actions!
If it weren't for gambling on jade, his situation wouldn't be like this now!
Zhou Xuan knew he didn't need to pay so much, he could negotiate a much lower price, and he could buy the factory at a much lower price, but he still insisted on paying the maximum price of six million. This was clearly because he couldn't bear to let him suffer a loss under these circumstances. It was because he couldn't bear to let him suffer a loss. This kind of mentality is not that of a businessman!
Xu Juncheng suddenly remembered the times he had swallowed up other small jewelers, one of whom was even driven to suicide by jumping off a building because of bankruptcy. Before that, that person had come to Xu Juncheng, hoping to sell his shop to him at an acceptable price, but Xu Juncheng only offered a very low price.
From a business perspective, Xu Juncheng's actions were beyond reproach. However, in retrospect, Xu Juncheng understood the man's intentions back then, because he himself was in that situation. Xi Zhouxuan's actions undoubtedly made him feel ashamed!
In that brief moment, Xu Juncheng felt that Zhou Xuan was a friend he could make deeply, a friend he could treat like a brother. He felt a warm feeling in his heart, his throat tightened, and then he said, "Mr. Zhou, how about this, I don't have the property certificate for that factory with me right now, nor have I prepared all the necessary documents for the procedures. I'll go back and prepare them first, and then go to the factory tomorrow to complete the procedures. No matter the price, the factory will only be sold to you!"
When Xu Juncheng said this, Zhou Xuan could also feel a strong sense of sorrow in his voice. He had seen Xu's Jewelry before with Fu Ying in a jewelry store, and the attitude of the shop assistants was completely different from that of other shops. No wonder Xu's Jewelry was like a sunset!
After saying this, Xu Juncheng stood up and said to Zhou Xuan, "Mr. Zhou, I will be at the factory at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. It's a pleasure to meet you!" He then shook hands with Zhou Xuan and gave him a business card before leaving.
After Xu Juncheng left, Shangguan Mingyue said, "Mr. Zhou, I think you are really different from others. Originally, I thought you didn't know how to do business, but the way you did it is clearly a display of great wisdom. Xu Juncheng is in a situation where he is surrounded by enemies. Your act of helping him in his time of need has moved him a lot. This factory will definitely be sold to you!"
Zhou Xuan said calmly, "Miss Shangguan, you've misunderstood. I'm not good at business, and I don't think as deeply as you do. What 'wise fool' or 'helping in times of need' isn't what I'm thinking. I just can't bear to see people suffer. Everyone has their difficult and down-on-their-luck moments. Maybe one day it'll be your turn to be down on your luck!" Shangguan Mingyue smiled slightly after Zhou Xuan's rebuke and didn't say anything more.
Li Wei smiled and said, "Brother Xuan, is the date you were talking about with this Xu Juncheng? The business deal is done, but we haven't eaten yet. Let's not eat now, or we can go back to my house. My grandpa is waiting for us!"
As Li Wei was saying this, he remembered how Zhou Xuan had made the teacup he was covering disappear. He thought it would be better to bring Zhou Xuan home, where his grandfather would be there to help him, and he could try to get some information out of him. It wouldn't be good to do it here. It seemed that Shangguan Mingyue had the same idea.