Ma Long said, "I think the reason your development has been slow is because you were short on funds in the early stages. But do you know what you are lacking the most?"

"What is it?" Ling Zhenfei was very curious about what Ma Long had to say.

Ma Long said, "It's your network. If my investigation is correct, Xishan Manor has faced at least three significant crises since its development. Do you know why there have been so many crises?

It's because of the lack of a network. Now, your network is gradually being established, but it's too limited. You should look globally to develop your network."

Ling Zhenfei was stunned. He knew that his vision was somewhat short-sighted, but compared to Ma Long, it was extremely limited. Ma Long was already thinking globally, which was quite frightening.

Ma Long said, "So, if we cooperate, what I can bring to Xishan Manor is not only investment but also a global network."

This point, Ling Zhenfei did not doubt. Ma Long's father was the richest man in the country; it could be said that he had a significant influence internationally. When he said his network was global, it probably wasn't an exaggeration.

"Okay, we can certainly cooperate. But specifically, I want to hear something more concrete."

Ma Long said, "The vegetables from Xishan Manor are really great. They are so irresistible that I don't even want to go back to Capital City anymore. The vegetables there are nothing compared to these.

They are essentially luxury items. I plan to market the vegetables from Xishan Manor as luxury products. Things like foie gras, caviar, and matsutake mushrooms will pale in comparison to a single Ziling Fruit."

"You want to make a big deal out of the vegetables, which is fine, but it's not that easy. After all, no matter how good they are, they're still just vegetables."

Ma Ling laughed and said, "Don't worry. I have ways to handle this. If I can turn a simple roast chicken into an internet sensation, I can certainly do the same with genuinely delicious vegetables. I can make them popular nationwide and even globally."

"I think we should take this one step at a time. This is a bit too ambitious." Ling Zhenfei was somewhat shocked and found it hard to believe.

"You must always think long-term, or else you might get eliminated by the progress of society." Right now, it was clear that Ma Long had a very clear grasp of the global situation.

"Alright, I don't have such far-reaching vision. Just tell me what I should do right now. If you can convince me, I'll make the decision." Ling Zhenfei wanted to hear Ma Long's thoughts about Creek Mountain Manor.

After a brief pause, Ma Long said, "Here's the plan: Initially, Xishan Manor needs to open branches nationwide, in places like International Plaza. If Xishan Restaurant expands to every city, the scale would be significant.

Even if the current supply can't meet the demand, with over 300 cities in the country, if each city opened one or two branches, there would be at least 400 restaurants.

It might seem like 500 restaurants aren't many, but every restaurant would belong to Xishan Manor. Even if there are shareholders, Xishan Manor would still take the lion's share."

Ma Long wasn't wrong. If they developed according to this model, Xishan Manor's scale would indeed be huge.

Ma Long continued, "Once Xishan Restaurant reaches this scale, Xishan Manor should gradually take back the contracts signed with other restaurants, possibly even terminating those contracts."

Ling Zhenfei was stunned after hearing this. "Why is that? Other restaurants using vegetables from Xishan Manor allows us to sell them at premium prices. Considering Xishan Manor just a producer is a huge mistake."

"Alright, let's proceed with your approach. I think it's very feasible."

Hearing Ling Zhenfei agree, Ma Long smiled slightly and said, "Then let's discuss the details."

Ling Zhenfei nodded, "Alright, tell me, how do you plan to cooperate?"

Ma Long thought for a moment and said, "Here's what I think: You provide the technology for Xishan Restaurant, and we manage it. How about a 70-30 split? Does that work for you?"

Ling Zhenfei asked, "Is it 70 for us and 30 for you?"

Ma Long said, "Of course not, it's 70 for us and 30 for you. You just provide the technology while we handle all the dirty and hard work."

Ling Zhenfei sneered, "Director Ma, aren't you being a bit insincere? Just the brand of Xishan Restaurant alone should be worth at least half."

Ma Long said, "You're just providing the technology. We take care of rent, renovations, labor, etc. It's like you provide the technology upfront, and later just supply the vegetables while holding 30% of the share. It's a great deal."

Ling Zhenfei laughed, "So, whose restaurant would Xishan Restaurant be in the end, ours or yours?"

Ma Long said, "Of course it's yours. Everyone knows Xishan Restaurant belongs to you."

"Xishan Restaurant is mine, but I only get 30% while you take 70%. It's clear that Director Ma isn't sincere, so let's drop it. We can be friends, and I'll treat you at Xishan Restaurant some time."

After saying this, Ling Zhenfei stood up to leave, and Jiang Hui cooperatively helped him with his coat. Seeing Ling Zhenfei leaving, Ma Long hurriedly said, "Mr. Ling, don't rush. Let's talk it over slowly."

Ling Zhenfei said, "Forget it. I don't think there's much to discuss. I'd rather run Xishan Restaurant by myself. It's too troublesome to open a restaurant with anyone else."

After saying this, he walked towards the door, and Ma Long tried to stop him from behind, "Mr. Ling, if you think the price isn't suitable, we can negotiate."

"No need, Director Ma. I just realized something while you were talking. Although you're right that I need connections and relationships, I also know another saying.

'Relying on others isn't as good as relying on yourself.' It's better to handle things yourself. I appreciate your goodwill, Director Ma. Let's meet again if we get the chance."

After saying this, Ling Zhenfei walked out without looking back, leaving Ma Long standing there alone.

Ma Long's face turned very unpleasant, his expression even somewhat sinister.

"No one has ever rejected me before. Ling Zhenfei, you dare to refuse me. Just wait and see, there's no good outcome for those who offend me."

By this time, Ling Zhenfei had already walked out of International Plaza. Jiang Hui caught up and asked, "What happened? Why didn't you continue negotiating with Ma Long? I have a feeling his bottom line is a 50-50 split."

Ling Zhenfei nodded, "Yes, if I kept talking with Ma Long, I could probably get it to 50-50. But when he mentioned 70-30, I suddenly felt disgusted.

Ma Long might have money and connections, but he also can't belittle me like this. His high-handed attitude was clearly meant to humiliate me. If he had just suggested a 50-50 split from the start, I might have agreed.

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