Chapter 272 - 234: A Gathering of Big Shots

Chapter 272: Chapter 234: A Gathering of Big Shots

Inside the banquet hall, a massive crystal chandelier hung high overhead, casting a brilliant glow that brightly illuminated the entire scene.

Though called a dinner banquet, the format was more akin to a cocktail party.

There were no formal round tables, only long tables lining the sides of the room. They were laden with an assortment of pastries, cold dishes, and a few hot entrees.

In addition, there was a wide variety of alcoholic beverages.

Baijiu, red wine, champagne, spirits—a full range of drinks was available. Some were arranged neatly on the long tables, while others were carried on the trays of passing waiters.

According to the invitation, the Ji Province Entrepreneurs’ Banquet was scheduled for 7:00 PM. It was only 6:30, but the hall was already teeming with guests.

It was hard to imagine that any single person here, chosen at random, was a super-tycoon with a minimum of 500 million in assets.

Gu Heng had always thought Ji Province was poor.

Now it seemed he had truly been shortsighted.

"Ah, Chairman Chu, long time no see!"

"Chairman Lu, you’re just getting here!"

"Chairman Gao, Happy New Year!"

"Chairman Zhao, are you aging in reverse? You look younger every time I see you!"

...

Gu Heng entered the banquet hall flanked by Chu Zhengxiong and the others. They had only taken a few steps inside when people holding wine glasses began to crowd around them, striking up conversations with Chu Zhengxiong’s group.

At the same time, many were discreetly sizing up Gu Heng, who stood in the center of Chu Zhengxiong’s entourage. Seeing his incredibly youthful face, they were all inwardly stunned.

The Ji Province Entrepreneurs’ Banquet was a formal event hosted by the Ji Province Department of Commerce, not some unofficial private gathering. The rule had always been strictly one person per invitation.

Bringing a plus-one?

Bringing your son or daughter?

It was simply not possible.

Even the top tycoons in the province had to abide by this rule, to say nothing of the rest of them.

Since bringing a guest was out of the question, it meant this young man was, like them, an entrepreneur from Ji Province who had been personally invited by the Department of Commerce. What’s more, his assets had to exceed 500 million.

Soon, a scene similar to the one that had just played out at the entrance of the Northeast Asia International Financial Center repeated itself.

Introductions, pleasantries, exchanging business cards, trading compliments...

They would walk a few steps, stop, and repeat the process all over again.

In just over twenty minutes, Gu Heng’s pocket had collected a thick stack of business cards.

They gradually made their way from the entrance to the front-central part of the hall.

Upon reaching this spot, Chu Zhengxiong and his group stopped advancing.

From there, Gu Heng could see the very front of the hall. It was far less crowded than their current position.

"Chairman Gu, the people up front represent the true top tier of Ji Province’s business world."

Chu Zhengxiong lowered his voice and explained to Gu Heng, "You see that elderly man up front, the one with the biggest crowd around him? That’s the richest man in Ji Province, Xiu Laigui, chairman of Xiaoshu Medicine. He’s worth tens of billions and is a mainstay on the national Hurun Rich List."

"And look at the middle-aged man next to Xiu Laigui. That’s Li Jinyang, the chairman of Chifeng Gold Group. His net worth might not be ten billion, but he’s not far off. He’s consistently ranked in the top three in the entire province."

Having been invited to the Ji Province Entrepreneurs’ Banquet for three consecutive years, Chu Zhengxiong knew the members of this elite circle like the back of his hand.

Xiaoshu Medicine, Chifeng Gold, Yongda Group, Haoyue Halal, ZG Education, Changjiu Logistics, Haiwang Group, Debang Nanomaterials...

As far as the eye could see, they were nearly all heads of publicly traded companies.

"Chairman Gu, although we’re all guests invited by the Ji Province Department of Commerce, the gap between us and that circle up front is immense. The entry threshold to join them is at least five billion."

Chu Zhengxiong whispered to Gu Heng, "This is as far as we can go. But Chairman Gu, with your net worth and social standing, you absolutely belong up there. You don’t need to stand here with us."

"It’s fine."

"I’m perfectly happy right here."

"I don’t know anyone up there. It would be rather dull."

Gu Heng waved his hand dismissively, his attitude casual.

He had accepted the invitation tonight out of simple curiosity for this kind of event. As for making new friends or expanding his network, he was content to let things happen as they may.

In just six months, he had gone from a poor kid to an A10 Level super-tycoon. If he just worked a little harder and relied on a "little" help from Father Tongzi, perhaps by this time next year, he’d have an invitation to the *national* entrepreneurs’ banquet in his hands.

With that in mind, he wasn’t too concerned about interacting with the people at the front. If an opportunity arose, he’d take it. If not, he wasn’t about to go groveling.

"As you wish."

"In that case, Chairman Gu, let’s have a drink."

Chu Zhengxiong raised his wine glass. "To you, Chairman Gu. May the new year surpass the last, and may all your wishes come true. Here’s to your grand ambitions and even greater success in the year to come!"

"Thank you, Chairman Chu."

Gu Heng clinked glasses with him and said with a smile, "If I recall correctly, our Sound Wave store on Guilin Road is having its grand reopening today, right? After the upgrade from Version 1.0 to 2.0."

Chu Zhengxiong drained his glass and nodded. "That’s right. Today is the grand reopening of the Sound Wave Guilin Road Store. We started building hype two weeks ago and even transferred the best singers and bands from Xingchuan International over for the occasion. We’re hoping for a spectacular opening night."