"Hahahaha, so what if that is the case? No matter how dazzling beauty is, it will fade with age, while the brilliance of gold never tarnishes and is forever pursued and adored," the ambassador said, winking before adding, "But wealth aside, you are also a very charming lady."
This was not mere flattery; it was his true impression.
Beauty knows no borders.
In the ambassador's eyes, Su Ning was indeed a beauty, but what was even more striking about her was that sharp, dominant, and aloof aura that left a deep impression.
Of course, appreciation was just appreciation.
Men would not really prefer a lover like this, the ambassador added in his mind. However, combined with the halo of her wealth, she was even more lovable and endearing than an angel.
Thinking of this, he could not help but ask:
"Miss Su, have you ever thought about returning abroad? I am sorry, I do not mean to say that China is bad, but it is very chaotic here. Since you grew up overseas, you should be more accustomed to life abroad."
Did that "wizard" just glare at him?
The ambassador wondered uncertainly.
It was more than just a glare.
If he had known this foreign devil's name, Half-Immortal Su would have started cursing him right then and there. He gritted his teeth, unable to suppress the panic rising in his heart.
What if his eldest niece really left... Or perhaps, they could follow her?
At this thought.
His mind settled, but then he began to regret that he had only focused on sleeping when they were learning the foreign language earlier. He had not memorized more than a few words, whereas Zhenzhu and the others had learned quite well.
Did that mean he had potential too?
Just as Half-Immortal Su was analyzing his own learning ability and wondering if he could find the answer in his children's performance.
Su Ning spoke:
"Returning abroad? Of course I have thought about it. After all, staying in the country means starting everything from scratch, and it comes with a lot of trouble."
The ambassador nodded in agreement.
Had he not almost been used by that stupid nephew to become one of Su Ning's troubles?
Yet, he sighed inwardly.
Because he knew there was bound to be a "but" following that statement.
"But, my father's dying wish was to return to our homeland and have me acknowledge my roots and ancestors. Naturally, I must comply. That is the most important reason. Secondly, I personally do not want to go back abroad anymore."
At this point.
Her calm voice gradually became tinged with emotion.
"Abroad, I could easily live a life of luxury, sought after by thousands. The wealth my father left behind is enough to buy anyone's smile, but that is simply too boring."
"I love my father very much, but I do not want my name to forever be prefaced with 'his daughter'."
Su Ning chuckled softly.
In her eyes was an ambition that could not be ignored.
"But you can also build a career abroad. The business environment here is too poor." The ambassador still could not understand. The commoners were poor and suffering, and wars broke out frequently. No matter how you looked at it, it was not a good place for business.
"Is it poor? I do not think so."
Su Ning raised an eyebrow.
"There are a lot of people here, and a large population means a market. Besides, labor is cheap. There is an old Chinese saying that wealth and honor are sought in danger. It means that to achieve massive wealth or success, one often needs to take massive risks and break conventions."
"Furthermore, China will not stay like this forever."
"Who knows, in the future, foreign businessmen might be fighting tooth and nail to come in and do business."
She said this with a smile.
The ambassador did not take it seriously.
He laughed heartily and joked in return, saying that her words had almost tempted him. It was a pity he was returning to his country soon, otherwise, he would have loved to invest some money and do business with her.
"You can still do that now."
Su Ning said.
She looked at the astonished American ambassador, lowered her eyes, and took a sip of her black tea. The industry she was going to invest in next was heavily involved and would attract even more covetous eyes than the fertilizer plant. There was no helping it; as the saying goes, wealth is found in danger.
To spend that much money, one had to take the corresponding risks.
She had already investigated thoroughly.
This ambassador, although returning to his country at the end of his term, would be promoted upon his return. His family's network was also extensive, spreading across all walks of life.
He was the perfect candidate to bring on board.
From running the fertilizer plant, Su Ning had learned a lesson: do not be afraid to share the pie. The bigger the pie, the higher the chances of securing a seat at the table safely. Besides, once at the table, she could just kick off those who were unqualified to eat the pie.
"Are you referring to the fertilizer plant, Miss Su?"
The ambassador's eyes lit up.
If it was that, it would be wonderful. Even he had heard of Su Ning's fertilizer plant; the quality of the fertilizer produced was unexpectedly high, simply unlike anything China could currently achieve.
Not only that, but the production volume was also getting higher and higher.
It was clearly operating very well.
As far as he knew, the market for imported fertilizers was being squeezed more and more, beaten into a complete rout, and this was only the first year!
The fertilizer plant was simply a golden goose that laid golden eggs.
Just as he was lost in his pleasant thoughts.
"No."
Su Ning ruthlessly shattered the ambassador's expectations. "The fertilizer plant's scale is quite stable right now, and it doesn't really need a capital injection." She actually felt there were already too many existing shareholders.
It was a pity that since the last time.
These people had been very well-behaved and supportive of her, making her too embarrassed to make a move against them. There was simply no opportunity.
Sigh...
It's not the fertilizer plant.
The ambassador instantly lost all interest and forced a smile. "The capital I have on hand is quite small, all painstakingly accumulated. Please forgive my caution, but if the industry prospects are not good, I might not be able to invest..."
He racked his brains, trying to decline as tactfully as possible.
"Is that so."
The female voice was very flat, but the next second, the words she spoke struck like a thunderbolt:
"Oil is probably a very promising industry, right?"
What!
Oil.
These words hit the ambassador so hard he saw stars. Shocked, he stood up from his seat, knocking over his teacup and wetting his clothes, but he could not care less about that as he pressed on, breathing heavily.
"Miss Su, is it really oil?"
"Yes."
Su Ning nodded.
Neither of them noticed that behind them, Half-Immortal Su's eyes were darting around. Although he did not know what this oil thing was, it was definitely something good.
Didn't he see this American ambassador as excited as if it were raining gold from the sky?
They definitely needed to drive a hard bargain.
If his eldest niece was too embarrassed to say it, they could discuss it properly when they got back. He could do it!
......
"Wait."
The ambassador finally recovered from his pleasant surprise, frowning as he asked, "I recall that there are no oil fields on this land?"
Oil was certainly tempting.
But the prerequisite was having an oil field, which would allow for extraction. After extraction, it needed to be refined, and the required technology and machinery were also a huge problem. Therefore, there was no need to get excited at all, oil was completely an illusion.
He was very disappointed.
"Wrong. It's not that there are no oil fields, but that they haven't been explored and discovered yet."
Su Ning corrected him.
China did have oil fields, and the reserves were extremely high. Unfortunately, the locations of the most famous ones were special, so she couldn't consider them and could only look into others.
For example, nine years from now.
The Yumen Oil Field that would be put into development.
The ambassador was just about to say that undiscovered meant non-existent, but upon meeting Su Ning's calm gaze, a flash of inspiration crossed his mind. "Could it be that you, Miss Su, have discovered an oil field?"
Su Ning smiled but said nothing.
It was more than just a piece...
During this period of the Republic of China, oil was almost entirely dependent on imports. The kerosene burned in ordinary households, the diesel, gasoline, and lubricating oil required for industrial production, and even derivative products like asphalt and paraffin wax were all imported!
The market was unimaginably massive.
The only competitors were foreigners.
The cost-effectiveness of local extraction and refining could drive them right into a corner.
This was yet another monopoly business.
Su Ning thought about it. The initial investment was also enormous, which perfectly met her requirements: spend money, spend big money; make money, make big money. It would perfectly fill up her little treasury.
She glanced at Half-Immortal Su.
Metaphysics truly could change one's fate.
A single lottery draw actually yielded a complete set of oil extraction and refining equipment. Moreover, it was expensive, so expensive that Su Ning was thoroughly satisfied. It was simply too perfect.
Gulp.
The ambassador swallowed hard. Gone was his previous disappointment as he repeatedly pressed for details. But now it was Su Ning's turn to play hard to get and keep him in suspense. She only revealed that she had already purchased the equipment.
Good heavens, she even had all the equipment prepared.
"I will invest. I am willing to invest."
The ambassador declared loudly.
"There is no rush."
Su Ning said with a smile, "There are still many preliminary preparations to be made, and the equipment will take time to be shipped over. Asking you to invest right now would make it seem like I am scamming you out of your money. As long as you have the intention, we can take our time to discuss it."
Hearing this, the ambassador calmed down a bit.
Indeed, they had nothing tangible at the moment, so talking about investment was a bit premature. Thus, he joked:
"Miss Su is incredibly resourceful. How could you possibly care about my meager funds?"
With this little interlude, the atmosphere between them became increasingly harmonious. The ambassador even hinted that he would introduce Su Ning to the next American ambassador to ensure their mutually beneficial alliance.
Of course, during his tenure, he would also fully support Su Ning.
Su Ning graciously accepted all of this.
This transnational collusion between government and business was thus preliminarily established.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps came from nearby, and an anxious male voice rang out: "Uncle, it is time. I have come to apologize to Miss Su."
