Chapter 410: Someone Arrived

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Lin Wu walked into the rest area and approached Zhou Chao, taking out an exquisite invitation from his pocket.

“Boss, while I was packing up at the hotel, I bumped into someone representing Norman. He’s inviting you to a Paris Saint-Germain football match in a few days!” He handed the invitation to Zhou Chao.

Zhou Chao immediately opened it, revealing a top-tier membership card for the football match, allowing access to a private box.

“Paris Saint-Germain? Is that a local team in Paris?”

Lin Wu, Todd, and Miles all nodded, indicating that they were not aware of this.

“Boss, Paris Saint-Germain is a top-tier club in French Ligue 1, a frequent winner of the French league championship, and considered a strong team,” said the housekeeper, Devan, stepping forward to provide additional information.

Zhou Chao had mixed feelings about football. In his past, he had been a fan, joining the cheers and shouts of “go team!” with the crowd. He couldn’t forget the shared excitement of victory!

However, those memories were bittersweet.

Putting his thoughts aside, Zhou Chao asked the group, “Do you think I should consider buying a football team?”

This suggestion left Miles and the others bewildered. Purchasing a football team was a substantial investment and seemed out of reach for them. They exchanged glances but remained silent.

Lin Wu whispered, “Boss, if you have the money, go for it!”

After a brief reflection, Zhou Chao decided it was worthwhile. Whether for the convenience of his future business ventures abroad or for other development plans, owning a team was an appealing idea.

“Let’s make it happen then,” Zhou Chao stated decisively.

“Miles!”

“Boss!” Miles took a step forward.

“You can take a break from dealing with Lei Du’s affairs for now. I want you to investigate any football team that’s available for purchase or acquisition. Whether it’s football or basketball, find out the options.”

“But, boss, there are so many leagues around the world. Investigating each one will take a lot of time!”

“Do you not know about headhunting companies in this world? You focus on the main direction, and let the headhunters handle the rest. As for which league to explore, consider the UEFA Champions League for starters.”

After some thought, Zhou Chao decided to have Miles explore the UEFA Champions League, as it had slightly higher prestige compared to the German Bundesliga, French Ligue 1, and La Liga.

“I understand, boss!” Miles nodded and left the rest area, beginning his investigation. As a former leader of an internationally renowned law firm, his network was undoubtedly extensive.

“You guys don’t need to stay here. Go do whatever you need to do. You don’t have to wait around for me. I’ll call you if necessary.”

“Yes, boss!” Lin Wu and the others turned and headed outside.

However, as Lin Wu took a few steps, he turned back. Todd and Devan also paused.

Standing at the entrance of the rest area, Lin Wu asked, “Boss, tomorrow is the Paris Carnival. Are you interested in attending?”

“Carnival? We’ll see when the time comes.” Zhou Chao wasn’t particularly fond of overly boisterous events; he preferred quieter activities.

Lin Wu nodded in response and then exited the rest area.

Zhou Chao, lying on the sofa, suddenly remembered that he hadn’t contacted

Jiang Li for several days. The last message he sent was two days ago.

Checking the time, it was around 1 o’clock, which meant it was around 7 PM in China.

He immediately initiated a video call with Jiang Li.

At this moment, Jiang Li had just finished taking a shower and was wearing a bathrobe while sitting on the bed.

As soon as the video call connected, Zhou Chao noticed that the place where Jiang Li was looked exceptionally familiar.

“Wifey, why are you at The Palms Residence?”

“Well, I felt a bit uneasy staying alone at Junzhou Huating, so I came back to The Palms Residence. Besides, it’s closer to work, and I can go shopping around here!”

Hearing Jiang Li’s explanation, Zhou Chao’s expression turned somewhat solemn.

“Wifey, I’ll be back in a few days.”

“It’s okay, I’m a grown-up, no need to worry. Finish your business first and come back when you can. No rush!”

The two of them chatted for a while, and then Zhou Chao received an incoming call on another line. He informed Jiang Li and answered the call.

“Mr. Zhou, hello, I’m here to pick up something from your place!”

“Where are you right now?”

“I’m currently in the city center of Paris. I’m not sure where you are. Could you give me your location, and I’ll come over?”

“I’m at the Courson Manor in Essonne Province. Come over, and when you arrive, just give me a call, and I’ll come out!”

“Essonne Province? Alright, Mr. Zhou, I’ll see you in half an hour!”

“Sure.” After hanging up the call, Zhou Chao got up and headed outside.

“Todd, arrange a car for me in a bit. I’ll need it, but there’s no need to send anyone else.”

“Understood, boss!” Todd had learned a few things over the past couple of days from his conversations with Lin Wu. He knew that he should unquestionably follow Zhou Chao’s instructions.

“Boss, do you want me to accompany you later?”

“No need. I’ll be near the manor, and I’ll be back shortly.”

Lin Wu nodded in response.

Soon, Todd returned with a car key in hand.

“Boss, the car you requested is already parked at the entrance!” He handed the key to Zhou Chao.

“I’m going for a stroll. I’ll be back shortly.” With that, Zhou Chao left, holding the car key.

“Do we really not need to have someone follow the boss?” Todd looked puzzled as he glanced at Lin Wu.

“No need. If the boss didn’t say so, it means he has something to take care of. You understand, right?” Lin Wu replied, then took a seat on the sofa.

At this moment, Todd wore a bewildered expression. “Understand? I get that, but why do you folks from Huaxia always speak in riddles? How am I supposed to know what you mean?”

Of course, Todd could only silently think this in his mind. After all, Todd had his pride, and if he were to question Lin Wu awkwardly, it would imply that he was not very clever.

Zhou Chao took the car key and got into the Mercedes-Benz parked at the entrance. He drove straight out of the estate and soon arrived about a kilometer away from the estate. Zhou Chao parked the car by the roadside, took out a cigarette from his pocket, and began smoking. He also checked if there were any surveillance devices or dashcams in the car.

After confirming that there were no such devices, he retrieved the three boxes from the system’s storage compartment and placed them on the back seat.

After waiting for another 20 minutes or so, the person who had called earlier approached.

“Hello!”

“Mr. Zhou, I’m almost at the Courson Manor!”

“I’m by the roadside, in a black Mercedes-Benz!”

“Alright.”

Soon, a black SUV came speeding towards him from a distance. As it got closer, it gradually slowed down and parked behind Zhou Chao’s car.

Two young men in their mid-twenties, both with crew cuts and serious expressions, got out of the SUV.

Seeing Zhou Chao stepping out of his car, both of the young men initially showed a hint of surprise in their eyes, but it quickly passed.

“Are you Mr. Zhou?” the leader of the two men asked with a hint of doubt.

“Yes, sent by the family, right?” Zhou Chao replied.

“Yes, Mr. Zhou!”

“The items are in the back seat. You can go get them yourselves. Do not open the boxes, and remember, no one is allowed to open them until you get back. Understand?”

“We understand!” The two of them straightened their posture involuntarily.

Zhou Chao nodded silently.

The two men walked over to Zhou Chao’s Mercedes-Benz and opened the rear door, carefully taking down the three boxes and placing them in their own vehicle.

“Is it convenient for you to take these back?”

“It’s convenient. We are heading home tomorrow, so it works out perfectly!”

“Alright, I won’t keep you any longer. You can smoke these cigarettes on the way!” Saying that, Zhou Chao reached into his pocket and took out a pack of special cigarettes, tossing it to the leader of the two.

Taking the cigarette pack thrown by Zhou Chao, the leader of the two was momentarily surprised but quickly regained his composure. Zhou Chao then got back into his car and drove back to the estate, while the two men watched his car recede into the distance before getting into their own vehicle.

“Boss, why did you hesitate for a moment earlier?” the man sitting in the passenger seat asked.

The leader took out the pack of cigarettes that Zhou Chao had given him, handed one to his companion, and then carefully put the rest away.

“The cigarettes are from the family, the big shots in our department smoke them!” With that, they started the car and left. The man in the passenger seat glanced at his friend and then at the cigarettes in his hand before carefully placing them back in the cigarette box.

“Boss, let’s split them evenly when we meet, or else I’ll report it to the higher-ups!”

“Get lost? You’ll get a maximum of 5!”

“9!”

“6!”

“7!”

“8!”

“Boss, you said 8, no backing out!”

“You’re trying to trick me, you’re driving me crazy!”

Meanwhile, Zhou Chao had returned to the estate but didn’t get out of the car. Instead, he called Xiao Yang.

“Have you handed over the items?” Xiao Yang’s voice came through as soon as the call connected.

“Yeah, I’ve given them to them.”

“Alright, if there’s something like this in the future, feel free to call me.”

“Dream on! If there were really such good things, I’d hope for it too!”

“Hahaha!” Hearing the laughter on the other end, Zhou Chao hung up the phone.

“I wish I could have such good things delivered to me every day, but it’s just a wish!” Zhou Chao thought about all the national treasures and precious artifacts lost abroad. With a sigh, he lit another cigarette. When he finished smoking, he got out of the car.

Entering the castle within the estate, Zhou Chao found Lin Wu, Todd, and the others gathered together, playing a game of Landlord with a deck of cards they somehow acquired.

As Zhou Chao entered the castle estate, he noticed that Lin Wu, Todd, and a few others were gathered together, playing a game of Dou Shou Qi (a Chinese card game).

He couldn’t help but wonder how Todd and the other foreigners had learned to play Dou Shou Qi. He then heard Lin Wu sigh and say, “Well, I’ve truly taught my apprentices well, and now the master is outmatched!”

It seemed that Lin Wu had taught them the game, and they had picked it up surprisingly quickly, even surpassing their teacher’s skills.

“Boss, you’re back! Do you want to join us?” Todd enthusiastically stood up.

“Boss, how about playing a couple of rounds with us!” Miles chimed in.

Lin Wu cleverly stood up and said, “Boss, come play with me!”

Seeing their eager invitations, Zhou Chao reluctantly took a seat.

“Let’s begin!”