Chapter 116: <China>

The opening ceremony was canceled, but the dinner planned by Mahwacin was still on. Woosung realized that Mahwacin was not so low ranking as he first thought after all.

Tencent’s Ma Huateng.

Aliali’s Chungwin.

All the CEOs of the major companies in Zhongguancun attended the event. Woosung glanced at Ma Huateng.

‘That’s the guy.’

He looked sly. Woosung could feel Ma Huateng checking him out as well.

‘Obviously he hates me…Well, I did steal the game League of Ancient.’

There was no firm proof, but Woosung strongly suspected Zaijian was a spy sent by Tencent.

Mahwacin took Woosung around to introduce him to everyone.

“This is Kang Woosung from KND. Say hello to Chungwin of AliAli.”

AliAli.

It was the biggest electronics company in China.

“Nice to meet you. I am the CEO of KND, Kang Woosung.”

“My name is Chungwin.”

Chungwin took out his smartphone from his pocket.

“Blue S2. I am using it myself. I really wanted to meet the man behind such a great product.”

“I have heard great things about AliAli as well.”

“I am flattered, but I think it’s your company that is truly great and innovative”

“It is no flattery, and as for my company, I have been…”

Woosung was about to say he was lucky, but he stopped himself. He had been saying the same thing to everyone. Woosung thought perhaps it was time to change his attitude.

“All I did was provide adequate support for my amazing employees.”

Chungwin smiled and replied, “Haha, then I must try harder to be more like you.”

After a quick chat with Chungwin, Mahwacin continued to take Woosung around the room.

There were so many important and successful CEOs. Some were familiar, while others were new to Woosung.

During the event, Woosung realized why Mahwacin was doing this.

He was keeping his promise of ‘connecting’ Woosung to people he needed to know in order to do business in China.

Woosung could feel Mahwacin’s good intention.

“This is Ma Huateng, CEO of Tencent, famous for the HH messenger.”

Woosung shook Ma Huateng’s hand firmly.

“I am KND’s CEO Kang Woosung.”

Woosung could feel Ma Huateng taking his hand firmly too. He could also feel Ma Huateng’s rage.

“I am Tencent’s Ma Huateng. Nice to meet you. I heard your messenger Coconut Talk is doing very well in Korea. I would be grateful for any helpful advice from you.”

Ma Huateng’s lips were smiling, but his eyes were cold.

Fake smile.

“Haha, I am sure you don’t need anything from me. I heard your company is doing very well on its own.”

“My company is trapped in China, but Coconut Talk has gone international. Oh, I also heard you are developing a messenger called LetChat for China.”

“That’s right. I created a brand new China-specific company separate from KND. I wanted to make sure I follow Chinese laws and rules perfectly.”

Ma Huateng didn’t mention the app store development. It was probably because he didn’t know Google would soon leave China.

‘By the time you realize it, it will be too late.’

Woosung hid his smile and continued, “I hope we become good competitors.”

Just then, Lee Ari stepped up to the stage with a microphone.

Many of the men in the room were in their 30’s. When they saw Lee Ari, their eyes glowed.

“Hello. I am Lee Ari. I thought I should start with a quiet song considering the recent event.”

Lee Ari continued in a professional. She also spoke in fluent Chinese.

As the music began, she started singing “Quiet Night”. It was her most popular song.

‘I can’t believe I am hearing this live.’

Woosung felt proud. He became so successful that he was at an event where a famous singer sang live.

Lee Ari sang like a goddess.

When she finished and bowed lightly, she received a standing ovation. Ma Huateng also couldn’t take his eyes off her.

She was wearing a fragile white dress and blood-red lipstick. She looked exquisite.

She was usually paid tens of thousands of dollars for an event and Woosung could understand why. He looked around and the men were gawking at her.

‘They must all be Lee Ari’s fan, including Ma Huateng.’

It was no wonder. Lee Ari was nicknamed ‘the goddess’ in China.

As Lee Ari started stepping down from the stage, Ma Huateng raised his hand.

“Encore!”

Lee Ari smiled as brightly as she could and replied.

“I’m sorry, but we are out of time, unfortunately. Perhaps next time.”

Ma Huateng looked at her with a disappointed gaze. When Lee Ari sat beside Woosung, Ma Huateng’s eyes widened.

Woosung said to Lee Ari, “Good job. I love your voice. I can hear your voice has matured since the last time you released your record.”

Lee Ari answered coldly, “I’m surprised you had the time to listen to my songs and compare. I thought you were too busy.”

Woosung couldn’t understand her meaning. When he tried to ask her, the lights in the room dimmed and Yoo Sona started singing on the stage.

She sang a Chinese song titled “Sweet”.

Her accent was near perfect. Woosung could tell how hard she practiced for this day.

Yoo Sona also danced lightly. She was again wearing a revealing qipao, which made the audience wild.

One of the businessmen stood and climbed up the stage. The bodyguards tried to push him out, but he was persistent. Mahwacin frowned angrily.

Yoo Sona left the stage earlier than planned because of this incident.

She asked Woosung, “Did people not like my singing?”

Woosung glanced at the audience. The problem clearly was that they liked her too much.

Instead of answering, Woosung offered. “The steak tastes great. Why don’t you try it?”

Yoo Sona frowned at Woosung’s attempt to avoid answering her question. Lee Ari smirked secretly. Yoo Sona ate a piece of steak anyway.

Woosung asked her, “How is it?”

“It’s ok.”

“Of course it’s great. It was made with the best meat by the best chef in China.”

Yoo Sona nodded. Lee Ari also ate a piece of steak.

Woosung explained. “I think you two are like great chefs. You use singing and acting as your ingredients and cook it to cater to the audience.” Woosung looked at both of them and asked, “What do you think makes a good chef?”

Lee Ari answered first, “Graduating from a great culinary school.”

Yoo Sona’s answer was different. “Trying your best to achieve your goal?”

“Both answers are correct. There are many different ways to become the top chef. However, my answer is a little bit different.” Both women concentrated on Woosung as he continued. “The answer is meeting the customer with the best taste. Only then could a chef hear an honest and accurate review of his or her food.”

Lee Ari asked, “So what are you trying to say?”

“I am that customer with the best taste. I can also provide you with the best ingredients. What do you think?”

They both suddenly realized what Woosung was saying. He was trying to scout them. Yoo Sona nodded without hesitation.

“Will you take care of my debt to my current agency, and also any future legal disputes?”

“Of course. I believe in your potential, Sona. I will take care of everything.”

Yoo Sona smiled in relief, while Lee Ari looked uncomfortable.