Chapter 3
Me: “Of course, I would love to share more valuable lessons. Let’s wrap up this story with the French café gentlemen.”
Monsieur An: “Okay. I also remember their new old GM Nigoulas. I met him at the restaurant Raw. We didn’t know each other at the time. He was sitting next to my table with his friend, discussing loudly about how young kids have no idea about business, etc. I didn’t want to listen, it was just really his loud voice. My fault.”
Me: “I believe Mr. Nigoulas is a busy gentleman who may come across as pushy if I pay for support from the government during the first meeting. He mentioned that he went through a divorce and his two kids are with his ex-wife. He has also found a new female partner from the UK. Is he open to sharing personal details with strangers, or is he trying to show off his successful life?”
Monsieur An: “No, I believe he genuinely has no words with you as a new friend and wants to exchange information with you on a deeper level.”
Me:"You are so kind. How about tell me your before like Nigoulas?”
Monsieur An:”Nooon. Come on man. We know each other well enough.”
Me:”Good to know. Maybe better for a beer.hahaha.”
Me: “Okay, so this Nigoulas has a good opportunity for me. He strongly suggests that we follow their lawyer’s guidance. The overseas company controls the WOFE in Shanghai and uses it to oversee all branches. He also wants to meet with me once a week to exchange more information and see if I am a reliable partner for him. It’s a valuable lesson from Godiva.”
Me: “I did follow his request and I explained that if they cancel the old license, they might not be able to get a new license under the new policy. However, he didn’t seem to understand my point. He also mentioned that he doesn’t want to use his connections to help with their branches. As a result, they decided to close 3 shops and only keep the last one in F158. After they paid 1 million as transfer cost. Brand cost.”
Monsieur An:”Interesting.”
Me: “During the grand opening of their shop at F158, a large altercation broke out among some of the bar clients. Unfortunately, one foreign individual used a wine bottle to attack another foreigner.”
Me: “The majority shareholder Torlas asked Nigoulas to arrange a meeting with me. I agreed because I got information about F158 by translating lease for them.They didnot like it because we don`t have any confidentiality clause. I wanted to show my gratitude, so I watched the fighting video and downloaded it. Then I went to the management office to explain, and after that, I visited the local police station. It turns out that the guy involved in the bar fight was also French, and he runs a wine company, which is why he had a bottle.”
Monsieur An:”Noooon…”
Me: “Just kidding, dude. I passed the info to the café owner Torlas and explained directly to him that I have quit my part-time job. I’m happy to support in this way. Next, please let Nigoulas take over. It’s better for him to do things his way. They understand.”
Monsieur An:”That’s good.”
Me: “Why does Torlas know about my abilities? He came to me before and asked for help with his ex-manager who resigned and opened a similar bar in the same area. I told him that he needed to find the mafia by himself,I only could still find solutions for him without involving them. Too risky for me. Where I could find those guys？NewYork?”
Monsieur An: “He’s a wealthy kid who has watched too many movies. It’s unbelievable that he came to you for that.”
Me:”Yes.I was surprised and I even paid for his lunch at light&salt that day beside Jin AN temple.”
Me: “There are always solutions. They come from good families and are great kids. They are roommates at the same university, with Maka hailing from the south of France and Boka possibly from Paris. Both of them have pure souls. Torlas is also a good person from Monaco, with a wealthy background. I should consider his wishes as well, within my limitations.”
Monsieur An:”Good story.”
Me:“Years later.They also decided to close the bar later and shift their focus to investing in ‘Pan caliente’. The owner, Chatea, who is Chinese, used to work as their cleaner and would sleep on a shop bench and wash his face in the shop toilet.”
Monsieur An:”Wooow. What a legend! Is that a good investment?”
Me: “I believe so. Our government is quite accommodating. Their first shop is divided into two parts, with one located on the street and the other hidden within the neighborhood. It’s impossible to obtain a license.”
Monsieur An:”How come? Mr. Nigoulas is focus on risk control, right?”
Me: “Well, different timing.He came after the fire shop. You’re safe as long as there are no issues with the food quality or any fire accidents. The Pan caliente is made in the oven with high temperature, so I think it’s safe. From what I know, Mr. Nigoulas has some friends at the FDA now, and they were notified before the inspection.”
Monsieur An:”No way. How did Nigoulas make that happen?”
Me:”Different standards or something we should not ask any more.Maybe he left. We gossip too much.”
Monsieur An:”Hahaha.ok.”
Me: “The last thing is that Mr. Oliva reappears in the story. I actually recommended him for a back office job after he came to your door trying to replace me. It’s ironic that he gossiped about me and gained their trust,I’m happy for him. I see it as part of my own growth because I questioned why he couldn’t achieve success after my small success in F158. My apologies for making him lose face.”
Monsieur An:”Hahaha.I hope that there is no big deal between you guys any more. Can we move on to the pizza story?”
…