Manhattan Reborn 1978

new York.

Manhattan, upstairs at Wildfire Bar on 42nd Street.

lunch time.

David, Nobunari Kihara, and Black Mike staggered back home after having lunch at Brother Biao's Wildfire Restaurant.

Fifth floor, at the door.

As soon as David opened the door, he saw Polly and Ludy sitting on the sofa in the living room chatting.

"Hey~ Why are you here!?"

"us.."

Black Mike, who came up behind David, saw the two of them and reached out to hold Kihara Nobunari. The two of them turned around and went downstairs~

David looked back at the door and smiled at Polly who came to greet her.

"Have you eaten yet?"

"Yeah~ I've eaten!"

Polly's face turned crimson, she threw herself into David's arms, touched his forehead with her hand, and asked with concern in her voice: "Why do you look so ugly?"

"Haha~ I'm fine, I just need to go to bed early tonight~"

"You...what did you do last night?"

David squinted his eyes and muttered, "I'm just reading in the study, nothing else!"

"Oh~"

Polly patted David lightly with her little hand, held his neck, and said softly: "You have to be obedient and have a good rest. Take a good..."

"cough~"

Ludy, who was walking on the sofa, coughed very "timely", interrupting Polly. .

David smiled, pinched Polly's rosy cheeks, and said with a smile: "I promise to be obedient~I will listen to you!"

"Hahaha~"

. . .

in the living room.

Ludy watched David and Polly sit down happily and said.

"I have a few words, and I'll leave after I finish speaking~"

"Don't worry!"

"Haha~ It's okay!" David hugged Polly's little face, kissed her and smiled.

"Um.."

"Polly plans to take a trip to several southern states, and I want the security company to be afraid of people following her."

"Okay!"

"Um...but which state in the south are you going to? What are you doing?"

Polly rested her head on David's shoulder and said with a smile: "Business inspection ~ By the way, we will also find more stable cooperative suppliers for the fair price store."

"Oh..I understand~"

David thought for a while and asked Ludy: "Cohen from the security company knows the Florida FBI director Bog Beru. Can you ask him to take someone to follow Polly~"

"ok~"

"Any thing else?"

"Yes, I have!"

Lu Di narrowed his eyes with a smile and continued: "Governor Lynch has asked someone to help contact me~"

"He said that if we need it, he can help smoothen the official relationship."

"Oh?"

"I was with Mag yesterday, and he... didn't even mention Governor Lynch once~"

Lu Di shrugged and said with a smile: "Maybe Lynch himself knows that he has no face to see us?!"

"Hehe~"

David laughed perfunctorily, shook his head and said, "Mayor Lynch, after becoming Governor Lynch, you may look down on us little people~"

"We owe him nothing, as for him..."

"Forget it~ Everyone's choices are different."

"From now on, just treat him as an ordinary passerby~"

"correct!"

"I met Hardman and Guy Luther at Mag's house yesterday and had a chat..."

. . .

David told Ludy and Polly about the gift he was going to give Hardman that night.

Polly raised her head slightly and thought for a moment, then frowned and asked David.

"What do you want to do when you tell them this?"

"Of course I want to make the cake bigger!"

David tapped the tip of Polly's nose with his finger and said with a smile: "Come on, tell me!"

“How many real estate development companies are there in New York?”

"How many real estate dealers are there?"

"Uh... I don't know~" Polly shook her head honestly.

David raised his head and looked at Ludy: "Do you know?"

Lu Di shook his head simply, put away his smile, and asked curiously: "Do you want..."

"That's right!"

“We engage in real estate development projects essentially to make money!”

"The plan I proposed to Hardman shows that we have never thought about eating alone! If we have money, we can all make it together~"

"If anyone dares to stand up and block everyone's way of making money..."

"Hehe~"

Ludi smacked his lips a few times, watched Polly sit up from David's arms, and nodded.

"Indeed~"

"A few years ago, during the last oil crisis, I also discussed the real estate business with Mr. Malkin."

David tilted his head and looked at Polly, who was sitting upright, and asked, "What about you? What else do you think of?"

Polly grabbed David's left hand, put it on her lap, and said with a frown.

"I know what Ludy said~ I discussed this real estate development plan with my father several times, but he didn't agree~"

"Now it seems that he must have had concerns at that time!"

"Bingoo!"

David leaned over and lay directly on Polly's lap, smiling.

"However, you all have forgotten some important points!"

“Real estate development is a labor-intensive + asset-heavy industry!”

"If they don't have a stable amount of funds and strong policy support, it will be difficult for them to complete the overall plan and make a profit."

“So, every real estate developer will have its own funding channels and policy supporters!”

"That is to say, every real estate development project is a relatively closed profit distribution industry chain~"

"In this chain, most real estate developers are just tools exposed by their supporters~"

"Ludi, if you are interested in the people behind this group, you might as well check whether there are these people behind the successful election of Mayor Hardman and Governor Lynch who are secretly helping to fund and contribute~"

"I believe there will definitely be surprises~"

"Um..Okay!"

"Leave this matter to me!"

"Well...if you encounter something you can't find...you can go to Otis Parker for help."

"Him? Let's forget it~"

"I think that guy should be put in a mental hospital!"

"Hahaha~"

. . .

After the two of them laughed, Polly held David's hair with her hands and asked with a hint of confusion on her face.

"In recent years, after the sharp depreciation of the dollar, housing prices in New York have increased a lot~"

"But this plan of yours should be taken out at a time when everyone chooses to hold on to their wallets..."

"Will no one respond~?"

"Of course it's possible."

"But you forgot one thing."

“At any time, relatively conservative investors are only a part of the investors in the market!”

"There will never be a shortage of people who are willing to take risks!"

"Besides, our project... when the project is successfully approved and construction starts, it may not be completed until next year, right?"

“What if the economic crisis intensifies again during this period?”

"I understand!"

Polly lowered her head and held David's cheek with her hand, and said with a smile: "Oil crisis + economic crisis + inflation + banks raising high interest rates = funds will flow back to the banks' books at an accelerated rate!"

"But these funds in the bank are all... debts! They are not profitable assets!"

"If they come across a channel where they can get stable income, they will definitely... relax some review standards, provide more preferential policies, and re-lend the money~"

"That's right! Keep going!"

"What else can you think of...?"

"Um.."

"As long as we can provide a business with relatively low risk and guarantee our own income + repayment of bank loans~"

"The bank will definitely give strong support to our project!"

"That's right! Is there any more?"

"and also.."

"The biggest difference between Hardman and Lynch is that he needs to achieve more political achievements in the short term to consolidate the power in his hands!"

“So, he will definitely make this matter the top priority of the city government and actively urge those who want to earn low-risk income to join your plan!”

"Any more!?"

"Um.."

Polly frowned, thought for a while, and said with some uncertainty.

"Also, you chose to propose this plan in front of three university presidents..."

"You want to express an attitude to them!"

"Hadman was elected as this mayor, and we fully support it!?"

"If... one of these three principals' friends secretly made some small moves during Hardman's campaign for mayor, can they now make peace with this plan?"

"Forehead.."

"It's not as roundabout as you thought~"

David tilted his head and looked at Ludy and explained: "I once said that the first person to remind me about real estate projects was the president of Princeton University, Guy Luther."

"He is an old New Yorker with a wide social network and has come into contact with many successful people from all walks of life~"

"So, his simple reminder was his investment + test in me!"

"If I can pass this smoothly... we will be very good friends!"

"He might also invest more in me..."

"Understood!"

Lu Di stood up with a smile, adjusted his suit and said with a smile, "Then you will wait at home for him to come over?"

"Yes~"

"Anyway, I'm not the one who's most anxious about this cooperation~"

"You kid, you're a bad learner!"

"I'm not a bad learner!"

"Hahaha~"

Ludy, who was laughing, glanced at Polly's expression "very cleverly" and quickly spoke faster.

"One last thing!"

“There’s a black kid coming to New York recently named Lady Bumgarner.”

"He is a very interesting guy~ He actually came to us and wanted to cooperate with us!"

"Do you... want to meet him?"

"Oh?"

David sat up with raised eyebrows, looked up at Ludy, and asked with a smile.

"Do you think I should see him?"

"Yeah... I think it's okay, it doesn't matter~"

"If he can survive Christmas in New York... I think it wouldn't hurt for you to meet him~"

"Hehe~"

"Are you a devil? You have such a bad mouth!"

"Hahaha~"

"Okay~ I don't dare to disturb you anymore..."

"Polly, I won't see you off tomorrow~ I wish you a safe journey!"

"Ok!"

. . .

Ludy, pretending to be cool and leaving~

David smiled and hugged Polly, and both of them saw the fiery light in each other's eyes~

"Are you leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes! The flight is at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning."

"What about tonight? Are you staying the night?"

"No~ I have to spend time with the children tonight..."

"Ok!"

"Then let's... start now!"

"Hahaha~"

----

sunset.

Manhattan, Lincoln Center, in front of The Juilliard School.

Zina smiled and led her "little follower" Madonna to greet an old friend who was in a hurry~

"Hi~Professor Cox!?"

"Um?!"

Among the people walking out of the building, a middle-aged lady with slightly curly hair and slightly conservative clothes adjusted her black-rimmed glasses with her hand. After turning her head and looking around, she saw Zina and the two of them. Smiled.

"Oh~ Xena!?"

"Why did you come here?"

"Of course...I miss you!"

"Stop it!"

"Hahaha~"

"Do you have an appointment tonight? I know a newly opened restaurant with very good food~"

"Shall we try it together?"

A middle-aged woman named Gila Cox tilted her head and looked up and down at Zina, and asked curiously.

"You invite me to dinner?"

"Yes~"

"Last time, you invited me to dinner... and you haven't done what you promised me yet!"

"Um...what did I promise?"

"Hey you.."

"Hahaha~"

Zina took a step forward, hugged Gila Cox's shoulders affectionately, smiled and whispered.

"Remember~ I remember it all!"

"We'll talk to you later during dinner~ okay?"

"...Okay~"

"My car is here..."

"Leave it alone for now~ Let's take a taxi there."

Cox cautiously held the small bag in his arms, stared at Zina and asked: "Don't you think about it again..."

"Don't worry! It won't happen this time!"

"..."

"Hahaha~"

. . .

Manhattan.

42nd Street, Wildfire Restaurant.

Zina walked in front, leading her old friends Gila Cox and Madonna to a room on the second floor of the restaurant.

Brother Biao, the person in charge of the restaurant, smiled and handed today's menu to the three of them and introduced it.

"Today, we got a batch of the freshest Newfoundland lobsters, and..."

"Wow~ Is there lobster? There's no need to order anything else~"

"You gave us the last one... Eight-flavored lobster?"

"Is that the name?"

"Hahaha~ Yes! No problem!"

"How about I give you two more plates of refreshing Sarah?"

"ok~"

"David, do you still have wine at your place?"

"Yes~"

"Then choose the best and most expensive wine and give it to us..."

"Ok!"

Brother Biao winked at Madonna cheerfully, nodded to Gila Cox, and walked out of the room.

Gila Cox turned her head and stared at the door of the room for a few seconds, stood up, took off her coat, and asked.

"Are you familiar with the boss here?"

"Yes~"

"The owner of this restaurant is my boss's friend!"

"boss?"

"Have you found a new job?"

Xina rolled her eyes helplessly, took off her coat and said.

"Did you always think that I was a vagrant?"

"Hahaha~ aren't you?"

"Of course I am not!"

"Then tell me~ Let me hear what kind of job you found?"

Zina raised her eyebrows with a smile, took out a business card holder from her small bag, pulled out a very delicate, perfume-scented business card, and placed it in front of her old friend.

"Here~ you can see for yourself!"

"..."

Cox picked up the business card and touched his glasses with his hand, without reading the words on the business card himself. .Instead, he put it to the tip of his nose and smelled it, sighing in surprise.

"What kind of perfume are you using?"

"...Is this the point?"

"Of course!"

"I.."

Feeling speechless, Zina covered her forehead with her hands and whispered to Madonna next to her.

"Now, can you understand?"

"Haha~ Got it!"

Seeing Xina's look, Madonna Signe turned her head and glanced at Professor Cox who was still smelling the perfume. .

. . .

ten minutes later.

Brother Biao served all the dishes for the three of them, poured red wine for them enthusiastically, introduced the dishes in a gentlemanly manner, and then turned around and left.

Cox looked down at the knife and fork in his hand, then looked up at the eight large lobsters placed on the super large plate in front of him, and asked with some confusion.

"We...how do we eat this?"

"Hahaha~eat with your hands!"

Xina wiped her fingers very "boldly", grabbed a big lobster and put it on Cox's plate, smiling.

"There are no outsiders here, so forget your French etiquette..."

"Get started!"

"Uh...you guys?!"

Cox's eyes widened, and he was speechless when he saw Zina and Madonna each holding a big lobster and happily eating it.

She lowered her head and stared at the big lobster on the plate. She slowly put down the tableware in her hand and tried to pick up the lobster shell with her fingers~

To her surprise, the fiery red lobster shell was picked up directly, and a ball of fresh and fragrant lobster meat seemed to show her its "deliciousness". .

During her "busy" break, Zina caught a glimpse of her old friend Cox's careful look and couldn't help but smile.

"Try it quickly~ Don't forget to dip it in some sauce!"

"Oh.."

Cox picked up the lobster meat with his fingers obediently, and randomly selected a dipping sauce on an eight-petal plate~

"Hmm~ This smell is so weird!"

"What kind of dipping sauce is this?"

"Hahaha~"

Xina wiped the juice from her fingertips with a napkin, raised the red wine glass, and smiled.

"Come on, try this one from the oldest winery in Italy..."

"Well.."

"What does this wine taste like...?"

"Hmm~!"

"I...you miser, have you really gotten rich?"

"Hahaha~ You are the miser!"

Zina shook her wine glass a few times angrily, and retorted with an unpleasant look on her face: "Tell me! When did I let you suffer!?"

"Why do you call me stingy!?"

"Hehe~"

Cox raised the glass to his nose and smelled it a few times, twitching the corners of his mouth and sneered.

"Okay~ Let's talk!"

"What do you want me to do for you this time?"

"Hehe~hehe~"

Zina put down the wine glass, picked up a large lobster, put it on Cox's plate, and said.

"Let's eat them all first and then get down to business!"

"nonono!"

"You guy..."

"Hey! Just say one more thing... and you will pay for this meal!"

"..."

Cox rolled his eyes and looked at the ceiling for 0 seconds, then closed his mouth, held the wine glass to the tip of his nose with great enjoyment, and gently smelled the charming aroma of red wine~

. . .

more than an hour later.

In front of Wildfire Restaurant.

Zina, whose face was flushed, hugged her old friend Cox, who was also flushed, and walked toward the street while talking and laughing in a low voice.

After Zina put her old friend in a taxi, she turned around and waved to her "little follower" Madonna as if nothing had happened.

"Let's go back to the bar and have a few more drinks!"

"Still drinking? You're almost drunk~"

"Hahaha~"

"What does this little wine count for?"

Xina hugged Madonna's shoulders and smiled a little unsteadily at her feet.

"Drunk!? That's impossible!"

"How could I...uh ha~"

"..."

Madonna blinked her big eyes a few times, feeling very funny as she helped Zina move forward while listening to the "drunk words" she would never say in normal times. .