Chapter 21: Save Where You Should, Spend Where You Should

"OC perfume? Do they still have these kinds of events?"

Lying on the pillow, enjoying the massage, Zhao Hongjin replied.

She had seen products from this brand before and had bought some. But when it came to perfumes, even girls like her would unconsciously buy a bunch and only use each one once.

As a perfume brand, OC didn't leave much of an impression on her.

"While such events may seem meaningful, I'm not trying to argue, Cheng. Just think, is it a bit outlandish to give perfumes to homeless people?"

Inwardly, Cheng silently gave Zhao Hongjin's lucidity a thumbs up. He also found it outlandish. But in America, there were plenty of outlandish things, one more wouldn't make much of a difference.

"The planners might think that such events highlight the brand's humanistic care, enhancing its reputation, right? Besides, I had a pleasant chat with friends, so I decided to participate in this event with them."

Regardless of whether it was necessary to set aside giving perfumes to homeless people, it did indeed seem to have a touch of humanistic care. Many luxury brands liked to do such things. And, of course, it was genuinely enjoyable to chat with friends. Three sentences, and a woman spent less than a thousand dollars on me. Could I not be pleased?

"But mainly, it's because of your inspiration, your assistance to so many American homeless people through the church. I just thought, maybe I could do something too."

Constantly flattery may work.

Using real-life examples to connect with others emotionally.

"Haha, you say that, and I feel a little embarrassed. I just stood there distributing food."

His facial skin felt a bit warm, a strange touch surfacing in Zhao Hongjin's heart.

Influencing others with one's own acts of kindness, which then continue to spread. This experience was different from simple acts of helping others and receiving gratitude. It could directly touch someone's heartstrings.

Seeing Zhao Hongjin's message, Cheng didn't reply immediately.

Sycophants usually liked to reply instantly.

Maybe they should learn some tactics from 369.

Appropriate waiting wouldn't affect valuable communication.

People who truly cared about you wouldn't mind waiting a few minutes for your reply.

The message Cheng had just sent was enough to boost Zhao Hongjin's mood. Waiting a few minutes before replying would make that emotional peak last longer in her mind.

On the other hand, Zhao Hongjin, who was still enjoying the massage, noticed Cheng hadn't replied and thought of another question.

"Have you found any good projects to investigate for entrepreneurship in America?"

Going abroad to study business, she was quite career-oriented. Most of her peers were still studying, while Xiao Zhao had already started researching various cryptocurrencies. But she had suffered quite a loss.

Meeting Cheng, a "passport thief" who was down on his luck, she was initially curious. But after chatting for a while today, Zhao Hongjin found Cheng quite interesting.

"Why don't you tell me, do you want to hear the truth?"

America had too many options for entrepreneurial projects. There were cryptocurrency exchanges nearby, and overseas e-commerce platforms far away. Small ventures could start with restaurants, and larger ones could delve into artificial intelligence. But most of them had thresholds, which were generally quite high.

"Speaking of projects, I really want to complain. Are you sure you want to hear it?"

There were too many entrepreneurial projects to choose from in America. Before coming to America, Cheng had heard the Chinese investment community praising the wealth-creating myths of America. After coming here and seeing for himself, he found that all the projects that hadn't taken off were just scraps left by big companies. If they tried to scale up, they would be acquired. The more promising fields were already crowded with star companies, like artificial intelligence, new energy, and robotics. Biomedicine, media, and finance had already been monopolized by big companies, leaving no chance for new ones. Of course, there were exceptions for scientific research or government officials starting businesses.

The most difficult part was the invisible restrictions faced by Chinese people here. Many industries in America didn't welcome Chinese people or Chinese companies. What do you think, Boss?

Cheng's words basically described the current state of entrepreneurship in America, based on his own observations when he came here to investigate in his past life.

Of course, with the information advantage of five years, he knew about many projects that could be started now. But since he wasn't looking for investors now, there was no need to disclose those projects.

After hearing Cheng's lament, Zhao Hongjin pondered carefully.

America had indeed entered the latter half of an economic cycle. That was a consensus. In the middle of an economic downturn, all industries faced challenges. Existing expansion resources and spaces were controlled by industry giants. Many small companies' businesses revolved around the needs of big companies. But in an economic downturn, big companies liked to cut off these service-oriented small companies, bringing the outsourced links back in-house. Lowering costs and increasing laughter. Under these crisis circumstances of "self-preservation," the market's burden was further exacerbated, making America's entrepreneurial environment more and more like stagnant water.

(Of course, without XX, America's economy would also soon hit a wall. Various data can be checked, but I won't list them one by one, lest I be accused of being verbose.)

Of course, industries focused on the future were still hot, but they required large capital to leverage.

"You're right about all that. I haven't personally experienced discrimination, but I'm well aware of America's attitude toward us Chinese. The media here has absolutely no bottom line. The experts and commentators they invite only know how to smear. It's like throwing all the problems on us, and America acts like it can cure all its ills instantly!"

Zhao's complaint was sophisticated, and Cheng couldn't agree more.

America, don't ignore your own problems.

One reason Cheng wanted to stay in America was also because of this.

Given a chance to start over, he wanted to try doing something for his motherland.

Staying in America and making trouble.

"Cheng, you're quite capable. Where did you graduate from, and was your major in international studies?"

Waving his hand to dismiss the masseur, Zhao sat up and stretched lazily, asking about Cheng's background.

Facing such a question where honesty would reveal his background, Cheng replied fluently.

"Why, Zhao, you graduated from the prestigious PPD. My degree only qualifies me to shine your shoes."

Anticipate the unexpected.

Cheng used an anticipation of the unexpected.

You might think I'm pretty good, but I'm not as good as you think, and I admit I'm not as good as you.

"So, Zhao, I hope you'll give me more guidance in the future and help little Cheng take fewer detours."

Seeing Cheng's nonchalant response, Zhao couldn't help but smirk.

Do you think I'll believe you graduated with honors?

She thought Cheng might be an ordinary undergraduate, from a not-so-famous school. So instead of directly answering, she teasingly avoided the question.

She didn't delve deeper and simply replied.

"If you don't want to say, that's fine. You're quite mysterious, but you couldn't possibly have graduated with honors."

Seeing Zhao's response, Cheng felt like laughing.

Interesting.

"All right, Miss Zhao, you go ahead and sign those documents. I have something to attend to."

"Go ahead, Little Cheng. I permit it."

Cheng ended the conversation, which had nothing to do with the author cutting off the chapter.

It was almost five o'clock now, and it was time to go to the red-light district to take some material for filming. Also, the line for begging was too long; if he went later, he'd end up hungry.

As for why Cheng didn't use the money he earned today to buy food.

Refer to a certain famous inequality.

Having several hundred dollars in his pocket ≠ Cheng spending money to buy food.

"Accepting gifts doesn't mean I agree."

Hearing this news, General MacArthur expressed shock, saying that even the most elite American heroes would only celebrate Christmas in their birthday suits if they met such a sweetie!

--- The Sugar Baby Inequality: Accepting gifts ≠ I consent.

*Upon hearing this news, MacArthur was shocked, stating that even the most elite American heroes would be left with nothing but their birthday suits if they encountered such a sweetie!