Chapter 226: Remembering One's Roots, Staying Humble

This old man...!

Chen Jianhai really wanted to grab Mr. Hanshan by the collar and throw him into the sea.

Just then,

"Toot toot..."

The ship's horn sounded from the sea. Chen Jianhai's eyes lit up as he saw the Star of the Ocean luxury cruise gradually grow from a small black dot in the distance.

After a while, the Star of the Ocean luxury cruise docked at Lightbulb Pier.

First, many TV station staff, carrying cameras, rushed off the ship and started filming.

Then, a group of unfamiliar people disembarked. Besides Wan Rong, Su Jie, Liu Qinglu, and Xu Yong, as well as some association leaders, Chen Jianhai didn't recognize anyone.

But that didn't matter.

Just by observing their positions, he could figure out most of it.

"Mayor Sui, this is the island chief, Tian Laoshan,"

"And this is Chen Jianhai, owner of Lang'ai Hotel."

Wan Rong took the lead, smiling as he introduced both parties.

"Hello, Mayor Sui! Hello, leaders! Welcome to Xiaomaji Island."

"Hello, Mayor Sui! Hello, leaders!"

Mr. Hanshan and Chen Jianhai each shook hands with Deputy Mayor Sui, who was in charge of external cultural promotion, and then stood on either side of him as they walked towards the island hotel.

The islanders watched Chen Jianhai, who was talking and laughing in the center of the crowd, and were all stunned.

One question after another bombarded their minds.

Why is he shaking hands with the mayor?

Why is he standing next to the island chief??

Why is he taking photos with the mayor and the island chief!

Why are all the hotel employees standing behind him???

Wait a minute...!

Isn't he just a skewer-seller who grills kebabs!

...

As they walked, Mayor Sui asked about the island's population, geography, climate, and environment.

Mr. Hanshan answered truthfully, and when it came to maintaining the island's hygiene, he especially praised Chen Jianhai, detailing all the contributions Lang'ai Hotel had made to Xiaomaji Island.

Mayor Sui curiously asked, "So, the Starlight Coastal Road on the island was actually built by Mr. Chen?"

Mr. Hanshan said with emotion, "Yes, without this road, the island wouldn't be what it is today."

"From public toilets to the cargo station, to the Starlight Coastal Road,"

"Mr. Chen has done a lot of good for the island."

Chen Jianhai was taken aback.

He never expected Mr. Hanshan to praise him so much in front of the mayor. Mr. Hanshan paused and then said sincerely, "Mr. Chen is a great benefactor to our island!"

This... this was becoming more heartfelt!

Chen Jianhai quickly responded, "I don't dare to be called a benefactor."

"Xiaomaji Island is picturesque and has a pleasant climate. I was able to build a hotel here thanks to the help of the island chief and the islanders."

"These are all things I should do."

Mayor Sui smiled and said,

"Remembering one's roots, staying humble."

"Mr. Chen, it's a real blessing for Nanjing to have a young and capable entrepreneur like you who gives back to society."

...

Next,

After listening to speeches from Mayor Sui and President Wan Rong in front of the hotel, Director Gu Minzhong of the Nanjing Cultural Tourism Promotion Center announced the decision to develop Xiaomaji Island and signed a contract on the spot with Chen Jianhai to host the "Around the Island Marathon Friendship Race" at the hotel.

With a cut from Mayor Sui's scissors, the ribbon-cutting ceremony was completed, and the red cloth was removed from the hotel's signboard,

revealing the words "Xiaomaji Jasmine Hotel" in the center of the building.

"Congratulations, Mr. Chen!"

"Congratulations, Mr. Chen!"

"Mr. Chen is truly young and capable, not simple at all!"

One by one, the guests came forward with friendly and enthusiastic smiles to shake hands and congratulate Chen Jianhai.

Chen Jianhai responded to each handshake,

Looking at the smiles that felt like old friends, he was filled with endless emotions.

When Lang'ai Hotel was renovated and opened, it was pouring rain and windy,

Lin Suyang sent out nearly a hundred invitations, but only Wan Rong's assistant and Liu Qinglu showed up.

Those who came to celebrate were all owners of knock-off hotels and inns that had copied his happy festival, barbecue festival, and wedding season ideas.

But now, the people who came to congratulate him were all wealthy and influential.

Some hotel owners with insufficient standards didn't even qualify to attend the opening ceremony.

Chen Jianhai looked at the enthusiastic and friendly faces in front of him,

feeling as if he was in a different world.

"Chen Laodi, congratulations, congratulations!"

Xu Yong enthusiastically walked up and shook Chen Jianhai's hand firmly.

"Brother Xu, you're a rare guest! Thank you for attending the opening of the island hotel amidst your busy schedule."

Chen Jianhai firmly shook Xu Yong's hand in return.

In that moment, something inexplicable changed.

Chen Jianhai could clearly feel that Xu Yong no longer looked at him condescendingly,

and they were finally communicating as equals.

"I really didn't expect..."

Xu Yong looked at the island hotel in front of him and then at Mayor Sui, who was being interviewed by reporters not far away.

In just half a year, Chen Jianhai had developed to this extent!

And most importantly,

the maritime resources of Xiaomaji Island were now in Chen Jianhai's hands!

He had paid a high price to sponsor this Around the Island Marathon Friendship Race not just to promote Nanjing Guangkuo Aquatic Products Company,

but mainly for the development project of the maritime resources around Xiaomaji Island.

This maritime area, along with Xiaomaji Island, had been designated for development by the Coconut Umbrella Hotel Industry Association years ago, and others couldn't fish here freely.

But unexpectedly, this maritime area ended up in Chen Jianhai's hands.

"Mr. Chen, Mayor Sui wants to see your 'Meticulous' themed dishes. Please come quickly."

Su Jie came running over to deliver the message.

Chen Jianhai apologized, "Brother Xu, I have some matters to attend to, sorry for the neglect."

Xu Yong smiled, "No problem between us brothers, go ahead."

They shook hands again,

and Chen Jianhai turned and ran towards Mayor Sui.

...

Island Hotel Restaurant.

The plating and sashimi team had been waiting at the entrance early on.

"Mayor Sui, this dish is called 'Dragon and Snake in the Storm.'"

"This dish is called 'White Gull's New Arrival, Pillar Under Blossoming Hair.'"

"This dish is called 'Reversing the River of Nanjing, Rainbow by the Misty Sea.'"

...

As Chen Jianhai introduced each dish,

The nearly hundred-year history and important cultural anecdotes of Nanjing were all condensed into individual porcelain plates.

Even some subtle stories only mentioned in Li Xun's reports were all presented in the dishes.

Everyone was amazed.

Mayor Sui, who liked to paint, was also interested in the dish-like paintings.

"Who developed these?"

Chen Jianhai proudly said, "My employees."

He then gestured with his hand.

Mayor Sui curiously looked over.

He saw a thin young man in his 20s, wearing a white chef's uniform, standing at the front with a red face.

"So young!"

Mayor Sui exclaimed in surprise.

"Remarkable, truly remarkable!"