Chapter 131: Group Critique of the President: The Hotel Owners' Brawl

In an instant, the girl's attitude towards the guest transformed entirely, as if she were a little fangirl seeing her idol.

"You look different from how you appear in the videos," she said, chuckling, which made Chen Jianhai's face turn red.

He had seen how his employees portrayed him in the videos—practically unbearable to look at.

Chen Jianhai didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he continued chatting with her about inconsequential things.

Most of the conversation revolved around:

"I attended a wedding at your hotel; I really liked it!"

"The Atlantis Sea View room is a bit too expensive. When will there be discounts?"

"Can I get a membership card?" and so on.

Chen Jianhai dodged the questions skillfully. Just as he was about to find an excuse to leave, the girl suddenly mentioned,

"Oh, Mr. Chen, I forgot to tell you the main thing. Today is the mid-year meeting, and all association members need to attend."

Chen Jianhai was puzzled, "Why didn't anyone inform me?"

The girl looked a bit embarrassed, "That's the association's tradition… Usually, new members are informed about the next meeting. However, it's not a written rule. Sometimes the certificate issuance date gets delayed, and the meeting schedule changes, so the event department might have missed informing you."

"Don't take it personally; we have to follow orders from our superiors."

"It's all understood," Chen Jianhai nodded. 

This situation was indeed beyond control; after all, they had to "act according to orders," unlike in his hotel, where he could do whatever he wanted.

"Well, I might as well ask other hotel owners if they take the bus here."

Chen Jianhai no longer cared much about the Coconut Palm Hotel Industry Association. Since he had free time, he decided to check out the event for fun.

He left his certificate and plaque there and walked towards the second floor.

...

Second Floor Hall.

"I can build it! As long as you mark a piece of land for me on Nanjiang Binhai Road, I'll immediately get a construction company to build a hotel."

As soon as he reached the entrance, Chen Jianhai heard a rough voice coming from inside.

He gently pushed the back door of the conference room open and walked in.

It was a room that could accommodate nearly 50 people. The room was filled with smoke and loud cursing, almost enough to make Chen Jianhai retreat.

"These old smokers…" Chen Jianhai muttered, looking around and sensibly finding an empty seat in the corner.

Seeing a stranger enter, people glanced at him, but since Chen Jianhai was so young and a new face, they assumed he was an assistant from some hotel and paid him no further attention. The discussion continued.

"Our money doesn't grow on trees! You, Wanrong Hotel, are well-established and wealthy. Why don't you build the hotel?"

A middle-aged man in a yellow T-shirt, holding a keychain, slammed the table and cursed, speaking with no politeness.

The crowd looked at the person sitting in the middle of the conference table with expressions of interest.

"That must be the owner of Wanrong Hotel," Chen Jianhai thought, silently memorizing the man's appearance.

At that moment, others also began to speak up:

"We all run hotels and know how hard it is to cultivate a market."

"After so many years of development, Nanjiang has finally nurtured this market, and we're all doing better."

"That island is not suitable for building hotels!"

"Even if you give us all the fishing resources on that island, is the fishing boat free? Is catching fish free? Is transportation free?"

"If there's a typhoon, we wouldn't earn enough to cover the losses!"

The atmosphere in the meeting grew more tense, with many joining in to criticize Wanrong.

"Tsk tsk, what a tough job being the president!" Chen Jianhai thought, enjoying the spectacle. Although he didn't know what they were arguing about, watching a group of men quarrel was quite entertaining.

"I think the association should fund the hotel construction, and we'll manage it."

"Yeah! Split the profits equally!"

…

"What is the association planning to develop?" Chen Jianhai leaned over to a young man next to him and asked quietly.

"You don't know?" The young man looked surprised.

"Didn't your boss tell you?"

Chen Jianhai replied sheepishly, "Our hotel just joined the association today; we know nothing."

The young man suddenly understood, and without saying more, he took a notice from his briefcase and handed it to Chen Jianhai.

"Notice on Mobilizing Association Members to Develop Xiaomajia Island"

Chen Jianhai glanced at the title, his eyes showing a hint of surprise.

The notice was clear. Anyone who built a hotel on Xiaomajia Island would get the rights to develop a marine area on the island.

Although Chen Jianhai knew nothing about marine development, even with basic common sense, he knew it was worth a lot of money!

The waters around Xiaomajia Island were so rich that throwing a stone in could stun two fish.

"Although the cost of seafood has risen, it's better to buy fish than build a hotel!" The hotel owners in the meeting kept firing criticisms like machine guns, with even more fervor than women bickering.

Just as Chen Jianhai was enjoying the spectacle, someone suddenly said,

"I heard the association recently accepted a few new hotels. Why not let the newcomers build the hotel?"

Hearing "newcomers," Chen Jianhai felt a bit weak-kneed and shrunk down slightly.

He was just an onlooker, wanting to enjoy the show, not become part of it.

Although Xiaomajia Island was scenic, life there was too dull. The slow pace of life was like an ADC on the bottom lane, never fully developing.

He couldn't stay more than three days himself; he doubted anyone would vacation there for more than five days.

While Chen Jianhai was hiding in the corner, playing the ostrich, hoping no one would notice him, Wanrong, who had been silent, finally spoke.

"Indeed, we should ask the younger generation's opinion."

"Chen Boss, what do you think about developing a resort hotel on Xiaomajia Island?"

Chen Jianhai was amused. 

Oh, another hotel owner with the surname Chen?

He wondered who it was, thinking he'd introduce himself.

Looking around the corner, he waited, but no one spoke up.

Just as Chen Jianhai was wondering why no one was responding, his eyes accidentally met Wanrong's.

"Chen Boss? Share your thoughts."

What the heck?????

Chen Jianhai: ????!!

He awkwardly raised his hand, pointed at himself, looking confused.

Are you talking about me?!