1355: Hidden Potential

Hidden Potential

It turned out that Bacon had been saving up money for a long time to buy his mother, Iris, a present. When he believed that he had saved enough, he immediately ran to his father for advice. Jin Liwei thought of this old commercial district because he had been eyeing it for some time now.0

Based on a previous experience, Iris didn't like receiving full-fledged businesses as presents. She had accepted when he gifted her the real estate company, Gold Heights. But when he later gifted her the French perfumery, Sang Blue (now known as Liberté), they ended up quarreling. It was a good thing that their fight didn't last for too long. 

Jin Liwei quickly realized that his wife preferred building her own businesses and developing them from the ground up instead of receiving them on a silver platter. She didn't like depending on him when it came to her career. Although he wanted to give her everything in the world, he also understood and respected her desire for independence in this aspect of her life.

As for how he came with the idea of suggesting this old commercial district to Bacon as a present to Iris, it all came down to his understanding of Iris' love for challenges. She might have some reservations if they gifted her with a ready-made, fully running business but it would surely pique her interest if she was presented with a challenging project like this.

It wasn't the classy present that Bacon had expected but he was eventually persuaded after listening to Jin Liwei's reason for choosing this kind of unusual gift. When Ketchup learned that Bacon was planning to buy their mother an expensive present, she couldn't sit still and insisted on joining. 

As a result, Bacon bought the mall while Ketchup bought the nearby concert hall. Of course, the two of them also bought the immediate surrounding land.

Now that Iris heard why her AI children bought her such unusual presents, she immediately switched her mentality and viewed everything in the place through the lens of a businesswoman. 

She nodded. Indeed, this place still had some hidden potential that remained untapped even during its heydays before it slowly decayed into this pitiful state. [Read official chapters on W e b n o v e l (dot) com. Please stop supporting piracy. Also follow author on Instagram: @arriacross]

Also, she trusted her husband's judgment. Jin Liwei wouldn't suggest this place if he didn't see any potential from it. If the head of the country's biggest company was interested in this place, then it meant that there was hope and the current situation could be reversed if tackled in a smart way.

"I am pushing to buy the surrounding residential area as well," Jin Liwei told her. "I plan for Jin Corporation to develop some residential properties here for renting and purchase. The business and transportation aspects also need to be addressed in order to entice new people to not only move here but also to stay for good."

Iris continued evaluating the surrounding area. "Yes, you're right. There are a lot of things that we need to do if we want to revitalize this old commercial district into a robust, thriving, quality place where people can live, work and play without needing to travel too far."

"En." Jin Liwei gave his wife an admiring look. He knew that she would understand and appreciate the potential of this place.

"Mother, do you like Bacon's gift?" the black cat AI's voice asked again through her hidden earpiece.

"Yes, Bacon. Thank you so much."

"Really, Mother?"

"Yes."

The husband and wife could imagine Bacon's tail rotating into a blur like a helicopter's rotor blades. Iris chuckled.

"This is a great present, Bacon. It's perfect for someone like me. I love challenges like this. I can't wait to start working on this revival project."

"Daddy, please show the cute and mighty Ketchup's present to Mommy next! Hurry, Daddy! Meow~"

Jin Liwei agreed. They rode a car and drove to the nearby concert hall. The concert hall was also small and unimpressive compared to modern concert halls in major cities. Just like the mall, the construction appeared solid which was good. If not for the obvious disrepair, it was actually a rather elegant building. It had a classic style which had the potential to boost this area's cultural life if repaired and renovated correctly.

Not only that. The open area behind the concert hall looked lovely with large, natural trees and wild vegetation. It could be transformed into a beautiful garden where people could relax.

Ideas kept on flooding Iris' mind. She felt excited at the prospect completely reviving this pitiful place. 

"Mommy, do you like Ketchup's gift, too? Meow~"

"Of course, Ketchup. Thank you." 

"Yay yay! The cute and mighty Ketchup feels so happy that Mommy likes my gift! Meowowow!"

Iris wasn't lying. She truly appreciated her AI children's gift to her. It may be unusual and even dubious at first, but now that it ignited her business instincts, she felt that it was one of the best surprises she had ever received.

For her, Bacon and Ketchup didn't just give her these old, abandoned buildings. The most important thing that they had given her today was the wonderful sense of purpose in reviving an old commercial district that was currently on the verge of dying. 

If successful, it would benefit her in so many ways. Not only her but also the citizens who would live and work here in the future. Most importantly, she would be contributing to society by helping prevent the total decay of a place.

She turned to Jin Liwei. "Did Jin Corporation monopolize the residential areas in this place? I want my Gold Heights to develop a portion, too."

He chuckled and gave her a doting smile. "Alright."

"Mother, Bacon's present isn't just the mall. I will also fund the repair and renovations."

"Ketchup too, Mommy!"

Iris' brows raised. "Do both of you have enough money?"

"Father and Great-Grandpa Lu agreed to give Bacon and Big Sister Ketchup no-interest private loans if we run out of money."

"That's right, cat fight! Meow~"

Iris glanced at her husband and raised an eyebrow. Jin Liwei nodded. 

"No need to take loans even if they're from your dad and great-grandpa," she said, sighing. "I'll cover the rest of the funding."

"But Mother—"

"Your current gift is already more than enough for me. Thank you, Ketchup and Bacon. Mom is so happy to have amazing children like you."

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