The black Mercedes S350 with a white license plate, under the guidance of the doorman, slowly parked on a street near Paris Lyon Station.
The car door opened, and Lu Wenqi and Yu Dandan emerged from the driver’s seat and passenger seat respectively.
"Is this the place?"
Lu Wenqi asked Yu Dandan beside him.
He usually travels all over Europe, so he is far less familiar with Paris than Yu Dandan, who has lived here for more than ten years.
"Yes, this ultra-luxurious restaurant called Le Train Bleu is quite famous in Paris. That Mr. Zhou really knows how to pick a place..."
Yu Dandan nodded, "I heard that when the restaurant opened in 1901, it was the then President of France, Emile Lube, who personally cut the ribbon."
"Heh, only abroad do they do such things..."
Lu Wenqi was taken aback, then shook his head with a smile, "Let’s go in."
Yu Dandan hesitated a little.
Seeing this, Lu Wenqi was surprised and asked, "What’s wrong?"
Yu Dandan helplessly lifted the simple gift bag in her hand, "President Lu, are you sure we’re just giving this box of cookies to Mr. Zhou? Isn’t it a bit too careless? After all, he’s a stakeholder in our company, basically our boss, and this is our first meeting..."
"What’s wrong with cookies?"
Lu Wenqi didn’t care at all, "This kind of thing is just about etiquette. Who said you have to buy something expensive to show sincerity?"
"Should I go buy two bottles of local wine, at least..."
"Mr. Yu, you shouldn’t worry about it so much. Although we’re meeting a company stakeholder, consider it as a gathering between friends. Besides, we’re likely not staying long at the branch company anyway."
Lu Wenqi laughed, "Moreover, I heard that Mr. Zhou is quite young. He might not have come to Paris specifically for this meeting with us, so just relax."
"Alright."
Thinking of the rumors within the company about Mr. Zhou, Yu Dandan nodded, then she smiled, "President Lu, I admire you quite a bit; you’ve adjusted your mindset so quickly?"
"I might be tired. You know well how we’ve come step by step to today. Expanding into the European market is tough, so let others worry about it in the future."
Lu Wenqi said self-deprecatingly, then beckoned Yu Dandan to walk towards the restaurant.
As they reached the entrance, accompanied by hurried footsteps, they saw another blonde-haired, blue-eyed middle-aged woman in a well-tailored professional outfit approaching quickly, coincidentally meeting them at the door.
Both parties were a bit taken aback upon seeing each other.
Lu Wenqi and Yu Dandan frowned immediately, not expecting to run into her here.
The blonde woman, however, thought she understood something after her surprise, and her disdainful gaze swept over the two, followed by a mocking smile curling at her lips.
"Oh, Lu and Yu, though I admire your persistence, are you stalking me now?"
This woman was Paulina, the general manager of Brioni’s French branch. More than half an hour ago, she had had an unpleasant conversation with the two at the Tiktok company meeting room as a brand representative of Brioni.
At the time, she was the one who haughtily threw a mocking comment before striding out.
Upon hearing her words, Yu Dandan angrily said, "Ms. Paulina, this is just a coincidence. We came here because..."
"No need to argue. I’m not blind to your intentions."
Paulina sneered, "Brioni’s conditions won’t change, and I dislike your arrogant attitude, Yu. This isn’t how you ask for a favor. Now please step aside, I don’t have time to argue with you."
"You..."
Just as Yu Dandan was about to lose her temper, Paulina had already walked past them, directly entering the restaurant.
Lu Wenqi’s face didn’t look good either. He thought he had adjusted his mindset, but now realized he had been a little self-deceptive.
"President Lu, I don’t want to eat here. Can we ask Mr. Zhou to choose another place?"
Yu Dandan gritted her teeth.
"Forget it, Mr. Zhou should have been waiting here for a while now. If we do run into them, just ignore them."
Lu Wenqi hesitated for a moment but ultimately shook his head.
Through the restaurant’s revolving door, after confirming their names with the doorman, the waiter immediately led them forward, but upon truly entering the restaurant, both were a bit surprised.
Because the vast restaurant was surprisingly empty.
"Isn’t it lunchtime now? Why is there no one here..."
Lu Wenqi asked, puzzled, in a low voice.
"I don’t know either. Normally, this restaurant should have good business."
For a moment, Yu Dandan forgot about being angry and glanced around, then couldn’t help but laugh, "The decor of this restaurant is indeed quite unique. No wonder Zhou Jielun would shoot an MV here. President Lu, do you listen to Zhou Jielun’s songs? That one called ’Greatest Works’..."
"I only listen to Dao Lang from domestic singers."
Lu Wenqi shook his head but couldn’t deny that Yu Dandan was right; the restaurant’s decor was quite unique.
Forty-one giant murals depicting the beautiful scenery along the train route a century ago spread across the ceiling. Tables and chairs retaining elements of aristocratic trains were neatly arranged, chandeliers and gilded ornaments exuded a rich classical vibe, making one feel as if they were in a high society social setting at the end of the last century.
While walking and observing, the waiter quickly led them to the depths of the restaurant, where there was a spiral staircase leading to the second floor. At the top of the staircase, stood two men in black who looked like bodyguards, their massive presence rather imposing.