YM778.TV Chapter 409 - 409: What a Great Manor
Zhou Chao stared at the already disconnected phone, his facial muscles twitching.
“Motherfucker, this reason is truly powerful!”
Upon reflection, Zhou Chao realized the validity of his reasoning. What did the discovery of cultural relics on his own property have to do with anyone else? The relics were already destroyed, and they had even confirmed their authenticity themselves. If he were to exhibit similar authentic items, it wouldn’t concern anyone else.
Having come to this realization, Zhou Chao no longer dwelled on the matter. He pushed it aside from his thoughts.
Just as Zhou Chao was reminiscing, there was a knock on the door.
Opening the door, he found Lin Wu and others.
“Come in!
Zhou Chao sat on the couch, looking at the three of them standing there, and curiously asked, “What are you three doing together?”
Lin Wu and the others exchanged glances, unsure of how to begin.
Seeing their hesitation, Zhou Chao pointed directly at Todd and said, “You explain!”
Todd’s face, which had a slightly menacing look, now had a hint of blush as he scratched his head and said, “Boss, we just wanted to go and see your luxurious mansion!”
As he spoke, he handed the document bag he was holding under his armpit to Zhou Chao.
“I thought you guys were coming together for some reason. Okay, since there’s nothing important today, let’s go directly!” Zhou Chao said as he raised the document bag containing property documents.
“Yes, boss!” The three of them exclaimed joyfully.
Seeing their excitement, Zhou Chao felt even more thrilled than they did.
The group then took the property documents and set off for the mansion.
The mansion was named “Kuerson” and was located in the Essonne department, about 35 kilometers from Paris.
After leaving the city, they drove for about half an hour before reaching the mansion’s gate.
The mansion had been the venue for botanical events in the past, so the gate was very grand and magnificent. Zhou Chao estimated that the gate was about 10 meters wide.
At the moment, the gate was tightly closed, so Todd asked someone to ring the doorbell.
Soon, the gate slowly opened, and Zhou Chao realized that it was fully automated.
With the gate open, the three large Mercedes-Benz cars drove in. A straight road led to the mansion’s castle, with lawns on either side, adorned with numerous trees.
As soon as the car came to a stop, a middle-aged man who looked like a butler, accompanied by a few security personnel, was standing at the entrance.
Seeing Zhou Chao and the others getting out of the cars, he took the initiative to greet them.
“Hello, may 1 ask if Mr. Zhou Chao is here?” The butler spoke fluent Huaxia, which surprised Zhou Chao.
Looking at the butler in front of him, with deep features and light blue eyes, Zhou Chao couldn’t help but be amazed. He was quite handsome, and his first impression of him was quite good.
“1 am!” Zhou Chao said, taking the initiative to speak.
“Mr. Zhou, hello. 1 am Devan Wood, the steward of Kuerson Mansion. May I take a look at your property documents for verification?”
Zhou Chao didn’t expect the butler to be so meticulous in handling things. He nodded to Lin Wu, who promptly returned to the car and fetched the bag containing the property documents.
“Boss, here’s the bag with the documents you need!”
Zhou Chao glanced at the butler and nodded in his direction. Lin Wu understood and handed over the items to the butler.
The butler received them without hesitation and immediately opened the bag, taking out the documents and reviewing them quickly. It didn’t take long for him to finish.
Upon seeing this, the butler immediately adopted a respectful demeanor, bowing slightly and saying, “Welcome back, Master!”
The security personnel behind him echoed in agreement.
Zhou Chao waved his hand to stop De van and the others. He looked at Devan, the respectful butler, and said, “In the future, don’t call me ‘Master’ or anything like that. Just call me ‘Boss’ or ‘Young Master Zhou.\'”
Devan hesitated for a moment and then nodded, saying, “Understood, Boss.”
“Let’s go, go inside and take a look. Please introduce me to the situation of this mansion as well.”
Of course, Boss.”
Devan led the group inside, while Todd’s team members scattered on their own.
“Boss, this mansion has a history of over 600 years. It can be traced back to the imperial era. There are more than 20 rooms inside the castle. The standalone building next to it was constructed last year on the site of the original stables.”
As they entered the interior of the castle, it still maintained its original style, exuding a noble atmosphere. Various classical decorations and light fixtures added to its grandeur.
After nearly an hour of exploration, they had seen the entire mansion and its gardens and lake behind it. A refreshing feeling washed over Zhou Chao.
Not bad!” Zhou Chao was quite satisfied with the mansion.
A housekeeper-like person approached Devan, whispered a few words to him, and then left.
“Boss, the staff has prepared a sumptuous lunch. Please proceed to the dining room!”
Zhou Chao glanced once more at the nearby lake and nodded. “Let’s go.”
They all went downstairs, and in the dining room, a long table was set with exquisite French cuisine. It was evident that Devan, the butler, had put a lot of effort into it.
After Lin Wu, Todd, and the others took their seats, Zhou Chao noticed Devan, the butler, standing respectfully behind him.
“Devan, please have a seat too!” Zhou Chao said calmly as he cut a piece of foie gras with his knife and fork.
“Boss, 1 will dine with the servants later.”
“In the future, when it’s just us, feel free to join me for meals.”
Devan, still stunned, finally regained his composure and said excitedly, “Thank you, Boss!”
Zhou Chao waved his hand in acknowledgment, and Devan quickly moved to sit next to Todd.
“Lin Wu, this afternoon, pack up with Miles and return to the hotel. We’ll be staying here for the next few days. Todd, arrange a car for them to go back.”
Yes, Boss!” the three of them replied in unison.
After finishing lunch, Lin Wu and Miles left the mansion, while Zhou Chao, accompanied by Todd and Devan, went to the garden.
In the vast garden, there was a centerpiece—a one-hectare lake. It was so large, but Zhou Chao felt like something was missing when he stood by the lakeside.
“Do you guys think something is missing from the lake?” Zhou Chao asked, gazing at the water.
“Is it a boat, Boss?” Todd suggested with a spark of inspiration.
Not just that.”
After some thought, Zhou Chao turned to Devan, the butler, and said, “Have someone purchase a large wooden boat from Huaxia, one that’s suitable for drinking and fishing on. Also, select a good variety of evergreen lotus flowers and buy some swans to keep in the lake. This way, the lake won’t look so plain.”
“Yes, Boss. However, the estate’s funds are currently somewhat limited,” Devan, the butler, admitted with some embarrassment.
“Hahaha, 1 thought it was something big. Don’t worry, I’ll give you an account, and I’ll transfer 20 million over to you later!” Zhou Chao said casually.
Devan, the butler, who stood behind him, trembled slightly at the words, looking somewhat uncertain as he gazed at the man in front of him. Todd, on the other hand, had a knowing expression and patted Devan’s shoulder.
“Relax, Boss has plenty of money. Just be loyal, and that’s all that matters,” Todd whispered to Devan.
Unaware of what was happening in front of him, Zhou Chao’s lips still curled up. Testing someone’s character with money rather than emotions was a truth he had always upheld.
“Devan, you mentioned that the mansion had stables before, right?”
“Yes, Boss.”
“So, how did it get demolished and replaced with a building?”
“The previous owner didn’t like horseback riding, and it was vacant for some time. They were also planning to sell it, so they decided to build a new structure. This significantly increased the estate’s value.”
You should have someone find a suitable place and rebuild the stables. Later on, we can buy some good horses to ride around the estate!” Zhou Chao seemed genuinely excited about the idea.
“Boss, you might be disappointed. Our garden here has been designated as an outstanding garden. So, relevant authorities periodically inspect it. If you want to ride horses, you’ll have to go to nearby equestrian centers.”
Devan’s words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Zhou Chao’s head, leaving him somewhat speechless.
“Never mind, then!” Dealing with these foreign authorities was quite troublesome.
If he weren’t careful, they’d visit him constantly, claiming they were offering advice but often causing more of a hassle. If he didn’t make the necessary changes, they’d keep showing up.
“Bzzz.” Just as Zhou Chao returned to the mansion and lay on the couch, his phone rang.
“Hello, Brother Yang!” Zhou Chao answered the call and gestured for Todd and Devan to leave the room.
“I inquired about what you mentioned earlier. It’s best if you send it back as soon as possible. We can use it for some publicity!”
“That’s fine. I won’t be able to return for now, so you’ll have to send someone to collect it!”
“I understand. I’ve already contacted the embassy in Paris. Someone might call you later. Just hand over the items to them when they arrive.”
“Alright, I got it. By the way, Brother Yang, is there any secret code or something?”
“A secret code? Are you trying to act like you’re in a spy movie? No need for passphrases!” Xiaoyang replied somewhat irritably.
Zhou Chao chuckled, “I understand, Brother Yang.”
“Okay, that’s it for now!” He hung up the phone.
Zhou Chao sat up from the couch, wondering how he would hand over the items when the person arrived. He couldn’t do it in front of Lin Wu and the others; after all, they shouldn’t know about everything he was carrying.
“Never mind, if the person calls me later, I’ll have them come to the estate. Then 1 can just drive them out and hand it over!” Zhou Chao finally came up with a not-so-ideal solution.
Just as Zhou Chao was pondering the situation, Lin Wu and Miles had already finished packing and returned.
“Why are you two standing here? Come inside and sit down!” Lin Wu wondered why the two of them were standing outside the lounge area like a pair of gatekeepers.
“Boss, he’s on a call,” Todd replied promptly.
As soon as he finished speaking, they heard Zhou Chao’s voice, “Come in!”
The group exchanged glances and then walked inside..