In fact, Xiao Chen knows one thing, the real "ancestral home" of the Qin family in the United States is neither on Long Island in New York nor in Billy Hills in Los Angeles. But in Palm Beach, Florida, it should be said that the real rich area of the United States - or the rich area, Palm Beach is one of the top. It is inhabited by the real wealthy people of the United States, such as the oil giants, the CEOs of multinational corporations. According to one tourism statistic, a quarter of the wealth of the United States flows in and around Palm Beach during the peak tourist season. From the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, Carnegie, and Mellon families centuries ago to the Moon and Baker families in modern times, they all ruled Palm Beach.

However, as an investment company that has gradually prospered over several generations, its main focus is still on Wall Street, so it has purchased real estate on Long Island and the Upper East Side.

When the car arrived at Long Island and was still moving, Xiao Chen looked at the scattered villas on the side of the road, and occasionally felt something in his heart.

In recent years, villas have also begun to appear in China, and these villas are more influenced by Europe and the United States, especially by American villas. From first-tier cities to third-tier cities, American-style villas are shining brightly. However, due to the relatively short history of the United States, only more than 200 years, the style of American villas actually has no cultural elements of its own, and most of them are copies of European villas, and Italian style and Spanish style are more obvious in modern American villas.

Qin Qin watched Xiao Chen pay attention to the surrounding villas along the way, and said with a smile: "Do you like it?" If you want to buy a few sets, you can also live when you come to play. ”

Xiao Chen waved his hand and said: "I'm just going to take a look, and I'm afraid that the family has a lot of real estate in the United States, so what else did I buy it for." ”

Qin Qin listened to his words and regarded the Qin family as his own home, and as soon as his heart warmed, his tone softened a lot: "Well, that's too." In addition to the main home in Palm Beach, Seattle, Los Angeles, Colorado, Texas, North Carolina...... There are quite a few. ”

Xiao Chen sighed: "Sure enough, it's a big capitalist, I'm in Huaxia, and I don't even have a personal residence with my name written on it." ”

"Cut!" Qin Qin glanced at him: "But you can still live in Zhongnanhai, I can't live in the White House." ”

Xiao Chen shook his head: "I'm staying, that's not for me." ”

"It's also a place to live, a group of people discuss where they live in the villa, and when I ask you, you say, 'I live in Zhongnanhai', haha! I believe that in Huaxia, this should be the straightest answer, right? Qin Qin said with a smile.

"Auntie still knows a lot about Huaxia." Xiao Chen smiled bitterly. He turned his gaze to the villa next to him.

When my aunt saw it, she said: "The full use of the natural environment in American villas is the most important feature. I know that in China, the rich love to live in the central city. However, Xiao Chen, in the United States, the rich live in the suburbs. ”

Xiao Chen nodded: "I know this." ”

Since the United States is located in the middle of the North American continent, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The total length of the coastline is 19,924 km. It has a relatively superior and complex and diverse natural environment and landscape. From the perspective of natural environment and natural landscape, the United States has both tall mountains and vast plains; There are not only the world-famous Mississippi River, but also the beautiful Great Lakes; There is an alpine setting for winter sports and a beautiful beach for summer holidays. Therefore, under the privatization system of land, manors and farms, the rich often choose places with very beautiful natural landscapes and resources to build villas, so the natural landscape, floor area ratio and greening rate of villas in the United States are very high. And, the emphasis is on natural, less artificial. Mountains and water resources are also very obvious.

The aunt nodded, and suddenly pointed to a set of light gray and white villas in front of her and said, "That's it, let's drive over." ”

Xiao Chen nodded, drove the car along the soft foundation road, crossed the road between the gardens, and parked in the courtyard. The aunt beckoned him to get out of the car and said, "Do you know that there is one biggest difference between the wealthy families in China and the wealthy families in the United States in terms of residence?" ”

Xiao Chen thought about it and shook his head.

"It's about security." Qin Qin said.

Xiao Chen nodded suddenly, this is right. Generally, the traditional mansions in China are heavy gates, high thresholds and high courtyard walls, which can be summed up in one sentence: Houmen is as deep as the sea. The current Huaxia residence, in fact, is the same, but it is an improved deep house compound. Whether it is Chinese-style architecture or Western-style architecture, in China, more attention is often paid to security measures.

You can see it from the security guards who salute at the door and the 24-hour patrol. This layer of strict militarization system is markedly different from the openness of the United States. U.S. security, on the other hand, is achieved through the defense of border areas. There are many more country houses and farm houses that are even more defenseless. In view of the different security elements of Huamei, the privacy and openness of the space are also reflected. Chinese people pay attention to introverted, like to work in their own side of the world, like the enclosed courtyard, like the enclosed garden, where leisure and health, planting flowers and feeding birds. And the United States is the opposite. The warm, unrestrained, and free character makes the villas in the United States more open, and the garden is basically not enclosed, although it belongs to the owner, but the open space is larger.

"Huaxia has Chinese traditions." Xiao Chen said with a smile: "When you said that you would come to pick me up, I thought you would be in a Rolls-Royce with a private driver, and you would sit in the back seat and wait quietly for me to get off the plane." But you ended up driving this Bentley yourself...... Auntie, you see, this is the embodiment of the difference in our thinking. ”

Qin Qin nodded approvingly: "Rolls-Royce has it, if you work in the company, or go to meet some people, I will take that car." I don't want to pick you up, it's a private matter, I don't want to sit in that iron coffin shell, that car, to be honest, if you want me to evaluate it truthfully, it's just eight words: dull appearance, dull interior. ”

Xiao Chen scratched his head a little, he really hadn't taken a Rolls-Royce, but he just felt that tens of millions of luxury cars wouldn't have such an evaluation. But he forgot the American way of thinking, good is good, bad is bad, and it is really difficult for enthusiastic and direct Americans to implicitly praise something that they obviously don't like. Qin Qin is usually very busy at work, and if she takes a car like a Rolls-Royce that shows her status, she will naturally not have any good evaluation, she likes the kind that looks free, warm and casual.

Xiao Chen said: "The United States is not everything good, I remember that in the United States, you also have to pay real estate tax." And this tax is not paid at once like in our country, but every year, and the price will rise. This should also be a lot of expense. The price of property tax varies depending on the area where the house is located and the price of the house. Ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars a month. ”

Qin Qin nodded: "This one is, but I have to tell you, in general, the harsh taxes and miscellaneous taxes must be more than Huaxia." ”

Xiao Chen smiled and said, "Let's go in, it's cold outside." ”

But there are others in this villa.

As soon as he got out of the car, Qin Qin waved his hand towards the road where they came just now, Xiao Chen turned his head and glanced at it, a wild horse had already turned its head and left.

Xiao Chen's heart moved, and he asked with a smile: "Bodyguard?" ”

Qin Qin smiled and said, "Let's go, let's go in." ”

Xiao Chen carried a small suitcase by himself, followed Qin Qin and walked inside, the dark blue floor-to-ceiling tempered bulletproof glass door had a unique charm. Xiao Chen and Qin Qin walked to the door, two beautiful girls with big ponytails, wearing white Adidas tracksuits, bowed slightly to Qin Qin: "Good evening, chairman." ”

"Good evening, girls." Qin Qin's words made Xiao Chen feel a little strange, once upon a time, once upon a time, once the word girl was added to "we", it seemed to have another special meaning, but unexpectedly, it didn't seem to have come here yet.

"To this gentleman you may call ...... Shaodong, huh? Although Xiao Chen was a little curious, Qin Qin was indeed talking to them in Chinese - one of the two girls was yellow, but the other was a blonde and blue-eyed white man.

The two girls glanced at Xiao Chen carefully, for the only remaining relative of Mr. Qin in this world, Xiao Chen's name and photo have been seen by the two of them, but they didn't expect to see his true face at this moment, but they felt that he was much more handsome than in the photo. - Actually, this has something to do with Xiao Chen's recent tanning, American girls often prefer bronzed-skinned men, perhaps because "what you don't have is precious". Just like when Germans judge each other's wealth or poverty, they often think that darker-skinned people are rich, because only rich people can often go on vacation and go to sunbathing...... The white girl rolled her eyes, stretched out her hand and said, "Hello Shaodong, I'm so glad to meet you." My name is Helena. Alan, you can call me Helena, huh...... You can come to me at any time 24 hours a day, and I will be happy to serve you. ”

Xiao Chen stiffened when he stretched out his hand, how did this sound like there was something else in it?

"Hello, my name is Xiao Chen. It's a pleasure to meet you. Xiao Chen said with a smile.

"Well, as is custom, should I call you 'Xiao'? Or 'Chen'? Oh, sorry...... Heart, what should I call Shaodong? She suddenly turned her head to look at the oriental beauty.

The beautiful woman who was called "Heart" ignored Helena, and stretched out her hand to Xiao Chen reservedly: "Shaodong, my name is Shu Xin, according to the chairman's arrangement, in the recent period, I will be responsible for your safety and other actions, if you have any needs, you can tell me and Helena." ”

Xiao Chen smiled and shook her hand: "I'm sorry for you—well, your name is very chic." ”

"Thank you." It's easy to speak comfortably.

Helena interjected, "Xiao ...... Oh no, Chen, did you understand the words of the heart just now? ”

Xiao Chen nodded and smiled, "Of course." ”

"You must remember to tell me if you need anything." Helena blinked her wide, blue eyes.

Xiao Chen was immediately stunned, how could this ...... "Helena." Qin Qin suddenly smiled and said, "If you can really make him take a fancy to you, especially ...... If you can conceive my nephew's child, regardless of gender, I will give you 100 million dollars as a support fund. ”

“ohmygod！ Chairman, are you sure you're not kidding, you can have 100 million dollars if you are pregnant with his child?! Helena exclaimed, her fingers covering her mouth.

Xiao Chen smiled bitterly: "Auntie, this joke is not funny. ”

Qin Qin wanted to laugh: "I really want to see, if your grandparents suddenly find out that they have a gorgeous mixed-race great-grandson, what will their expressions be?" ”

Xiao Chen shook his head speechlessly: "Bad taste, I'm not fooled." ”

Qin Qin still smiled, but Helena looked at Xiao Chen as if she had seen a lot of diamonds, with gold stars in her eyes, and took Xiao Chen's hand and said, "Chen, I must make you fall in love with me, I want to conceive your child......"

Xiao Chen coughed embarrassedly, a delicate beauty had to hold her hand and say that she wanted to conceive her own child, it turned out that she could be so terrible, dizzy.

Qin Qin saw Xiao Chen's deflated appetite, and laughed brighter and brighter, and then said, "Okay, Helena, let's take us to dinner first." ”

Xiao Chen nodded, and as soon as Helena heard Qin Qin's instructions, she immediately let go of her hand and invited Qin Qin and Xiao Chen to the restaurant with a smile.

Qin Qin said as he walked: "I originally wanted to cook a Chinese meal for you, but thinking that you have such a good grandfather, what kind of Chinese food can't you eat?" Think about it or forget it, or don't get an axe, so as not to laugh at it. So today, I still prepared French food, so you can change your taste. ”

Xiao Chen said with a smile: "I've been learning to eat French food for a while, and I rarely use it in normal times, so it seems that I'm going to show my timidity today." ”

Qin Qin was amused when he heard it: "What you said is a meal ceremony for learning to eat French food, right?" Don't pay attention to it today, you just show your teeth and claws, it doesn't matter if the five-clawed golden dragon comes out, I won't laugh at you. ”

Xiao Chen smiled, and he had already seen the exquisite table in the luxurious restaurant. In fact, it is not without reason that French food is listed as the "first of Western cuisine". Imagine sitting upright at a white table, gently moving your silver knife and fork in your hand, and bringing the delicate delicacies on your plate to your mouth...... French cuisine brings diners not only deliciousness, but also an ineffable, aristocratic elegance. However, Xiao Chen has no special preference for French food, the key is that his time is getting tighter and tighter, and he attaches more and more importance to time, and a slightly more elaborate French meal generally takes 3 hours, which makes Xiao Chen feel a bit of a waste of time.

Xiao Chen and Qin Qin sat down, and Shu Xin and Helena did not follow, but went out after bringing them here, and it was the three servants who came to serve. One of them opened a bottle of fragrant Lafite as an aperitif, but Xiao Chen didn't pay attention to what year it was, anyway, in his mind, Auntie was originally a person who would enjoy material life, and her Lafite here was naturally not bad - this seems to be a bit of a problem, is Lafite bad? As for aperitifs, this custom comes from France, where they like to have an aperitif before a meal, and even more so at a banquet or party. Aperitifs are generally wine, champagne, cocktails, juices, sodas, etc., which have the function of stimulating appetite. Of course, more people prefer to drink a glass of champagne before a meal, and generally do not drink strong wines that spoil the sense of taste.

After the aperitif, it's time to get to the point. The so-called appetizers are generally salads, cold cuts, seafood and vegetable (meat) soups, etc., which are not large. Auntie's horsd'oeuvre here is a small cold cut, smoked silver carp and small cold oysters. Xiao Chen knew at a glance that there would be no silver carp and oysters in today's main meal, because the taste, color and shape of the appetizer would avoid repetition in the next dish.

You don't have to eat too many appetizers – of course, the portions aren't much. After that, the maid came up to clean up the knives, forks and plates for eating appetizers, and then put on the tableware that matched the main dish chosen by Xiao Chen and Qin Qin.

There are three main dishes: Burgundy snails, foie gras and lobster, and the rest of the dishes include ratatouille with tomatoes and onions cooked in olive oil, saladenicoise with tomatoes, tuna, black olives and anchovies, anchovy sauce with garlic and marseillaise bouillabaisse (Marseillaise seafood consommé).

Xiao Chen looked at the lobster and burgundy snail, and said with a wry smile: "Auntie, you are really testing me." ”

The aunt grinned and said: "I remember when you were a child, I also taught you, for so many years, as your French food etiquette teacher, I naturally want to see if you have forgotten." ”

Only a knife and fork are required to use foie gras, and there are no special requirements for etiquette. So Xiao Chen smiled bitterly and moved the lobster first. Lobsters have been on the French table for some years. However, lobster plays a special role in French cuisine, it is a symbol of auspiciousness and festivity, so it is generally only on special occasions of celebration that the French will eat lobster. This habit continues to this day. So, if you see a lobster at the French table, needless to say, it must mean that the day is a good day, or that the host has good news to announce to the guests. As one of the "Three Treasures of French Cuisine", one of them must refer to seafood. France is a seaside country, so there is a constant supply of seafood all year round. France is rich in oysters, but oysters are more suitable for male surnames, and lobsters, another specialty of France, seem to be more popular with female surnames, and at the same time, lobsters are also more in line with the taste of the public, but in fact, the reason why Qin Qin prepared lobsters today instead of oysters was because Xiao Chen didn't like to eat oysters when he was a child.

When Xiao Chen eats lobster, he uses seafood knives and forks. At the same time, a pair of tongs was selected next to it, which can be used to crush the tongs and hard shell of the lobster when necessary, and pick out the lobster meat inside to eat. At this time, he chose to pair lobster with wine again, and he chose dry white from the Loire region. Eating lobster does not follow the traditional pairing method of "seafood with liquor", because lobster is a food eaten by nobles on important occasions, so it can be paired with the same grand wine. For other seafood, simply pair it with liquor.

Qin Qin kept watching him fiddle, and then smiled: "Yes, I thought you really didn't remember." ”

Xiao Chen elegantly ate a small piece of lobster meat, and asked with a smile: "Since there is a lobster, there is naturally a happy event, auntie, tell me, what is the happy event?" ”

(To be continued)