ctnovel Chapter 93 Seeking Sponsorship
Chapter 93 Seeking Sponsorship
Li Wei took the menu, and the prices of the dishes and drinks made his pupils shrink slightly.
The price of a cocktail is enough to feed the children in the warehouse a full meal.
The cost of one dessert could buy several thick quilts.
As his fingertips traced the leather cover of the menu, images involuntarily surfaced in his mind: the children's little hands, red from the cold, in the warehouse, and the satisfied looks in their eyes as they ate hot pot.
While the rich wine and meat smell, the road with frozen bone.
The words kept popping into his mind uncontrollably, and he subconsciously clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white from the force.
"How about a whiskey?"
Bruce noticed that Levi wasn't responding to the menu, so he casually ordered him a drink.
At the same time, I was very puzzled. This guy is not a polite person, so why does he seem a little strange today?
The waiter nodded in agreement and turned to leave with light, silent steps.
"How's this bar?"
Bruce leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, a smug look on his face.
Li Wei closed the menu and looked away, glancing around.
Fresh flowers were displayed on the coffee table next to it, with water droplets still clinging to the petals.
On a stage not far away, a band was playing a soothing melody at a low volume, just enough to keep the guests from talking.
The booth sofa I was sitting on was soft, comfortable, and very enveloping; sitting inside felt like being enveloped in a cloud.
"It feels great, but the cost is high and there's a lot of waste," Li Wei said frankly.
His gaze fell on the table next to him, where a large portion of the exquisite food was left uneaten, clearly unnoticed by the guests.
Bruce chuckled and picked up the whiskey the waiter brought.
Water droplets condensed on the glass slid down the glass and dripped onto the table.
"I bought this bar when I was in high school."
Li Wei looked up at him and saw the smug look on his face.
"It cost two million dollars back then, and now it has earned at least ten times that amount."
Bruce took a sip of his drink, his eyes devoid of emotion, as if he were talking about something trivial.
Two million US dollars, a tenfold profit, Li Wei silently calculated in his mind.
This money is enough to build a decent shelter in Gotham, so that homeless children can have a place to live, food to eat, and education to attend.
He picked up the glass in front of him and took a sip of the cold whiskey. The icy liquid slid down his throat, but it couldn't suppress the restlessness in his heart.
"Speak, Officer Li Wei, what brings you here today?"
Looking at Levi, Bruce asked him directly why he had come.
"I met a group of children who had nowhere to spend the winter, and I thought..."
"You came to me not just because of those children, right?"
Bruce put down his glass and looked directly at Levi.
"It's for them."
Li Wei met his gaze. "Gotham winters are long, their blankets aren't thick enough, and their food is barely enough to sustain them."
I need funding, a venue, and someone to help me establish a comprehensive relief system.
Instead of relying on a hotpot meal or a few blankets for temporary relief.
Bruce traced circles on the table with his fingers, his gaze sweeping over the scene of clinking glasses and lively conversation in the bar.
"Wayne Corporation has been doing charity work, but a lot of the money ends up in the pockets of certain people."
"I know," Li Wei said in a low voice, "that's why I came to you, not to those politicians or charities."
What I need is real help that can actually benefit my child, not just a gimmick to make a show of things.
The band's melody suddenly became more exciting, and several elegantly dressed ladies stood up and danced, their skirts fluttering.
Their cheerful laughter created a stark contrast to the howling wind outside the bar, forming two completely different worlds.
Li Wei's gaze fell on the window; snowflakes were still falling, and the snow under the streetlights was getting thicker and thicker.
He remembered the sleeping faces of the children in the warehouse, Jamie's white knuckles as he clutched the banknotes, and Lily's bright eyes as she ate fish balls.
"How much do you want?" Bruce's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Levi snapped out of his reverie and looked at Bruce seriously, saying, "For the first phase, I need five hundred thousand US dollars."
The money is used to rent a suitable place and to buy winter clothes, bedding, and enough food.
After that, I needed the help of Wayne Group's legal and administrative staff to obtain legal shelter qualifications.
Establish management rules to ensure transparency in the use of funds and resources.
Bruce picked up his glass and took another sip, the liquid swirling in the glass.
"Five hundred thousand US dollars is nothing to Wayne Enterprises."
But I need to know, can you guarantee that this money will be used for the right purposes?
Batman certainly wouldn't question Levi's character, but Bruce and Levi weren't very close.
In order to play the role of a playboy well, Bruce felt it was necessary to ask Levi's opinion.
"I can provide you with a detailed account every week, including receipts and photos for every expense."
Li Wei straightened his back. "The venue can be an idle property under the Wayne Group, so that you can send someone to check it at any time."
I don't need any compensation; all staff salaries are paid by the Wayne Group to prevent anyone from profiting from it.
The music in the bar gradually slowed down, and a waiter pushed a food cart past.
The car was filled with exquisite appetizers on silver platters, their aromas irresistible.
Li Wei's stomach growled at an inopportune moment, and he turned his face away somewhat embarrassedly.
Bruce saw his reaction and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.
"I'll have the kitchen prepare some food." He gestured to the waiter and whispered a few instructions.
"No need to trouble yourself." Li Wei quickly waved his hand. "I just want to finalize this as soon as possible; the children are waiting."
"It can't be rushed." Bruce leaned back on the sofa, his tone relaxed. "The establishment of the containment facility will take time."
Site selection, qualification processing, and staff recruitment all require the professional team of Wayne Group to handle.
You can't do that much by yourself.
Li Wei fell silent.
He knew Bruce was telling the truth; he had only thought about funding and venue, but had overlooked these subsequent, tedious matters.
Without professional help, even if a shelter is established, it will be difficult to maintain it for a long time.
"I'll have Wayne Group's CEO contact you tomorrow."
Bruce's voice came through, "The funds will be disbursed in two installments. The first installment of 300,000 will be used for venue rental and material procurement."
The second batch of 200,000 will be paid after the shelter officially begins operation.
The legal department will handle all legal documents for you, ensuring the shelter operates legally and compliantly.
Li Wei's heart skipped a beat, and his fingers gripped the sofa armrests tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.
He hadn't expected Bruce to agree so readily, and even to have considered things more thoroughly than he had.
"And another thing," Bruce added, "Wayne Corporation's supermarkets will provide food to the shelter on a long-term basis, at cost price."
Clothing companies will donate winter clothing and bedding, and the medical department will send doctors to conduct regular checkups.
The waiter pushed a food cart over and placed several dishes on the table.
The golden-brown steak exudes a delicious aroma, garnished with fresh vegetables and mashed potatoes.
There was also a pasta dish with a rich sauce and sprinkled with shredded cheese.
"Try it." Bruce gestured to Levi with a smug smile, as if introducing his masterpiece.
"I was involved in the entire flavor development process of this steak, so you can say that what's presented to you right now is my creation."
Li Wei picked up his knife and fork, cut a small piece of steak, and put it in his mouth.
I have to admit, this steak really tasted great.
The meat was tender and juicy, and tasted much better than the fast food he usually ate.
But he had no appetite; his mind was filled with the image of the children wolfing down their hotpot in the warehouse.
"I used to come to this bar often when I was in high school."
Bruce suddenly spoke, his gaze drifting to a corner of the bar, "Back then, I thought this place was really cool."
You can buy any wine you want and meet all sorts of people.
Later... well, because one guy wouldn't let me in.
At this point, Bruce shrugged. "You know, rich kids usually can't stand this kind of treatment."
So, in a fit of anger, I just spent a little money and bought this place.
Li Wei raised his head and looked at him calmly, without the shock Bruce had imagined.
"I never imagined that it would make so much money after all these years."
Bruce smiled and said, "Sometimes I think about it, money is something you can't take with you when you die."
It's good to be able to do something useful.
Li Wei remained silent.
He knew another side of Bruce Wayne, the Batman who protected Gotham in the darkness, and the two were even close comrades in some ways.
Perhaps it was because he had witnessed too much of Gotham's darkness that he was willing to lend a helping hand to these homeless children.
"Have you decided on a name for the shelter?" Bruce asked.
Li Wei paused for a moment, then shook his head. "Not yet."
"We could call it 'Hope House'," Bruce suggested. "Gotham needs hope, and these kids need it too."
And I believe that one day, these children will become the hope of Gotham.
Li Wei nodded, thinking the name was good. "Whatever you say, let's call it 'Hope House'."
In fact, as the financial backer, Levi wouldn't mind if he wanted to call the shelter some other strange name.
He put down his knife and fork, stood up, and extended his right hand to Bruce.
"Thank you, Bruce, it's a wonderful day."
But I have to go back now; the children are waiting for me.
Bruce also stood up, straightened his suit jacket, and then reached out to shake hands with Levi.
"It's an honor for Gotham to have someone like you, Mr. Levi."
I don't know how you plan to get back? Perhaps I can have the driver take you.
"No need," Li Wei refused. "My pickup truck is still outside; I can drive it back myself."
This is America, there's no such thing as drunk driving here.
Even if there was some, Li Wei believed that with his physical condition, such a small amount of alcohol wouldn't cause any problems.
Bruce didn't press the issue; he simply handed him a business card.
"If you have any questions, feel free to call me anytime."
The administrative director will contact you tomorrow; you can discuss the specifics in detail.
Li Wei took the business card and examined it carefully. The card was hard and black overall.
However, this black is different from ordinary black; it has a rich texture and looks like black metal.
It had Bruce Wayne's name and personal phone number printed on it, along with the Wayne Enterprises logo. He carefully placed the business card in his jacket pocket and tucked it away from his body.
The two walked out of the bar together, and the doorman bowed respectfully when he saw them.
The Lamborghini had already been driven to the door by the waiter, while Levi's pickup truck remained parked in the same spot, appearing even more dilapidated against the backdrop of the surrounding luxury cars.
"Be careful on the road," Bruce told him.
"Hmm." Li Wei nodded and turned to walk towards his pickup truck.
He opened the car door, and a blast of cold air rushed in.
He got into the driver's seat and glanced back at the bar, where neon lights flickered and the atmosphere remained lively.
The pickup truck started up, and the roar of the engine was particularly clear in the quiet night.
He drove away from the bar entrance, and in the rearview mirror, the Lamborghini's lights grew farther and farther away, finally disappearing into the night.
As the pickup truck drove along the snow-covered streets, the image of the bar kept replaying in Li Wei's mind.
The exquisite dishes, the expensive drinks, and the well-dressed guests.
The warehouse was dilapidated and cold, and the children's longing eyes stood in stark contrast.
He gripped the steering wheel tightly, the pickup truck's lights piercing the night as it drove towards the warehouse.
He knew this was just the beginning, and there were still many difficulties on the road to building "Hope Home".
At least, he has taken the first step.
Snowflakes fell on the windshield and were wiped into streaks by the wipers.
Looking at the road ahead illuminated by lights, Li Wei secretly made up his mind.
We must ensure that those children feel real warmth and hope during this cold winter.
The sound of the pickup truck's engine was particularly clear on the gravel road near the warehouse, and the wheels left two ruts of different depths as they rolled over the snow.
Li Wei stepped on the brakes, and the sound of the car turning off broke the silence of the night.
He pushed open the car door, and a cold wind swirled around him, whipping up snowflakes that crept into his collar, making him shrink back in his cold.
The warehouse's metal door was ajar, letting in a faint glow from the fire.
Li Wei gently pushed open the door; it was quiet inside.
Only the occasional crackling of the flames cast flickering shadows on the wall.
The children huddled on the cardboard boxes covered with blankets, breathing evenly, some with sweet smiles on their lips.
His gaze fell on Jamie, the big boy lying on his side, his back rising and falling slightly, his shoulders trembling gently.
From Li Wei's perspective, he could just see the tear stains on Li Wei's cheeks. Even though he had turned his head away, the tear stains still shimmered in the firelight.
Li Wei walked over quietly and reached out to tuck the blanket around him.
Jamie's body stiffened for a moment as his fingers touched the corner of the blanket, then relaxed and his breathing became steady.
Li Wei withdrew his hand and turned to walk towards the fire.
He added a few more pieces of firewood, and the flames leaped higher, dispelling some of the chill in the warehouse.
Leftovers from yesterday were piled up in the corner, water droplets condensed on the plastic bags, and the sandbags next to them were still damp.
He sat on a wooden crate by the fire and took out the black business card Bruce had given him.
I ran my fingertips along the cool texture of the fabric, then carefully placed it into my inner pocket.
The snow was still falling outside the window, landing on the tin roof with a rustling sound.
Li Wei leaned against the wooden box and closed his eyes.
Images of children's smiling faces while eating hot pot and the exquisite dishes in the bar flashed through my mind.
He didn't fall into a deep sleep until the sky began to lighten.
The first rays of morning light shone through the broken windows of the warehouse and fell on the children's faces.
Li Wei was awakened by a slight noise. He opened his eyes and saw Jamie leading a few older children to tidy up the somewhat messy warehouse.
Lily squatted in the corner, drawing something on the ground with pebbles, a faint smile on her face.
Li Wei's phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and saw that it was an unfamiliar number.
He pressed the answer button, and a gentle male voice came from the other end.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Levi? I am Marcus, the executive director of Wayne Enterprises."
Mr. Bruce instructed me to contact you, um... about the asylum."
"I am Li Wei." He stood up, walked to the warehouse door, and avoided the children's noise.