Also, as far as he knew, unlike other Chinese organizations in America, the Committee of 100 had very strict requirements. One had to be recommended by a member, and only be accepted after being vetted by all the other members.
He told them what he knew. Elson smiled and said, "If we recommend you, I think they will be willing to accept you."
After careful consideration, Li Du rejected Elson's help.
Joining the Committee of 100 was a tempting choice for any Chinese-American.
The Committee of 100 was the most influential Chinese organization in the United States. Every year, they would invite important figures in the American political and business world.
Li Du remembered that in 2007, the Committee of 100 had invited the future president to give a speech. In 2008, the former vice president, Bill Gates, Apple King Steve Jobs, all attended some of the gatherings.
Joining the Committee of 100 meant a meteoric rise, from an ordinary person to a member of the upper class.
The Committee of 100 emphasized helping each other and required its members to be united. As long as one was accepted into the association, even if it was a Chinese beggar, they would spare no effort to help him become the leader of the Beggar Gang.
In short, for any Chinese, as long as they had the connections of the Committee of 100, they could quickly become a multi-millionaire.
But that was only the limit. Anything more would depend on one's own ability. To forge iron, one had to be strong. The Committee of 100 could provide help, but it was not omnipotent.
The problem was that Li Du was now worth more than ten million. He had more than eight million US dollars in savings, wore a watch worth four to five million, and had a jewel dagger at home that could be worth a fortune.
To him, the Committee of 100 could not provide much help.
But if he were to join, it would increase his status and connections. The Committee of 100 included the top Chinese in almost every circle in America.
For example, the former president of the University of California at Berkeley, Tian Zhanglin, America's first Chinese governor, Gary Locke, America's first Chinese female mayor, Chen Li Wanruo, epidemic research expert He Dayi, Yahoo founder Zhiyuan Yang, famous CEO Kaifu Lee, and others.
Elson obviously knew these inside information. He knew that for Li Du, joining the Committee of 100 was like giving him a great opportunity.
It was no exaggeration to say that for an ordinary person, joining the Committee of 100 was like being reborn. It was like saving his life.
Li Du guessed that Elson wanted to use this to thank him for saving Steve, and also to repay the favor.
However, he had the little bug in his hand. Becoming a millionaire was a piece of cake for him. It would be the same even without the help of the Committee of 100. In that case, why would he join the Committee of 100?
After being rejected, Elson asked in surprise, "You don't want to join? Mr. Li, perhaps you are not clear about the situation of the Committee of 100? "
Li Du said, "No, Mr. Elson, I know very well. It is precisely because I know that I refuse."
"The reason why I joined the Committee of 100 now is because I have the help of someone of high status. It's not because I'm strong enough to join. According to our Chinese culture, this is called pulling seedlings to help them grow."
"In addition, my status and identity don't match this association. It's easy for me to join, but it's difficult for me to interact with them as equals."
"The most important thing, Mr. Elson, is that one day I will join the Committee of 100, but I will not be recommended by people outside of the association through connections, but by the association."
After listening to his logical analysis, Elson laughed and said, "Haha, it's not easy to be invited to join the Committee of 100."
Li Du also laughed and said, "In our Chinese culture, there's a saying that goes: where there's a will, there's a will. I'm full of confidence in my own potential, I can definitely do it."
Elson patted him on the shoulder and said, "Good lad, then I won't say anything more. You can do it!"
Americans admired confident people, especially young people. Li Du's ambition and confidence made Elson look at him.
At the airport, before leaving, Li Du said, "Mr. Elson, I know why you proposed to help me apply to join the Committee of 100."
"Is that so?" Elson looked at him with a smile.
He nodded and said, "Yes, actually you don't have to do this. I saved Steve because I'm a normal person, and that's the only reason. Any normal person who sees someone in need will lend a helping hand. "
Elson looked at him, then slowly nodded and said, "Okay, lad, I understand."
Both parties waved goodbye, and Li Du boarded the plane. Elson had booked three first-class tickets.
Sitting on the large and comfortable soft chair, Big Quinn smiled and said, "Boss, I think what you said just now won the old man's favor."
Li Du said, "I didn't do it to win his favor, that's what I thought."
Big Quinn said doubtfully, "But you did a great deed, and this is a big favor."
Li Du patted him on the shoulder and said, "Let me introduce you to a slang from our Chinese culture, called 'do good deeds without asking about the future.' This is what a gentleman should do."
Godzilla said thoughtfully, "Boss, I'm interested in your culture."
Back in Flagstaff, Li Du resumed his peaceful life.
The weather in early September was still very hot. He had nothing to do, so he played with Ah Meow and Crispy Noodles during the day. When Sophie got off work in the evening, he would go to have dinner with Sophie and play with Ah Ow.
Ah Ow could eat and drink, and had developed well and was very strong. However, she could not bark, and only howled when she opened her mouth.
Sophie joked that Li Du had the foresight to give Ah Ow a name that suited her character.
On the first weekend of September, through Hans's contacts, they found a buyer for the mahogany. It was a Chinese wood carving master from Phoenix.
After Hans got in touch with him, he immediately found Li Du and asked Li Du to contact him.
Li Du said, "I'm not good at bargaining."
Hans said, "Now is not the time to bargain. The first thing is to stabilize this customer. You and he are compatriots, so you should feel more like him."
The Chinese carving master was called White Chen. He was a young man who was quite forthright. After learning that Li Du was an exchange student from China, he switched to Mandarin and said, "Brother Li, bring me the mahogany. The price is negotiable!"
White Chen lived in Tempe in the Phoenix metropolitan area. According to the United States, it was part of Phoenix, but it was also an independent city. Among them, Arizona State University was located there.
Since everyone was free on the weekend, Li Du and Hans drove over with the mahogany.
White Chen was very enthusiastic. He gave them the address, but said it was not easy to find it. He told them to wait at the entrance of a resort called HPRS.
However, he was a little too enthusiastic on the phone, and Li Du felt uneasy.
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