Journey 1995:Non-Stop

Chapter 247 Party A
The dinner party was supposed to be going well, but Yan Hui's actions ruined the atmosphere. However, Yan Hui couldn't care less; he wasn't familiar with Director Xiang, and he was even less familiar with the other people at the table.

My brother-in-law entrusted him with such a large warehouse. It's okay if he comes home a little late, but it's not acceptable if he gets drunk outside.

If it were President Han inviting Yan Hui to drink, Yan Hui would definitely drink, even if it meant going to the hospital again. He could simply call his brother-in-law beforehand and ask him to keep an eye on things. But clearly, there's no need for that now.

Yan Hui's health no longer poses a problem with drinking; he just doesn't want to. Drinking is usually a joyful activity, but now, destitute and down on his luck, he doesn't even feel like having a good time drinking with his friends.

Yan Hui didn't drink alcohol, and he didn't eat much either. He wasn't busy with the physical labor at the construction site anymore, so he didn't get hungry easily. He ate a little of everything on the table and wasn't hungry anymore. However, because he had a dog, he really wanted to bring some food for the puppy.

"Mr. Yan, please don't mind, I respect you very much!" Factory Director Xiang downed another glass of wine, feeling a bit tipsy from drinking so quickly. "You're an important client of mine, and I was afraid of neglecting you today! You know, here, when guests come, we always make sure they're well-fed!"

"Director Xiang, I'm a very simple person. If the products are good, the price is good, and there's no adulteration, our cooperation will definitely be long-term." Yan Hui actually thought it was that simple.

Of course he thinks it's simple; for clients with resources, it's all simple!
The real challenge is securing the order from Mr. Han, not what's happening here!
If I have to be subservient here, then what kind of client am I?
"Of course, of course, Mr. Yan, you think highly of me!" the factory manager said again.

"Mr. Xiang, this Mr. Yan is so capable! I see you're going to keep talking like this, why don't you give us a detailed introduction? Have you just closed another deal worth millions?" Mr. Li was inexplicably annoyed.

It wasn't because the factory manager was ignoring him; everyone at the dinner table was just talking about their own things, which was normal, and no one thought there was anything wrong with it. After all, a dinner table is one of the good places to discuss business.

However, the problem is that the woman he brought, Chen Hui, keeps glancing at Yan Hui.

That's to be expected, since this table is full of roughnecks, and each of them has a potbelly.

Things are different now than they would be 20 years from now. The concept of weight loss only gradually gained popularity after the Olympics. Around 2000, this kind of belly, later known as a "beer belly," was called a "boss belly"!
Yan Hui was already quite good-looking, with a good figure and a calm, aloof demeanor. A woman like Chen Hui would naturally take a second look at Yan Hui.

...

Women who are kept by their bosses are often the most emotionally frustrated. For example, some nightclub girls will go to another place after get off work and spend money to hire male escorts; this kind of spending pattern is not usually seen in ordinary beautiful women.

The more you lack something, the more you want to get it, whether it's something as intangible as dignity or so-called emotional value, it's pretty much the same.

Chen Hui had attended countless dinner parties with President Li, but this was the first time she had ever met someone like Yan Hui! Men of Yan Hui's age usually wouldn't even be allowed to sit at the boss's table; even if they did, they would be the ones bowing and scraping.

"No, no, it's just a small business, a small business." Xiang waved his hand, not wanting to continue the conversation.

We're all bosses here, and these kinds of things usually get to the point where we don't want to talk about them anymore, so no one usually presses for details. But Mr. Li was a little annoyed: "Director Xiang, we've known each other for so long, and I've been in the timber business for years, but I've rarely seen you take any business so seriously. It's alright, if this boss is really that capable, it'll be good for everyone in the future! You've kept us all waiting so long today, why are you keeping everything to yourself? Not drinking is fine, but among us brothers, there's no need for that!"

"It's really nothing. It's our first time working together since Mr. Yan is here today, but Mr. Yan is a very capable person, and there will be many opportunities to cooperate in the future. Perhaps Mr. Li will even need to take good care of us." Factory Manager Xiang changed the subject.

He was somewhat surprised, wondering what was wrong with President Li today.

Logically speaking, he is Mr. Li's client, and Mr. Li usually treats him with respect. What's going on today?

"Alright, alright, I won't ask. I understand, it must be a contract worth millions. Director Xiang, let me make this clear beforehand, if there's any good news, bring your brother along. The goods I supply will definitely be the lowest price! No problem. Well then, I'll drink to Director Xiang!" General Manager Li raised his glass.

They were separated by Yan Hui and Chen Hui, the distance between them not too far, not too close, but clinking glasses was still a bit difficult. Mr. Li simply tapped his glass on the table, then downed it in one gulp. "Mr. Li's capacity is impressive! No doubt about it!" someone praised.

"Yes, Mr. Li is really a kind person!"

The factory manager was put on hold, so he could only drink his wine in the cup, hoping that this matter would end there.

But things weren't that simple. The other bosses were also getting a little tipsy and started chatting with Yan Hui.

Many people were very polite, so Yan Hui could only chime in.

Besides General Manager Li and General Manager Xiang, most of the other people at dinner today are local business owners from all walks of life. General Manager Xiang brought Yan Hui along to introduce him to everyone, but the most important reason was that he wanted to use this dinner to find out more about Yan Hui.

This is a very common tactic; no businessperson wants their business partners to be too mysterious.

"So Mr. Yan hasn't been in Jinan for long! He seems to be a very capable timber merchant!" someone remarked.

"Where did you get your timber before, Mr. Yan? You must have gotten several train cars a month, right?" Mr. Li asked immediately after hearing some of the conversation.

"It's alright, I just bought a little bit everywhere, not much." Yan Hui didn't want to talk about these things, since he hadn't been drinking.

"Aren't the timbers all taken directly from the forest farm? How can you buy them from all over the place? Wholesalers don't do that!" Mr. Li said immediately.

Yan Hui frowned slightly and looked at President Li: "Then perhaps President Li doesn't need a large quantity. If it's more than 3000 square meters per month, buying from one place will definitely be risky."

"3000 a month?" Mr. Li was stunned. "Are you kidding me? In Jinan, which boss of this size don't I know?"

"Didn't I say I'm from Jiangsu Province?" Yan Hui was also a little unhappy. "Does President Li not trust me?"

"No, that's not it," Mr. Li said, not saying anything directly. "I'm just curious, why would a wholesaler as big as Mr. Yan come here to buy processing boards? Does Mr. Yan have business in Jinan now? And why did he come in person?"

"Mr. Li, where are your suppliers? What are their purchase prices? What are their specific shipping methods? Can I ask them these questions too?" Yan Hui, of course, wouldn't fall into the trap of self-verification, and without giving him any face, retorted sharply.

"Oh, Mr. Yan, you're joking. Mr. Li didn't mean that." Factory Manager Xiang immediately realized he'd messed up. He didn't know what was wrong with Mr. Li today, and quickly tried to salvage the situation. "Mr. Yan, what do you think?"

"I'm full, I'll leave first, you guys can continue drinking." Yan Hui understood what the factory manager meant.

The contract has been signed, and the goods are due for pickup on Thursday. He can't possibly refuse to give Factory Manager Xiang face now.

When doing business, face is mutual.

"Well then, Director Yan, I'll arrange for someone to take you out." Director Xiang immediately found his closest friend on the table, whispered a few words to him, and then had this person take Yan Hui out first.

(End of this chapter)