"Mr. Mao, what you said is quite interesting."
Smith gritted his teeth, his eyes secretly glaring at Mao Jinyan.
He knew from the start that this person would be difficult to deal with, but he hadn't expected him to be *this* difficult.
He had opened with the most sensitive topic.
"Mr. Smith, you flatter me." Mao Jinyan continued to squint, a smile playing on his lips.
If he was stumped by this, then Xiao Liu would surely have a harder time.
Originally, they were just cooperating in their exchange with these people. If they could learn something new, that would be even better.
But they hadn't expected that what the higher-ups had said was true: these people all came with their own agendas.
Since that was the case, they would just cooperate wholeheartedly.
Seeing Mao Jinyan's feigned, smiling demeanor, Smith felt like cursing.
"Smith, it's your turn to speak." Jamie, standing beside him, also looked at Smith with a grin.
If you asked him, Smith shouldn't have interrupted his topic earlier. Now, he deserved to be cornered.
He had listened to what Mao Jinyan said, and it was indeed challenging.
If it were him, it would take some time to exchange ideas.
"Jamie, you're really too concerned about me."
Hmph!
This Jamie was useless at most things, but he was very good at enjoying others' misfortunes.
"But I don't need you to worry about me. You should worry more about yourself." Giving Jamie a stern look, Smith returned to his relaxed demeanor.
"Mr. Mao, your topic is very interesting. I'll take it on first."
With that, Smith began to speak.
...
Qiu Xi, who was standing by, had initially thought that Smith was also someone who would put up a front, especially after hearing his earlier conversation with Jamie. She hadn't seen any signs of profound knowledge in him.
However, she hadn't expected that when he started speaking, he actually had substance!
At least, what he said was indeed novel.
Qiu Xi lightly jotted down a few lines on her paper and continued to observe the scene intently.
The situation hadn't escalated to their level yet. Observing discreetly and learning something in the process was a good thing.
"Mr. Smith is truly an interesting person. Jinyan has learned a lot." Mao Jinyan nodded, looking at Smith.
"But I wonder if Mr. Smith has heard that there's another perspective on this point..."
Mao Jinyan calmly delivered another blow to Smith.
"..."
He really was... not an easy old man to deal with!
Smith inwardly grumbled about the person before him.
"..."
Actually, Mao Jinyan didn't look old at all. On the contrary, he looked quite young.
Although his age was indeed in his late forties, he couldn't compare to the younger man in his early thirties standing before him...
After his internal grumbling, Smith mentally organized his thoughts and returned to Mao Jinyan's question.
...
The two exchanged their points back and forth, finally concluding with Mao Jinyan having the last word.
It wasn't that they had nothing more to say, but rather that he didn't want to continue talking with Smith.
This person was tricky, sharp, and not a good fit for him.
If he spoke with him any longer, he might have to prepare to leave.
Talking with this person was uncomfortable!
It didn't suit his playful, teasing style, and since this wasn't a situation where he absolutely had to win, he decided not to engage further.
"Mr. Mao, this is something I've just learned, and I wanted to tell you."
"I concede."
Mao Jinyan, "..."
If only he had known!
He should have stayed and talked until the end of the exchange meeting, even if this "Smith" tried to quibble. He would have played along.
Honestly!
Mao Jinyan had words but couldn't voice them, so he could only continue to look at Smith with a smile.
"You jest. I was letting you have your way."
...