Wang Yu was a little speechless.
He had just been thinking about Americans, and as if on cue, they showed up. It was true that one shouldn't speak ill of people behind their backs.
Though these guys were known for being meddlesome, he couldn't recall having any dealings with them.
Wang Yu pondered for a moment but couldn't figure it out, so he decided to just go and see for himself.
He instructed Han Jun and Feng Daochun to handle the reception and arrangements first. Then, he gave Zhao Hongxi an apologetic nod and bowed, "I'm very sorry, Mr. Zhao, but I seem to have some urgent matters to attend to. Can we postpone our discussion for now? I will arrange the payment and funding for you very soon, and we can discuss the follow-up cooperation and requirements at a later time."
Hearing Wang Yu's words, Zhao Hongxi nodded directly, "It's fine. I also need to think carefully about the creative concepts you mentioned, Director Wang. You can go ahead and take care of your business."
"Mm, alright. You can rest here for a while, or perhaps explore Jianghan City. We can discuss and communicate again later. I actually have some other creative ideas and thoughts that we can exchange," Wang Yu mused, recalling some popular trends and ideas from later years and considering how to subtly integrate them into his factory's soft advertising. He wondered if these artists would be receptive to such concepts.
"That would be wonderful. I can take this opportunity to sightsee and relax a bit," Zhao Hongxi replied with a polite smile, a hint of relief on his face, the kind that comes after a long period of stress. The looming crisis of his factory's potential closure had been like a sword hanging over his head, a terrible feeling! He never expected that, just as Li Mo had said, Wang Yu would be willing to generously lend a hand. Although he had some demands, they were creative and independent, and perhaps this could lead to success. It was far better than dealing with those vulgar and repulsive individuals, and he wouldn't have to worry about acquisitions or investments from foreign companies anymore.
"My dear friend, you go ahead and handle your business! I will take good care of Mr. Zhao and entertain him. We can chat again when you're free," Li Mo interjected without any pretense of politeness, speaking with great familiarity.
"Damn it, you're the one I worry about the most!" Wang Yu muttered, looking at Li Mo, knowing that his eccentric way of thinking could lead to all sorts of unpredictable outcomes.
...
"Where is your Director Wang Yu? Why isn't he out here yet? Who does he think he is, making me wait?"
In the lobby, a heavily bearded American was furiously yelling at Han Jun, who was smiling apologetically.
"I'm very sorry, Mr. Smith. Our director is currently entertaining a guest and will be here shortly. Also, his name is Wang Yu, not Wang Yu," Han Jun said, suppressing his annoyance and his strong urge to have Tiger Brother and the others grab this foreigner, stuff him in a sack, and give him a dousing with cold water until he begged for mercy. However, considering their need for civility and the director's repeated emphasis on treating everyone politely, he could only force a smile. After all, they were a civilized nation and shouldn't stoop to the level of foreigners! Han Jun also signaled his subordinates to keep an eye out and prevent Tiger Brother from approaching, to avoid any unnecessary complications...
"Monkeys, you bunch of monkeys! What's his name? He's making me wait, who does he think he is? A lowly peasant!" This bearded man was Mr. Smith, a senior executive from American Starship Shipyard, who had previously cooperated with Mu Yuntao. He was visibly displeased, looking like he was spoiling for a fight. Behind him stood a group of people, all obsequiously fawning over him. Leading them was an acquaintance, Zhao Guozhu, the general manager of Jiangping City Machinery Industrial Company!
Where had this guy popped up from? Hadn't he returned to Jiangping City overnight? He was both avoiding Tiger Brother's aggressive debt collection and needing to manage affairs back home. The cutoff of engine supplies from foreign companies had also affected them.
Wang Yu, who had hurried over, was taken aback. He looked at Mr. Smith, then his gaze fell on Zhao Guozhu.
"Mr. Smith, this is Wang Yu!" Zhao Guozhu quickly whispered into the bearded Mr. Smith's ear as soon as he saw Wang Yu arrive, his tone and mannerisms resembling a translator in front of a dignitary.
He thought, wasn't this guy the chairman of the Mechanical Industry Association, the general manager of Jiangping Machinery Company, with a host of prestigious titles, possessing considerable power and an impressive aura? Why had he become so meek in front of an American?
Wang Yu looked at Zhao Guozhu with unconcealed disdain. Perhaps sensing Wang Yu's gaze, Zhao Guozhu didn't flinch but met his stare defiantly.
"I am Wang Yu. May I ask what brings you here, sir?" Wang Yu addressed Smith, ignoring Zhao Guozhu's challenging look.
"@#%..." Facing Wang Yu's question, the bearded Mr. Smith began speaking in English.
"Hmph, Mr. Smith says he's here to settle accounts with you," Zhao Guozhu quickly stepped forward to translate, saying to Wang Yu and his entourage.
Damn it, didn't this foreigner's Chinese sound so fluent when he was cursing earlier? Didn't he say he studied Chinese when he was in Korea? Now he's pretending not to understand and needs a translator? Was he trying to show off his superiority? This scoundrel Zhao Guozhu was truly shameless, even shamelessly stepping forward to act as his interpreter! Everyone from the automobile factory was speechless, having never seen such shamelessness.
"Settle accounts? I don't recall offending you in any way." Wang Yu raised an eyebrow. His English proficiency, while perhaps not qualified for professional certification, was sufficient for basic communication, having studied abroad in his previous life. However, he preferred not to speak languages other than Chinese on his own soil, so he simply acted as if he didn't understand.
"@￥%..." Smith mumbled again, feigning mystification, and Zhao Guozhu, ever the sycophant, stepped forward to translate.
"Mr. Smith says you have offended him in three ways!"
"First, you disrupted the business cooperation between their Starship Shipyard and Qinglu Group, causing them immense losses.
Second, you caused significant losses to He Island Tianyi Steel Company, which is one of Starship Shipyard's main material suppliers. Because of you, Starship Shipyard has also suffered partial losses.
Third, and most importantly, your automobile factory is suspected of infringing on the products of their subsidiary unit. You need to provide an explanation!" Zhao Guozhu said to Wang Yu in a rather arrogant tone.
"What? I copied what?" Wang Yu found it amusing. Why was everyone, friend or foe, suddenly accusing him of plagiarism? He could understand it coming from He Island, but why were even Americans, who seemed so far removed, jumping on the bandwagon? As for the first two points, they were even more ridiculous. What did their losses with Qinglu Group and Tianyi Steel Company have to do with him? Wasn't this a classic case of blaming the toilet for one's own inability to defecate?