It was clear that Brother Hu's "arrangement" was not just about treating them to a meal.
Wang Yu had already sent word for Brother Hu and his crew to show up before he arrived at the hardware factory.
"Lu Fangquan from the hardware factory supplied me with substandard products, passed them off as genuine, and not only refused to admit his mistake or repent but also brought people to beat up our brothers. I've decided to terminate all contracts with the hardware factory and never cooperate with them again, but..." Wang Yu paused slightly as he spoke to Brother Hu.
"What? Something like that happened! How dare he!"
Brother Hu immediately understood and righteously shouted, "Manager Wang, rest assured, your brothers are my brothers. We can't let our brothers get beaten for nothing! I'll arrange for my men to give them a good beating right away!"
Brother Hu's chest-thumping, understanding gesture made Han Jun's mouth twitch. Was this really okay?
"Wait, who said anything about beating people up?" Wang Yu stopped Brother Hu. "We've always said, don't resort to violence at the drop of a hat."
"Uh, but I don't know how to do anything else."
Hearing Wang Yu's words, Brother Hu awkwardly scratched his head. "Then what do you want, Little Manager?"
Besides fighting and causing trouble, they really didn't have any other methods.
"I need your help to spread this matter throughout the entire county. I want everyone to know, so that Lu Fangquan and the hardware factory's reputation is completely ruined!"
Wang Yu sneered, "Since they don't play by the rules, I'll make them disappear from this industry completely!"
"In addition to this matter of ours, please also find out about their usual bad habits and hobbies, as well as any negative information, and expose it all."
"Oh? Is that so?" Brother Hu's spirits immediately lifted. When it came to being informants and spreading gossip, they were indeed quite skilled and interested.
"Um... Little Manager Wang?" Xiangzi, next to Brother Hu, leaned in with the air of a cunning strategist.
"Can our brothers add a bit of artistic flair when they spread the word? Of course, when our brothers spread it, they'll specifically mention that it's all hearsay, rumors, and unconfirmed."
Extra artistic flair? And specifically mention it's just hearsay?
Wang Yu looked at Xiangzi with a strange expression. This guy was truly talented, having intuitively grasped the essence of public opinion warfare. Rumors in the Jianghu...
He coughed lightly and then slowly said, "Then you can arrange it as you see fit. The important thing is that we must be civilized. We can't hit or curse anyone."
"Got it! Don't worry, Little Manager Wang!"
Brother Hu and all his subordinates responded simultaneously, "We are all civilized people!"
"Uh... If you guys are civilized people, the whole county must be full of ambassadors of civilization." Han Jun looked at Brother Hu and his crew leaving with excitement, utterly speechless.
With these disreputable, slippery characters taking action, or rather, speaking out, Han Jun suddenly felt a pang of pity for Lu Fangquan and the others.
"Supervisor Han, you and the brothers should go back and have a good meal." Wang Yu took out fifty yuan, which he had personally paid for, having advanced half a month's salary from the finance department before leaving.
"No, Little Manager, we can't accept your money!"
Han Jun and the other members of the procurement department who had been beaten repeatedly refused.
"Take it. I am very gratified that you were able to stand by your responsibilities and not compromise for the factory's interests."
Wang Yu directly pulled open Han Jun's palm and stuffed the crisp fifty-yuan bill into his hand.
"No matter what, I will not let my brothers feel cold. Although we must abide by the law and not retaliate in kind, this beating will not be in vain! I will make them regret their actions at all costs!"
Wang Yu's words were resolute, bringing tears to Han Jun's eyes. It felt so good to have a boss who could stand firm in critical moments!
"This... Little Manager! All right, I, Han, will accept this money on behalf of the brothers. If you have any more instructions in the future, just say the word!"
Han Jun excitedly crumpled the fifty yuan in his hand.
"Alright, enough with the sentimentality. Go out and have a meal with the brothers. I have a class reunion tonight, so I can't join you."
"Okay, Little Manager!"
"You go ahead with your business!"
...
After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Yu parted ways with everyone. Seeing that it was getting late, he decided to go back first and attend that boring class reunion with Wu Lingling.
As for the hardware factory, Lu Fangquan, Fang Jie, and even the shady dealings of Fang Zhongtian, they could be dealt with slowly tomorrow or the day after. It wasn't urgent.
Of course, he was also very much looking forward to Brother Hu's methods. He wondered what the outcome of their "artistic flair" would be.
Thinking of this, Wang Yu couldn't help but chuckle.
"What are you grinning about over there?"
Wu Lingling walked out and saw Wang Yu smiling.
"Nothing."
Wang Yu shook his head and then noticed that Wu Lingling seemed to have tidied herself up. Although still dressed simply, she was neat and clean, her natural beauty undeniable.
Especially her cheerful and generous demeanor, which was different from others, made her stand out.
"It's just a meal, why are you getting so formal?"
Wang Yu muttered, and then moved aside. "Get in the car."
"Heh heh, I'm just trying not to embarrass you," Wu Lingling giggled, and then her gaze fell on a strangely shaped bicycle behind Wang Yu.
It resembled a regular bicycle, with a mini engine installed in the middle of the frame, and a few simple instruments on the handlebars, giving it a somewhat incongruous appearance.
"Huh? Is this a bicycle? A motorcycle? No... is this that fuel-assisted vehicle you mentioned?"
Wu Lingling suddenly asked thoughtfully.
"That's right. While we've been out for a while, the first prototype has been built. I've named it 'Meteor One'." Wang Yu patted the seat of the fuel-assisted vehicle with a smile.
The large, oversized sponge seat was designed by him to mimic the electric scooters prevalent everywhere in his past life, making it more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
"Manager Huang He and the others are applying for the relevant license plates. According to regulations, the first prototype needs to be tested on the road. So, I wonder if our first major distributor is interested in testing it personally?"
Wang Yu said with a smile, which elicited a burst of laughter from Wu Lingling. "Since Manager Wang sincerely invites me, I, this young lady, will reluctantly accompany you. Hmm, and by the way, your taste in naming things is really terrible!"
As she spoke and laughed, Wu Lingling, holding up the hem of her skirt, directly got onto the back seat of Meteor One.
Compared to the hard, cold rear seat of a traditional "Er Ba Da Gang" (a type of old bicycle), this was so much more comfortable!
"Hold on tight, let's go."
Wang Yu smiled, revved the accelerator, and the vehicle slowly started moving.
The wind began to whistle past their ears. Meteor One's speed was quite good. It wasn't as fast as a motorcycle, but it was significantly faster than a traditional bicycle.
Moreover, with Wang Yu's shock absorption and energy-saving design, riding it was a pleasure.
With a chugging sound from the engine, Wang Yu, carrying Wu Lingling, sped off towards Jiangyang Hotel.
Along the way, Meteor One, with its strange appearance and ability to move on its own, attracted everyone's attention.
Amidst gazes of confusion, doubt, curiosity, and scrutiny, Wang Yu and Wu Lingling arrived directly at Jiangyang Hotel.
This was probably the best and most luxurious hotel in the entire county.
He remembered the last time he came was with the former factory director to receive technical experts from the province...
The cost here was not cheap. Hong Jianjun's class reunion was going to be an extravagant affair.
Wang Yu's thoughts drifted as he led Wu Lingling, who was visibly excited, into the lobby.
Clearly, Meteor One had not only given Wu Lingling the thrill of speed but also revealed a profound "business opportunity"!
From a distance, they saw the formally dressed Hong Jianjun standing at the entrance.
Upon seeing Wang Yu, he immediately put on a friendly smile. "Old classmate, you're finally here. Everyone else has arrived, and we're all waiting for you."
Wang Yu was a little surprised by Hong Jianjun's personal welcome.
So polite? Had this old classmate become less arrogant and overbearing after studying abroad?
However, a subsequent nonchalant remark from Hong Jianjun immediately changed his opinion.
"It's my fault for forgetting to tell you in advance that I've booked a specially customized private room this time.
Even with money, ordinary people can't always book it. As for you... with your social status, you definitely wouldn't qualify, which is why I'm waiting here specially to bring you in."