Su Wensong very considerately pulled out the seat next to Li Jian for Lin Chuxia.
Director Feng Kaiwei, having been called out, couldn’t keep pretending alongside Director Liu, so he smiled, nodded, and said, “Mr. Lin, you’re too kind.”
Lin Chuxia took the seat without hesitation, and only then did she ask Li Jian, “And who might this gentleman across from us be…?”
Liu Guoyi’s expression remained indifferent, his piercing gaze scrutinizing the woman in front of him who showed no fear in meeting his eyes.
From the few small actions of the woman as she entered, he received a very bad signal: this woman was not going to be easy to handle.
A mere individual business owner, showing up late to a dinner where everyone else held higher status than her.
Not only was she late, but she only started speaking to him after taking her seat opposite him; was she trying to tell him that they were equals?
He scoffed internally, a small business owner trying to speak of equality with him, what a joke.
Li Jian formally made the introduction, “This is Director Liu of the Food Factory. Both Director Liu and Director Feng have heard that your Bun Shop is doing well; Director Feng is the greatest supporter of private enterprises. Since everyone happened to be free today, we thought we could all sit down together.”
Hearing Li Jian’s words, Lin Chuxia felt completely relieved.
She knew that Li Jian was dispatched here by Station Chief Yang and was worried how he might handle the situation later.
His words meant he wasn’t siding with Director Liu; the decision was left to her.
With a slight smile on her face, she said, “So, it’s Director Liu. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner.”
Liu Guoyi responded with a mild smile, “I’ve long heard of Mr. Lin’s successful business, didn’t expect the pretense to be substantial. It’s the first time for both Director Feng and myself to be kept waiting in a private room; since Mr. Lin has arrived late, shouldn’t there be some form of penalty?”
Gao Hui immediately brought over some drink cups— three quarter-once cups, filled with liquor—that were placed in front of Lin Chuxia.
Lin Chuxia glanced at the alcohol but did not pick up Director Liu’s thread.
Director Liu wasn’t in a hurry either; it was now a battle of momentum.
As long as one side could suppress the other in terms of momentum, the following proceedings were likely to turn in their favor.
Lin Chuxia had intentionally arrived late to impose her momentum over him, so he’d turn it back on her by having her drink three cups as a self-punishment.
Lin Chuxia was of course aware of Director Liu’s intention. As the atmosphere tensed, Su Wensong stepped in to break the ice, “Our Mr. Lin isn’t very good with liquor; I’ll take these three cups instead of Mr. Lin.”
He picked up a cup and was about to lift it when Director Liu sneered, “Is Mr. Lin looking down on my toast?”
If he really let Lin Chuxia’s assistant drink the alcohol, he would have lost this confrontation.
At that moment, Lin Chuxia stood up, lifted a cup and said, “Director Liu, that’s not it. This brother of mine just returned from the countryside with a straightforward nature not used to city customs, no offense taken. This cup is a toast to everyone.”
Though it wasn’t three cups, seeing her down one cup in a single gulp appeased Director Liu’s expression somewhat.
He also took a sip of his drink and glanced unintentionally at Li Jian and Vice Director Feng.
Li Jian played with the cup in his hand, not wanting to enter this discussion, but as he had been specifically sent by the station chief, he found it hard to refuse without causing trouble later; thus, he felt obliged to smooth things over.
“Today it’s a rare occasion to have both Director Liu and Director Feng; Chuxia, Director Feng mentioned before that your Bun Shop is currently a role model for individual businesses in An City. The end-of-year summary would mention your store as a highlight, so keep up the good work.”
This wasn’t Lin Chuxia’s first time meeting Vice Director Feng, but it was their first encounter at such an event.
Hearing this, she quickly picked up the cup and said with a smile, “Then I’m very thankful to Director Feng, and to the bureau for giving us this opportunity. We will definitely work well in our duties; Director Feng, this cup is to show our commitment, and in the future, Qin’s Bun Shop will also rely on your support and promotion.”
Lin Chuxia drank her toast, and Feng Kaiwei looked intently at Li Jian.
This guy, clearly with the same agenda for coming here, was now passing the buck to him.
Nevertheless, Feng Kaiwei looked at Lin Chuxia with newfound respect.
This young woman had a keen sense of propriety and her demeanor toward him showed sincerity. She was the kind of woman who, with the right leverage could move mountains, or steps to climb to the sky; Director Liu indeed had a strong opponent.
He picked up his cup and followed Lin Chuxia’s gesture, “Mr. Lin is young and capable, worthy of respect. I’ve heard that not only is Qin’s Bun Shop’s buns famous, but the cooked dishes are also well-known.”
Leading the conversation to cooked food, he was fulfilling his duty for the evening.
“Not that famous, I just cater to the tastes of some people; as the saying goes, it’s hard to please everyone.”
“It’s more than catering to some; our Food Store’s business is about to be taken over by Mr. Lin,” Director Liu chimed in, and then turned the conversation back to the main topic, “Mr. Lin, since we’ve come to this point, I think you understand the purpose of today’s invitation. To show the sincerity of our Food Factory, we are willing to make a one-time payment for the recipes; you name your price. If you’re not interested in a one-time purchase, our Food Factory can offer you three official positions, what do you think?”
Director Gao also spoke up timely, “Mr. Lin, Director Liu’s sincerity is evident. You know the weight of three official positions; it’s not just about three jobs, it’s about the future succession for your children… I’ve heard that both your maternal and paternal families are from rural areas,” three official positions could enable them to break free from the rural life, to leap over a class.
Su Wensong looked towards Lin Chuxia; he had not expected the Food Factory to play such a heavy card to get the recipe.
Three official positions were coveted in times when even temporary jobs were hard to come by.
Thinking of Su Wenmao, who would go to great lengths just for a chance at work.
He looked at Lin Chuxia, knowing her husband was an employee; compared to an individual business owner, might she also long to become an official worker?
Lin Chuxia knew exactly what they were calculating, the three official positions indeed seemed tempting at the moment.
But Lin Chuxia also knew full well that it wouldn’t be long before, with the impact of private companies and small traders, state-owned enterprises would have a tougher time.
Especially places like food factories, vegetable distribution centers, and even shops would bear the brunt of the impact and would be among the first to face reforms.
By that time, when state turns into private ownership, a large number of workers will be laid off; not to mention succession by children, even preserving one’s own job would be difficult.
“Director Liu is flattering my modest bun shop, I really can’t afford three official positions,” Lin Chuxia said, still speaking calmly.
From the moment the woman entered, persistently not offering face, Director Liu’s expression darkened completely.
What does she mean she can’t afford it? This was outright refusal.
All his years as a factory director, wasn’t it always the others seeking favors from him?
He had put forward such a large chip as three official positions, and yet the other party was still unappreciative.
And right in front of Director Feng, his prestige was trampled underfoot.
His voice took on a more threatening tone, “Mr. Lin, have a good think about it. There’s a saying, ’the common folk don’t fight with officials.’ As an individual business owner competing with the government for business, isn’t that a bit greedy?”