As Xiao Xun was about to discuss work matters with the current technical director, Manager Wang's chief secretary, Lu Wenshan, suddenly appeared.
"General Manager Xiao, you really are here! Manager Wang asks you to go up."
Xiao Xun looked at Lu Wenshan, "What is it?"
"Manager Wang only said it was a work matter, he didn't say anything else."
Xiao Xun followed Lu Wenshan upstairs. As they reached the office door, Lu Wenshan bent down and gently knocked. Manager Wang said, "Come in!"
Lu Wenshan opened the door and moved aside. After Xiao Xun entered, Lu Wenshan quietly closed the door.
The files on Wang Suchen's desk were piled as high as a 'mountain'. If Xiao Xun were any shorter, he wouldn't be able to see that there was a person behind the files.
Wang Suchen, while reviewing documents, said without lifting his head, "Sit down!"
Xiao Xun looked at the formerly spacious and tidy office, now cluttered with files. There was nowhere to sit.
"Manager Wang, I know you're busy, just tell me what it is!"
Wang Suchen sighed, "I'm so busy every day that my heels are hitting the back of my head. I don't even have time to smoke a cigar. Time truly makes one old. I can't do it anymore, I can't do it anymore. Back in the day, I used to carry big bags at the dock. Several tons of goods, and a few of us finished moving them in less than two hours. It's no use denying old age!"
Xiao Xun stood there for a long time, but Wang Suchen didn't mention the main business. "Manager Wang, why don't you get back to your work, and I'll head back first?"
Wang Suchen stood up and looked at Xiao Xun, "It's good to be young! The company has developed to today's scale, and as you know, there will be many unsatisfactory things, many unpleasant people. But it's impossible for everything to go as one wishes. If everything is done according to one's own desires, the company will not go far. When you encounter someone you dislike, besides essential work, just ignore them. Everyone is out here trying to make a living. As long as it's not a matter of principle, there's no need to push things too far."
Xiao Xun didn't know why Wang Suchen was saying this. "I understand, Manager Wang."
"Alright, then you go back to your work! Tonight will be another sleepless night." After speaking, he sat down and continued to look at the documents.
As soon as Xiao Xun went out, another assistant came in with a thick stack of files.
Xiao Xun did not return to his office. He glanced at his watch; it was getting late. The days were shorter now, and there was no trace of the sun outside.
He drove his SUV to Dongfu Street, a renowned affluent neighborhood where the wealthy resided. Every square meter here cost a month's salary for Xiao Xun.
He arrived at the restaurant that Cui Zhihao had mentioned. Upon entering, shoes had to be removed; barefoot patrons were not allowed.
Xiao Xun disliked going to such places. He had only been to one with Wang Pinggang once, and he couldn't stand the foot odor.
However, this place was fine. Regardless of whether the shoes had an odor or not, they would be thoroughly disinfected with alcohol.
A server bowed to Xiao Xun, "Hello, do you have a reservation?"
"A Mr. Cui from country H booked a private room."
Upon hearing this, the server's expression and demeanor became even more respectful. He said to Xiao Xun, "Mr. Cui has been waiting for you for a long time in private room number six."
Saying this, he led Xiao Xun there. Pushing open the door, Cui Zhihao was sitting cross-legged inside.
Xiao Xun felt rather embarrassed towards Cui Zhihao and said, "I'm sorry for making you wait."
"It's alright, I just arrived myself. Please sit!"
As he spoke, he pushed the menu towards Xiao Xun. "It's getting cold, I've ordered a Korean barbecue set and a budae jjigae. You can choose the rest."
Xiao Xun had no interest in Korean cuisine. Back in school, he had only eaten things like bibimbap and kimbap. In any case, it wasn't to his taste.
"I'm not too hungry, so let's just go with this for now!"
Cui Zhihao put the menu aside and said to the server standing nearby, "Serve what I've ordered first. We'll order more if needed."
"Yes, please wait a moment."
As soon as the server left, Cui Zhihao picked up a black box from beside him and placed it on the table. "Here, your gift."
Xiao Xun looked at the golden seal on the box. "You're too kind." He then looked up at Cui Zhihao, "Are you returning because of a job transfer, or..."
"What job transfer? Jingji Group has completely withdrawn from this country." He then slammed the table and said through gritted teeth, "It's all because of the useless people at headquarters. They can't even fix a system vulnerability, and they insisted on choosing a 'novice' supplier. We had such a great market, and we just gave it up like that."
He then pointed to the box in Xiao Xun's hand, "Open it and see. This is something I specifically chose for you. It's a distinguished representative unique to our Jingji Group in this country."
Xiao Xun used his fingernail to unseal the box and opened it to find a black flip phone.
"Is this your commemorative 'antique phone'?"
Cui Zhihao wagged his finger, "No, it's our newly released flagship smart phone."
Xiao Xun opened it and examined each button. "This is a flip smart phone?"
Cui Zhihao waved his hand, "Yes, it's not just a phone, it's a feeling! It's a display of a man's status."
Xiao Xun looked at the screen, which was the same size inside and out. He pressed the power button on the side but couldn't turn it on. "Is the battery dead?"
Cui Zhihao rolled his eyes, "Clearly, you don't understand the sentiment. This phone needs to be turned on by pressing the answer call button."
Xiao Xun gave Cui Zhihao a roll of his own eyes. "Such a hassle..."
However, he had to admit that the craftsmanship was excellent, and the system was very smooth. It had many unique features that were not available on ordinary mainstream smart phones. With these features alone, other smart phones couldn't even begin to compete.
This wasn't an issue with the phone's internal applications, but rather with the hardware modules.
"You've all delisted, so why are you still giving me a phone?"
"Who said we've delisted? We're just not playing in this country anymore, but the distribution rights have been given to your St. Román Group. Therefore, I hope you can continue this series."
Xiao Xun played with the new phone for a while and then said to Cui Zhihao, "I don't have much to give you before I leave. I'll treat you to this meal!"
At this moment, the server began bringing dishes. Cui Zhihao was grilling meat for Xiao Xun. "As long as you can continue this series, that will be the best gift for me."
"What about the selling price?"
Cui Zhihao let out a laugh. "Let's see the market conditions. As long as it's not cheaper than the most expensive StarChart phone, you can set any price you want."
A while later, the server brought the soju. They ate and drank, Xiao Xun ate very little but drank a lot.
Before long, Cui Zhihao began to get drunk. Xiao Xun felt that the soju was not as satisfying as beer, so he ordered some more beer, which directly made Cui Zhihao vomit.
Almost all the grilled meat was eaten. Xiao Xun didn't touch much of the hot pot; most of it was eaten by Cui Zhihao himself.
Finally, before leaving the restaurant, Cui Zhihao, with a flushed face, held Xiao Xun's hand, looking reluctant to part. "If you have a chance, come find me in country H."
"Definitely, definitely."
Xiao Xun changed his shoes and came out of the restaurant, intending to have the establishment call a designated driver.
Suddenly, a young man wearing a blue vest and riding a folding electric bike rushed over. "Sir, need a designated driver?"
After the incident with Lei Wenxiu, Xiao Xun was no longer comfortable calling a designated driver arbitrarily and refused the young man.
Unexpectedly, the young man began to plead his case. "Boss, I beg you, just use me! I charge very little, no matter where you go, it's only fifty."
Xiao Xun, unmoved, entered the restaurant. The young man actually chased after him.
"Boss, my sister is going to college next year, and my mother can't work due to illness. Please, have pity on me."
The restaurant staff, fearing that this pleading designated driver might negatively affect them, tried to usher him out. Xiao Xun, unable to bear it, said, "Forget it, I'll use you then!"