"They, are they the same people from back then?"
Wang Yu's voice was dry and heavy, and the people from the automobile factory behind him also wore solemn and grave expressions.
Before their eyes, a line of dozens of people, all with scarred faces and heavily wounded bodies, suffered burns, scars, and amputations. Even though the scars had healed, leaving behind dark, irregular skin, the sight was deeply unsettling.
It was hard to imagine the pain these people had endured!
"These are the former employees of Factory 367."
Ding Jianwei, the robust former head of the arms factory, Factory 367, spoke to Wang Yu with a heavy tone.
"That fire destroyed their bodies, and their futures and hopes. I heard that you recently developed a new type of fire truck with excellent results. Why wasn't it available back then..."
Listening to Ding Jianwei's words, everyone fell into a long, silent contemplation. Even Brother Hu, usually boisterous and rambunctious, was unusually quiet.
After a while, Ding Jianwei broke the silence.
"Wang Yu, as we agreed, we will provide you with product support. Whatever your battery needs, we will fulfill them at all costs! As for the price you promised..."
"Rest assured, Director Ding! All the conditions I previously promised will not change, and will never change. We can put it into our cooperation agreement."
Wang Yu said without hesitation, his tone filled with respect and admiration.
Honestly, Ding Jianwei giving up a bright future to stay at Factory 367 and be responsible for these injured employees was something many people couldn't do.
Just for that, he was incredibly worthy of respect!
"Don't worry, I've essentially prepared the motors and controllers. Now, as soon as the batteries are in place, our electric vehicle project can get underway."
Wang Yu assured Ding Jianwei with a smile, patting his chest.
"Believe me, you and your brothers won't have to worry about poor efficiency and difficult maintenance anymore. You'll be worrying about not having enough work to do!"
Wang Yu's tone was full of confidence. After all, future generations had already proven that electric vehicles, with their cost-effectiveness and convenience, would be the undisputed number one mode of transportation in people's hearts!
"I hope your words come true!"
Ding Jianwei wasn't as ambitious as Wang Yu. In his view, being able to provide a living for the injured brothers of Factory 367 was already quite good. He didn't dare to hope for anything more.
"Then, shall we..."
Before Wang Yu could finish speaking, he was interrupted.
"Wang Yu? Who is Wang Yu? Come out!"
A greasy, drawling voice echoed, and a group of people appeared, interrupting Wang Yu and his companions.
They were all dressed formally, and a slightly overweight middle-aged man walked directly up to Wang Yu and his group.
"Excuse me, do you gentlemen need something?"
Wang Yu frowned slightly, appearing displeased.
Interrupting someone rudely, regardless of the reason, was very impolite. Moreover, the middle-aged man's appearance – a big head and a thick neck, exuding a greasy aura – made him feel uncomfortable.
"Who among you is Wang Yu? Hurry up and come with me."
The middle-aged man tilted his head to look at Wang Yu, ignoring his question, and spoke arrogantly. The people behind him also looked similarly defiant.
"I am Wang Yu. May I ask what business you have? Also, could you please introduce yourselves? Who exactly are you?"
Wang Yu's tone was also becoming annoyed. What were these guys trying to pull? Their tone and demeanor were so irritating!
"You are Wang Yu?"
The middle-aged man raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Wang Yu with an expression like one observing a monkey in a zoo. He muttered with unconcealed disdain,
"He doesn't look like much. Just an insignificant brat."
"You! What did you say to your great-uncle's...?"
Brother Hu, standing nearby, was furious and about to retort, but Wang Yu glared at him, signaling him to stop.
"We are from the West Continent Chamber of Commerce. I am the会长, Song Yi."
The middle-aged man introduced himself arrogantly.
The West Continent Chamber of Commerce was an association formed by merchants doing business in the West Continent.
The planned economy had only recently ended, and they had just entered the era of a market economy. Originally, many state-owned enterprises dominated the market, and ordinary people had no access to various overseas goods.
This required people with extensive connections. These people were formerly called compradors, then speculators, and now they were foreign trade merchants.
"So you are President Song. It's a pleasure to meet you. May I ask where you need me to go? And what do you need me to do?"
Wang Yu nodded politely to Song Yi, although his expression showed no sign of pleasure.
"There are many representatives from major West Continent companies who want to see you. Don't waste time, just come with me!"
Song Yi said impatiently to Wang Yu.
"Those are world-class, influential figures. I don't know what kind of rotten luck you, an unknown nobody, have stumbled into. Never mind, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. For a frog in a well, it's impossible to comprehend the vastness of the sky.
In short... just come with me! If you delay their business, you won't be able to bear the consequences!"
Song Yi's tone was arrogant. He spoke a string of words, expecting Wang Yu to fawn over him or be overwhelmingly grateful.
But after waiting for a while, the expected scene did not materialize. Wang Yu even directly ignored him and continued talking with Ding Jianwei.
"Director Ding, when can you have the first batch of our order ready for delivery?"
In response to Wang Yu's question, Ding Jianwei chuckled.
"Don't worry, it will all be completed within three days at the latest. I..."
Seeing Wang Yu and Ding Jianwei talking amongst themselves, completely ignoring him, Song Yi became furious.
"Did you not hear me? Wang Yu, the important figures from the West Continent are waiting for you. Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Also, why are these cripples an eyesore here? You garbage..."
As the haughty Song Yi was only halfway through his sentence, a loud slap echoed!
"Slap!"
A heavy slap sent him spinning twice, nearly causing him to fall.
"Who? Who dares to hit me?"
Song Yi clutched his face and roared in anger.
Then, he saw Wang Yu slowly lowering his hand, blowing on his palm, and saying,
"I did."
"You!"
"Go back and tell your masters that if they want to see me, they can come in person."
Wang Yu said to Song Yi calmly, "And tell them to bring some sincerity."