Chapter 110: Tea and Business Proposals

Guo Liang and Xu Zhiquan chatted warmly. Seeing the moment was right, Xu Chen interrupted,

“General Manager Guo, let me show you around. You can also give us some advice on our office layout.”

Guo Liang laughed heartily and said,

“I’m just here to learn. Hardly qualified to offer guidance.”

He surveyed the area, spotted a female staff member standing by, and guessed Xu Zhiquan still had matters to discuss, so he added,

“President Xu, please carry on. I’ll consult with you later.”

Xu Zhiquan smiled. “Xu Chen, why don’t you take General Manager Guo to the reception room? There’s some fine tea in the cabinet.”

Guo Liang brightened. “Oh, then I must give it a proper taste!”

…

Xu Zhiquan led Fang Jun to the nearby conference room.

Xu Chen stole a glance at Fang Jun’s solemn expression—clearly more serious now.

It seemed Xu Zhiquan’s earlier pitch, reinforced by Guo Liang’s reaction, had convinced Fang Jun that East Morning Star Co. was far more than a small-town seedling firm.

With this, Xu Chen had no worries about his father’s “interview.”

After all, even the interview questions had been passed to his father in advance.

Moreover, his father’s knack for on-the-spot performance and his own entrepreneurial aura…

made impressing a 25-year-old ‘young lady’ like Fang Jun a breeze.

Now Xu Chen worried instead that Fang Jun might be a dud—lacking skill or integrity.

But Xu Chen knew his shrewd, seasoned father couldn’t hide anything.

He signaled to Li Rui, who immediately carried two bottles of mineral water into the conference room.

Meanwhile Xu Chen led Guo Liang and his two assistants on a quick tour of the office area before escorting them to the reception room.

Xu Chen fetched some aged Pu’er tea from the cabinet, boiled water, and began brewing it.

A seasoned traveler, Guo Liang recognized the tea right away:

“This is top-quality stuff!”

“It’s ripe Pu’er from Yunnan—rare around here. At least a few thousand yuan per jin!”

Xu Chen smiled, expertly rinsed and brewed the leaves before pouring tea.

A born salesman, Guo Liang could chat up any topic with engaging flair—a real gift.

Xu Chen was skilled at playing support. They joked and laughed, creating a warm atmosphere.

Guo Liang’s young assistants quietly sipped tea, offering polite smiles now and then.

Curious, Guo Liang asked about the female staff member. Xu Chen explained, “She’s here for an interview—a finance instructor.”

Guo Liang chuckled:

“The first time I met Teacher Xu, I only knew your family ran a factory. Now I learn it’s a major company!”

Xu Chen replied, “General Manager Guo, you flatter me. Dad mainly handles seedling projects now. We’re still some distance from being a big corporation.”

Guo Liang nodded. “If you can tackle seedling projects, that shows powerful backing. It’s a lucrative, low-profile business.

And with those other signs at your entrance, President Xu is clearly doing big deals!”

Xu Chen smiled and poured another cup for Guo Liang.

Guo Liang, sharp as ever, knew that mastering the seedling trade signified real strength.

Maybe young Fang Jun couldn’t fully appreciate that.

Half-joking, Xu Chen said,

“Once Chenfeng Technology takes off, we’ll need plenty of talent.

General Manager Guo, you know so many people—please help us recruit top-tier professionals!”

This was also a hint and setup.

In future, Xu Chen planned to bring Guo Liang into his father’s company.

Guo Liang was clever and easygoing—an old hand who was sincere and reliable.

But his salary would be high, so it wouldn’t be cost-effective yet.

They’d wait until the electric vehicle business expanded and needed marketing channels before luring him away.

…

After one pot of tea, Guo Liang made his exit at just the right moment.

He’d come with a flower basket as a courtesy, aiming to maintain that connection with ‘Teacher Xu’, without overstaying his welcome.

After all, too much time would turn a visit into a nuisance.

In the business world, Guo Liang knew precisely how to strike the balance.

Xu Chen saw off Guo Liang and his assistants to the door.

Noticing President Xu still in the conference room, Guo Liang chatted amicably with Xu Chen a moment longer before leaving.

…

After sending Guo Liang to the elevator, Xu Chen returned to his office, where Li Rui said,

“Brother Chen, President Xu wants to see you.”

“Where?”

“The conference room.”

Xu Chen nodded and headed there.

When he entered, he saw Xu Zhiquan and Fang Jun finishing their discussion.

Xu Zhiquan gestured to a seat beside him:

“Xu Chen, have a seat.”

Xu Chen smiled and sat down.

He studied the room’s atmosphere—it felt pleasant and harmonious.

Xu Zhiquan turned to him and said,

“Teacher Fang Jun has a request that concerns you.”

Xu Chen asked, “Oh?”

Xu Zhiquan continued:

“She’s very interested in East Morning Star Advertising’s pitch for the Shanghai project during Labor Day. She’d like to participate.”

Xu Chen, surprised, thought for a moment and said,

“She can join…

But this pitch doesn’t involve any financial topics. It may not leverage her expertise.”

Fang Jun paused, then spoke:

“The thing is, around Labor Day I’ll be in Shanghai.

If Teacher Xu is pitching there, I just want to observe and learn.”

“That won’t affect the project,” Xu Chen assured.

He pondered and then smiled:

“Having you there is actually great.

Other companies send full teams to pitches. I’m just one person—it looks a bit modest.

With you ‘holding the fort’, I’d feel more confident and the proposal would seem stronger.”

That was the truth.

Although Xu Chen could handle the proposal solo, having two people presented a more official ‘team’ image to clients.

Besides, though only 25, Fang Jun looked poised and mature—perfect for that role.

Fang Jun said, “That would be wonderful. Thank you, Teacher Xu.”

Xu Chen replied,

“No need to be polite, Teacher Fang. Once the pitch schedule is set, I’ll message it to your phone.”

Xu Chen didn’t fully understand her request,

but since his father didn’t object, he agreed.

…

With matters settled, the three exited the conference room.

Xu Zhiquan and his son politely saw Fang Jun to the door.

At the threshold, Fang Jun turned and earnestly said,

“Thank you, President Xu and your company, for valuing me. Once I return from Shanghai, I’ll give you a definite answer.”

…

…

After Fang Jun left, father and son returned to the reception room.

Xu Zhiquan lit a cigarette while Xu Chen brewed another pot of tea.

“Dad, what exactly did you two discuss? I’m a bit confused.”

Xu Zhiquan took two puffs and said,

“This Fang Jun—I still can’t figure her out…”

He thought a moment and continued:

“One thing is clear. Your sales pitch materials were very useful.

At first she looked down on our seedling business, but after the interview she was genuinely interested.

After all, she’s young—your vision and big-picture talk from the pitch resonated with her.

By the end of the interview, she said ours was the most interesting company she’d encountered recently.”

Xu Chen nodded.

“That’s good…

But why does she insist on joining me for the Shanghai pitch?”

Xu Zhiquan sipped his tea:

“I don’t fully understand either.

She didn’t reveal everything, but basically she said if East Morning Star Advertising wins the Shanghai project, she’ll overcome any resistance and join us.”

Xu Chen asked, “Overcome resistance?”

Xu Zhiquan explained:

“Fang Jun’s parents—one is deputy director at the People’s Hospital, the other a health bureau official. They’re well-connected. She’s been offered prime positions already. To join us, she needs to convince them.”

Xu Chen sighed, “Understood…”

Xu Zhiquan said, “Son, don’t let this affect your Shanghai pitch or pressure you. If it doesn’t work, we’ll let her go. We don’t have to insist.”

Xu Chen poured tea and handed a cup to his father:

“Don’t worry, Dad! This Shanghai pitch is almost assured. Her involvement or not won’t matter.

If she only comes to observe, it won’t affect me.

Although I don’t know why she wants to join, if it’s crucial to her decision to come aboard, I’ll handle it.”

Xu Chen sipped his tea and continued,

“Teacher Fang knows the factory’s finances and operations inside out…

That’s invaluable for the plant’s acquisition.

When it comes to acquisition pricing, she can offer clear guidance.

Plus if Dad becomes the new owner of the plant, auditing its old accounts will be a massive headache.

Someone might try to tamper with the books.

But with Fang Jun here, she knows those records too well.

As long as she’s involved, no one can mislead you about the accounts.

And acquiring the plant is pivotal for our family’s next decade of growth. We must nail it…”

Xu Zhiquan nodded.

“I asked all the interview questions thoroughly. Her professional skills are rock-solid, and her thinking is broad.

I probed the factory’s situation indirectly—she truly understands it.

Director Yang, who recommended her, is reliable. His endorsement adds another layer of security.”

He paused and added,

“This Fang Jun might prove even more valuable than we expected…”