The next day, at the Oriental City Department Store!
Li Xiangdong and the other three sat obediently on the bench outside the office of the deputy manager in charge of purchasing.
They had been waiting for four hours, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Liu Changhai's stomach was growling with hunger, but he didn't dare complain to Li Jin. He secretly said to Li Xiangdong, "This manager is really arrogant. He's just left us hanging all morning! Yesterday, we bought canning jars so smoothly! The canning manager was so enthusiastic towards us!"
"Uncle Changhai, how is this the same? Yesterday we were delivering money to them, today we're trying to make money off them. Haven't you heard the saying, 'Money is hard to earn, and shit is hard to swallow'?"
"Hahaha, Xiang Dong, your analogy is quite apt, but it's also a bit disgusting!"
Liu Changhai burst into laughter at Li Xiangdong's antics.
Laughter echoed through the corridor, causing staff members who came out for lunch to frequently turn around.
"Be serious!"
Li Jin gave the two of them a disapproving look.
Just then, two people walked over from the corner of the corridor. One was short and stout, wearing a white shirt and black pants, and had a receding hairline. The other was wearing a navy blue work uniform and had a neat short haircut.
Li Xiangdong looked up and exclaimed, "Oh, it's an old acquaintance!"
"Master Yu, thank you so much for today! If it weren't for your help, my department store would have been besieged by everyone!"
The balding man walked along, laughing and speaking loudly.
"You're too kind. It was nothing, no need for you to thank me so much!"
"Of course I'm obligated! This batch of TVs was imported from abroad, and there are very few people in China who can repair them! Luckily, you're highly skilled! Master Yu, if there's anything else, you'll have to lend a hand!"
The balding man grabbed Master Yu's hand and shook it forcefully.
Master Yu nodded with a smile.
"It's already midday, let me invite you to a simple meal. Please do me the honor of joining me, hahaha!"
"Then I won't be polite, I'm actually hungry."
"Please wait in my office for a moment while I have them prepare."
As they talked, they arrived at the office door.
Upon seeing this, Li Jin and the others quickly stood up to greet him, "Manager Xie, hello!"
That's right, this balding man is Xie, the deputy manager in charge of purchasing at the Dongfang City Department Store.
"Oh! You are..."
Deputy Manager Xie looked the three men up and down. They all had the same deep-set faces, large knuckles, calloused hands, and faded coarse cloth clothes. They probably weren't important people.
This young man among them has handsome features and a calm demeanor; he's quite good.
"Manager Xie, I am Li Jin, the captain of Lijiapo Brigade in Huichuan County, and also the factory manager of Lijiapo Canned Food Factory! I am here today to introduce our canned fish products!"
After Li Jin finished introducing himself, he took out the canned fish from his pocket and showed it to Manager Xie.
"Oh, come in first! Master Yu, please come in first!" Manager Xie first invited Master Yu in, and then beckoned the four other people in.
While Li Jin and Manager Xie were talking, Li Xiangdong quietly walked up to Master Yu and tugged at his clothes with his finger, "Uncle Yu, we meet again!"
Master Yu looked up and exclaimed, "Xiang Dong! What are you doing here?"
It turns out that this Master Yu was none other than Yu Deshui, who sold the combine harvester to Li Xiangdong!
“I’ll sell canned fish!” Li Xiangdong whispered.
Before they could even say anything more, Manager Xie invited them inside to chat.
Manager Xie first made a phone call to have his staff prepare a working meal, and then made Yu Deshui a cup of tea.
Manager Xie broke out in a cold sweat this morning.
Their department store recently imported a batch of color televisions from abroad; only special individuals with permits were able to purchase them.
Unexpectedly, the TV screen has been going black for the past two days, and I've been getting calls one after another saying that if it can't be fixed, they'll smash up my office!
Of course, this was just said in anger; it's highly unlikely that he would actually smash up his office, since it's state property.
But it's quite possible that he'll be hit!
He's been taking great care of his hair these past few days, but he's lost several strands. He's contacted many repairmen, but none of them dare to fix the imported TV.
In the end, we found Yu Deshui through a friend, and to our surprise, he actually fixed it!
You have to build a good relationship with this person; you never know when you might need them again!
Deputy Manager Xie's thoughts raced for a few seconds before he looked back at the fish can on his desk. The white glass jar was filled with small yellow fish and brownish-yellow broth.
He opened a bottle, and the moment the cap was removed, a unique fragrance wafted out. "Hmm? Did you make this?"
"Yes, these are chopsticks, please try them!"
Li Jin took out a pair of chopsticks wrapped in layers of clean white handkerchiefs from his bag and handed them to Deputy Manager Xie.
Deputy Manager Xie took the chopsticks, carefully checked them to see if they were clean, then picked up a fish and put it in his mouth, chewing it slowly.
Li Jin, Liu Changhai, and Wang Zhenbo all had solemn expressions, their eyes fixed on Deputy Manager Xie's constantly chewing mouth, their hands gripping the chair armrests tightly, their bodies taut.
Li Xiangdong is fine; his canning technique was personally taught by Factory Director Yan, so he's confident in it!
Yu Deshui glanced at Li Xiangdong. This kid was more composed and had a more imposing presence than the last time he saw him!
After finishing his meal, Deputy Manager Xie wiped his mouth with a tissue, said nothing, and gestured for Li Jin to open the remaining cans of food.
Liu Changhai, who had been watching Xie's expression closely, quickly stepped forward, opened the other canned fish, and invited Xie to try them.
Deputy Manager Xie then tasted the spicy and fermented black bean flavored canned fish, and finally drank a glass of water.
Li Jin and the others were extremely anxious. They exchanged glances and began to communicate with each other through their eyes.
So what happened?
Why isn't Deputy Manager Xie saying anything?
Logically speaking, we've all eaten canned fish before, and it tastes absolutely amazing!
But, Deputy Manager Xie has seen it all, so what if he doesn't like our canned fish?
No way!
While the group was still exchanging pleasantries, Deputy Manager Xie slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "Delicious!"
Oh My God!
Li Jin and the others breathed a sigh of relief. "Deputy Manager Xie, if you had spoken any later, our hearts would have been pounding in our chests!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com