"Xu's Catering"
After repeating it in a low voice, the rustling sound of his old classmate flipping through files reached Jiang Dashan's ears through the phone. Before Jiang Dashan could ask what was going on, his old classmate asked, "Old Jiang, you said that company is called Xu's Catering, Xu as in Xu Beihong, and Shi as in surname, and it's in the catering industry, right?"
"Yes, you've heard of this company?"
"I didn't just hear about it," my old classmate's voice suddenly tinged with amusement. "I saw this company's information among the companies participating in our school's bidding process!"
"Wow, that's quite a coincidence. So, what are their chances of winning among all the companies participating in this bidding?"
"The odds of winning are 100%!" my old classmate said decisively.
"Old Liu, you're not kidding me, are you?"
"I'm not kidding you, I'm telling the truth, it's 100%!" the old classmate repeated with unwavering conviction.
"Impossible, right? There are quite a few suppliers in Zhuzhou that specialize in schools. None of them participated in your school's bidding?" Jiang Dashan's face was full of disbelief.
"I attended," the old classmate sighed again, helplessly saying, "The supplier wanted to raise the price of the meals, but I disagreed. I thought that was the end of it, but I didn't expect him to pull some dirty tricks behind my back. The students' parents all complained, and they even complained to the education bureau. I couldn't go against him, so I just replaced him to get it over with."
"Unexpectedly, it wasn't just one supplier in Zhuzhou City wanting to raise prices. All the other suppliers were adamant about ten yuan per meal, otherwise they wouldn't accept the bids. Among all the companies participating in the bidding, only Xu's Catering offered eight yuan per meal."
When Xu's Catering was mentioned, my old classmate's tone suddenly became cheerful.
"Xu's Catering is really interesting. Not only do they offer three dishes and a soup for eight yuan, but they also invited a nutrition expert to create different menus for different age groups: children aged 3-7, teenagers aged 8-18, and middle-aged and elderly people over 40. They've clearly arranged everything for them."
"I was a little hesitant because they didn't have a shop here before, but after hearing you say that they will open a branch here after they win the catering license, I have no more worries!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Dashan immediately asked about the matter he was most concerned about: "Have you opened the bidding yet?"
"Not yet! Didn't you see the bidding information is still up? The bidding hasn't even closed yet, so how can the bids be opened?"
"That's good, that's good!" Jiang Dashan breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Old Liu, can I borrow your name to act like a bully?"
“Okay, you talk to them first, and let me know when things are settled on your end. Then I’ll withdraw the bid and contact Xu’s Catering privately.” My old classmate readily agreed.
Ring ring—ring ring ring—
The loud, high-pitched ringtone interrupted the real estate agent's introduction. As Xu An took out his phone to hang up, he saw the caller ID displayed as "Jiang Dashan from Zhuzhou."
You can't hang up this phone, this could be a big client in the future!
After apologizing to the real estate agent, Xu An strode out of the empty shop. He walked to a large tree outside the shop and then pressed the answer button. Almost the instant the call connected, Jiang Dashan's voice came from the other end of the line.
"Good morning, Mr. Xu! I am Jiang Dashan, the person in charge of the Zhuzhou Disabled Persons' Federation. I went to congratulate and visit the Xu's Catering headquarters on its opening day. I wonder if you still remember me, Mr. Xu?"
"Section Chief Jiang, of course I remember. Your presence on opening day made our humble shop truly shine."
As the saying goes, no one visits a temple without a reason. Given that the two had only met once, there was absolutely no way this phone call was for casual conversation.
Since this isn't just casual conversation, then they must want something from me.
Thinking of this, Xu An didn't ask Jiang Dashan why he had called. Instead, he adopted a casual conversation attitude. Jiang Dashan would exchange pleasantries with him, and they chatted for more than three minutes, talking about nothing but meaningless nonsense.
Finally, Jiang Dashan couldn't hold back any longer and spoke first: "The reason I called you is because I heard something. Mr. Xu, are you planning to open a branch of Xu's Fast Food and Xu's Braised Food in Dongqing City? Is that true?"
Xu An looked up at the real estate agent waiting for him at the shop entrance and smiled, "Yes, I just contacted an agent in Dongqing City to look at shops. If I find a suitable one, I'll rent it directly to avoid making another trip."
"Congratulations, Mr. Xu! Your business is really booming!" Jiang Dashan congratulated him and then asked, "I heard that you decided to open a branch in Dongqing City because Xu's Fast Food reached a cooperation agreement with a company there, is that right?"
"yes!"
"Mr. Xu, if a company or organization in Zhuzhou City reaches a cooperation agreement with Xu's Catering, would you open a branch in Zhuzhou City?"
"Of course! Xu's Fast Food is currently actively contacting and communicating with major companies and institutions in Haiyang Province. Once a cooperation agreement is reached, we will immediately open a branch in the city where the cooperation is established!"
"Haha, I just chatted with an old classmate who happens to be the head of Tengyue Primary School in Zhuzhou City."
Although Jiang Dashan didn't finish speaking, Xu An automatically completed the sentence in his mind. This meant that he knew that Xu's Catering had participated in the bidding for Tengyue Middle School (Tiannan District)!
"Oh, what a coincidence! We just participated in this school's bidding process a couple of days ago!" Xu An then said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Section Chief Jiang, since this is a project your old classmate is in charge of, you must know about the bidding process. Tell me secretly, what are the chances of Xu's Catering winning?"
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