Chapter 23: The Life Butler

The next morning, before Zeng Yi had even left the house, he received a call from Hu Guangliang, the head of the service department at the provincial government affairs administration bureau. Last night, he had already discussed with Tang Haoran that today they would buy massage beds, massage chairs, and other equipment for Fang Nanguo, as well as some small devices for recovery and medical supplies.

"Director Hu, I'm not very familiar with Rongcheng. Where do you think we should go to buy these items?"

Hu Guangliang, who had never dealt with Zeng Yi before, was unsure if Zeng Yi was being sincere, so he politely declined, "You're the expert, you decide. I'm just here to do the legwork. Wherever you point, I'll go."

"I've only been in Rongcheng for a few days, so I really don't know the place. Secretary Tang can vouch for me. Director Hu, don't be too polite. Just pick a place, and we'll meet up there soon."

Only then did Hu Guangliang believe that Zeng Yi was truly unfamiliar with the area, so he suggested, "How about Mingkai Home?"

When buying things for leaders, one must always choose the best and most expensive items, which can be very profitable. If you have a familiar dealer, the profit margin is even higher. Hu Guangliang had initially declined a few times because he was afraid that Zeng Yi was just being polite, and if he misunderstood and didn't buy the "pre-selected" equipment, it could lead to trouble with Secretary Fang, potentially costing him his position as head of the service department.

Half an hour later, Zeng Yi met Hu Guangliang at the entrance of Mingkai Home. Hu Guangliang was a small, plump man in his thirties, looking very shrewd and always wearing a smile.

"Director Zeng, it's an honor to meet you!" Hu Guangliang extended his hand, his face beaming with enthusiasm, but he was secretly surprised. Zeng Yi was much younger than he had expected, even though Tang Haoran had warned him. If Zeng Yi hadn't introduced himself, Hu Guangliang wouldn't have dared to recognize him.

Hearing Hu Guangliang call him "Director Zeng," Zeng Yi was taken aback but then smiled, "Just call me Zeng Yi or Little Zeng. I have no official position, so I'm not a director."

"Then I'll call you Expert Zeng," Hu Guangliang said with a smile. "Expert Zeng, please come in!"

He gestured, and the manager of the home center, who had been waiting, quickly led the way. With the manager's guidance, they didn't have to waste time and went directly to the shops selling high-end massage chairs and massage beds.

There wasn't much to choose from in terms of massage chairs and massage beds. These devices couldn't cure Fang Nanguo's illness, but they could help relax tired muscles. However, Hu Guangliang was very meticulous in his selection, asking detailed questions about the materials, functions, and models, and even noting them down in a small notebook.

In the end, after Zeng Yi's confirmation, they chose two massage chairs and one massage bed. Each massage chair cost 88,000 yuan, which wasn't the most expensive, but they were chosen for their back massage strength and angle, which would help Fang Nanguo's recovery. The massage bed cost 20,000 yuan.

When it came time to pay, Zeng Yi was somewhat taken aback. These three seemingly ordinary devices cost nearly 200,000 yuan.

Hu Guangliang didn't bat an eye, signing the bill and instructing, "Make sure to send the most experienced movers with the best equipment. This is for a leader, so there can be no mistakes! If anything goes wrong, neither of us can afford it!"

"Yes, yes, I understand!" The home center manager nodded repeatedly. "I'll handle it personally to ensure everything goes smoothly!"

"Good to know!" Hu Guangliang sternly lectured the manager, but when he turned to Zeng Yi, his face was all smiles.

He asked Zeng Yi very politely, "Expert Zeng, where should we go to buy the remaining items?"

The remaining medical devices were not sold at the home center. Fortunately, Zeng Yi had recently ordered medicine cabinets and mortars, so he was somewhat familiar with the situation. "Let's go to Lumei Medical Equipment City."

Hu Guangliang was delighted, fearing that Zeng Yi wouldn't mention a place. "Let's go then!"

As the head of the service department, Hu Guangliang was known as the "life butler," responsible for handling all aspects of the leaders' lives. He managed everything from major to minor matters in the leaders' homes. While outsiders had to be cautious when giving gifts to leaders, Hu Guangliang had no such concerns. His duty was to provide for the leaders' homes, whether it was buying a favorite potted plant today or a more luxurious writing desk tomorrow, all done openly under the guise of serving the leaders' lives.

Thus, the position of head of the service department, though seemingly unimpressive, was one of the easiest to be promoted from. Serving the leaders day in and day out, how could the leaders not remember his efforts?

More opportunities to appear also meant more chances to make mistakes. If one thing didn't meet the leaders' expectations, a thousand other things done well wouldn't matter.

In the morning, Tang Haoran had instructed that today's purchases should be decided by Expert Zeng. As long as Expert Zeng was satisfied, Secretary Fang would be satisfied.

Hearing this, Hu Guangliang went out of his way to please Zeng Yi. Unfortunately, Zeng Yi didn't give him the chance. During the entire process of buying the massage chairs, Hu Guangliang saw that everything was done cleanly, with no hidden agendas.

When buying medical equipment, Hu Guangliang watched closely, trying to figure out which store was Zeng Yi's "pre-selected" client. To his disappointment, even after buying all the equipment, he found that Zeng Yi only focused on the quality of the items and didn't have any private conversations or exchanges with anyone.

This was troubling, Hu Guangliang thought. In such matters, it was important to spread the benefits. Encountering someone like Zeng Yi, who didn't seek personal gain, made him feel very uneasy.

Just as they were about to leave the medical equipment city, someone approached, "Boss Zeng, you're here early. The medicine cabinets you ordered will take some time. They can't be picked up today."

Zeng Yi smiled and greeted him, "No rush. I'm here to buy some other things!"

"If you have any good business, Boss Zeng, remember to take care of me. I'll give you the best price," the man said with a smile. Zeng Yi had previously ordered the medicine cabinets and mortars from him.

"Of course, of course!" Zeng Yi politely nodded and then left.

Exiting the medical equipment city, Hu Guangliang waved to the driver, who brought the car over. "Expert Zeng, you've been through a lot today. Let me have the driver take you back to rest."

"That's not necessary! I'm just a free man with no real business, so I can go back on my own. No need to send me."

"Absolutely, absolutely!" Hu Guangliang insisted, smiling and pushing Zeng Yi into the car. "I need to stay and supervise the delivery. I'll treat you to a drink another day."

After the car left, Hu Guangliang ran to catch up with the man who had been talking to Zeng Yi. "What did Expert Zeng order from you?"

"A few cabinets for storing Chinese medicine, all made from the best materials. The deposit has already been paid!" The man looked at Hu Guangliang. "What, are you interested too?"

Hu Guangliang opened his handbag and took out a cash check, saying confidently, "How much in total? Write the check! The payee should be 'Provincial Government Affairs Administration Bureau,' and the purpose is 'office supplies.'"

The man was startled. He knew the Provincial Government Affairs Administration Bureau well. If he could establish a connection, it would mean a steady stream of business. He immediately put on a bright smile. "The total is 28,000 yuan. I've already received 8,000 yuan as a deposit from Boss Zeng, so you owe 20,000 yuan. I'll give you a discount and charge you 18,000 yuan."

"Write it for 28,000 yuan!" Hu Guangliang tapped the counter forcefully. "Remember, use the best materials and the best craftsmanship. If you dare to cut corners, I'll make you leave Rongcheng! Also, when delivering, return the deposit to Expert Zeng."