Chapter 18 of 100
Chapter 18
14 min read3,590 words
PS: Here's the second update! New book, please collect! Please recommend! Please click! Thank you for your support!
Chen Yuan stood beside Yang Jie, listening to Xiao Yuan's translation of the conversation. Seeing Jimmy readily agree to Yang Jie's bet, she felt a sudden surge of excitement. Given Yang Jie's drinking capacity, knocking Jimmy out in the evening shouldn't be a big problem. Jimmy's agreement to the bet was like offering himself up to be taken advantage of.
The Qianhe County Party Committee and County Government placed great importance on this stone project's investment promotion. Jimmy's Italian Red Maple Stone Group is the top-ranked high-end stone company in Italy and the second-ranked in the European high-end stone decoration industry, a large-scale group company.
This time, the Red Maple Stone Group came to Qianhe County to conduct an inspection, mainly because of the county's high-grade stone reserves, which amount to 500 million cubic meters. Moreover, this is the first time the Red Maple Stone Group is attempting to invest in China. Securing this project would bring immeasurable political and economic benefits to Qianhe County.
"Yang Jie, Secretary Zhou is determined to secure this stone project, and the city also places great importance on Jimmy's inspection. You are a talent that Secretary Zhou values, so you must not let him down." Although Chen Yuan was anxious, she couldn't overreact in front of Jimmy. She whispered to Yang Jie and then smiled at Jimmy.
"Jimmy, Qianhe County is my hometown. This land nurtures 500,000 Qianhe residents, who are all my relatives and friends. Your investment is very important to Qianhe County, as it can help a significant number of people escape poverty and live a happy life. I know that businessmen primarily seek profit, but I hope that under equal conditions, you will prioritize investing in Qianhe County. This way, I can drink with you without any pressure. I don't like our friendship to be bound by interests or have any ulterior motives. Can you do that?" Yang Jie looked at Jimmy sincerely and spoke with genuine honesty.
Jimmy didn't expect Yang Jie to say this. When Chen Yuan whispered to Yang Jie, he thought Yang Jie would definitely use the drinking bet to secure the stone project investment in Qianhe County.
Although Qianhe County has a superior geographical location, convenient transportation, and concentrated high-grade stone reserves, making it easy to mine and transport, there are still many places in China with similar conditions. They chose to inspect Qianhe County first mainly because it is closer to Guangdong Province.
Yang Jie's sincere and unselfish gaze deeply moved Jimmy. Jimmy, who had traveled extensively and was well-versed, knew that Yang Jie's words completely went against the wishes of the Qianhe County leaders. A misstep could result in a reprimand, but Yang Jie still sincerely hoped that their friendship would be free of any ulterior motives. This was indeed unexpected.
"Jie, I will definitely make you my friend!" Jimmy's formal smile turned into a genuine one. He extended his hand, shook hands with Yang Jie, and said warmly.
Xiao Yuan looked at the two men shaking hands and smiling with a complex expression. He didn't expect Yang Jie to go against Director Chen's wishes. However, as an experienced foreign trade veteran, he knew that Westerners prioritize profit and rarely talk about personal relationships. The Chinese practice of giving gifts and toasting at banquets doesn't work with Western businessmen like Jimmy. But there are always exceptions, and perhaps this time, the stone project in Qianhe County would rely on the friendship Yang Jie and Jimmy had built.
Chen Yuan, seeing that Xiao Yuan didn't translate Yang Jie's and Jimmy's conversation, was anxious but couldn't ask when she saw Jimmy and Yang Jie smiling and walking down the stairs together. She called the county office staff to notify the fleet drivers to come to the guesthouse to pick up Secretary Zhou and the others.
"Brother Xiao, thank you for your help just now!"
Yang Jie wasn't a fool. Xiao Yuan's decision not to translate his words was clearly a favor. Since Xiao Yuan was considerate, Yang Jie couldn't pretend to be unaware. He found an opportunity to thank Xiao Yuan quietly.
"It's all for the work. Everyone has their own way of doing things. Following the leaders' requirements strictly isn't always the best way. Sometimes flexibility is needed. Building a personal friendship with Jimmy can be a significant help in securing the stone project for Qianhe County. Go ahead and do it! If you need any help, just let me know!" Xiao Yuan smiled faintly at Yang Jie and patted his shoulder lightly.
Jimmy, surrounded by Chen Yuan, Yang Jie, and others, walked down from the guesthouse's VIP building to meet Zhou Dalong and his group.
The group didn't wait long at the guesthouse parking lot. A convoy consisting of two police cars, four Santana sedans, and one Jinbei van slowly entered the guesthouse.
Zhou Dalong and Jimmy got into the No. 1 car, and Yang Jie, serving as a temporary translator, sat in the front passenger seat. After Zhang Daxian and Lei Shuping, along with translators Xiao Yuan and Deng Xiaohui, invited Loren and Jameson to sit in their cars, the convoy quickly left the guesthouse.
Qianhe County is located in Qianhe Town, about 50 kilometers from Fuxin Tungsten Mine. A provincial road runs through six towns along the way. Although the entire route is paved with asphalt, it was already dark by the time everyone returned to the county.
During their inspection in Qianhe County, the three foreign businessmen stayed at the Qianhe Hotel. The Qianhe Hotel was originally the Qianhe Guesthouse, managed by the Qianhe County Government Office. After renovation, it became the current Qianhe Hotel.
The Qianhe Hotel's environment and facilities, both hardware and software, are among the best in Qianhe County. Even rare items like computers, printers, copiers, and dial-up internet access are available in the business suites.
After returning from Fuxin Tungsten Mine, the convoy went directly to the Qianhe Hotel. The banquet was already prepared, and Chen Yuan had already called to notify the hotel staff.
The group, who had been traveling all day, was exhausted, especially Jimmy, who had only drunk alcohol and eaten nothing at lunch because of the drinking contest with Yang Jie. His stomach was already growling on the way.
Therefore, after everyone sat down, Jimmy apologized and started eating the sandwiches prepared for him.
"Jie, you said you wanted to bet with me. I've decided what to bet on." After eating two sandwiches and feeling less hungry, Jimmy wiped his mouth and looked at Yang Jie with a smug expression.
Earlier, when Jimmy asked Yang Jie to propose the stakes, Yang Jie didn't. Now, with the alcohol taking effect, Jimmy, ignoring Zhou Dalong and the others, looked at Yang Jie and suggested, "Didn't you invite me to visit your father's winery? If you can get me drunk again tonight, I will design a complete brand promotion plan for your father's winery and invest in it. If you lose, you have to give me 100 cases of your father's liquor. Do you agree to this bet?"
Yang Jie was surprised by Jimmy's sudden proposal and looked at him. "You want to invest in my father's winery?"
Jimmy's eyes gleamed with cunning, and he shook his right index finger. "No, no! I will only invest if you win. If you lose, you must give me 100 cases of liquor. What do you think?"
"Deal!" Yang Jie's eyes sparkled, and he extended his hand to shake hands with Jimmy, confirming the bet.
Zhou Dalong and the others, listening to Xiao Yuan's translation, found the bet between Jimmy and Yang Jie quite unbelievable. If Jimmy lost, he would invest in the Qianhe winery, but if he won, he would only get 100 cases of liquor. Such an asymmetrical bet could only come from a man as fond of drinking as Jimmy.
Jimmy's lack of focus didn't affect the subsequent negotiations. At Fuxin Tungsten Mine, Jimmy had already expressed his willingness to conclude the inspection and enter the formal negotiation phase, which would be handled by Loren and Jameson.
Therefore, Jimmy could act as a hands-off manager and not participate in the negotiations. Yang Jie's task was to entertain Jimmy and make him satisfied. The leaders were not displeased by Yang Jie's private bet with Jimmy.
On the contrary, Zhou Dalong hoped that Yang Jie would bet with Jimmy. If Yang Jie won, Jimmy would invest in the Qianhe winery. Once Jimmy made his first investment in Qianhe County, it would undoubtedly benefit the subsequent stone project negotiations.
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