I'm back in 1990

Chapter 374: Status Determines Position

A single phone call from Huang Xiaochuan prompted Huang Boyi to travel all the way from Hong Kong to Shanghai.

The moment he stepped into Huang Xiaochuan's office, his eyes lit up instantly, his face filled with undisguised admiration, and he couldn't stop praising, "Mr. Huang, your office is really nicely decorated! I'll decorate it like this when I get back." As he spoke, he kept looking around, his eyes full of envy.

"Boss Huang, don't just stand there, come and try some Phoenix Dancong tea from your Chaoshan region, and see how it tastes."

As he spoke, Huang Xiaochuan skillfully arranged the tea set and began brewing tea.

Huang Xiaochuan's technique was very skillful. He slowly poured hot water into the teapot, and instantly, a rich aroma of tea wafted out. The aroma was mellow and lingering, and it was intoxicating.

Huang Boyi did not refuse, and sat down with a smile, accepting the teacup handed to him by Huang Xiaochuan.

He took a small sip, and the moment the tea touched his lips, his eyes lit up, his face beaming with delight. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Excellent tea! This tea is fragrant and mellow, with a sweet aftertaste—truly authentic Phoenix Dancong!"

As he spoke, he picked up his teacup again, drank it all in one gulp, and savored the wonderful taste once more.

After finishing his tea, Huang Boyi, still wanting more, handed the cup to Huang Xiaochuan and said with a smile, "Mr. Huang, could you please pour me another cup? This tea is so delicious, I must savor it properly."

Huang Xiaochuan smiled and agreed, then refilled his teacup.

This time, Huang Boyi tasted the tea even more carefully. He first held the teacup to his nose, gently inhaling the aroma, a look of enjoyment on his face. Then he slowly brought the tea to his mouth, savoring the wonderful taste as the tea spread in his mouth. After finishing the tea, he repeatedly said it was good.

Seeing Huang Boyi's delighted expression, Huang Xiaochuan was also very pleased and said with a smile, "If you like it, take a can with you when you leave. This tea was directly sourced from tea farmers in Phoenix Mountain, Chaozhou. It's absolutely authentic and of top quality."

Huang Boyi, a native of Chaoshan, is also a tea lover. Upon hearing this, he didn't stand on ceremony with Huang Xiaochuan and quickly said, "Then I'll thank you in advance! It's a blessing to have such good tea to drink."

The two chatted over tea, discussing everything from the origin and varieties of tea to brewing techniques and the selection of teaware.

After the two finished discussing the tea ceremony, Huang Boyi asked, "Mr. Huang, may I ask what brings you here?"

"I heard you've opened two new factories in Malaysia, and business is doing quite well?"

"You know about such a small thing? To be honest, both factories are operating well now, and we estimate that they will be able to recoup their construction costs within two years."

Seeing that Huang Boyi did not deny it, Huang Xiaochuan then revealed his thoughts: "I have a good friend who now runs an export business. Do your two factories need to import some fabrics or something from the mainland?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Boyi immediately understood Huang Xiaochuan's meaning.

Having been in business for so many years, he certainly has that much insight.

A hint of hesitation flashed across his face. He didn't answer immediately, but instead picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and tried to calm himself down and think carefully about the suggestion.

After a while, Huang Boyi put down his teacup and said seriously, "Mr. Huang, to be honest, in all the years I've been running my factory and doing business, my partners have always been very stable. We've developed a tacit understanding, and the cooperation process has been very smooth. The fabrics they provide are of guaranteed quality, the prices are reasonable, and they strictly adhere to the delivery schedule." As he spoke, he observed Huang Xiaochuan's expression, trying to find some understanding and approval on his face.

After listening, Huang Xiaochuan nodded understandingly and said, "I understand. After all, stable partners are very important for a company. I was just asking casually, so you don't need to feel too much pressure."

"No, no, no, that's not what I meant," Huang Boyi quickly explained. "Since Mr. Huang has spoken up, I must give him face. However, the addition of a new supplier requires a period of adjustment. Product quality, delivery time, and after-sales service all need to be reassessed and coordinated, which takes time and effort. Moreover, if something goes wrong and the order cannot be completed, I will have to pay a lot of money, so I have to be cautious." Huang Boyi spoke very sincerely.

Huang Xiaochuan also thought Huang Boyi's words made sense. He was just asking on behalf of others. It would be best if it worked, but it wouldn't matter if it didn't.

"How about this, I'll give him a five million yuan order for wool fabrics first. If the cooperation goes well, the product quality is up to standard, the delivery is on time, and the service is excellent, I'll gradually increase the quantity for him. What do you think?" Huang Boyi's tone carried a hint of negotiation, clearly trying his best to meet Huang Xiaochuan's request while also considering his own business.

Huang Xiaochuan immediately poured tea for Huang Boyi: "Five million is quite a lot. I'll thank you on his behalf. I've booked a private room at the Garden Hotel tonight. I heard their Cantonese cuisine is very authentic, which should suit your taste. I'll also invite my friend over tonight, and we'll have dinner together. After dinner, my task will be complete. You two can contact each other directly afterward. I won't interfere anymore. Everything will be handled according to your rules."

The Garden Hotel, which Huang Xiaochuan booked, is known for its upscale environment and first-class service.

Four people were seated in a private room that could seat twelve, and Nan Hui was also invited by Huang Xiaochuan to accompany them.

After the group met, Huang Xiaochuan introduced Ge Changli to Huang Boyi.

"Old Ge, this is Mr. Huang Boyi from Hong Kong. You two should get to know each other."

Ge Changli warmly extended his hand and shook hands with Huang Boyi: "President Huang! Welcome to Shanghai!"

Hello, hello!

After the two finished greeting each other, Huang Xiaochuan pointed to Zhi Nanhui and said, "I don't need to introduce her, right?"

This isn't a joke, it's a recommendation for the amazing book "1990, I'm Back":

Ge Changli quickly waved his hand and said, "No need, no need, I know him, it's been a long time, Boss Nan!"

Nan Hui reached out and gently shook hands with Ge Changli before letting go.

"Long time no see, Mr. Ge!"

Huang Boyi looked at the two of them in surprise: "So you two are old acquaintances?"

Nan Hui offered an explanation: "When I was doing stamp business in Shanghai, Mr. Ge often patronized my business."

At this moment, Huang Xiaochuan urged, "Alright, alright, sit down and talk it over. Aren't you tired of standing?"

In this setting, no one challenged Huang Xiaochuan for the seat of honor, so Huang Xiaochuan naturally took the seat of honor. Ge Changli and Huang Boyi sat on either side of him, while Nan Hui sat opposite Huang Xiaochuan.

After sitting down, Ge Changli took out his business cards and handed them to Huang Boyi and Nan Hui.

"This is my business card. Please take care of me in the future."

Nan Hui and Huang Boyi also took out their business cards and exchanged them with Ge Changli.

Ge Changli was stunned when he saw the contents of Nan Hui's business card.

"Guangda Real Estate? Mr. Nan, are you still the general manager of Guangda Real Estate?"

No wonder Ge Changli reacted that way; the industry shift is just too big!

Nan Hui looked at Huang Xiaochuan and then nodded with a smile.

"I never expected that Boss Nan—no, I should call you General Manager Nan—you're truly a woman of exceptional talent! That five-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel building under construction on Huaihai Road is developed by your Guangda Real Estate, right? I've seen it everywhere, it's everywhere, you're incredibly powerful."

Nan Hui glanced at Huang Xiaochuan without revealing her true feelings: "President Ge, you flatter me. I'm just a general manager, doing errands and odd jobs."

Unaware of the full story, Ge Changli laughed and said, "President Nan is too modest, too modest."

Huang Boyi glanced at Huang Xiaochuan and then at Ge Changli. He immediately guessed that Ge Changli probably didn't know Huang Xiaochuan's true identity, otherwise things wouldn't be like this now.

Fortunately, the waiter started pouring drinks for everyone, temporarily interrupting their conversation.

After finishing a round of drinks, Huang Xiaochuan said to Ge Changli, "Old Ge, Mr. Huang has two garment factories in Malaysia and is planning to find a new partner in mainland China to provide them with fine textile fabrics. I recommended you to Mr. Huang. You can have a good talk with Mr. Huang later and see what he needs."

Upon hearing this, Ge Changli was overjoyed.

Ge Changli immediately filled his glass, raised it, and said, "President Huang, thank you for giving our company this opportunity. I'd like to toast you."

Huang Boyi also raised his glass: "President Ge, we should both thank Mr. Huang. If it weren't for him connecting us, how would we have had the opportunity to sit together?"

"That's right, but I'll toast you first, and then I'll toast Xiaochuan separately later."

Huang Xiaochuan waved his hand dismissively: "You drink with President Huang, don't count me in."

Nan Hui stood up, took her glass, walked to Huang Xiaochuan's side, leaned back in her chair, and said, "Mr. Huang, it's only right and proper that I toast you twice. You wouldn't refuse to give me face, would you?"

Since they'd taken a taxi all the way here, it would be disrespectful not to drink. Huang Xiaochuan could only raise his glass and clink it against Nan Hui's, but he didn't stand up.

Nan Hui happily downed the wine in one gulp, then filled Huang Xiaochuan's glass before refilling her own.

She repeated the process from before, and after finishing the two glasses of wine, Nan Hui returned to her seat.

Ge Changli saw this whole scene, and he felt that something was wrong.

First of all, the seating arrangement was unreasonable. Logically speaking, I should have been sitting in Nan Hui's seat, but Huang Xiaochuan forced me to sit next to him. After all, Huang Xiaochuan was the host today, so I naturally had to listen to his arrangements.

But just now, when Nan Hui went to Huang Xiaochuan's side to offer him a toast, Huang Xiaochuan didn't even stand up, while Nan Hui acted as if it were perfectly normal. Huang Xiaochuan drank two glasses of wine with her and she was still happy? What's going on?

Then something even more unbelievable happened: Huang Boyi actually stood up and walked up to Huang Xiaochuan, very politely toasting Huang Xiaochuan with two glasses of wine, while Huang Xiaochuan didn't even lift his buttocks.

Ge Changli only knew that Huang Xiaochuan was very good at trading stamps and stocks. He thought Huang Xiaochuan was an outstanding talent who was both good at studying and making money, which is why he became close friends with him. The two had always been quite close.

It wasn't until he treated Huang Xiaochuan to dinner last time that he learned that Huang Xiaochuan was actually related to Director Tang and Yu Wei of the customs office, something he had never heard Huang Xiaochuan mention before. This made him realize that Huang Xiaochuan was a shrewd and calculating person, and his opinion of him improved even more.

Today, not only did he introduce a high-quality client to him, but the client was also so polite to him. Even the general manager of Everbright Real Estate seemed a bit submissive in front of him.

This left Ge Changli somewhat puzzled.

What Ge Changli didn't know was that in Nan Hui and Huang Boyi's eyes, Huang Xiaochuan was their benefactor, especially Nan Hui, who practically worshipped Huang Xiaochuan.

Huang Xiaochuan's attitude towards Nan and Huang was not intentional; it was determined by his relationship with them. He was the leader among the three, and his status dictated that he could not do anything inappropriate for his position in public.

If he had stood up when Nan Hui came to offer a toast, Nan Hui probably wouldn't have been able to drink it. This is the oppressive feeling that wealth and power bring. Outsiders may not know the inside story and may not understand, but all three of them are very clear about their positions.

This meal sparked Ge Changli's curiosity about Huang Xiaochuan's identity. After knowing him for so long, Ge Changli realized that he had never truly known this young man.