Chapter Ninety-Eight: Two Words

"Landowner!" Zhang Mingyang whispered to Xu Fei.

"Don't laugh. Now that I think about it, the proprietress really does have that sort of bearing." Xu Fei smiled.

The two of them went into one of the rooms.

Inside, the walls had been freshly whitewashed. A round table stood in the center, large enough to seat six or seven people. In the corner was a cabinet about half a man's height, with a vase on top. The flowers in it were fresh, and their fragrance drifted through the air in soft waves, unexpectedly soothing the mind.

The window was the kind that opened in four panels. Sunlight poured across the whole room, and against the white walls, the place seemed wrapped in light.

"Could we draw the curtains?" Xu Fei asked, pointing at the window.

"What for, Fourth Brother? Isn't this nice? I like it bright." Zhang Mingyang dropped straight into the seat by the window.

Xu Fei stepped forward and pulled him up.

"My Third Brother, we're not at home. We're eating with others today, and we have guests, don't we?"

As he spoke, he looked at Xiao Lan.

"All right, I'll draw them now."

Xiao Lan was wonderfully cooperative. She pulled the curtain halfway shut.

"That's enough," Xu Fei said, and left it half-open.

"Anything else you don't like, Big Brother?"

"No."

Xu Fei smiled and nodded at her.

"Oh, and go tell the proprietress that we've arrived."

Xiao Lan nodded and went out.

Zhang Mingyang glanced at the table. "Where am I supposed to sit?"

Smiling, Xu Fei pulled him to the seat on his left, the one he had just vacated.

"Third Brother, this is your place."

"And you?"

Xu Fei pointed to the seat below him.

"How can that be? You're the one leading the way, so you should..."

"Don't. Third Brother, let's not let them look down on us. Since this proprietress is the daughter of a landlord family, then we'll give her the full measure of courtesy."

"You're the boss. But I really don't know anything about business, so..."

Xu Fei nodded.

"Don't worry. I'll handle the negotiation with them."

They waited a while longer.

Then they heard footsteps outside.

Soon the door was pushed open by Xiao Lan. Meng Anyi entered with a broad-faced man.

"Proprietress."

Xu Fei stood first, and Zhang Mingyang followed suit.

Smiling, Meng Anyi invited the broad-faced man to the seat of honor.

Xu Fei had arranged it very thoughtfully.

She glanced at him with a smile.

"Sit."

The broad-faced man carried himself with the airs of an official. He sat first.

Xu Fei glanced at Meng Anyi, who had not yet taken her seat.

She understood his consideration.

"Sit down, Brother Xu."

Meng Anyi was a year older than Xu Fei, so that was how she addressed him.

Only then did Xu Fei sit down, and Zhang Mingyang sat as well.

"Let me make introductions," Meng Anyi said, indicating the broad-faced man beside her. "This is Deputy Director Qi of the Nanjing Television Factory."

The broad-faced man gave the two of them a sidelong look.

"Qi Zhiyong," he said flatly.

Xu Fei immediately stood again.

"Director Qi, we're truly delighted you could come."

"Ah, not Director Qi. Deputy Director Qi."

Qi Zhiyong actually corrected him.

Xu Fei smiled.

"To me, you are the director, ha ha ha..."

Qi Zhiyong gave a slight smile.

"Young man, you're from East Sea City?"

Xu Fei nodded.

"Sit, sit."

Qi Zhiyong waved him down.

Xu Fei obediently sat, folding his hands into a fist and resting them on the table before him, looking every bit like a junior receiving instruction from a superior.

"I've been to East Sea City before. The scenery there is quite good."

"Deputy Director Qi, if you like it, I can arrange it. As long as you're willing, you can go anytime."

"Really?"

Qi Zhiyong nodded, then glanced at Meng Anyi beside him.

"That's wonderful."

The exchange of glances between the two immediately made Xu Fei understand: they would be going together.

So the rumor was true.

The man behind Meng Anyi was indeed Qi Zhiyong.

"Shall we serve the dishes?" Xu Fei asked Qi Zhiyong in an inquiring tone.

"Of course, Xiao Xu. You're the host, so you decide."

Though courteous in wording, Qi Zhiyong's tone still carried a certain condescension.

As Xu Fei spoke, he glanced at Meng Anyi again, his look quietly asking for confirmation.

That supple, many-sided woman merely narrowed her eyes slightly, and Xu Fei smiled as he rose and went to the door.

"Xiao Lan."

At his call, Xiao Lan poked her head out from the adjoining room.

"Big Brother."

"Bring in the dishes."

"Right away."

When Xu Fei returned to his seat, Qi Zhiyong asked, "How did you become so close with that little girl?"

"Hm?"

"That girl is the most stubborn of them all. With other guests, I've never seen her take such care."

Xu Fei only smiled and said nothing.

"Hmph. What, is there something you're keeping from me?"

"My dear sister, how could I dare?"

Xu Fei hurried to explain.

"All right, I believe you."

Meng Anyi then turned to Qi Zhiyong beside her.

"Old Qi, you see that? He even has my people under control. Pretty capable, isn't he?"

Qi Zhiyong gave a slight nod as well.

"Xiao Xu, I have a sharp eye for people. You're young, but you don't seem simple at all."

At such praise, Xu Fei hurriedly nodded.

"My Director Qi, don't say that. In front of you, I'd be nothing more than a beginner showing off before the master."

"How can you say that?" Qi Zhiyong said. "I've heard that this time you plan to buy a hundred televisions in one go. An ordinary man wouldn't have that kind of nerve."

"Yes, Xiao Xu. What you told me, I passed along to Director Qi, and even he was astonished."

"Not only astonished," Qi Zhiyong said, looking at Xu Fei. "I'm also curious. If you bring in so many televisions, are you sure you can sell them all?"

Qi Zhiyong and Meng Anyi both looked at Xu Fei.

In their eyes was doubt, and also a measure of suspicion.

"Of course."

Xu Fei answered with a confident smile.

"Explain."

Qi Zhiyong looked at him gravely.

"Director Qi, I imagine you think I can't compete with the state-run department stores, don't you?"

"Isn't that so?" Qi Zhiyong's mouth dipped slightly.

To him, it already seemed a settled matter.

"Director Qi, that may be true for the present. But I believe the television market will see explosive growth by the end of this year."

"You're saying..."

Qi Zhiyong frowned at Xu Fei.

"Televisions will be in short supply."

Xu Fei nodded.

Qi Zhiyong gave a cold laugh.

"Then why would people go to a state store to buy them, instead of coming to you?"

Xu Fei said calmly, "I rely on just two words."

"Two words?"

Qi Zhiyong and Meng Anyi were both taken aback.

"Which two words?"

Meng Anyi asked in equal confusion.

"Service."