Song Qiao's acquisition of Wang Fugui's factory was not immediately finalized. After a mutual exchange of terms, the dinner ended abruptly.
Such a large investment required Song Qiao to consider further.
After all, the factory was responsible for the livelihoods of hundreds of people, and every step had to be foolproof.
As soon as he returned to the factory, Song Qiao received a call from Director Pan of the Poverty Alleviation Office.
"Younger brother Song, do you have time tonight? Let's get together."
As soon as the call connected, he heard Pan Bei's somewhat lazy voice.
Judging by his tone, he had already returned from out of town.
"Okay, there are some things I still need to ask Brother Pan for advice on." Song Qiao no longer held out hope for the investment, and replied with a somewhat flat tone.
"Then it's eight o'clock tonight at Xinyuan Restaurant. I'll also introduce you to an important friend," Pan Bei said mysteriously, as if he hadn't noticed Song Qiao's indifferent attitude.
"Oh? Then we'll see you there."
Song Qiao already had a vague premonition that Director Pan would introduce him to the legendary secretary's brother-in-law today.
He wondered what kind of person that guy was, and if he was as unbearable as the rumors said.
After hanging up the phone, he instructed Ah Wei to prepare two bottles of good wine. Now that he intended to distance himself from Director Pan, he had to be more careful in social interactions.
After arranging these matters, Song Qiao saw that it was still early and drove to the department store that had a cooperation with Xiangpiaopiao, investigating the sales situation one by one.
He only drove to Xinyuan Restaurant when the time was nearing.
At eight o'clock in the evening, when the lights were just coming on, the restaurant was already filled with many diners.
"Hello, welcome!"
As soon as Song Qiao entered, a female server greeted him and spoke politely.
Hearing the somewhat familiar voice, Song Qiao exchanged a curious glance with her.
"Is it you?"
The next second, Sun Ying couldn't help but exclaim.
Song Qiao frowned, recognizing the woman in front of him as Sun Ying, who had been fired from the factory two days prior.
He shook his head helplessly, muttering bad luck to himself, and unwilling to engage with her, he moved to go inside.
"Stop! Is this a place that a bumpkin like you can come to?"
Sun Ying looked Song Qiao up and down and seemed to find an excuse to stop him.
"I advise you not to cause trouble for yourself."
Song Qiao frowned and turned back with a cold snort.
"Do you know what kind of place this is? Do you, a nouveau riche without any connections, really think that just because you have money, you can come here to spend?"
Sun Ying said contemptuously.
After speaking, she ran up to Song Qiao, grabbed his clothes, and started shouting.
Song Qiao was helpless against her unreasonable behavior.
He couldn't help but chuckle lightly.
"You are just a small waitress here. What right do you have to question your customers?"
Hearing this nonchalant mockery, Sun Ying instantly exploded.
She shouted at Song Qiao hoarsely, "How dare you bring this up? If it weren't for you and that bitch wife of yours, would I have lost my job?"
"Because of your framing, my husband can no longer work at the newspaper. My current predicament is all your fault."
She had completely disregarded her image at this point, and her shouting attracted countless onlookers.
Song Qiao looked at the shrewish woman in front of him with a wry smile, feeling speechless.
Clearly, it was the couple who had provoked him and Xia Yuqing first, and their current consequences were their own doing. Yet, they had now blamed him.
"Where did this shrew come from? Why are you making such a scene here?"
Just then, Pan Bei and a young man came out of a private room, frowning and asking.
They had been waiting for Song Qiao and decided to check the entrance, only to witness this scene upon exiting.
"Younger brother Song, what's going on?"
Pan Bei asked, approaching.
"Ran into some inexplicable shrew."
Song Qiao smiled slightly, glancing at Sun Ying from the corner of his eye.
"Song Qiao, you're talking nonsense. I just can't stand you coming here to eat for free," Sun Ying, her face red from being talked about by everyone, had lost her mind.
"Slap."
The young man behind Pan Bei suddenly lunged forward and slapped her across the face.
"Who gave you the nerve to yell at me?"
After saying this, he turned to Song Qiao with a slight smile.
"Brother Song, I didn't expect we'd meet again."
Song Qiao was also surprised that this young man was Guo Jun, whom he had met at the school gate that day.
"What a coincidence."
Song Qiao couldn't help but sigh inwardly and extended his right hand to Guo Jun.
"A farce like this at our first meeting, please excuse me, Brother Guo."
As soon as he finished speaking.
A young woman in professional attire, wearing high heels, rushed into the hall.
She asked somewhat flusteredly:
"Young Master Guo, why didn't you notify me in advance when you came here?"
"What? Manager Huang, you don't welcome me?"
Guo Jun snorted coldly, his face grim.
"How could that be? I wish you would come here to support me every day."
The young woman was clearly frightened by Guo Jun, her face pale.
"One of your waitresses has provoked my guest."
"You know what to do, I don't need to teach you, right?" Guo Jun said, then pointed at Sun Ying, who stood aside, afraid to speak.
The woman then understood what had displeased this influential figure.
She quickly nodded in agreement:
"I understand, Young Master Guo. I'll have her pack up and leave immediately."
Guo Jun's anger subsided. He turned to look at Song Qiao, and seeing that he had no objections, he waved his hand, letting the manager leave.
"I say, you two knew each other?"
Seeing that the conflict had been resolved, Pan Bei interjected from the side.
"Haha, Brother Song and I hit it off immediately."
Guo Jun let out a hearty laugh and pulled the two back to the private room.
"Our two children attend the same kindergarten, and Brother Guo's child even helped my child once."
Seeing that Pan Bei was listening with confusion, Song Qiao explained to him.
"So that's how it is. I must say, this is a rare coincidence."
Pan Bei finally understood, and couldn't help but marvel at how small the world was.
The three returned to their seats, chatting and laughing. Director Pan continued to introduce, "Young Master Guo has another identity, I wonder if younger brother Song is aware of it?"
Song Qiao had a rough idea, but still feigned curiosity, looking at Director Pan expectantly, motioning for him to introduce him.