He pressed a button on the coffee table, and voices came from the speakers on the wall. Xie Jiabao spoke the lunch menu to the speakers. They acknowledged, and then Xie Jiabao turned off the intercom.
Next, Xie Jiabao introduced us to his company's business overview, its fields of operation, and its future blueprint.
Although they dealt in local handicrafts, they were also involved in engineering, construction, and real estate. The one thing he didn't mention was drug trafficking, of course. He couldn't possibly mention it; it was a business that could cost you your head.
The elder had only subtly steered the conversation in that direction without explicitly stating it.
Revealing their intentions too quickly could arouse his suspicion and make him guarded.
The elder then, as if it were commonplace, introduced his overseas ventures: a financial trading platform, several light textile trade cities, and a vast sales network spread across the globe.
Xie Jiabao was not interested in the first few, but he asked many questions about the sales network.
This was our bait; there was no fear of him not taking it.
Then, the elder, with perfect recall, described the advantages of our sales network. Because our sales network was mature enough, a product, from factory to us, bypassed any intermediate links and could be delivered directly to the end customer.
This was very different from traditional sales, where a product, after going through multiple layers of markup, would finally reach the consumer.
To put it plainly, the reason drug trafficking was high-risk was due to too many complex links, making accidents prone to happen. If it could be completed within a closed channel, it would not only be safe but also highly efficient.
Therefore, Xie Jiabao became extremely interested in the sales network the elder spoke of.
He repeatedly asked how the sales network operated.
The elder played coy, saying it was a trade secret and not convenient to disclose too much.
Xie Jiabao had no choice but to drop it. At this moment, a voice from the wall announced that we could proceed to the dining room. Xie Jiabao quickly beckoned the two of us to move to the restaurant.
Although it was only the three of us dining, the table was laden with lobsters over a foot long, abalone, sea cucumber, and many other local specialty dishes. The elder glanced at them and made no comment, taking his seat at the head of the table.
Xie Jiabao: "Time was so rushed, I didn't have time to prepare. Just a few simple dishes, please forgive me, Mr. Fan."
The elder: "Mr. Xie, you've been very thoughtful. It seems Mr. Xie is also a considerate person. If there's an opportunity later, I will consider cooperation."
Xie Jiabao's eyes lit up. As he served food onto the elder's plate, he said, "That would be wonderful. I am very much looking forward to cooperating with Mr. Fan. It's just that my products here are rather limited, and they might not catch Mr. Fan's eye. I hope Mr. Fan will be understanding in this regard."
The elder: "We don't have very high requirements for product variety. What matters is whether there is a market. If there is, even the most ordinary of goods, I might be willing to incorporate them."
Xie Jiabao: "That's excellent. The only characteristic of our products is their good market prospect. Then the possibility of our cooperation is very high."
The elder said no more. He knew what products Xie Jiabao was referring to. He was not in a hurry to make him reveal the answer, nor did he urge him; it would happen naturally when the time was right.
Xie Jiabao opened a bottle of red wine and said, "They say Australian lobster and red wine are a perfect match. I wonder if Mr. Fan agrees with this statement."
The elder: "Although I've lived abroad for many years, I'm not particularly fond of these foreign things. I'd prefer to drink baijiu. Only our baijiu allows one to taste the true flavor of wine."
Xie Jiabao: "I didn't expect Mr. Fan to be so sentimental. Alright, let's switch to baijiu."
Saying that, he made a gesture, and a waiter scurried over. He told the waiter, "Bring those two bottles of Tai Zi."
The waiter acknowledged and turned away. In a short while, they returned with two bottles of liquor, placed them on the table, and opened them.
Although this particular liquor was not as overpriced as it would later become, it was still a top-tier baijiu. Its official price was not high, but it was in short supply, selling for three to four times the price on the black market.
By today, it was even more extraordinary, fetching astronomical prices.
Xie Jiabao picked up one of the opened bottles and poured a glass for the elder. When he offered to pour for me, I quickly waved my hands, claiming I didn't know how.
The wine glasses were not changed; each cup held about three to four ounces.
The elder did not decline, smiling as Xie Jiabao poured the wine.
When he poured his own glass, he hesitated for a moment before filling it.
I thought to myself that he probably couldn't match the elder's drinking capacity and wanted to pour less, but I didn't say anything.
This was nothing yet; those two bottles he brought out, he might not be able to take back.
Xie Jiabao raised his glass and delivered a long string of polite remarks. He then gestured near his lips, clearly indicating he had a low tolerance for alcohol, even being hesitant when toasting.
The elder raised his glass, returned the courtesy, and downed it.
Seeing that the guest had drunk, Xie Jiabao felt he couldn't not drink and forced himself to do so.
Although he was not as suave, nor did he drink with as much gusto, he still managed to swallow it.
The elder: "Mr. Xie, thank you for the excellent wine! To be honest, I'm very fond of this liquor. While abroad, I tried every means to buy it and store it at home. Every time I raise a glass, I think of home. As the saying goes, the moon is brightest in one's hometown, and one's kin are dearest. It's rare that Mr. Xie is so hospitable. I, an old man, will not be polite and will indulge in a few drinks here. Please don't laugh at me!"
Xie Jiabao: "I am grateful for Mr. Fan's favor. This is just a humble drink, unworthy of respect. I hope Mr. Fan will be understanding!"
As he spoke, a waiter came to refill their glasses. It was evident that after drinking that large glass, Xie Jiabao was already affected, his speech becoming noticeably more animated.
He rambled on about his entrepreneurial journey. Although it was full of lies, anyone unaware would have been astonished.
He portrayed himself as a farmer-turned-entrepreneur who built his success through hard work with his own hands, a model of remembering his roots and leading his community to common prosperity.
I thought to myself, it seems the alcohol hasn't kicked in yet. Drunken truths, these were all lies. It seemed the elder needed to step it up.
Indeed, this time, the elder did not wait for Xie Jiabao to raise his glass; he picked up his own and said, "Thank you again, Mr. Xie, for the fine wine. I'll return the toast!"
He then drank it all in one go, as before.
Sweat immediately broke out on Xie Jiabao's forehead. Tremblingly, he picked up his glass, then laboriously brought it to his lips, his expression one of pain, closing his eyes as he drank.
He had no choice but to drink; he was the host and couldn't stop the guest from drinking. He had to be proactive.
After finishing this glass, Xie Jiabao was completely overcome. His eyes suddenly lit up, and he lowered his voice, saying, "Mr. Fan, my products are actually the most suitable for your sales network. If we join forces, we will surely dominate the globe and build a colossal business empire!"
The elder pretended ignorance and said, "What product can make someone instantly rich? How come I don't know?"
Xie Jiabao glanced around. There was no one else there except the three of us. His eyes then fell on me. I quickly stood up of my own accord and hurried to leave the scene.