As everyone had arrived, Gu Xingye had the waiter begin serving the dishes, and the group chatted as they ate.
“This time, the West City…”
Gu Xingye had just steered the conversation toward the project they were bidding on when Boss Du impatiently interrupted him.
“We’re eating, let’s not talk about other things.”
Gu Xingye’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly, but he quickly recovered, raising his wine glass as if nothing had happened and smiling, “I’ll toast Boss Du.”
Another man who had come with Boss Du held down Gu Xingye’s wine glass and chuckled, “You’re not showing enough sincerity. Boss Du is doing you a favor by coming today. How about we start with three toasts?”
Gu Xingye glanced at Boss Du, who replied with a half-smile, “It all depends on how much sincerity Director Gu can show.”
As long as he could be of assistance with Director Du, drinking three toasts was no big deal.
With that thought, Gu Xingye reached for the wine bottle beside him.
After downing three glasses of baijiu consecutively, Gu Xingye felt a burning sensation from his throat all the way to his stomach, wishing he could turn around and throw up, but to save face, he had to suppress it, his mind going blank for a moment.
Seeing him down three glasses, the man with Boss Du couldn’t help but exclaim, “Director Gu has quite a capacity for alcohol!”
Gu Xingye forced a smile and began to urge everyone to start eating.
After much toasting and drinking, it wasn’t long before he was persuaded to have several more drinks.
Gu Xingye said, “Boss Du, for the West City planning project this time, we’ll still need your help with Director Du.”
Boss Du, however, continued to laugh heartily and change the subject.
Foreman Li, standing beside them, gave Gu Xingye a meaningful look, but Gu Xingye, having drunk too much, was slower to react.
With no other option, Foreman Li took the initiative to speak, “I heard Boss Du likes to play cards when he has free time. Since we’ve eaten most of the meal, why don’t we go to my place for a few rounds?”
Gu Xingye finally caught on.
Gu Xingye’s original intention was to subtly present the gift during the dinner, but Foreman Li had mentioned that Boss Du’s hobby was playing cards. Since it was a gift, it was better to be more discreet. As long as he could keep the person happy at the card table, the matter would naturally be settled.
Fearing they might be caught playing outside, he had specifically offered his home.
Soon, the four of them arrived at Foreman Li’s house.
Mahjong was never Gu Xingye’s strong suit, and on top of that, he had drunk a lot of alcohol, making his head even fuzzier. Before long, he was the only one losing money at the mahjong table.
The stakes were quite high. Gu Xingye lost over three hundred yuan that afternoon, leaving him with no money in hand.
Boss Du won over two hundred yuan himself, while Foreman Li and the other man won over a hundred yuan combined.
Gu Xingye said, “We’ve been out all day, and there are still matters at the company. Perhaps we should stop here for today.”
Boss Du, caught up in the excitement, looked displeased when he heard Gu Xingye wanted to leave.
The other man with Boss Du frowned and said, “What matters can’t be resolved tomorrow? We’ve only been playing for a short while. How about we don’t go back today and just play through the night? These stakes aren’t even that high. If you’re out of money, we can put it on the tab; I can lend you some.”
Gu Xingye, not being good at cards and not having a strong desire to win or lose, felt he had already spent enough and decided to stop.
“I really can’t play anymore, or perhaps another day.”
Although Gu Xingye’s mind was a bit hazy from the alcohol, he hadn’t forgotten the purpose of this outing. “Boss Du, what about Director Du?”
Boss Du laughed it off, saying, “There’s no rush for that, no rush. We’ll arrange another time to play cards when we’re both free. I think you’re a decent fellow.”
Gu Xingye knew that the money he had given today was not satisfactory.
Including the cost of the meal, it totaled nearly four hundred yuan, but all he got in return was this remark. Although he felt stifled, he was helpless.
By the time they left Foreman Li’s house, it was past four in the afternoon. The wind was a bit strong, and combined with the amount of baijiu he had drunk, he had been enduring the discomfort in his stomach to keep the guests happy. Now, the wind made his head ache even more, and his stomach churned violently. He hurried towards a flower bed not far from the roadside.
Gu Xingdong finished handling his tasks. When he looked up, he noticed the wall clock showed it was almost five o’clock.
Gu Xingye, not having returned by this time, probably wouldn’t be back. He grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair. Just as he was locking his office door, he turned and saw Gu Xingye entering the courtyard from outside.
Even before he got close, a strong smell of alcohol mixed with smoke assailed his nostrils.
Gu Xingdong frowned involuntarily, “What were you doing?”
“Third Brother?” Seeing him, Gu Xingye turned his steps and walked a few paces towards him. As he approached, the smell of alcohol became even stronger.
Gu Xingdong asked, “Why did you drink so much?”
“I treated someone to dinner today. Didn’t I tell you earlier that I know Foreman Li from the Provincial Construction Engineering Company? We have a good relationship. We’re bidding on that West City planning project, and he introduced me to Boss Du. This man is related to Director Du from the Construction Bureau and can have a say… After dinner, I also accompanied them to play mahjong all afternoon.”
Gu Xingdong listened to his explanation and paused for a moment before saying, “Let’s forgo these kinds of things in the future.”
Gu Xingye exhaled, the alcoholic breath even heavier, “Third Brother, it’s all about connections these days. Without background or support, businesses simply can’t get off the ground. The West City planning project is a huge opportunity, and several construction companies with some influence in the city are eyeing it. There’s also some Pengcheng Construction Company, but it’s just a newly registered private company. They have connections not only with the demolition office but also with the Construction Bureau. If we don’t think of something, we won’t be able to get the bid.”
Gu Xingdong looked at him deeply and said firmly, “I don’t care how other companies do business, and I can’t control it, but with me, everything has to be done through genuine effort. Fourth brother, remember this: relying on others is not as good as relying on yourself. Instead of spending extra energy on networking and finding people, it’s better to think about how to improve the company’s capabilities and performance.”
Seeing his face, which was somewhat pale from drinking, Gu Xingdong patted him on the shoulder, “In the future, discuss business as you normally would, but don’t engage in this kind of drinking culture. Those who genuinely want to cooperate will be able to discuss it even without a drink. If anyone forces you to drink in the future, tell them to get lost. Our company doesn’t cooperate with such people. Do you understand?”
Gu Xingye looked up, “Third Brother, what if we don’t win this bid…”
Gu Xingdong replied, “Then we’ll strive for the next one. One win or loss doesn’t mean much. At most, it’s just a matter of earning more or less, but our principles as people must never change.”
Gu Xingye said, “I understand, Third Brother.”
Seeing him turn to go back to his office, Gu Xingdong added, “Consider the money you lost as a lesson learned. I was planning to ask you for some documents, but seeing your state, it’s best you go home early. We can talk about anything tomorrow.”
After saying this, Gu Xingdong took out his car keys and drove home.