2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 305 Don’t forget your original intention
"The next time we meet should be at the groundbreaking ceremony, right?"

"No, I will come to visit when I have time. I will also send a working group to assist you."

"Of course, the construction should proceed as quickly as possible. We're waiting for Flash to drive employment and the development of the industrial chain."

"Our company's overall staff is relatively young. If there are any shortcomings in the arrangements, we hope Brother Yang can take care of us."

Yang Zhenting smiled and said, "This is what I should do. Serving enterprises is our obligation, so don't worry."

He knew very well what kind of care Tan Jincheng was referring to. The North was different from the South, but in fact, Tan Jincheng was worrying too much. No one would dare to act recklessly.

Small-time thugs might dine and dash at roadside stalls and collect protection money, but would they dare to collect from companies like Alibaba or Tencent? They're just lazy, not stupid!

The largest electric vehicle industry base in the country—just that title alone is enough to make Tianjin take it seriously; it would receive similar treatment in Shanghai.

In Chenguantun Town, and even in the entire Jinghai area, Shanchi is a key enterprise and a key project. It is the absolute No.1 in attracting investment this year. Who dares to reach out?
Yang Zhenting has been in high spirits these past few days. Normally, outsiders like him would face a lot of exclusion, and that was indeed the case before, but everything changed after Flashcar was brought in.

Work is much easier now, and even Lao Chen looks at him more favorably. Lao Chen used to be afraid that Yang Zhenting would squeeze him out, but now he's not afraid anymore.

The project was snatched away by Yang Zhenting, so it's only right that he should be promoted during the re-election. Old Chen himself also benefited, and he will definitely be promoted further, perhaps to a position in the district, and his retirement benefits will also be improved.

"Mr. Tan, I'm a rough guy and not very good with words, but don't worry about this place. Xiao Yang and I will keep a close eye on things for you. Come over more often when you have time, and come to my house for dinner again. But you really need to work on your drinking capacity; it's too poor."

"No way, I'm thinking about health preservation. If you put me down on your kang again next time, I definitely won't dare to go."

"Health preservation my ass! How old are you? I'm this old and I'm not even thinking about health preservation," Old Chen grinned.

When Tan Jincheng was organizing a donation drive, he tried inviting Tan Jincheng to visit their village and their home. Unexpectedly, Tan Jincheng readily agreed, and after a big drinking session, Tan Jincheng was completely drunk.

The initial donation of 20 yuan turned into 30 yuan, which made Old Chen extremely happy.

Old Chen had a good impression of this young man. He didn't have much of a businessman's air about him. He was shrewd and capable in his work. While pursuing profits, he was also very humane. When he visited poor families, he didn't look down on them. He would pick up a charred corncob and eat it without hesitation.

Furthermore, even though I ate their food, I didn't take it for free. I paid 2 yuan for a single ear of corn, not a penny more, but at the same time, I promised to sponsor their child's education, giving them both face and help.

Old Chen is almost 60 years old, old enough to be Tan Jincheng's grandfather. You can tell at a glance whether he's faking it or not.

I really didn't expect a child who grew up in the city to have such character, being able to offer help while also knowing how to respect the other person's dignity and feelings.

"It's true that I grew up in the city, but my dad is also from the countryside. He also had a tough childhood. I spent most of my summer and winter vacations in the countryside. I often stole melons from relatives' and neighbors' fields and fruits from their trees. The conditions were not good, but everyone was very tolerant of me."

This is a young man who knows how to be grateful. I hope he can always stay true to his original aspirations.

The town's top two leaders, along with some entourage, came to see Tan Jincheng off, giving him ample face. However, they couldn't delay any longer.

Tan Jincheng put his hands together and said, "Thank you all for your care these past few days. Let's get together again next time. If you have time, you are also welcome to visit Beicang. I will do my best to host you then. But I have to go to the airport now, otherwise I will miss my flight."

"Alright, we won't keep you any longer, Mr. Tan. Let's get together again next time," Old Chen said, extending his hand.

After shaking hands with everyone, Tan Jincheng and his entourage got into their car and headed towards the airport.

Tan Jincheng's underhanded tactics in the competition among the three parties made the work progress much smoother, and the approval from the land and resources department was also quick. With everyone working together as one, the efficiency was truly remarkable.

Tan Jincheng experienced the charm of a city where key projects are located for the first time, and the feeling of being surrounded by people was really great!

Perhaps this is the greatest attraction of physical enterprises and factories for entrepreneurs.

"What did Brother Chun and Jay Chou say?"

"I can accommodate you, but we can only arrange a time in July, as our schedule for June is already full."

"Okay, that's fine. When we get back, have Zhou Ao write a marketing plan and promotion document. We'll start the online promotion in June."

July is a good time, as students are on holiday. While they may not be the main consumers, they can still visit stores and join in the fun, indirectly boosting customer traffic.

A few hours later, Tan Jincheng landed at Lishe International Airport.

Today is the 28th, Sunday. Tan Jincheng kept his promise and tried his best to return on the weekend. Gu Qingqing also came to the airport to pick him up.

By the end of May, Ningbo was already feeling the heat. Gu Qingqing, who liked to wear her hair in a ponytail, stood gracefully at the exit waiting for Tan Jincheng, wearing a black and white striped sweater and blue jeans.

Standing behind her was Liu Suman, who was dressed equally smartly.

Women tend to mature earlier than men. If Gu Qingqing weren't on campus, you would hardly be able to tell from her current demeanor that she is a college student, let alone a sophomore.

Sometimes Tan Jincheng would wonder if teaching her business so early was depriving her of the joys of her university life.

College students should be carefree, eating and drinking, having a romance, and then cramming for exams to avoid failing. Someone like Gu Qingqing, who doesn't have to worry about her future, really doesn't need to work so hard.

"We'll stay at the house next to the school tonight, we won't go back yet," Tan Jincheng said, hugging Gu Qingqing.

"Isn't that a bit inappropriate? You're back now, shouldn't you meet Auntie and Jin Yue first?" Gu Qingqing said softly, her face flushed.

"It's okay, I'll have Sister Liu take me home tomorrow morning."

Zeng Jixiang had already gone to Suzhou. Tan Jincheng asked Zhao Xinyi and Li Yaohui to return to Beicang first, and instructed Zhao Xinyi on some matters concerning summer marketing. Zhao Xinyi felt that life was meaningless.

Being an assistant to an energetic and enthusiastic boss tests not only your mental abilities but also your physical stamina.

Starting from her business trip to Yongkang in March, she followed Tan Jincheng wherever he went for more than two months. If Tan Jincheng didn't rest, she wouldn't have a rest either; if Tan Jincheng rested, she probably still wouldn't have a rest.

It's true that secretaries do all the work. Luckily, the second half of the sentence doesn't apply, otherwise, even with a five-figure salary, you wouldn't be alive to receive it.

My best friend once joked that it would be great to be the secretary of a handsome billionaire who is younger than me, and that I might have a chance to become his wife in one fell swoop.

Zhao Xinyi just wanted to tell her, "You'll see once you try it; this guy is a complete workaholic!"
Thinking you can achieve everything in one step is just a pipe dream. If it weren't for having a girlfriend, Zhao Xinyi would think that her boss doesn't like women or men, and only likes work.

Zhao Xinyi looked utterly dejected, which amused Tan Jincheng: "Don't make that face. Things will get better after the second half of the month. Then you can rest for a few more days."

"Okay, got it. Let's go, Brother Li." Zhao Xinyi pouted. A holiday? You're just making empty promises again.

I learned the term "drawing a pie" from my boss. He always spouts new words like "riding the wave" and "traffic." At first, it's confusing, but after a closer look, it's quite interesting.

After Zhao Xinyi left, Gu Qingqing laughed and said, "Look how much you've made Zhao Jie suffer. How tiring her job must be. You really don't know how to be gentle with a woman."

"Treating women with pity? I pay her a five-figure monthly salary, not to be treated with pity. Being my assistant isn't that easy," Tan Jincheng said, pursing his lips.

Tan Jincheng doesn't have many connections. He doesn't even know many of his high school classmates. Those who are still studying are still studying, and those who aren't studying are not very useful. He can only start cultivating talent from his own assistants.

Therefore, the requirements for assistants are also very high. First of all, they must be focused. It is okay to have a little temper sometimes, but they must be serious and focused when working.

Now that the business is getting bigger and bigger, Zhang Xuhui has been forced to take charge of the business in the capital, and soon someone will also be sent to Tianjin to be in charge. Tan Jincheng is worried about who should be sent.

Liu Suman, who was driving in the front seat, couldn't help but smile. This young boss was quite interesting.

They acted like leaders in the military, completely disregarding whether someone was male or female. Only the proprietress was somewhat naive; she never advised her boss to be gentle and chivalrous towards women.

"I forgot to ask you last night, why are you still chatting with Xiao Liu so often?"

“We chat a lot. After we exchanged contact information the first time, we've been chatting from time to time. Didn't you know?”

"I really don't know. I only contact her when I need something, and I haven't asked her about anything else. What could you two possibly have to talk about?"

“We have a lot to talk about. She’s about the same age as me, so we have a lot in common.”

“That’s true, she’s only two months younger than you.” Tan Jincheng replied while looking Gu Qingqing up and down.

Is there such a big difference in just two months? Compared to Qingqing, Liu Yifei is much richer; she even owns an airport.

"What are you looking at?" Gu Qingqing felt a little uneasy under Tan Jincheng's gaze.

"It's nothing, Sister Liu, drive faster. I've been too tired lately and need to go back and rest," Tan Jincheng said dismissively.

The last time he ate meat was during the May Day holiday. After not tasting meat for more than 20 days, the energetic Boss Tan was starting to feel the strain.

(End of this chapter)