I'm back in 1990

Chapter 1032: Returning empty-handed

"I'm going to Shanghai tomorrow to see if I can meet Tang Jianhua."

"Then I'll go with you!"

Li Xu glanced at Fang Linghua and shook his head weakly: "What can you do? You'll only cause me trouble. I can go by myself."

He waved for Fang Linghua to leave him. He was annoyed and didn't want to see her right now. Besides, Fang Linghua had a long face, which looked unlucky.

As Fang Linghua stepped onto the stairs, Li Xu reminded her again, "Don't tell our son about this."

Fang Linghua was taken aback at first, then quickly nodded.

The man was more thoughtful. His son couldn't help with these things, and letting him know would only cause him more trouble, and might even affect his studies.

The next day, Li Xu took his driver to Shanghai. During the three-hour journey, he repeatedly considered what to say to Tang Jianhua.

He had considered going to find Huang Xiaochuan, but he knew that someone like Huang Xiaochuan was not someone he could easily meet, so he thought of Tang Jianhua instead.

Moreover, all that's needed to do is clear up the misunderstanding with Tang Jianhua; the rest can be left for Tang Jianhua to discuss with his brother-in-law, which will save a lot of trouble.

As they got closer to Shanghai, Li Xu couldn't help but think of something.

Many years ago, when I was still a small business owner, I waited outside a big client's office for three days in order to meet him.

Now, more than 20 years later, he has become a successful entrepreneur, living in a villa and driving luxury cars, and his son has been admitted to one of the top universities in China.

Unexpectedly, all his success couldn't withstand the casual remark that the contract wouldn't be renewed, which brought him back to reality. He once again felt that humility he had before, the fear and trepidation he felt in front of a major client.

Because, let alone Huang Xiaochuan, Tang Jianhua is now a big shot whom he has to look up to with great respect. His assets are nothing in front of him.

At 11 a.m., Li Xu arrived at the headquarters of Huahong Group. Huahong Group is located in a modern office building on Huaihai Middle Road. Looking up, the glass curtain wall was reflecting the winter sun, which was very dazzling.

He straightened his clothes, paused for a moment, and then walked into the hall.

The receptionist was a group of young women, one of whom politely asked Li Xu, "Hello sir, how can I help you?"

Li Xu said, "I'm looking for President Tang Jianhua."

Do you have an appointment?

"No, but please tell Mr. Tang that I am Li Xu from Jinling Xuri Electronics. I have something very important to discuss with him and I only need a few minutes." Li Xu handed his business card to the receptionist.

The receptionist took the business card, glanced at it, and gestured for him to enter: "You can wait in the lounge area for a moment. I'll contact Mr. Tang's office right now."

Li Xu had no choice but to sit on the sofa in the rest area and wait.

About ten minutes later, the receptionist came to his side, and he immediately stood up, looking expectant.

"Mr. Li, Mr. Tang is in a meeting and doesn't have time to see you today. Also, Mr. Tang's assistant asked me to tell you that Mr. Tang knows why you're here, but it's no use, don't waste your precious time."

Li Xu still wanted to try: "Could you do me a favor and let them know again? It only takes five minutes. I just want to apologize to President Tang in person."

The receptionist looked troubled: "Mr. Li, I'm so sorry, this is the reply from Mr. Tang's office. Please go back now!"

It seemed like there was no hope. Li Xu knew there was no point in staying any longer. Besides, he wasn't the small-time boss he used to be, and he still had some pride to maintain.

After Li Xu left, the assistant reported to Tang Jianhua, "Mr. Tang, he's gone."

"Okay, I understand!" Tang Jianhua now exudes an aura of authority, appearing dignified and imposing without being angry.

Soon, Huang Xiaochuan learned that Li Xu wanted to sell off his assets.

He thought about the many employees still working at Li Xu's company, and he couldn't let these workers lose their jobs because of this; otherwise, it would go against his original intention.

Because each worker represents a family, Huang Xiaochuan couldn't let innocent workers suffer because of his anger towards Li Xu's family.

He had Gao Song contact Ge Changli.

Old Ge is now thriving in precision manufacturing, and his clients are all world-renowned manufacturing giants. He is the most suitable person to take over Li Xu's company.

If he takes over, Hengtong's contracts can continue to be signed, and with orders, those workers won't lose their jobs.

When Ge Changli saw the incoming call, he was inspecting the newly imported German precision machine tools in his factory workshop in the Suzhou Industrial Park. He gestured for the technicians to continue working, and then took his phone and walked outside the workshop.

After receiving the call, he asked the driver to take him back to Shanghai. On the way, he called his wife and told her to hurry up and prepare, as Huang Xiaochuan would be coming to his house for dinner that evening.

That evening, Huang Xiaochuan arrived as promised.

"Old Ge, you look great!" Huang Xiaochuan said, handing a case of red wine to Ge Changli, then greeting Ge Changli's wife, "Sister-in-law!"

Ge Changli's wife, Luo Jia, smiled and said, "Xiao Chuan's here! Come in quickly!"

Huang Xiaochuan originally wanted to invite Ge Changli to his office to talk, but then he thought it best not to discuss it in the office. Since the two hadn't seen each other for a while, Huang Xiaochuan told Ge Changli that he would go to his house for drinks that night, and the two made the appointment over the phone.

Several small dishes were already set on the table, and in the middle was a small stove with a clay pot on it, which was bubbling and steaming.

Ge Changli warmly invited Huang Xiaochuan to sit down and asked, "Xiaochuan, what would you like to drink?"

As Huang Xiaochuan sat down, he waved his hand dismissively, "I'll drink whatever you bring. I don't have much of an alcohol tolerance anymore, I just want to have a drink with you."

Hearing this, Ge Changli was very happy, which showed that Huang Xiaochuan did not treat him as an outsider.

Over the years, although the gap between the two has widened and they rarely have time to meet, their friendship remains the same as before, thanks to Huang Xiaochuan's protection.

In Huang Xiaochuan's words, "New clothes are worse than old ones, and old friends are worse than new ones."

However, Ge Changli knew Huang Xiaochuan's habit of not drinking Maotai-flavor liquor, so he took a bottle and opened it four times.

"Then let's drink this." Ge Changli waved the wine in front of Huang Xiaochuan.

"Great! This is perfect!" Huang Xiaochuan proactively placed the two dispensing containers together to make it easier for Ge Changli to pour the wine.

The aroma of the wine filled the air as soon as it was poured. Huang Xiaochuan took a sniff and smiled, "The rich aroma of Jianghuai wine lives up to its reputation."

There was no one else around, and Luo Jia wasn't there to keep her company. After settling the two of them in, she went upstairs.

After Luo Jia left, the two began to drink and chat.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, Huang Xiaochuan finally revealed his purpose.

"I have something to tell you!"