Chapter 139 Why can't you grasp the main point?

"Here is what happened. When I went to the post office to pick up and inspect the shipment of hairpins, a girl working there happened to catch sight of them. She fell instantly and hopelessly in love with them, insisting on buying over a dozen for herself and to give to relatives and friends."

"As soon as she made a fuss about it, everyone up and down the post office heard her and crowded over. Seeing that the hairpins were indeed exquisite, they wanted to buy them too. Among them was the owner of a small commodity wholesale business, who didn't say another word and immediately snapped up five hundred pieces."

Bai Rou said with a hint of triumph, "So before I even had a chance to warm up my batch of hairpins, they were completely bought out by everyone in the short span of an hour. I couldn't even keep a single one for myself. Thinking about it now, it's actually rather helpless..."

Hearing that the hairpins had been snapped up so quickly, Zhao Guoyang couldn't help feeling a bit surprised.

However, upon second thought, he felt relieved. After all, with his perspective being twenty or thirty years ahead of this era, the hairpins he designed were bound to be much more attractive than the current popular styles.

Even if the quality was slightly inferior to some of the high-end hairpins on the market, the designs alone definitely added major bonus points. Combined with his price advantage, it was not hard to understand why they became such a hit.

At this thought, Zhao Guoyang spoke up, "Sister Bai, the fact that our first batch could sell out so quickly is a fantastic thing."

"It shows that our product has made a successful debut, which gives us even more confidence for the future. As for not being able to keep a hairpin for yourself this time, don't take it to heart. I promise that the next time we supply goods, I will custom-make the most special and stunning one just for you!"

Zhao Guoyang's words brought a wave of secret delight to Bai Rou. She pouted playfully, "Well, it's a deal then, and I'll be waiting. If you dare to trick me, bear the consequences..."

Zhao Guoyang never expected that Bai Rou, a formidable businesswoman, could have such a delicate, feminine side. He couldn't help but smile wryly.

He gave a light cough and said, "No, no, Sister Bai, rest assured. I always keep my word."

Just as Zhao Guoyang was on the phone with Bai Rou, people were beginning to trickle out of the venue.

Worried that the senior leaders might look for him and grow anxious, Zhao Guoyang told Bai Rou, "Sister Bai, let's talk here for now. I'm out of town attending a meeting, so I'll call you again after I get back!"

With that, Zhao Guoyang hastily hung up the phone.

On the other end of the line, listening to the busy tone in the earpiece, Bai Rou shook her head. "This fellow usually seems so shrewd, how could he miss the main point? He only heard that everything was sold out and didn't even ask about the selling price. What a muddlehead..."

***

Of Bai Rou's internal complaints Zhao Guoyang knew nothing. After hanging up, he hurried back to Zhao Siyan's side.

Seeing Zhao Guoyang approach, Zhao Siyan's expression relaxed. She walked over quickly and whispered, "Guoyang, just now that Maso Yuji, along with Okamoto and that female translator we saw in the exhibition hall earlier, spotted me as they came out. They even came over specifically to chat with me for a bit and pressed me about where you had gone."

Zhao Guoyang gave a hum of acknowledgment and remarked with a hint of emotion, "Setting aside history and national hatreds, the meticulous and relentless working spirit of the people of the island nation is truly worth learning from. Even though I had already turned them down, they refuse to easily let go, as long as there is even a glimmer of hope."

While Zhao Guoyang and Zhao Siyan were chatting in low voices, Mayor Huang Zhigang, Director Fang Xuesheng, Elder Li, and others walked out, accompanied by Vice Mayor Gao Tongzhou and Municipal Government Office Director Ma Jiang.

Mao Zhichun, Zhang Guangyao, Xiao Guodong, and other heavyweights from Songqi Group and the industry did not follow them out, as they still had subsequent cooperation matters to discuss with the Volkswagen Group representatives.

The moment he caught sight of Zhao Guoyang, a brilliant smile broke out on Mayor Huang's face. He waved cordially at Zhao Guoyang, signaling him to come over.

Showing good tact, Zhao Guoyang and Zhao Siyan walked side by side to the leaders' side.

"Tongzhou, Ma Jiang, you two should already be quite familiar with this young comrade Zhao, right?" Huang Zhigang said cheerfully to the two heavyweight officials beside him.

Hearing the mayor's tone, Gao Tongzhou and Ma Jiang immediately realized that the young man before them was held in extraordinary high regard by the mayor.

This was hardly surprising; after all, everyone had witnessed Zhao Guoyang's god-like performance at the peak forum just moments ago. Both Gao Tongzhou and Ma Jiang had been deeply impressed by the young man.

"Haha, of course we are familiar with him," Gao Tongzhou nodded repeatedly.

"Comrade Xiao Zhao's speech at the forum just now can only be described as earth-shattering and deeply inspiring!"

"That's right, exactly!" Ma Jiang echoed, "Xiao Zhao not only possesses rich professional knowledge and high operational competence, but he also has a strong sense of patriotism. He is a truly exceptional young man!"

Hearing the praise from these two, the others didn't show the slightest trace of surprise.

Clearly, whether it was Fang Xuesheng, Li Kejian, or Ji Chongxuan, all of them felt that Zhao Guoyang fully deserved such high praise and saw no exaggeration in it.

Especially Li Kejian; the gaze he directed at Zhao Guoyang was brimming with an intense, undisguised admiration.

Mayor Huang and the others originally intended to chat a bit longer with Zhao Guoyang, but a staff member nearby reminded them that it was time to attend the luncheon hosted by the organizing committee.

Huang Zhigang made a hand gesture to the staff to indicate that he understood.

Turning back to Zhao Guoyang, he said, "Xiao Zhao, although this auto show in Songjiang City has concluded, you must stay for a few more days. I heard Liang Xiaofeng from the Machinery Industry Commission say that they still have some difficult problems they want to consult you about. Am I right, Xiaofeng..."

Hearing this, Liang Xiaofeng, who was accompanying them from behind, quickly stepped forward a pace and nodded in response, "Yes, yes, Mayor, you are entirely correct. I just told Director Wang that I wanted to borrow this opportunity to have more exchanges with the delegation from the Jiangnan Provincial Machinery Industry Commission. And Comrade Xiao Zhao is naturally the central figure of our exchanges!"

Since Liang Xiaofeng had put it that way, Wang Ziqing naturally found it difficult to object to his face and could only nod in agreement.

Seeing that Wang Ziqing had endorsed Liang Xiaofeng's statement, Mayor Huang Zhigang left with the staff, looking thoroughly satisfied.

After the bigwigs from Songjiang City and the National Machinery Industry Commission departed, Wang Ziqing remained behind.

Looking at the silently contemplative Zhao Guoyang, Wang Ziqing let out a long sigh.

To be honest, although he already had a certain understanding of Zhao Guoyang beforehand, he had still been startled by Zhao Guoyang's performance at the peak forum just now.

The capabilities and proficiency Zhao Guoyang displayed completely exceeded the expectations of both himself and several industry titans. Judging by the reactions of the international automotive giants at the meeting, this young man's future was truly limitless.

Right now, Wang Ziqing was troubled by only one thought: following today's peak forum, faced with the aggressive poaching attempts from international giants and fraternal provinces on all sides, would Jiangnan Province still be able to hold onto a talent like Zhao Guoyang?