Chapter 2457 - 2250: Gritting My Teeth, I Still Have to Do It (Part 6)
Chapter 2457: Chapter 2250: Gritting My Teeth, I Still Have to Do It (Part 6)
Chapter 2254: Just My Bad Luck
"Okay, okay, then I’ll just keep waiting." Boss Niu agreed, disappointed.
After eating and drinking their fill, the group of internet tycoons all had other plans. Zhou Yuanzhi was planning to talk with Niu Yun about product placement in the movie, and Zhang Lijiao wanted to discuss casting for the film with Zhou Yuanzhi, so they all left with Boss Niu. As for Song Xiaodong and Deputy Director Zhang, they said they had other plans and left first.
"Deputy Director Zhang, we’re going to soak in the hot springs later. Why don’t you come with us?" Niu Yun tried to invite Deputy Director Zhang along.
"If Mr. Song isn’t going, then I won’t go either. You internet guys getting together to talk business—I don’t understand any of it. You go ahead, I won’t go and spoil the fun." Deputy Director Zhang said to Niu Yun.
So Niu Yun turned his head, glanced at Song Xiaodong, and said to him: "Mr. Song, you’re not coming either?"
Song Xiaodong replied, "Boss Niu, I’ll pass. After all, I’m in traditional industry; I don’t have much in common to talk about with you guys."
"Mr. Song, how can we have nothing to talk about? I’m planning to expand offline. I’ll be needing a lot of help from you in the future!" Boss Niu said to Song Xiaodong.
"No need. You guys go have fun. I have things to discuss with Deputy Director Zhang." Song Xiaodong glanced at Deputy Director Zhang.
"Yes, yes." Deputy Director Zhang quickly put on a smile for Niu Yun.
"Alright then. Deputy Director Zhang, Mr. Song, we’ll be off."
"Goodbye."
Master Futian went back to Yunzhong Temple to continue presiding over the dharma assembly, while Niu Yun and the others went to soak in the hot springs, a bunch of naked men sitting around chatting.
"Boss Niu, that guy surnamed Song is way too arrogant. He doesn’t even take you seriously—so damn cocky!" Wang Shangjin said angrily to Niu Yun.
"Exactly, Boss Niu, what’s that Song guy’s background anyway? Deputy Director Zhang looked at him like a chick seeing an eagle." Ma Jiayi added.
"Enough. Didn’t you hear what Deputy Director Zhang said? Even he doesn’t have the qualifications to discuss certain things with Song Xiaodong. My guess is that guy Song works for some secret government department; his background’s very complicated. This time, it’s just my bad luck." Boss Niu said with a dark face.
"What’s there to be arrogant about? Just because he’s rich and powerful he can ignore you, Boss Niu?" Wang Shangjin was still fuming.
"That’s enough, drop it. He didn’t hold anything against me, and I should already count myself lucky..." Boss Niu recalled the respectful look Deputy Director Zhang had given Song Xiaodong and felt a wave of fear. Fortunately, Song Xiaodong hadn’t taken anything to heart, otherwise with just a word from him, Boss Niu’s tax reduction plan would be dead in the water.
"Didn’t you see, when they left just now, the two of them still had things to say? That Song guy and Deputy Director Zhang are quite close. We can’t afford to offend him." Boss Niu tilted his head back, staring at the droplets on the ceiling, and said to everyone.
After Niu Yun and the others left, only Song Xiaodong and Deputy Director Zhang were still there.
"Mr. Song, being able to meet you today is truly a great honor." Deputy Director Zhang once again expressed his admiration to Song Xiaodong.
"Deputy Director Zhang, I want to ask: what was that you said about me getting promoted and rich? What’s going on?" Song Xiaodong asked him.
"Mr. Song, the higher-ups haven’t made a decision on this yet, so I really can’t say. I’m very sorry; I slipped up back at the table just now." Deputy Director Zhang replied.
"Deputy Director Zhang, I stated my position on this a long time ago. I am, after all, Chinese; serving my country is only right. But I have no intention of seeking promotion and wealth. I hope I can retain my independence and autonomy." Song Xiaodong said to him.
"Mr. Song, nothing’s even on paper yet. The higher-ups also respect your opinion. What you said today, I’ll report it to them." Deputy Director Zhang said.
"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Deputy Director Zhang."
"No trouble, no trouble."
The next day, Niu Yun called Song Xiaodong.
"Mr. Song?"
"Oh, Boss Niu. What can I do for you?" Song Xiaodong asked him.
"Here’s the thing: Yunzhong Temple is holding a disaster-dispelling blessing ceremony today. I was hoping Mr. Song could come and join us for a bit of good luck." On the phone, Niu Yun sounded extremely enthusiastic—like a completely different person from yesterday.
"I don’t understand dharma assemblies. What would I go there for?" Song Xiaodong didn’t want to go.
"Hey, the dharma assembly is just a cover. This time we’ve got even more tech big shots coming—Wang Siqi from Jingxi Mall, and Yu Yuan from Northwest Wind Logistics are both here. Mr. Song, you should come and join the fun. We can talk business together and make money together, right?" Boss Niu said to Song Xiaodong.
Song Xiaodong could see right through Boss Niu’s little scheme—nothing more than using his connection with Deputy Director Zhang to nail down that tax reduction.
This old fox would sell his own mother for money. As for face, that had already been thrown on the ground by Song Xiaodong yesterday; he might as well give up on it and shamelessly beg.
Song Xiaodong tilted his head, thinking: everyone’s using each other anyway. You, Niu Yun, use my contacts; I’ll use your resources. We each take what we need. Face is face, money is money. So he said to Niu Yun: "Alright, I’ll come take a look. Who knows, there might be a business opportunity."
"Exactly! Then shall I send someone to pick you up?" Niu Yun asked on his behalf.
"No need, no need. Is Director Zhou coming too?" Song Xiaodong asked.
"Of course Director Zhou is coming. I’m planning to have him shoot a film for me!" Niu Yun said to him.
"You’re kidding, Boss Niu, you want to act in a movie too?" Song Xiaodong asked in disbelief.
"Yeah. Ever since I was a kid I’ve loved the idea of being a swordsman hero, helping the weak and fighting injustice. Unfortunately I grew up short and never had the chance. If Director Zhou’s next film has fight scenes, I’ll definitely beg him to give me a role!" Niu Yun replied.
"Hahaha, alright then, Boss Niu, I’ll go together with Director Zhou." Song Xiaodong said.
"Good, I’ll meet you at the foot of the mountain!" Niu Yun said.
"No need, no need. See you then!"
The two of them chatted away on the phone like old friends of many years.
"You’re going out?" Li Sijie asked Song Xiaodong.
"Yeah, to Yunzhong Temple." Song Xiaodong answered.
"How come you keep going to Yunzhong Temple these two days?" Miao Qingqing asked him.
"Business isn’t finished, of course I have to go again." Song Xiaodong replied.
"What business are you talking about?" Miao Qingqing asked again.
"Talking about making money! I’m going to look for business opportunities." Song Xiaodong said mysteriously.
"You’re killing me. You go all the way to a temple to look for business opportunities? You’re not planning to team up with the monks there to scam people, are you?" Miao Qingqing mocked him.
"What do you know? The people I’ve been meeting these days are all big shots, each richer than me." Song Xiaodong said.
"Since they’re so rich, what kind of business do they need to discuss with you?" Li Sijie asked him.