Chapter 945: Hackett

Su Xinghui said, "Thank you, Miss Su Shanna!"

Su Shanna led Su Xinghui into an inner room, where a middle-aged foreigner of about fifty was sitting, intently reading a document. Su Shanna said, "Mr. Hackett, Mr. Su is here!"

Hackett put down the document and looked up. Su Xinghui sized him up; Hackett was a man who looked shrewd and capable, with typical European and American features, a slightly hooked nose, and a sturdy build. However, his complexion was not as fair as the average European, but rather a bit bronze, which might have been related to his profession.

Hackett's position was not one for someone who sat in an office every day. He traveled frequently, mainly to project sites to inspect conditions. Due to China's complex terrain, these inspections often involved crossing mountains and ridges, and frequently enduring extreme heat or cold, so his complexion was quite normal.

Hackett subconsciously glanced at the wall clock; the time was exactly four o'clock in the afternoon. He stood up with a smile and said, "Mr. Su, hello. You are a very punctual person."

Su Xinghui stepped forward to shake hands with Hackett and said, "Mr. Hackett, time is money, and time is life. If I waste my own time, it is equivalent to suicide; if I waste your time, it is equivalent to murder. Naturally, I need to be punctual!"

Hackett laughed heartily and said, "Please sit, Mr. Su."

Su Xinghui sat down on a sofa, and Su Shanna asked, "Mr. Su, would you like coffee or tea?"

Su Xinghui had noticed a cup of green tea on Hackett's desk as soon as he entered, so he said to Su Shanna, "Then I will have tea."

Su Shanna brewed a cup of tea for Su Xinghui and placed it on the coffee table in front of him. Su Xinghui thanked her, and Su Shanna nodded at him and went out.

Seeing Su Xinghui take a sip of tea, Hackett asked with a smile, "Mr. Su, the tea tastes good, doesn't it?"

Hackett's Chinese was also very good, though, of course, there were still some accents, which is hard for foreigners to avoid when speaking Chinese.

Su Xinghui said, "This is autumn tea, right? The flavor is indeed very fragrant."

Hackett laughed heartily: "Mr. Su is an expert. You could tell it was autumn tea just by tasting it. This is Longjing autumn tea; although the taste is not bad, it is still quite a bit inferior to spring tea. It's just a pity that Mr. Su came at the wrong season."

Su Xinghui said, "Mr. Hackett, it seems you have done a lot of research on tea."

Hackett said with some pride: "I do have some research on tea. I have been in China for more than ten years, and I have drunk all kinds of tea, but I still like Longjing the best. Besides Chinese tea, I also like Chinese food very much, and I am interested in all kinds of Chinese culture."

Su Xinghui nodded and said: "Forgive my bluntness, Mr. Hackett, although you have done a lot of research on tea, there are still some deficiencies in your brewing technique. The water you are using is also not the most suitable for brewing tea, so it has not brought out the best flavor of this tea."

Hackett said: "Oh, are there any tricks to the water and the brewing technique?"

Su Xinghui nodded and said: "Of course there are tricks. In our Shangjun County, there is an ancient temple with a high monk. I have drunk the tea he brewed himself once, and the taste was simply superb. He only used wild tea from the mountains and spring water from the mountains, but he had his own unique approach to the heat and brewing technique. I think the taste of that tea was even better than this Longjing."

Hackett was immediately very interested: "Is that so? Then if there is an opportunity, I must go and taste it."

Su Xinghui smiled and said: "Of course there will be an opportunity. If the World Bank accepts our loan project, wouldn't you be able to go to our Shangjun County to inspect the situation on-site?"

Hackett laughed heartily again: "Mr. Su, you are very clever. However, drinking tea is drinking tea; this will not affect my judgment of your loan project. I have always been a person who separates public and private matters."

Su Xinghui smiled slightly: "I like dealing with people who separate public and private matters. Don't worry, I will not try to use our private interaction to influence your judgment."

Hackett nodded and said: "Very good, then I think we can talk about the main topic now."

Su Xinghui took out all the materials related to the Shangjun County Changjiangdaqiao project from his bag and handed them to Hackett. Hackett took the materials and began to read them seriously. When he entered his work state, he was very focused. ===== CHAPTER 947 =====