Chapter 469: Bragging Without a Draft

"Only a big shot like you would receive such treatment; for people like us, it's usually hard to even get a glimpse of a leader," Chang Li flattered.

"Mengyan, long time no see." After some pleasantries, Zhu Zijian walked up to Song Mengyan: "You're still as beautiful as before."

"You're the same as before too, just more mature." Song Mengyan smiled and subconsciously leaned closer to Chen Yu.

She had already been close to Chen Yu, and leaning in further made the two appear even more intimate.

The smile on Zhu Zijian's face stiffened instantly. He looked at Chen Yu and said with some hostility: "Who is this classmate? We haven't met before, have we?"

"Chen Yu, a major shareholder in our company," Song Mengyan quickly introduced. "Chen Yu, this is Zhu Zijian, whom I mentioned. We need his help to promote our Tianyun medicine in Fusang."

Chen Yu nodded: "Mr. Zhu is a big name in the Fusang pharmaceutical industry. I've long admired you."

"Those are just empty titles." Zhu Zijian appeared humble on the surface, but his arrogant tone didn't diminish at all: "Our Minghua Pharmaceutical is one of the three major pharmaceutical groups in Fusang."

"Besides, I know many people over in Fusang. Local dignitaries, several major syndicates—I have connections with them all. If you want your traditional Chinese medicine to enter the Fusang market, you really can't do it without me."

"Our traditional Chinese medicine is very effective. We want to open up the Fusang market, but we've failed repeatedly. Old classmate, this time we have to rely on you," Song Mengyan said with a smile.

"Haha, easy, easy." Zhu Zijian nodded smugly: "Let's all take our seats. It's an old classmates' reunion today, let's not talk about work."

The group took their seats and ordered dishes.

Yu Jian was a complete sycophant; this guy was not only effeminate but also a master of bootlicking.

He busied himself pouring water and handing out cigarettes, but he pointedly excluded Chen Yu. He poured a glass of wine for Zhu Zijian and said: "Zijian, you're really doing well for yourself now. Which leader invited you to a banquet today?"

"It wasn't a leader in Fengling inviting me to a banquet today. President Huang of the Baihua Group in Shengjing is in Fengling, and he insisted on seeing me once he knew I had returned to the country," Zhu Zijian boasted on the spot.

"Huang Jianzhong of the Baihua Group?" Ren Xialin was startled: "He is the helmsman of the Huang Clan, one of the Shengjing Six Great Noble Families. His family's Matriarch is that famous Lady Protector of the State!"

"Haha, Xialin is the one who understands. I don't know President Huang very well, and I was supposed to attend his banquet tonight, but I declined it to gather with old friends," Zhu Zijian laughed heartily.

Chen Yu couldn't help but glance at Zhu Zijian. He was speechless; this guy was clearly just blowing hot air.

True, he was doing well in Fusang, and some leaders might host him upon his return to the country, but what kind of person was Huang Jianzhong? The head of the Huang Clan and one of the Shengjing Eight Great Noble Families.

If the Huang Family weren't thin on descendants and only focused on business rather than politics or the military, they would definitely be at the level of an Aristocratic Family. Would they need to suck up to him?

"Zijian, you're too amazing. I heard that Matriarch is a person who frequently enters high-level political circles and meets with the Head of State and national-level leaders. You don't even give the Huang Family face?" Yu Jian felt quite thrilled.

"That's right, I can just make an appointment with him another day. What's more important than gathering with old friends?" Zhu Zijian said with a chuckle. He glanced at Chen Yu, and seeing the disdain on Chen Yu's face, he became unhappy: "What? Does President Chen not believe my words?"

"No, absolutely not." Chen Yu set down his glass and smiled: "After all, President Zhu is someone who has returned home in glory; how could you be bragging?"

"That goes without saying. With my current status, no matter where I go, the local prominent families have to give me some face," Zhu Zijian said triumphantly: "The Huang Family has some business dealings with us overseas, so of course he has to curry favor with me."

"He curries favor with you?" Chen Yu couldn't even watch anymore: "What a coincidence, I know President Huang too, and I don't think he would curry favor with anyone."

"You know Huang Jianzhong? Chen Yu, can you stop bragging? You're nothing more than an upstart with a bit of luck. The Huang Clan is a noble family," Yu Jian sneered: "How would they know you?"

"Heh, Yu Jian, don't be serious with someone like him. Some people are just desperate to show off, so bragging is understandable. After all, people brag about what they lack," Zhu Zijian sneered.

"President Zhu is right. People are just like that; they like to show off what they lack. Ever since President Zhu walked in, the bragging seems to have never stopped," Chen Yu said calmly.

"What are you saying, Chen Yu? Do you know what status Zijian has? Do you still want your Tianyun medicine to open up the Fusang market?" Yu Jian was furious.

"Some people just don't know the immensity of heaven and earth." Zhu Zijian looked disdainful; he didn't believe Chen Yu actually knew someone of Huang Jianzhong's level: "Believe it or not, one phone call from me could make Huang Jianzhong come over to drink and eat with you."

"Then I really don't believe it." Chen Yu glanced at him and said: "Make the call. If he can come over, I will apologize to you immediately."

"Fine, I'll call him now." Zhu Zijian took out his phone, flipped through his contacts, and then said helplessly: "Forgot, the number is on another phone. I'll definitely contact him to come over another day."

"No number?" Chen Yu also took out his phone: "It's fine, I have it here. I'll contact him."

"Fine, you contact him. If you can get him to come here in person today, I'll eat this glass." Yu Jian sneered, certain that Chen Yu didn't know Huang Jianzhong.

Chen Yu pulled up the number and dialed directly. The other party answered after only two rings, and Huang Jianzhong's hearty laughter rang out from the phone: "Little Chen, I was just about to go to your private room to toast you."

"President Huang, you're too kind. I have a friend here who says you insisted on hosting him today. Is that true? His name is Zhu Zijian, a Chinese national currently doing pharmaceutical business in Fusang," Chen Yu said.

"There is no such thing. I came today to see an old comrade-in-arms. I don't know this person. You wait, I'll be right over," Huang Jianzhong said and hung up the phone.

Zhu Zijian's face turned ugly, but he wouldn't give up: "The person you called must have the same name. I don't believe you know Huang Jianzhong."

"Right, just making a random call and claiming it's the boss of the Huang Clan, one of the Six Great Noble Families—that's a bit too reckless. I don't believe it either," Yu Jian also shouted.

As soon as he finished speaking, the door opened, and two imposing bodyguards entered first.

Immediately after, Huang Jianzhong walked in. He laughed heartily: "Little Chen, we are returning to Jing in a few days. The Matriarch has been asking when she can invite you to dinner again."

"Anytime is fine. I'll pay a visit to the Matriarch later," Chen Yu smiled.

"Fine, I'll toast you with this glass." Huang Jianzhong took the wine from his bodyguard, toasted Chen Yu, and then said: "Who was the person you mentioned just now?"

"That's him, the person in charge of Minghua Pharmaceutical in Fusang." Chen Yu pointed at Zhu Zijian.

"So it's Minghua Pharmaceutical." Huang Jianzhong realized: "We do have some business dealings with Minghua. The pharmaceutical raw materials we provide far exceed international standards."

"They are competing with several major Western pharmaceutical companies for our raw materials. I invite him to dinner? Their president doesn't even have that privilege."

"President Huang, is it really President Huang?" Zhu Zijian was stunned the moment Huang Jianzhong walked in.

He had indeed been bragging earlier. Although the Huang Clan had overseas industries, it was hard for the president of their Minghua to even see the person in charge of the Huang Clan, let alone Huang Jianzhong himself.

He no longer cared why Chen Yu knew Huang Jianzhong; he hurriedly ran up with a fawning face and said cautiously: "President Huang, I am a senior executive of Fusang Minghua Pharmaceutical. I really didn't expect to see you in person, I..."

"Reduce Minghua Group's raw material supply by thirty percent from now on. Don't ask me why," Huang Jianzhong said calmly.

"No, no, I'm sorry President Huang, I misspoke just now. Please don't do this, let's talk about this properly." Zhu Zijian was scared out of his wits.

Their pharmaceutical company already didn't have enough raw materials; if they lost another thirty percent, how could they compete with their rivals? Bragging was fun for a moment, but what now?

"Mr. Chen, be sure to visit the Matriarch later. If you need any help in Shengjing in the future, just say the word." Huang Jianzhong ignored Zhu Zijian entirely and shook Chen Yu's hand.

"Fine, President Huang, I'll go visit the Matriarch later. You go ahead and get busy," Chen Yu smiled.

After Huang Jianzhong left, Zhu Zijian was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan: "Chen Yu, how do you know President Huang? He wants to cut off thirty percent of our raw materials; this won't do!"

"That's your business, what does it have to do with me? You were bragging to the heavens just a moment ago, and now you're begging me?" Chen Yu said calmly.