Chapter 61
"Phillip, do you know each other?"
Frank was somewhat surprised.
"Dad, he is my college classmate," Phillip answered.
Frank nodded, saying, "Oh, so you're classmates, then you should catch up."
He seemed a bit more welcoming than before, but just a bit.
"We indeed should catch up" Phillip replied.
Phillip smiled, "John, how's it going at Skyliho? Are you still just a regular sales rep? I've been promoted to Marketing Director!”
Damn!
Wasn't this flaunting too obvious?
What did sales rep mean?
In our line of work, we all called ourselves account managers or marketing department managers to package ourselves. How many people would want to deal with you if you call yourself a sales rep?
I noticed Edward's slight frown and decided to play along, “Oh, congratulations!”
"Skyliart Group is doing better than Skyliho now. Why don't you switch to Skyliart Group and work for me? It will definitely be better than at Skyliho!"
“Thanks for the offer, but I'm doing fine at Skyliho," I replied.
“Really? Last time you were complaining to our classmates about being exploited at Skyliho. I get it though. We're classmates. I'm doing a bit better, but helping each other is normal. Don't feel pressured; making money is what counts.”
"Well, I don't need it. I prefer earning things through my own efforts," I said.
That was a veiled jab at him.
"What did you say?" Phillip look a bit unhappy.
“Enough, Phillip. He's too proud to accept your help. Can't you see? Who does he think he is?”
Frank disdainfully glanced at me and said, "These days, who doesn't rely on connections? Going it alone, when will you ever make it?"
After that, he approached Edward and said, "Mr. Walker, shall we go over there and chat?"
Edward said lightly, "No need, Mr. Simpson. Anything you have to say, you can say here."
Frank was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, asking, "Mr. Walker, how are you considering the machine purchase?"
Edward said, "Sorry, Mr. Simpson. Your price is too high. It's beyond our budget. You might want to check with other clients."
At his words, Frank's face immediately fell. "Mr. Walker, I've been waiting for you for so long, and now you say you don't want it. Is that appropriate?"
“Mr. Simpson, it's not that I don't want it, but two billion for used machines is too much. Brand new ones are only 2.6 billion. Why not buy new?”
"Mr. Walker, we agreed on this before. Others said they wanted it, and I didn't even give it to him!"
"You still have time to offer them now."
Edward smiled and then said to me, "Let's go, John. I'll introduce you to other executives."
George flashed Frank a smile and then strolled off.
"Edward, thank you," I said gratefully.
"Thank me for what?"
"You turned down Frank because of me, right?" I whispered.
He smiled and said, "Partly because of you, but mostly because his price was too high. I wasn't planning to buy anyway!"
Edward ‘s light-hearted tone didn't ease my heavy heart.
"Will this affect the company's development?" I asked.
"It will, but it's unavoidable," Edward replied.
Edward said somewhat helplessly, "This is the downside of running a business. Without machines and assembly lines, you can't produce products and can't expand production capacity. Competing with the big factories for the best resources is tough. Even if you manage to get them, it takes one or two years to deliver the machines and set up the lines. By then, it 's too late."
He added, "High-tech products from abroad are even more challenging. Most of the time, we end up using machines that big factories have phased out. Although the production capacity is lower and the price is higher, you have to accept it because if customers come to you and you can't produce, they won't come back in the future."
George chimed in, "Edward's words hit home for me. I'm in the liquor business, but with so many liquor brands on the market now, relying on reputation alone is useless. You need to invest heavily to gain recognition, or you'll be overtaken and forgotten."
Both of them were industry giants, and their complaints at this moment also deeply shocked me. Big bosses also have their own troubles.
"Edward, are you very anxious now?" I asked.
“Of course. That's why I'm spending 40 million on advertising. If we don't get new machines soon, that money will be wasted.”
I nodded and silently kept this matter in mind.
"Alright, let's not talk about worries. Today, you're here to do one thing: make friends; the more friends, the better!"
He patted my shoulder and greeted others with a smile.
Soon, the dinner began, and I witnessed what heavy drinking really meant.
They were really risking their lives.
Edward had at least half a bottle of red wine poured into him. Even with George helping him out, he was still getting quite the pour.
And now, they were still making a fuss!
The loudest among them were Frank and Phillip.
After some thought, I stood up and said, "I'll drink for Edward."
"John!" Edward shook his head. "It's fine, I can handle it."
"John, do you know the rules? If you're drinking for someone, you have to drink three shots!" Phillip said to me.
"I'll drink!"
If Edward could stand up for me, I could certainly drink for him.
I downed three glasses in one go, earning cheers from the crowd.
"Great drinker!"
"I love drinking with someone like you."
In a gathering where business was booming, these business elites were seasoned drinkers. Making an impression on these people was really tough without taking a different approach.
I had a good tolerance for alcohol. On the night of my college graduation, I drank four bottles of red wine and eight bottles of beer. Although I ended up throwing up a lot, my alcohol tolerance should be decent.
This level was nothing to me.
I knew Frank was trying to mess with Edward, and he had already had quite a bit to drink himself. Tit for tat, let's go all out!
I poured myself a glass of wine. "Mr. Simpson, this one's for you on behalf of Mr. Walker!"
With that, I downed the drink!
"Nice!" Another round of cheers erupted from the crowd.
Frank Simpson frowned and downed his glass, but I could see he was nearing his limit
So, I poured another glass of wine. "Mr. Simpson, you are the pride of our Sevan Industries. I admire you. Here's another toast to you!"
"Mr. Simpson, cheers!"
George cheered, and the others joined in.
Frank took a deep breath and painfully downed his drink.
"Good, Mr. Simpson, great drinker."
George said, "John, could you please make a toast for me to Mr. Simpson again?"
Understanding George's intent, I nodded. If we were playing, we'd go big. “These small glasses aren't enough. Let's use this!”
I brought out a large cup, filled it to the brim, handed it over, and then poured myself another glass. "Mr. Simpson, this one's for you on behalf of Mr. Jefferson. I wish you prosperity and great success in business."
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