"So what do you plan to do?" Chen Feng asked tentatively.
"Simple, we'll negotiate with some of the big shots from the Dragon Tiger Association using our real identities. I'm the head of the Ming City State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, and you're the Deputy Mayor of Ming City." Li Hongling replied calmly.
"The Dragon Tiger Association includes some of the top magnates on China's rich list. Are you sure they'll seriously negotiate with local officials like us?" Chen Feng countered.
"Indeed, most members of the Dragon Tiger Association won't bother with minor officials like us. They are formidable figures among China's wealthiest. They usually meet with provincial or even national-level cadres. However, I'm confident not all of their leaders are so shallow; there are bound to be some discerning individuals," Li Hongling continued to explain with a steady demeanor.
"The problem is, how do you know which of the Dragon Tiger Association leaders today will be the discerning ones?" Chen Feng pressed.
"We can use a primitive method: hold up signs. The discerning leaders, upon seeing the signs, will definitely approach us for talks," Li Hongling replied with full confidence.
"That's interesting. Tell me, what will the signs say?" Chen Feng asked with a smile.
"The signs will simply state: Sanshui Province is vigorously developing the China-Europe freight trains and is seeking partners. It's that simple."
Hearing Li Hongling say this, Chen Feng felt it was definitely worth a try. To borrow a common phrase, the most delicious food often requires only the simplest cooking methods.
Thus, Li Hongling and Chen Feng began to prepare the signs.
"Brother Feng, it would be more appropriate for you to write these signs," Li Hongling said smoothly.
"It's just a few Chinese characters, what difference does it make who writes it?" Chen Feng asked, puzzled.
"It's not about writing Chinese characters, but English. If written in Chinese, the Dragon Tiger Association leaders might just glance at it and dismiss it. However, if written in English, they'll be more interested and take a closer look," Li Hongling explained briefly.
Chen Feng nodded in agreement. He had to admit that Li Hongling had progressed remarkably in recent years; her perspective on issues was no longer as simplistic as when she worked in the electronics factory years ago.
Therefore, Chen Feng wrote a passage in pure European English. After he finished, Li Hongling personally held up the sign.
And so, a peculiar scene unfolded in the lobby of the seven-star hotel: Li Hongling, dressed in professional attire, held a sign high, immediately becoming a striking feature in the hotel's lobby.
Just as expected, one of the Dragon Tiger Association leaders was very interested in the content written on Li Hongling's sign. This was Mr. Ma Yun of China's Alibaba.
"Are you two really Ming City leaders?" Mr. Ma Yun asked with great interest.
"Don't we look like it?" Li Hongling replied, neither subservient nor overbearing. When negotiating projects with Mr. Ma Yun, one must be confident.
"Not really. One is a woman, and the other is a young man under thirty-five. From any angle, you don't look like Ming City leaders. Over the years, I've dealt with various magnates in China's political circles, and honestly, you two don't strike me as people from that sphere," Ma Yun remarked candidly.
"Mr. Ma, if you'll permit me to be frank, you also don't quite look like the boss of Alibaba. Alibaba is one of China's largest unicorn companies, and its boss should exude an aura of exceptional leadership. Yet, you appear quite approachable, lacking that distinguished presence," Li Hongling spoke eloquently.
Chen Feng, standing beside her, was stunned. He thought his own eloquence was impressive, but he hadn't expected Li Hongling to be even more so.
Hearing Li Hongling's explanation, Ma Yun smiled knowingly. Those who could converse with him so casually were certainly not ordinary people. Most people, upon meeting him, would become overly excited, even screaming. Who else could speak with such composure? No one. Therefore, these two young people were definitely not ordinary.
"How about this: I'll finish what I'm currently doing. You two can return to Ming City, and I'll come to find you in a few days. What do you say?" Ma Yun said earnestly.
Chen Feng was just about to suggest that they could at least have a brief chat, even if just for a minute, to avoid waiting a few days. Chen Feng's simple thought was to strike while the iron was hot. Ma Yun was extremely busy, and who knew if he would still remember the Ming City China-Europe freight trains project in a few days.
Li Hongling immediately stopped Chen Feng and responded first. "No problem." After replying, she pulled Chen Feng and left the seven-star hotel.
"Little Ling, why did you stop me just now?" Chen Feng asked.
"Brother Feng, if it were ordinary people, we could have a brief, concise chat for a few minutes. But with Mr. Ma Yun, that wouldn't work. Especially when discussing a major project with him, we absolutely cannot do that," Li Hongling said seriously.
"Tell me why we can't do that?" Chen Feng asked, genuinely curious.
"I've studied Ma Yun."
"Studied Ma Yun?"
"Yes, Brother Feng. Ma Yun, from a teacher to the helmsman of China's current business empire, must have his unique qualities. I'm now the head of the Ming City State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, and at the same time, I need to keep track of your companies' development. This requires continuous learning. Learning from China's business magnates is the simplest and most direct way. I've been studying Ma Yun for several years, and I've discovered something: Ma Yun likes to negotiate business with confident individuals. He doesn't even want to talk to those who lack confidence. If you had rushed to discuss the Ming City China-Europe freight trains project with Ma Yun earlier, it would have undoubtedly given an impression of haste and a lack of confidence. In that case, even if we managed to talk for a few minutes, it would have been useless," Li Hongling explained unhurriedly.
"Little Ling, you've surpassed me now," Chen Feng said with admiration.
"Brother Feng, please don't say that. In terms of comprehensive ability, among young people, I truly haven't found anyone who surpasses you yet. Even I can't surpass you. However, no matter who it is, there will be times when they overlook something. You just occasionally didn't think things through completely, which doesn't indicate anything significant," Li Hongling quickly clarified.
Li Hongling's humility only made Chen Feng like her more. The humbler a person is, the farther they will go. After chatting for a while longer, the two returned to Ming City together.
Qin Yan, unaware of the intricate details of what had transpired, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, fearing that the provincial economic investigation team would send Chen Feng to prison.
"Chen Feng, why don't you just run away?" Qin Yan said to Chen Feng, her voice filled with panic.
"Run away?"
"Yes, run away. The provincial economic investigation team has been investigating in Ming City for several days. They've questioned me several times. You can rest assured that my statements are watertight. But the problem is, I can't guarantee the situation with others. You know, in the political arena, how can one not have enemies? If the provincial economic investigation team talks to your enemies, won't it be over?" Qin Yan said, her voice trembling with anxiety.
"There's a possibility, but even if I have to run, I'll have to wait a couple of days," Chen Feng replied earnestly.
"Wait another two days? What do you mean?" Qin Yan was bewildered. Things were already dire, and he still had the mood to wait for two more days.
"In two more days, Ma Yun is coming to Ming City to discuss the Ming City China-Europe freight trains project with me and Li Hongling. Once the China-Europe freight trains project is settled, we'll have funds. Investing in the provincial capital will be a piece of cake. When the provincial capital attracts major merchants, my issues will naturally resolve themselves," Chen Feng explained calmly.
"Ma Yun? You mean China's Alibaba's Ma Yun?" Qin Yan was taken aback.