Chapter Sixty-Six: Enemies Cross Paths

Everyone has been saying the plot is a bit slow, but some parts are necessary for the developments to come, so to avoid dragging things out, I've decided that from now on, until the story reaches the departure for the Paris Air Show, I'll grit my teeth and post three chapters a day. I hope you all continue to support me.

Here is the first chapter:

Early in the morning, after bidding farewell to the old man at home, Yang Hui took Director Yang's message and headed to the guesthouse where the institute director lived. He was to join the director and go together to Mr. Wu's place, where they would wait to discuss export issues with the representatives from the China Aviation Technology corporation.

A similar scene was unfolding at another compound. Today was Li Jin's first day at work. He got up early and dressed himself as sharply as possible. Yesterday, Manager Liu mentioned there was an order to be negotiated today, definitely with foreign clients, so he had to make sure he looked his best. Gazing at the dashing man in the mirror, Li Jin was utterly intoxicated by his own reflection.

"Damn, I've gotten even more handsome. How are others supposed to compete?"

Admiring himself one last time, Li Jin hummed a tune as he left the compound to report to work at the company.

Seeing the parking lot outside the company filled with sedans, Li Jin was elated. The perks of working in foreign trade were clear—one could openly ride in luxury cars. He wondered if he would ever get to ride one himself. Eyes full of envy, Li Jin reluctantly made his way to the upstairs office.

"General Manager Liu, I'm Li Jin. I've come to report in."

Looking up and seeing Li Jin all dressed up, Manager Liu managed to keep from laughing, maintaining a placid expression.

"Alright, hand me your documents so I can take a look."

As he examined the documents Li Jin handed over, Manager Liu realized that Li Jin had been transferred back from the Second Institute at the Southwest Base, and that for today's negotiation, he would be useful. Knowing both sides was the key.

With this thought, Manager Liu felt even more confident about the matter. If he didn't squeeze some benefits out of the Second Institute, how could he call himself a businessman? After all, only their company within the system had import-export rights.

"Let's go, nephew. I'll explain some things on the way."

"Yes, sir." Li Jin replied, bowing and scraping, the very picture of a servile lackey.

They arrived at the parking lot downstairs and stopped in front of an imported Mercedes. "Xiao Wang, let's go."

A driver quickly emerged from the nearby lounge, opened the car door for Manager Liu, and without so much as a glance at Li Jin, got into the driver's seat.

Li Jin was overjoyed. He had never expected to ride in a luxury car so soon. He carefully placed his hand on the door handle, slowly opened the door, and curiously inspected the interior before nervously settling into the back seat.

Noticing Li Jin had taken a seat in the back, Manager Liu was displeased. But remembering he still needed to ask Li Jin some questions, he let it slide.

The driver in front looked at the new secretary sitting in the back seat with disdain—a secretary who didn't know his place. He wondered how long Li Jin would last. Smirking inwardly, the driver started the car.

"To the Ministry of Aviation," Manager Liu ordered, then began to ask Li Jin about the Second Institute.

"Li, you're transferred from the Second Institute?"

Li Jin immediately soured at the mention of the Second Institute. Before Manager Liu could ask anything else, Li Jin began to rant about its many faults.

"Yes, I made it out of the Second Institute. It's actually a very hazardous research facility. Built in a desolate region, it's full of unruly locals—stubborn and rebellious..."

And so, before negotiations even began, Li Jin had already invented a list of crimes for the Second Institute during the ride. Clearly, under Li Jin's influence and instigation, Manager Liu no longer expected much from this deal; now he was only going through the motions as a favor to Mr. Wu.

"So that's how it is. Originally, I thought we'd do some business with them, but perhaps it's best not to."

Li Jin immediately grasped the situation, feeling lucky that his eloquence had sabotaged the deal. He was truly the world's greatest troublemaker.

...

Mr. Wu led teams from both sides into a small meeting room to discuss import-export matters.

"This is Manager Liu from China Aviation Technology, and this is Director Bai from the Second Institute at the Southwest Base." Mr. Wu briefly introduced the negotiation leaders and prepared to begin.

However, Yang Hui and Director Bai, seeing Li Jin acting so smug beside Manager Liu, could guess that the deal was already dead. But Mr. Wu had put in so much effort, so they decided to at least go through the motions. Thus, the negotiation devolved into a war of words between the two junior representatives—Yang Hui and Li Jin.

Director Bai, having already sized up the likely outcome, decided not to speak, waiting for the other side to make their move. Manager Liu, seeing the silence, wanted to wrap up quickly, citing that the project wasn't military aircraft and thus should be handled through civilian channels.

"Your model aircraft aren't flying machines. They're outside our scope of foreign trade. You should use civilian channels."

Yang Hui disagreed at once. Seeing that Director Bai still wasn't speaking, he quickly retorted.

"That's not right. How are model aircraft not flying machines? I don't need to repeat the definition of a flying machine, do I? Our models are powered and capable of flight—they absolutely qualify."

Having a junior staffer respond left Manager Liu feeling insulted.

"Li, this person isn't qualified to speak to me. You go deal with him."

At this, the whole room erupted. Manager Liu was blatantly dismissive—there was no hope for the deal now. Director Bai could no longer remain silent; he had to support Yang Hui.

"From now on, I appoint Yang Hui as the chief negotiator for this matter. He has full authority."

Mr. Wu was also troubled. Liu Da had grown overly arrogant—he wasn't like this when he was just a junior staffer. Clearly, Liu Da could no longer be trusted with major responsibilities. For the sake of the nation, he would have to be removed someday; otherwise, he would ruin China Aviation Technology.

Liu Da, regardless, refused to speak further, leaving Li Jin to perform.

Given the chance to attack the Second Institute directly, Li Jin wasn't about to miss it.

"Hmph, even if your adult toys are considered flying machines, our company won't handle them. We export high-end military aircraft. If we took your deal, it would cheapen our brand—absolutely not."

Brand value? How much brand value does China Aviation Technology have? Yang Hui scoffed at the idea.

"What brand value do you have? You produce nothing yourself, relying solely on import-export rights to buy and sell domestically and abroad. Every military export company worth its salt has extraordinary manufacturing capabilities and a storied history of weapon production. What do you have? You're nothing but middlemen in the arms trade."

That remark struck like a slap, echoing loudly and piercing straight through Li Jin and Manager Liu's souls. "Arms dealer" was a sensitive term—back then, the Republic vowed never to be arms dealers, refusing to sell weapons abroad and opting for gratuitous military aid, which became a national burden until the chief designer broke the promise.

So Manager Liu, who had intended to stay silent and watch, now couldn't sit still.

"You—you're opposing the policy of reform and opening up! How dare you call us arms dealers? I'll have you know, our work is recognized by the chief designer. Are you opposing his policies?"

Such a heavy accusation, but clearly, it didn't fit Yang Hui and his colleagues. Wasn't the Second Institute the vanguard of reform and opening up? They were actively revitalizing the economy, earning foreign exchange.

"No, quite the opposite. We wholeheartedly support the chief designer's policies. We're working hard to develop international markets and contribute to the nation's economic development. In fact, you are the ones opposing reform and economic construction by refusing our foreign trade order—you are holding back progress."

Yang Hui's rebuttal was masterful, addressing the issue, clearing himself, and pinning the accusation back onto China Aviation Technology.

With the upper hand, Director Bai sat back and enjoyed the show, feeling quite pleased. Since China Aviation Technology was clearly at an impasse, he could do as he pleased—vent some frustration and, most importantly, get rid of the traitor Li Jin from the institute.

China Aviation Technology's fury was now quite entertaining. Li Jin, grinding his teeth, declared,

"Fine, Second Institute, is it? You want to earn foreign exchange? I’ll make sure you can’t even go through civilian channels. You won’t earn a single yuan!"

With that, Li Jin and Liu Da got up and walked out.

Li Jin’s antics were laughable—like a street thug, beaten in a fight, making threats on his way out, utterly ineffectual.

Normally, after losing and making such threats, the victor would respond nonchalantly: "I'll be right here waiting."

And so, Yang Hui lightly delivered a commanding line:

"Heh, we really aren't earning yuan—because we're earning dollars."

At those words, Li Jin, just out the door, stumbled once more.