OBS Chapter 1343 Lei Dongbao's Dream Comes True
Chapter 1343 Lei Dongbao's Dream Comes True
Chapter 1343 Lei Dongbao's Dream Comes True
In the top-floor office of Haoran International's Hong Kong headquarters, the cup of Longjing tea on the table, still steaming, had not been finished when the phone next to it vibrated.
"Hey, Xiao Hui." Qin Hao's voice was calm, with a knowing smile.
On the other end of the phone, Song Yunhui's voice was clearly filled with frustration and helplessness: "Brother-in-law... I'm really out of options. Could you personally speak to that Director Ren..."
"I see. Do you need me...?"
Song Yunhui quickly said, "Brother-in-law, please don't! She's just doing her job. The main problem is that the New Year is just around the corner, and the project deadline is looming..."
"Alright, leave this to me." Qin Hao glanced at the calendar on the table. Half a month had passed, and the two of them had developed a "deep impression" of each other. If they continued to be at odds, it would be counterproductive.
After hanging up with Song Yunhui, Qin Hao casually flipped through the Donghai branch's weekly report from the previous week, his gaze lingering for a moment on the financial data section. He picked up the internal phone: "Amy, connect me to Ren Xiaer, the finance director of Haoran International's Donghai branch."
The call was quickly connected, and Ren Xia'er's respectful voice came through: "Hello, Mr. Lei."
"Director Ren," Qin Hao said in a gentle but approving voice, "I just finished reading your weekly operations report. The suggestions on process optimization and cost reduction were excellent, and the thinking was very clear. In particular, the analysis of low inventory turnover and redundant internal procurement processes was very insightful."
Ren Xia'er clearly hadn't expected the president's call to begin with praise. He paused for a moment before replying, "Thank you for the affirmation, President Lei. It's my duty. It's just... I might sometimes speak too directly and not considerately, causing trouble for my colleagues' work."
Qin Hao chuckled, appearing quite magnanimous: "In extraordinary times, sparks fly from clashes. Without sharp voices, there will be no real progress. In your position, identifying problems is more important than praising them. I have complete confidence in you."
After laying the groundwork, Qin Hao naturally changed the subject: "Regarding the parts import issues encountered in the Donghai Chemical project, your insistence on following the compliant procedures is the right direction. However, Song Yunhui is my brother-in-law, and Haoran International has always maintained a good relationship with various ministries and commissions. The completion of Donghai Chemical will also promote the development of our industrial park, so we really can't afford to delay any longer."
Ren Xia'er must have been holding her breath on the other end of the phone.
"Here's what we'll do: write me an email with a special approval application, clearly outlining the details, the purchase list, and the amount. I'll approve a foreign exchange quota of one million US dollars for you, specifically to address Donghai Chemical's urgent procurement needs."
Ren Xia'er breathed a sigh of relief. With the compliance risk taken care of by the president, most of the pressure on her execution level instantly disappeared: "Okay, President Lei, I'll organize it right away and send you the approval process via email within half an hour."
"Hmm, very efficient, excellent." Qin Hao praised, then casually added, "By the way, Xiao Ren, this purchase involves several suppliers from different countries, right?"
"Yes, Mr. Lei, there are two companies from Germany, the United States, and Japan."
"Then I'll give you a new task. This foreign exchange will be approved for you, and you'll be personally responsible for coordinating with all the overseas suppliers to handle the subsequent payment arrangements."
Ren Xia'er was taken aback: "Huh? President Lei, this... the specific procurement coordination and payment execution are usually handled by the purchasing department and the import/export department..."
“I know,” Qin Hao interrupted directly. “The purchasing department is responsible for specific business negotiations and technical confirmations, but when it comes to cross-border settlements, the finance department still needs to be involved. This is also an opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with the entire international business chain, especially the details of dealing with and communicating with foreign businesses. This will be very helpful for you when you take on more important responsibilities in the future.”
Ren Xiaer felt a lot of pressure upon hearing this, but still agreed with great enthusiasm: "Okay, President Lei, I understand."
"That's right. Go for it. Consider this project as practice for you." After saying that, Qin Hao ended the call without saying anything more.
After hanging up the phone, Qin Hao looked out the window at the ships shuttling through Victoria Harbour, a mischievous smile appearing on his face.
Now these two stubborn guys will have more opportunities to meet in the future, and they're bound to spark something, right?
……
"Sigh, I've really gone to great lengths for you, my little brother," Qin Hao said with emotion during a phone call with Song Yunping.
On the other end of the phone, Song Yunping's gentle laughter came through clearly: "Look at what you're saying, isn't Xiaohui your younger brother too? But you did a really good job, I'll give you a verbal commendation."
Qin Hao raised an eyebrow in dissatisfaction: "Verbal praise? I went through all this trouble, putting in so much effort to set up this stage, and all I get is a verbal praise?"
"Then what else do you want?" Song Yunping's voice carried a hint of coquettishness.
Qin Hao lowered his voice, deliberately adding a hint of ambiguity: "Um... I haven't decided yet, I'll talk about it when I get back."
"Ugh, don't think about those annoying things..." Song Yunping's voice immediately carried a hint of embarrassment and annoyance, but also an undeniable sweetness. The two remained silent for two seconds, the air seemingly filled with warmth.
Song Yunping seemed to suddenly remember something important: "Oh right, I almost forgot. Lei Dongbao is getting married next month. He asked Dad to ask if you'll have time to go back then? What do you think..."
"Lei Dongbao is getting married?" Qin Hao was genuinely taken aback. "To whom?"
"I heard she's a female college student from the county, and quite pretty," Song Yunping explained.
Qin Hao couldn't help but smile, almost bursting out laughing. So Lei Dongbao really couldn't forget the female college student; after all this fuss, his "ambition" had actually come true?
"Why aren't you saying anything? What are you thinking about?" Song Yunping's gentle voice on the other end of the phone carried a hint of doubt.
Qin Hao suppressed his smile and cleared his throat: "Nothing, I was just wondering what kind of extraordinary woman could tame Lei Dongbao, this stubborn donkey."
Song Yunping couldn't help but laugh: "Now that you mention it, I'm a little curious too. Dad said that Dongbao's new house is finished, right next to his old house on that old plot of land. The place for the wedding is quite spacious."
“Okay, I’ll go back home for the New Year after I finish what I’m doing here, so I can go and join in the fun.”
……
Time flies, and the Spring Festival is just around the corner. Song Yunhui from Jingzhou finally solved the urgent equipment problem and devoted himself to the Donghai Chemical project, deciding not to go home for the New Year.
Qin Hao drove back to Jinling County with the New Year's goods he had prepared.
As we entered Jinling, fine snowflakes began to fall from the sky. Though not heavy, they covered the winter countryside of Jiangnan with a thin layer of silver.
The ground was a bit slippery, so Qin Hao slowed down and carefully drove towards Shanbei Brigade. As the car turned onto the familiar dirt road leading to the village, he could see that the road ahead was completely blocked.
A group of villagers, adults and children alike, bundled up in thick clothes, were making a fuss over something. Qin Hao peeked out and saw a gleaming Cadillac parked in the middle of the road.
Among the crowd, stylishly dressed Yang Xun and Dai Fengjiao, wrapped in a brand-new mink coat, were beaming as they handed out chocolates to the children who gathered around them. Meanwhile, a group of adult villagers were marveling at the behemoth of a car, some carefully touching the cool, shiny paint, others bending down to examine the logo and the gleaming rims.
"Yang Xun changed cars again? Wow, this car looks impressive!"
"Boss Yang is really something, he changes cars more often than I change clothes!"
"What brand is this? I've never seen a car like this before!"
Yang Xun's face was filled with undisguised pride and the satisfaction of returning home in glory, but he humbly said, "Hey, it's not as exaggerated as you guys make it out to be. The Audi I had before, I accidentally scraped the undercarriage while driving, and a part broke. I had to buy it from Germany to fix it, which was a huge hassle! It caused a lot of trouble! I had no choice but to buy another one to use temporarily because business was busy at the end of the year and it was inconvenient to travel."
"Tsk tsk, Mr. Yang is so generous! He just replaced it with a new one, and such a good one at that!"
"Is there anything special about this car? It looks incredibly expensive!" a villager asked loudly.
Before Yang Xun could even open his mouth to show off, Dai Fengjiao, wearing woolen gloves, interjected, "This car? It's called a Cadillac! It's made in the USA. Do you know the President of the United States? That's the brand of car the President of the United States drives!"
"Oh my god! Isn't that the same car the President of the United States rides in?"
The crowd immediately erupted in uproar.
"Wow, how much does Mr. Yang's car cost?"
"The seat of the President of the United States! Mr. Yang, you're really getting a lot of face!"
Praises and exclamations of amazement were heard everywhere.
Yang Xun and Dai Fengjiao were immersed in the envy and praise of their neighbors, and even the snow under their feet felt warm.
Just then, "Beep—beep—", came two steady car horn sounds from behind.
Yang Xun stood on tiptoe and looked back. The familiar Crown car came into view, and the smug look on his face froze instantly. He then hurriedly shoved the chocolate box in his hand to the person next to him and grabbed Dai Fengjiao, who was still distributing chocolates to the children.
"Xiao Dai! Quick! Brother Hao is back!"
Yang Xun, pulling Dai Fengjiao along, practically "rushed" to Qin Hao's car window, his face beaming with a warm yet slightly awkward smile: "Brother Hao! You just got back too? What a coincidence! We just arrived a few minutes ago!"
Qin Hao rolled down the car window and teased, "We saw our Boss Yang returning home in glory from afar. What a spectacular sight!"
Yang Xun's face instantly fell, replaced by a miserable expression: "Brother Hao, please don't belittle me! What kind of boss am I? I'm just struggling to make ends meet. Compared to you, it's like comparing heaven and earth..."
Qin Hao laughed and scolded, "Stop with the nonsense! Hurry up and move that American president's car out of the way. In the middle of winter, instead of going back to spend more time with Director Yang, you're just showing off here."
"Hey! I'll move it right away! I'll move it right away!" Yang Xun hurriedly replied, turning around and jogging to move the car.
The villagers watching this scene began to whisper among themselves: "Hey? Between Boss Yang and Boss Lei... who's richer?"
"That must be Boss Yang! Look at that car, the one the US president rides in! Boss Lei... well, his Crown is pretty good, but he hasn't changed it in all these years?"
"That's true... But why do I always feel that Boss Yang's posture in front of Boss Lei is always... uh... a bit shorter?"
Now that you mention it... it's true!
Just as Yang Xun carefully backed his huge Cadillac out of the crowd to make way, he overheard these whispers and was instantly terrified, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.
"Hey, uncles and brothers! Please have some mercy. I, Yang Xun, just earn a meager living through hard work. How can I compare to Brother Hao..."
Dai Fengjiao had just returned after greeting Qin Hao when she heard the villagers' discussions and Yang Xun's reaction, and she was startled. She rolled her eyes at Yang Xun and muttered in a low voice, "I told you before not to be so ostentatious. It would have been fine if you had just driven that Audi back, but you had to show it off at the village entrance. Look how embarrassing this has become!"
Yang Xun looked innocent and helpless: "When did I say I wanted to show off? Wasn't it you who said when you were shopping in the city mall, 'After a year of hard work, I have to go back and make a good impression on Mom'? Wasn't that what you said?"
Dai Fengjiao's almond-shaped eyes widened: "When did I say that? You were the one who kept saying 'Everyone will be amazed when we drive this car back,' and 'We have to let everyone see what this car is like!' You're glaring at me? Try glaring at me again!"
Looking at his wife's "refusal to admit fault" expression, Yang Xun opened his mouth, but finally muttered helplessly, "Fine, fine, it's my fault, it's all my fault. Well, there's no reasoning with you, my dear lady. Let's go home!"
……
Qin Hao drove the car steadily into the Song family's tidy courtyard. Before it had even come to a complete stop, Song Yunping, wearing a peach-colored half-length cotton-padded coat, ran out at the sound of his voice, her face beaming with joy: "You're back!"
Mr. and Mrs. Song came out of the steaming kitchen upon hearing the noise, their hands still covered in flour.
"Haozi's back! Was it cold on the way?"
"Come inside quickly! Pingping, quickly bring Haozi a bowl of the ginger soup simmering on the stove!"
A warm, inviting atmosphere filled with the aroma of food and the warmth of home wafted over. After a friendly exchange of greetings, the family entered the clean and tidy living room, where the fire was burning brightly.
Steaming hot dishes were quickly served: freshly cooked braised fish, glistening braised pork, homemade salted pork and bamboo shoots, crisp bok choy, and well-simmered chicken soup... a feast to the brim.
Qin Hao had barely picked up his chopsticks when his bowl was piled high with fish pieces from his father-in-law, marbled pork from his mother-in-law, and chicken legs from Song Yunping. He couldn't even keep up with their enthusiasm for serving him food.
Seeing that the bowl was about to overflow, Qin Hao quickly changed the subject to break this sweet burden: "By the way, Dad, Mom, Pingping, have you met Lei Dongbao's new wife? What kind of person is she?"
Song's mother said with a smile, "I haven't seen her face yet. I only heard that she's from the county and works at some state-owned department store. It seems that Secretary Chen Pingyuan was the one who introduced the marriage."
"Yes, everyone is waiting to see the bride and the groom," Song Yunping said with a smile.
As if on cue, the roar of an engine came from outside the courtyard, followed by Lei Dongbao's booming voice.
"Uncle, Aunt, is Haozi home? I've come to deliver your invitations."
Qin Hao saw that Lei Dongbao had changed his unkempt appearance from the past, had shaved his beard, and had replaced his military overcoat, which he had worn for many years, with a down jacket, making him look much younger, and couldn't help but tease him.
"Marrying a college student really makes a difference. She's so clean-cut, I almost didn't recognize her."
Lei Dongbao immediately began to complain: "Haozi, stop teasing me. College students have so many problems. They even care about whether I brush my teeth in the morning or evening, and what clothes I wear..."
Seeing Song Yunping there, he quickly stopped himself: "I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about my boyfriend."
Song Yunping smiled and said, "I think this is great. People are only taking care of you for your own good. Look how energetic you are now."
"I'm mentally strong, but I'm just too tired. I feel uncomfortable all over," Lei Dongbao complained.
Qin Hao laughed and scolded, "Then it's not too late for you to call off the engagement now."
Lei Dongbao was speechless for a moment before taking out a few invitations: "The wedding is the day after tomorrow, and it will be held in our new house. You all absolutely have to come."
"Don't worry, I'll definitely get there!"
Two days later, the entire Xiaolei village was in an uproar, with firecrackers stretching from the village entrance all the way to Lei Dongbao's house.