Chapter 5 Circle Trap 3 (Endgame) Part 3-1
Tony did not make Hong Jun wait for "a lot of four days". Hong Kong people do things very quickly. Tony came to Beijing again a week later. It can't be shaken anymore.The package plan brought by Tony is really attractive to Hong Jun. Hong Jun can become the veritable general manager of Coman China. At present, several directors in charge of finance, personnel, technology and professional services in Beijing or Shanghai are no longer directly responsible. Report to Tony that Hong Jun will be their new boss, and Tony will instead concentrate on running Hong Kong and Taiwan; since Tony has let go of the power he is least willing to let go, naturally Hong Jun's salary will not be penny-pinching Care about.Hong Jun said that he had to go back and think about it again. Tony said that it should be done empathetically. After all, it is a major decision in his career. He will stay in Beijing and wait for the good news. I hope Hong Jun will not make him wait this time. last four days.
All Hong Jun needs to consider is how to explain to Cork, because after all, he once promised Cork that he would not leave voluntarily. and how will Cork keep him?Would you blame him for breaking his word?Would she pitifully beg him to stay?Cork is kind to him, and he saved his life not long ago, which can be regarded as the virtue of regeneration. Hong Jun is very afraid that Cork will play the emotional card to him. How can I bear to abandon him?
Hong Jun tossed and turned all night and still hadn't made up his mind, but he still made up his mind to talk to Kirk as soon as possible.The next morning, Hong Jun stayed up until eleven o'clock before calling Cork. It was already evening in Silicon Valley, and the lunch time in Tokyo and Sydney was not over yet. Cork in Singapore should be less busy. time period.Sure enough, the secretary transferred the call to Cork without further ado, and Cork greeted Hong Jun casually in his usual style, but immediately turned to ask in a serious tone: "Jim, what's wrong with you? Listen It looks like you're in terrible shape."
Hong Jun has always respected and feared Kirk's extraordinary insight, but he can see Hong Jun's expression from far away on the other end of the phone, and when he sits opposite, he can see Hong Jun's heart even more.Hong Jun replied vaguely: "As usual, you know my current situation."
Kirk asked with concern: "Did something happen again? What did Wayne do again?"
"No, Wayne hasn't bothered me these days."
Kirk pondered for a while, and said, "But obviously you have a premonition of something that disturbs you."
Hong Jun understood the meaning of Kirk's words, and it was precisely that Kirk had foreseen what was going to happen. He hurriedly said, "There is one thing you may not know. My most capable assistant, Larry, is my salesman. Director, you were kicked out of the company by Wayne in a very disgusting way not long ago, do you want to know what happened?"
"OK, I'm listening," Kirk said quickly.
Hong Jun told the story of how Wayne and CK forced Li Longwei to leave the company. Kirk listened without saying a word. After he was sure that Hong Jun's story had been told, he said slowly: "Jim, I I can understand your inner feelings and your current situation, but I have to say, this is life, this is the life we all have to face, and there will always be various injustices in life, which is infuriating But it's also frustrating, for everyone and everywhere. What happened to Larry breaks my heart, but all we can do is get on with our lives since we can't get Larry back If you want to leave, you should adapt to the life without Larry as soon as possible."
Hong Jun couldn't help feeling desolate. It seemed that Li Longwei had not just left Vizier but the world. He realized that although Kirk patiently listened to his bloody and tearful complaints, he didn't really care about Li Longwei's fate, nor did he feel Hong Jun's fate. How much will it be affected by Li Longwei's departure.Cork's indifference made Hong Jun make up his mind, and he mustered up the courage to say: "I have an idea, I think I should discuss it with you first, and listen to your opinion."
But Kirk didn't let Hong Jun go on as he did just now, but immediately said unquestionably: "No, Jim, you don't have to say it, that's not a good idea. I know what you think, and I'll say it again, that's not a good idea." idea."
Hong Jun was speechless for a moment. He once again experienced Kirk's sharpness and sophistication. Kirk's block left room for both sides to maneuver.Hong Jun waited for Kirk's imminent emotional attack on him, and secretly planned how to ruthlessly reject him. He heard Kirk ask, "Do you think I am a competent boss?"
"Of course, you are the best boss I have ever met." Hong Jun's words were true.
"Who else do you think will value you more than me? Will you understand you better than me and support you more?" Kirk asked.
"No, not before, and I'm afraid there won't be any in the future." Hong Jun replied happily, and it was expected that Kirk would review his past kindness to Hong Jun in detail.
Kirk was silent for a while, sighed, and then said: "I am not an incompetent boss, and I have never failed to understand you, support you, or protect you, but there are still situations where I can't do anything, which makes you face Such a sad situation today. Just imagine, if you meet other people who are not as capable as me, who don't understand you, support you, and protect you like me, what kind of situation will you be in?"
Cork's response was completely beyond Hong Jun's expectations. Instead of defending, Cork was attacking. When Hong Jun was at a loss, Kirk continued: "There is no doubt that Vizier is a good company, and you also admit that I am a good company." Boss, although our situation is really bad at the moment, it can't be worse, but it's a good thing, because there is no uncertainty around us, and if it doesn't get better soon, at least it can't get worse. Just think , if you change your environment, you may feel more comfortable at first, but there are countless uncertain factors waiting for you, who knows what will happen in the future? I am afraid that it will soon be much more miserable than it is now. The biggest danger It's not what you see, it's the unknowns that you haven't seen yet, and remember, be careful on the other side of the corner."
Hong Jun knew that these were Kok’s words, but he still couldn’t help being deeply touched. He really didn’t understand the deep-seated situation of Tony himself and Coman’s company. Tony was probably forced to delegate power to Hong Jun because of the current internal and external troubles. There is neither emotional foundation nor a solid community of interests between people. If something unexpected happens one day, he really can't imagine what will happen to him.
Hong Jun was still contemplating, but Ke Ke had already considered the matter as a complete conclusion, and suddenly said mysteriously: "Okay, we can't waste any more time, we still have important things to do. Didn't you keep complaining that I seldom go to China? I have good news, believe it or not, I will start my second trip to Beijing soon! Why hasn't Wayne bothered you these days? Do you know what he's up to?"
Hong Jun, who was unprepared, was taken aback again. He couldn't figure it out, but he heard Kirk raise his voice and say, "If you don't call me, I will call you right away. Freeman is coming to China! Isn't this a big deal?" ?"
No wonder!For Wayne, this is indeed the number one event in the world.Hong Jun asked, "Is Scott coming too?"
"Him? No. Didn't you notice? Our Mr. President doesn't want to be a supporting role. He doesn't like to stand in the shadow of our Mr. Chairman. I will accompany Freeman all the way."
"When will Freeman come to China?"
"Soon, mid-March."
"What?! That's too tense, there are only less than three weeks left, and in mid-March, Beijing is holding the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, just like your Senate and House of Representatives. In a meeting, it will be difficult for Freeman to see anyone at that time, can he postpone the trip a little bit later?" Hong Jun became anxious, and involuntarily entered the battle state.
"You don't know our big boss yet. When Freeman said mid-March, it meant it would only be mid-March. It would be difficult for anyone or anything to change his mind; and, at the end of March, Vesey I want to hold a global user conference, and his trip to China cannot be postponed any longer.” Kirk smiled and said, “Let’s worry about what we should worry about, I need your help, I believe we will be able to grasp this valuable opportunity."
Until Cork hung up the phone, Hong Jun was still thinking about how to find his own opportunities from Freeman's trip to China and the tasks that Cork gave him. Although he still had no idea, he had a vague premonition that he had some hope. So he decided to continue to endure in Vizier.Hong Jun called Tony when he was about to get off work. First of all, he sincerely thanked Tony for his respect and love for him. He also expressed that he really cherished the opportunity to cooperate with Tony. Due to these circumstances, he cannot join Coleman Company for the time being.Tony was very surprised. After being surprised, he was very disappointed. After being disappointed, he was a little unhappy. He repeatedly tried to understand the real reason why Hong Jun refused to join Coman, but Hong Jun refused to say more, and he tried to persuade him again and again with emotion and reason , but on the contrary strengthened Hong Jun's determination to give up this opportunity.Seeing that it was irreparable, Tony let out a long sigh and said, "Jim, how can you be so dishonest? You let me down so much."
Hong Jun expressed his apology again, he was ashamed to call "Tony" again, but he said with extra respect and sincerity: "Mr. Cai, this time I really failed you. I can continue to be friends with you. In addition, I still hope that you can consider and adopt the suggestion I made to you during the previous meeting. If you find a new candidate that satisfies you, you’d better let him Be a veritable general manager of China, so that Koeman can do more in China, which is good for him and you."
Tony said angrily: "Who knows? I promised to let you be the veritable general manager, but you still said 'no' to me? You have decided to stay in Vizier. Do you really hope that our Coman will become more and more successful?" The better?"
Hong Jun couldn't say anything more, and the two finally ended the call after exchanging good wishes in a friendly manner.Tony sat in the office for a while, then pressed the intercom and said, "Judy, come here."
Judy walked in quickly, and Tony asked, "Do you have any friends who work in the media?"
Judy raised her eyebrows, a little confused, and asked back: "Of course, we have to spend so much public relations fees every month, why don't we have friends from the media? Do you need me to contact them for anything?"
Tony propped his cheek with his left hand, winked at Judy, and said, "I was wondering, do your friends in the media circle need someone to take the initiative to break the news to them?"
***
Xiao Tan is in a good mood these days, and he goes to work extraordinarily late. It was after ten o'clock that he strolled leisurely and walked into the door of ICE company.Seeing Xiao Tan's appearance, Jane who was sitting at the front desk immediately stood up and whispered to him, "Oh, why are you here at this time? Mr. Yu has been looking for you for a long time."
But Xiao Tan put his arms on the front desk as if nothing had happened, leaned close to Jane and said with a playful smile: "I thought you missed me, but it turned out to be him, alas. Why did he ask me? He still wants to take care of me Attendance? Can't he call my cell phone if he has something to do? I'm sick!"
Jian Bai glanced at him, sat down and said, "You are poor, go quickly."
Xiao Tan lost interest, so he walked to his seat partition, first took out the laptop and opened it, then picked up the glass and was about to drink a glass of water, but Jane had already followed him and stood behind him, saying anxiously : "Why haven't you gone yet? He asked you just now if you came, and I said you just arrived, so go quickly." As he spoke, he took the water glass from Xiao Tan's hand and put it on the table, pushing him behind him. Back urging him to leave quickly, Xiao Tan probably couldn't escape, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and came to the door of Yu Wei's office. The door was open, and he was about to knock on the door frame, when a confident shout came from inside: "Come in!"
Xiao Tan entered in response to the sound, and saw Yu Wei sitting on the leather chair behind the executive desk with his legs crossed, staring at him angrily. He looked to the side, but he didn't expect that Susan was also there, sitting on the sofa against the wall Li Zheng looked at him with a half-smile.Seeing the situation, Xiao Tan felt a little guilty, forced a smile, and moved to sit next to Susan, wanting to sit on the sofa, but Susan suddenly stood up, walked to the front of the executive desk, stretched out her hand to Yu Wei's water glass, and asked Said: "Shall I pour some water for you?" Yu Wei shook his head, and Susan sat on the chair opposite Yu Wei.Xiao Tan had to sit down on the sofa alone, because the sofa was lower than the leather chair, and his terrain was obviously lower than that of Yu Wei and Susan. Naturally, he was in the position of being judged.
Yu Wei's suit hangs on the coat rack in the corner. He is wearing a blue Oxford shirt with two suspenders hanging from his shoulders and hooked to the waist of his trousers. He puts his thumbs into the suspenders and buckles them The braces slid up and down, and stretched the tight braces forward, leaving the braces a fistful away from his chest, and then pulled away the thumb hooked on the braces, and the straps snapped on his broad chest like a bowstring. Xiao Tan's heart tightened, as if the braces were whipping him.In this way, Yu Wei stretched and bounced the strap again and again, only the echo of "pa" and "pa" was heard in the silent room, and Xiao Tan seemed to be in a creepy torture room.
After Yu Wei had had enough fun, he asked Xiao Tan coldly: "It's really hard to see you, what are you busy with? We can't invite you even if we invite you so much."
"Hey, what else can I do, it's all about running errands."
"Have you gone to Xing Zhong?" Yu Wei went straight in, with aggressive eyes.
Xiao Tan was taken aback. He knew Yu Wei would notice his actions sooner or later, but he didn't expect Yu Wei's news to be so well-informed. He hesitated for a moment and asked, "Xing Zhong? From Xinyuanlian?" Seeing Yu Wei's expressionless face Staring at him intently, he had no choice but to say: "Oh, I knew him a long time ago, and we often get together, and we just got together again a few days ago when I was free."
"It's not just a gathering, is it? Aren't you guys going to make a big deal?" Yu Wei sneered, seeing that Xiao Tan was still pretending to be stupid, he simply pointed it out, "I heard that you plan to hold a seminar for the first resource?"
"It's not a seminar, it's a forum, a summit forum dedicated to the top management of the first resource." Xiao Tan corrected without showing off.
Xiao Tan's self-satisfaction completely dispelled Yu Wei's last trace of patience, and he asked loudly: "What on earth do you want to do? Who told you to engage in this kind of bullshit forum?"
"I didn't want to do anything, Peter asked me to help him organize it." Xiao Tan looked like an innocent crowd.
Yu Wei was stunned. He and Susan glanced at each other. Obviously, they didn't expect Pete to be the manipulator behind this matter. Although they all knew that Pete was Xiao Tan's protector now, they didn't expect Pete to directly Intervene in such a specific matter.Yu Wei calmed down quickly, and asked again: "Why did Peter ask you to engage in this activity?"
"Peter didn't tell me too much. He only said that the headquarters and the Asia-Pacific region will focus on this industry this year, and they will hold a series of road shows for strategically important customers. He also asked me to organize a road show in China. , Who do you think we can do it for in China? Surely it can only be done for the first resource, Xinyuanlian is familiar with the first resource, so we will discuss and organize this summit forum for the first resource.” Xiao Tan turned against the customer again Ask, "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with Peter's arrangements?"
Yu Wei and Susan looked at each other again, and asked suspiciously: "Do you know what the status of the first resource is?"
"I don't know. You never mentioned it to me. Peter probably doesn't know about it either. We only know that First Resource must be a big potential client." Xiao Tan continued to pretend not to know.
Yu Wei stared into Xiao Tan's eyes, and said: "We have been tracking the first resource for a long time, and we have done a lot of work from the headquarters to several major provincial companies. Officials, what is needed now is to do the work of each specific person one-on-one, how do you do the work in the public? Is there any use for you to hold such fake seminars at this time?"
"Anyway, there is no harm. It is always a good thing to build momentum and strengthen the market image. You should follow your established steps to track specific projects one by one. We will use this kind of market public relations activities to cheer you up. You go down three ways, and we Take the three roads and echo each other from a distance." Xiao Tan said with a smile.
Susan was obviously a little sensitive to the term "Xiasanlu" used by Xiao Tan, and interjected with a straight face: "But you are now making such a big fuss about this kind of retreat, which will confuse many people and confuse customers and partners. , does not have any good effect but only recruits all competitors."
"Hey, NOMA project is such a big project, which competitor doesn't know about it?" Xiao Tan said disapprovingly, not realizing that he had slipped his mouth just now.
Yu Wei's eyes immediately widened, and he asked vigilantly: "You also know about the NOMA project? Is your summit forum really just a retreat? Is it specially held for the NOMA project?"
Although Xiao Tan was remorseful in his heart, his face was still calm, and he said lightly: "I heard that Xingzhong mentioned it more than once, and the people from the first resource always talked about it, but I haven't figured out how to answer it." Things. Hey, I don't care about these, the project belongs to you, I just need to deal with the errands assigned by Peter and everything will be fine."
Yu Wei was still full of suspicion, and asked again: "What did Xing Zhong tell you? Did you promise him anything?"
"He didn't say anything. What can I promise him? I don't have any authority. I just discuss the specific arrangements for the forum with him for the Asia-Pacific region, and each is responsible for who to invite, how much to share and so on."
Yu Wei's face was gloomy, and he said worriedly: "Xing Zhong has a lot of energy, and his appetite is even bigger. You must not make any promises to him on behalf of ICE. We have already laid out the plan for the NOMA project. You must not make any promises to him." You can’t bring in Xingzhong’s Xinyuanlian without authorization, he will disrupt the layout we have negotiated with other partners.”
"Not really, multiple partners are always a good thing." Seeing Yu Wei's unfriendly expression, Xiao Tan immediately agreed, "Okay, I'll only be in charge of the virtual ones, and you guys will be in charge of the real ones. If Xing Zhong has any requirements I just pass it on to you."
Yu Wei said angrily: "Don't bother you, you don't need to convey it, just let him come to me directly if he has anything to do."
Susan reminded Yu Wei from the side: "I don't think it's very good. If big events like summit and forum are really launched, it will be difficult to control them. It's better not to do them at all."
Yu Wei immediately said: "Yes, I don't think we should take this risk. David, please stop this matter first, don't worry about it, I will talk to Peter, or cancel it altogether, or postpone it for a while , In order to engage in a market activity that has no real effect and affect a big order that is just around the corner, no one will be able to afford it."
Xiao Tan scolded Susan viciously in his heart, and then put on a reasonable attitude and said the countermeasures he had already prepared: "Actually, I am not interested in doing this kind of thing, and the effort is not rewarding, so if you can let me I would love for Peter to change his mind. However, although I don't know much about the First Sources project, I still suggest you think twice."
Yu Wei frowned, and asked, "What do you mean?"
Xiao Tan said calmly: "Isn't it the first time for ICE China to do such a large and complicated project like First Resources? The industry solutions they need have not been used by customers in China, even if there are similar ones Is there any client whose business scale can be compared with the first resource? Our ICE China simply does not have the ability of local support, not to mention that no one can implement it after winning the project, and even be able to explain this solution clearly from beginning to end There are no presales, and it can be dealt with in the early stage of the project. Anyway, it is just a general introduction, but at the critical stage, who can guarantee that the solution can be expressed in the bidding document? We ICE China does not have these resources. We can’t count on Deng Wen and the others to go north Sub-R&D center? Those guys are all engaged in software technology, and they don’t understand the customer’s industry application at all. So we must seek support from the outside. Who can help us allocate resources? Peter. He specially invited the best industries in the headquarters this time Application consultants and product experts come to the forum to be speakers. We are not only ungrateful, but also shut out Peter's kindness and these talented people. We will not let people come when they are willing to come, and they will come when we ask them to come. I don’t want to come here. I think if we can’t be self-reliant, we must open up to the outside world, and we can’t treat foreigners poorly.”
Xiao Tan has never made such an eloquent speech in front of Yu Wei, and he can't help admiring his own "prestige" without fear. After listening to this long speech, Yu Wei and Susan looked at each other in blank dismay. They knew that ICE China's strength was insufficient. The NOMA project that won the first resource independently, but how to invite foreign monks to recite scriptures and keep the throne of the abbot of the temple is indeed not an easy task.Yu Wei had no confidence in persuading Peter to take back his life, and Xiao Tan's words made him weigh it over and over again. He was silent for a long time before saying: "Well, we should make full use of foreigner's resources, and make good use of foreign resources. Can't let them interfere with our affairs, I still have to get the idea. Peter can do this forum if he wants to, but, David, this is just a marketing campaign, and none of you can make any promises to customers or partners, on behalf of ICE It can only be me.”
Xiao Tan readily agreed, but Yu Wei said again: "Also, the scope of this activity should not be too large, it can only be held for the headquarters of the first resource, if the headquarters wants to call some provincial companies Let them come, but let’s not invite people from the following provinces without authorization. In addition, David, you have been doing sales after all, and you are not good at marketing and PR. Peter is also trying to catch ducks on the shelves. Let Linda prepare with you This forum, she is Marketing Manager, you two just complement each other's strengths, you can consult with me and Susan at any time under any circumstances, this arrangement is no problem, right? Didn't you just say that if you can't be self-reliant, you have to open up to the outside world, and you You can't be mean to us."
Xiao Tan's pride just now disappeared without a trace, as if a fly was stuffed into his mouth by Yu Wei. The person he fears the most in the company is Yu Wei, the person he hates the most is Susan, and the person he hates the most is Susan. Linda was the one he avoided, because he still didn't know how to deal with the boss's pillow, but there was obviously no room for negotiation in Yu Wei's words. The gastric juices in the stomach quickly melted it away.
As soon as Xiao Tan left, Susan immediately closed the door, turned around and saw Yu Weizheng showing her a wry smile, Susan said: "I'm not worried about Peter and those foreigners, we always have a way to make the best use of them, I'm worried It’s Xing Zhong, we’ve been trying to restrain him and make him accept our arrangement obediently, will he take advantage of David and this forum’s opportunity to challenge us?”
Yu Wei shook his head and replied: "David and Xing Zhong are using each other, they just want to show up in front of the first resource through this forum, they can't make a fool of themselves on the forum itself, it will be a matter of time before Xing Zhong challenges us in the future , who would be willing to be slaughtered by us? But as long as we hold the customer firmly, we will have the initiative, and he will come to us no matter how awesome he is.”
Susan said "hmm", but Yu Wei shook his head again, Susan asked: "What's wrong?"
Yu Wei raised his eyes to look at Susan, and murmured, "It's chilling! Peter, a devil, I've worked so hard for him, yet he doesn't trust me so much."
Susan also sighed and said, "It's the same everywhere. We are like horses being ridden. The faster the horse runs, the tighter the reins are drawn."
***
The door of Hong Jun's office was closed all the time. He was busy in it for almost the whole afternoon but found nothing. He made all the phone calls he could and tried all the ways he could try, but his hope was still slim. He thought dejectedly. who?Who made Freeman come to Beijing at such an inopportune moment?
Hong Jun was depressed, when the extension on the desk rang, it was Mary, she asked tentatively: "Jim, you have a friend named 'Yu' who is online and said he has something urgent to call you."
Hong Jun couldn't remember which of his friends was surnamed "Yu" for a moment, but he still said patiently, "You take it."
As soon as the outside line was switched, I heard a once very familiar voice saying with a smile: "Jim, are you busy again? Can you still hear who I am?"
Of course Hong Jun could hear it, this voice has always occupied a place in his memory, he just didn’t look forward to hearing this voice for a long time, and now he was a little caught off guard when it sounded in his ear——The person on the other end of the phone was Yu Wei .Hong Jun simply waited for a while, as if he had to think hard to distinguish Yu Wei's voice, and then said: "Oh, I thought it was some 'fish', but it turned out to be your 'fish'."
"Hey, it's right here, fish can't live without water, that's why I came to you. Hey, I just had someone send you a fax, did you see that?"
Hong Jun was taken aback: "No."
"Tsk tsk, you Viziers are too inefficient. I waited for a while, I guess you have seen it before calling you. You have to be strict with your subordinates. From this little thing, you can see that you have Bing is still loose."
Hong Jun said "wait a minute" and hung up the outside line first, dialed Mary's extension and asked, "Do you have my fax? Send it here."
Soon, Mary knocked on the door, opened the door and came in, handed a piece of paper in front of Hong Jun, and said timidly: "Your door was closed just now, so I didn't send it right away." Hong Jun said, "It's okay." , received the fax but found a strange expression on Mary's face. He was puzzled, and Mary had already turned around and closed the door.
Hong Jun casually spread the fax on the table, and was about to resume the conversation with Yu Wei, when his hand froze when he touched the receiver. What Yu Wei sent was an enlarged and copied page from a newspaper, and the huge headline immediately caught his attention. Hong Jun's Sight: "Visier's Organizational Restructuring and Changing Hong Jun Triggered Exodus of Executives? 》He couldn't help but look down at the text. This piece of "tofu block" is not long, only two or three hundred words. The article reads:
"Since Vizier made a major reorganization at the end of last year, established the Greater China region and merged the East China business into the Taiwan company, and merged the South China business into the Hong Kong company, the personnel shocks from the top level continued. After the sudden resignation of the sales director, Hong Jun, the former general manager of Visier China and the current general manager of North China, is also in contact with many companies in the industry, and it is likely that he will defect to a new owner in the near future. According to insiders, Dissatisfied with the sharp shrinkage of the area under its jurisdiction after the reorganization of the organization, it has offered an olive branch to IBM, Accenture, ICE and Coman, and has entered into substantive negotiations with at least one of them. It is speculated that Hong Jun did not act alone , it is very likely that they will leave collectively with powerful warriors, and the whereabouts of the former North China sales director who has resigned is still unclear, and he may also be waiting to follow Hong Jun to join the new company..."
Hong Jun sat blankly, his mind was blank, until the extension on the desk suddenly rang loudly, which woke him up suddenly, and it was Mary who said again: "It's that Mr. 'Yu' just now, he said the phone was disconnected."
Hong Jun asked her to take it again, and heard Yu Wei teasing heartily in a trance: "Yo ho, you have watched it seriously enough, how many times have you watched it? Remember you have always been very low-key, didn't you never let the media promote you Personal? How come even the name is on the title this time?"
Hong Jun asked lightly: "What's the matter with you?"
"Me? It's okay. I just came here to congratulate you. Now that you have become a favorite, there are so many places to invite you to, including ICE. Why don't you turn around? Hey, why didn't I know you wanted to go?" Back to ICE? Who did you talk to? Peter? Okay, come back, we can fight in the same trenches again. Hey, do you have to let me make room for you? Well, which of us is with whom what?"
Hong Jun didn't want to pay attention to Yu Wei's ridicule, but Yu Wei paid more and more attention to Hong Jun's movements, and asked again and again, Hong Jun said: "Is your seat lost? Why are you more sensitive to this report than I am?"
Yu Wei told the truth: "In these days, there must be a sense of crisis at any time." He tried again and again to probe Hong Jun's tone, but Hong Jun always responded with "no comment", and Yu Wei said dissatisfiedly: "You just don't know what to say." It’s not kind, it’s definitely not a matter of no shadow at all, flies never bite eggs that are not seamed.”
Hong Jun smiled, and replied: "You are indeed the one to have the most say on this point."
The bickering with Yu Wei didn't make Hong Jun feel at ease in the slightest. He picked up the fax and looked at it again, wondering which "famous reporter" wrote the news, but he couldn't find the signature. "Three words, he knew this newspaper who was in charge of the editor of the "Industry News" special page. He wanted to call and ask, but after thinking about it, he decided to give up. In his impression, this was the first time that the company did not spend money and did not write by himself. Press releases put Vizier in the press.
Hong Jun read the article carefully again, and felt unspeakable bitterness in his heart. Of course he knew that the news was not groundless, and he also knew who the news came from.This move is really vicious, Hong Jun thought, so it is hard to imagine any company willing to accept him in the near future, and it will be even more difficult for him to gain a foothold in Vizier, just like a runner in a baseball game, He couldn't go up the base in front of him, and he couldn't go back to the original base. He was banned for life.
Hong Jun picked up the phone and dialed Mary's number, and asked, "Have you read the contents of the fax just now?"
Mary didn't know how to deal with it for a while, so she uttered a long "hmm" on the phone. Hong Jun could imagine Mary's embarrassment, and explained with a smile: "Don't get me wrong, feel free to look at that share. I want you to help me Busy, find the link of that message on the Internet and send it to me."
Mary hurriedly answered truthfully: "I have already searched the Internet since I received the fax, and there are many, many items."
Hong Jun smiled wryly to himself. The Internet’s transmission speed is naturally fast, but Mary’s response speed is also fast enough, so he had no choice but to say: "What I want is the electronic version of that newspaper, forget about those reprints, we have to support the original ones." " Then he ordered: "By the way, just work harder and translate that article into English immediately. If the general meaning is correct, you don't need to pursue letter, expressiveness, and elegance."
Mary's e-mail arrived soon, with a link to the article on the newspaper's website and a translation. Although it was unnecessary to pursue letter, expressiveness, and elegance, Hong Jun still spent a few minutes revising the translation to avoid Unnecessary misunderstandings were caused by the ambiguity, and then it was forwarded to all employees of Visier in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, as well as the management of Wayne and other Greater China regions. He did not forget to put Cork on the CC list.Hong Jun wrote simply in English in the email: "Just for fun. I am very happy that there are so many unknown people who care about me."
***
There are indeed many people who care about Hong Jun, and Deng Wen is one of them who is very enthusiastic. He called to inquire in a hurry, but he thought Hong Jun was vague and rushed to talk face-to-face. Hong Jun told him that he had made an appointment with Phoebe for dinner tonight. Wen didn't see anyone at all, and said that he hadn't seen Phoebe for a long time, and they just had a chat together, and Hong Jun couldn't do anything about him.
Hong Jun picked up Phoebe and went to a tea restaurant in China World Trade Center. It was just before seven o'clock in the evening, when the white-collar workers from the nearby office buildings came to have a group meal, and the two had to wait at the door. Phoebe coaxed him by the side, blaming herself for picking the wrong place after repeated self-criticism.When finally there was a seat to sit down, Hong Jun put his head on the high backrest and rubbed his sore neck. Phoebe handed over the menu. Come and order again.
Deng Wen came soon, and Hong Jun scolded with a smile: "You really know how to check the time, boy, when the seat is available, you will also arrive."
Deng Wen hurriedly apologized and said, "I'm sorry, I'll pay the bill today." Then he sat down opposite the two.
Hong Jun said to Phoebe: "Did you hear that? It's so rare to have someone treat you today. What's more expensive?"
Phoebe started worrying seriously: "But there's nothing expensive here, they're all ten or twenty yuan."
Hong Jun complained: "It's not a place you picked yourself, it's just a big canteen. Then you order two servings of each expensive item, and we eat one and take one away."
菲比说：“就是要让你们两位大老板体验一下我们小白领的生活，你就庆幸吧，我本来打算中午带你来的呢，让你见识见识什么叫'people mountain people sea'，呵呵。”
邓汶顾不上掺和他俩讨论如何敲他的竹杠，忙不迭地掏出一张纸塞到洪钧面前，说：“到底怎么回事啊？这里说的哪家是真的啊？你要是真能来ICE那可是太好了，我天天请你吃饭。”
洪钧把邓汶的手从眼前推开，说：“报纸上的东西能信吗？”
菲比却“嗖”的一声把那张纸抽过去，很快发现了那则消息，嘴唇翕动无声地念了一遍，然后递还给邓汶，不以为然地说：“嗨，这不都是胡说八道嘛。”说完就伸手招呼百忙之中的服务员过来点菜。
洪钧说：“听见了吧？咱有证人，连她都说报纸在胡说八道那报纸肯定就是在胡说八道。”他又无奈地摇摇头，“我以前都怀疑这报纸有人看吗，今天才认识到它还有这么大的影响力。”
菲比扭头接了一句：“这才叫好事不出门，恶事传千里。”
邓汶对菲比说：“你怎么知道这上面都是胡说八道？洪钧有没有和其他公司接触你都清楚？他要是瞒着你呢？”
菲比侧过脸看着洪钧，字字千钧地说：“有事瞒着我？不会吧，我相信你没有那么大的勇气。”
服务员经不起菲比的千呼万唤终于来了，菲比给洪钧点了份铁板套餐，给自己点了碗生滚鱼片粥，邓汶随便选了烧鹅饭。服务员刚走开，菲比就很老到地说：“好了，接下来就将是漫长的等候，你们都记住自己点的什么了吧？呆会儿服务员端上东西来要先看清楚再吃，因为很可能是其他桌点的东西。”
洪钧和邓汶都表示谨记在心，又闲扯几句之后，一直密切观察洪钧神色的邓汶忽然指出：“不对，你肯定心里有事，还是因为报纸上的那条消息吧？你就别瞒着了，我和菲比都不是外人。”
经他这么一说菲比也定睛审视起洪钧来，似乎要洞穿洪钧心底的秘密，洪钧哭笑不得，意识到如果再不交代些东西就是态度问题了，便说：“我这几天确实有事犯愁，我们维西尔的大老板要来北京了。”
“弗里曼要来？怎么没听你说过呀。”菲比不愧在维西尔工作过，居然还牢牢记得大老板的名号。
洪钧笑着说：“你还真想让我什么事都向你汇报啊，你又不是我老板。”
菲比做出一副诡异的笑容，从牙缝里说道：“嘿嘿，我和你老板的惟一区别，就是我不用给你发工资。”
邓汶问：“弗里曼？你们维西尔的CEO？”
“董事长兼CEO。”洪钧更正完又叮嘱一句，“这事你自己知道就行了。”
“嗯，你放心，我嘴严着呢。”邓汶又问，“他来你愁什么呀？现在你上面不是还有个澳洲佬嘛，应该他愁啊。”
“维西尔内部的事不方便和你说太多，反正这差事压到我头上了。弗里曼想见高层，越高越好，但问题是他挑的这个时间点不对，3月中旬，'两会'都还没结束，不用说那时候高层肯定都还在会上见不到，现在还没开会呢我就连一个能和高层沟通的人都找不到了，他们的心思都在'两会'上，这次又赶上国务院机构改革，谁还有功夫搭理弗里曼的这些事。”洪钧愈发觉得懊丧。
“他想见多高的高层啊？部级？政治局委员？”
洪钧伸出食指向上戳了一下，苦笑说：“还要再高，能见多高就见多高的。各种渠道我也都试过了，没戏，全都爱莫能助，说在这种时间点根本不可能，除非等'两会'结束之后再来，可是弗里曼不听，他以为地球是围着他转的。”
“嗯，还是得找对人，得找个把你的事当成他的事来办的人才行，不然肯定只会推托。”邓汶说着果真就把洪钧的事当作自己的事犯起愁来，他低头冥想一阵，猛然抬起头眼睛里闪动着光亮说：“你没找过柳峥吧？应该去找她啊，她肯定帮你。”
洪钧就像在瞬间被闪电击中，搭在桌上把玩筷子的手指不由自主地抖了一下，菲比立刻注意到了洪钧的异样，注视着洪钧的眼睛警觉地问：“柳峥是谁？”
“噢，我和邓汶的大学同学。”洪钧强作镇定地回答，并有意把邓汶捎带上，企图分散菲比对他与柳峥之间关系的关注。
“你不知道柳峥？你从来不看电视吗？”邓汶依然很兴奋地说，“我在波士顿经常看当地电视台转播中央台的新闻，都有好几次看到柳峥呢，你怎么会不知道她？”
“我看电视啊，但是我一般不看新闻，除非有时候不得不陪他看。”菲比瞥一眼洪钧，认定邓汶是个可以突破的薄弱环节，便问邓汶：“柳峥是男的女的呀？”
“女的呀，要不然洪钧不就成同性恋了嘛。”邓汶全然没有注意到此言一出洪钧和菲比的脸色发生了何种变化，仍旧笑呵呵地问洪钧：“哎，她现在是什么级别了？正部？这次开'两会'估计她又能往上升吧？”
洪钧惴惴得不敢去看菲比，心里深恨邓汶这张嘴，又不得不敷衍道：“应该还不到正部吧，最多是副部，但是正的厅局级肯定是早到了。”
菲比探身把头凑到洪钧面前，像是端详陌生人一样看着洪钧，看得洪钧心里阵阵发毛，菲比幽幽地说：“没想到，你还隐瞒有这么重大的历史问题没有交代啊。”
邓汶登时醒悟过来，覥着脸对洪钧满怀歉意地说：“哎哟，对不起啊，我说走嘴了，我忘了既然她都没听说过柳峥是谁，当然肯定不知道你和柳峥的事了。不过不要紧的吧？又不是什么见不得人的事，早说晚说都没关系吧。”
洪钧实在忍不住质问道：“拜托！先不管早说晚说有没有关系，起码你说和我说肯定不一样吧？你就不能等到让她先从我嘴里听到这件事吗？！”
菲比见洪钧居然因为此事对邓汶发了脾气，心里倒立刻舒服许多，嘴上却不依不饶地说：“你对人家凶什么凶啊？我看你是恼羞成怒吧？简直恨不能杀人灭口似的。你自己说，你和那个柳什么到底是怎么回事啊？”
“那都是什么时候的事啦？！我们上大学的时候你还上幼儿园呢。”
菲比歪头认真想了想，说：“不对，我已经上小学了。”又继续揪住不放，“就算那时候我是个小孩子，可我现在早不是小孩子了，你休想蒙混过关，你说，为什么一直瞒着我？”
洪钧有些急了，争辩道：“那都是十几年前的事了，早都过去了，我和柳峥一直没再见面，连电话都没打过一个，怎么是瞒着你呢？！”
邓汶一脸尴尬，终于意识到自己是个外人，这时他们点的饭菜终于上来了，邓汶忙解围说：“呵，真够慢的，来来来，都先别说了，赶紧吃吧。”
菲比拿起筷子向洪钧点了一下，说：“这笔帐先记着，吃饱了回去再收拾你。”
洪钧兴致大减，看着堆在面前的一大盘铁板饭连半点胃口都没有，邓汶倒是狼吞虎咽地吃了几口烧鹅饭，一副心满意足的样子，他见态势似乎已经平息，又忍不住逗洪钧：“嘿嘿，你后来是不是特后悔啊？人家柳峥一路青云直上的，你当初把人家甩了是大错特错了吧？”
“胡扯！”洪钧烦躁地用手在铁板上方扇动，好像这样能让饭菜凉得快些，嘟囔说：“我哪有资格甩她啊，我是受不了那种压力，和她在一起总感觉有一种压力。”
菲比的脸立刻变得好似与铁板一个颜色，洪钧这番自谦的表白在她听起来真是无比的刺耳，她把放在粥碗里的瓷勺拿出来“啪”的一声撂在桌上，厉声说：“什么味儿啊？！怎么这么酸啊？！”
洪钧自知失言，便埋头用筷子翻弄着铁板上的饭菜，不再说话，邓汶也闷头吃了几口，但很快就觉得自己有义务打破这令人窒息的沉默，又试探着说：“好了，咱们说真的，我还是建议你去找一下柳峥，人家毕竟是党的人，应该会有办法。”
洪钧尝了口铁板饭，皱起眉头抱怨道：“这做的叫什么东西啊？！咸死我了！”
菲比并不正眼看洪钧，而是慢条斯理地用瓷勺底部在生滚鱼片粥的表层一下一下地撇，又一下一下吐气若兰轻轻地吹，眼睛专注地盯住手上的动作说：“看把你烦得，恨不能时光倒流吧？看什么都不顺眼，是不是看谁也都不顺眼啊？”
洪钧顿时泄了气，静静地吃罢几口就用纸巾擦下嘴，低声对邓汶说：“怎么找她？十几年都没有任何联系，我连她联系方式都没有。”
邓汶很热情地说：“我帮你问吧。”他随即看一眼菲比，见菲比不动声色似乎把全部注意力都放在那碗粥上，便接着说，“应该不难问到，我去年年底回咱们学校招了几个硕士生到我们研发中心，那些老师对我特热情，好像我是什么校友楷模似的，我替你去问问负责校友会的老师，像柳峥这么杰出的校友他们肯定应该保持联系的。”
菲比用胳膊肘拱了一下洪钧，说：“还不快谢谢人家，有这么热心的朋友，帮忙都帮到家了。”洪钧和邓汶都被她奚落得脸上红一阵白一阵的。
草草吃完，洪钧出于讨好菲比的目的，又张罗着点了几个红豆冰之类的点心，等结账时邓汶把账单抢过去一看，难为情地说：“才一百四。”
洪钧站起身，把手搭在菲比肩头，对邓汶说：“下次你要是打算请客就提前说，我们好挑个最贵的地方。”
菲比借着戴丝巾的机会把洪钧的手拂开，也对邓汶说：“下次要请就只请我一个，你要是也请他，我可就恕不奉陪了。”洪钧和邓汶不由得各自赧然。
邓汶说到做到，他确实把替洪钧排忧解难视为己任，第二天就来了电话，兴奋地说：“搞到了，刚和柳峥通完电话。”
洪钧心跳开始加速，嘴上却故作矜持地说：“你倒是比我还急。”
“我怕号码不准确嘛，总要先替你确认一下，虽然校友会的老师一再保证没问题。”
洪钧在便笺上工工整整地记录下邓汶报出的电话号码，又问：“怎么样？都聊什么了？”
“没聊几句，我怕领导同志公务缠身啊，就彼此问问近况。”
“嗯——，没提到我吧？”洪钧揣着复杂的心情试探道。
“没有，我没敢，还是留着你自己和她说吧。”邓汶总算吃一堑长一智了，他又补充一句，“嗯——，她也没提到你。”
洪钧若有所思，邓汶催促道：“你现在就打吧，她肯定还在办公室呢，机不可失，你不知道领导同志有多忙啊。”
洪钧挂上电话，内心再也无法平静，他出去倒了杯水仔细地润润喉咙，还有意和玛丽闲扯了两句以便检查一下自己的音色，他回到办公室关上门，重新在皮椅上坐下，一再调整姿势想让自己处于最舒服的状态却总觉得浑身别扭。洪钧拿起便笺默念柳峥的电话号码，头四位是“6309”，他回想起最后一次与柳峥的通话，那时柳峥刚进中南海不久，他还记得号码是“39”局的，如今北京的电话已经从6位升到了8位，柳峥也从正科级升到了正厅级抑或副部级，时光荏苒、岁月如梭，这串使他得以和柳峥重聚的号码却让他意识到两人之间的距离已是如此遥远。
洪钧又清清嗓子才郑重地拿起电话，认真地拨了号码，然后屏息静气地等待，铃音刚响过半声电话就被接了起来，好像对方正守着电话机专等这个来电，电话里一个女声很平和地说：“喂，你好。”
洪钧一瞬间就听出这是柳峥的声音，但马上又有些怀疑，因为声音虽然依旧但内涵与味道却已迥然不同，他竭力用平稳的腔调问道：“请问，你是柳峥吗？”
“我是柳峥，请问您是哪位？”
“我——我是……洪钧。”洪钧真恨自己的舌头不争气，曾经无数次的自报家门如今却哆嗦起来。
“哦，你好你好。今天是什么日子啊，刚刚邓汶才来过电话，现在又是你，失踪这么多年怎么全在今天冒出来了？”柳峥的声音虽然充满欢欣，但听上去很自然，没有丝毫的惊讶或紧张。
洪钧的心里五味杂陈，没话找话地说：“是啊，是邓汶刚把你的电话给了我，我就试着拨了一下，没想到居然真能找到你。”
柳峥笑了起来，说道：“你们俩真不愧是同窗挚友，连开场白都如出一辙，他说是学校的老师刚把我的电话给了他，他就试着拨了一下，没想到居然真能找到我，呵呵。”
洪钧都能感到自己的脸红了，他只好干笑一声，自嘲道：“我得谢谢邓汶啊，他不仅给了我你的号码，而且要是没有他的鼓励，我也没有勇气时隔这么多年贸然跟你联系。”
柳峥忽然说：“喂，你听得清吗？我这边总是听到有好多杂音。”
洪钧下意识地回答：“我这边没有啊，挺清楚的呀。”他奇怪两边都是直拨的固定电话，怎么会有杂音？何况对方还是堂堂中南海的电话，刚想到这儿，他脑子里猛然闪过一个念头，以前好像不止一次听人说过凡是机要单位的电话随时都可能有相关部门在录音监听，也许是柳峥担心他口无遮拦重提那些陈年旧事吧，这么猜测着，洪钧忙说：“好像是有点儿，大概是我的电话机质量不行吧。我找你没什么事，就是因为工作上遇到一些难处想请你帮忙。”
柳峥很痛快地说：“好啊，没问题，能帮的我一定尽力。估计不是一句两句能说清的吧？要不咱们见面谈吧。”
***
洪钧坐车从东二环拐上平安大街，一路向西经过地安门、北海后门和什刹海，快到平安里时在一处路口掉头兜了一圈才来到位于平安大街南侧的金台饭店。金台饭店的大堂是个很有气派的四方形天井，洪钧进来找了一处沙发坐下，扫视着四周的景象。洪钧还是头一次来这里，他平常出没的地方多是外资饭店，这种“中”字头背景的很少涉足，他知道金台饭店是中共中央办公厅的下属单位，主要承担各种党政会议的接待任务，也就难怪柳峥把他约到这里来。置身于一个完全陌生的环境中，洪钧越发觉得不安，坐在沙发上仰头望着八、九层楼高的天井顶部，更感觉自己是个不折不扣的井底之蛙，他和柳峥虽一直游走于同一座城市，却好像分处两个完全不同维度的空间，头一次有了交集。
三点正，柳峥准时走进大堂，她站住脚往四下张望，洪钧已经起身向她走来，柳峥马上认出了他并笑着主动伸出手，全然不像是久别重逢，一边握手一边说：“刚到吗？走，咱们先上楼，我没让他们下来等咱们。”
柳峥轻车熟路地把洪钧带到二楼的餐厅，果然饭店经理和几名服务员早已在门口笑容满面地迎候，柳峥向经理点头致意而后就说：“给开个单间，我们谈点事。”
一名服务员忙快步前去，经理陪着柳峥和洪钧跟在后面，进到一个中等大小的包间柳峥说：“我们不吃饭，你们就给上些茶水吧。”她又马上扭头问洪钧：“你中午吃过了吧？”洪钧忙点头答应，等服务员把茶水等一应物件招待停当、关上门退出去了，柳峥才和洪钧隔着茶几坐到沙发上，柳峥客气道：“这里说是四星级其实硬件条件也就一般吧，但是接待水平还是很不错的，主要是我对这里熟悉，而且离我那儿又最近，只是让你跑得挺远，辛苦你啦。”洪钧也客气地表示这点路不算什么。
一切安顿好了，两人才开始互相打量对方，辨认着当年依稀的模样，也搜寻着似水流年刻下的印记。柳峥穿一套浅棕色的西装，里面是一件暗红色的羊绒衫，短发稍微做了些波纹的式样，还是像学生时代一样素面朝天，清秀的眉眼一如往日又略增了几分干练和英气，眼角没有半点皱纹，洪钧好像听说过女人最先老去的部位是脖子，便偷偷瞟了一眼，发现柳峥的颈项光洁如初，他感觉柳峥好像故意用穿着和发式使自己显得比实际年龄更老成些，便由衷地夸赞道：“你还像以前一样年轻啊。”
柳峥“咯咯”地笑起来，说道：“你呀，行了吧，也太不实事求是了，这都过去多少年了还年轻啊？我如今也就在中组部的眼里还可以算得上是'青年'。”
洪钧忙说：“我是说真的，你就是年轻嘛，和过去没什么变化。”
“好，你说是真的我就当是真的吧，不过你倒真还是老样子，就是白头发好像多了点。”
洪钧搔了下脑袋，说：“没办法，污染越来越严重啊，天也灰了、水也黑了，只有我的头发越来越白了。”
“呵，还是那么忧国忧民呐。”柳峥喝了口茶。
洪钧一眼看见柳峥拿着玻璃杯的左手在无名指上有个白晃晃的戒指，便说：“记得你以前从来不戴首饰的，如今也穿金戴银的了。”
柳峥放下杯子，翻手看了眼自己的白金戒指，笑着说：“你绕什么圈子啊？就直接问我结婚没有不就完了嘛，哪儿穿金戴银了，就这么一个戒指。”
“那……你结婚了？”
“当然啦，都多大岁数了，我总不会那么老大难、死活嫁不出去吧？”
“哦，挺好。敢问你家相公是从事什么工作的？”
“他呀，穷学究，在社科院做学问的。你呢？你怎么样了？”
洪钧夸张地叹口气说：“还一个人漂着呢，没人看得上我。”
“你呀，行了吧，恐怕是没人能让你看得上还差不多。漂就漂着吧，不都说男人像好酒吗？越陈越好。我听其他同学说起过，你一直在外企，现在都是大老板了吧？”
“什么老板，打工仔一个。”洪钧略带尴尬地遮掩着。
“假谦虚，我又不查你偷税漏税，在外企做职业经理人也是在为国民经济做贡献嘛。”柳峥止住笑，半真半假地说，“你不用把自己事业、生活都说得一塌糊涂似的，好像这样能让我觉得舒服，我心里当然盼着你过得好。”她忽然顿住，又跟了一句，“我盼着咱们所有同学都过得好。”
洪钧默然无语，柳峥又端起玻璃杯抿了一口，问道：“你电话里不是说有什么事吗？以你的个性，要不是有什么特别为难的事，你才不会主动再来找我，我原本还以为你只会到我的追悼会上去见我了。”她说完就垂下眼帘盯着自己的鞋尖。
洪钧的心登时收紧，他没想到柳峥会突然冒出这句话来，一时不知说什么好，结果竟挤出一句：“怎么可能呢？你肯定比我长寿。”
柳峥立刻朗声笑起来，又恢复了刚才的神采，指点着洪钧说：“你看你这个人，永远以自我为中心，为了让我不得不先去见你竟然恨不得你自己先死。”
洪钧红着脸笑了笑，说：“我今天不是主动和你联系、主动来见你了嘛。”
“嗯，说正事吧，有什么需要我效劳的？”
洪钧用热水瓶往柳峥的玻璃杯里续满水，便开始扼要地介绍自己在维西尔的工作情况和弗里曼来华访问一事，最后说：“你肯定已经知道我的难处，只剩十多天他就到了，半点眉目都没有，逼得我没辙了，忽然就想到了你。”
“我真荣幸啊，这时候想起我了。”柳峥白了洪钧一眼，问道，“你们老板想见谁啊？”
“当然希望越高越好啊，能见谁就见谁。”
柳峥冷笑道：“他难道还想见'一号'啊？美国总统也能由着他想见就见吗？”
“能啊。”洪钧笑呵呵地回答，“花五千美元就能参加一次募捐晚宴，还能和布什聊上几句再合个影。”但他的笑容很快便僵住，因为柳峥严肃地瞪了他一眼，足以让他气短。
“坦白讲，你心里肯定也清楚这是不可能的事情，你应该比我更了解你们公司，以你们公司的实力规模和业务特点，无论在国计民生还是在两国交往中都不具备足够的影响，'一号'根本不可能见你们，你应该让你老板认识到这一点，不要抱有不切实际的奢望，否则他反而会怪罪你办事不力。”此时的柳峥与方才谈笑时平易随和的柳峥已经判若两人，开始流露出她强悍果断的一面。
洪钧无助地问：“那依你看，他见谁比较合适呢？”
柳峥摇了摇头：“很难，恐怕他这次谁也见不到。你今天能找到我也真是凑巧，明天我就要准备上会了，这是我们所有人当前面临的中心工作，'两会'期间高层都要暂停一切外事活动，你以前见过开'两会'的时候有外国元首来访的吗？”
洪钧的眼神黯淡下来，轻轻地叹了口气，他的最后一线希望破灭了。柳峥静静地注视着洪钧，轻声问了一句：“这件事对你非常重要吗？”
“嗯。”洪钧重重地点了下头，旋即又像是反过来安慰柳峥似的说，“嗨，没关系，我再想别的办法呗，争取把老板在中国的其他活动都安排好，他要是实在不满意也就随他去了，岂能尽如人意，但求无愧我心，扛着呗。”
柳峥没有马上回话，而是又端起玻璃杯轻轻吹着浮在水面的茶叶，片刻之后才把玻璃杯放在茶几上，像是下定决心似的说：“我帮你争取吧，看看有没有可能见到'三号'，他一向对高科技和创新产业特别重视，但这个时机实在太不凑巧，只能尽力而为吧，我和'三号'的大秘比较熟，上次我去中央党校学习，他是我们学员班的大班长，再之前我下到地方上挂职锻炼，正好赶上他也外放，归口就是归他领导，一直相处得不错，我从这个渠道试试看吧。”
本已绝望的洪钧顿时喜出望外，忙笑着一再向柳峥拱手说：“哎呀这真是太好了！大恩不言谢，这次就全靠你的面子了。”
柳峥没笑，而是认真地说：“这种事，面子没用。你先别谢我，坦白讲希望不大，只能先试试看，你最好多做几手准备，我这话不只是讲给你听的，你最好也讲给你老板听让他也做好思想准备，见不成是正常的，见成了是意外之喜。”
洪钧暗想究竟是谁的面子没用，