Chapter 41 Chapter Forty

Ms. Shi Jiamin, a Chinese-American, has recently felt more and more that Guo Tianliang, the chairman of Tianliang Group, intends to alienate her.Women are the most sensitive emotional animals. When they first met each other, Guo Tianliang invited him to eat and chat every day.The problems encountered in the process of enterprise development, often consult their own opinions.When the relationship was the closest, I often took myself out for outings and participated in various social activities. However, since he and Li Lilin went to Longquan Fort alone, Guo Tianliang learned about the situation later, and gradually there were fewer calls and fewer parties. VIP room.

Today's agreed meeting place is again in the VIP reception room of Longtian Hotel. The VIP reception room of this five-star hotel has undoubtedly the best hardware facilities in Coal City, and it is located on the 46th floor, the highest point of the hotel. It is said to be a reception room, but it is actually a reception hall on the entire floor, with an oval-shaped high-end conference table in the middle, which is used to receive large delegations.Next to it are two rows of mahogany tables and chairs, which are specially used to receive a small number of VIPs.The entire hall is covered with a red velvet carpet imported from Pakistan. In the center of the carpet is a huge snow-white peony in full bloom, surrounded by dozens of small green peonies.To the east of the hall is a high-end guest room for guests to rest, and to the west is a chess and card room for guests to entertain.

The most attractive thing about this VIP hall is not the hardware facilities, but the scenery outside the large glass curtain wall.Because the location is the highest and the line of sight is the best, standing here to look at the scenery, there is a feeling of looking down on the coal city from a mid-air plane. No building can escape your eyes: the government building is gray, the bank building is shiny, and others High-rise buildings stand obediently under my nose like little brothers and little sisters. The east mountain in the distance hovers like a crouching dragon, and the west mountain in the distance soars like a giant python...

"I'm the person in charge of a foundation. To put it bluntly, I'm a beggar of high culture. I don't want to be offered as a VIP." Shi Jiamin found it funny when she came in. There were only two of them, a man and a woman, in such a large space.Moreover, one sits on the east side and the other sits on the west side, as in a negotiation posture. "In the eyes of us uneducated and uncultivated local bosses, senior beauties from the United States are nothing more than VIPs!" Guo Tianliang didn't look at the women directly, but carefully admired the red flowers and green leaves placed in the middle of the table.

"When a person lacks self-confidence, no matter how luxurious the facilities and the rich scene, it seems that there is no way to make up for the defects in his heart." Shi Jiamin found that the tea was hot, but no waiter was present. "The guests sitting in this scene are all here to discuss business." Guo Tianliang watched the thick clouds rising above the western mountain in the distance, and the dazzling sun became a little faint. "Of course, businessmen want to Confidence, but not the most important thing, the most important thing is strength, and in the end, strength determines confidence.”

"So, in your eyes, I am a businessman? Is it your business partner?" Shi Jiamin saw that Dongshan behind the other party was gloomy. "Not exactly, not completely not." Even Guo Tianliang felt that his words were a bit awkward. "Not exactly, what's the meaning?" Since Shi Jiamin was a student, whenever he talked to boys, he had a condescending sense of superiority. "Not exactly, it means that we have established friendships beyond business in the past." After years of experience and a big scene that many people have never seen before, Guo Tianliang, who only has a junior high school education, has an IQ that is definitely not lower than that of college students .

"Not at all, it means that our relationship will return to the level of business partners in the future." Shi Jiamin has developed the habit of sarcasm boys since he was a student, "What do you want to say, can I express it clearly for you?" "American women understand the laws of logic better than Chinese women." Guo Tianliang could only cover up something in his heart with admiration. "Wrong!" Shi Jiamin is like a teacher correcting a primary school student. "My blood is pure Chinese blood; my way of thinking is the way of thinking of a pure Chinese woman. Chinese women pay more attention to emotion than logic."

In the first round of language confrontation, Guo Tianliang, who lacked confidence, was defeated.And Shi Jiamin, who has achieved a small success, has a stronger sense of superiority. "A man and a woman, if they can be friends in the future, if the relationship can develop in the future, it can usually be felt from the change of the meeting place. For example, the first occasional meeting in a public place, the second time taking the initiative to meet in a tea room or The third time we met at the coffee shop, we took the initiative to meet on the beach or some hidden place in the countryside... In short, it should be more and more private. Do you think I am right?" Shi Jiamin's American language is full of meaning.

"Yes! It's absolutely correct." Guo Tianliang was at the disadvantage of the language confrontation, and when he spoke, he somewhat echoed it. "Then, how did we 'fall' from the cafe where we met for the first time to the reception hall this time? The meeting space has changed from the most private place to the sunniest place, which shows that there is development between us. Or have you regressed?" What Shi Jiamin threw out before was the bait, but what Shi Jiamin threw now was the bone. It was too difficult for Guo Tianliang to chew on this bone. Guo Tianliang was silent for a long time, and finally thought of a way to get rid of the golden cicada's shell: "Don't talk about the relationship between us, there is no need for any in-depth discussion, it is recommended to stop here. What I care about is not the change of the place where we meet, but the change of the place where we meet. It’s how your relationship with other people is going.”

"Are you blocking your own secrets, but trying to find out other people's secrets, like an open and aboveboard man?" Shi Jiamin's real advantage comes from her self-confidence and honesty. "I've already said that I care about your relationship with other people, not our relationship." A gap has been dug in Guo Tianliang's heart, and the only thing he can convince himself is: the other party is an American woman, and American women are like stars, their feelings are made of glass. "Well, I'll talk about the relationship with others." Shi Jiamin said generously.

"The old mayor, Zhang Guojun, is really a loyal elder and a benevolent old man. Seeing that the coal city has difficulties in financing, he took the initiative to stand up and act as a consultant for the 'World Bank Project Office' with me. From morning to night, he helped sort out the application for loans. report..." Shi Jiamin has a talent for acting, and she spoke with a moving expression. "I know..." Guo Tianliang was not interested. "Mr. He of Ziyun Mining Company, a state-owned coal company, is called rich and powerful, that's called a big coal boss, and that's called a big coal boss, and that's called being so full that you have to spit it out. The coal company earns hundreds of billions a year. Going public in the United States, the company’s huge dividends will be distributed to the American people in the financial crisis. Although Mr. He is rich, he is not familiar with the place in the United States, so he found me and helped him recommend a trustworthy financial consulting company. In order for me to help, I donated 3 million yuan to our foundation." Shi Jiamin said all off topic. "Originally, I thought that such a good company as Coal City went public in the United States purely to catch up with fashion, put on a facade, and build an image. In fact, it is not the case. Mr. He took advantage of this opportunity of transnational development to spit out all the food that could not be eaten in China to him in the United States. In my company..." Shi Jiamin didn't like that greedy old man. "I've never been interested in that man!" Guo Tianliang dislikes the bosses of big state-owned enterprises who are pocketing their own money the most. They carry the banner of the country, and what they think about every day is to put things in their pockets. "Also, Mr. Hei, the village head of Hougou Village, also asked me for help recently. He wanted to apply for two passports for American investment immigrants with a woman named Xuemei in Beijing. I was particularly surprised: the village head of the poor village in Coal City Thinking of American investment immigration, the Chinese economy is really powerful..." Shi Jiamin saw the western mountain behind the other party, and the sun had already set in the valley. Guo Tianliang got up quickly and turned on all the lights in the reception room. Immediately, the place was as splendid as a palace. "I know some of the people and things you mentioned better than you, such as Mayor Zhang. Others are not of interest to me at all." Guo Tianliang returned to his seat. "Since you are not interested, why do you want to explore my relationship with others?" Shi Jiamin asked. "I mainly don't care about these people." Guo Tianliang made it clear. "Then who do you care about?" Shi Jiamin looked at the other party like a needle. "What do you think?" The other party was very reluctant. "I want you to say it yourself!" Shi Jiamin insisted. "Or, forget it." After thinking about it again and again, Guo Tianliang flinched. "It can't be so easy." Shi Jiamin pressed hard. "Don't force me, there is no comparison between me and others, the gap is too big." Guo Tianliang was very self-aware, almost to the point of begging. "Who is there a gap with?" Shi Jiamin looked at him more uncomfortable, the more funny he was. "Who else is there, big shot." Guo Tianliang began to feel that this woman was almost teasing him. "Don't think so much. Although I am of Chinese descent, I am a real American woman." Shi Jiamin found that the other party was a little disgusted, and began to restrain herself. "What happened to the American woman?" Guo Tianliang felt that the other party was always swinging between China and the United States, as long as it was beneficial to him. "American women's perspective on issues, especially the perspective of choosing friends, is exactly the opposite of that of Chinese women." Shi Jiamin softened her tone. "What's the difference? They're all women." Guo Tianliang was annoyed. "Chinese women look at men, most of them think that powerful men are the most successful, and they want to make friends with them the most. As for American women, they are most willing to be with economically successful people." Shi Jiamin spoke sincerely this time, " The reason is very simple, China is a power economy, and power dominates everything; while the United States is a free economy, and the market determines everything. Can what I said make you more confident?" "I said a long time ago that there is no such thing as self-confidence or lack of self-confidence." Guo Tianliang felt much warmer in his heart. "In the United States, today you are the boss of Wall Street, and tomorrow you are the finance minister of the government. There is no difference between the two. The minister and the boss are equal, and even the boss has a higher status than the minister..." Shi Jiamin tried her best to show herself very frankly. "Thank you, Jiamin." Guo Tianliang was obviously moved, "We say one thousand and ten thousand, but we are in China after all. As you said, you are an American citizen, but your blood, career, way of thinking, everything is different. China's……" "Now that you have made a decision, don't blame me for not giving you a chance. No matter what others say, I hope you will always remember: In my eyes, Shi Jiamin, you, Guo Tianliang, are not well-educated, ordinary-looking, and have no background. But I appreciate your great financial success." The woman made no secret of herself. "I admire your intelligence and wisdom." Guo Tianliang was not flattering. "What I admire the most about you is also what you can impress me the most. It's not in the financial aspect, but in other aspects." The woman threw off all her disguise as soon as she was emotional. "Other aspects? What is that?" Every man wants to know where his greatest charm lies. "What I appreciate the most is your kind heart behind your success. Because of this, your status in my heart is at least higher than others now." When the woman talked about the truth, her eyes turned red "I do charity work, and I appreciate the truly kind people the most. Mayor Zhang values ​​you, and that's why." "I hope we will always be friends who appreciate each other, just like when we first met." Guo Tianliang recalled that when we first met, no one knew the details of each other, but he just felt that he admired each other and that the future was full of hope. "Our relationship has improved, and the place where we meet next time should also be changed. Don't be in this big and useless reception room, but in a warm and loving cafe, okay?" Shi Jiamin subtly adjusted her mentality. "It's getting late, I'll invite you to the cafe below to eat western food now." Guo Tianliang felt refreshed. "Okay." The woman was full of joy, got up and left, "I don't like men to pack themselves with big and useless things." Guo Tianliang was slightly uncomfortable. Although the spring night in Coal City is not as romantic as Jiangnan or as charming as Beijing, it still has its natural, simple and vibrant charm. In the western-style coffee shop of Longtian Hotel, there were many customers and acquaintances. Guo Tianliang, who was always cautious, did not evade in front of the staff this time, nor did he hide in front of acquaintances.He came in holding Shi Jiamin's arm, walked slowly to a corner where he could enjoy the night view, and the two sat down. Light a red candle, call for an exquisite meal, and savor it slowly.What you taste is not only the taste of food, but also the unique charm of life... Not far away came the melodious sound of the piano, the sound was like a swallow whispering... "We've talked so much, but we haven't told you something serious yet." Shi Jiamin felt the neon lights flickering outside the window. "Business? Isn't the foundation running well?" Guo Tianliang understood that after such a long period of hard work, Shi Jiamin's work has opened up. Not only the coal boss donated money to her, but sometimes the government also funded part of it. "I want to ask you something, you must tell me the truth and don't avoid it." Although the lights were flickering, Shi Jiamin could still see the other person's expression clearly, "Since we are friends who appreciate each other, at least we shouldn't hide anything. " "That depends on whether it's emotional or professional." From the conversation conditions she set, Guo Tianliang felt that the question was difficult to answer. "It's both." Shi Jiamin hoped that the other party would be as simple as a primary school student in answering questions. "Did you approach me in the first place to get Li Lilin to support you in fighting for mines?" Shi Jiamin suddenly mentioned the person they both wanted to avoid, "Tell me the real answer." "There are reasons for this, it is undeniable." Facing clear eyes, Guo Tianliang did not lie. "Later, for no reason, you didn't mention this matter." Shi Jiamin wanted to prove his judgment personally, "Is it because of me that you don't want me to come forward to beg Li Lilin? You don't want to fall in his favor?" "Since you understand, why are you still asking me!" Indeed, Guo Tianliang had a subtle psychological change afterwards. "Now that the conditions are ripe, I can let him do this without losing his favor." Shi Jiamin finally seized this opportunity. "You? He owes you?" Guo Tianliang felt uncomfortable. "He owed it to me. But, it's not as vulgar as you think." Shi Jiamin expressed his opinion, "World Bank officials are here to investigate the tens of billions of loan projects in Coal City. , resorted to the 'beauty trick', hired me as a project consultant, and helped him win the World Bank officials. Isn't this what he owes me! Besides, big projects with tens of billions compete with coal mines with hundreds of millions, which one is more important? It's okay, Li Lilin can still settle the score." "Beauty trick? How old are you? Are you overconfident?" Guo Tianliang observed her face again. "I know you will have this question, this is Li Lilin's extraordinary 'trick'." Shi Jiamin felt that Guo Tianliang in front of him was indeed much more honest than the cunning Li Lilin, "To tell you the truth, Li Lilin is called 'kill three birds with one stone' The first Benzine is an official of the World Bank. No matter which city they go to, these cities will use the youngest and most beautiful girls to take them down. For the World Bank officials, beautiful girls have become old Pickles, nothing new. Let me, a woman in her early forties, grow up in China, study in the United States, rely on the United States, and start a business in China. This bizarre experience alone can immediately attract the curious attention of Americans, especially those with the same experienced Taiwanese American.” "Indeed. Where's the second stupid bird?" Guo Tianliang felt amused, but couldn't help admiring it. "Of course it's this project. As long as Americans are interested in me, the success rate of this project will increase greatly." Shi Jiamin guessed Li Lilin's meticulous thoughts. "The third stupid bird? Let me guess." Guo Tianliang thought for a long time, then pointed at her nose and laughed, "It's you! So you are the third stupid bird!" "How could it be me?!" Even Shi Jiamin was surprised, "Tell me your reason." "Li Lilin thinks very highly of himself, and thinks he is the most successful man in society. Although you repeatedly evade, he stubbornly believes that you are just too strong in personality and unwilling to cling to high-ranking officials. There must be a process of adjustment. Besides, you study abroad For many years in the United States, he has always had doubts about whether you can control yourself at critical moments. This time, the World Bank project inspection also provides him with a golden opportunity to inspect you. He wants to see with his own eyes: in the most powerful Do you feel flustered in front of a man?" When Guo Tianliang expressed his opinion, he found that the other party's face changed drastically, and he felt a little regretful. "The third bird is indeed me, but I don't explain it that way." Shi Jiamin disagreed with this point of view. "How did you explain it?" Guo Tianliang couldn't figure it out. "He really wants to relive the old dream. However, he believes that the key reason why we have not made progress for so long is that we have not had a whole block of contact time, and he is also worried about other people's gossip. After all, he is the mayor. This time, the World Bank project The investigation provided a rare opportunity for us to be together in an open and honest way." Shi Jiamin did not agree with Guo Tianliang's analysis at all, and even used past history to prove his point of view, "I have been with him since childhood. Although Li Lilin is very smart, he has It's time to be cynical. But his nature is not bad, let alone as bad as you said. I still know everything about him. Otherwise, I wouldn't associate with him." "If you say that, I'm too worried." Guo Tianliang suddenly came to his senses. This was a running-in relationship, not a business competition. "You are a very kind person, but you think too badly of others." Shi Jiamin also sees Guo Tianliang very clearly. "Don't forget, I'm a businessman, and I'm a coal boss." Guo Tianliang looked up at the night sky, "I'm doing business, dealing in coal, and I often deal with the most unscrupulous people in the world, so don't be careful!" "I don't answer serious questions, and I often think in crooked ways." Shi Jiamin was half complaining and half angry. "I have decided to withdraw from the mine competition!" Guo Tianliang officially announced. "Because of me?" Shi Jiamin felt a little guilty. "No, not at all." Guo Tianliang said his true thoughts, "A few days ago, I went to Mount Wutai to pay homage to my adoptive father, and the great monk Ziyu told me that Lu Ming, an elder in a coal mine in Inner Mongolia, invited me to Let’s develop a big mine together on the grassland.” "So that's what happened!" Shi Jiamin realized, "I went to Mount Wutai with you before, why didn't I hear you mention Great Monk Ziyu?" "Because he is the closest person to our father and son. Although you are my friend, you are just a friend who appreciates each other, not to the point of sharing life and death." Guo Tianliang said truthfully, "When my father was alive, he once said that we The great monk is our friend who we share in life and death; the small temple we stayed in is our last home. We are not a family, so we cannot come in." "Is there no competition in the coal mines in Inner Mongolia?" Shi Jiamin had heard of coal production in Inner Mongolia, but did not know the specifics. "There are few people on the grassland, and Mongolians are good at grazing. For coal mining, they have just started. Even if there is competition, it is not as cruel as in Shanxi!" Guo Tianliang suddenly remembered many things caused by the competition for mines. "Now Shanxi is competing for mines. Just like openly robbing money, robbing relationships, robbing the government, robbing villagers, robbing mountain tops, and even some mine owners have used the underworld." "It's so bad." Shi Jiamin didn't even think about it, "No wonder it was reported on TV that many coal bosses in Shanxi are going to the west entrance again, and they have gone to Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang to find coal. It seems that the land of Sanjin has fallen into a vicious The level of competition is completely irresistible.” "I also want to follow in the footsteps of the ancestors of Shanxi merchants, go to Xikou, and go to Inner Mongolia." Guo Tianliang is full of pride. "If you want to leave, who can win the Shuiyugou Coal Mine?" Shi Jiamin asked suspiciously. "Zhao Guozhong!" There was no doubt about the answer. "Why him?" Shi Jiamin felt that many people were competitive. "Two points: one is money. Zhao Guozhong is currently the most powerful among the local coal bosses, and others cannot compete with him. The premise is that after I voluntarily quit; the other is relationship. Zhao Guozhong was originally only supported by Duan Tiansheng. There can only be a 30% certainty, and the other 50% is in the hands of the 3,000 villagers in Hougou Village. You also know that Dahei used to support me, so I have the best chance of winning; God punished me for not fulfilling my filial piety. As a result, my former friend Dahei was kidnapped, and it happened that Zhao Guozhong rescued him, and he turned to support Zhao Guozhong, so Zhao Guozhong's chance of winning became 80%." "Where are the 20% uncertain factors?" Shi Jiamin noticed that there was a vague concept in the other party's words. "10% is in the sky. Needless to say, there are uncertain factors in everything in the world, and this factor accounts for at least 10%." Guo Tianliang continued his analysis, "The last 10% is the underworld! In the process of fighting for mines, often There will be such a "food chain": the boss is afraid of the government, the government is afraid of the people, the people are afraid of the underworld, and the underworld is afraid of the government! There is little chance of making waves.” "Twenty years away from China, the development in twenty years is really strange!" Shi Jiamin sighed. "China opened its eyes to see the world for 30 years, isn't it strange that the world has developed in the past 30 years?!" Guo Tianliang expressed his feelings. "If we want to be together, the common language is more than the topics of debate. However, I gave you the opportunity!" Shi Jiamin immediately condescended whenever she talked about emotions. "You mainly communicate with him less. As you said, what he looks forward to is more time together and more common language. The key is to cultivate feelings." Guo Tianliang sincerely hopes that this kind and intelligent woman will have a new life. Good home. "To cling to the rich and powerful, for a self-proclaimed person like me, it is tantamount to denying myself completely..." Shi Jiamin was in great pain.