"Chairman Chen, it's been a while."
We met again at the same restaurant, with the same members on both sides.
Chen Fei, puzzled by my cheerful demeanor despite the unpleasant circumstances, said,
"He's asking if something good happened."
I laughed heartily at Manager Han's translation.
"Being able to drink with such fine people is a good thing in itself, isn't it?"
Chen Fei chuckled and said,
"He says he's glad to see you again and wants to have a drink."
We sat down and exchanged pleasantries, starting the drinking session.
"I wish Chairman Chen continued success and prosperity. Let's have a drink to celebrate."
I filled his glass with baijiu and raised mine.
"Ganbei!"
Chen Fei, watching me enthusiastically leading the toast, said,
"He's asking if you're in such a good mood because your business is doing well."
"Of course. Our sales exceeded 10 billion won in just a week after completing the technology."
CEO Wu gulped, despite already knowing this.
10 billion won in a week meant over 500 billion won annually.
CEO Wu's monthly sales from Chunha Trading were only around 5 billion won. He was shocked that I had generated two months' worth of his sales in just one week with a new factory.
Chen Fei, after hearing Manager Han's translation, was also surprised.
"He's amazed by your rapid sales growth and applauds your business acumen."
"Thank you."
Chen Fei's eyes gleamed as I bowed in gratitude.
"He's saying imagine the synergy if you combined your abilities with his connections."
So he was finally getting to the point.
I smiled and said,
"Of course. It's not easy doing business alone in a foreign country. I often need help."
Chen Fei nodded vigorously.
"He says he can help you grow your business and asks if you're still willing to proceed with the original plan."
"60% for 20 billion won?"
"Yes."
I tilted my head.
"You based that price on our estimated annual sales of hundreds of billions of won. Now it could be trillions of won, and you're still offering the same terms?"
Chen Fei smiled slyly.
"A promise is a promise. And considering Renyi Investment Corporation's capabilities, it's not a bad deal."
I couldn't help but chuckle.
"He's basically asking for a free ride. He should at least offer a higher investment amount. He's not a businessman, he's a thug. Don't translate that."
I looked at Chen Fei and said,
"Does that make sense? This business could generate trillions of won in annual sales. What are these 'capabilities' that he values so highly?"
Chen Fei said confidently,
"He says he can send an inspection team to Chunha Trading at any moment. He says his investment offer is very generous."
My eyes widened.
"So he's saying he'll send an inspection team to harass us if I don't listen to him? Is that a threat?"
Manager Han hesitated, and I chuckled.
"Translate it."
Chen Fei smiled.
"He says it's not a threat, but he's just saying he has that kind of power. So it's best to join forces with him."
I burst into laughter, tears streaming down my face.
Chen Fei and his group looked at me, puzzled by my sudden laughter after his thinly veiled threat. I wiped away my tears and said,
"Tell him I had a good laugh. He should consider a career in comedy."
Chen Fei's face contorted in anger.
"He's asking if you're mocking him."
"Tell him I'm not fully appreciating his power yet, so I'd like to experience it firsthand. Then we can talk again."
Chen Fei said with a hardened expression,
"He says you'll regret this."
I smirked.
"Tell him to let me know if I do."
*
"Are you sure this is okay? Chen Fei looked furious."
CEO Wu said worriedly as we were returning. I smiled.
"Don't worry, I'm fully prepared. Chen Fei can't touch me."
CEO Wu still seemed uneasy, so I said,
"Are you worried that you'll be affected?"
He smiled awkwardly.
"I can't say I'm not worried. But I'm Chinese, and I know how to handle these situations, so you don't have to worry about me."
"Really? By the way, I apologize for the sudden announcement. You seemed surprised."
"What announcement?"
"The 10 billion won in weekly sales."
CEO Wu laughed.
"Of course I was surprised. You've only been in China for a few months, and you're already generating that much."
I bowed my head.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
"It's okay. It's not easy to disclose sensitive company information. But it's amazing that you've achieved so much in such a short time. I need to work harder."
I looked at him intently.
There was no such thing as friendship when it came to money. Even close friends could become jealous if one of them became significantly more successful.
If Chunha Trading, which he considered a similar-sized business partner, suddenly became much more successful, would he still treat me the same way?
Absolutely not. That's why I needed to give him a gift.
A reason to believe that Chunha Trading's success would benefit him as well.
That shared interest would be the strongest bond between us.
I put my hand on his shoulder and said gently,
"Just wait, CEO Wu. I don't forget favors. Remember what I said before? I'll bring you secondhand goods from all over the world. Once this business is on track, I'll start working on it within this year. You can look forward to it."
CEO Wu, who had probably dismissed my previous promise as just a boast or a vision, was now nervous, realizing it was about to become a reality.
"Within this year? Were you serious?"
"Of course. I don't make empty promises."
CEO Wu was touched.
"Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me, CEO Park. Thank you again."
"You're welcome."
*
"That Korean bastard dared to disrespect me?"
After Park Sol and his group left, Chen Fei slammed his fist on the table, unable to control his anger.
"What? He wants to experience my power? Fine, I'll show him."
He glared and said,
"Kim Jin-won, did that bastard say anything that wasn't translated?"
Kim Jin-won was a Korean-Chinese whom Chen Fei had hired as a secret interpreter.
He said nervously,
"Should I tell you directly, or should I soften it?"
"Tell me directly."
"Before you mentioned the inspection team, he said you were trying to take advantage of him… He called you a thug."
Chen Fei's face turned red with rage.
"That bastard never intended to give up his shares! How dare he disrespect me?"
It had all started when he heard about a Korean company selling used IC chips and ordered an investigation without thinking much of it.
But as he investigated further and saw the company's rapid sales growth despite only being in China for two months, his greed was piqued.
It wasn't his first time exploiting foreign businesses.
"Fine, I'll show him the true power of China."
Many foreign business owners, unfamiliar with the Chinese way of doing business, had rejected Chen Fei's offers and learned their lesson the hard way.
They were constantly harassed by relevant government agencies until they surrendered to Chen Fei or gave up and returned to their home countries.
Chen Fei took out his phone and made a call.
[Hello?]
"Director Jin, it's Chen Fei."
[Chairman Chen, what a surprise. What brings you to call at this late hour?]
Director Jin was the head of the Shenzhen Municipal Tax Service, the highest-ranking official in charge of tax-related matters in Shenzhen.
Chen Fei wanted to call the mayor and have Chunha Trading crushed, but it wasn't a big enough issue to warrant the mayor's involvement.
He said in a friendly voice,
"Nothing much, just calling to check in."
[Haha, is that so?]
"By the way, are there many foreign companies entering Shenzhen these days?"
[You have no idea. Especially from Korea and Japan, probably because of the geographical proximity. Our government is offering a lot of incentives to attract foreign investment]
Chen Fei nodded.
"That's right. But would you believe it if I told you there's a company evading taxes despite all those incentives? I happened to learn about it, and I couldn't just ignore it. It's an insult to the People's Republic of China."
Director Jin seemed to get the hint, and a chuckle came from the other end of the line.
[Hehehe, is there such a company? We can't let them get away with it. Which company is it?]
Chen Fei smiled slyly.
"It's a Korean company called Chunha Trading in the Second Industrial Complex. Please give them a thorough investigation. I'll reward you generously."
But as soon as he finished speaking, silence followed.
Chen Fei, puzzled, said,
"Hello? Director Jin?"
[Is the CEO's name Park Sol?]
Chen Fei was startled.
"How did you know?"
Director Jin said in a troubled voice,
[This might be difficult.]
"What do you mean, difficult? It's just a small company that's been in China for a few months."
Director Jin hesitated and then said,
[I'll tell you since it's you, Chairman Chen, and he didn't ask me to keep it confidential. Chairman Zhao Yang asked me to look after Chunha Trading and select them as a model taxpayer.]
"Who? Chairman Zhao Yang? Are you talking about Chairman Zhao Yang from Xinhua Investment Corporation?"
[Yes, that's right.]
Chen Fei was speechless. He hadn't expected that name.
[As you know, it's difficult to refuse Chairman Zhao Yang's request… Do you have any other requests?]
"…Not at the moment. Sorry for calling so late."
Chen Fei ended the call and stared blankly at his phone.
"Why is that old man involved? Did Xinhua make a move?"
Xinhua Investment Corporation and Renyi Investment Corporation were only about twice different in size, but their roots were vastly different.
Renyi was a newly established investment company that had emerged during China's rapid economic growth, while Xinhua was a group of established, influential figures who had been operating in Shenzhen for a long time.
Although they were competitors, they occasionally collaborated on large projects, so Chen Fei hurriedly called Chairman Zhao Yang to find out what was going on.
[Hello?]
"Chairman Zhao Yang, it's Chen Fei."
[Oh, Chairman Chen. What's up? Do you have a good deal for me?]
Chairman Zhao Yang sounded clueless, and Chen Fei said,
"It's about Chunha Trading. Are you working on something with them?"
Chairman Zhao Yang laughed heartily.
[Hahahaha, so the interference CEO Park mentioned was you, Chairman Chen?]
"What?"
Chen Fei, confused, asked,
"What's going on?"
[It's nothing much. CEO Park asked me for a favor, so I put in a few words with some directors.]
"…"
Chen Fei couldn't understand how Park Sol had managed to win over Chairman Zhao Yang in such a short time.
[Anyway, I understand the situation now. Chairman Chen, if you were planning to target Chunha Trading, give up.]
Chen Fei, after a moment of thought, said with a determined expression,
"Chairman Zhao Yang, how about we work together on Chunha Trading? They seem like a lucrative target."