However, one tricky issue remains: the club lacks an independent manager, and many big and small problems require Lao Zhao to act as the interim general manager.
After the spring, business resud its normal pace and gradually got busier, so sotis Lao Zhao was overwheld and clearly couldn’t handle it.
Lao Zhao discussed the matter of serving as interim general manager of the club with Zhang Yang privately several tis. The two brothers did not co up with a good solution, feeling helpless for the mont. They could only bite the bullet and carry on.
Just as Zhang Yang and his team were growing steadily and entering a temporary rest period after participating in the national competition in April, Zhang Yang’s old friend, whom he befriended earlier this spring, ca to see him again.
This day, Zhang Yang was in the backyard fishing with his teammates when his phone rang.
The ringtone, a custom set "Orange Perfu," prompted Zhang Yang to put down his fishing rod and imdiately take out his phone to answer.
"Hello, Brother Ma? You’re looking for ?" Zhang Yang answered the call politely.
Ma Ruming’s hearty laughter ca over the phone: "Haha, little Zhang Yang, what are you busy with? I’m in W City again to hang out with you! Where are you? Send your location, I’ll co find you!"
"You’ve co to W City again? I’m at the club fishing with the team, where are you? I’ll co et you!"
Zhang Yang didn’t think much; when an old friend cos to visit, it’s essential to show hospitality. Although Zhang Yang and old Ma have no mutual interests, their temperants align perfectly, and they get along well.
"No need to fuss, I just exited the highway and entered the city. Where are you? Send a location, I’ll head straight over!"
"Alright, I’ll send it to you via WeChat!"
"Great, let’s talk when we et! I’m driving, hanging up for now!" Old Ma cheerfully hung up the phone, then hit the accelerator, heading towards the navigation location sent by Zhang Yang.
"Boss, who’s coming?" Liu Zi looked at Zhang Yang, curiosity in his eyes.
Zhang Yang grinned: "The old buddy I t in the spring at the River Qu, the one nad Ma! He’s here to hang out; he’s exited the highway already!"
"Oh oh, it’s Brother Ma! With Brother Ma coming to our club, there’ll surely be a feast at lunch again! Should we book a table in advance?" Liu Zi, always thinking with his stomach, imdiately anticipated a delicious al.
"Don’t rush, let’s wait until he arrives!"
...
In less than twenty minutes, the steady roar of a Grand Cherokee’s engine approached from far away, and the sound of a car horn was heard at the club’s main entrance.
"He should be here now! You guys keep fishing, I’ll go et him!" Zhang Yang got up and called out, striding towards the east entrance.
Upon reaching the entrance, old Ma had already climbed out of the driver’s seat, examining the club’s sign hung at the entrance with a pensive look.
"Haha, Brother Ma! Welco, welco!" Zhang Yang opened the door and locked eyes with old Ma, enthusiastically walking over to shake hands and hug.
"Not bad, is this club your work?" Ma Ruming scanned the tallic club sign while observing the club na logo on the fishing hat worn by Zhang Yang.
"Haha, yes! We recently got the official approval and set up the club site. Co, I’ll show you around the club, and you can provide so valuable feedback!"
"Wait, let’s offload so of the stuff I brought first!" Old Ma didn’t imdiately follow, instead motioning to Zhang Yang.
"You ca, and you brought stuff too! You’re too kind!" Zhang Yang casually said, feigning earnestness.
"Haha, I know you’re not much of a drinker, but Lao Zhao and the guys might like it. A friend gifted them to , so I brought so for everyone to taste!"
As he spoke, Ma Ruming opened the car trunk.
Unexpectedly, old Ma’s trunk this ti didn’t have much fishing equipnt; instead, there were several boxes.
Initially, Zhang Yang didn’t care much, but upon seeing the logo on the side of the box, he realized he was in for a surprise.
Feitian Moutai, and entire unboxed sets at that. Two boxes of Moutai, placed side by side, instantly left Zhang Yang stunned.
"Whoa, Moutai? That’s a bit over the top, isn’t it?" Zhang Yang said, sowhat incredulous.
"Haha, they’re just bottles of liquor; there’s nothing over the top about it! I didn’t even buy them myself; a friend gave them, so let’s enjoy them together!" Old Ma laughed heartily, completely indifferent.
"This... I feel it’s too valuable; these things cost thousands a bottle! And giving them to ? I don’t know anything about liquor, it’d be like throwing pearls before swine!"
"You and I have never quibbled about expenses when I entertained you at the reservoir! Accept them, or I’ll leave!" Old Ma feigned anger, slightly turning away.
Now Zhang Yang couldn’t refuse. Old Ma had a point: true friendship should be simple and uncalculating. Zhang Yang had never fussed over costs before and shouldn’t now.
"Okay, I’ll accept them!" Zhang Yang nodded in agreent.
"These two boxes of liquor, the one inside is for you, the one outside is for Lao Zhao! Don’t mix them up!" Old Ma worried Zhang Yang might forget and specially reminded him.
"Uh, what’s the difference? They’re all intact boxes of Moutai!"
Old Ma answered frankly: "Different vintage years. I know Lao Zhao through you, so it matters!"
With this hint, Zhang Yang looked down. Goodness, one box was from 2018, the other from 2013.
A slightly bewildered Zhang Yang now wanted to send a ssage in his circle of friends asking how much a 2013 original box Feitian Moutai was worth.
"Stop staring, let’s move it! Help unload them!" Old Ma murmured again, reaching to take out the Moutai.
Then, a funny scene unfolded.
The two buddies each carrying a box of Moutai walked straight into the club’s office.
Honestly, Moutai liquor is precious. Although Zhang Yang doesn’t consu much, during major holidays or necessary occasions, the company does purchase so for gift-giving or maintaining relationships. Because China is a society of relationships, running a business ans dealing with these unavoidable matters.
Typically for such social exchanges, two bottles of Moutai and two cartons of cigarettes are standard and sufficient. Old Ma’s style of giving directly with two crates of aged Moutai was truly unexpected for Zhang Yang.
Under Zhang Yang’s lead, they went upstairs; once the liquor was stored, Zhang Yang wiped his forehead sweat.
From the mont of going upstairs, old Ma surveyed the club environnt, comnted when Zhang Yang paused: "Wow, you’ve done a good job. Everything split into functional areas, truly configured nicely!"
"Uh, Brother Ma, do you have experience in club managent?" Zhang Yang asked.
Old Ma smiled and shook his head: "I’ve never managed a club, but I have a business. The principles are the sa - distinguish functional zones, and streamline, standardize processes as much as possible! Like your club, with the activity room, rest area, warehouse, eting room, all separated, quite nicely!"
"Oh! By the way, we just ordered a batch of high-carbon rods for internal club use; I’ll get you a set later to try! They used selective materials, the feel is pretty good!"
"Great! Anything else good for fishing, I won’t be shy about it!"
"Haha, we don’t need to wait; let’s go to the warehouse now, pick whatever you like!" Zhang Yang waved his hand, leading old Ma to the club warehouse.
To be frank, it’s quite realistic. They say true friendship should be plain and undemanding; this phrase isn’t wrong. But in real human interaction, the initial intention might be pure, as the relationship deepens, exchanges inevitably involve material aspects.
Old Ma gave Zhang Yang two boxes of Moutai. Zhang Yang reciprocated with customized top-tier high-carbon rods from his club, without a hint of concern.
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