Reborn with Consumption System-Chapter 660 - 285 Strategy Behind the Scenes_3

In this way, subordinates would feel it was only right, while superiors would be satisfied.

But now... Han Lie had completely reversed it!

You're distant and polite to the Group's director, yet brimming with enthusiasm for the head of a subsidiary company? What were you thinking?

He's offended them both!

As expected. In the end, it looks like it's still up to me to step in and clean up this mess...

Tang Xintian was brimming with fighting spirit, wondering how she would smooth things over for Han Lie later, when an unexpected turn occurred—

Director Qiu displayed no discomfort whatsoever; instead, he responded to Han Lie with immense enthusiasm.

"Teacher Han, aren't you being far too polite? You're my personal God of Wealth! Technically, if Brother Zhang hadn't beaten me to it, I should be the one treating you to this meal today, honoring you as my most distinguished guest... Please, sit down, sit down! Don't make your brother here lose face!"

Wow!

What in the world is going on?

Tang Xintian couldn't understand it at all.

No, seriously, what's gotten into you all?!

Sister Da Tang took her seat, filled with profound doubt, and activated her stealth observation mode. Soon, she began to notice a few clues.

She watched as Principal Zhang practically dragged Director Guan to the main seat. Then, with an incredibly natural air, he took charge and arranged for them to drink baijiu, dismissing Director Guan's stated preference for just some yellow wine.

This is dizzying...

So, it turns out they're as close as actual brothers?

At that moment, Tang Xintian suddenly recalled the smug, almost-laughing expression on Han Lie's face when she had warned him that Director Guan would be difficult to deal with, and she immediately felt a surge of anger.

"Are you making fun of me?" she asked, her tone carrying the force of a statement despite the question.

Han Lie stifled his laughter and quietly replied, "Not at all, not at all! Your warnings and comfort were incredibly helpful!"

Nonsense!

Her ears burning, Tang Xintian no longer wanted to deal with the insufferable man.

She had thought she was there to save the day. If communications stalled, she could leverage her status to ensure they were shown some respect. But the reality...

That crafty little scoundrel!

You took care of everything beforehand, so why did you even ask me to come?

Just to be a pretty face?

Angry as she was, Tang Xintian kept her emotions tightly reined in. Indeed, she played the part of a very qualified "pretty face," speaking little throughout the event and listening attentively to everyone's wide-ranging chitchat.

Han Lie and Guan Wei didn't exchange many words directly either—only three sentences, to be exact.

Director Guan maintained a polite yet distant demeanor toward everyone. He listened more than he spoke, conversing more actively only with Principal Zhang.

And the topics of their conversation were particularly interesting. Director Guan brought up the hardships of his school days, and Principal Zhang chimed in, complaining about how today's children don't cherish their educational opportunities, and so on.

Only then did Han Lie learn that Director Guan had completed a consecutive bachelor's-master's program at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.

That was understandable. On the banks of the Huangpu River, investment banks, Qingbei in finance, Fudan University, large state-owned enterprises, and the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics all held traditional advantages.

But Director Guan's story was truly inspiring. Raised in a poor, single-parent family, he had to balance school with caring for his younger siblings. He often went hungry and sometimes even had to study by streetlight.

If it hadn't been for Principal Zhang's father continuously helping and looking after him, the likelihood of his studies being interrupted was almost one hundred percent.

"My teacher's kindness was like a rebirth to me..." Guan Wei sighed, filled with emotion.

But Principal Zhang immediately retorted with a laugh, "Oh, come off it! Back when you were thick-skinned enough to sleep in my bed and eat my chicken legs, I don't recall you showing the slightest bit of shame..."

"Hahaha! What's there to be ashamed of with you?"

The two of them laughed heartily and clinked their glasses in a private toast.

Hearing their conversation, Tang Xintian immediately turned to look at Han Lie, a sharp glint in her eyes. She sensed that Director Guan's "casual chat" had an ulterior motive.

Han Lie listened with a smile, saying nothing, an expression on his face that suggested he had the situation well in hand.

Then she understood instantly—oh, it was indeed intentional.

At a dinner party involving outsiders, the person of highest status dictates the topics of conversation. Thus, they often use casual chat to convey deeper meanings that are inconvenient to state directly.

Take the current situation: Director Guan and Principal Zhang's personal relationship was so strong that they undoubtedly paid respects to the Old Master during holidays. They could discuss all those old, trivial matters anytime—why reminisce about the past in front of a bunch of strangers?

Anyone with a bit of sense would already be pondering: What is the leader implying?

The more astute ones had already understood the unspoken message.

And what was that unspoken message?

Principal Zhang is my sworn brother, half benefactor, half sibling. If he approaches you with any matter, whether you can handle it or not, well, you know what to do!

Clearly, Director Guan was using the reminiscing as a pretext to clue in Director Qiu, showcasing his personal relationship with Principal Zhang.

The rest was up to Director Qiu to figure out himself.

Director Qiu was a shrewd person himself.

He didn't interject while the two "brothers" reminisced, pretending not to have heard. Instead, he swiftly pulled Han Lie over for a separate toast, tilted his head back, and downed his drink in one go.

"Teacher Han, I felt an instant connection with you, like meeting an old friend! Allow me to take this opportunity to offer you this humble drink. If any good fortune comes your way in the future, please don't forget your brother here! I'll down mine; please, drink as you wish!"

These were all intelligent people. Why wait any longer to show one's stance?!

Delaying one's response by even a second would be the greatest disrespect to the leader!

Thus, Director Qiu immediately engaged Han Lie in a drink, taking the initiative to toast and empty his own glass first.

Look at the man's finesse!

Director Guan hadn't given any explicit instructions, nor did he ever interfere with the operations of subsidiary companies.

Director Qiu was even more autonomous. He needed no arrangements or reminders; any task that fell to him, he would execute beautifully!

Han Lie, for his part, understood perfectly and acted with due propriety. He scrupulously avoided mentioning work at the dinner table, ensuring no one was put in an awkward position.

Drinking, eh? That's something I know how to do!

"Director Qiu, I deeply appreciate your generous hospitality. However, as a junior, I wouldn't dare be so presumptuous..."