“That’s what I think too, haha.” Lin Hongmei laughed.
The mother and son laughed like two foxes, making Luo Jimin, who had just finished socializing, feel a little uncomfortable. He wondered who this mother and son were plotting against him again. He felt that these two were becoming more and more cunning and mischievous, like two big children, which always left him feeling helpless.
"This is Chairman Chen of the Provincial Chinese Medicine Industry Association. Chairman Chen is also the Vice Chairman of the China Chinese Medicine Industry Association, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial Pharmaceutical Group, and the Chairman of the Provincial Chinese Herbal Medicine Company." Duan Qing stood up and politely extended his palm towards Chairman Chen. "Elder Chen is a nationally renowned senior expert in the Chinese medicine industry. Youmin, you should learn a lot from Elder Chen."
Duan Qing's use of a friendly tone to address Luo Jimin in such a formal setting was a very clear statement, meaning: "This is my man. Any department or organization that wants to mess with them in the future will have to think twice about their own strength."
Although Duan Qing learned of Lin Yao's identity as an angel a few days ago, he had been protecting and supporting Minhong Pharmaceutical all along. Inheriting his father's tradition of integrity and fairness, Duan Qing had a special fondness for patriotic enterprises, which was the fundamental reason why he quickly put aside his status and became a close friend of Luo Jimin.
Of course, after Lin Yao, who had the identity of an angel, appeared, Duan Qing's mind became active, and he started thinking about how to benefit his career. This can be considered a normal thought process, which is why he acted out of control before.
This statement was a show of unwavering support for Minhong Pharmaceuticals. Hearing this public address, Lin Yao's impression of Duan Qing improved even more. He thought to himself that the Duan family father and son were both nice people. Although he had never spoken to Duan Hanyuan, he felt a sense of kinship when he first saw the ailing old man, which explained his diligent treatment of him later in the hospital.
It seems the Duan family is different from Old Man Xia; they're worth befriending. Lin Yao made this judgment in his heart, which perfectly aligned with his parents' decision.
"Hello, Mr. Chen! I am Luo Jimin from Minhong Pharmaceutical. I hope you will give me your guidance in the future." Luo Jimin's attitude was extremely respectful, even more so than a junior meeting an elder. He was more polite than a subordinate meeting a leader, and his bowing almost caused his suit to get stained with the cold braised platter on the table.
"Hmm..." Chairman Chen let out a long snort from his nostrils, "Your remaining disaster relief beverages are priced too high. Why don't you report it to the industry association? This kind of profiteering should not happen to Chinese medicine companies in our country. It's a disgrace to all Chinese medicine companies."
As soon as Old Man Chen finished speaking, everyone at the table was surprised. They didn't expect Chairman Chen to make such a sharp criticism in such a situation. This was not an eagerly awaiting event at all; it was clearly a deliberate attempt to cause trouble.
The people sitting at this table were all prominent figures in the pharmaceutical industry and government officials. Normally, Luo Jimin and his family wouldn't be qualified to sit here; it was only through Duan Qing's special public display of protection for Minhong Pharmaceutical that the family of three had the opportunity to be present. Chairman Chen's words broke the rules of harmony in public settings in both the business and official circles, which is why everyone was so surprised and unsure how to respond. After all, Chairman Chen's age and seniority were undeniable; since he had spoken so openly, he had to be allowed to continue venting.
Lin Yao looked up and saw that Old Chen, who was sitting diagonally opposite him, was about sixty or seventy years old. His short hair was neatly trimmed and completely white, and his ruddy face had smooth skin that looked quite shiny.
This old man is deliberately picking a fight! Lin Yao immediately came to the conclusion. He noticed a fat, burly man next to Chairman Chen looking at his father, Luo Jimin, with a mocking gaze. He immediately knew that this guy must be up to no good. He wondered how many bad things he had said about Min Hong to Old Man Chen.
"Mom, who's that man sitting to the right of the old man? He looks like a bad guy," Lin Yao asked in a low voice, increasingly certain of the truth.
As his skills deepened, Lin Yao's ability to observe auras became even more formidable. He could also detect subtle changes in other people's facial expressions and eyes, thus intuitively sensing their thoughts. He was certain that this man harbored ill intentions towards Minhong Pharmaceuticals.
The Sichuan Provincial Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine does indeed have the authority to set the guiding prices for the sale of traditional Chinese medicine in Sichuan Province. Therefore, it is not unreasonable for Chairman Chen to say such things given his position. However, functional beverages are not under the association's jurisdiction, which would be considered an overreach of authority. It must have been the man next to him who caused trouble not long ago, which is why Chairman Chen did not have time to consider the issue of jurisdiction. Otherwise, such a sharp accusation would not have occurred.
"Yao Tianshui of Changxi Pharmaceutical Group is one of the top three private pharmaceutical companies in the west, even bigger than Huarentang," Lin Hongmei said disdainfully. "This Yao Tianshui used to want to get my family's beverage formula, then he wanted to invest, then he wanted to buy the beverage, and now he wants the formula for children's cold medicine. He's a bad person and he even threatened your father."
"That bastard!" Lin Yao gritted his teeth and glared at Yao Tianshui. Suddenly, he noticed that Chairman Chen's facial muscles twitched. A thought flashed through his mind: something was up.
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Chapter 179 Rescuing People
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“President Chen, Minhong drought relief beverage falls under the category of functional beverages, and that’s how it’s defined in the approval document.” Lin Hongmei moved her heavy chair back slightly, stood up gracefully in her original position, smiled at President Chen, and said in a soft voice, “As you know, the drought in the west has eased, and the disaster relief efforts should be coming to an end. It’s reasonable for our pharmaceutical factory to sell the remaining beverages in the market.”
"Regarding pricing, in today's market economy, the pricing system is very flexible and should be in accordance with national laws and regulations. If you have any instructions, we will certainly take them seriously." After saying this, Lin Hongmei placed her hands on the edge of the round wooden table and bowed to Chairman Chen.
Chairman Chen paused, his expression hardening. He realized he had been reckless. Drought-resistant beverages are not classified as medicines, so their pricing should not be considered a matter of public welfare. The Chinese Medicine Industry Association had no right to interfere in this matter.
"Oh, Xiaolin, right? I think products that are beneficial to people's health should also take into full account the affordability of ordinary people. They shouldn't only serve the high-end group. This price is still unreasonable; it's still considered excessive profiteering. You should reconsider." Chairman Chen quickly regained his composure, still somewhat arrogant. After speaking, he picked up the sandalwood chopsticks in front of him, took a piece of cold-dressed houttuynia cordata, and put it in his mouth. As he picked up the food, he gave Yao Tianshui next to him a sharp look.
"You stubborn old man, still talking tough!" Lin Yao stared expressionlessly at Chairman Chen's face, thinking, "What business is it of yours what the price of the drinks is? You're overstepping your bounds."
It's foreseeable that after this proud old man was publicly contradicted, Minhong will definitely not get along well in the Chinese Medicine Industry Association and will probably encounter a lot of trouble in the future. This old man is too arrogant; he doesn't even give face to the vice mayor in charge of medicine and health.
Duan Qing, standing to the side, maintained a forced smile, remaining silent and somewhat embarrassed. Minhong Pharmaceuticals being publicly challenged felt like a slap in the face to him.
"Come on, let's eat while it's hot. I'm going to have a good drink with Mayor Duan today." A middle-aged man sitting next to Duan Qing raised his white porcelain cup and toasted Duan Qing warmly. His Chongqing dialect was pleasant to listen to and had a bold and uninhibited feel to it.
Lin Hongmei had told Lin Yao that the man was Zhong Quan, a director of the Chongqing Municipal Economic Commission, who had arrived in Chengdu a day early. He had taken several Chongqing exhibition delegates on a tour of Minhong Pharmaceutical Factory, but they hadn't had much interaction. However, he had left a good initial impression on Luo Jimin and Lin Hongmei.
People from Chongqing speak crisply and directly, and their dialect reflects this, unlike the softer, drawn-out sounds of Chengdu dialect. Lin Yao felt this man was good at lightening the mood, and this time he had given Min Hong a small helping hand.
The atmosphere at the table immediately improved, with everyone clinking glasses and chatting animatedly, the previous unpleasantness completely dispelled. Although Minhong Pharmaceuticals wasn't qualified to sit at this table, some influential people naturally wouldn't underestimate Luo Jimin's family.
Of course, companies that are related to health and life are very popular. Who knows what precious products Minhong Pharmaceutical will launch tomorrow after launching an energy drink? Even if we don't deliberately try to win them over, we should at least give Luo Jimin and his group enough face. No one who hangs out in shopping malls and plazas is a fool, except for that old monster Chairman Chen.
The atmosphere became even more lively when Luo Jimin said he would send someone to deliver drinks later, five bottles each to take home and enjoy. Although the value of 10,000 yuan was nothing to these people, these were good things that money couldn't buy. Minhong was exclusively sold at Jia Hui Supermarket in Beijing, and not a single bottle had circulated in the entire Sichuan market. Everyone had been itching to get their hands on it for a long time. Who didn't have elderly relatives who needed health care? Besides, they themselves had various health problems due to frequent social engagements.
"Come, let me toast the most beautiful woman at this party. May President Lin become more and more beautiful." Yao Tianshui, who had just been up to no good, acted as if he had never done anything wrong. He deliberately took his wine glass and left his seat to toast Lin Hongmei. He hid the lust in his eyes very well, but Lin Yao saw through it at a glance and wished he could kick this hypocritical man over.
"Thank you, Mr. Yao. Please take care of me in the future." Lin Hongmei did not get up. After clinking glasses, she took a small sip of the wine. Lin Yao noticed that his mother did not put any wine in her mouth at all. He found it amusing. His mother really had the same taste as him. She didn't give that guy any face.
"Xiao Lin, come on, it's our first time meeting, have a drink with your uncle." Duan Qing picked up his glass first, without getting up, his eyes conveying a deep meaning.
"Uncle Duan, I toast you, wishing you health and happiness." Lin Yao stood up, bowed slightly and touched the wine glass that Duan Qing had extended, then turned around and tilted his head back to drink it. He felt that this 53° Five Star Moutai was very strong, burning his throat warmly, but not unpleasantly. It had a mellow and lingering aftertaste, and even though he didn't drink, he felt it was very good.
Apart from Duan Qing, the others ignored Lin Yao, this little brat. They were all people of status. Although they were somewhat surprised that Duan Qing favored Lin Yao, they would not lower themselves to drink with Lin Yao. They were happy to let Lin Yao eat alone, as he happened to be a little hungry today.
"President Lin, your young master is quite impressive. He's handsome and composed, with the air of a great general. I'd like to offer you a toast, President Lin." A man on the left spoke to Lin Hongmei across Lin Yao, raising his white porcelain wine glass to toast her over Lin Yao's position. As he spoke, his arm holding the glass trembled, and the Moutai liquor spilled from the rim, running down the man's fingers before dripping into Lin Yao's small bowl.
Hypocritical! Handsome and dashing? Are they blind? Lin Yao cursed inwardly. All he said was to give each person five bottles of drinks, and they're already getting all worked up. It seems the deputy director of the Economic Committee sitting on his left has some ideas.
Luckily, he had deliberately seated his mother between him and his father, otherwise this guy would have bothered him again. Lin Yao stared at the small bowl stained with spilled wine and quickly pulled out the sandalwood chopsticks, lest he be left without any tools to pick up food later. Eating with the chopsticks suspended in the air would be quite troublesome, but fortunately he was almost full, and he could eat a few more small pieces of vegetables later.
"Director Chen, you're too kind. This child is still quite inexperienced. You flatter me." Lin Hongmei politely raised her glass, clinked glasses with the other person, and smiled gently.
After clinking glasses, Lin Hongmei took a sip of the liquor, noticeably reducing the intensity of the baijiu in her small glass, and showed it to Director Chen before setting the glass down. Although the Economic Committee doesn't directly manage the pharmaceutical industry, they have guidance and control functions over commercial bank loans, particularly their coordination of energy management such as coal, electricity, oil, water, and gas, which means Minhong Pharmaceutical cannot afford to offend them.
Why is he surnamed Chen again? Lin Yao felt annoyed. This guy had dirtied his bowl, he was really annoying.