I'm back in 1990

Chapter 618: Respect for the Past, Respect for the Future, Respect for Friendship

Minor characters like Chen Lisha paid a heavy price because of their arrogance and their belief that they were superior to people from mainland China.

Not only was she dismissed, but the entire Hong Kong education sector openly acknowledged that she was dismissed for serious dereliction of duty, covering up discrimination, and unfair treatment. In reality, she was being targeted because she had offended a business tycoon. This is called being tactless. Such a person does not deserve sympathy, and naturally no school would be willing to accept her. She lost her place in the Hong Kong education sector and had no choice but to go abroad.

On the surface, the whole incident appears to be about Asia's richest man standing up for his beloved daughter, but in reality, it is Huang Xiaochuan's counterattack against the discriminatory ideology of the old forces in Hong Kong.

After the incident of the Little Devil being insulted passed, everything returned to normal. However, the Hong Kong tycoons had thoroughly learned Huang Xiaochuan's methods, and no one dared to publicly show disrespect to mainlanders in any setting again.

In accordance with his work arrangements, Jiang Bixing arrived in Hong Kong in late June. His purpose in coming was to personally report to Huang Xiaochuan on the development achievements of the Times Supermarket Group over the past ten years.

Huang Xiaochuan was very happy to see Jiang Bixing, whom he hadn't seen for a while.

"Old Chiang, it's been quite a while since we last met, hasn't it?"

Jiang Bixing sighed, "Who says otherwise? A whole year and a month. Ever since you went to the headquarters of Times Supermarket last May to inspect our work and asked us to split off the home appliance department, you haven't been back. Not long after, I heard that you became the richest man in Asia. I was so shocked! Unbelievable! But thinking about it carefully, you really deserve it."

Huang Xiaochuan waved his hand with a smile: "That stuff is all just empty fame, don't take it seriously."

Jiang Bixing laughed and said, "Only you would dare to say that; I wouldn't dare!"

Huang Xiaochuan naturally understood the meaning behind Jiang Bixing's words: Jiang Bixing was maintaining a distance from him.

Huang Xiaochuan suddenly felt a sense of loneliness at the top. He suppressed his emotions and patted Jiang Bixing on the shoulder: "Old Jiang, let's keep things professional and private. In private, you are still my senior, so there's no need for us to be so formal with each other."

Jiang Bixing said seriously, "That won't do. I've been in management for so many years and I know how difficult it is. I know you value relationships, but one thing is one thing."

Huang Xiaochuan shook his head helplessly: "You!"

At this moment, Jiang Bixing took out his laptop from his briefcase, wanting to report his work to Huang Xiaochuan.

Huang Xiaochuan immediately stopped him: "Hey, hey, hey! There's no rush. You've come all this way, can't we chat for a bit first?"

Jiang Bixing paused for a moment, then smiled and stuffed the notebook back into his briefcase, readily agreeing, "Okay!"

The two rarely met, so they chatted for a while, mostly about their experiences in college.

Huang Xiaochuan personally brewed a cup of tea for Jiang Bixing, placed it in front of him, and said, "Old Jiang, do you remember when I bought the bicycle from you?"

After thanking him, Jiang Bixing said with a smile, "Of course I remember, I can't forget it. Back then, I bought a broken bicycle for fifty yuan and sold it to you for eighty-five yuan. I made a profit of thirty-five yuan from you in one go. That was in 1990! Money was still worth a lot back then."

After hearing this, Huang Xiaochuan laughed and said, "You cunning businessman, you shamelessly told me back then that you bought it for eighty, and I actually believed you."

The two laughed together, and as they laughed, Jiang Bixing suddenly said in a solemn tone, "Xiao Chuan, thank you! It is my good fortune to have met you in this life. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be where I am today."

"Look, look, here we go again!" Huang Xiaochuan pretended to be displeased.

As he spoke, he glanced at his watch again: "It's getting late, let's go have dinner together. Let's make it clear beforehand, you're treating today. To be honest, this is to make you settle old scores."

Jiang Bixing didn't understand Huang Xiaochuan's words about settling old scores for a moment, and looked at him with some confusion.

Seeing this, Huang Xiaochuan laughed and said, "Back in the day, how many times did you drag me along to do your hard labor? You would just give me some soda and melon seeds and that would be enough to get rid of me. Now that I think about it, I feel really cheated! I can't get rid of my resentment without eating a meal from you."

Jiang Bixing burst into laughter: "I didn't expect you to hold a grudge like that! Alright, it's on me tonight, you decide what we eat."

However, to Jiang Bixing's surprise, Huang Xiaochuan took him not to a high-end restaurant, but to a Hong Kong-style street food stall.

"Xiao Chuan, don't try to save me money! Even though I'm not as rich as you, I can still treat you to a nice meal."

Huang Xiaochuan waved his hand: "I've eaten at many big hotels and restaurants. It's not bad to come to a street food stall and experience the local flavor. Alright! Let's go in!" With that, he pushed Jiang Bixing into the street food stall.

The bodyguards were scattered around the food stall, vigilantly observing their surroundings. It was not yet the peak time for customers to come to the food stall; the peak time was usually around midnight, which is what Hong Kong people call late-night snack time.

So there weren't many customers at the food stall. Gao Song wanted to help Huang Xiaochuan wipe the tableware, but Huang Xiaochuan refused.

"No need, I can do it myself. Order whatever you want to eat. Someone's treating us today, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Huang Xiaochuan joked casually with Gao Song.

Gao Song couldn't help but laugh: "I'm benefiting from Mr. Huang's success, so thank you in advance, President Jiang."

Jiang Bixing politely declined his secretary's offer to wipe the tableware for him. After hearing Huang Xiaochuan's words, he smiled and said to Gao Song, "Don't worry about saving me money today. Order whatever you like. By the way, it seems that the portions in Hong Kong are relatively small, so remember to order double portions."

Jiang Bixing was still uneasy, so he winked at his secretary again. His secretary immediately understood and called the food stall owner to order the dishes.

The secretary ordered all the signature dishes at this food stall, including Typhoon Shelter Crab, Typhoon Shelter Mantis Shrimp, Clay Pot, Salt and Pepper Nine-belly Fish, Stir-fried Razor Clams with Black Bean Sauce, Clams, Golden Shrimp, and finally, a bowl of shark fin soup for everyone.

Jiang Bixing then specifically instructed his secretary, "Add another serving of stir-fried beef noodles!"

After explaining, he said to Huang Xiaochuan, "In 1992, you arranged for me to come to Hong Kong to study. When I came out to eat, I loved the stir-fried beef noodles here. They were fragrant but not greasy, the beef was tender, the bean sprouts were crisp, and every noodle was coated with sauce. The taste was indescribable. But to be honest, at that time, the prices in Hong Kong were too high for me, and I could only afford stir-fried beef noodles."

Huang Xiaochuan laughed and said, "I bet you can't taste the same flavor as back then today."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Bixing thought about it carefully and realized it was true. He couldn't help but smile wryly: "Yes! Time changes so many things, including tastes."

It was hot, so Huang Xiaochuan asked Gao Song to bring him a few bottles of chilled beer. After filling them, Huang Xiaochuan raised his glass to Jiang Bixing and said, "Come on, Lao Jiang, let's toast to the past with this first glass."

Jiang Bixing raised his glass and gently clinked it against Huang Xiaochuan's, echoing, "A toast to the past!"

Both men downed their beers in one gulp. After putting down their glasses, Huang Xiaochuan picked up the beer bottle and poured a drink for Jiang Bixing himself. Jiang Bixing hurriedly stood up.

Huang Xiaochuan raised his hand and pressed down: "Old Jiang, there's no need for that. Didn't we agree that today we'd only talk about personal matters and not work? Sit down. There's a saying in my hometown: 'If you lift your butt, you can start all over again.'"

Jiang Bixing had no choice but to sit down again, but he didn't forget to say "thank you!"

After filling the second glass, Huang Xiaochuan raised it again: "This second glass is a toast to the future!"

Jiang Bixing also raised his glass and said, "To the future!"

As the two raised their third glass, Huang Xiaochuan asked Jiang Bixing, "Old Jiang, guess what I'll toast with this one?"

Jiang Bixing wasn't a mind reader like Huang Xiaochuan, so naturally he couldn't guess. He shook his head: "Can't guess!"

Huang Xiaochuan then revealed a sincere smile, raised his glass, and said, "The third toast is for friendship!"

Jiang Bixing suddenly understood Huang Xiaochuan's intention in drinking those three cups of wine with him. He was deeply moved and raised his glass loudly, "To friendship!"

Explore different genres of urban fiction; there's bound to be one that suits your taste.