The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 276: Chapter 276: Your Favor Is Used Up

Zhou Wei and the farm staff took the fish and put them away.

Meanwhile, Han Xiaorui led everyone back to the guest house and ordered a table full of delicious food to reward them for their hard work.

Fortunately, the cuisine in Yue Province had plenty of non-spicy options, though they weren’t very sweet.

Nevertheless, the food was delicious, and everyone enjoyed the meal.

”Let’s all get some rest. We’ll be back at it tomorrow. You’ve all worked hard.” Han Xiaorui encouraged them, hoping they would build on their success and find more clients.

After this trade fair, no matter how much the new farm produced, they wouldn’t have to worry about sales.

This was a crucial time for development. Her little Jinshan Bay Farm was earning foreign currency, enough to warrant an inspection and close attention from the Shencheng leadership.

It was clear just how desperately the country needed foreign exchange.

’She didn’t have any grand abilities, but by running her ornamental fish business well and earning more foreign currency, she was contributing to the country.’

’The country could then use this foreign currency to import foreign technology, accelerating its own technological progress.’

Wu Lingling smiled. ”We hear you, Sister Xiao Rui. It’s been a long day. We’re heading back to wash up and get some sleep.”

Just then, a member of the guest house staff approached. ”Comrade Han Xiaorui, there’s a Japanese man at the front desk named Kuno Hiroo. He says he knows you and needs to see you about something.”

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui smiled. ”Alright, I’ll head over now.”

’Kuno Hiroo ought to be very busy. Why is he here so soon?’

’By convention, if Kuno Hiroo were coming, he would have sent a fax in advance.’

”Thank you. Please have him wait in the coffee shop. I’ll be right over,” Han Xiaorui said with a smile. ’This is the dining hall, not the place to talk business.’

’If Kuno Hiroo is here, it’s probably not about the ornamental fish. Otherwise, he would have gone to the trade fair first.’

”You’re welcome,” the staff member replied before leaving.

Han Xiaorui returned to her room to change. She combed her hair and did a quick makeup touch-up before heading to the coffee shop.

Seeing Han Xiaorui approach, Kuno Hiroo stood and smiled. ”Ms. Han, you’re looking more beautiful than ever.”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Kuno. You’re looking more handsome yourself. Haha, I’m still not quite used to these pleasantries.”

Han Xiaorui’s cheerful and humorous candor made Kuno Hiroo laugh as well. ”I’m not just exchanging pleasantries. I’m telling the truth.”

After Han Xiaorui sat down and ordered a coffee, she looked at Kuno Hiroo. ”So, Mr. Kuno, what’s this about? Go ahead.”

Han Xiaorui was exhausted; she had been on her feet all day.

Kuno Hiroo knew Han Xiaorui’s direct nature. He smiled. ”Yamamoto Ichiro came for the trade fair. He was arrested the moment he got off the plane and has been sent to Shencheng to await trial.”

Upon hearing this, it all clicked for Han Xiaorui. Her expression hardened, resolute and unyielding.

”That’s wonderful news. I’ve told you before what Yamamoto Ichiro did to our farm. You’re not bringing this up now to ask me to drop the lawsuit, are you?”

”That’s impossible, so I’d advise you not to waste your breath. If this were just business competition and I lost, I’d gracefully admit defeat. But he didn’t just try and fail to steal our technology; he kidnapped our manager’s daughter.”

”If I let this slide, who’s to say one day it won’t be my daughter who gets kidnapped instead of the manager’s? As for this case, not only will I refuse to drop the charges, I will use my influence to pressure the local courts to sentence him to the fullest extent of the law.”

Kuno Hiroo gave an embarrassed laugh. ”I didn’t expect you to react so forcefully.”

Han Xiaorui laughed coldly. ”Matters of money can be negotiated. Matters of people’s safety cannot. Kuno, is there anything else? If not, I’m heading back. Our ornamental fish booth was swamped with customers today, and I’m completely worn out.”

Seeing Han Xiaorui’s attitude turn chilly, Kuno Hiroo realized it was probably not the right time to press the issue.

”I was only acting on someone else’s behalf. Since you’ve made your position clear, there’s nothing more I can do. I just hope this won’t affect our business relationship. After all, I am your agent in Japan.”

Han Xiaorui gave Kuno Hiroo a smile that wasn’t a smile. ”You are the exclusive agent, but that has a time limit. When the contract expires, if your performance is unsatisfactory, I’ll consider finding a new agent.”

”Actually, quite a few Japanese buyers visited our booth today. Even though they knew we have an agent in Japan, they insisted on leaving their contact information. They want to tour our farm, too.”

”They even specifically said that after their visit, they would put down a deposit to show their intent. They want us to be sure to notify them when our agency agreement in Japan expires so they can bid for the rights.”

’Trying to use his status as her agent to pressure her? Han Xiaorui wasn’t falling for it.’

’Exports were a tough business right now, but Han Xiaorui’s ornamental fish offered better value and were more competitive.’

’Without Kuno Hiroo, there would be other Japanese partners.’

’Everyone was in it for the money these days. Who would turn down a chance to make a profit?’

Kuno Hiroo tapped his head and laughed. ”Look at me, falling back on old habits, trying to pressure the producer from a buyer’s position. I guess you could say I’m lifting a rock only to drop it on my own foot, huh?”

Han Xiaorui gave a faint smile. ”Well, you’re the one holding the rock. Whether or not it drops is up to you, isn’t it? And don’t say I didn’t warn you, we have several new varieties of ornamental fish. Plenty of Japanese businessmen are clamoring to work with us.”

Kuno Hiroo laughed sheepishly. ”I’m sorry, Ms. Han. I was in the wrong.”

Han Xiaorui raised an eyebrow and smiled. ”Fine, you want my forgiveness? You can have it. That time in Japan, you helped me look for Miss Xu. Let’s just say you’ve used up that favor now.”

”Next time you bring up something that puts me in a difficult position or displeases me, you’d better think twice and ask yourself if you still want to make money. A businessman can be tactful, but not without principles.”

Beads of sweat formed on Kuno Hiroo’s forehead. He was used to dealing with gentle Japanese women.

Even in Hua Country, as a Japanese businessman, he was always shown a great deal of respect. This was the first time anyone had ever spoken to him like this.

He knew Ye Feng was proud, but he never expected Ye Feng’s girlfriend to be even more formidable.

”I am sorry.” Kuno Hiroo stood up and bowed to Han Xiaorui.

Han Xiaorui waved her hand dismissively. ”That’s enough. Bowing is meaningless. Just don’t make the same mistake again. Is there anything else? If not, I’m going back to get some rest.”

Kuno Hiroo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Han Xiaorui was brutally blunt, but surprisingly, he wasn’t the least bit angry.

”I’ll attend the trade fair tomorrow. I’m looking forward to seeing Jinshan Bay’s new varieties of ornamental fish. I hope they’ll truly blow me away.”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”Mr. Kuno, you’re a long-standing client, so you’re always welcome. It’s just that we expect a lot of new customers, so please forgive us if we can’t give you our full attention.”

Kuno Hiroo looked at her with a reproachful gaze. ’Ms. Han is still holding a grudge.’ ”You said it yourself, we’re old friends. There’s no need to be formal, and certainly no need for forgiveness.”

Han Xiaorui took a sip of her coffee. ”Well, thank you then. We had too many customers at the booth today, and I’m getting tired. I’m going to head back and rest. See you tomorrow.”