Looking out the window, it was already evening outside. Zhang Yang rubbed his eyes, took off his sunscreen suit, and entered the washroom wearing only large shorts.
After a ten-minute shower, Zhang Yang felt significantly better. He dried himself off, changed into clean clothes, and then perked up as he left the room.
He gathered the team mbers door-to-door, and everybody split into three cars, grandly heading toward the destination hotel.
The hotel that Wang Yan and Xiao Wei booked was pretty upscale, with a four-star standard. They called all the friends and acquaintances they could; one large table and two dium ones, hosting a dinner for over fifty people.
Among these people were so local water friends who had helped set the stage for Xiao Wei yesterday, small-ti internet celebrities whom Wang Yan had known for a while, and this event's judging panel, as well as so heads from the fishing association—essentially, it was a standard business gathering.
Skipping the trivial eating-drinking exchanges for now, the noteworthy part was how helpful Old Ma was.
Besides bringing his wife to support, he also invited the president of Tianjin's fishing association and the chief referee of the event's arbitration committee.
People lift others like a fancy sedan chair. The local big shots, whom Zhang Yang originally couldn't access, quickly beca familiar under Old Ma's introduction. Already being skilled themselves, a few drinks brought them closer, and once contact information was exchanged, any future business or comrcial cooperation would be familiar territory.
The celebration banquet started at around seven in the evening and concluded by half-past ten. With Wang Yan, Han Qiang, and their team of experienced drinkers holding strong, they managed to entertain all the distinguished guests, arranging designated drivers for everyone before concluding.
All the other cars left, but a vice president of the fishing association nad Old Yan, who ca in Old Ma's pickup, sohow delayed his departure.
Zhang Yang helped him into the back seat, and Old Yan gave Zhang Yang a aningful look.
"Uncle Yan, do you have sothing to tell ?" Zhang Yang asked shrewdly.
Old Yan, slightly tipsy with a flushed face, smiled and murmured, "Xiao Zhang, did you offend soone because of the competition recently? Be careful in the coming days; soone is backstabbing you! I can't say who, but keep an eye out… I'm off!"
Hearing this, Zhang Yang felt as if an earthquake had struck within, though he maintained an outward calm.
"Alright, thanks for the heads-up, Uncle Yan! Drive safely!"
...
After watching the last car leave, Zhang Yang furrowed his well-shaped eyebrows. Old Yan and Old Ma must be close; delaying departure was a way to warn him.
Few knew about Zhang Yang's team being calculated against in Tianjin; he hadn't even told Old Ma. Old Yan choosing this timing to warn him must've heard sothing, but given their relationship hadn't reached that level, just raising it was considerate. A shrewder person wouldn't reveal deep words lightly.
"Boss, what are you thinking? Let's go, find a place to sing! Change venues, refill drinks, and reignite the party, round two!" Just as Zhang Yang was contemplating, Wang Yan's bear paw-like hand landed on his shoulder, infused with a strong sll of alcohol, clearly a result of loosening himself after drinking.
Facing Wang Yan's proposal, Zhang Yang smirked and called out to YOYO nearby, "YOYO, Wang Yan wants to take everyone to sing karaoke! Approve or not?"
"Wang Yan, are you crazy? Already drank like that and still want to go to karaoke? No way, go ho early and rest!" YOYO ca over, hands on hips, threatening to pull Wang Yan's ear.
Seeing his wife's fierce stance, Wang Yan's drunkenness dissipated significantly: "Oh dear wife, I'm just joking, not going anywhere, let's head back to the hotel and grab so barbecue downstairs!"
"Hahahaha," Everyone burst into laughter seeing Wang Yan's submissiveness.
Heading to karaoke for flower wine and song definitely wasn't realistic, and the group got into cars driven by sober drivers back to the hotel; sleeping was impossible though—despite spending tens of thousands on the dinner, no one really ate well, just focused on drinking.
In the brotherly setting, dropping the ball isn't an option, but once off the dinner, finding a place to eat was necessary.
The bros ordered a bunch of skewers at the BBQ stall downstairs, eating, drinking, chatting until past one in the morning, then settled the bill and went back to rest.
That night, Zhang Yang slept soundly, dreaming of putting up tall large billboards in Jinghai Garden, his products receiving tons of praise, and his company brand soaring from a newly established small company to beco one of the top dostic brands, an industry leader...
The next morning, unpressured, they slept until past nine, rising gradually for washing and then lunch.
By noon, everyone had packed their luggage and checked out of the hotel.
Triumphant return, hobound!!
After more than six hours of drive, Zhang Yang and the crew returned to W City, had a brief eting, rested for a day, then dispersed to their own hos, finding each one's mother!
While others were off-duty and free to roam, Zhang Yang unusually didn't slack; the next morning, he drove to the company to discuss sponsoring a competition at Jinghai Garden with Old Zhao.
From Zhang Yang's perspective, raising the sponsorship idea with Old Zhao should be no big deal, seeing the company's finances are quite healthy with millions sitting in the account.
Yet after briefly voicing his Jinghai Garden strategic cooperation idea to Old Zhao, he frowned without imdiately responding.
"What's up, Old Zhao? Any concerns?" Zhang Yang glanced up at Old Zhao, took out a pack of cigarettes, and popped out two White Generals, tossing one to Old Zhao.
Old Zhao lit the cigarette, took a drag, and slowly said: "You want to spend money promoting new products, that I can accept, sponsoring subsequent competitions, I'm fine with, but have you considered one thing?"
"What?"
"Tianjin isn't W City! We're so far away; who's going to manage execution? Spending a bit isn't an issue, we can afford it, but if problems arise, how will we solve them?
Plus, isn't soone backstabbing you there? If they sabotage things, we'll face troubles!"
Old Zhao's concerns were quite valid. While Zhang Yang's overall direction wasn't flawed, he didn't consider execution as thoroughly as Old Zhao.
"What's your suggestion?" Zhang Yang nodded and continued to ask.
"In my opinion, places like Jinghai Garden can host one or two competitions quarterly, but not long-term, high-intensity ones.
A hundred-thousand budget doesn't sustain things for long, and eyeball-catching effects are only significant initially, later causing aesthetic fatigue with little impact!
If you're confident in our products, which I believe in your judgnt, then why not go big and hold local competitions directly among national offline agents!
Online-offline combination, with major events like Jinghai Garden, alongside local tournants could really spark widespread interest, boosting product recognition rapidly!
Given our Black Pit team's pitch fatigue, sending Wang Yan and others to challenge anglers nationwide would be perfect! How does this strategic punch combo sound to you?"
Upon hearing Old Zhao's advice, Zhang Yang felt instantly clearer.
Zhang Yang focused only on isolated gains without considering the broader picture, whereas Old Zhao's insights were comprehensive and ticulously prioritized, refining Zhang Yang's idea thoroughly.
This promotional plan's approach is undoubtedly correct and much more feasible than hefty investnt in Jinghai Garden.
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