Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 761 - 385: Xu Nuo (Part 6)

If visiting the textile factory was a part of the introduction unique to Xu Nuo, then wandering around the department store was just for idle chatter.

Because neither of them could afford anything in the department store.

Wang Gen Sheng was purely poor, while Xu Nuo was at a point in time where he had spent his allowance on buying the Double Crab Bun recipe. Mr. Xu was furious and cut off his allowance; if he dug into his pockets now, he might not even have as much as Wang Gen Sheng (who had just gotten an advance on his salary).

Two paupers walking around a department store could only look at things, lingering in the corners to avoid blocking the view of those with money to spend.

During their time wandering in the department store, Xu Nuo basically stripped Wang Gen Sheng of any secrets.

Family background, social connections, education, hobbies... Qin Huai could see that Wang Gen Sheng was quite eager about matchmaking and marriage because whenever Xu Nuo asked about something Wang Gen Sheng didn’t really want to answer, Xu Nuo would say he was asking on behalf of a matchmaker, and Wang Gen Sheng would tell the truth.

There were essentially no secrets from Xu Nuo before, and Qin Huai could see that while Xu Nuo might not have a mind-reading technique, he was certainly very skilled at communication and could easily see through someone like Wang Gen Sheng, who wasn’t good at hiding his true thoughts.

If Xu Nuo had any interest in sales, it would be hard to say whether the top seller would be him or Gong Liang.

And Xu Nuo probably already guessed Wang Gen Sheng’s species. As Luo Jun would put it, the traits of Xiezhi were practically overflowing from Wang Gen Sheng.

Luo Jun could guess Wang Gen Sheng was Xiezhi just from others’ descriptions without having met him. For someone like Xu Nuo, who is so observant and good at reading people, it wouldn’t be difficult to determine within half a day.

"So Xu Nuo, is it because you don’t know what you want to do that you neither work nor plan to go to college?" asked Wang Gen Sheng after he realized Xu Nuo had thoroughly understood his circumstances. He figured he should also get to know his new friend’s situation.

"Not entirely, mainly I don’t want to work, and I don’t want to go to college, it’s too tiring."

Wang Gen Sheng: ?

Xu Nuo chuckled, "My dad earns a high salary, my mom doesn’t earn little either, and my brother works as a technician in Jinling and even sends money back every month."

"My family isn’t short on money, and although I spend a bit extravagantly, it’s still within my parents’ bearable range. I don’t steal, I don’t rob, I don’t cheat... though in my dad’s eyes, I might cheat just a little, but I absolutely won’t involve myself in anything illegal. Going to the state-owned restaurant is just to help out and learn some skills to make snacks."

"Even if I’m not doing proper work, I’m not overly improper. Let me tell you, my dad acts serious, old-fashioned, and seemingly intolerant, but in reality, he has a high tolerance; he just likes to say such things."

"Don’t listen to what he says, watch what he does. For example, your finance department’s current situation, without anyone able to take charge, and few competent workers, my dad doesn’t say anything openly nor shows any opinion towards Director Li and others, but he has long been determined to restructure your finance department."

"Specifically bringing you over from Jinling was a signal. How did finance become like this? Because Vice Factory Director Chen came from finance, at least a third of your department are connected to him, and Director Li is his henchman. My dad wants to reorganize finance, and the first step is to bring in a key technical player to cultivate from outside, otherwise he won’t have any hands, just commanders issuing orders with no one to follow them."

Wang Gen Sheng never expected that just by trying to care about a friend’s situation, he would uncover such shocking gossip, factory politics, and was stunned speechless.

His rational mind told him he shouldn’t utter a word, but his emotional side said that since Xu Nuo poured his heart out with such private matters, it would be too cold to not reciprocate somehow.

"This... is this something I should be hearing?" after much hesitation, Wang Gen Sheng finally voiced this sentence.

"Of course, after you’ve worked for some time and formed some insights, I still want to unpack these with you carefully," Xu Nuo said.

"Let me tell you, according to my analysis, once you’re in finance, Director Li will definitely win you over. He values you highly because you’re a college student, you can definitely get things done, and the current situation in finance gives him a headache too."

"Although Director Li is stingy, his stinginess is all an act, a façade he wants to present to outsiders."

"If he wants to win you over, he’ll definitely encourage you verbally and satisfy your material needs, in simple terms, sweet-talking you into becoming the most useful brick in finance."

"And my dad, he would probably first assess your ability and character, and if there are no issues, he would quietly value you and promote you."

"Why do you think we happened to meet at the gate today? Director Li was holding onto you at the entrance, talking non-stop to show to other leaders how much he values you, displaying that you are his person and that finance will definitely make good use of you in the future."

"Another reason is to demonstrate to my dad. My dad specially asked for someone from Jinling, and their finance will also pay attention. From now on, it’s not the old finance; now that there’s capable talent, finance will certainly transform, no longer something even dogs would disdain."

"And why did my dad specifically bring me over? Because he wanted me to show you around the factory, under the guise of interacting more with college students. In reality, he wants me to probe into your background, win you over, assess your character and abilities to see if you have potential for promotion."

Wang Gen Sheng was utterly dumbfounded.

He was truly at a loss for words this time.

"But don’t feel pressured, Old Wang. You are a hot commodity now; both Director Li and my dad value you greatly. No matter what choice you make, I believe you’ll successfully become a regular employee, and very soon you’ll get a promotion and a raise."

Wang Gen Sheng could only say, "Is this something that should be said?"

Xu Nuo looked at him with a smile, "Of course it should be said. My dad sent me to probe you, to gauge your potential. I’ve already done so thoroughly. Tasked with winning you over, I’ve also done that, so my mission is complete. Why wouldn’t I say it?"

Wang Gen Sheng: ???

Wang Gen Sheng was dumbstruck; it was the first time he felt that even though he got into college and became a rare graduate in that era, perhaps he wasn’t very smart. Society was indeed complex, and he was hit with a big one right upon entering the workforce.

"Is... is this how winning someone over works?"

"You just say if it’s effective or not," Xu Nuo said.

Wang Gen Sheng found it hard to respond.

He wanted to say, "How could this possibly work?" but he had to admit that he now trusted Xu Nuo immensely, to the point of blind faith.

When one is sincere enough, whatever nonsense he says, you will believe. Anything from his mouth, you’ll simply think maybe he just has some mental issues.

Seeing Wang Gen Sheng dazed and unable to speak, Xu Nuo glanced at his watch and exclaimed, "Ah, it’s almost time, Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns is about to be served!"

"Let’s go, I’ll first take you to the state-owned restaurant. Oh dear, I wanted to take you back to the factory first, then take the shortcut from the gate, but now there’s no time, we’ll have to go straight away, and I’ll show you the way tomorrow."

"Huh, what’s Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns?"

"Very delicious and competitive snacks; when the time comes, you line up first, and I’ll go in and order for you by the back door."

"Huh?"

"What are you huh-ing about? Haven’t I told you my dad sent me to win you over? Now, showing you recognition has already been expressed, and the material sweet candy remains."

"I’ll order you a couple of nice dishes to let you experience my dad’s sugar-coated artillery. My lunch box is right in the state-owned restaurant, and when the braised pork is done, I’ll sneak some out for you, stay hush. I’ve been tight on money lately and haven’t had braised pork in a while."

"Oh." Wang Gen Sheng nodded dumbly, evidently not understanding Xu Nuo’s approach at all, yet his body truthfully followed Xu Nuo into a run.

Qin Huai followed behind, sighing in his heart: No wonder it’s you, Xu Nuo.

In a few sentences, you turned Xiezhi into Dang Kang. The last one who didn’t know what to say to Xu Nuo and could only respond with "oh" was also Dang Kang.