Chapter 41: A Stance

After returning to the company, Xia Yu continued handling affairs until the end of work. Noting that it was getting late and assuming Liu Tianci would be waiting at the Kowloon Grand Hotel, Xia Yu changed into his formal attire. After making sure everything was in order, he closed the shop and took a taxi to the hotel.

Not long after, he arrived at the hotel entrance.

Xia Yu approached the front desk and asked, "Excuse me, is a Mr. Liu Tianci here?"

The receptionist smiled slightly and replied, "Please wait a moment, I'll check for you."

"Mr. Liu has arrived and is in Room 208. I'll have a staff member take you there."

"Thank you!"

Xia Yu thanked her with a smile and followed another staff member to the private room.

As soon as he pushed open the door, Xia Yu saw Liu Tianci sitting inside. He quickened his pace slightly, extended his hand with a smile, and said, "Good evening, Mr. Liu!"

Liu Tianci stood up as soon as he saw Xia Yu. He also smiled, extended his hand, and shook Xia Yu's hand warmly, saying, "Good evening, Mr. Xia! Thank you for taking the time to come!"

"Haha, you flatter me. I should be the one thanking you for the invitation!" Xia Yu quickly responded with a polite smile.

"Haha, Mr. Xia, you're too kind. Please, take a seat!" Liu Tianci said with a smile, pulling out a chair for Xia Yu and indicating for him to sit. After Xia Yu was seated, Liu Tianci returned to his own place.

At this moment, the staff member who had escorted Xia Yu in quickly came forward to serve tea.

"Please enjoy!"

"This is the menu. Please take a look and let us know what you would like to order." While speaking, the staff member respectfully held out the menu and looked at both Liu Tianci and Xia Yu. When she saw Liu Tianci signal for her to give the menu to Xia Yu, she placed it in front of Xia Yu.

"Thank you!"

"Mr. Liu, I'll go ahead and order then!"

Xia Yu did not refuse. After glancing at the menu, he ordered a couple of dishes and handed the menu back to Liu Tianci, who then also ordered a few dishes.

"Mr. Xia, what kind of alcohol would you like?" After ordering, Liu Tianci asked politely, even though he sensed that Xia Yu probably didn't drink.

"Thank you, I don't drink alcohol. Just give me some juice, please." Xia Yu replied courteously.

Liu Tianci smiled and said, "What a coincidence, I drove here and can't drink alcohol either, so I'll have juice as well!"

After saying that, Liu Tianci marked the menu again.

Seeing how natural Liu Tianci was about it, Xia Yu had an even better impression of him. Not only was he capable, but he was also pleasant to talk to. It was no wonder he was being considered for the position of HSBC Asia Division Manager.

Once the staff member left, Xia Yu started chatting with Liu Tianci, and soon the dishes began to arrive one after another.

Liu Tianci poured a glass of juice for Xia Yu and, with a look of apology, said, "Mr. Xia, thank you for coming. Let me toast to you first!" 

Liu Tianci drank his juice in one gulp.

Although it was just juice, Xia Yu didn't feel any awkwardness and also raised his glass in respect, drinking it down in one go. Liu Tianci then refilled Xia Yu's glass and, with a look of regret, said, "Mr. Xia, my subordinate caused you trouble, and I'm truly sorry. I've already dismissed him. HSBC does not need employees who disrespect client privacy. Please rest assured, similar incidents will not happen again."

"Mr. Liu, that's too severe. It wasn't necessary." Hearing Liu Tianci's words, Xia Yu understood that he was expressing enough seriousness. Directly dismissing an employee was an attitude that Xia Yu was very satisfied with, but he still put on a slightly dismayed expression, as it was customary to play the part.

"Mr. Xia, this concerns the management of our department. It must be handled seriously to prevent future issues." Liu Tianci said with a stern look, as if to suggest that the serious handling wasn't solely because of Xia Yu's case, hoping to alleviate any psychological burden Xia Yu might have.

"Since it concerns HSBC's internal management, I, an outsider, shouldn't say too much. Haha!" Xia Yu responded with a smile.

"No, no, as our important client, you can bring up any opinions or issues. If you find any problems, please let us know in time. We will definitely make improvements promptly." Liu Tianci said earnestly.

"Definitely…"

"By the way, Mr. Xia, due to our management lapse, you've been greatly affected. I have also consulted with our general manager. To express our apology, we will not charge any fees for your operations with HSBC Securities during this period. Any fees previously charged will be refunded to you. I hope you will not find this apology insufficient." Liu Tianci suddenly said, his gaze filled with sincerity.

Xia Yu was moved. He didn't expect such a generous compensation from Liu Tianci.

After all, with the operations over this period, Xia Yu's capital had reached nearly seven million. The leverage and labor fees involved were not insignificant, amounting to tens of thousands. Liu Tianci's offer to forgo these fees was like HSBC Securities working for Xia Yu for free during this period.

Wow, this compensation is quite substantial. It really surprised Xia Yu. He was somewhat confused and wanted to see Liu Tianci's true intentions before deciding whether to accept this offer.

Xia Yu hesitated and said, "Mr. Liu, this offer seems a bit too generous. It's a bit excessive…"

"No, Mr. Xia, let me explain!" Liu Tianci, seeing that Xia Yu was about to refuse, quickly interjected, not allowing him to continue.

"This is not excessive at all. I believe Mr. Xia has a limitless future. I only hope we can continue to work together and progress together. In the end, gaining Mr. Xia's friendship is already a gain for me."

"I see! So, the focus is on the future. It seems that not only do I want to build a relationship with him, but he also wants to build a relationship with me. In that case, there's no need to decline." Xia Yu understood and realized that since Liu Tianci also wanted to build a relationship, tonight's meeting would surely be fruitful.

"Thank you for your favor. In that case, I'll accept it. Happy cooperation! Mr. Liu, I toast to you!" Xia Yu said, raising his glass. He clinked glasses with Liu Tianci and drank it all.

"Come, let's eat. The dishes will get cold…"

"Come, Mr. Xia, try this 'Peng Cheng Wan Li.' It's a specialty here…"

"Alright, thank you. I'll help myself…"

…

For a moment, glasses clinked, laughter filled the air, and the scene was harmonious.