Part 41
Mr. Danh’s Old Story
Ch41. Mr. Danh’s Old Story
The second Han returned, it was thought that when the two met, they would be extremely confused, but not. Mr. Danh created a work rhythm for her that was just busy enough so that she wouldn’t have too much time to think about random things. He intentionally arrived earlier than usual, rearranged his desk, prepared some important documents so that when Han arrived, he would assign her work to do right away.
Han also showed that she was a professional, she didn’t say more about the past, while communicating with him, she always tried to keep her tone at a normal level, polite enough, but not too polite. Mr. Danh was very pleased with that expression, he was still close in the right way, and didn’t hesitate to compliment her when needed. And in normal times, he called people from the departments to the work table, avoiding making the empty space awkward for the two. All day that day, they exchanged and talked, although not too much, but still maintained the connection.
The next day, he and Han went to meet a guest. Their guest was a foreigner. Although Mr. Danh knew a little English, it was only enough to communicate. If they talked about business, Han still needed to occasionally translate.
The meeting was arranged at a famous tea shop. Here, Mr. Danh performed tea ceremony and worked with Han to introduce the products and strengths of the group. The atmosphere of the room exuded a very classic and noble atmosphere. Three people sat opposite Mr. Danh. On the table were teapots and a small pot of water boiling on a charcoal stove.
Mr. Danh had an attentive face, his hands quickly and skillfully performed each step. That image was very attractive to both guests and especially to Han. About 10 minutes later, when 4 cups of hot tea were ready to enjoy, all the compliments, whether verbal or visual, were focused on Mr. Danh. The business negotiation was considered to be half successful.
Mr. Danh’s performance was excellently completed, next in the speaking part was Han’s turn. Here, she perfectly promoted her strength in language. Mr. Danh’s words through her interpretation not only retained their weight but also clearly showed sincerity, along with a bit of humor in the right places, making the partners very happy.
At the end of the session, they left with a completely convinced mentality, and were sure that if there were no major incidents, this business deal would have been a success.
– Han performed very well today, her enthusiastic way of speaking and her humorous way of leading the story were very smart. If this business deal is successful, the credit goes to you.
-After you complimented me like that, I dare to accept it. I just tried to convey everything you wanted to say, sometimes adding a few words is not related to the main idea. Actually, right from the moment they enjoyed the tea ceremony, they already admired you. So if this deal is successful, it will mainly depend on your efforts.
-Haha, never mind. It’s just a project, why do you have to be so polite and push it away, Han and I have already successfully combined in countless deals. Just like before, it all depends on the understanding between us. Don’t say anything more, let’s get in the car and go back to the office, “my beautiful assistant”.
A very small yes, then Han followed the boss’s large figure. Her heart was filled with joy because of his compliments, and also extremely moved when he called her “beautiful assistant” with the two words “mine” at the end.
In the car, she occasionally looked at him through the windshield, or sometimes furtively glanced over. Suddenly, she remembered the image of him attentively making tea just now, that charming masculine look had left an extremely deep impression on her. Mr. Danh probably knew she was looking at him, but instead of looking over which could make Han embarrassed, he found another story to tell her.
-Han, do you know that although Vietnam has a thousand-year-old tea drinking culture, it does not have a tea ceremony with a strict and mandatory ritual like Japan. All of my movements just now were imitations of the Japanese and Chinese, then transformed according to Vietnamese culture and style. So when those guests praised me for being elegant, I felt very embarrassed.
-But it is true that at that time I looked really elegant, and also learned and experienced… very attractive.
She only dared to mumble the last sentence loud enough for him to hear, not knowing if he heard it or not, but he only laughed happily.
-Ha ha ha, it’s possible to be experienced, but being educated and elegant is just a facade. Because in reality, I only went to school until I could read and write, then due to a natural disaster, I lost my parents. I became a homeless child since I was 10, drifting somehow to Uncle Lake City. I struggled from under bridges to stone benches, doing everything, both stealing and begging, as long as I could fill my stomach.
Each sentence was like a wave of memories rushing back to him, his voice gradually becoming sadder and deeper. As for Han, she listened as if she was swallowing every word, her eyes also sparkling, just waiting for him to continue.
-Then I remember one evening, a group of homeless people at the head of the market robbed a couple’s car. They took the car and beat the husband to a pulp, while his wife, who was about to give birth, cried on the side. He couldn’t bear to take them to the hospital, and their whole family was saved. To repay him, they took him into their family film crew. Here he went to school, had enough to eat, and did all sorts of work for the crew. At that time, he was probably only 13 or 14.
-That’s no different from you working for their family, how can that be called repaying the favor.
Han felt heartbroken when hearing about his miserable situation, she couldn’t bear it and had to speak up. Contrary to her angry reaction, Mr. Danh just smiled and continued.
-My dear, thanks to being able to study and have a job to keep busy during those years, I avoided falling, and also got a supplementary degree as a foundation. For an orphan boy, that was already very lucky, and that’s all I needed. The 6,7 years in the troupe was the time when I learned the most, from behavioral culture, how to recognize people’s hearts to… how to love… etc…
Mr. Danh only told a part but Han still imagined all the hardships of a boy growing up. However, when she looked at him, in that look there was not a single complaint or resentment, but completely pride and resilience. He smiled and then leisurely continued telling.
– Not long after, the other family went abroad, the film crew disbanded, at that time he was already grown up, and could also orient himself. Once again he was lucky, thanks to his little knowledge of television and radio, he was accepted to work at the Radio Station. Although it was only a short period of time, this time he also gained a lot of experience in all regions of the country before finding the place he wanted to be attached to.
The story ended to give Han a clear view of his poor background and rare will to rise up. The previous distance between the two was no longer there, instead she admired her boss even more.
Therefore, the office of the two quickly returned to a happy state. Han happily talked and laughed again, and Mr. Danh was still generous in showing favoritism to her. Luck must have followed him because yesterday’s partner contacted her again before a day had passed. It was noon, Mr. Danh was not in the room, Han received the phone call from the General Director’s assistant and was happy. She wrote down all the notes for the appointment, wanting to wait for the boss to come back to celebrate together.
However, there was also a bit of regret, because the appointment with the partner was set for Friday. It was also the day she and her family booked tickets to Nha Trang for vacation, maybe she would have to move her schedule and go there a day late.
Early in the afternoon, when the door to the room opened, sure that it was Mr. Danh, Han wanted to shout and tell him the good news. But she stopped in time when she saw another person following behind, it was Ms. Ngoc, who smiled as soon as she saw her.
– Hello sister, after not seeing you for a few days, you look prettier, and you’ve also improved a lot in your work, all the way back here I heard the boss complimenting you.
– Hello uncle, hello sister. You’re exaggerating. I just followed Chi’s instructions and learned from you guys. As for me, I still have many shortcomings.
-These young girls nowadays, not only are they beautiful but they also talk sweetly, it’s so tiring to listen to. No wonder the boss doesn’t bother to come to the South to do the survey.
Ngoc said while slanting her eyes to Mr. Danh, Mr. Danh saw that and cleared his throat.
-Ahem… Phuc’s report was just finished before the wedding, now there’s nothing left to check. In the near future, there will be a new project, I’ll make sure to check it continuously, at that time, remember to do it properly, don’t let me find any mistakes, it’ll be tiring for me.
-Oh, what, it’s tiring because your boss is waiting for you, why should you be afraid?
The flirtatious eyes continuously returned seductive glances to Mr. Danh, making Han, who had been standing in the middle for a while, have a big question mark on her face. Mr. Danh saw Ngoc talking more and more fiercely, he immediately had to change the subject.
-Is there anything new at home while I’m away, Han? If there’s nothing important, please move all your schedules to tomorrow afternoon.
-Yes, uncle, the foreign partner we met yesterday has made an appointment to discuss the project further. They made an appointment for Friday, and they seem very good-natured. I have written down all the details and notes here, please take a look.
-Yes, I knew about this last night, so I called Ms. Ngoc here. Now you should convey to her all the requirements for the model and technical specifications of the other side. Then the two of you will call the sales side to discuss the payment method and all the binding terms to ensure the highest benefit for the company. We must complete the data before tomorrow afternoon, so that the day after tomorrow we will have a contract for you and Ms. Ngoc to meet them.
-Oh… only you and Ms. Ngoc will go, so can I go along to be your assistant?
Han thought that it would still be her and Mr. Go to meet them, she even planned to postpone the flight, but when he didn’t call her name, she was a bit disappointed.
-Ms. Ngoc is the director in charge of the Southern region, this is her responsibility. Moreover, Han and her family are preparing to go on vacation, so she will take care of everything, including the assistant job. You just relax with your family and wait for me in Nha Trang, the chain of projects there is much more important than this project.
-Yes.
Han nodded very slightly then returned to her desk to call the business department, then prepared all the relevant books to prepare for discussion.