Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

Tang Jiayue slammed his fist on the table and swore an oath.

His voice was loud and clear, and he slammed his fist on the table with force, displaying exceptional confidence.

It seemed that before 2004 arrived, helping Land Rover enter the European market was just a piece of cake.

but……

Having lived two lives, Zhao Ruilong wouldn't easily trust a drunk person.

Moreover, Tang Jiayue has already immigrated to France and is no longer a Chinese citizen.

His current French credentials probably no longer bear the surname Tang.

"Hey, what are you laughing at? Don't you trust me, Tang Jiayue?"

Zhao Ruilong was taken aback.

"I believe you, of course I believe you!"

"No!"

Tang Jiayue's eyes reddened, and he shook his head violently.

"Old classmate, I can tell you still don't quite trust me!"

"Don't speak yet, don't rush to refute me, let me finish, okay?"

Zhao Ruilong nodded slightly and raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.

Having lived two lives, Zhao Ruilong had seen far too many people who, when drunk, would boast, talk nonsense, and act out.

Therefore, based on past experience, when someone drinks too much and starts rambling on and on, it's best not to argue with them.

The more you argue with him and try to refute him, the more energetic he becomes, and the more he talks on and on, repeating the same few sentences over and over again.

Tang Jiayue picked up the cigarette pack, lit a cigarette for Zhao Ruilong, and said while shaking his head:

“I know you haven’t forgotten what I said on the plane the day we reunited. You probably think that I, Tang Jiayue, look down on China and that no matter how hard China tries, it will never be able to catch up with the West!”

"You might even think that my shameless attempts to have a meal with you every day, and my apologies and flattery whenever we meet, are simply because I know you have a powerful background and I'm trying to make amends."

Zhao Ruilong smiled without saying a word.

On the day they reunited on December 2nd, Tang Jiayue's rude and arrogant remarks did make Zhao Ruilong feel somewhat uncomfortable.

I think he's not only a brainless, ignorant frog in a well, but after immigrating abroad, he's also become a typical traitor to the country.

To prove how wise it was for them to immigrate to developed countries, they will try every means to attack and denigrate everything in their own country, turn a blind eye to the achievements of development, nitpick and criticize relentlessly, and wish that the people would suffer and the country would perish.

After developing a bad impression of Tang Jiayue, she naturally didn't want to talk to him much and preferred to sleep on the plane.

The reason I invited him to dinner today was because Tang Jiayue apologized quickly afterward and called me every day, saying all sorts of nice things and begging me to have a meal together.

Considering that this guy's status is not low and he is a capital broker, if I offend him, he might spread bad rumors about me or even cause me trouble.

So, since I had some free time today, I took the initiative to invite him over. Regardless of whether he could be of any use to me or be of any help in the future, once we'd eaten, there was no reason for him to continue bothering me.

However, at this moment, Tang Jiayue was clearly flushed.

"Old classmate, to be honest, I apologize for what happened that day, not because I'm afraid of you, nor because I want to curry favor with you, but because I've realized I was really wrong!"

"In the days I've been waiting to see you, I've read a lot of newspapers and magazines, watched many news reports, and visited many places such as Huilong Internet Cafe, Land Rover 4S store, and Olympic venue construction site."

"It was only after a detailed and in-depth investigation that I realized how wrong I was. I had been away from China for eleven years and had no idea how fast the country had developed. I was so narrow-minded as to say that this wouldn't work and that wouldn't work..."

Zhao Ruilong interjected, "It's alright, it's all in the past!"

"Do not!!!"

Tang Jiayue took a deep drag on his cigarette and said very seriously:

"This is a trivial matter for you, something you won't even care about. You'll forget about it soon because you're too busy. You have many important things to worry about and be busy with. But I'm different!"

"I am truly grateful to God for allowing us to reunite. Otherwise, I would never have realized that my understanding of the country had long since fallen behind the pace of development in China. I would still believe that China is poor, backward, and ignorant, and will never catch up with the West!"

Tang Jiayue picked up his wine glass, took a big gulp, and then filled it up with wine from the bottle.

"Through this experience, I have a new understanding of China!"

"Comparing my years of work and life experience abroad, I have found that there are still many places in our Dragon Country that are relatively backward, but the prospects for development are definitely brighter than those of European countries!"

"Because I have found that the leaders of our Dragon Kingdom have a very strategic vision, the courage to develop, and a firm determination. We will set different goals for the next five, ten, and twenty years, and all of them are feasible."

"Once we set our goals, we will work together to achieve them, regardless of difficulties and obstacles. We are particularly willing to turn the knife inward, continuously deepen reforms, fight corruption and promote integrity, and crack down on organized crime, breaking down class barriers and capital monopolies."

“Looking at the world, other countries simply cannot do this, because many are two-party or multi-party systems, which often lead to disputes over power, resulting in frequent policy changes, and even the previous policies being invalidated when a new ruling party takes over.”

"Not to mention that in many capitalist countries, they believe that a free market economy can solve all problems and are unwilling to have the government set grand goals and lead the whole nation to work towards them. Instead, they let people live in a brutal free competition where the strong prey on the weak and are left to fend for themselves."

"Many people don't realize that when capital controls the market and public opinion, it can manipulate public sentiment at will and thus influence politics. In seemingly fair elections, the politicians who win are often just spokespeople for capital. They only shout slogans and do not benefit the people."

"Therefore, I believe that although our Dragon Country still has many shortcomings, with the continued implementation of a series of major strategies such as invigorating the country through science and education, developing the western region, revitalizing the northeast, fighting corruption and promoting integrity, and eliminating organized crime, the economy will surely flourish, the national strength will become stronger and stronger, and the lives of the people will become better and better!"

Zhao Ruilong nodded emphatically in agreement.

While other countries are still stagnating or even quietly declining, Zhao Ruilong firmly believes that China will get better and better.

We are all descendants of the dragon, and we have all caught up with an excellent period of strategic development opportunities. There is no reason why the other world is developing quite well. The dragon kingdom in this world has its own full support, and by avoiding some detours and mistakes, it can become rich and powerful even faster.

However, it's only 2003 now, not 2013 yet, and many people still firmly believe that the Dragon Kingdom may collapse at any time. Tang Jiayue's ability to draw such a conclusion shows that he is indeed quite capable.

On second thought, Tang Jiayue wasn't stupid at all!

The academic qualifications of key university students in the 1990s were naturally of very high value.

Before universities expanded their enrollment on a large scale, how could anyone who could get into a top university be a fool?

Moreover, Tang Jiayue comes from a well-off family, and after graduating from university, he can study and settle in France.

Such family circumstances were enough to broaden his horizons greatly and give him knowledge far beyond that of his peers.

Therefore, while many people in China were still worshipping foreign things and full of all sorts of wonderful fantasies about the West, Tang Jiayue had already demystified the West and recognized the flaws in their systems.

In contrast, those who, with economic development, have gradually accumulated some wealth and are able to travel abroad still have a long way to go to truly understand the West and realize that it is not all good.

Many people will inevitably think that studying abroad will lead to a good job, and as a result, they blindly rush to study in the West, emptying their family's savings and accumulating huge debts, only to find in the end that they can't even make back their investment.

There will always be a continuous stream of people who think that if they can't make it in China, they can become rich and powerful by smuggling themselves to the West, without realizing that green cards are not easy to obtain and that illegal immigrants don't even have the basic right to survival.

Of course, those who are rich and powerful, and who visit the West for a short time with a pilgrim's mentality, cannot see how difficult the lives of the lower classes are, and will naturally think that everything in developed countries is wonderful.

"Indeed, I must toast you for this acquaintance! But after this drink, let's call it a day. I have things to do this afternoon, so let's get together again sometime in the future!"

As he spoke, Zhao Ruilong took the initiative to clink glasses with Tang Jiayue.

"No, this...this is the end?"

Tang Jiayue, still half-asleep, said loudly:

"We haven't seen each other for years, let's drink until we're completely drunk, okay?"

Zhao Ruilong laughed and said, "No way, Lao Tang. My flight to Shengyang is at 4:30 this afternoon. I need to go home and pack some warm clothes. Otherwise, if I fly straight there, I'll probably freeze like a dog as soon as I get off the plane!"

"Oh, is that so? Well... alright then! I just remembered my flight back to Bari is at 8 PM tonight! Come on, let's drink to this, wishing our Land Rover cars a booming success in Europe, with demand exceeding supply!"

Tang Jiayue held up his wine glass, ready to clink glasses with Zhao Ruilong.

But he was already so drunk that he was out of his mind, and it took him several attempts to reach out and touch her.

After taking that big gulp of wine, Tang Jiayue was stunned and motionless, as if he had been electrocuted.

Zhao Ruilong frowned.

I immediately wondered if this guy was about to throw up.

If someone who has drunk too much suddenly becomes completely still, it's often because their brain is negotiating with their stomach.

The brain certainly doesn't want to vomit, but if the stomach really can't take it anymore, the more you try to hold it in, the more likely you are to experience nausea and vomiting.

"Are you... alright?"

While asking questions, Zhao Ruilong quickly looked for a trash can.

If Tang Jiayue can't hold it in and vomits in the trash can, it's better than spraying it on the dining table.

"I'm fine! I'm fine!"

Tang Jiayue waved his hand.

Then he can raise his hand and take a puff of a cigarette.

Seeing this, Zhao Ruilong knew that Tang Jiayue's brain and stomach had successfully negotiated.

However, the prerequisite for this success is obviously that no more drinking is allowed, otherwise it would definitely be broadcast live.

Would you like some water?

"no, I'm fine!"

Tang Jiayue shook his head and waved his hand again.

After taking a few deep breaths, Tang Jiayue turned his head and said:

"I can hold my liquor perfectly well, I'm not drunk at all, don't worry!"

Zhao Ruilong laughed and said, "A drunk person will not admit that they are drunk!"

"I'm not bragging!"

Tang Jiayue turned to the side and laughed, "I'm just a little dizzy. After I recover for a while, I can at least drink another big glass!"

"Of course I believe you can still drink, but didn't we just agree that this would be the last glass?"

Zhao Ruilong asked in return with a half-smile.

Tang Jiayue nodded slightly: "Okay, then next time, next time when I go back to China, or when you come to France, let's have a good drink together!"

"Okay, if you really succeed in selling Land Rover cars to France, I'll definitely treat you to a good drink!"

"Don't worry, I actually test drove the Land Rover you spearheaded. It's even more advanced than those international luxury brands. There's no reason it won't sell! So you can rest assured. If the Land Rover doesn't sell well in Europe, I'll change my surname to Tang and you'll call me Zhao Jiayue from now on!"

Zhao Ruilong smiled coldly.

I thought to myself, if all you do is brag and show off, then you don't even deserve the surname Zhao.