172. Damn, It's This Thing

Mingzhi wasn't surprised by the suited man's apparent attempt to build connections at the banquet.

Aside from those there to do business and the celebrities invited to entertain the guests, everyone else at Hansen's banquet had basically come for the networking opportunities it offered. Under those circumstances, it was perfectly normal for strangers to strike up a conversation and see whether the other party might offer them new channels or potential partnerships.

Mingzhi calmly accepted the man's greeting. With Xizi on his arm, he strolled forward, took a glass of pure water from a passing waiter's tray, and raised it toward the suited man. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Mingzhi."

"Just call me Joe." When the suited man heard the distinctly Japanese-sounding name, a thoughtful glint flashed through his eyes before he smiled knowingly. "Looks like you're a friend who doesn't mind a little atmosphere."

In this enormous banquet hall, the Tiger Claws were gathered on the other side. The man calling himself Mingzhi was clearly not one of them—if he wasn't with the Tiger Claws yet had such a typical Japanese name, then he was most likely a representative sent by some Japanese corporation.

Joe's eyes brightened.

In these sensitive times—when Arasaka and New America were at each other's throats, and President Myles's plane had just crashed in Dogtown—any Japanese corporate representative who still dared to swagger into an event like this had to have an extraordinary background.

For a food merchant whose identity was merely "legal and legitimate," though he occasionally ran "special" routes, it was worth continuing the conversation so long as Mingzhi, whatever company he represented, showed even a little interest in talking.

Maybe someone at the company would want some fresh imports one day.

"Jade."

After Joe introduced himself, Jade introduced himself to Mingzhi