Are There So Many Good People?

To the outside world, the situation for Wugengtian Pharmaceutical Group looked extremely grim.

First, the group had lost out in the Fifth Pharmaceutical Centralized Procurement, which outsiders believed would cut off a massive source of cash flow. Second, news of layoffs had leaked—the group hadn't kept it under wraps, so rumors of a major downsizing were already flying everywhere. More critically, those in the know had long since learned that the group's annual sales were steadily declining.

All these factors piled up, leading the public to harbor serious doubts and suspicions about Wugengtian Pharmaceutical Group's predicament.

Yet, despite the group's dire straits, the friends An Wuyang had invited still chose to show up, and he was genuinely pleased about that.

As for Li Qing, who had refused earlier?

Hadn't he turned it down from the start?

At 6:30 p.m., Zhou Xiang, son of the Shengqing Commercial Bank Beiyu Branch Manager, arrived first. An Wuyang led him to the reserved parking spot.

"Brother Xiang, thank you," An Wuyang said, expressing his gratitude first.

Zhou Xiang replied politely, "Our families have always been friendly partners."

"This way, please." An Wuyang made an inviting gesture.

The two went together to the Autumn Shadow Private Room, where they chatted idly with polite small talk.

In truth, their relationship was merely superficial. Though their families were partners, they hadn't interacted much, and even their previous meals together had only been at business banquets.

This was their first private gathering.

Over the next twenty minutes, Zhu Guanghao, Sun Kairui, Xu Haoran, and Wu Kefan arrived one after another.

Zhu Guanghao was the last to come. When An Wuyang and he entered the Autumn Shadow Private Room, An Wuyang announced loudly, "Thank you all again for accepting the invitation. I, An Wuyang, will remember this."

For those who had come, it was already an act of offering help in a time of need.

"Brother Jing, we're all here. Please go personally oversee the kitchen arrangements," An Wuyang said, looking at Yang Jing.

Yang Jing immediately caught An Wuyang's intent. He stood up and replied, "Got it, Brother Wuyang. I'll supervise personally. Call me if anything comes up."

After speaking, Yang Jing left the Autumn Shadow Private Room, closed the door behind him, and instructed the outside staff not to disturb them.

The others were sharp enough to see that An Wuyang had deliberately sent Yang Jing away, so they all turned to him, waiting to hear what he had to say.

"Before we get to business, I'm curious—why did each of you agree to come?" An Wuyang asked, genuinely intrigued.

Asking outright like this wasn't the best approach, but An Wuyang was still a bit young and lacked finesse in handling certain matters.

Zhou Xiang spoke first. "Our families have always had a good relationship. If Brother Wuyang needs help, I'll do what I can."

That answer was standard, but given Wugengtian Pharmaceutical Group's precarious situation, it still counted as timely support.

Xu Haoran, son of the Shengqing Customs Second Deputy Director, replied, "I've seen you at banquets before. I think you're a decent guy. It's just a meal—why wouldn't I come?"

Xu Haoran was the same age as An Wuyang. He had indeed crossed paths with him at various events, but only as a nodding acquaintance.

Sun Kairui, son of the Shengqing Public Security Bureau First Deputy Director, snorted, "You called me to eat, how could I not come?"

Sun Kairui and An Wuyang were gaming buddies, their relationship purer—a mix of gaming partner and friend.

Wu Kefan, the young master of Shengqing Qimingxing Import and Export Trading Company, was An Wuyang's real-life friend. He chuckled, "Brother Wuyang summons me, I'll be there rain or shine."

Zhu Guanghao, son of the Shengqing Public Security Bureau Director, was the highest-ranking figure at the dinner. He thought for a moment before responding, "Normally, I shouldn't have attended a gathering like this."

"But your Wugengtian Pharmaceutical Group has an excellent reputation. In this layoff crisis, you even offered a 2N+2 severance package. I personally respect that a lot," Zhu Guanghao said with admiration.

The others nodded in agreement.

In fact, everyone present knew about Wugengtian Pharmaceutical Group's situation and the severance package it had offered.

Zhu Guanghao continued, "Your family is good, and Wugengtian Pharmaceutical Group is good too. But there are some things we can't help with."

Sun Kairui added, "Brother Wuyang, the Fifth Pharmaceutical Centralized Procurement is managed by the central yuan departments above. We really can't do anything about it here."

Huh?

These guys thought he had set up this dinner because of the Fifth Pharmaceutical Centralized Procurement?

They sure had wild imaginations!

Didn't An Wuyang know that the Fifth Pharmaceutical Centralized Procurement was under the Imperial Capital Central Yuan Ministry of Health?

"We know your family's Wugengtian Pharmaceutical Group is in a tough spot lately. If it's a funding issue, I'll try to persuade my dad to get your Wugengtian Group more loans," Zhou Xiang added from the side.

An Wuyang sighed. "You guys are actually willing to help my family?"

Zhu Guanghao nodded firmly. "Since your family offered a 2N+2 severance package even when Wugengtian Pharmaceutical Group was struggling, it shows you have a sense of responsibility. We're genuinely willing to help within our means."

Sun Kairui lamented, "In this crappy era, we've seen plenty of awful people. It's rare to come across a family like yours. Besides, I still want you to keep gaming with me, so I'll help if I can!"

Wu Kefan chimed in, "I'm willing to help too, Brother Wuyang."

An Wuyang felt a wave of emotion. The good image An Huchun had built for Wugengtian Pharmaceutical Group had really paid off!

"Thank you all!" An Wuyang said sincerely.

"But this dinner isn't about my family's Wugengtian Group. It's about a personal matter," An Wuyang explained.

He had been considering how to test these guys' reliability, but since they had voluntarily offered to help Wugengtian Pharmaceutical Group, that test was no longer necessary.

Because people willing to lend a hand when the group was in trouble weren't bad sorts—at least they weren't kicking someone when they were down, right?

"Personal matter?" Zhu Guanghao asked, puzzled. "What personal matter?"