America 1982

At the covered bridge on the second floor of this sea-view villa, Robert Miller, a light-blond man with a gentle smile on his face, slowly stood up from his seat. He did not rush forward, but stood there with a smile on his face. With an appreciative smile, he looked at Tommy who appeared at the top of the stairs and walked closer and closer.

He said in the exact same tone as on the phone:

"Son, you should have come over last night to have a drink and chat with me. In my impression, you are not the shy type."

"I know, but when a man has a girlfriend, no matter what type of personality he has, there will only be one type left in the end, the passive type. It's best to listen to your girlfriend, if you don't want to be severely punished by her, for example Me." Tommy responded to the other person's words, and at the same time he walked over and reached out:

"Tommy Hawke, SSD Stanford Chapter, nice to meet you, Mr. Miller."

Miller shook hands with Tommy, and then introduced to Tommy Julian Farrell, who was walking over with his shirt sleeves rolled up not far away: "Ottilia's father, Julian Farrell, Hai The president of Line Boat Industries, an alumnus of mine from Cornell University, a pure-bred vampire salesman whose greatest joy was selling some beat-up sailboats to friends, like me.”

"Don't you think I'm in my vacation villa? It seems a bit redundant. After all, two bastards from the White Robe Society are blatantly slandering me, a member of the Order of the Phoenix." Farrell walked over with a smile and stretched out his hand to Tommy:

"Tommy Hawke, Otilia has always mentioned you to me and her mother, saying that you are her best student. Although she does not have a teaching position, we should have known each other as early as when you were in high school, right? Bar?"

"Yes, sir." Tommy nodded to Farrell: "I'm sorry I didn't meet you in high school before."

Farrell did not hesitate to stay here. After smiling and shaking hands with Tommy, he took the initiative and said: "I'll make a few calls to the company to handle the work. Don't regret it. When I finish my work, we can have dinner together. It's the same when we meet now." .”

"There is no need to regret, Tommy, sit down, and I will tell you why there is no need to regret." Miller motioned Tommy to sit next to him, and then looked downstairs to talk with Otilia and his three daughters. Sophia was very happy and said:

"When Julian was in college, he stole the international sweetheart contestant of our SSD Cornell University chapter. She is now his wife. After hearing this news, do you still feel regretful?"

Tommy shrugged, smiled wryly at Miller and said, "Then let me tell you more regrettable news. The Stanford branch's strong contender for International Sweetheart, a blonde girl who looks exactly like Judy Garland, was also selected by the Order of the Phoenix. Just like your relationship with Mr. Farrell, that guy from the Order was also my friend, and I can't seem to do anything but regret."

"No, there are many things that can be done. If I were you, I would marry his daughter home with the idea of ​​helping SSD avenge its past humiliation." Miller suddenly turned his head and looked at Tommy and said.

Tommy was slightly startled.

Robert Miller burst out laughing: "Sounds a bit difficult, right? After all, she is the only daughter of the Farrell family of the maritime shipping industry. She has been well taken care of since she was born, unlike people like us. , we have to understand social rules when we are born and find ways to make our lives better. Your father is..."

"Shipbreaking workers, but now there is a small shipbreaking yard." Tommy said.

"My father is a furniture salesman. I remember that when I told him that I wanted to go to college, he was not proud, but angry because he thought I was making a wrong choice. He had already found a job for me. A good job in his eyes is to be a carpenter apprentice in a furniture factory. The job is stable and you can learn skills. After you graduate, you can open your own furniture workshop to support your family without worrying about starving to death." Robert Miller picked up the table Take the grapes from the fruit plate and throw one into your mouth:

"My mother persuaded him for a long time before he allowed me to go to college and become the first college student in the Miller family."

With a sad expression, Tommy accompanied the old guy as they recalled each other's difficult years of schooling. He talked about how he created a summer camp gimmick to make money, bring back his sister and save for tuition.

"I wasn't as good as you in high school, kid." Miller praised with certainty: "I only knew how to do odd jobs at that time, but you were already able to make a lot of money, because I learned about it from Otilia. It’s your past that makes me think I should invest in you, because we are the same kind of people.”

"Mr. Miller, with all due respect, your business has nothing to do with the computer software industry. I mean investment shouldn't be so hasty. Of course, I'm grateful for your appreciation. It's just that I'm in trouble now, so it's not a good time to invest." Tommy pretended to be a little unclear about the other person's thoughts and asked frankly.

Miller looked at Tommy with his gray-blue eyes: "Tommy, as you are so smart, you should realize that business in the United States is the same regardless of industry. Entrepreneurs may need professional knowledge, but investors do not. He All you need to know is that you can make money. Your trouble is not a trouble to me. I guess you have probably heard about me. I am where I am today because of SSD. There is no SSD at West Point or the Naval Academy. With connections, Chuck and I can’t do the tax-free business we have now.”

"Yes, sir, I've heard about your experience with Mr. Feeney." Tommy nodded.

Miller wiped his fingers with a tissue and wiped the water stains from grabbing the grapes: "You are a member of the SSD. I can save you the bullshit that I would say when facing those sanctimonious guys. To put it simply, SSD brothers in the Navy When we went fishing together, we mentioned that the U.S. Navy recently had a naval contract worth at least 2 billion and was preparing to bid for it, of which about 400 million involved computer software. I think Actor Company may want to earn this Money.”

"It sounds like as long as everyone in the Navy is not blind, they shouldn't give Actor, a small company, a chance to make this money. Mr. Miller, Actor doesn't have this kind of bidding ability. We just develop some simple office software. , just sold to the poor." Tommy had a shocked look on his face, and after being stunned for a few seconds, he came back to his senses and shook his head.

Miller ignored Tommy's shock and continued: "That order is for the U.S. Navy to search for service providers and establish computer information centers for four large overseas bases located in the mainland, Hawaii, Japan, and South Korea. , providing computer information equipment maintenance services. The two billion yuan is only the basic construction fee. If facility maintenance services are needed in the future, you need to sign a separate contract and renew it every five years. That is, you can charge it to the government every five years. cost."

"This kind of business is more suitable for EDS founded by another SSD alumnus, Mr. Henry Perot. His EDS specializes in providing overall network establishment and maintenance services for government departments, large banks, and enterprises." After Tommy heard this, he immediately He asked.

Hearing Tommy talk about Perot, Miller smiled disdainfully: "Perot, yes, you have heard of Perot, right? That guy sounds like he is in the computer business just like you. He has connections in the military. The Army, Navy and even the National Social Security Administration all have large contracts from his company. He is indeed the most suitable candidate for this order, but why didn’t I call him? Instead, after I discovered you, I was pleasantly surprised. Invite you to come over to discuss this business?"

"I don't know, sir, I haven't met Mr. Perot, I just heard his stories." Tommy shook his head and said.

No matter from any perspective of this business, Perot's EDS is the best choice for the Navy.

"He relied on SSD's connections to get big orders while working at IBM. Then he created EDS. Many of the military's orders did not choose IBM, which was more suitable, and all were handed over to his small company EDS. Just like today I put This order is ready to be given to you. With those orders, EDS grew rapidly. In a short period of time, this guy became the richest man in Texas. However, he clearly had no shortage of money and wanted to take the company public. EDS only relied on the U.S. military He could earn a steady stream of wealth by starting a business, but that bastard insisted on betraying the people who helped him and listed EDS with a high profile. Many shareholders who had helped him and just wanted to hold shares in the company and receive returns were forced to do so on the eve of the listing. Withdraw EDS. Now after listening to this, do you think Perot, who betrayed his friends, is still the most suitable candidate for this Navy order?" After Miller finished explaining why he didn't want Perot to take over this business, he patted Tommy shoulders:

"Now, Tommy, the same opportunity that made you the richest man in Rhode Island, because of Perot's stupidity, is presented to you, Tommy, as it was to Perot."

There was a look of disbelief on Tommy's face, and he even breathed a little hurriedly, but his heart was actually as calm as water. If the old guy said these words to an ordinary asshole college student, he might really be tempted, because it sounds very tempting. , saying it as if the whole thing is completely harmless, and there are even reference points for the retreat. For example, if one day there is a conflict with shareholders due to company business issues, like Perot, the company can go public and part ways.

But in fact, Miller is avoiding the important and taking the easy. He will never say that just because Perot can do something, it does not mean that Tommy Hawke can also do it.

Perot has served in the Navy for many years and has won many medals. He has a profound background. Moreover, he is a childhood best friend with Hayes McClurkin, the third-ranked white-shoe elite lawyer in the United States and President Nixon's personal adviser. The Bush family in Texas also has personal relationships, and their background spans the two parties and the military. There is no way for the vampires who serve in the military behind Miller to use American-style settlement methods to get rid of them as shareholders and make big money. Perot, after all, it is impossible for these US military cowards to do stupid things and lose their jobs and lose their reputation just because they make less money.

But they must dare to use American Iai to deal with Tommy Hawke, who has no background but tries to imitate Perot and break free from control.

Seemingly noticing the expression on Tommy's face, Miller continued: "You like Otilia very much, right? Under the influence of the assholes of SSD, no one can resist the blonde girl, and the other party is his A high school teacher can increase the temptation. If you seize this opportunity, you can stand in front of her and propose to her with an expensive diamond ring. Her father will not object to you being a good match. He will only send blessings and miss it. I think you are just selling those cheap software, and it is difficult for Julian to leave his daughter to you with confidence, because every father will worry about the decline in the quality of life of his precious daughter."

"But this kind of public bidding, compared with Actor and EDS, is completely uncompetitive." Tommy did not follow the other party's talk about Otilia, but continued to ask, it sounded like the woman was not in his mind at the moment. It’s worth mentioning that making money is Tommy Hawk’s only purpose.

Miller saw that Tommy was a little moved, and immediately increased his seductive tone: "EDS has formed multiple business alliances to provide complete information services to various parties. Lotus happens to be a member of the EDS Agile Alliance and is responsible for providing EDS provides specially designed spreadsheet software. In other words, there is a financial relationship between them. If there is a relationship, EDS can be implicated in court. During the time when EDS is implicated, the military can just worry about potential infringement risks. If you refuse EDS's bid with the excuse of malicious claims, the reason is fair and aboveboard. Then, I will give you all-round support, lawyers, funds, contacts, lobbyists, etc., etc., and you can quickly expand the Actor in a short period of time. , calmly harvest this contract. Speaking of which, military business is the best. Those low-level soldiers have no idea what they need. Even if you give them a blank piece of paper and tell them what electronic materials are inside, they will be stupid. I believe that as soon as you finish this business, you will find that it is actually very easy to make money as long as you make good choices. Of course, I can first use DFS to purchase the computer software training services of Actor Company and pay to Actor's five million will keep your company's books from running out of money, even though DFS does not need any services from Actor at all."

Tommy had already used all kinds of swear words in his mind to greet the old guy in front of him countless times, who had obviously turned into a well-dressed beast, but still deliberately used an asshole tone to talk to him in an attempt to get closer. The three daughters and his wife were already in Tommy's mind. He was put into numerous poses.

He is an asshole with no bottom line in his behavior, but he has the most basic humanity, but what is this guy? He has no imagination, courage and freedom. After being unworthy of being an asshole, he still wants to trick himself into helping him deal with Perot. jerk?

Because he is old, he does not allow other men with big clubs to live and drink, so he can only accompany him as a eunuch?

This meeting, apart from allowing Tommy to see Miller using this lawsuit from his perspective, there is nothing else worth learning. He is far worse than Benjamin Rosen. At least Mr. Benjamin is better. He can give some positive suggestions, although Tommy himself understands those principles, but that is at least the attitude of SSD alumni teaching SSD juniors.

And listen to what this bastard said, he deceived himself and the Actor into using him as a profit tool and weapon, and he was only willing to pay five million. Do you think Master Tommy is really a countryman from Warwick who has never seen money?

Even in his imagination, he would not be willing to pay the price for marrying Otilia to him in exchange for being a tool. He would not be willing to give it to his own daughter, and he would not be willing to give it to someone else's daughter. Even if you tell a lie, it's okay to make Master Tommy happy.

If I had known that the other party was so rich and still maintained the fine tradition of being stingy, I would not have brought Sophia with me as a shield. That might have allowed me to get closer to Otilia in private.

"Uh...but...I mean...I mean I'm from Warwick." Tommy opened his mouth hesitantly, looked at Miller, then lowered his head and looked at his hands: "You know, Perot Mr. Miller is my father’s idol. After knowing that I joined SSD, my father specifically told me to remember to ask for an autographed photo for him if I had the chance to meet him. But Mr. Miller, what you just said... is hope. I stand opposite Mr. Perot, who is also a member of the SSD, and it is because of him that I joined the SSD."

"So, are you sure you want to give up such a big business?" Miller stared at Tommy with a half-smile: "You are a smart man. Think about it, you can make great changes in the Caribbean when you have no money, but if you have wealth , you can even use that money to match your brain to change the whole world, Tommy."

Tommy seemed to have made up his mind, his eyes suddenly became firm, and he looked at Miller: "Let me help you fight against your past idol and SSD alumnus... for more money."

"He is really a qualified SSD asshole." Miller laughed when he heard Tommy's words: "Then how much do you hope to get?"

Tommy also laughed: "No, no, no, money is not important now, I am even more insecure now."

"A sense of security?" Miller frowned slightly: "Bodyguard? Driver, doctor?"

"Your three daughters are also blond like Miss Ottilia Farrell, huh?" Tommy finished with a smile and stood up slowly: "I was just kidding."

This sentence made Robert Miller, who was holding a glass of water, almost choke. He didn't have Alzheimer's disease. This fucking bastard really dared to think that his three daughters were all blond...

He stood up with a slightly gloomy face, shook Tommy's hand, and said coldly: "I don't think you need to think about it. I already know the answer. I was an asshole myself and I know what you are thinking. You tell me Take it as a lie and a joke."

"You're not a jerk, Mr. Miller, so treating this meeting as a joke is the best outcome." Tommy let go of the other person's hand and sighed: "Before I met you, I had respect for you, because Your experiences when you were young made me, a new-generation bastard, yearn for you. I wish I could find a time machine and go back to that era to do those crazy things with you. But at this moment, when I am about to say goodbye, I find that in addition to three of you, Not as good as Otilia's beautiful blonde daughter, there is no characteristic worth remembering for me. Times have changed, Mr. Miller, twenty years ago, you and Mr. Perot were the best assholes in SSD, but now, Mr. Perot continues to be an asshole, and you have become a gentleman."

After saying that, he bowed slightly to Miller, turned and walked towards the stairs: "Assholes are always game-breakers who break the rules, rather than becoming part of the rules, so every time someone calls me an asshole, I will be very upset. Happy because they remind me not to forget what I want to be.”

"You rejected me, but I can also help. A procurement contract worth five million has nothing to do with the Navy's bidding contract. I just want to see you kick the butts of those nerds." Miller asked from behind.

Tommy immediately turned around, walked quickly back to Miller, and bowed to the ground: "If you had told me to give Actor Company five million for free, it would have made my impression of you much better, Mr. Miller."

"So you were greeting me like crazy in your head just now." Seeing Tommy's reaction, Miller laughed.

Tommy said frankly: "No, I'm not gay, I just say hello..."

"Shut up, for the sake of my old age, don't let me die of a heart attack." Miller sat back in his seat and took out a business card from under the fruit plate:

"I won't pay five million, but here is a business card of Perot. He said before that if you are not a fool who rushes at the opportunity when you hear it, you can call him and he will purchase it. A batch of OSS."

Tommy stared at the business card, then looked at Miller with a smirk on his face: "You are really good at acting, Mr. Miller. I have a colleague who is an assistant to the casting director. Are you willing to make a movie? I can spend money." I am willing to support you as the number one male."

"No need, just let my daughters go in your mind." Miller shook his head: "Although I was lying just now, it is true that Perot lost the navy order."

"Impossible." After hearing Miller's words, Tommy said firmly: "No other company can compete with EDS for naval orders."

"Wait to see the news, or wait until that Perot guy finishes his work and flies back to China to tell you face to face. It's not a secret anyway." Miller said with some waning interest:

"I originally wanted to teach you a lesson, you know? But you didn't give me a chance to teach you a lesson. Instead, you used similar lines to teach you a lesson. Did you see through a certain link?"

Tommy said seriously: "No, everything I said before was a lie. Only the words I said to you when I left are true. You are not an asshole, Mr. Miller."

After he finished speaking, he hesitated and added: "Uh, by the way, there is one more thing I want to clarify. I don't have a girlfriend. Sophia is my legal assistant. I thought you would seduce me with beautiful women, so I brought her here specially." Remind yourself not to be fooled, but now, I feel the need to explain clearly to you, your three daughters, and Otilia that I am single and my character is obvious to all..."

"How is the secret meeting of your brotherhood going? I have prepared some food, do you need to send it up?" Otilia asked loudly from far downstairs to the two people on the terrace upstairs.

"No need, Otilia, take my three daughters away. Aren't you planning to go to New York to watch a musical on Broadway? Ask the driver to take you to the airport immediately." Miller responded loudly, then turned to look at Tang Mi said in a threatening tone: "My daughters will only marry real gentlemen, so you'd better stay away from them and don't force me to castrate you."

Tommy obediently raised his hands and made a retreating motion: "With these words, I can vaguely feel the momentum you had when you were a jerk."

"I haven't prepared your lunch here. I'm only responsible for teaching you one thing in this class. Don't be like a fly that rushes to poop when you see it. Think clearly about the consequences. I didn't expect you to do a good job." Miller He waved his hand impatiently and made a driving gesture:

"Those words I told you were not lies. They were just my retelling of what happened to me back then. It would have been so damn good if I could have resisted the temptation like you did back then. Now, even whether my company will be listed on the market is a question. Can’t decide.”

Six thousand words, I’m too lazy to divide it into chapters, but it’s actually two chapters~