Van's heart lurched violently. He smoothed his dusty uniform, wiped his face, and followed the secretary out. Hùng watched his retreating back, expression unreadable.
Entering Kim Hải's office again was more nerve-wracking than the first time. He stood stiffly, hands at his sides, slightly bowed. "Mr. Kim, you wanted to see me?"
Kim Hải looked up from his desk, gestured to a chair. "Sit."
Van perched on the edge, spine rigid.
Kim Hải set down a file, picked up Van's report, and leafed through it. Silence stretched, broken only by the rustle of pages. Van held his breath.
"I read the report," Kim Hải finally said, tone neutral. "Good work. Logical, well-researched. Especially these disposal suggestions," he tapped the page, "practical, hitting the mark."
Van's heart soared slightly. "Thank you, Mr. Kim!"
"However," Kim Hải continued, "theory is easy; execution is hard. Returns? Suppliers cooperative? Disposal? Who handles it? Pricing? Regular checks? Who implements? Optimize procurement? Procurement listens to you?" He fired off a barrage of practical hurdles, his gaze sharp.
Van flushed, caught off guard. He hadn't delved that deep. "Mr. Kim, I... lack experience, didn't consider the details. Just... saw the problems, thought solutions were needed..."
"Hmm," Kim Hải nodded, seeming satisfied with the honesty. "Knowing your limits is good. Chen was right. You're quick, willing to learn, responsible." He leaned forward slightly. "Alright, Procurement and Finance will handle the report's actions. But your suggestions warrant recognition. I have a task for you."
Van sat straighter. "Yes, Mr. Kim!"
"Next week, a major material tender – rebar and cement, large volume." Kim Hải stated. "Normally, you wouldn't attend. But I want you to observe. Sit in the back. Watch Procurement negotiate prices, see how suppliers bid, how we evaluate. Consider it training. Interested?"
A tender?! Van's heart hammered! Core company business! The true "upstream"! A warehouse grunt, invited to observe?!
"Yes, Mr. Kim! I'll learn intently!" Van's voice trembled with excitement.
"Good." A faint smile touched Kim Hải's lips. "Inform Hùng. Tuesday afternoon, report directly to the third-floor conference room. Dress presentably."
Leaving the office, Van felt light-headed. Sunlight streamed through corridor windows, unusually bright. Not only had he survived Hùng's hostility, but he'd earned Kim Hải's notice and a seat at a crucial meeting! It felt unreal!
Back at the warehouse, Hùng waited, face thunderous.
"What did Mr. Kim want?" Hùng demanded curtly.
"Mr. Kim... asked me to observe... a procurement tender next Tuesday afternoon," Van replied evenly.
"What?!" Hùng's eyes bulged. "A tender?! You?! Observe?! Who do you think you are?!"
"It's Mr. Kim's arrangement," Van emphasized.
Hùng's chest heaved. He glared at Van for a long moment, eyes like daggers, finally snarling, "Fine! Mr. Kim favors you! You're so capable! Go! Don't delay this afternoon's shipments!" He stormed off, slamming the door.
Van knew the rift with Hùng was now open. But he couldn't dwell on it. He had to seize this chance!
The following days were a frenzy. He worked efficiently, avoiding Hùng's traps. Nights were spent cramming tender knowledge: scouring old bookstores for texts on bidding, procurement strategies, contract management; using the night school lab for case studies; even cornering a friendly junior Procurement clerk after hours for basics.
He absorbed knowledge like a parched sponge. He knew his foundation was weak, but diligence could compensate. He would be prepared, even as an observer.
Tuesday arrived. Van wore his best clothes – a faded but pressed light blue shirt and dark trousers (second-hand finds). He combed his hair before a small, blurry mirror. The reflection showed less confusion, more steadiness and anticipation.
He arrived at the third-floor conference room thirty minutes early. It was large, with an oval table covered in dark green felt. Procurement staff bustled, setting name cards, adjusting projectors, preparing documents. They glanced curiously at Van but said nothing.
Van took a corner seat, notebook and pen ready, trying to be invisible.
Soon, attendees filed in. Kim Hải entered with executives, taking the head seat. Procurement Manager, Technical Lead, Finance Representative followed. The air turned formal, professional. Van felt like a child trespassing in an adult world, palms sweating.
The tender commenced. Three shortlisted suppliers – major Hanoi/Vietnam building material firms – entered. Suited and confident, they presented PowerPoints detailing company strength, product quality, supply capacity, after-sales service, and final bids.
Van listened intently, scribbling notes: bids, payment terms, delivery schedules, quality guarantees... He grappled with terms: FOB, CIF, promissory notes, performance bonds... He watched Procurement and Technical grill suppliers, challenge parameters; saw suppliers deflect, emphasize strengths; observed Kim Hải's quiet control, his incisive questions.
He witnessed, firsthand, how multi-billion VND deals were negotiated – not simple haggling, but a complex interplay of strength, strategy, information, even psychology. It felt like stepping into a new world, both daunting and exhilarating.
After three intense hours, Kim Hải decided, selecting a supplier not on lowest price, but strongest overall capability, best quality reputation, and most reliable supply.
As the room emptied, Kim Hải paused at the door, noticing Van still organizing notes in the corner.
"Nguyễn Văn, impressions?" Kim Hải asked.
Van stood quickly. "Learned a lot, Mr. Kim! Had no idea... procurement was this complex!"
"Complexity signifies importance," Kim Hải nodded. "A good deal saves more money than a year in the warehouse. Keep learning." He left.
Van stood, absorbing the words. Saved money... created value... Mr. Chen's core message! He felt closer to that "upstream" world.
Returning to the warehouse, however, brought him back to Hùng's scowl and a mountain of dispatch tasks.
"Back from your big meeting?" Hùng sneered. "Enjoy yourself? Warehouse work beneath you now? This pile – site needs it urgently! Not done tonight? You explain it to them!" He pointed at a massive stack of materials.
Van looked at the pile, then the clock – nearly quitting time. This was deliberate obstruction. He didn't argue, just changed into his work shirt.
"Minh, let's get started."
That night, Van and Minh worked past 11 PM, counting, loading, dispatching the shipment. Van was exhausted, but the spark ignited by knowledge burned brighter. Hùng's pettiness was a temporary hurdle. He'd glimpsed a wider sky; he wouldn't be confined. He would rise higher!