The Vice President had a stern expression. "People who can''t be on time tend to be hard to work with." He turned to David, asking, "What do you think, President?"


    David, on the other hand, was sitting calmly, not as fired up as the Vice President. He took a sip of his coffee. "Rx, it''s not even ten yet."


    The Vice President smirked. "If they really cared, they''d be early."


    No need to act like we''re royalty, timing our entrance to the second, right?


    Just then, the receptionist showed in a man who looked to be around fifty.


    The man wasn''t tall, dressed in a shabby gray suit that had seen better days, much like a well-worn garment washed into paleness, making him look just like any ordinary countryside farmer.


    He walked in right on the dot at ten.


    The Vice President barely gave him a second nce before looking away, not bothering to show any interest.


    David got up from his chair, smiling warmly. "You must be Paul?”


    The man paused briefly, nodded politely. "Yes, I''m Paul."


    David gestured to a nearby chair. "Have a seat, let''s chat."


    "Alright." Paul calmly pulled out a chair and ced his old bamboo pipe on the table.


    The pipe, worn from years of use, had a story of its own.


    An assistant poured Paul a cup of coffee and returned to David''s side.


    Paul casually drummed his fingers on the table and took a leisurely sip of his coffee, not rushing to start a conversation. Even in front of David and the Vice President, who naturally exuded authority, he seemed utterly unfazed.


    As if he were just chatting with two regr folks.


    Completely at ease.


    David was a bit taken aback but then realized that a simple farmer from the countryside wouldn''t have any notion of social hierarchy or cunning schemes. Clearing his throat, David spoke first. "Can you really grow Secret Orchids?" At this, the Vice President finally looked directly at Paul. "Yes," Paul replied softly.


    His voice was a bit raspy, likely from smoking the pipe, and he coughed a few times.


    The Vice President frowned, a stickler for cleanliness, instinctively covering his


    nose.


    Seeing Paul still coughing, convinced the air was filled with germs, he couldn''t stand it any longer. "President, I just remembered some unfinished business. I''ll leave the garden matters to you," he said to David, eager to leave.


    He had lost interest even in the Secret Orchids.


    David noted his actions and nodded. "Alright, go ahead."


    The Vice President gave a slight nod, then hurried out of the meeting room, unable to linger a moment longer.


    David shook his head slightly, looked at Paul, now done coughing, and whispered


    to his assistant, "Could you get some throat lozenges?"


    The assistant got the hint, nced at Paul, and nodded. "Right away."


    Once the assistant left, David personally refilled Paul''s coffee. "You know, smoking that much isn''t the best for you."


    Paul thanked him, seemingly unconcerned about the Vice President''s exit. After another sip of coffee to soothe his throat, he said, "It''s just a habit of mine."


    David chuckled. "By the way, where are you from? Your ent doesn''t sound local to the north."