Ali: Now, Mr. Liu, we have gone too far off the point. Let’s return to the topic of commission, shall we?

Liu: That’s just what I was going to propose.

Ali: Honestly, Mr. Liu, the rate of commission you are going to grant us is far too small. Could you raise it to 5%.

Liu: But 2% is exactly the same as we pay to other agents. Any increase would have to be put onto the price and make it less competitive. Moreover, when other customers get to know it, they are likely to raise questions. It would then be very embarrassing.

Ali: That I know, But then, different problem, different approaches, have as your Chinese saying often goes. They have

established their markets while we have to start from the very beginning. Besides, it’s new product. In order to promote the sales we shall have to spend a lot of money on advertising. In a nutshell our operating cost is much higher than others’, don’t you think so?

Liu: There may be some truth in what you say. They say it much easier to lose a customer than to win one. It is our first transaction, for the sake of future business we might consider your proposal, But you five percent is far from being acceptable.

Ali: Could we make a compromise? Allow us a higher rate for a certain period of time, say, six months. What would you say to it?

Liu: That sounds more practical. But I can’t decide it at the moment. I have to get confirmation from my head office.

Ali: When can you give me a definite  answer?

Liu: Will you come round tomorrow afternoon? I think I’ll be able to let you know the results by then.

Ali: OK.

                                   NEW WORDS

Ali             阿里（人名）        advertising          广告

topic            题目                campaign           运动

propose          建议                nutshell            坚果壳

honestly         诚实地              operating cost       经营成本

rate             比例，率            lose               失去，丢失

precisely         精确地              win               赢得

raise             提出，提高         compromise         妥协  

moreover         此外                certain             某一个

likely            可能的              period              时期

embarrassing      令人难堪的          practical            实际的

approach n.        途径，方法         decide              决定

saying            格言，谚语         confirmation         确认

beginning         开始              definite               确切的，肯定的

promote          促进               result                结果