DASFAM_81

Bai Xu stared at Sun Miaochun in the group photo and fell into thought.

Sun Miaochun had no clear definition of 'good or bad' in the original novel. She did not appear many times, and all that was known was that she was a highly capable businesswoman.

In business, she paid no mind to personal feelings and focused solely on profit.

This was something Bai Xu had already sensed when he had attended the Sun family banquet on behalf of the third branch.

If he remembered correctly, Sun Miaochun in the original novel had indeed moved to poach a Shang Group deal for her own benefit. However, this was only touched on in a few brief lines and was never developed further.

Bai Xu's eyes flickered faintly at the thought.

Could it be that the deal in the novel where Sun Miaochun competed with the Shang Group over a contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars was in fact the very Zhongdi project before him now?

Yan Cheng noticed that Bai Xu had not spoken for a while and ventured uncertainly, "Mr. Bai? What should our next step be? Should we also move quickly to arrange a meeting with the person in charge, Hassan?"

Bai Xu spoke, "We do need to meet with him, but not by rushing over eagerly. Otherwise it becomes very easy to lose the upper hand on the project."

No wonder Hassan had insisted on pushing back to after the New Year a contract that could have been signed before it. It seemed he wanted to shop around and invite competition, so as to get the Shang Group and Zhaoye to give up part of their profit margin.

Bai Xu's fingertips traced the edge of the tablet and gestured, "Yan Cheng, go and contact Chairman Chun's secretary right away. Say that I would like to arrange a meeting with Chairman Chun."

"Yes, Mr. Bai."

Yan Cheng promptly agreed, then continued to ask, "And the reason for the meeting?"

If Zhaoye Investment were mentioned directly, Sun Miaochun might not necessarily agree to meet.

Bai Xu thought of something, "Don't mention Zhaoye Investment. Just say you are an assistant from the Ning Ceramic Studio, then simply give my name directly."

Yan Cheng was momentarily taken aback, "A ceramic studio?"

Bai Xu gave a brief explanation, "It's a small private studio of mine. Chairman Chun is familiar with it. We had some dealings last year."

Yan Cheng caught on immediately, "Understood, I will go and make contact right away."

...

Sun Miaochun agreed to meet far more readily than expected.

At four in the afternoon, Bai Xu and Yan Cheng arrived punctually at the Sun Group's the capital headquarters office building, and were led the entire way by a secretary directly into the chairperson's private reception room.

The secretary politely explained, "Please bear with us for a moment. Tea has been prepared for you. Chairman Chun is still in a meeting and should be finished in about ten minutes."

Bai Xu maintained his air of detachment in front of others and gave a reserved nod.

Yan Cheng answered on his behalf, "Of course, thank you."

Bai Xu swept his gaze around the reception room, then settled unhurriedly into the seat appropriate for his position.

He took out his phone to check the time and said to Yan Cheng, "Set the brocade box down. It's heavy to hold for so long."

Yan Cheng didn't think much of it, "It's fine."

Bai Xu glanced sideways at him and gave a light laugh, "Ten minutes is just a pleasantry. We'll be waiting at least half an hour. If you don't mind your arm going numb from holding it that long, then by all means keep holding it."

"......"

Yan Cheng immediately did as he was told and set it down, then asked in a low voice, "Mr. Bai, is Chairman Chun trying to put us in our place from the start?"

Bai Xu picked up the tea on the table and watched the steam rise from it, "Last year, Sun Miaochun was planning to break into the capital. She went to great lengths to prepare a banquet and invited a whole host of prominent names from the capital circle."

"At the time I attended on behalf of the Shang third branch, and there was some unpleasantness at her banquet."

Even though Sun Miaochun had been suspected of deliberately allowing the situation to escalate back then, Bai Xu's subsequent public retaliation and unannounced departure had also cost Sun Miaochun face as the host.

"Afterward, Sun Miaochun wanted to use me as a connection to get close to the Shang Group, so under the name of 'making amends' she threw orders worth over a million into my newly opened studio. But..."

Yan Cheng asked curiously, "But what?"

"At the time I still didn't want to get involved with the Shang Group, and then I went to Singapore with Third Young Master," Bai Xu burned his tongue on the tea and let out a muffled sound, "...So nothing came of it after that."

From Bai Xu's perspective, it was the other party who had willingly sent business his way, so there was no reason to turn it down.

But from Sun Miaochun's perspective, she had genuinely been played and left hanging by him.

Yan Cheng caught on at this point, "Then ten minutes is not nearly enough to wait."

Bai Xu was aware that he was somewhat in the wrong on this matter and glanced at the brocade box on the table, "That's why I've brought the money back, haven't I?"

...

Time passed minute by minute. Finally, the tightly shut reception room door swung open.

Sun Miaochun walked in, her short hair neat and sharp, and her tailored women's suit lending her an unmistakably commanding presence.

Bai Xu stood up, "Chairman Chun, it has been a while."

Sun Miaochun looked him over and exchanged the pleasantries that both of them understood perfectly well, "It has indeed been some time. I'm sorry, Mr. Bai, the meeting just ran a little long. I've kept you waiting."

Bai Xu responded with ease, "Not at all. The tea at Chairman Chun's company is quite good. I've been enjoying it very much."

Sun Miaochun suppressed the scrutiny in her eyes, "Mr. Bai, please have a seat. May I ask what brings you to see me this time?"

Bai Xu gestured to Yan Cheng with his eyes, then delivered the response he had long prepared, "In the middle of last year, my ceramic studio had just opened. Thank you for your support, Chairman Chun."

"......"

At the mention of this, Sun Miaochun's expression shifted slightly.

Although an order worth over a million meant little to her, having thrown it out without so much as a ripple in return had left her with the frustrating feeling of punching into cotton.

Yan Cheng opened the wrapped brocade box and presented it attentively before Sun Miaochun.

"As a token of appreciation for Chairman Chun's support as our most esteemed client, this is a New Year's gift of thanks specially prepared by Mr. Bai's studio. Qianjiang Cai* porcelain."

*t/n; Qianjiang Cai (浅绛彩) is a style of overglaze porcelain decoration that emerged in the late Qing dynasty, particularly popular from the late 19th to early 20th century. It's characterized by light, ink-wash-like colors (mainly pale reddish-brown, ochre, and soft greens/blues) applied in a manner resembling traditional Chinese literati ink paintings, often combined with calligraphy, poetry, and seals directly on the porcelain surface.

It was a set of genuine antique collectibles of considerable value.

Because the meeting with Sun Miaochun had been arranged in such a hurry, there had simply been no time to go out and purchase anything.

Bai Xu had no choice but to 'talk' Shang Yanxiao into picking something from Old Master Shang's treasure room, and only dared to choose the least expensive yet still presentable ceramic collectible.

Watching the two of them leave with the brocade box, looking thoroughly pleased with themselves, the ailing Old Master Shang had managed to scold them with unusual clarity.

"Get out."

"Disgraceful."

Disgraceful, letting himself be bossed around by his other half like that!

The memory came to Bai Xu and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upward, though he quickly pressed the smile back down, "Please accept it, Chairman Chun."

Sun Miaochun was far from ignorant when it came to antique porcelain, and was inwardly surprised by Bai Xu's lavishness, "Mr. Bai, this return gift is far too generous. I really cannot accept it."

Her gaze shifted back to Bai Xu's face and she came straight to the point, "Mr. Bai, let's speak plainly. You didn't come to find me just to deliver a gift, did you?"

"Talking with Chairman Chun is always so refreshing," Bai Xu saw no reason to beat around the bush either, "I heard that Chairman Chun is also very interested in the Zhongdi project?"

Sun Miaochun had already guessed he was here for this very matter, "And what if I am? The Zhongdi railway project is a very attractive prize, and my company is fully capable of supplying the steel and construction materials the project requires."

The Sun family had built their fortune on steel. Even after Sun Miaochun took over the group and the overall focus of the business shifted somewhat, the steel trade had never stopped.

Under the same specifications and standards, the price they could offer through their own production and distribution was lower, which naturally made them more appealing to Hassan.

"The Zhongdi railway order doesn't only involve that one basic component. From the review and filing of a cross-border project, to the annual qualification inspections of major equipment, to the arrangement of technical personnel across departments, it even involves the mobilization of large numbers of workers."

What this project looked at was the total investment and expenditure.

Bai Xu casually offered an example and countered, "If I recall correctly, the Sun Group has had almost no involvement in this kind of cross-border project before. Isn't Chairman Chun worried it will be a struggle?"

"Having no prior involvement doesn't mean there can be no future involvement. Isn't this a fine opportunity right now?"

Sun Miaochun took a sip of her cooled tea, her tone carrying a hint of both implication and provocation, "Besides, how does Mr. Bai know I'm relying solely on my own group's strength?"

"......"

Understood.

So there was someone backing this project behind the scenes?

Only the Sun Group and Sun Miaochun were the ones stepping forward as the primary responsible party.

Bai Xu played it straight, "Chairman Chun, to be honest with you, the Zhongdi railway project is one that Zhaoye set its sights on first."

"......"

Zhaoye?

Not the Shang Group?

Sun Miaochun's eyes flickered slightly, then she said, "I know. But Zhongdi hasn't signed any agreement with you yet, has it? In that case, everyone has a chance."

"Mr. Bai, you should know that in business, it has always been survival of the fittest, with everyone competing to come out on top."

"If you can take this project from someone else's hands, then I can just as well take it from yours. At least for now, it appears that Mr. Hassan and his affiliated group have a greater intention to work with me."

"......"

Bai Xu caught the resolve in Sun Miaochun's words, "It seems Chairman Chun has no room for any concession whatsoever? Not even cooperation?"

"Why would anyone loosen their grip on a project that can make money?"

Sun Miaochun made no attempt to conceal her appetite for profit, and turned the question back on Bai Xu, "Mr. Bai, would you be willing to cooperate with me on this project?"

Bai Xu smiled and delivered the most resolute words in the most courteous of tones, "I would not."

Cooperation might mean mutual benefit, but Sun Miaochun's backing clearly involved a third party. He would rather stand on his own than wade into those murky waters.

Besides, behind Zhaoye there was still the Shang third branch. It was not as though they had completely lost their edge.

Bai Xu knew when to stop, "In that case, I won't take up any more of Chairman Chun's time."

Sun Miaochun closed the lid of the brocade box and pushed it back, "Mr. Bai, please take the antique back with you."

The antique collectible had originally been intended to mend bridges. Since that was no longer going to work, there was no point.

"Very well."

Bai Xu raised an eyebrow without ceremony, but still left a door open, "In that case, I'll think of another way to bring Chairman Chun a gift another time. I'd also like to treat you to a meal then, and I hope you'll do me the honor."

Sun Miaochun had no intention of making a complete break with Bai Xu and the Shang third branch, "Alright."

In the business world, things changed in the blink of an eye. Today's competitor could be tomorrow's partner.

Bai Xu stood up, "Goodbye."

Sun Miaochun remained seated without moving, and simply called to her own assistant, "See Mr. Bai out downstairs properly."

"Yes."

...

Bang!

The car door shut.

Yan Cheng carefully steadied the brocade box on the front passenger seat before turning to look at Bai Xu in the back, "Mr. Bai, shall we head back to the office?"

Before the words had barely left his mouth, Bai Xu's phone buzzed with a vibration.

"Hold on a moment."

Bai Xu suppressed the frustration inside and answered the call, "Hello."

Shang Yanxiao on the other end of the line caught something in that single word and immediately had his suspicions, "You've finished meeting with Sun Miaochun? Didn't go well?"

Bai Xu was not the type to give up easily, "It's fine even if it didn't go well. Either way it's just competition. As long as the contract hasn't been formally signed and the international procedures haven't been completed, we still have our chance."

Shang Yanxiao gave a quiet laugh, "Mm."

Bai Xu let out an undetectable sigh.

Facing his lover on the other end of the phone, he was finally willing to let a little of his true feelings show, "Third Young Master, how can you actually laugh right now? The Zhaoye and Zhongdi project isn't mine alone."

"I know."

Shang Yanxiao coaxed him in his own way, "How about you come pick me up from work? We'll go out to eat tonight, so we don't have to go home and have the Old Master see us and keep being angry at us."

Bai Xu laughed despite himself, "Correction, he's angry at you."

Shang Yanxiao let him place all the blame squarely on his own shoulders, then finally brought up the real matter at hand, "As it happens, I've found out a bit more on my end. Young Master Bai might find it useful."

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