DASFAM_83

Knock knock.

The sound of knocking rang out.

Bai Xu sat at his desk, not even lifting his head as he spoke, "Come in."

Yan Cheng pushed the door open and entered, "Mr. Bai, we should head to Sun Group soon. Chairman Chun's assistant said the other side can only spare half an hour for us."

Bai Xu closed his pen, laughing indifferently, "Quite hard to schedule. Are the contract and project materials all ready?"

Yan Cheng nodded, "As you instructed, I've already cross-checked and confirmed with the project heads from both companies, there are no issues at all."

He walked closer, handing the two neatly prepared folders to Bai Xu, "Would you like to review them once more?"

"No need, I trust your abilities."

Bai Xu gestured for Yan Cheng to put away the important documents. These two project contracts wouldn't take effect just from signing; they still had to go through both parties' official seals and the legal process.

He stood up and grabbed his coat, walking out from behind his desk, "By the way, has Mr. Hassan's side been contacted?"

Yan Cheng followed closely behind his boss's pace, his tone tinged with a rare hint of hesitation, "I've contacted them, but Mr. Hassan said he won't be free this whole week."

"……"

Not free?

It's already mid-March, and this constant delaying is clearly them deliberately keeping us hanging.

If this project's contract remained unconfirmed for too long, wouldn't the higher-ups at Zhongdi grow anxious and push for it?

"Sun Group and Mr. Hassan's side haven't formally signed a contract either," Yan Cheng speculated, "Could he be trying to pressure both sides to squeeze the profit margins further?"

Bai Xu stepped into the elevator and firmly pressed the button for floor B2, "Whether he's forcing us to give up profits, or trying to scheme some benefit for himself, who knows?"

Projects of this scale never lacked gray-area profits, and with Hassan occupying such a critical position as the one in charge, even though he couldn't single-handedly control everything, skimming off the top for personal gain privately was hardly difficult.

A flash of disgust flickered in the depths of Yan Cheng's eyes, "So what should we do?"

Bai Xu raised an eyebrow, "Even if the Zhongdi project ultimately falls into our hands, I won't let someone like Hassan get his way. Who says we have to follow his orders step by step?"

Since Hassan kept dragging things out without cooperating, then they might as well bypass him entirely and connect directly with other higher-ups at Zhongdi. No matter what, Bai Xu wouldn't allow the company's project interests to be held hostage by someone like that.

As for who would handle the connection with Zhongdi's higher-ups, he already had the perfect candidate in mind.

...

Bai Xu and Yan Cheng arrived at Sun Group right on time. The door to the reception room opened, and Sun Miaochun walked in.

She looked at Bai Xu, who had risen from the sofa, and shook her head with a hint of helplessness, "Mr. Bai, I believe we just met last week, didn't we?"

Bai Xu shook her hand, "That's right."

Sun Miaochun invited him to sit, speaking bluntly, "Mr. Bai, I thought I made it clear. This Zhongdi project concerns Sun Group's interests, and there's no way I'd give up and withdraw."

"Besides, there's simply no possibility of cooperation between the two of us on this project."

The crisp, decisive words seemed to cut off every possibility for Bai Xu in one stroke.

Sun Miaochun disliked wasting time on meaningless conversation, "If there's nothing else, Mr. Bai might as well save his breath."

Completely unaffected, Bai Xu smiled, "Didn't Chairman Chun set aside half an hour for me? Then I'll keep it brief."

"What?"

"Just because there's no possibility of cooperation on the Zhongdi project doesn't mean there's no possibility of cooperation in other areas."

Bai Xu glanced at Yan Cheng and continued, "Chairman Chun didn't accept the gift I brought last time, so why not take a look at this time's gift instead?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Cheng handed over the materials he'd prepared in advance, "Chairman Chun, please take a look."

Sun Miaochun caught sight of the two thick folders, somewhat puzzled, but accepted them politely.

She opened them, and within just a few seconds, her expression changed.

At the same time, Bai Xu spoke openly and frankly, "The Yanbang International Airport project undertaken by the Zhang family of the capital, and the 'Liren Island' project of Chu Group in Singapore, the estimated quantities of various types of steel meeting international inspection standards for both—"

The project materials had clear annotations, deliberately bolded and presented right in front of Sun Miaochun.

"I imagine that should meet Chairman Chun's standards?"

"……"

Sun Miaochun gripped the two project documents tightly without showing it, looking at Bai Xu with a grave expression, "Mr. Bai, what exactly do you mean by this?"

"Chairman Chun, let's not speak in riddles. I know your insistence on participating in the Zhongdi project is to resolve your company's forced overproduction of steel, and I also know your partner behind this is Shang Qishun."

"Perhaps I don't understand you, but I do understand Shang Qishun."

"With him involved, Sun Group won't get the larger share of the Zhongdi project, but instead, because of your visible partnership status, you'll end up shouldering more engineering responsibilities in the future."

Shang Qishun appeared to have handed over all the opportunities to take the lead to Sun Group, but in reality, his calculating nature ran deeper than anyone else's.

Once the project launched, if Zhongdi's project funds weren't disbursed on time, the one who'd have to advance the payments would be Sun Miaochun and Sun Group.

"Chairman Chun, why bear the risk and responsibility yourself, only to do the legwork for someone else's benefit?"

"As long as you stop cooperating with Shang Qishun and withdraw from the Zhongdi project, then the project contracts you're holding right now, you and your group would become the direct steel suppliers."

"Both these projects will launch in the first half of the year. As soon as you sign, the other party's first batch of steel payment will arrive immediately. Even for the project all the way in Singapore, shipping costs through your own maritime transport would be considerably cheaper than through Zhongdi."

In just these few short sentences from Bai Xu, Sun Miaochun's resolve had already begun to waver.

She'd long known the pressure and risk that the "Zhongdi project" carried, but it had been the best one-time solution to clear out her company's large stockpile of stranded steel.

Taking a desperate gamble to push through until the first phase of construction was successfully completed, that would give Sun Group a name for itself in international engineering projects.

Yet at this very juncture, right as the contract signing approached, Bai Xu's offer brought her tangible, concrete benefits.

Not as the engineering contractor, just as the steel supplier, able to provide the same amount of steel while the risk dropped to its lowest.

Sun Miaochun still found it hard to believe such a windfall could simply fall into her lap, "Mr. Bai, can you actually guarantee these two companies' projects?"

She raised her concern, "What if I withdraw from the Zhongdi project, and then the Zhang and Chu families refuse to honor the cooperation?"

The fact that she'd gone further to ask questions, with hesitation showing in her expression, meant her resolve had already wavered.

Bai Xu saw through it but didn't say so, "Chairman Chun, I have my own connections and my own ways of doing things. Isn't business all about mutual give and take?"

The Zhang family's contract relied on the decades-long friendship between the third branch and the Zhang family; as for Chu Corporation in Singapore, naturally it depended on their alliance with Chu Yate.

Both of these, they trusted completely, and there was absolutely no way either would do anything to breach the agreement.

"……"

Sun Miaochun didn't respond, her gaze settling on the contract once again.

Bai Xu didn't rush her for an answer, instead continuing to work on her psychologically, "Chairman Chun, I recall when you first arrived in the capital, you saw things quite clearly. So what about now?"

Sun Miaochun's gaze tightened slightly, "Mr. Bai, if you have something to say, you might as well say it directly."

Bai Xu countered with a question, "Care to guess, who exactly is mired in scandal among the Shang family right now, and who's currently in favor within the group?"

A year ago, when Sun Miaochun first arrived, she'd still known to entertain the third branch of the Shang family. So how is it that a year later, she's instead cooperating with the eldest branch's Shang Qishun?

"Who's being used? And who's genuinely seeking cooperation? When it comes to choosing partners, I trust Chairman Chun's judgment."

"……"

Sun Miaochun didn't respond immediately, but the scales in her heart had already tipped, "I need time to think it over."

In Sun Miaochun's view, personal connections weren't reliable, only interests were absolute.

Regardless, she at least needed to verify the authenticity of these two contracts, and whether the benefits behind them were worth giving up the Zhongdi project for.

"Of course," Bai Xu agreed readily, yet quietly applied pressure at the same time, "It's just that everyone's time is precious, Chairman Chun, please give me a deadline."

Sun Miaochun met his eyes, her words carrying an implication, "Next Monday."

Bai Xu understood the hint she'd given, "Understood. Then I won't take up any more of your time. Farewell."

...

The moment Bai Xu left Sun Group's headquarters, he immediately took out his phone and dialed the number pinned at the top.

After barely three rings, the call connected, "Hello, A' Xu."

Hearing Shang Yanxiao's voice, the tension between Bai Xu's brows eased slightly, "I've finished talking with Sun Miaochun. What about you?"

Shang Yanxiao replied, "On my way to the airport."

Bai Xu gave him the timeline, "Next Monday. From what Sun Miaochun implied, Hassan's probably scheduled to sign the contract with them next Monday. We need to move fast on our end. The specific contracts and project materials, Xie Qi already has them."

Shang Yanxiao caught the slight tension in his tone and gently reassured him, "Don't worry, I've already got the materials. I'll secure this project before Monday. Young Master Bai, do you trust me?"

"Shang Yanxiao," Bai Xu murmured his lover's full name softly, giving him complete trust, "I'll be waiting for you to come back so we can celebrate."

Hearing this, Shang Yanxiao deliberately added a reminder, "Mm, find some time these next two days to check out the gold shop again, I heard gold prices are still rising?"

The tightness in Bai Xu's chest dissolved completely, "Got it. Look at you, always thinking about my little gold beans all day long."

"Whatever Young Master Bai gives me is naturally the best."

Shang Yanxiao's smile carried through in his voice, "I'm almost at the airport. I'll contact you again later?"

"Okay."

Bai Xu hung up the phone and only then noticed Yan Cheng deliberately looking away beside him. The other man had clearly overheard his conversation with Shang Yanxiao, and now felt too awkward to look his way.

"……"

Bai Xu reined in the curve at the corner of his mouth, coughing awkwardly, "Yan Cheng, help me look into something. Is Hassan meeting with Shang Qishun next Monday? And where would the meeting be held."

Yan Cheng more or less guessed what Bai Xu was thinking, agreeing unconditionally, "Got it, Mr. Bai."

...

Zonglu Island was one of the capital's most exotic high-end hotels, where the minimum spend for each private room started at five figures, and the guests dining there were nothing if not wealthy and powerful.

Even so, reservations still had to be made in advance.

In the top-floor private room, four attendants brought out all the dishes at once, "Mr. Shang, hello, all the dishes have been served. We wish you a pleasant meal."

"Wait a moment."

Shang Qishun looked at the black-bearded man seated directly across from him, smiling, "I recall they have a limited edition Bollinger 007 here. Mr. Hassan, shall I have a bottle opened for you?"

Hassan knew his wine well enough and didn't refuse, "Mr. Shang is too generous."

Shang Qishun smiled slightly, gesturing for the attendant to open it, "Consider it an early toast to a pleasant partnership between us."

The door of the private room closed quietly.

Seeing that no outsiders remained, Hassan deliberately stroked his short beard, "Mr. Shang, actually my original target partner wasn't you and Sun Group. I've been stringing along Zhouye Investment and Mr. Bai this whole time, and honestly, I do feel a bit bad about it."

As he said this, his expression showed not the slightest trace of guilt, instead faintly revealing calculation.

Hassan looked at Shang Qishun, his words carrying an implication, "As for why I decided to cooperate with you all, you should understand why."

Shang Qishun understood at once, "Mr. Hassan, rest assured, once the cooperation agreement is signed, your personal cut will be transferred to your designated account on schedule."

Hassan laughed heartily, quite satisfied with Shang Qishun's answer, "Mr. Shang is a straightforward man. But there's something I can't quite figure out—"

"You're both from the Shang family, so why avoid your own kin and have Ms. Sun step in to represent the cooperation instead?"

"……"

Shang Qishun recalled the various unpleasant matters from before, and his expression shifted slightly.

Before he could come up with a good excuse, the attendant returned with the champagne, the bottle inserted into a golden ice bucket full of ice, faintly emitting cold air.

"Mr. Shang, shall I open it now?"

"Go ahead."

The wine flowed smoothly into the flute glasses.

Shang Qishun raised his glass first, "Mr. Hassan, here's to a smooth cooperation between us."

Hassan clinked glasses with him, "Indeed."

The two of them drank, each believing victory was already in hand, and only then did Hassan's attention shift slightly, "Why hasn't Ms. Sun arrived yet?"

Shang Qishun also found it odd; it was already a quarter past six.

"One moment, let me call her assistant."

Just as he finished speaking, a knock sounded outside the private room.

"That should be Chairman Chun arriving, come in!" Shang Qishun stated as a matter of course, and not only that, he even rose to greet them with affected politeness.

The door of the private room opened.

Shang Qishun's steps abruptly halted at the sight of this unexpected, uninvited guest. He withdrew the false smile hidden behind his lenses, instead revealing a flash of hostile wariness.

"Bai Xu? What are you doing here?"

"Oh, what a coincidence, isn't it?"

Bai Xu feigned surprise, delivering an excuse he'd clearly prepared in advance.

"Yanxiao said the food here was good, so I brought a friend to try it out. The restaurant manager mentioned there were other business guests dining here too, so I got curious and came to take a look. Didn't expect it to be Young Master Shang?"

"……"

What utter nonsense!

There was no way Shang Qishun would believe that, "Is that so?"

Bai Xu deliberately ignored his question, turning his gaze toward Hassan in his seat, "Mr. Hassan, long time no see. I'm Bai Xu from Zhouye Investment."

"My assistant has reached out for a meeting several times these past few days, but Mr. Hassan's schedule seemed completely booked? Didn't expect to run into you here today."

A flicker of awkwardness showed in Hassan's eyes, "Mr. Bai."

Shang Qishun's all-seeing gaze bore directly into Bai Xu, "Things being what they are now, why bother with this deliberate probing?"

Since the other party had shown up here, it meant his cooperation with Sun Miaochun had already been discovered, but it didn't matter—

Because the final victory of this project belonged to him!

Hearing this, Shang Qishun felt a long-absent sense of satisfaction, "Bai Xu, the Zhongdi project has already been settled. Please leave, don't disturb my meal with Mr. Hassan."

"Settled?"

Bai Xu savored the word with meaningful interest, letting out a laugh.

His gaze drifted slowly, circling around the already-opened champagne, "You two, isn't it a bit premature to be popping champagne at halftime?"

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