Seeing Su Huan's expression freeze, Mr. Vejer leaned back slightly, feigning a relaxed demeanor. "Don't be so tense, Miss Su."
"Whether this matter succeeds or not won't affect our friendship. But if this cooperation fails and I don't have the chance to come to this country again in the future, I'm afraid I'll never see you again, Miss Su."
His hand quietly landed on Su Huan's, tapping it three times suggestively. "If Miss Su can help me make this happen, the amount will only increase. And if there's a chance in the future, I can even take Miss Su to visit our country."
A cloying perfume smell wafted over, and Su Huan could hardly bear it.
She didn't understand why Factory Director Chen refused to cooperate with Mr. Vejer.
This matter was clearly beneficial with no harm.
Moreover, for Lotus Steel Factory, being able to cooperate with foreigners was a great advantage. It would also enhance the factory's reputation.
Export and foreign trade sounded so high - class!
Furthermore, Mr. Vejer provided technical support to Lotus Steel Factory and even guaranteed their basic profits. It was such a good deal that it would be foolish to let it slip away.
What good would it do to anger Mr. Vejer's company and cut off the cooperation?
What Li Chuchu said at the negotiation table was just bravado and self - inflicted hardship!
Without hesitation, Su Huan agreed. "Okay, I'll help you with this."
A smug smile spread across Mr. Vejer's face. Admiring Su Huan's eager expression, he suddenly changed his tone to a gentle one. "The Western food here is quite good. Would Miss Su like to go and have a try with me?"
He subtly threw out an ambiguous invitation.
By now, Su Huan was completely infatuated with Mr. Vejer. How could she possibly miss such a good opportunity?
Without a second thought, she readily agreed.
After dining in the Western restaurant, they unknowingly ended up in a hotel room.
The man and the woman stayed in the hotel room for nearly an hour.
Finally, Su Huan emerged from the room with a blushing face, shyly looking back. Then she walked away in small, somewhat awkward steps. Any married woman could tell what had happened.
Inside the room, Mr. Vejer sat on the sofa looking satisfied. Lian Xi happened to see this scene when she was going out. She wrinkled her nose in disgust. "You can even go for a woman like this? You're so starved for it."
Mr. Vejer said nonchalantly, "She just threw herself at me."
Lian Xi rolled her eyes. "Do whatever you want, as long as it doesn't delay the important matter."
Mr. Vejer put on his glasses, his eyes glinting with calculation.
"It won't. And this woman might come in handy."
It took Lian Xi a while to realize what he meant. She silently cursed Mr. Vejer for being such a cunning fox.
...
The foreigners didn't show any signs of activity for several days.
Factory Director Chen called Li Chuchu and Teacher Xie to his office to discuss the next steps of the negotiation.
Su Huan insisted on going with them.
Teacher Xie didn't say anything, and Li Chuchu couldn't be bothered to care. So Su Huan naturally followed them.
However, just as Su Huan happily stepped into the meeting room, the assistant of Factory Director Chen reached out and blocked her. "Miss Su, the factory director has ordered that anyone not related to the negotiation is not allowed to enter."
Su Huan was stunned.
Not allowed to enter?
Then what was the point of her begging Teacher Xie to let her come?
"I came here with them! If you don't believe me, go and ask!"
The assistant went in to confirm with Factory Director Chen. When he came out, he still looked apologetic. "Sorry, Miss Su. The factory director said you still can't enter."
Su Huan was completely at a loss.
Blocked outside, unable to hear any information beneficial to the negotiation, she was so anxious that she scratched her head and ears, wishing she could lie on the door to eavesdrop. But the factory director's assistant kept a close eye on her, leaving her with no chance.
The sun was especially fierce that day. There were no shady spots near the factory director's office, and the surrounding area was filled with hot and stuffy workshops.
She stood in the scorching sun for nearly two hours, and the skin on her face was sunburned. She cursed Li Chuchu countless times in her heart.
But she was reluctant to leave, afraid of missing some important information.
After a long while, she finally heard footsteps inside.
Li Chuchu and Teacher Xie came out, followed by Factory Director Chen with a beaming face. "Let's do it according to what Li Chuchu just said. I have full confidence in her."
Li Chuchu replied, "I will do this thing seriously."
Factory Director Chen glanced outside, as if just noticing Su Huan. "Hey, why is this young comrade from your broadcasting room still here? Why haven't you gone back?"
Su Huan forced a smile. "It's okay, Factory Director. I'm just standing here to enjoy the sun."
Sunbathing on a day with a temperature of 35 - 36 degrees Celsius was quite an unusual pastime. Factory Director Chen nodded and didn't say anything more to her.
On the way back,
Su Huan couldn't help but probe Li Chuchu. "What did you talk about in the office just now?"
Li Chuchu replied coolly, "Nothing."
Su Huan persisted. "You must have said something in two hours, right?"
This was a bit too pushy.
Hearing this, Li Chuchu turned to look at her directly, her eyes half - smiling. "Why are you so interested in our negotiation? You're not even involved in it. Could it be that you're a spy?"
Su Huan was taken aback. Her expression turned flustered. "W - what? How could that be! Don't talk nonsense!"
Li Chuchu smiled indifferently and continued walking. "I'm just joking. Why are you so defensive?"
Su Huan stood behind Li Chuchu, grinding her teeth in hatred.
She knew Li Chuchu would never tell her! It seemed she had to find a way to obtain the information herself.
...
At night, after the workers had left, the factory director's office was pitch - black because the factory director had gone out for a drinking and socializing event.
Suddenly, a flashlight beam flashed across the workshop. The light reflected off the steel plates in the workshop, creating several refracted rays.
Su Huan fumbled to turn off the accidentally - turned - on flashlight and then jumped into the yard.
She tiptoed towards the office, planning to climb in through the window.
She casually pushed the door,
and with a creak,
the factory director's office door was actually unlocked!
Su Huan tried hard to suppress her excitement and pushed the door open.
She shone the flashlight on the factory director's desk and the shelf behind the chair. After rummaging for a while, she finally found a folder that seemed to be what Mr. Vejer was looking for.
She hid the folder in her bosom and secretly climbed over the wall to leave.
The noise was minimal, and she quickly disappeared into the night.
She had asked the warehouse keeper during the day. Now the steel in the warehouse was piling up. With the goods unsold, the factory director must be anxious. No wonder he had rushed out for socializing to find buyers today.
This way, Mr. Vejer would have a better chance of driving down the price.
Thinking of Mr. Vejer's promise to her,
Su Huan quickened her pace.
...