The gold - rimmed glasses couldn't hide the smugness almost overflowing from his eyebrows. He looked as if he had everything in the bag.
The atmosphere was filled with a tense anxiety. One could almost hear someone swallowing.
The two sides were at a stand - off, neither willing to back down in terms of momentum.
Suddenly, Li Chuchu stood up. "If you still insist on this price, there's no point in continuing this negotiation."
Wijel seemed to have seen through the other side's pretence of saving face. He said complacently, "You have so much stock piled up in your warehouse. Aren't you worried? Stop putting on airs. Meeting each other halfway will do everyone good. One thousand five hundred per ton is the highest price we can offer."
You need to have the confidence to refuse.
With so much stock sitting idle, do you still expect to sell at a high price?
You might end up losing everything.
The other side was so aggressive that even the head of the foreign affairs department outside felt a shiver down his spine.
Unexpectedly, the one - sided pressure was broken by a soft chuckle.
"Mr. Wijel is as arrogant as ever."
"Although I don't know where this information came from, you might as well look out of the left - hand window."
The other side's lazy and confident air made Wijel's heart skip a beat. Things didn't seem to be as he thought. He instinctively looked towards the window. There, several workers were loading goods onto a ship.
That wasn't the crucial part. The crucial thing was that the national flag of the Land of Rising Sun was stuck on the cargo ship.
"What does this mean?"
Li Chuchu smiled. "Last month, the Land of Rising Sun purchased two hundred thousand tons of steel from us at a price of two thousand per ton. They're loading the goods right now."
"Mr. Wijel, maybe your technique of poaching information is very good, but the information you've obtained seems incomplete. A part of the goods in that warehouse is going to be shipped to the Land of Rising Sun in the next few days. You're a bit late."
Since you're so arrogant as to think you can win the negotiation with such a trick, you're destined to pay the price for your narrow - mindedness and stupidity.
Mr. Wijel and the other negotiators felt their hearts skip a beat.
When did this happen?
Why had they never heard of it before they came?
If what Li Chuchu said was true, the increase in the price per ton of steel was the lesser concern. The mechanical technology cooperation with Lotus Steel Mill would expire next year. The company from the Land of Rising Sun was their competitor. There was a high chance that the mechanical technology cooperation with Lotus Steel Mill next year would be snatched away by the company from the Land of Rising Sun.
Damn it!
Those sneaky people from the Land of Rising Sun.
Orel pinched Wijel's arm and hissed through gritted teeth, "Didn't you say you had figured out their situation and this time it was fool - proof? What's going on?"
Mr. Wijel forcefully shook off Orel's hand and gritted his teeth secretly. How was he to know that woman was such a useless waste?
Li Chuchu raised her eyebrows slightly. "Since you insist on one thousand five hundred per ton, there's no need for us to continue talking..."
"Wait! We're willing to pay two thousand per ton."
This panicked voice marked that Lotus Steel Mill had finally turned the tables in the diplomatic negotiation.
Mr. Wijel gritted his teeth. "We're willing to cooperate with you at this price. We hope you'll also show your sincerity."
Li Chuchu nodded. "Of course."
The assistant of Factory Director Chen quickly brought up the prepared contract.
It was not until he saw the foreign representative sign the contract with his own eyes that Factory Director Chen, who had been on tenterhooks for several days, finally relaxed.
Finally...
Thank goodness...
Factory Director Chen turned around, wiped the fine sweat off his forehead with his sleeve, and tidied up his clothes. Then he turned back, walked in with a slight smile on his face, and shook hands with Mr. Wijel. "Happy cooperation."
"Happy cooperation."
Factory Director Chen looked energetic, while Mr. Wijel's expression was very ugly at the moment. He almost squeezed these words out of his throat.
This made Factory Director Chen feel extremely satisfied.
The more aggrieved he had been a few days ago, the happier he was now!
It was finally the foreign devils' turn to be in a difficult situation!
He said with a beaming smile, "Mr. Wijel, are you going to stay at the foreign - related hotel for a few more days? I'll send a car to show you around for a few days."
Wijel's face flushed red and then pale. "No, we're going back right away."
Factory Director Chen feigned surprise. "Oh, what a pity. That's really unfortunate."
Get out of here quickly, you bastards. You should have left earlier!
As soon as the foreign envoys stepped out of the door, Lancy started scolding Wijel outside. "Didn't you say this matter was fool - proof? We've been busy for nothing these days! I shouldn't have listened to you. I should have gone back to my country earlier!"
The foreign girl had a fiery temper. She started scolding even before she had left the factory gate. Although Factory Director Chen couldn't understand what she was saying, he could sense her anger.
While they were arguing outside, Factory Director Chen was laughing inside. "Congratulations to our Lotus Steel Mill for achieving success today. Everyone here has contributed. The bonus this month will be doubled! We'll go to the state - owned restaurant for a celebration dinner tonight!"
The head of the foreign affairs department and a few others looked at each other, their eyes full of surprise. They had just hoped that this matter wouldn't end up in a mess, but unexpectedly, there were extra rewards.
Now, when they looked at Li Chuchu, there was no more contempt in their eyes. Instead, there was full appreciation.
"It doesn't matter whether we get a reward or not. We owe this to Chuchu this time! If she hadn't stepped in, we might have had to bear the humiliation from the foreigners."
"Exactly! We didn't contribute much at all!"
Everyone's eyes showed their recognition of Li Chuchu.
Factory Director Chen waved his hand. "Everyone will get a reward. Don't be modest. Our negotiators will get special rewards."
When the factory director said this, everyone knew what he meant.
The head of the foreign affairs department said, "By the way, factory director, do we really have cooperation with the Land of Rising Sun?"
Why hadn't he received any information about this?
Factory Director Chen gave a meaningful smile. "It seems you've also been deceived. Take a closer look."
The head of the foreign affairs department looked outside. Oh! That was their own ship with the flag of the Land of Rising Sun stuck on it.
He slapped his thigh. "My goodness! Factory director, your trick of concealing one's real intentions is really brilliant."
Factory Director Chen said calmly, "This was also Li Chuchu's idea."
The head of the foreign affairs department clicked his tongue in admiration. This Li Chuchu was really amazing. She was bold and capable. It was really a waste for her to be a radio announcer.
Just then, there was another knock on the door. The foreman rushed in. "Factory director, I saw those foreign devils have left. Should we continue loading this batch of goods?"
Factory Director Chen waved his hand. "Continue loading. Load three hundred thousand tons. We're sending this batch of goods to the Gallic company!"
"Sure thing!"
The head of the foreign affairs department stood there stunned for a long time. "I wouldn't even dare to use such a trick to pass off the fake as the real one even if I had a hundred guts."
Factory Director Chen patted him on the shoulder with a look of perseverance. "Then learn from others and be a bit bolder."
The head of the foreign affairs department thought to himself: This wasn't something he could learn just by trying. If it were that easy, he'd follow Comrade Li Chuchu around every day to learn from her.