To manufacture an electrical product, such as a transformer, explosion-proof enclosure, or disconnector, besides various components like screws, the most crucial elements are the plastic casing and copper parts.
Nancheng, as the nation's most renowned electrical hub, boasts a complete industrial chain where the most profitable sectors are naturally various plastic product manufacturers, copper enterprises, and finished electrical goods.
Plastic products have low costs and numerous suppliers, offering a wide range of choices. They are considered downstream enterprises and are generally not highly regarded by the Pei family.
But copper is different.
Like gold, copper involves high investment costs, and its market fluctuates daily, making it difficult to manage and control.
For high-quality electrical products with excellent conductivity, one must choose to work with top-tier copper enterprises.
Nancheng has countless small and large copper factories, but only three are widely renowned.
Among these, the ones with the longest operating history, largest scale, and best reputation, and which are considered neck-and-neck, are just two.
One is Wanlong Copper Industry, owned by the Yao family, and the other is Hengda Copper Products, a long-term partner of the Pei family.
If one were to say who was better, there wasn't a significant difference; they simply catered to different customer demographics.
The Yao family had also extended an olive branch to the Pei family, hoping for cooperation, but due to the personal friendship between the elder Mr. Pei and the president of Hengda, they had never received a positive response.
Therefore, when Pei Kexin saw Pei Zongrui sitting with Yao Dongzhuo, the eldest son of the Yao family, she was greatly surprised.
Yao Dongzhuo was around the same age as Pei Kexin and had taken over the company around the same time.
However, it was rumored that he was ruthless in his dealings and ostentatious in his actions, causing many industry insiders to avoid interacting with him.
Pei Kexin had met him in various public settings quite a few times, but due to a lack of interaction and her apprehension about his reputation, she had never spoken to him.
Someone she dared not approach, and yet Pei Zongrui, of all people, dared to sit as an equal with him?
The moment Pei Kexin looked over, she sensed that something was amiss.
This young man was either being manipulated or owed a favor.
Otherwise, given Yao Dongzhuo's discernment, he wouldn't have been willing to associate with him.
Damn Pei Zongrui, he had really overstepped this time.
With just a glance, Pei Kexin's mind raced through countless thoughts.
However, she maintained her composure, offering a flawless smile as she walked over.
"Mr. Yao? Zongrui didn't inform me beforehand that you would be here. Who is this gentleman? Are you perhaps discussing something? I apologize if I am intruding. Please don't mind me."
Yao Dongzhuo's gaze swept over her calmly, and he remained silent.
She continued to smile and looked at Pei Zongrui.
"Didn't you ask me to pick you up? It's getting late, and we still need to depart for another city. You need to sober up, wash up, change your clothes, and come with me."
Pei Zongrui had no intention of leaving, nor did he intend to let her leave.
"You've mentioned the business trip several times. Isn't it at three in the afternoon? There's still plenty of time. It's rare to have a gathering with Brother Zhuo and Brother Dong. You both know each other, right? Don't rush off. Come, let's sit down and have a few drinks together."
Pei Kexin's expression turned cold as she realized she had been tricked by her nephew.
He had likely deliberately lured her here to meet Yao Dongzhuo.
What did this Yao fellow want?
Her instinct was to distance herself from them.
"I drove myself here and didn't bring a driver, so I can't drink."
"Zongrui, if you have unfinished business, I can come back to pick you up later. I have matters to attend to at the company and really can't spare time to sit around."
"Not having a driver is not a big deal. Vice President Pei, saying that makes us seem like strangers."
Seeing her about to leave, the man beside Yao Dongzhuo, Brother Dong, stood up with a grin.
"We're all acquaintances. We didn't have a chance to get to know each other properly during previous meetings. We have time today, and Vice President Pei refuses to grace us with her presence?"
"Brother Zhuo doesn't easily make friends with just anyone. For Young Master Pei, he pushed aside a lot of his schedule today. Just for this consideration, shouldn't you, as his aunt, sit down and teach your nephew how to be grateful?"
Pei Kexin was speechless.
Pei Zongrui was indeed being used.
Why would Yao Dongzhuo want to befriend him of all people?
Only a fool like him would have the confidence to think he was worthy.
Once the words were spoken, it seemed that whoever Yao Dongzhuo wanted to befriend, he would succeed.
As business people who saw each other frequently, Pei Kexin couldn't refuse.
She could only smile and walk over to Pei Zongrui, speaking kindly.
"It's truly unexpected for Zongrui, a student fresh out of ivory tower, to have the honor of sitting with two seniors like yourselves."
"Mr. Yao is so approachable, and it's my honor that he's willing to befriend a junior..."
"Enough, let's cut the pleasantries,"
Brother Dong suddenly interrupted Pei Kexin, getting straight to the point.
"I've long heard that Vice President Pei is a remarkable woman, not only outstanding in her business acumen but also exceptionally beautiful. Seeing you today, it's truly as rumored."
"Come, let's be friends. I'll toast you. To the young and beautiful aunt."
Pei Kexin did not want to drink.
Once she accepted a drink, who knew how many more excuses for toasting would await her.
She also knew that since these people had gone to the trouble of luring her here, she wouldn't be able to leave without clarifying matters, so she decided to be direct.
"I'll pass on the drinks today; the circumstances really don't allow it. If there's something to discuss other than drinking, I'd appreciate it if you two would speak plainly."
Yao Dongzhuo, who had remained silent since she entered, finally spoke.
"Vice President Pei is currently in charge of sales at Pei's?"
Just as she feared.
She was afraid of getting involved with him and discussing cooperation between the two families.
It wasn't that Pei Kexin was unwilling, but the elder Mr. Pei was against it.
He and the president of Hengda Copper Products had started their businesses together in their youth and had a harmonious cooperation for decades.
As long as Hengda did not manipulate prices, he saw no reason to change suppliers.
Pei Kexin dared not defy the elder Mr. Pei, nor did she want to offend Hengda because of the Yao family.
With Yao Dongzhuo asking this, she had to be wary.
"Yes, but it's my own company. The title is self-proclaimed, so please don't address me so formally, Mr. Yao."
Yao Dongzhuo was a shrewd person and understood the implicit meaning in her words.
Hearing this, he smiled, "Pei's current market value exceeds ten billion, with monthly transactions in the billions. All of this is thanks to Vice President Pei's efforts. Why be so modest?"
Pei Kexin dared not accept the compliment.
"It's said that the previous generation plants the trees for the later generation to enjoy the shade. Without the efforts of my parents in their youth, how could there be this company today? What claim do I have?"
"Wanlong's market value far surpasses Pei's, and Mr. Yao's capabilities are far superior to mine. To say such things is to mock me."
Yao Dongzhuo stared at her, half-jokingly, "You think I'm mocking you?"
There was no point in beating around the bush with an intelligent person.
Pei Kexin replied, "Mr. Yao is certainly not so bored. What exactly do you want to say?"
Then Yao Dongzhuo spoke his mind directly.
"With Pei's current business volume, the copper supply from Hengda alone may not be sufficient."
"You'd rather pay a high price to purchase semi-finished products from other suppliers than cooperate with Wanlong... Vice President Pei, since we have the opportunity to sit together today, could you explain why you look down on the Yao family so much?"