Did he want to transfer money to himself via WeChat?
Although she didn't deserve to overthink, He Yao couldn't help but ponder the deeper meaning behind his action.
Meeting privately again, helping her gain favor with Xu Zheng, adding her on WeChat, and asking her to play chess together.
As ex-girlfriend and boyfriend who had broken up for many years, wasn't this a bit of overstepping boundaries?
Given Zhan Jingrui's looks, physique, temperament, and social status, He Yao wouldn't be at a disadvantage if he wanted something with her.
Because Zhan Jingrui was generous.
Even if the entanglement ended with no outcome, He Yao was certain she wouldn't suffer any loss.
However, He Yao didn't want money.
She wanted the person, the feelings, the lifelong sincerity.
If Zhan Jingrui was destined to not give her the person and feelings, then why go back to the same path and fall into that painful vortex again?
She had already died once, and after finally struggling out of the vortex.
Heaven knows how she endured those days seven years ago when she broke up with him, saw him with Chu Xi, dropped out of school, and went to work in a factory.
She wasn't sure if she could endure it again, so she didn't want to fall back.
He Yao rejected his friend request.
"You just spent over 7,000 yuan on pants for me, which is more than enough for a year's rent. I don't need to be greedy. Your shirt is indeed ruined, so keep this money to compensate you for your shirt."
Zhan Jingrui didn't expect He Yao to refuse him.
He was full of confidence, thinking He Yao would be eager to have something to do with him, just like years ago.
He was immersed in the pleasant feeling of being admired and the ambiguity, losing himself a bit.
Being abruptly rejected seemed to jolt him awake.
Yes, what was he doing?
What was the point of adding her on WeChat?
Could he chat with He Yao on WeChat, or could they meet alone for something?
Was it to rekindle their old relationship, or just a fling?
Nothing.
Chu Xi had been with him for seven years, everyone knew they would get married, and he had mentally prepared himself.
Since that was the case, why was he still thinking about He Yao?
The knot from years ago had been untied, Chu Xi hadn't wronged him, and now he wanted to wrong her?
Zhan Jingrui, Zhan Jingrui, you are truly a scumbag who shirks responsibility at heart!
Although he was a scumbag at heart, he didn't want to admit it outwardly.
"Alright, since you don't want it, and I don't mind having extra money, I'll keep it then."
They didn't speak for the rest of the journey.
The valet dropped He Yao off at the hotel. After a brief farewell, their paths diverged.
If Zhan Jingrui had deliberately lowered himself to interact with her, given He Yao's status, they would likely never have met again.
Three days after the dinner invitation, Xu Zheng received an internal supplier bidding invitation from Zhan's Group.
This batch of orders had a contract value of one hundred million yuan, far exceeding his company's capacity.
But the more so, the greater the leap his company would take if he could secure it, which made Xu Zheng very excited.
He convened a meeting with all personnel to prepare the bid proposal, determined to win this bid at all costs.
Everyone pooled their wisdom, brainstormed many ideas, and fully prepared for this bid.
Hard work paid off. Because the bid proposal was beautifully and规范ly prepared, they successfully advanced from the first round to the next.
Xu Zheng was good at networking and was willing to invest time and money in maintaining relationships. Therefore, although he had only interacted with minor procurement officers a few times, he had already managed to win them over.
Moreover, He Yao had a good relationship with Engineer Tang from the technical department. The two of them subtly revealed some information, and after some revisions to the bid proposal, they entered the final competition after the second bidding round.
Only three suppliers remained. If he could defeat the other two, Xu Zheng's career would usher in a new peak.
During that period, everyone worked overtime, repeatedly comparing and revising. Every step, every data point, was scrutinized to ensure it was superior, simpler, more efficient, and more cost-effective than their competitors.
Despite the arduous work, everyone was filled with hope, and their days were fulfilling.
With only three days left until the final tender meeting, everyone convened again to discuss the bid proposal and see if there was any room for data changes. He Yao proposed a bold suggestion.
On the final product delivery time, they could actually shorten it by another week.
As soon as she said this, the production department supervisor and the technical department manager simultaneously raised objections.
"The current mold technology in the industry has a maximum daily production capacity of 1,000 units. Including defective products and the time required for subsequent assembly, as well as defective products during assembly, the maximum daily output can only be calculated as 900 units."
"We also need to account for various unpredictable variables, holidays, and staff turnover. The current data is already at its peak level, how can we possibly shorten it by a week?"
Everyone thought she was just a vase who was good with words, speaking without bearing the consequences, and only shifting the pressure onto others.
But He Yao had factual basis.
She took out another product mold diagram she had found earlier and showed it to everyone.
"The production process of this product is essentially similar to the product we are bidding for. Since this product can use a composite mold to produce 2,000 units per day, why can't the bidding product do the same?"
"As long as we change the mold to a composite mold and find a contract manufacturer to produce it simultaneously, I believe it is entirely possible to finish a week ahead of schedule."
The technical manager interrupted her.
"Haven't we considered what you're saying? Although the production processes of the two products are similar, the materials are worlds apart."
"The bidding product has higher quality requirements, and the 98-gauge steel used is several degrees softer than the 92-gauge steel you mentioned. Using a composite mold will result in a high rate of deformation."
"Coupled with subsequent quenching, fixing, and electroplating, the probability of deformation will be even higher. Efficiency may have increased, but what's the use of producing a pile of defective products?"
"Don't think that just because you've spent a few days in the workshop and have some understanding of molds, you can speak carelessly. We have considered the technical aspects much more thoroughly than you."
He Yao did not deny that the technical manager knew more about technology than she did. However, he was only referring to the conventional state and the situations that commonly arise based on general understanding.
If they didn't dare to try, how would they know if the facts were indeed so? Could the product withstand the test?
"If the other two companies have the same considerations as us, then our results from raw material procurement, intermediate production, and subsequent delivery times will be similar."
"If others are willing to lose money to win this bid, and all conclusions are the same, then where is our winning point?"
"At this stage, everyone is bound to be competing with unexpected strategies. If we are mediocre, why would we win against others?"
"Based on good impression? Popularity? Favoritism from the judges? It's a bid of one hundred million yuan. Relying solely on these, isn't that too risky and not working hard enough?"