Entering and listening to the master's introduction, I learned that the man was named Liang Bo, a former senior executive at Chu Group.
He was now starting his own business, mainly undertaking orders for processing automotive parts and precision components for various industrial needs.
Although not a perfect fit, the underlying principles were similar. Liang Bo stated that he could take on their order and would not delay delivery, even if it meant working overtime to complete it for her.
He appeared to be a straightforward person, and since there were no issues, they began discussing prices.
As seasoned professionals, neither would easily reveal their bottom line.
Liang Bo first quoted a market price, with considerable room for negotiation. He Yao then started crunching numbers, and within a few sentences, had him re-quote the price.
Although it was close to her expectation, Liang Bo stated it was their best offer, yet He Yao remained unsatisfied and continued to present her calculations.
"Don't tell me about your facility fees or labor costs. I already know all that before coming. The factory is yours; you save a lot on rent each year."
"You have a significant advantage over competitors in this regard. If you give me your lowest price sincerely, I won't waste time with anyone else."
"We're dealing with each other for the first time; let's be direct. We'll cooperate in the future, and every bit counts. How about this price?"
Liang Bo looked at her and chuckled, amused by He Yao.
"Little beauty. You're not old, but you're quite shrewd. It's true the facility is mine, but it didn't fall from the sky."
"Your master told you, right? Then ask him how much I paid to acquire it. I need to at least recoup my investment."
He Yao remained unfazed. "It's not like I haven't left any profit margin for you."
Liang Bo didn't back down. "At the price you're proposing, if you look across the entire Xingguang Industrial Zone, or even the whole of Sucheng, you probably won't find anyone willing to do it."
He Yao knew his offered price was low, but she was confident because he was in the early stages of his business and didn't have to pay rent, which gave her leverage.
The business world is like this; one cannot blindly pity others.
Because pitying someone means contributing your own wealth to them.
When you're not related by blood or friendship, why be a saint?
"It seems Boss Liang isn't sincerely willing to take on our order. Alright, time is tight and the task is heavy. I don't have much time to waste with you, so let's cut the pleasantries. Master, let's move on to the next place."
In the business world, negotiations and discussions can take many back-and-forth rounds, and the master was not in a hurry.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Liang Bo, he prepared to leave with He Yao, but Liang Bo called out to her.
"Not for any other reason, but to befriend you. I'll take this order."
"You, little beauty, know better than I do whether the price is fair. Am I being generous enough? This is a big welcome gift right from the start."
He Yao quickly did some mental calculations.
For an order worth one hundred million, she was outsourcing processing worth thirty million. She had set aside a one percent profit for herself. If Liang Bo agreed, she would pocket 300,000 from this single deal.
Combined with her savings over the years, that would be enough to buy a small apartment.
It must be said, knowing the market price, Liang Bo's agreement was indeed a significant gesture of goodwill.
Although the signing process went smoothly, the back-and-forth took up most of the time, and it was nearing the end of the workday.
Liang Bo invited Master Wang and He Yao to dinner.
Master Wang politely declined, "No need. You have a lot of work at your factory."
"It won't take long. Uncle Wang, it's been so long since we last met. If it weren't for this opportunity, you wouldn't have come to see me. Please do me the honor."
"Besides, you never introduced such a beautiful and lovely apprentice to me earlier. Now that we've finally met, shouldn't you help us create an opportunity?"
The master smiled and agreed, then turned to He Yao.
"When I introduced potential partners to you before, you always said you were too young. Now you're not that young anymore. When you meet people in the future, visit them often. Honestly, master thinks you two are quite compatible."
Before He Yao could respond, Liang Bo looked at her with pleasant surprise.
"Didn't you say you had a boyfriend? From what Uncle Wang is saying, you were lying to me yesterday."
He Yao thought to herself, this is a business collaboration; once personal relationships are involved, will things still be clear? Master is really getting more confused.
"Whether I have a boyfriend or not is irrelevant. I'm here to discuss cooperation, not to make friends with you. We need to maintain a proper distance. If you want to eat, you two eat. I have other things to attend to, so I'll be leaving first."
Seeing her reaction, Liang Bo realized she likely didn't have a boyfriend and quickly stepped forward to stop her.
"Don't rush. We haven't even gotten to that point yet, it was just a remark. Why are you getting angry? Is it not okay for me to stop talking about it? No matter how busy you are, you still need to eat. Let's go, let's go. I promise not to mention it again."
Only then did He Yao join them.
Liang Bo was quite generous and chose a high-class restaurant.
During the meal, she learned from her master that despite his current humble appearance, this fellow had experienced great success in the past.
He had even reached the position of Assistant Sales Director at Chu Group and was once a legend in their sales department.
He Yao wouldn't have realized this if her master hadn't mentioned it, as Liang Bo possessed high emotional intelligence and a discreet, unassuming demeanor.
Regardless of whether others viewed him with praise or disdain, he always maintained a nonchalant, gentle, and amiable disposition.
As they ate, He Yao began to see him in a new light.
Due to her upbringing in a lower social stratum, He Yao had always been surrounded by uncultured and ill-mannered men.
They didn't earn much but had inflated egos.
Someone like Liang Bo, who was capable, patient, and emotionally intelligent, was truly one of a kind.
He made the Tang Engineer seem like trash in comparison.
Therefore, she secretly felt fortunate to have attended this dinner today.
Men always have endless topics of conversation, discussing international affairs, industry prospects, and work case studies.
As they spoke, He Yao listened, and unknowingly, the meal lasted two to three hours.
Seeing that it was past nine o'clock, her master's wife called to urge them, and only then did they pay the bill and leave.
Liang Bo had been drinking and couldn't drive, so he had pre-arranged a designated driver. They agreed to drop off the master first, then He Yao.
As they walked, a group of people also emerged from the left side of the hall.
Liang Bo casually glanced over, then respectfully stopped and called out with a smile.
"Mr. Chu."
Thanks to him, He Yao saw Chu Xi's parents and siblings for the first time in her life.
The family also appeared to have just finished their meal, all of them had taken off their jackets and were carrying them on their arms, dressed casually.
Each person wore a happy, calm smile.
That innate nobility and the effortlessly displayed elegant distance made He Yao feel a deep sense of inferiority with just a glance.
Liang Bo did not feel inferior; he even struck up a conversation with Mr. Chu.
Mr. Chu came over to shake his hand, expressed his strong regret at losing such a valuable asset, and then asked what he was doing now.