Zhao Jianhua broke out in a cold sweat, smiling and saying, "Don't listen to those rumors outside. Besides you, I have no other women."
"Don't play dumb with me. Believe it or not, I'll drag those vixens out and parade them through the streets!" Zhang Yuyun said coldly. "You raise soldiers for a thousand days and use them for one. If any of them can catch Xie Zhendong's eye, it would be best to have someone in his inner circle."
Zhao Jianhua refused to admit anything, saying, "Then I'll find some beautiful women to send to him and try."
"Why would you need to find them? The ones you've raised yourself, the ones you can control, are the best," Zhang Yuyun put down the document in her hand and chuckled. "But it's up to you. However, if our group collapses, it won't benefit anyone, especially you."
With that, she turned and left his office.
Zhao Jianhua leaned back in his executive chair, still contemplating Zhang Yuyun's suggestion. It was indeed a good idea.
Women could always be found, but arranging for someone he could control to be by Xie Zhendong's side was the most important thing right now.
...
On the weekend, Qin Tianyi spent two happy days with his family.
On Monday morning, as soon as he arrived at the group, he learned that Xie Zhendong had made time to meet with them.
He and Xiao Anjing were of the same mind: Xie Zhendong wasn't genuinely interested in cooperation but wanted to test their strength.
The meeting place chosen by Xie Zhendong was his own office.
Tianyi didn't mind and was also eager to see the office of the renowned CEO of the Xie Group.
During the meeting, Xie Zhendong sat in his office with an imposing aura, his gaze deep as he observed them while his subordinates served tea and water.
Xiao Anjing felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny and listlessly looked at the honors and photos hanging on the wall.
Tianyi, however, met his gaze without flinching. This man, who had been a prominent figure twenty years ago, was still as formidable. It was hard to believe that someone like him could have a son like Xie Qining.
It seemed that excellent parents did not necessarily raise excellent children.
Xie Zhendong, seeing that Qin Tianyi, despite his youth, was so composed and calm, with an aura that didn't lose to his own, understood why his son had been utterly defeated.
His son Qining was simply no match for someone like Qin Tianyi.
He spoke slowly, "Hearing about you is not as good as meeting you. You are both young and promising."
Qin Tianyi cut to the chase and asked directly, "It is our honor to be invited by Mr. Xie. May I ask how Mr. Xie wishes to cooperate with us?"
"Oh, I see you are also participating in this urban construction project bidding. Your strength is quite considerable, and our Xie Group is relatively weak in construction. I was thinking, wouldn't cooperation and complementarity be better?" Xie Zhendong's expression was calm, his tone entirely that of negotiation.
Tianyi asked curiously, "It's true that the Xie Group hasn't been heavily involved in construction, but Mr. Xie has many potential partners to choose from. Why specifically choose us, Aoxiang? And we had some past conflicts with your esteemed son, so there might not be a basis for cooperation."
He knew that with someone like Xie Zhendong, there was no need to be overly evasive or play tricks. It was better to appear candid, otherwise, how could he ascertain his true intentions and strength?
Xie Zhendong burst into laughter, realizing he had met a worthy opponent. He hadn't encountered a true rival in many years.
Qin Tianyi had reignited the fighting spirit he had in his youth.
"My son was truly outrageous. I have already severely punished him for this matter and have kept him confined at home to reflect properly."
Xiao Anjing looked surprised and said jokingly, "No wonder there's been so much less gossip online lately. So, the playboy is under house arrest."
Xie Zhendong coughed awkwardly, sighing, "My parenting is inadequate, my parenting is inadequate."
Qin Tianyi did not mock him, saying, "We merely wanted to teach your son a lesson, to let him understand that the business world is like a battlefield, and he shouldn't underestimate his opponents. There are no free lunches."
"You taught him this lesson very well, very well." If this continued, he would have to thank them for swindling the Xie family out of two hundred million.
Xie Zhendong did not dwell on the topic, changing the subject, "So, do you want to cooperate with the Xie Group or not? Or do you doubt my sincerity? If so, I won't force it."
Xiao Anjing murmured, "Sincerity isn't just spoken." He thought, "He wants to set a trap for us, yet he speaks with such sincerity."
"I can prove my sincerity. What will you offer to prove yours?" Xie Zhendong retorted.
Qin Tianyi asked, "Mr. Xie, how do you want us to prove it?"
"It's very simple. As a token of my sincerity, I will sign an agreement with you before we secure this project. And for your token of sincerity, you will withdraw from bidding for this project now. Then our cooperation can be considered officially started. What do you say?" Xie Zhendong finished speaking and watched their reactions.
"Withdraw?" Xiao Anjing clearly showed his inability to accept.
Qin Tianyi calmly asked, "If we withdraw, how will we cooperate with your Xie Group on this project, and what benefits will we receive?"
"You will be responsible for the construction of this part. This part alone is a major portion, but overall, you must obey the arrangements of our Xie Group." Xie Zhendong's tone was condescending.
Xiao Anjing wanted to jump up and leave immediately, but Tianyi signaled him with his eyes. He calmly said, "We need to consider what Mr. Xie has said and discuss it further. We will give you a clear answer once we have thought about it."
Xie Zhendong spread his hands and said, "Certainly, you should think carefully. But the official bidding date is not far away, so make your decision soon."
"Alright." Tianyi then stood up, signaling Xiao Anjing that they could leave.
After they left the Xie Group, Xiao Anjing said angrily as soon as he got into the car, "Xie Zhendong wants our Aoxiang to become their subsidiary. He's dreaming!"
"Of course, we have to refuse, but there's no need to refuse on the spot," Tianyi said worriedly. "If we agree to cooperate, he will nibble away at our group during the cooperation. But if we refuse, he likely has other moves. It's better to delay our reply."
Xiao Anjing nodded and said, "I wonder if what he said is true. Xie Qining is an adult, how can he be confined at home by him?"
"I think that's probably true. Earlier, rumors said that Xie Zhendong had crippled his own son, so it's likely credible, at least to the point where he couldn't get out of bed," Tianyi analyzed. "Besides, now that Sasha has given birth, no matter how much Xie Qining messes around, he can only stay home to accompany his wife and child at this time. So, during this period, we don't have to worry about the couple making any small moves. Instead, we can focus our energy on preparing for the bid."
"Okay, I understand." As he spoke, Xiao Anjing instructed the driver in front to drive. He couldn't help but look out the car window, feeling as uneasy as Tianyi.
After facing Xie Zhendong today, he also knew that in the business world, this man was definitely a formidable opponent.