Sasha did not blame him further, saying, "What's the use of understanding now? We can only wait and see. Everything stops for now. Don't let them catch any more excuses."
"Understood."
After Sasha's call with Yu Wei, though unwilling, she had no other options. She could only swallow her pride for now and find another opportunity.
Just then, Xie Qining walked in, looking extremely tired. Sasha thought of something and went to meet him, linking her arm through his. "Are you this tired on the first day of work after the New Year?"
Xie Qining complained, "Of course, I'm tired. That damned Assistant Zhan dumped all the unfinished files from before the New Year on me."
"She's really a dog relying on its master's power." Sasha had him sit down and massaged his shoulders. "Did you go to the group to be a clerk? You're the esteemed young master of the Xie family. You should be discussing big business."
These words struck a chord with Xie Qining. He thought the same, but his father completely ignored his protests.
"Exactly, it makes me so angry."
Sasha sat on his lap and hugged his neck. "Last time, you mentioned the group had a collaboration with an investor from New York. Isn't there a project investment discussion coming up soon? Can they send you?"
Xie Qining kissed her. "I wish you could call the shots in the group. Right now, everything is decided by my dad. He only listens to that Zhan person, not me."
"You can try to ask your dad. If you could be the person in charge of this project, I'd like to go to New York with you. I haven't been shopping there in a long time." Sasha nuzzled into his embrace playfully, wanting to use his opportunity to discuss the project in New York to go with him.
This would serve to cover their tracks and allow her to handle matters on the other side.
Xie Qining said helplessly, "My dad would never hand over such an important project to me. Don't dream about it. If you want to go shopping, just tell your family, and I'll take leave to accompany you."
Sasha released him and said dismissively, "Shopping is just a side thing. I just want you to establish yourself in the group sooner."
"But this isn't something I can do just by wishing."
"Then who is primarily responsible for this project? If you can't be the person in charge, you can go along to learn." Sasha suggested again.
Xie Qining, however, dared not ask his father about it and shook his head. "I'm afraid my dad wouldn't agree."
"How will you know if you don't try to fight for it?" Sasha found him too useless, not even daring to discuss such a small matter with Xie Zhendong.
Seeing the look of disdain in Sasha's eyes, Xie Qining had no choice but to agree. "I'll go to the group tomorrow and talk to my dad."
Sasha's face lit up. "I'll also talk to your mom about this. Let her whisper in your dad's ear, telling him you need more experience and learning, and that you shouldn't just be doing odd jobs in the office."
"Right." Xie Qining felt that if this could be achieved, he could finally get some fresh air abroad. He offered her advice, "After you talk to my mom, it's best to also talk to my grandmother. Convincing my grandmother, and having her speak to my dad, will increase the chances of success."
"Okay, no problem. Your mom and grandmother will definitely help us for the sake of the child."
Xie Qining's mood improved considerably. He hugged her and said, "Wife, you are truly my capable helper." As he spoke, he wanted to pull her onto the bed.
Sasha demurred, "Oh, you just got back. Go take a shower first. I'll be waiting for you in bed."
Xie Qining stroked her chin and grinned, "Then you wait. I'll be right back."
He released her, sat up on the bed, and quickly shed his clothes before heading to the bathroom.
Sasha lay on the bed, her mind still contemplating how to further plan this matter. When she could truly go to New York with Xie Qining, she would have to personally arrange everything there.
...
After the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth, before the bidding, Susu had basically persuaded those shareholders to temporarily retain their shares and not trade with Xie Zhendong.
They could make any decisions after the bidding ended, and Susu would not blame them.
She and Tianyi made all the preparations, and finally, the day of the formal bidding arrived.
Tianyi handed her the bid documents and the envelope containing the reserve price. In the current situation, only she could represent Aoxiang in this bidding.
Tianyi, disguised as a bodyguard, accompanied her into the bidding venue.
Tianyi was dressed inconspicuously, wearing a dark baseball cap to conceal his face as much as possible.
The bidding for the urban construction project was held in a large auditorium. The groups and companies participating were all eager, focused on their final preparations. No one paid attention to Aoxiang's participants, nor to the bodyguard beside Susu.
This was Susu's first time participating in a large-scale bidding, and she would have to speak on stage later. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
Tianyi whispered in her ear, "If you memorize the content of the bid documents, you won't be nervous. Every participating unit has the same procedure for speaking on stage. Ultimately, it depends on the overall score of the bid documents and the reserve price. Especially the reserve price, which is the key to determining the success of the bid."
Susu took deep breaths to calm herself, saying, "Okay, I understand." As she spoke, she reviewed some key parts of the bid documents, afraid she might forget her lines on stage.
Xie Zhendong also personally attended the venue. He sat in the front row with others from his group, looking full of confidence. He glanced casually in Susu's direction.
Seeing that the Aoxiang Group had only sent a woman to bid, he felt they were not taking them seriously at all.
When the host took the stage to announce the start of the bidding, the large LCD screen on stage began to play a promotional video introducing the project.
The lights in the auditorium dimmed. Susu stared at the promotional video on stage. The documentary-like footage made her deeply understand the importance and extraordinary significance of this urban construction project.
She understood even more clearly why Tianyi and An Jing cared so much about this project. Today, she was representing Aoxiang, and she was determined to do better.
After the promotional video finished, it was time for the representatives of each participating group to speak on stage. After their speeches, there would be questions from reporters in the audience.
Fortunately, Aoxiang was not the first or the last to speak.
When it was Susu's turn to speak, her heart had grown strong enough. She calmly went on stage and clearly articulated Aoxiang's advantages in bidding and her own strengths that others lacked.
Compared to the speeches that followed the usual procedures, hers offered a refreshing perspective.
Xie Zhendong, sitting below the stage, wore a mocking smile. He thought, no matter how eloquent Gu Susu was, it was all in vain. This bidding was not about who had the glibbest tongue.
The better she performed on stage, the more ridiculous Xie Zhendong found it.
At this moment, a reporter raised their hand to ask a question.
"Mrs. Qin, according to my knowledge, you have rarely participated in the commercial activities of Aoxiang Group before. With President Qin now seriously ill, even if you win this urban construction project, how can you realize the future plans you just mentioned?"