Water and Fire~Chapter 89.1: The Feeling of Being Disappointed

 

Chapter 89.1: The Feeling of Being Disappointed

Chu Qianmiao proposed a solution. Ren Yan immediately agreed, deciding to use it. The three of them then went downstairs to the hotel restaurant for lunch before rushing to Liya Manufacturing.

When Ren Yan, Chu Qianmiao, and Qin Qianyu arrived at the due diligence office, they all looked as if they had been in a meeting all morning.

And they looked as if they had achieved results, a glimmer of hope.

Chu Qianmiao and Qin Qianyu had both discovered their own exceptional acting qualities. As soon as they entered the room, Qin Qianyu joyfully patted Liu Lifeng's shoulder, saying to him and Cui Xijie, "Good news! There's a solution to the acquisition problem."

Liu Lifeng quickly asked, "What solution? Qian Siji has compromised?"

Cui Xijie also looked up from his computer, his attention drawn to Qin Qianyu's words.

Qin Qianyu said, "I'll have some water. I'll let Qian Miao tell you."

Liu Lifeng snorted awkwardly, "Who cares to ask her?"

Qin Qianyu said earnestly, "Old Liu, how could you treat Qian Miao like this? You're wrong. Qian Miao has been saying a lot about you behind your back."

Liu Lifeng dropped his pen. Only from Ren Yan's perspective could he see he had deliberately tossed it to the ground. He quickly bent down to pick it up, taking a long time to get up. When he stood up, the blush still lingered on his face.

When he heard Qin Qianyu say Chu Qian Miao praised him behind his back, his face flushed.

Ren Yan, who was editing materials, paused and tapped his palm lightly with his pen.

After Liu Lifeng picked up the pen, he muttered again, "I've had so many people praise me, who needs her praise?"

Chu Qianmiao tutted at him, "You'll be dead if you talk to me nicely."

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Ren Yan tapping his pen on his palm, faster and faster. Her eyes quickly flicked across his face, and she saw a frown on his face.

She heard Liu Lifeng urging her to stop keeping her in suspense. If she had something to say, she'd say it quickly. If not, sit down and stop standing there, getting in the way.

Chu Qianmiao immediately turned and retorted, "I'm standing here. If you don't agree, you can poke yourself blind."

Liu Lifeng's face was filled with choked anger. Unfortunately, it was only a facade of anger; it actually looked like a hint of enjoyment.

Ren Yan subtly observed the enjoyment beneath the anger.

After blithely berating Liu Lifeng, Chu Qianmiao got down to business. "During the meeting this morning, President Qian said he previously bought raw materials from Xinghen Materials because he felt he had a good relationship with Qu Xin, and he also had a stake in the company. He figured it wouldn't matter where he bought from, so why not just buy directly from Xinghen? It was also because Li Ya had been buying most of his raw materials from Xinghen Materials that he gradually built up the company. President Qian said he never imagined that the fattened wolf would one day turn its back on him, and that Qu Xin of Xinghen Materials would be so ungrateful at this critical juncture. So, President Qian said, why not just part ways?"

At this point, Liu Lifeng immediately asked, "What's the point?"

Chu Qianmiao said, "President Qian has already had his assistant arrange to contact Xinghen Materials' competitors to see if they're willing to collaborate. If so, they could consider acquiring Xinghen's competitor."

She glanced quickly at Cui Xijie. His expression was impeccable.

At this moment, Liu Lifeng let out an "Oh," as if suddenly realizing something. "Qian Siji is quite savvy, using this tactic. He's clever. He might not actually be trying to acquire Xinghen's competitors, but simply wants to use this tactic to tell Qu Xincai, the owner of Xinghen Materials, 'I'm not buying you anymore. I'm buying your enemy now.' Then Qu Xincai will get really anxious, and in a moment of desperation, he'll approach Qian Siji to make peace, saying, 'I won't raise the price anymore. Let's stick with the old price.'"

Chu Qianmiao listened to Liu Lifeng's rant, maintaining a smile on her face, but inwardly she almost wanted to rush over and strangle him. She saw the same impulse and thought in the look Qin Qianyu exchanged with her.

He's so brazen, and he just spilled the beans. How could Cui Xijie be anxious? If he's not anxious, then how could Qu Xin be anxious?

Cui Xijie chimed in, "Don't mention it, that's a really good idea!"

Chu Qianmiao: "..."

She thought Cui Xijie had a pretty good mental balance.

At a crucial moment, Ren Yan spoke up and saved the day.

"Mr. Qian just emailed and messaged me, saying he'll be hosting the boss of Xinghen's competitor tomorrow for lunch. You guys should come with me."

Liu Lifeng was stunned. "This isn't just a bluff, this is serious business."

Ren Yan gave him a cold glance. "Do you think this is childish play?"

Liu Lifeng shrugged, not daring to speak. He felt the look in Ren Yan's eyes was strangely sharp.

Chu Qianmiao discreetly observed Cui Xijie's expression. His airtightness seemed to be faltering a little.

After get off work, Chu Qianmiao and Qin Qianyu strolled back to the hotel together.

They walked on the sidewalk, next to a busy road.

The mild weather of late spring and early summer was delightful, bringing a rare sense of clarity to the usually foggy industrial city.

Chu Qianmiao and Qin Qianyu chatted as they strolled.

Qin Qianyu said, "I almost rushed up and ripped Old Liu's tongue this afternoon."

Chu Qianmiao laughed, "With his IQ, he's basically done being a bad guy."

After a pause, she said, "Actually, I felt the same way as Liu Lifeng. We thought we were just trying to scare Xinghen Materials. I didn't expect President Ren and President Qian to be serious. President Ren was surprisingly efficient. I don't even know when he agreed with Qian Siji to meet with the boss of Xinghen's competitor. He was clearly with us this morning and afternoon," Chu Qianmiao said.

Then, before Qin Qianyu could reply, she suddenly understood.

If she and Liu Lifeng could come up with a plan, wouldn't Ren Yan have it too?

So, in fact, he had already discussed this idea with Qian Siji and had actually put it into practice.

Thinking of the way he'd smiled faintly at her when she'd presented it at noon, praising her for its cleverness, she secretly felt elated, feeling her intelligence had advanced once again.

But in reality, he'd already planned everything, long before they could see.

The sun sank westward, painting everything a brilliant crimson before setting. Cars raced past one after another on the wide road beside her, speeding by. She walked slowly on the sidewalk, her heart pounding as she watched the bustling world of human life. She thought how beautiful and vibrant this world was. And what a brilliant mind it had.

After all, experience always brings wisdom.

After returning to the hotel, Chu Qianmiao decided to work even harder, striving to become a seasoned expert as quickly as possible.

After dinner and overtime, she began reading and studying. After a while, she received a message from Qin Qianyu.

Qin Qianyu told her, "I had dinner with President Ren tonight. During dinner, President Ren asked me a very strange question."

Chu Qianmiao had already honed her skills as a comedian through their conversations with Qin Qianyu.

She immediately asked, "What's that strange question? Tell me."

Qin Qianyu: "It's surprising even to hear it. He asked me what it feels like to be criticized."

What's this about asking for criticism?

She thought she should suggest that Ren Yan raise this question on Zhihu.

"How did you respond to your boss?" Chu Qianmiao asked Qin Qianyu.

Qin Qianyu sent a voice message. His tongue seemed a little stiff, as if he and Ren Yan had been drinking at dinner. He swung his tongue, a little stiff, and spoke with great emotion, "If I'm being criticized, I'm definitely going to get angry. Arguing without saying the last word is the most frustrating thing. It keeps me awake at night."

Then another voice message came: "And guess what Mr. Ren said?"

Chu Qianmiao typed and sent it: "What did Mr. Ren say?"

Qin Qianyu also sent a text: "Mr. Ren said... But I see you guys seem pretty happy after being criticized by Chu Qianmiao."

Chu Qianmiao was startled when she saw her name pop up on the screen.

Why did he even bring her out?

"Brother Qin, I got called out on the bed. I'm a little worried about what you'll say later," she asked Qin Qianyu.

Qin Qianyu quickly replied with a hard voice message. "I say, Qian Miao's mouth isn't just any mortal mouth; it's one caressed by a god. So, being teased by her is definitely a treat. I even gave President Ren an example. "Boss," I said, "look at Liu Lifeng. He always proactively teases Qian Miao. He just has a thing for it."

Chu Qianmiao didn't know how to respond. After a long pause, she decided not to express her thoughts and just connect the dots.

She texted, "And then?"

Qin Qianyu's voice message instantly arrived. "Hehehe, and then President Ren actually asked me, like he was just enjoying himself, is that true?"

What's going on?

Oh my god, is Ren Yan looking for trouble?

Chu Qianmiao nearly dropped her phone.

A new voice message from Qin Qianyu arrived in the chat box. He thought he was sober and logically analyzing the situation. "Qianmiao, this is what I think. First, I think President Ren has become more humane lately. Secondly, he's been watching us bickering so passionately every day, while we've excluded him from the conversation. This makes him feel disconnected and lonely. Right, right?"

Chu Qianmiao: "Drunk people tend to ask themselves questions and answer them themselves. Why would they bother chatting with others?"

Another voice message arrived immediately: "So, Qianmiao, what's my point in telling you this today? It's that when you find a suitable opportunity, you can also confront President Ren and let him join in the fun of our bickering."

Chu Qianmiao was genuinely shocked.

What a great job, she thought. Someone was actually asking her to confront the boss. Was they just worried she wasn't annoying enough, or was Qin Qianyu just crazy?

She felt like things were getting weirder and weirder in this department, from top to bottom.

She replied to Qin Qianyu, "Brother Qin, I'm going downstairs to buy Six Walnuts and bring you ten bottles of Xingxing Liquor." She was also giving him a brain boost.