Courtyard House: My Wife is Xu Huizhen

Page 815

In an instant, the originally somber meeting room was filled with the enticing aroma of food, and the tense atmosphere eased somewhat.

However, at this moment, He Yuzhu seemed to hesitate.

He sat upright and quietly in the leather sofa, seemingly isolated from the surrounding noise.

His brows furrowed slightly, forming several shallow lines. His eyes were fixed ahead, but his gaze was somewhat unfocused, as if he could see through everything in front of him and look into something much deeper.

He Yuzhu has always been meticulous, like an experienced hunter, always able to smell danger in the smallest details.

At this moment when everything seemed settled and the situation was settled to outsiders, he relied on his keen intuition to sense the undercurrents beneath the calm surface of the lake, and keenly captured a hidden crisis, a crisis like a beast lurking in the mist, ready to pounce at any moment.

Seeing He Yuzhu's furrowed brows, solemn gaze, and standing motionless like a statue, Huang Yingdong was quite surprised by this unusual situation.

After hesitating for a moment, he stepped forward, his expression concerned, and asked softly, "Mr. He, what's wrong? You don't look well. Is something on your mind?"

Huang Yingdong and He Yuzhu had fought side by side in the business world for many years, going through thick and thin together. Huang Yingdong knew He Yuzhu's temperament very well and knew that He Yuzhu was always calm and composed. He must be facing a difficult problem and making important considerations in his mind.

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu felt as if he had been hit by a cold wind; his body trembled slightly, and the teacup he had just picked up froze in mid-air.

He slowly raised his head, his usually resolute eyes now clouded with worry, a hint of anxiety on his face. His lips trembled slightly, as if a thousand words were swirling in his throat. After a moment, he slowly spoke, “I’m thinking, if our competitors also set their bids around 400 million, there’s probably more to it than meets the eye. You know, the market is unpredictable. Their bids may seem equal on the surface, but their actual offers could very well far exceed that figure. If that happens, we’ll undoubtedly be at a disadvantage in this bidding process. Take the previous [specific project name] for example. Our bid was within a reasonable range, but our competitors secretly raised their prices, ultimately causing us to miss out on that project. This time, we absolutely cannot repeat the same mistake.”

He Yuzhu frowned, his eyes revealing deep worry.

Having spent many years navigating the business world, he knows all too well that the business world is like a battlefield, where competitors are always unscrupulous, and price wars are a common tactic.

Huo Yingdong hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickered slightly, and he paused briefly before speaking: "This..."

His thoughts instantly drifted back to the hardships he had endured in gathering intelligence.

In that cutthroat world of business, every piece of intelligence is like a faint glimmer of light found in the darkness; it may bring a sliver of hope, but it is also accompanied by endless uncertainty.

The intelligence he obtained indicated that the other party's offer was reportedly less than 400 million.

The informant who provided this intelligence is known in the industry for his reliability. His intelligence transmissions have been accurate and reliable in the past, providing key support for many business decisions and establishing a very high level of credibility among the public.

However, the business world is like a battlefield, and the situation changes in an instant, just like the weather in June, which can change in a flash.

In such a volatile environment, it is extremely difficult to guarantee the timeliness and accuracy of intelligence.

Even the most reliable informants can only provide information based on the situation at the time, and subtle changes in the market can render previous intelligence useless at any time.

Although the person who provided the intelligence was very confident and assertive, as if they had complete certainty about the authenticity of the information, no one could say with certainty that the other party would not change the bid amount until the final result was revealed.

After all, in this fierce competition involving huge profits, the commercial value of gambling licenses is enough to drive anyone crazy.

If someone is willing to pay as much as 400 million, then adding a few tens of thousands of dollars on top of that already high price might not be an insurmountable difficulty for those determined and financially powerful opponents.

Tens of thousands of dollars might be a considerable sum under normal circumstances, but in this bidding war for a gambling license that could change the entire business landscape, it is nothing more than a drop in the ocean, insignificant.

The competitors are very likely to go to any lengths, even risking everything, to win the betting license and realize their business ambitions, putting all their chips on this final gamble.

"In that case, even if we bid 406 million, we probably can't guarantee winning the bid. Should we adjust it to 408 million?"

Huo Yingdong frowned, his brows furrowing into a deep "川" shape, and fine lines appeared on his forehead.

His eyebrows seemed to be pulled tightly by an invisible force, and his eyes were full of solemnity and worry.

At this moment, he muttered to himself as he paced back and forth in the somewhat cramped room. Each step he took seemed to carry a tremendous weight, and his footsteps on the floor made a dull, rhythmic sound that echoed in the silent space.

He knew in his heart that such a simple adjustment of the numbers could not completely eliminate all potential risks.

In China's long-standing culture, 6 and 8 have always been regarded as auspicious numbers, implying smoothness and prosperity, and have long been deeply rooted in people's hearts.

Perhaps right now, a hidden adversary is racking their brains to plan their bid, specifically targeting the highly symbolic numbers of 406 million or 408 million.

In this fiercely competitive business bidding process, which resembles a battlefield, every number is no longer just a simple symbol, but is given crucial significance in determining victory, just like a key tactic that determines life and death on the battlefield.

Judging from various signs, their opponents are also well aware of the intricacies of this game. Both sides are cautiously probing and strategizing in this silent contest, all in an effort to win the final bid.

Just then, He Yuzhu, who had been silently observing the situation, interjected with a serious expression: "Even if we acquire it for 409 million, the road ahead will not be smooth. The business world is like a battlefield, unpredictable and full of variables. We may not be able to rest easy!"

Upon hearing this, Huo Yingdong nodded in agreement. His already furrowed brows tightened into a deep frown, and the unease in his heart spread like ripples on a lake after a stone was thrown in.

The situation was urgent and allowed no room for complacency. Without hesitation, he immediately ordered someone to summon He Hongshen.

When He Hongshen arrived in a hurry, Huo Yingdong pulled him to sit down beside him. Together with He Yuzhu, they poured out their deepest concerns about the future situation, including potential market risks and possible counterattacks from competitors, without reservation.

After all, at this critical moment, every decision is like a crucial link in a domino effect, affecting the whole situation and determining the success or failure of the entire plan. They must be extremely cautious and cannot afford the slightest negligence.

After listening to what the two said, He Hong fell into deep thought, her mind a jumble of thoughts.

After a moment, she looked serious and slowly replied, "What you said is indeed not without reason. Since we are determined to invest such a huge sum of 400 million yuan in the bidding, how can we care about the slight difference of a few tens of thousands of yuan at this crucial moment that will determine the outcome? Such a small amount of money is really not worth mentioning compared to the overall bidding situation."

He Yuzhu looked serious, his eyes revealing an undeniable determination, and said in a calm and powerful tone, "I'm thinking, why don't we just do it this way and offer 411 million? There's really no need to get too hung up on those so-called auspicious numbers. In the business world, what matters is strength and strategy, not some illusory numerical symbolism."

As he spoke, he frowned slightly, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

At this moment, he secretly pondered that his competitors in this bidding process were unpredictable and their methods were hard to fathom. They were very likely to offer seemingly ordinary but actually cunning prices such as 406 million or 408 million, or even take a risky approach and offer a price such as 409.9 million that was hard to guard against.

After careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons, he resolutely decided to choose the relatively uncommon number 411 million, hoping to avoid the carefully laid schemes of his opponents and seize the initiative to win this bidding war without bloodshed.

He Hongshen, who was standing to the side, frowned slightly upon hearing this and fell into a brief but careful thought.

His gaze lingered in the void for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons of this decision.

After a moment, he slowly nodded, his thin lips parted slightly, and he uttered a single word, "Good," to show his approval.

Then, he turned to face Lubadu, his expression serious and his tone authoritative, and instructed, "Do as Zhuzi says. This matter is urgent and cannot be taken lightly. Go and revise the relevant documents as soon as possible, making sure the data is accurate and the clauses are watertight. Submit the revised documents to me for review immediately."

Lubadu stood ramrod straight, his face full of respect, and quickly replied, "Yes, Mr. He."

After saying that, he turned around briskly and walked out of the office with hurried steps, ready to immediately throw himself into the task of revising the documents.

Just then, He Yuzhu seemed to suddenly remember something crucial. With a solemn expression, he called out to Lu Badu, who was about to leave, and said in a steady tone that left no room for doubt: "Old Lu, there's another important task for you. Could you also help me carefully draft a blank tender document, making sure that the format is correct, the content is complete, and every detail is flawless?"

He paused slightly, a sharp glint in his eyes, and continued, "Later, I want to scan Taixing Company's bid to see if it's true or not, and how much they're asking for. You know, in this silent commercial battlefield, every number and every clause can be the key to victory or defeat."

He Yuzhu frowned deeply, his eyes fixed firmly on the distance, as if he could already see Taixing Company's bid in front of him: "If Taixing Company's bid exceeds 411 million, then we have to be flexible and fill in the numbers on the blank bid form on the spot. Remember, we only need to make sure that it is a little higher than theirs. A little more would be a waste of resources, and a little less might mean missing a good opportunity."

He Yuzhu was well aware of this, which is why he planned ahead and meticulously prepared every step of the way, striving to be foolproof in this fierce business battle and firmly gain the upper hand.

Upon hearing He Yuzhu's request, Lubadu agreed without hesitation.

He knew that this task was urgent and that time was the key factor in this business game.

He quickly turned his head and gave his assistant a look. The assistant understood immediately, and the two of them swiftly gathered up the scattered documents and materials on the table and stuffed them into a briefcase.

Then, Lubadu turned around and strode towards the door, with his assistant following closely behind.

Their steps were hurried and firm, each step taken very quickly, as if they were walking on air, as if they couldn't wait to get to the office and rush to produce the new tender documents.

Seeing Lubadu and his group leave, He Yuzhu's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally slowly settled down, and his tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed. He thought to himself, "This crucial step has finally been successfully completed."

After a satisfying meal, everyone's faces showed contentment, and the restaurant was filled with a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Everyone chatted casually about the interesting things that happened during the meal, while leisurely sipping fragrant tea afterward.

After checking the time, it was just past 1:30 PM, with a good hour and a half left before the bidding deadline of 3:00 PM.

Ye Deli narrowed his eyes slightly, a kind smile on his face, and suggested in a light tone, "Gentlemen, it's rare to have such a leisurely time. Why don't we go upstairs to our rooms and rest for a while? Although this bidding matter is important, with our arrangements, arriving at the Governor's Mansion twenty minutes early will give us plenty of time. We won't be in a rush, and we can also recharge our energy."

After hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, finding the suggestion to be excellent. Amidst laughter and chatter, the group rose one by one and walked upstairs at a leisurely pace, their steps exuding confidence and composure.

The distance between the extremely luxurious and internationally-styled luxury hotel and the Governor's Palace, which exudes a solemn and dignified atmosphere, is actually not very far.

If you choose to travel by car, thanks to the relatively smooth traffic in the city, you can arrive in just over ten minutes.

Chapter 589

Based on past experience and to ensure everything goes smoothly, leaving the hotel together 30 to 40 minutes early is enough to guarantee a safe and timely arrival at the destination.

However, He Hongshen suddenly asked, "Are all the vehicles ready?" His calm tone concealed a hint of imperceptible urgency.

Ye Deli quickly responded, "Mr. He, rest assured, the vehicle has already been arranged." He wore his signature confident smile, and his words exuded complete certainty.

Ye Han, however, has always been an impatient person and finds it difficult to remain calm.

His expression was anxious, and fine beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. He said solemnly, “This matter cannot be taken lightly. These application materials are of paramount importance; a single mistake can have far-reaching consequences. If the vehicle breaks down en route, even by just a few minutes, we could very well miss the deadline. Once that deadline is missed, many subsequent plans will be thrown into disarray, and all the groundwork and effort we’ve put in will likely be wasted. In my opinion, we…”

Reminded by Ye Han, Ye Deli, who was originally full of confidence, couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Previously, the ruthlessness of the opponents was astonishing. In order to sabotage this important event, they even sent people to assassinate Fok Ying-tung and Ho Yu-chu twice.

In the first assassination attempt, the assassins sneaked into the vicinity of Fok Ying-tung's residence under the cover of night, attempting to strike while he was out in his car. Fortunately, the Fok family's security measures were tight, and they discovered and repelled the assassins in time.

The second time, they targeted He Yuzhu, setting an ambush on his way to a business meeting. The scene was extremely dangerous, but fortunately, He Yuzhu's bodyguards were capable, allowing him to escape danger.

But that wasn't all. The other party actually resorted to a treacherous tactic, kidnapping the key figure in charge of this matter—lawyer Lubadu.

Attorney Lubadu possessed a wealth of crucial information and key negotiating leverage, and his disappearance brought their affairs to a standstill.

Fortunately, their side was quick-witted and perceptive enough. He Yuzhu, with his exceptional wisdom, investigated the whereabouts of lawyer Lubadu before his disappearance and followed the clues to discover some leads.

With the team members' courage and bravery, they successfully rescued lawyer Lubadu from a hidden warehouse, thus successfully thwarting the two ruthless tactics meticulously planned by the enemy.

The bidding process is now nearing its end, with only two precious hours remaining before the crucial moment of finalizing the icon.

Ye Deli secretly put himself in their shoes. If he were in their position and saw them making such a smooth and steady progress toward winning the bid, how could he be willing to accept it?

As Ye Deli pondered this, he felt an invisible pressure bearing down on him, and a fine layer of sweat gradually appeared on his forehead, just like the increasingly tense situation at this moment.

He knew that his opponents had been driven to the brink of despair, and the last resort they could muster was to set up insurmountable obstacles on their way to the governor's mansion, trapping them in a predicament and preventing them from reaching their destination on time.

Among these despicable tactics, the opponent is very likely to take a desperate gamble and deliberately cause a car accident.

Those henchmen lying in wait might drive a vehicle and, at the opportune moment, suddenly ram into their car while they are traveling. Or they might suddenly rush out from the side to create chaos and panic; or they might cause a rear-end collision in front, completely blocking the road.