Back To The 80s-Chapter 508 - 520: Meeting_1

With the housing situation settled, Wen Xiuqing exhaled in relief and couldn’t help but bring up Lu Aiguo’s matter again: "If either of you has spare time, call Aiguo and see how he’s doing? Ask him not to be stubborn."

Ji Xiangdong nodded: "I’ll call him during work hours tomorrow. You two shouldn’t worry either, everything has its own causes and consequences, there’s no use in rushing."

Wen Xiuqing sighed repeatedly: "I’m just afraid your father will get agitated, constantly asking about Aiguo."

Lu Songyuan, laughing on the side, shook his head: "No need to worry, as long as you two are well, that’s all that matters."

...

Gu Xiaobei decided to heed Qin Li’s advice about the business proposal made by the man from the south. Even if she refused it, the polite thing to do was to visit them at the first opportunity, leaving the door open for future dealings.

With the address Qin Li offered, Xiaobei and Qin Li went to meet the southern client early in the morning.

The southern client was staying in a state-run guesthouse, not far from Xiaobei and Qin Li’s shop.

Xiaobei frowned at the location of the guesthouse before going in with Qin Li and finding their way according to the room number.

Ou Tiannan was waiting confidently in the guesthouse’s living room, expecting Gu Xiaobei to walk right in. He thought of the deal as irresistible bait on a hook, how could anyone refuse?

Xiaobei knocked three times, unhurriedly. Only when the person inside said "come in" did she push the door and enter.

Ou Tiannan sat on a small couch, quietly observing Xiaobei as she entered first. She was petite, her hair casually knotted at the back of her head to reveal a shiny forehead. Her features were at best fairly attractive, but her large eyes sparkled with intelligence. He secretly judged that she didn’t seem to have the aura of a businesswoman, but Ma Chengwen had often failed to best her.

As Ou Tiannan was sizing up Xiaobei, she was also silently taking in his appearance. Her first impression was that he was reserved and serious on the outside, but radiating a hint of cunning under the surface.

The mutual exchange of glances lasted only a few seconds, but it provided enough time for each to form their first impressions.

Ou Tiannan stood up, smiling politely and saying: "Judging by the young lady behind you, I can tell you must be Boss Gu."

Xiaobei smiled faintly and replied: "I wouldn’t dare call myself a boss, I just tinker around in the business."

Ou Tiannan gestured for Xiaobei and Qin Li to sit, poured tea for them both, and then said: "I’m new to the city and unfamiliar with a lot of things. I’d initially wanted to get into the tea packaging business but after some exploration, I discovered you guys have already done well in it. So, I’m considering partnering with you to launch a series of tea snacks, are you interested, Boss Gu?"

Gu Xiaobei took the tea but didn’t drink it. She tilted her head slightly, listening to Ou Tiannan and then asked: "May I know your surname?"

Ou Tiannan slapped his forehead and laughed: "Oh, I was so focused talking I forgot to introduce myself. My surname is Ou, Ou Tiannan."

Gu Xiaobei nodded and smiled: "Nice to meet you, Mr. Ou." She then lowered her eyes lids to hide her surprise and pretended to take a sip of water. Ou Tiannan, Ou Ruoshui, both had the same surname and came from the south, what a coincidence. When she looked up, her gaze was clear and bright again.

Ou Tiannan, pretending not to notice Gu Xiaobei’s momentary shock, said with a smile: "This city is really a good place."

Xiaobei just smiled without replying.

"Let’s talk about the partnership. You’ve done well with tea in this city. I’m thinking of investing 100,000 to expand your current factory, then add a line for producing tea snacks. Profits will be split in half, management will be entirely under your control," Ou Tiannan said seriously.

Xiaobei considered Ou Tiannan a formidable negotiator, excellent at latching onto other people’s desires. He tempted her with benefits, instantly offering a titanic sum—100,000! That kind of money was unthinkable, it was as if she needn’t put in any effort and just sit back to split the profits.

Many people would be instantly dumbstruck by such an incredible offer. Additionally, in the absence of rigorous contract and company laws to regulate such deals, any minor overlook might equate to signing an agreement to sell her business. Instead of the boss, she’d end up an employee.

Gu Xiaobei still smiled faintly, took a sip of her tea, and then said: "Sorry, we probably can’t do a good job. Besides, our current business is just starting and we don’t have the capacity to take this on."

Surprise flashed in Ou Tiannan’s eyes but he kept his smile and said, "Boss Gu, don’t be too quick to reject the offer, why don’t you take some time to consider?"

In Xiaobei’s mind, Ou Tiannan was now on the blacklist, she wouldn’t have any business dealings with him in the future. He was too cunning, and any tiny mistake on her part would lead to severe losses. Doing business with him would be too mentally exhausting.

Ou Tiannan saw Xiaobei and Qin Li out. As he watched them walk away, he was squinted, musing over Xiaobei’s prompt refusal—something he had anticipated but had not expected to be so abrupt.

...

While walking on the road, Qin Li couldn’t help but ask Xiaobei: "Do you think he is related to Sister Xuerong? Maybe we should ask her about him?"

Xiaobei shook her head: "No, we shouldn’t. You know Sister Xuerong never mentioned her past ten years or so, which probably means she doesn’t want to. We shouldn’t pry into her old wound."

"I just can’t figure it out. How could someone so casually offer us 100,000? That’s a lot of money, yet he spoke of it as if he was buying an ice-lolly." Qin Li was awe-struck by his wealth to make such an extravagant proposal.

Xiaobei didn’t care to dwell on the whys and wherefores. She wouldn’t do any business with him anyway, no matter how much money he had. She then told Qin Li: "Let’s go to our tea shop in the city." That shop was considered a display store and was managed by Chen Xiuxiu and a newly recruited girl after its opening. The business was generally slow, with occasional sales. The main purpose was to promote their brand.

Chen Xiuxiu was a very efficient and honest girl. She cleaned the storefront spotlessly every day. Even though she didn’t finish junior high school, she kept the books in excellent order.

Xiaobei looked at the books carefully and was pleased with what she saw. She smiled at Xiuxiu and said, "Xiuxiu, your handwriting is getting better and better. When you have time, you should take some night courses and earn a certificate."

Xiuxiu, a bit shy, said with a smile, "But I’m afraid I won’t do well. I was terrible at studying when I was in junior high."

"You should believe in yourself. Look at how you’re handling the accounts now, it’s a lot better than before. Weren’t you worried about not doing a good job when you first started at this shop? So don’t underestimate yourself," Xiaobei encouraged.

Xiuxiu nodded, laughing: "Well, I’ll give it a try, I’m not sure how much it’ll cost."

Gu Xiaobei thought of a motivating tactic and said, "If you work hard and pass the course, the store will reimburse the course fees."

"Really?" Chen Xiuxiu asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Yes, but you must sign a five-year contract with us, during which you cannot resign," Xiaobei added.