“Speaking of which, Wilson Technology’s recent progress in the field of solid-state batteries is impressive.”

As Shi Heng spoke, he elegantly picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks.

When James heard this, the chopsticks in his hand suddenly stopped in mid-air and slowly put them down.

"Mr. Shi, are you well-informed about our technological developments?" He narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone alert.

"After all, we are in the same industry." Shi Heng answered calmly and put the fish belly meat on Gu Youran's plate.

He tapped the tabletop twice with his fingertips, and this subtle movement made Gu Youran feel his silent comfort.

Gu Youran looked down at the fish on the dish, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

She raised her eyes quietly and caught the faint smile on Shi Heng's lips.

This was the familiar expression on his face when he was confident.

"Especially the solution to the thermal runaway problem, it's very clever." Shi Heng continued, looking directly at the other person.

James' chopsticks were suspended in the air again, a look of surprise on his face. "Have you verified our patented solution?"

Shi Heng did not answer directly.

He calmly took out his cell phone, turned the screen to face James, and clicked on a video.

In the picture, a steel needle pierces the battery, but the battery remains motionless in the high temperature environment, and neither burns nor explodes.

"Energy density increased by 40%, and cost decreased by 25%." Shi Heng said these two numbers calmly. His voice was not loud but it hit the dining table like a sledgehammer.

Although Gu Youran didn't understand these professional terms, she clearly saw James's face change suddenly and heard the shock in his tone.

At this moment, she suddenly realized that the gentle man who would tuck in her quilt and accompany her shopping on weekdays was actually such a ruthless and decisive man in the business world.

In the next two hours, Shi Heng talked about everything from materials science to industrial layout, and every word he said accurately hit the pain points that James cared about most.

Gu Youran sat quietly by the side, but her heartbeat was getting faster and faster.

She had never seen Shi Heng like this before—calm, sharp, and in complete control of the overall rhythm.

When the topic turned to rare earth alternatives, James sat up straighter and asked, "Are you already working on rare earth-free cathodes?"

"So I said, only through cooperation can we achieve win-win results." Shi Heng smiled faintly.

James sighed deeply and finally smiled his first genuine smile of the night. "Mr. Shi, your understanding of the industry is much deeper than your father's."

Gu Youran quietly held Shi Heng's hand under the table.

His palm was warm and strong, and his slender fingers gently held hers, completely different from the sharpness he had shown during the negotiation just now.

At this moment, Gu Youran felt her heart beating for him again.

"My father laid the foundation, and we are pioneering." Shi Heng raised his red wine glass, "Only through cooperation can we achieve win-win results."

James suddenly stood up and said excitedly, "Can I go to your company now? I want to see the sample with my own eyes."

Shi Heng calmly put down his red wine glass and smiled confidently, "The samples are in the car downstairs. We can go and see them now."

He turned to look at Gu Youran, "Come with us."

Gu Youran was a little surprised, but still nodded and stood up.

The three of them took the elevator downstairs together, and Shi Heng's assistant was already waiting in front of the car.

Arriving at the underground garage, Shi Heng's driver opened the trunk and took out an exquisite metal box.

Shi Heng entered the password and opened the box, inside which were several silver-gray battery samples neatly arranged.

"This is our latest third-generation solid-state battery, which fully meets the parameters just mentioned."

James put on his glasses and took a closer look, and his technical director even took out professional equipment and did a simple test on the spot.

The test results surprised both of them.

"Unbelievable," James straightened up. "You really made a rare earth-free formula?"

Shi Heng nodded slightly, "That's why I said, cooperation is the only way to win together."

"Then let's sign the contract now." James said decisively.

At 11 o'clock that evening, the office of the president of Shi Group was brightly lit.

The legal team has prepared the draft contract and is doing the final review.

Assistant Qin walked over to Shi Heng with the documents and asked quietly, "Mr. Shi, the legal department asked if we should follow the convention and write tomorrow as the contract date?"

"No, just write about today." Shi Heng said, his eyes sweeping over Gu Youran who was sitting beside him, "Today is the most meaningful."

When Gu Youran heard this, she looked up at him, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

James took the contract and read it carefully. After confirming that it was correct, he solemnly signed his name in the signature area.

Shi Heng also signed.

"There's a detail you might not have noticed." Shi Heng pointed to the column where the contract took effect. "I deliberately set it to today."

James was stunned at first, then he suddenly realized.

He turned to Gu Youran and said, "Mrs. Shi, it seems that what I signed today was not only a business contract, but also a debt of favor."

He pointed to the date. "Today is the day you saved me on the plane."

Gu Youran finally understood and was shocked.

It turned out that Shi Heng had already planned it out. He wanted everyone to know that she was the starting point of this victory.

"Mr. Shi, you not only have a good wife," James said, shaking Shi Heng's hand sincerely, "but you also have a grateful heart. I'm looking forward to this five-year exclusive supply contract."

Shi Heng smiled and nodded, "It's a pleasure to work with you."

After signing the contract, Shi Heng and Gu Youran sent James and his assistant to the elevator.

While waiting for the elevator, James added: "I will let the technical team coordinate the specific details next week."

"You're welcome anytime." Shi Heng responded calmly.

The elevator door opened and James and his assistant walked in.

As the elevator door was about to close, Gu Youran heard James say to his assistant, "With someone like Shi Heng, you won't make any mistakes even if you work with him a hundred times." The assistant nodded in agreement.

After the elevator door was completely closed, Gu Youran finally relaxed and leaned lightly on Shi Heng's shoulder.

She looked up at his profile and asked curiously, "Have you prepared the contract long ago?"

Shi Heng turned around to face her, lowered his head and placed a light kiss on her forehead, and rubbed his nose affectionately against her hair.

"From the moment he recognized me," he replied in a low voice, a smile in his voice, "but the biggest contribution was your unique skill with acupuncture needles."

Gu Youran couldn't help laughing and reached out to poke him in the chest, "Businessman's nature." Her voice was a little softer than usual, with a hint of coquettishness that she herself didn't even notice.

Shi Heng took her hand and their fingers were interlocked.

…

When they returned home, before the lights in the entrance hall were fully on, Gu Youran couldn't wait to reach out and untie Shi Heng's tie.

When her fingertips accidentally brushed his Adam's apple, they both trembled slightly.

"You here..." Her fingers stopped at the back of his neck and touched a slightly wet area. "Are you sweating?" There was disbelief in her voice.

It turns out that this man who is so good at strategizing at the negotiating table can also be nervous.