Jiang Tingchen came forward and stood behind her.

"Cher, maybe it's just a normal business opportunity."

"You really think so?"

Jiang Tingchen chuckled, put his arm around her shoulders, and looked out the window with her.

"Of course not. The business world is like a battlefield. If someone like Fu Chen loses a battle, he will definitely try every possible way to take it back."

At the same time, in another office on the top floor of Fu Group, Fu Chen was cursing softly into the phone.

"Keep a close eye on him. Report any disturbance to me immediately."

He hung up the phone and threw it heavily on the sofa. Xu Zhiru came in quietly with a cup of hot tea and walked carefully to his side.

"Ah Chen, don't be too anxious, have some tea."

Fu Chen took the teacup, but did not drink it. He just held it in his hand and felt the heat.

"Is Xu Zhao reliable? If the plan fails, the Fu family will bear a greater blame."

Xu Zhiru sat down beside him and reached out to gently stroke his back.

"Although Azhao has a bad temper, he never fails in his business tactics. He returned to China this time just to help us."

"Helping you, not us." Fu Chen corrected coldly, "He never cared about the future of the Fu family."

Xu Zhiru lowered her eyelashes and stopped moving her hands.

"Azhao just wants me to live a better life. He is my only relative."

Fu Chen didn't respond, but stood up and walked to the window with his back to her.

Xu Zhiru stared at his back quietly, her mind flashing back to countless times of him being gentle with Ning Nanxue. She clenched her fingers, her nails digging into her palms.

Three days later, in Ning Nanxue's office, the head of the technical department knocked on the door and entered.

"Mr. Ning, the preliminary plan for the new energy laboratory technology project has been completed."

Ning Nanxue took the thick stack of documents and quickly flipped through them.

"What about the water resource treatment plan? Is it detailed and in place?"

"We are confident that it will be carried out in accordance with the standards and specifications."

Jiang Tingchen pushed the door open and walked in, holding a document in his hand.

"Xue'er, I just got a draft of the latest environmental assessment standards. It will not be officially announced until next month."

He handed the document to Ning Nanxue with a serious expression.

"Several new special requirements for laboratory wastewater treatment have been added, which are much stricter than the current standards."

Ning Nanxue took the document, quickly compared it with the project plan, and her expression gradually became serious.

"If we bid according to our current plan, we will be stuck at the environmental impact assessment stage even if we win the bid." The technical director gasped.

Ning Nanxue turned to Jiang Tingchen, a sharp light flashing in her eyes.

"How did you get hold of this unpublished document?"

Jiang Tingchen smiled slightly.

"Huayun has some projects in the new energy field, so naturally it has channels to obtain relevant information in advance."

Ning Nanxue placed the two documents side by side on the table and fell into deep thought.

"Xu Zhao has indeed returned, and he's targeting us."

The technical director looked confused: "Mr. Ning, what do you mean?"

"Nothing," Ning Nanxue raised her head, her eyes flashing. "Modify the plan and follow this new standard. Also, find out where this project requirements document came from."

After the technical director left, Jiang Tingchen walked to Ning Nanxue.

"What are you going to do? Just expose their plan?"

Ning Nanxue shook her head, the corners of her lips slightly raised.

"No, I want to make their trap our opportunity."

She picked up her phone and called Secretary Chen.

"Arrange a chance meeting and let Fu Chen tell me the importance of the project himself. The more enthusiastic the better."

After hanging up the phone, she turned to Jiang Tingchen and gently stroked his wrist.

"Tingchen, help me borrow Huayun's name and resources. I want to set up a scheme."

Jiang Tingchen grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently: "Okay, I will do my best."

Those warm hands conveyed silent support, and Ning Nanxue felt a surge of warmth flowing into her heart. She and Jiang Tingchen met eyes, no words needed.

Three days later, in Fu Chen's private office, he received a phone call. The corners of his lips curled up, unable to hide his pride.

"Ning Nanxue's team has begun preparing for the bid according to the proposal we provided," Xu Zhao's lazy voice came from the other end of the phone. "The fish has taken the bait."

"Very good," Fu Chen turned towards the brightly lit city outside the window, "Contact your people in the environmental protection department and start the fight as soon as she signs the contract."

"You don't need to remind me," Xu Zhao replied nonchalantly. "But don't make any more mistakes on your end."

After hanging up the phone, Fu Chen turned to face the desk, tapping his fingers on the surface, thinking about the next plan.

The secret operation of contacting the environmental protection department has been launched, and his insider has promised to help at the critical moment.

"Come in." Fu Chen heard a slight knock on the door.

Xu Zhiru pushed the door open and walked in, wearing a light pink dress and holding a cup of coffee in her hand.

"Ah Chen, you seem to be in a good mood," she carefully put down the coffee cup, "Is there good news?"

"Not sure yet," Fu Chen took a sip of coffee, his expression gradually relaxing, "but at least there's progress."

"I believe you will succeed," Xu Zhiru approached him and whispered, her fingertips carelessly brushing the back of his hand. "Although Azhao has a strange temper, he is indeed quite capable in the business world."

When Fu Chen heard Xu Zhao's name, his expression stiffened slightly, but he didn't say much.

Meanwhile, inside the Fu Group R&D department's meeting room, the atmosphere was heated and tense. Ning Nanxue stood in front of a projection screen, discussing the bidding proposal for the new energy laboratory with her team.

"The wastewater treatment system will be designed according to the latest standards given to us by President Jiang," Ning Nanxue said clearly and forcefully, pointing to the drawings on the screen. "Although the cost will increase by 15 percent, it's definitely worth it."

"Mr. Ning, will our bid price be too high after this adjustment?" the CFO asked.

"Don't worry," Ning Nanxue smiled confidently. "Compared to other competitors, our advantage lies in the foresight and completeness of our solutions, not just the price."

After the meeting, Secretary Chen walked quickly to Ning Nanxue.

"Boss Ning, everything has been arranged. Boss Fu should be at the Crown Hotel tomorrow at noon."

Ning Nanxue nodded and turned to Jiang Tingchen beside her: "How are the preparations going?"

"Everything has been arranged at Huayun," Jiang Tingchen said in a low voice that only she could hear. "Don't worry, everything is under control."

The next day at noon, in the Crown Hotel restaurant, Ning Nanxue was having lunch with several executives from Huayun Group, chatting and laughing.

Fu Chen strode into the restaurant and immediately spotted Ning Nanxue. He pretended to be surprised and then walked straight over.

"Nanxue, what a coincidence," Fu Chen said warmly, "I heard that you are preparing to bid for the new energy laboratory project?"

"Yes," Ning Nanxue nodded slightly, "Is President Fu also interested in this project?"