Chapter 419 Zhou Mubin did it on purpose.
Cui Xiao thought for a moment, then answered, "Go on."
Sun Lu had never bowed her head to Cui Xiao, even when Cui Xiao helped her. But now, Sun Lu had no choice but to curry favor with Cui Xiao. "Sister, Zhou Lu just called me and asked me to go back to work tomorrow."
Cui Xiao casually placed her phone on the stand with the speakerphone on, making a soft sound, her tone completely indifferent, "So?"
She knew Sun Lu's personality all too well; this hesitant stammering was definitely not just a simple announcement of good news.
Sun Lu frowned. It was that arrogant attitude again, which was really infuriating. However, she still kept her voice gentle, even with a hint of deliberate flattery. "Sister, although Zhou Lu asked me to go back to work, he also said that he only gave me this opportunity because of you. My salary has been reduced a lot, from an annual salary of one million to a monthly salary of twenty thousand."
Twenty thousand?
Zhou Mubin only agreed to let Sun Lu go back and discuss the terms. As for the salary, it could be adjusted appropriately, but she really didn't expect it to be a monthly salary of 20,000.
In other cities, life might be quite comfortable, but this is a port city where land is incredibly valuable and the cost of living is extremely high; even a cleaner's salary is 30,000 yuan.
Twenty thousand a month is not much, but it is acceptable for a recent college graduate intern, since many interns do not receive a salary at the beginning.
Cui Xiao remained calm, "Just say what you have to say."
Sun Lu paused, then quickly added, "I just went online to check the rent in Hong Kong, and it's so expensive! Twenty thousand yuan a month, after deducting rent and utilities, isn't even enough for food..."
At this point, Sun Lu's voice became pleading, "Sister, I know that staying here has caused you a lot of trouble, but I really can't do anything about it. Could... could I stay a little longer? Once I get a raise, or find a cheaper place, I'll move out immediately and won't bother you anymore."
Sun Lu even deliberately adopted a pitiful, tearful tone, completely different from her usual arrogant demeanor when speaking to Cui Xiao.
But in Cui Xiao's eyes, she had absolutely no sympathy.
Cui Xiao said, "Sun Lu, I've already given you a lot of face by pleading with Lawyer Zhou to help you keep your job, but that doesn't mean you can push your luck."
"Am I pushing my luck?"
Sun Lu's voice instantly rose, her earlier timidity largely gone. She couldn't hold back any longer. "I just want to stay a little longer. Your house is so big, there's no point in leaving a guest room empty. What's wrong with letting me stay there? I'm your sister, after all. Can you really bear to let me live alone outside?"
Cui Xiao's eyes turned cold. "What's there to be reluctant about? Besides, I bought this house myself after working overtime for eleven years. Every inch of it is stained with my blood and sweat. I have no obligation to let you live here for free."
Sun Lu sneered, "To put it bluntly, you're just short of money, aren't you? At worst, I'll rent your room and pay you the rent."
Cui Xiao stared straight ahead, her cold eyes flashing with a cold light. "Alright, my house is in a prime location in the city center, with a good layout and convenient transportation. I'll give you a discount from the market price, making it 10,000 to 50,000 a month. You pay me a year's rent upfront, plus an extra month's rent as a deposit. Utilities are separate. Transfer the money to me now, and I'll let you move in."
Sun Lu's fingers gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her nails almost digging into her flesh.
But thinking of the high rent outside and her current salary, she still gritted her teeth and argued, "Sister, I'm really having a hard time right now. We're sisters, can't you help me one more time? I'll definitely give you the money, but please give me some time."
Jin Ping has no savings at all. As long as Cui Xiao doesn't give them money, Jin Ping simply can't afford to help Sun Lu.
Cui Xiao's tone remained unwavering. "Keeping your job is the limit of what I can do. Since you can't come up with the money, go to work tomorrow and pack your things while you're at it. If you can't find a place to live right now, I can help you contact an agency to find a few affordable shared apartments, but you'll have to pay the rent yourself."
After saying that, Cui Xiao was about to hang up the phone, "I have something to do, let's leave it at that."
Sun Lu wanted to lash out and throw things, but considering her current situation, she ultimately swallowed her anger.
——
Half an hour later, Cui Xiao, dressed in a smart beige suit, arrived at the Zhou Group building half an hour ahead of schedule.
As she walked into the top-floor conference room carrying the heavy cooperation proposal, her steps suddenly stopped.
In the guest seat next to the head of the table, Zhou Mubin was sitting comfortably, gently twirling a pen between his fingers. His dark gray suit accentuated his calm and composed demeanor, just as he usually appeared at the law firm.
He clearly hadn't expected her to come in at this time. When he looked up, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, which then turned into a faint smile as he silently raised an eyebrow at her.
"Vice President Cui, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
A gentle male voice came from behind, and Cui Xiao finally came back to her senses.
A tall, upright man walked to the head of the table. He bore a striking resemblance to Zhou Mubin in terms of his features, but possessed a more mature and composed demeanor. He was Zhou Weicheng, the strategic and shrewd president of the Zhou Group.
Cui Xiao immediately composed herself and quickly stepped forward to hand over the proposal. "Hello, Mr. Zhou, I am Cui Xiao. This is the cooperation proposal for the Chengnan Commercial Complex prepared by our Dongya Group. Please take a look."
Zhou Weicheng took the proposal, smiled, and gestured with his chin towards Zhou Mubin, "Let me introduce you to Vice President Cui. This is my younger brother, Zhou Mubin. He happened to come to the company today to discuss some matters with me, and since you two are familiar with each other, I decided to let him stay and offer his advice."
Cui Xiao's heart skipped a beat.
What a coincidence! She was here to discuss cooperation today, and Zhou Mubin came to talk to Zhou Weicheng.
Why did we have to talk about it now that she's here?
Nine times out of ten, Zhou Mubin did it on purpose.
Cui Xiao maintained a polite distance, then nodded to Zhou Mubin, her fingers unconsciously clenching.
The cooperation negotiations officially began, and Cui Xiao quickly got into work mode.
She opened her laptop and clearly explained the core of the plan: "The Zhou family has over twenty years of experience in high-end commercial operations, and our project plan focuses on innovative family-oriented business formats, achieving on-demand matching. These are the market research data I conducted: there are five high-end residential communities within a three-kilometer radius, with school-age children accounting for 37% of the population, indicating a significant gap in family-oriented consumption demand..."
She speaks at a steady pace, with meticulous logic. When she talks about key data, she unconsciously raises her hand to gesture, and the Cartier bracelet on her wrist sways gently, adding a touch of liveliness beyond her professionalism.
Zhou Mubin didn't interrupt at all, but just leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on Cui Xiao.
He had seen her decisive and efficient handling of matters at the law firm, and he had seen her cold and aloof demeanor in private, but he had never really observed her closely when she talked about work.
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