Chapter 174 No Couples in the Business World
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhixin's face darkened to the extreme, and she bit her lip tightly.
As she grew up, she became extremely averse to anyone bringing up the past, and even more so to anyone mentioning the Jiang family mother and daughter in front of her.
Back then, she was young and her values were not fully developed. She didn't think there was anything wrong with her father taking her mother to pay respects to Jiang Shiyuan's mother. After all, the person was dead, and her mother's willingness to offer incense was already giving that woman enough face.
Looking back now, I realize that my mother was a bit spoiled and arrogant, and she was too hasty in her actions.
She was too eager to assert her status as Mrs. Lin, but she didn't consider the occasion, which gave people something to gossip about. Fortunately, the internet and social media weren't as developed back then, and Jiang Shiyuan's mother wasn't a celebrity, so the matter didn't blow up.
If it were now, both mother and daughter would be nailed to the pillar of shame and drowned in spittle!
What was said unintentionally may have been taken to heart by the listener.
Xie Jinghuai frowned slightly, glanced at Lin Zhixin with an ambiguous look, and then subtly lowered his eyes.
Jiang Shiyuan and Lin Zhixin are only one year apart in age. He knew from the beginning that Lin Zhixin was Lin Chengchou's illegitimate daughter. After Jiang Shiyuan's mother passed away, they were taken back to the Lin family, and Liu Nianrou was officially recognized as his wife.
Whether it's a mistress or a third party, it's immoral and scandalous in any era.
However, children are innocent, and the grudges of the previous generation should not be blamed on the next generation.
Therefore, Xie Jinghuai never looked down on Lin Zhixin because of this, and since she was his benefactor, he placed her in a very important position.
But today, when he learned about this from Jiang Yongxiao, he felt very uncomfortable for some reason.
With his deceased wife's body barely cold, Lin Chengchou, as her husband, couldn't wait to show off his new wife and illegitimate daughter to the public. This was indeed outrageous and excessive.
No wonder Jiang Shiyuan had such a bad relationship with her biological father.
Xie Jinghuai's gaze was deep, and his tongue traced across his teeth.
"Haha... Ah, that's all in the past, let's not talk about it!"
Jiang Yongxiao waved his hand and chuckled, "Miss Lin is highly educated and capable. Our Ayuan is far inferior to you. Fortunately, Ayuan married President Xie and will be well-off for the rest of her life. Otherwise, that child wouldn't know anything, and who knows how badly she would be bullied in society!"
Lin Zhixin's face stiffened, and she almost bit her teeth to pieces.
This Jiang Yongxiao may seem like an uncultured, nouveau riche boss, but in reality, every word he utters is barbed and boastful!
He's a real shrewd guy!
After both sides were seated, the people from Yongheng's side immediately handed over the detailed information of the two patents to Xie Jinghuai.
Xie Jinghuai didn't even glance at it before handing it over to Lin Zhixin, which shows how much he trusts and values her.
The R&D director spoke at length about how promising the two patents were in the market and how valuable they were for development.
Before he could finish speaking, Lin Zhixin impatiently interrupted him:
"If it were really that promising, Chairman Jiang, you wouldn't have been in such a hurry to sell them off, would you?"
The R&D director was drenched in sweat, and Jiang Yongxiao's face stiffened.
Lin Zhixin flipped through the documents quickly, her expression cold and arrogant. "Our CEO Xie took time out of his busy schedule to come here, not to listen to your nonsense. Since we're here to discuss business, I hope Chairman Jiang can show some sincerity and not waste each other's time."
Jiang Yongxiao laughed awkwardly, "Ms. Lin, you can't say that. If it weren't for our need for working capital, I would never have sold these two 'treasures of the house.' Selling them doesn't mean they have no value. Besides, they were all independently developed by our founder, Ms. Jiang. Foreign companies have wanted to buy them before, but we haven't sold them yet!"
When Jiang Shiyuan's mother, Ms. Jiang, was mentioned, Xie Jinghuai frowned slightly, as he had heard of her before.
Jiang Shiyuan's mother was the founder of this technology company. He had heard his father briefly recount Ms. Jiang's rise to wealth. In just a few words, he could sense that his father had a great deal of admiration for Ms. Jiang.
Later, it was said that she fell seriously ill and never recovered, causing the development of Yongheng Technology to stagnate. Later, the core team was poached by Lin Chengchou, who founded what is now Yuntu Dongfang Technology.
Xie Jinghuai had known about these past events for a long time, but after listening to them, even though everything was related to Jiang Shiyuan, he remained indifferent.
After all, the business world is like a battlefield, where only the victors are remembered and the losers are condemned. No matter what form of failure takes, it is still a failure in his eyes.
Jiang Shiyuan's mother will not be an exception either.
"Chairman Jiang's words might fool an ignorant fool, but to say them in front of our General Manager Xie is a bit like showing off one's limited skills before an expert, isn't it?"
Lin Zhixin looked disdainful and casually tossed the document onto the table. "Patents also have an expiration date. They can't just be developed and left there to make money forever. If it were that easy, this company would be too easy to run."
Jiang Yongxiao bit down hard on his cheekbone.
"If we don't keep up with the trends of the technological age and innovate and upgrade in time, all those past glories will be nothing more than a pile of scrap metal."
That's incredibly insulting!
Although Jiang Yongxiao was also a profit-driven person, he was still quite angry to hear Lin Zhixin mock his sister's scientific research achievements.
But no matter how angry he was, he had to suppress his anger. After all, the other party was the buyer, and he could only endure it in order to facilitate the deal.
Xie Jinghuai, who had remained silent all along, finally spoke, his tone somewhat casual, as he lightly tapped the table with his fingertips:
"What's the price?"
Han Xu immediately replied, "Two patents, a total of one hundred million. Thank you, Mr. Xie."
"One hundred million?"
Lin Zhixin sneered, "Chairman Jiang, you could have easily taken it, but you still gave us two patents. You're too kind."
Jiang Yongxiao's face gradually began to show embarrassment. He gritted his teeth and said, "These are two patents. Is asking for 100 million too much?"
Lin Zhixin tossed her long, straight black hair, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Once we get our hands on it, we'll need to process and upgrade your patent before we can release it, which will be another considerable expense. We're not looking to make a lot of money, but we can't be expected to do business at a loss, can we?"
Although Xie Jinghuai remained silent, his eyes revealed his affirmation of Lin Zhixin's words, and he nodded slightly.
This made Lin Zhixin's expression even more smug.
Han Xu sneered in his mind: Look at that face, a petty person who has gotten his way!
Jiang Yongxiao was desperate for money, so he had no choice but to grit his teeth and compromise, "Then how much are you prepared to offer?"
Lin Zhixin spread her delicate five fingers.
"Fifty million?! No way... We won't even recoup the R&D costs! This is absolutely unacceptable!"
Jiang Yongxiao flatly refused, his heart aching with regret. He gazed expectantly into Xie Jinghuai's unfathomable dark eyes, "Mr. Xie, Ayuan is your wife. The Jiang and Xie families are related, and I am Ayuan's only family in this world besides her father. Could you please consider that I am Ayuan's uncle...?"
Thirty million.
Xie Jinghuai's deep, magnetic voice rang out, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure.
Jiang Yongxiao and his subordinates were all dumbfounded: "What?!"
Lin Zhixin's lips curled into a dark smile that she could hardly suppress.
The business world is like a battlefield; where there's only profit, there's no room for kinship. Brother Jinghuai doesn't even respect Jiang Shiyuan's mother, so why would he care about your shameless uncle? It's laughable.
“I will only offer 30 million. If Chairman Jiang agrees, we will sign the transfer contract on the spot.”
Xie Jinghuai tapped his fingertips on the table, his dark, narrow eyes slightly closed. "If you don't agree, then please find a more suitable buyer."
"Xie Jinghuai, you've gone too far!"
Jiang Yongxiao, unable to contain himself any longer, slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "These two patents are the result of A-Yuan's mother's hard work! Even if you don't care about me, you can't give me this much for the sake of your wife and my niece! What's the difference between this and giving alms to a beggar?!"
Han Xu was also stunned.
He knew all too well that the CEO was a shrewd and ruthless capitalist who would never allow himself to suffer any loss in the business world. But he never expected that he would scheme against the young mistress's family to this extent!
When will Mr. Xie learn to cherish his young mistress?
"In business, there are no fathers and sons, let alone husbands and wives, in the marketplace."
Xie Jinghuai's tone was icy and showed no mercy, "If Chairman Jiang could find the buyer she wanted, she wouldn't have come to the Xie family, would she?"
"The fact that I've come all the way to Yongheng to sit down and have a proper discussion with you is already out of consideration for my wife. Otherwise, with these two outdated patents, it wouldn't have been worth Miss Lin and me making this trip at all."
This statement is clearly an assertion—
Jiang Yongxiao was desperate and had no choice but to rely on relatives and friends and use Jiang Shiyuan's connection to him.
Han Xu sighed, rubbing his forehead: If he didn't open his mouth, this CEO was actually quite handsome...
"Thirty million? No way! Our Eternal Technology products aren't worth such humiliation!"
Jiang Yongxiao was furious. "Secretary Zhang, show the guests out!"
Xie Jinghuai's handsome face was unreadable; he stood up gracefully and strode away without looking back.
"Ha, so concerned with saving face that it's a recipe for suffering." Lin Zhixin scoffed coldly, following closely behind the man.
After Xie's people left, the R&D director hurriedly asked, "Chairman Jiang, although 30 million is a bit little, every little bit counts. The new energy vehicle sector is waiting for an injection of funds to keep the business running. If you don't sell to Xie's, no one else will buy it. In the end, it will really just be a pile of scrap metal stuck in your hands!"
"Tsk, what do you know?"
Jiang Yongxiao leaned back lazily, his face full of blind confidence that he was in control of the situation. "You know, this is a negotiation technique? If I agree too easily, then in Xie Jinghuai's eyes, the goods I have will really only be worth so little."
I withstood the pressure and refused to sell, adopting a strong stance. Once he realized what was going on, he would naturally raise the price.
I refuse to believe my sister's research achievements are only worth this little bit of money!
...
Outside the Yongheng Technology Company, two luxury cars were parked end to end.
"Zhixin, thank you for coming with me today." Xie Jinghuai expressed his gratitude to her in a gentle voice.
Lin Zhixin pursed her lips shyly, "It's alright, Brother Jinghuai, this is my duty. As long as it helps you, that's all that matters."
The man smiled slightly. "You did very well."
"By the way, Brother Jinghuai, don't fall for Jiang Yongxiao's little tricks. His temper is all an act. As long as you stay calm, he'll come looking for you on his own in a few days."
"Um."
Xie Jinghuai paused for a moment, then asked with a calm expression, "Zhixin, you said that Jiang Shiyuan's mother's research results are worthless. Is this a negotiation tactic, or is it truly the case from your professional perspective?"
"It's a negotiation tactic, but it's also a fact."
Lin Zhixin curled her red lips slightly, a hint of arrogance and disdain in her expression. "From a modern technological perspective, they're just two clumsy pieces of trash. Brother Jinghuai, you're already taking them in out of respect for your sister and showing extra care for Yongheng."
In reality, the founder of Eternity was simply born in a good era. As a woman engaged in scientific research, it's inevitable that she receives more attention. However, her level of expertise, even by today's standards, is merely average; many female researchers abroad could easily reach her level.
Xie Jinghuai remained noncommittal, seemingly lost in thought, "Is that so? I understand."
...
After Xie's people left, Jiang Shiyuan could no longer contain his anger and called Jiang Yongxiao directly.
Jiang Yongxiao did intend to avoid her, but since she had already come to his doorstep, he couldn't refuse to see her.
Secretary Zhang led Jiang Shiyuan into the chairman's office.
She stood in the center of the room, looking around at the familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings, a sense of desolation rising in her heart.
When she was little, she often came here, sat on the sofa, played with mechanical models, and waited for her mother to come home from get off work.
Many nights, she would fall asleep on the sofa, only to wake up in a daze and see the light still on, her mother still working at her desk, seemingly tireless.
But now, this office has changed owners and has undergone a complete transformation. Not only have they replaced the sofa and installed a wine cabinet, but they've also set up a mini golf simulator.
This clearly shows how much Chairman Jiang knows how to enjoy life, yet he has completely lost sight of the core essence of eternity he once possessed.
“Ah Yuan, you’re such an impatient child. Your uncle will help you with your job search, there’s no need to rush…”
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Shiyuan interrupted him coldly, his gaze piercing:
"My mother's invention patent must never be sold!"
Jiang Yongxiao looked surprised. "How did you know? Did Xie Jinghuai tell you?"
"You don't need to know how I know, but I will never allow you to sell my mother's hard work!"
Jiang Shiyuan clenched his fists tightly at his sides, his eyes red-rimmed. "My mother has passed away. These inventions are what she left me, what she left for the company, the foundation of the company!"
If you sell them, all eternity will be no different from falling apart! How can Mother rest in peace in the afterlife?
"A tree dies when transplanted, but a person thrives. Ah Yuan, how can you be so conservative and old-fashioned at such a young age?"
Jiang Yongxiao sighed and shook his head. "Over the years, I have devoted myself to Yongheng, and I have been unable to sleep all night. I have really risked my old bones to protect my sister's family business."
But now the company's cash flow has dried up in order to develop new energy projects. If it can't raise money, the workshop will have to stop production and it won't even be able to pay the employees' wages!
What will you talk about then, your hopes and foundation? Keeping the company's inventory going is more important than anything else. I think your mother, if she's watching from heaven, will understand the decision I've made.
The atmosphere was frozen and oppressive.
Jiang Shiyuan, her eyes red-rimmed, took a deep breath and asked, "Have you already sold the patent to Xie Jinghuai?"
"The deal isn't finalized yet. Your husband's offer is too low, and that little vixen from the Lin family is maliciously driving down the price, making Ayu's hard work seem worthless!"
Jiang Yongxiao gritted his teeth, "Is Lin Chengchou raising a daughter? Isn't she a complete meddlesome little devil? Just like her parents!"
"Uncle, I'll find a way to solve your funding problem. Please don't sell the patent yet." Jiang Shiyuan's chest heaved, a burning anger making his throat taste bitter.
Jiang Yongxiao's eyes lit up. "A-Yuan, do you have a solution?"
"I can only try my best."
Jiang Yongxiao sighed helplessly, "Alright then, but I can only give you a week at most. If there's no result after a week, I can't help you anymore."
"Okay, then a week it is."
After saying that, Jiang Shiyuan turned to leave.
"My eldest niece."
Jiang Yongxiao suddenly stopped her and asked tentatively, "What is the relationship between that girl from the Lin family and Xie Jinghuai? Why does Xie Jinghuai take her everywhere he goes?"
On the contrary, your uncle has never seen you and your husband together in all these years, and he hasn't helped Yongheng at all in the past five years. Between the two of you... is there really no problem?"
"No problem, thank you for your concern, Uncle."
Jiang Shiyuan didn't turn around, her voice tense, "I have something to do, I'll take my leave now."
The door slammed shut.
Jiang Yongxiao's smile vanished abruptly, his fingertips stroking his chin, his gaze dark and unfathomable.
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