23: Xixi, don't cry.
Shang Zhi knew that although these words came from Chen Xuyan's mouth, they were essentially what her uncle Shang Can wanted to say.
He has always wanted to get himself out of here so he could enjoy the high position all to himself.
Shang Zhi gripped the pen tightly in her hand, the pen cap digging a deep mark into her palm, but she felt no pain.
“Mr. Chen, Ruikang paid you to come up with solutions to problems, not to question whether your superiors are even necessary.”
“If you’re so dissatisfied with me, you don’t have to stay at Ruikang. You can write an application, and I’ll give you two more months’ compensation.”
Chen Xuyan was speechless, his face turning red and white as he was publicly reprimanded by this leader who was much younger than him.
"Young Master Shang was in a rather short temper today," Shang Can said, covering for Chen Xuyan.
"Does Mr. Can have any solutions to this problem?"
"There's always a way, Mr. Shang, don't worry..."
"If you don't have anything to say, then stop talking nonsense. I'm busy. Meeting adjourned. Mr. Wei, please stay. Everyone else, please leave."
Just as Shang Can was about to put on airs and launch into a fatherly lecture, Shang Zhi interrupted him, giving him a cold laugh as she stood up.
"President Wei, tell me the truth, do you have any other ideas, even unconventional ones?" After the crowd dispersed, only Shang Can and Wei Anming remained in the conference room.
"Mr. Shang, what do you think about using ordinary steel bars instead?"
Can ordinary steel bars achieve the same strength?
Wei Anming shook his head.
"Or, why don't you go ask President Pei if he can give us some additional investment?"
"No, we might not even be able to recoup our costs if we continue like this. It would be better to cut our losses now."
"You mean the project is suspended and we're not going to do it anymore? But after all, we've come this far with great difficulty."
"I know."
Shang returned to her office, slumped into her chair, and tears welled up in her eyes. She looked up repeatedly, trying to hold them back.
She couldn't give up so easily. It was just a small problem, one she could solve, she told herself over and over again.
"Mingyu, could you please prepare the car for me? I need to go to Wanjia." Shang Zhi called Mingyu.
"Okay, Mr. Shang."
It was a bit cold today, so Shang Zhi wore a trench coat when she went out. Her red lips and curly hair created a gust of wind as she tossed her hair up.
Pei Yanxiu's office was empty. His assistant said he was signing a cooperation agreement in the conference room next door. After a while, the assistant came to tell her that the partner had already left.
She pushed open the conference room door, and there he was, eyes closed, gently massaging the bridge of his nose, his exhaustion barely concealed.
When I looked up again and saw her, my eyes lit up with surprise.
"Xixi, what brings you here?"
"What happened?"
He already knew about PSS that morning, and he knew that it would be a significant challenge for Shang Zhi.
She was just a child who was forced into the treacherous world of adults. Of course she would feel helpless and uneasy. Seeing the endless melancholy in her eyes, he felt very sorry for her.
But when she arrived and stood in that position, she had no other choice but to stand firm and steady.
If he wanted to help her, he could only urge her to grow up rigorously; there were no other options.
"They said this morning that PSS has gone up in price."
"How much did it go up?"
"I don't know the exact figures... I've only heard that prices have gone up a lot."
"How much is currently in stock, and how much is consumed daily?"
"They said it's enough for a month."
"They said? Give me the exact numbers." Pei Yanxiu frowned.
"I don't know."
"You know nothing, you only know what you've heard, and you believe whatever others say?"
Shang Zhi was already having a bad day, and now he had scolded her so much that she was a little dazed. When she looked down, her eyes were a little red.
"Don't cry."
"Shang Zhi, this is the company. If you want to cry, go home and cry. If you haven't done your job properly, just do it. Don't let your emotions get the better of you."
"Don't pity or sympathize with yourself so easily."
He looked at her coldly, his hands desperately wanting to reach out and give her a warm embrace.
But he held back.
She can't be that fragile, and she won't be that fragile; he believes she can.
It's okay if you're angry with him.
"I understand." When Shang Zhi looked up again, the emotion on her face had softened considerably.
"President Pei, I'm feeling very confused right now. I'd like to ask for your guidance. Do you have any good ideas or other suggestions?"
Pei Yanxiu paused, she was indeed angry. She was like this when they were little. Every time he scolded her, she would use polite language, as if she was deliberately creating distance between them.
But let's just be angry.
"Wanjia has a batch that can be given to you in an emergency. The price will not be increased; it will be given to you at the previous market price."
"Then you should contact a few domestic suppliers to see if there are any you have a previous relationship with that can support us."
"What if we can't find it?" He looked at her disappointed and broken eyes, and his heart softened in the end. He took her hand and gently stroked her hair.
"Xixi, don't be afraid, I'm here for you, everything will be alright."
"These things happen all the time. It's normal to panic the first time you encounter it. You'll get used to it later."
Shang Zhixin's heart sank, as if she had suddenly thought of something. She looked up at him and said, "Four years ago, when we first got together, you were just like I am now, weren't you?"
"When I stand in your shoes and look back, I realize that I caused you so much trouble back then."
"Let's not talk about those things." His gaze softened as he recalled the past.
"Well then, Mr. Pei, you go ahead with your work. I should go back to the company now and reflect on the issues you just mentioned to me." Shang Zhi glanced at her watch. Although she was still using polite language, her tone was clearly teasing and joking.
"Um."
When Shang Zhi came out of Wan Jia, her emotions were much more stable than when she came in. She always drew strength from being with him.
So even though he would scold her, he was still the first person she thought of whenever something happened.
Being by his side gives me a strange sense of security.
Shang Zhi went back and had her subordinates prepare several detailed analysis reports on PSS. She also had several relevant companies in China listed one by one, hoping to find out if there were any that could speak on the matter.
The sheer volume of tables and data made her dizzy.
I spent several days stuck in the office, not even having time to eat. Finally, when I stepped into my home at night, I felt dizzy and had a terrible stomachache.
Feeling dazed and confused.
Hearing the commotion, Pei Yanxiu came out and immediately huddled on the sofa, his face pale. He picked up the phone to call the family doctor, but Shang Zhi stopped him.
"Uncle Pei, I'm fine. I just have a stomachache from not eating and I also have low blood sugar. Could you get me something to eat?"
"I'll carry you to bed to rest."
As they spoke, Shang Zhi was already firmly in his arms. His embrace was very warm. Pei Yanxiu helped her take off her shoes and clothes and carefully covered her with a blanket.
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