Chapter 24: The expectation of cooperation is something only he knows, something difficult to express...
The meeting room was silent, except for Lin Yuwei's clear voice. Gu Qingyan gazed at her, his eyes revealing professional approval: "A very professional solution. Qichen needs to further evaluate these technical details. We will provide your team with a detailed technical evaluation report and project budget tomorrow."
As the Venucia team left, several engineers couldn't help but glance at Lin Yuwei again, their eyes filled with admiration. Xiaoyu couldn't help but whisper, "Ms. Lin, your conversation just now was so professional, I almost couldn't keep up..."
On the way back, the atmosphere in the van was much more relaxed than on the way there. Xiaoyu finally couldn't help but let out a long sigh and slumped back in her seat: "Hey, you know, we used to envy the people at Qichen, working in top-tier office buildings every day, surrounded by handsome elites. It's like something out of an idol drama! But after going in there, I realized I don't have the ability to envy them."
Chen Lu pushed up her glasses and nodded with a sense of sympathy: "Yes, I thought so when I first went in. The environment was impeccable, and everyone really did look like they had stepped out of a financial magazine, but..." She changed the subject and made a lingering look: "As soon as that President Gu opened his mouth, my envy vanished instantly."
“Right, right!” Xiaoyu immediately sat up straight: “When he looked at me, I didn’t dare to breathe. I felt like a primary school student caught cheating on a test! If he were the boss, I would be scared to death dozens of times over.”
At this moment, Li Xiao, who had been listening quietly, shook her head and expressed a different opinion: "If you ask me, working in our studio is the best. The work atmosphere is good, and even if you want to see handsome guys, you don't have to envy others." As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at Zhou Xubai sitting next to Lin Yuwei: "Our President Zhou, whether in terms of looks or temperament, is in no way inferior to President Gu, okay? And his temper is much better. At least he won't scare people into wanting to write a resignation letter."
A knowing laugh immediately filled the car. Zhou Xubai was a little embarrassed by the comment. He smiled gently and said, "Li Xiao is just being polite to me. President Gu's aura is indeed extraordinary. I have to admit that."
He turned to Lin Yuwei, his eyes filled with admiring smiles: "But what I admire most today is Yuwei. Under such great pressure, she was still so calm and composed, and answered so fluently."
As he spoke, his gaze remained gentle on Lin Yuwei: "To be honest, when you started explaining the design concept, even the engineers at Qichen were impressed by your professionalism. Although President Gu is strict, he ultimately had to approve your proposal."
Xiaoyu immediately chimed in, "President Zhou is right! Sister Yuwei was absolutely radiant just now! Especially when you were talking to President Gu, your aura was just as strong as his."
Zhou Xubai smiled slightly, his tone tinged with pride: "This is the power of professionalism. Yuwei's understanding and dedication to art and design is the soul of this project."
Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere in the car became more relaxed. Zhou Xubai looked at Lin Yuwei and said in a gentler tone, "Are you tired? Go back and get some rest. You must have had a tough day."
His thoughtfulness warmed Lin Yuwei's heart. She responded softly, "I'm fine, not tired. Everyone did a great job today. Everyone has their own expertise. We are an art and design team. We don't need to compare ourselves with Qichen Technology in the field of computers. We need to be confident when communicating with them in the future and never give in."
Zhou Xubai nodded, his eyes full of appreciation: "You led the project well. To be honest, after today's experience, I am even more convinced that only you can handle this project."
****
When Lin Yuwei received the project evaluation report and cooperation draft from Venucia Technology, the city lights were already on.
She made herself a cup of coffee and sat down at her desk to carefully review the report. It was extremely professional, the technical feasibility analysis incisive, and the solution precise and to the point. However, when she turned to the last page, the price quote, her hand holding the coffee cup froze. The figure was unbelievably low, barely covering the basic costs.
"This is impossible... They've taken on such a large project, and the quote is almost the same as the one Zhichuang Internet quoted initially." She immediately asked her assistant, Xiao Li, to contact Qichen's project contact person to confirm. An hour later, Xiao Li brought back a message: "Teacher Lin, Qichen has confirmed it. That's the quote. They said... President Gu personally decided on it."
"Gu Qingyan decided it himself?" Lin Yuwei was even more puzzled. Could it be...? But Gu Qingyan was no longer the obedient shadow who listened to her every word. How could he reduce the project price by real money because of past love and hate entanglements?
The next day, Xiao Li took the opportunity of delivering supplementary materials to visit Qichen Technology. When he returned, he mysteriously approached Lin Yuwei's office.
"Teacher Lin, I've found out something!" Xiao Li lowered his voice: "The people in the Venucia project department said that their initial quote was 60% higher than the current one, and it was rejected by President Gu."
Lin Yuwei was stunned: "Why?"
"I heard that General Manager Gu said in an internal meeting that the cultural value of this project cannot be measured simply in money, and that the company's 'Cultural Heritage Support Fund' was used to subsidize costs... People in the project team said that this is the first time Venucia has used this fund for a small project."
Lin Yuwei waved for Xiao Li to leave first, and the door closed gently. She stood alone in front of the French window, gazing at the scenery outside, her heart filled with turbulent emotions.
The city's bustling streets seemed to be separated from her by a pane of glass. She was finally certain that behind that unusually low price was Gu Qingyan's unwavering support and approval. He showed no condescension and didn't even want her to know the truth. He simply provided her and her team with the most needed and timely assistance in the most professional and respectful way.
A complex emotion spread through her heart—gratitude, surprise, and perhaps a touch of indescribable emotion. She recalled his sharp yet professional questions at the meeting, and the meticulousness and thoughtfulness that might be hidden beneath his cold exterior.
She sighed softly, her slender fingers swiping across the phone screen. Her fingertips hesitated above the chat box before she typed a long message, wanting to express her complex gratitude and understanding.
"Mr. Gu, we received the official draft contract today. Thank you very much for your professionalism and efficiency, as well as that of the Venucia team. Although you didn't say much about the pricing, I know its weight and significance. This support is crucial for me and for Shiguang. We will never let you down."
She read it once, felt it was too formal, and deleted the second half.
"Mr. Gu, the contract has been received. Thank you so much. I know you may not need my thanks, but I still want to say that my team and I will remember this timely assistance."
After reading it again, it seemed too sentimental, which didn't match his businesslike attitude.
She edited and revised, deliberating repeatedly, until finally, all her complex emotions were condensed into a simple yet profound sentence. She took a deep breath and pressed the send button.
On the phone screen, only one seemingly ordinary line of text remained, yet it carried a thousand unspoken words:
"Mr. Gu, thank you. I look forward to future cooperation."
****
Meanwhile, in the president's office of Venucia Technology.
Vice President Lu Ming leaned against Gu Qingyan's desk, dangling the newly signed project documents in his hand, a playful smile on his face: "President Gu, explain yourself? This deal is a loss-making attempt to gain publicity? This isn't like you at all."
Gu Qingyan didn't even look up, continuing to review the documents in his hands, his tone flat: "It's a strategic need for the company to set an industry benchmark."
Lu Ming propped his elbows on Gu Qingyan's desk, grinning like a cunning fox, and lowered his voice: "Oh—! I completely understand now!"
Gu Qingyan looked up from the document and stared at him expressionlessly.
"No wonder you were so adamant about not letting the project team bid for this project." Lu Ming drawled, pointing at Gu Qingyan with his finger. "And you've been keeping an eye on things over there all along, so that's what you were waiting for!"
He clapped his hands suddenly, his face full of smug satisfaction, as if to say, "I've finally caught you!" "A true hunter always appears as prey! He waits for the beauty to be driven to the brink and come to him for help. Brilliant! Old Gu, you're truly brilliant! That feigned indifference was a brilliant move!"
Gu Qingyan listened to his impassioned "analysis" without expression, then simply lowered his head again, his pen tracing paths across the document, his tone calm and even: "You flatter me. I didn't bid before because I felt that many things can't be forced. Now, it's just a matter of chance, the right time, the right place, and the right people." He spoke with perfect composure, completely businesslike, without a trace of personal motive.
Lu Mingcai didn't believe his nonsense. He chuckled, leaned closer, and said in an even more irritating tone, "Alright, alright, everything's perfect. But seriously," he said, his joking expression fading slightly, replaced by genuine admiration, "this Miss Lin you've taken a liking to is truly remarkable. She only came once yesterday, and those arrogant guys in the technical department were all talking about her when they got back. They said not only does she look like a celebrity, but her professional skills are also so strong, she answers questions fluently, and she has such a powerful aura. She's completely captivated our engineers. It's a pity I was on a business trip yesterday, otherwise I could have caught a glimpse of her." He nudged Gu Qingyan with his elbow, "Of all the waters in the world, you only choose one. You have a discerning eye, Mr. Gu."
Gu Qingyan's fingers, which were flipping through the documents, paused almost imperceptibly before resuming their normal posture. She simply replied, "She has always been outstanding." Her tone was calm, but she did not refute Lu Ming's statement that "you had your eye on her."
As if he had seized upon some enormous weakness, Lu Ming immediately beamed with joy: "Oh, so you're protecting her now? Then I wish you not only success in 'winning the heart of your beauty,' but also that you can make up for this financial 'loss' with interest!"
Gu Qingyan finally looked up again, gave him a cold glance, and said sparingly, "Finished? If you're done, you can go back to work."
Having achieved his goal, Lu Ming straightened up with satisfaction, shaking his head as he walked out, "Tsk, some people say they won't force things, but their actions speak louder than words..." In response, Gu Qingyan accurately tossed a folder onto his back. Lu Ming laughed loudly, nimbly slipped away, and closed the door behind him.
The office fell silent again, but Gu Qingyan's gaze did not immediately return to the documents. He swiped his finger across the screen, and the short message from Lin Yuwei reappeared: "Mr. Gu, thank you. Looking forward to future cooperation."
His gaze lingered on that line of text for a moment, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the cold edge of the phone. Unseen by anyone, the corner of his lips seemed to twitch very slightly, like a tiny crack in melting snow, fleeting in an instant.
He didn't reply in the end, but simply turned off his phone screen and placed it face down on the table. When he picked up his pen again, his gaze seemed a little softer than usual, but he quickly immersed himself in his work again, as if that moment of distraction had never happened. Only he knew that an indescribable expectation had been quietly planted within him.
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