Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Negotiations must cater to the other party's needs and be sincere...
Ms. Chi was still talking to herself, saying that she was very satisfied with Shen Zhuo and wanted to meet him as soon as possible. She didn't see Shen Zhuo's expression of shock and confusion.
Chen Zhuo declined as usual on the grounds that he was too busy with work, but he didn't expect that Ms. Chi would be so persistent this time.
How can I let go of this young man with such good conditions?
Seeing that Ms. Chi was on the verge of getting angry, she brought up the matter of her buying wine. Shen Zhuo knew that he was in the wrong, so he finally agreed out of helplessness.
After hanging up the phone, Shen Zhuo felt something was wrong. Something was very wrong! When Ms. Chi heard that she had agreed to meet up and didn't even bother with her about drinking, Shen Zhuo was afraid that she had been deceived, so he quickly bombarded the general with messages, explaining the whole process.
The general, whose full name is Jiang Jun, is Chen Zhuo's high school classmate and college alumnus, and also her best friend. Jiang Jun is a screenwriter and is currently working with the crew.
When Jiang Jun heard Chen Zhuo say that the other party was selling sex toys, his screen was filled with "Hahaha..." and he joked, "I think it's great. It can cure your sexual frigidity! Congratulations, you can finally live a happy sex life in the future. By the way, ask their company if they have any good products and recommend them to me. Also, I don't like the penetration position..."
"..." Chen Zhuo was speechless: "Jiang Jun! You don't want to live anymore, do you?"
The other party directly sent a private Marseille emoticon package. It should be said that Jiang Jun was still very serious when he needed to be serious. He switched his status in a second: "Sao Ao Rui~ Let's get back to the topic. Auntie, have you met her? I'm afraid she went to one of those marriage agencies. You don't know, they have a lot of tricks!"
Chen Zhuo: "How do you say that?"
Jiang Jun: "If you say someone is good-looking, it just means they have all the right features! If you say they are mature and stable, it means they look old and greasy! If you say they have a good family background, it means they might have character issues. If you say they have a stable job, it means they don't earn much..."
Jiang Jun listed several items in one breath, and Shen Zhuo was stunned. How could they all be correct?
Chen Zhuo: "What if you say someone is nice?" She held on to the last glimmer of hope, trying to hear a good word from Jiang Jun.
Jiang Jun: "Well... that's really nothing to praise."
…
Shao Chengzhang had no idea that the image of him in Shen Zhuo's mind had changed in just a few dozen minutes from a sex toy store owner to a sex toy store owner with only the facial features, greasy looks, bad character, low income, and nothing else.
He suddenly sneezed. As the car drove towards Yihai Villa, Shao Chengzhang glanced at the temperature on the dashboard, which clearly showed 24 degrees.
The Cayenne finally stopped in front of a majestic and dignified Chinese-style villa, and the carved iron gate slowly opened. Shao Chengzhang turned the steering wheel into the courtyard and saw a Rolls-Royce Phantom, the car of his eldest brother, Shao Chengke.
In the living room, Lan Fuyu was standing by a wooden flower stand, trimming a bouquet. She was wearing a dark blue brocade cheongsam with mid-sleeves, accessorized with a pair of pearl earrings. Her hair was neatly combed and tied up in a bun, and her every move was full of elegance. Shao Chengke watched from the side.
Shao Chengzhang walked into the villa, crossed the corridor and came to the living room, and what he saw was a picture of a loving mother and a filial son.
Shao Chengzhang turned his eyes slightly, coughed lightly, and greeted the two of them: "Mom, big brother."
Lan Fuyu stopped smiling when she heard the voice and turned around. She glanced at Shao Chengzhang indifferently and said "hmm" in response.
"Chengzhang, here you come!" In comparison, Shao Chengke was much more enthusiastic.
Shao Chengzhang forced a smile and said, "I'll go see Dad." He was about to leave, but Lan Fuyu stopped him, "Your father has been busy with social events with Old Master Guan these past few days. He's still resting, so let's not disturb him for now."
Lan Fuyu put down the pruning shears, put her hand on her hair and straightened it, and said, "I'll go upstairs first." After that, she walked around Shao Chengzhang and went upstairs.
Shao Chengzhang lowered his eyes, hiding a hint of disgust.
After Lan Fuyu walked away, Shao Chengke stepped forward and put his hand on Shao Chengzhang's shoulder. "It seems that father really intends to marry into the Guan family."
Shao Chengzhang calmed down, smiled, and said, "He has no say in my affairs."
*
Dinner was ready, and Lan Fuyu helped Shao Song downstairs. Shao Song was already in his sixties, but he was still energetic, with distinct brow bones and eyes as sharp as an eagle's, and he was intimidating without being angry.
Shao Chengke and Shao Chengzhang walked towards the restaurant and saw Shao Song coming downstairs. They called out "Dad" in unison.
The Shao family has a strict family tradition, and the rule is not to talk while eating. When they were almost done, Shao Song picked up the napkin to wipe his mouth and said slowly: "Cheng Zhang, now that your small company is stable, find someone to take over and go back to work at Shao Heng."
When he was in college, Shao Chengzhang partnered with a friend who studied design to open a cultural and trendy toy company. It was one of the first companies in the country to develop trendy toys and is currently the largest and most well-known cultural and entertainment company in the country.
Shao Heng Group was founded by Shao Song from scratch. After decades of development, Shao Heng has become a leading multinational enterprise with both financial and industrial businesses, and one of the most famous conglomerates in China.
Shao Song has always looked down upon Shao Chengzhang's trendy toy company, thinking it was not a proper business.
Shao Chengke nodded in agreement and said, "Chengzhang, if you want to come back, I'll make the arrangements."
Lan Fuyu paused after hearing this, glared at her son, and then returned to normal. However, this subtle movement was still caught by Shao Chengzhang. The first thing Shao Chengzhang learned when he returned to the Shao family was to read people's expressions.
Shao Chengzhang put down his bowl and chopsticks and said coldly: "It's almost the middle of the year, and the whole company is busy with the platform's e-commerce plan. I have no plans to go back to Shao Heng."
Shao Song snorted: "You must remember your last name is Shao!"
Shao Chengzhang looked at Shao Song, met his gaze, and said word by word: "Of course I know my last name, father." Shao Chengzhang almost gritted his teeth as he called out this name, then his eyes turned slightly, his gaze passing over Lan Fuyu, "Shao Heng, it's enough to have big brother here."
Lan Fuyu lowered her eyes. She knew that these words were spoken to her: Shao Chengzhang would not take his eldest brother's position.
Shao Song's tone softened slightly: "Okay, I can leave your work alone for now. Guan Xin should be back soon, so go pick her up in person when she comes back."
Shao Chengzhang said perfunctorily: "I don't have time."
Shao Song raised his voice and said sternly, "If you don't have time, make some! I won't beat around the bush with you. These days, I've been with the old man of the Guan family to discuss your marriage with Guan Xin. The Guan family is well-known in City A. In the future, everyone who has a relationship with the Guan family must give some face, not only for yourself but also for Shao Heng..."
Shao Chengzhang sneered and said slowly, "That's right, an adopted daughter and an illegitimate child sound like a good match."
The word "illegitimate child" sounded particularly harsh to the upright and respectable Shao family.
"Cheng Zhang!" Shao Chengke indicated that he had gone a little too far.
"You—" Shao Song slammed the table in anger. Lan Fuyu raised her hand and patted him on the back to comfort him. She turned to Shao Chengzhang and said, "Chengzhang, how can you talk to your father like that!"
Shao Chengzhang was too lazy to continue talking here, so he stood up and said, "You have no right to interfere with my work, and the same goes for my marriage. I'll go back after I finish eating. Father, Mother, and Big Brother, goodbye."
After saying that, Shao Chengzhang walked out of the villa, leaving behind what he thought was a family of three.
He really didn't know what the point of having a family dinner every month was. They were obviously a family, and he didn't fit in with them.
The Cayenne started, Shao Chengzhang turned the steering wheel and drove out of the iron gate, stepped on the accelerator, and instantly disappeared in front of the door of Shao's villa.
Shao Chengzhang did not go directly back to his apartment in the city center. Instead, he drove into a neon-lit street, which was the bar street in City A.
At the end of the street, there is an inconspicuous bar. It does not have a glittering signboard. The doorhead is a rough-textured volcanic rock slab with a relief of the word "渡" (crossing) on it. A soft light strip is laid under the stone slab, reflecting a warm yellow light.
Shao Chengzhang parked the car on the side of the road, opened the door and went in.
Today was the weekend, so there were more customers than usual. Many people were already waiting at the door. Shao Chengzhang's entrance attracted the attention and following of many of the waiting girls. After entering, he didn't turn into the inner area, but walked straight to the back and opened a hidden door that led to the second floor.
The second floor is spacious, but only has a few tables and four booths. The gleaming leather couches, retro lamps, and vinyl records slowly spinning on a record player exude luxury, creating a stark contrast to the frivolous bustle of the lower floors. This area is also open only to SVIP guests, and currently only one booth is occupied by a customer.
A young man with shoulder-length hair was making cocktails at the bar. He was the owner of "Du", Liang Yuchen.
Seeing Shao Chengzhang coming over, Boss Liang was a little surprised: "How come you have time to come here?" After mixing two cocktails, he asked the waiter next to him to bring them to the guests.
Shao Chengzhang curled his lips: "Come to see if your bar has closed down."
Boss Liang smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Shao. Since you're here, today's transaction volume will be handed over to Mr. Shao. What would you like to drink?"
Shao Chengzhang said: "No, I will drive myself today."
Boss Liang nodded and made him a glass of sparkling water. The bubbles rose from the bottom of the cup to the surface with a slight crackling sound.
Shao Chengzhang picked up the cup and took a sip, then suddenly took out his mobile phone, opened the contact page, found "Chen Zhuo", clicked the SMS button, typed a few words, and sent a text message.
In the afternoon, after Shao Chengzhang and Ms. Chi expressed their desire to have a blind date with Shen Zhuo, Ms. Chi was surprised and delighted, and she was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling. She immediately told him her daughter's phone number and hurriedly found a few photos of Shen Zhuo from her mobile phone to show him.
In the photo, Chen Zhuo is standing in the shallows of the sea, smiling freely and openly, looking very bright and sunny.
However, Shao Chengzhang didn't care about the other party's conditions. The most important thing right now was that he could find someone to marry immediately. If there was a suitable candidate now, he would just take him. Shao Chengzhang didn't want to waste time on such things.
When negotiating, you have to cater to the other party's preferences and be sincere.
Shao Chengzhang said: "Help me find a brand of wine."
"Okay, I have everything here." Boss Liang raised his chin and pointed to the huge wine cabinet on the side, where famous wines from all over the world, as well as unpopular and niche wines were displayed.
"Wild pony."
Boss Liang raised his eyebrows. This was a natural wine. The wine was grapefruit pink in color, rich in fruit aroma, slightly sour at first, and with a hint of sweetness aftertaste. It really didn't taste like what Shao Chengzhang would like.
Boss Liang was suspicious: "When did your personality change so drastically that you like such a pink flavor?"
Shao Chengzhang: “…”
This wine has a fixed annual production, and the store only has the 22nd year production, with only the last two bottles left. Boss Liang felt he couldn't part with it. In the end, Shao Chengzhang topped up a six-figure amount on his "Du" membership card and took it away.
Boss Liang packed the wine and pretended to wipe tears from the bag as he handed it over: "I'm sorry, Little Mustang, he gave me too much."
…
The phone vibrated twice. Shen Zhuo took it out of her pocket and found a text message from an unfamiliar number. She clicked it.
"Hello, Miss Shen, I'm Shao Chengzhang. I'm sure your mother has already told you about the meeting. We can arrange it when we return to City A. Here's my phone number. Feel free to contact me when you have time."
Shen Zhuo read the text message with a look of disgust, and the image of a middle-aged greasy man came to his mind, and he couldn't help but get goose bumps.
Shen Zhuo replied bluntly: "Sorry, I'm busy."
Shao Chengzhang had already returned to his apartment and was feeding his pet, Ares. It was an adult, blood-red bearded dragon with rusty skin and black stripes along its tail. It looked like a handsome warrior in armor.
The phone lit up, Shao Chengzhang opened the text message, and smiled softly when he saw the reply.
This result was expected.
Chen Zhuo rolled her eyes and muttered, "Tsk, 'Contact me anytime'... Bye!" She was about to block Shao Chengzhang's number when he sent another text message.
Shao Chengzhang: "I just received two bottles of Wild Pony recently. I wonder if Miss Shen will like it?"
Ding Dong, another message came, it was a photo of wild pony.
When Chen Zhuo drank this wine for the first time, she decided that it was her destiny wine, but this brand of wine was produced in limited quantities each year and was difficult to buy. She went to many bars but couldn't find this wine.
What you can't get will always make you restless. Eason Chan had told her this a long time ago, and Shen Zhuo now realized it.
Looking at the message, she still wanted to stubbornly hold on, but when it came to right and wrong, Chen Zhuo always favored profit. Now, he even criticized himself. How could a pair of warm hands type such cold words as "I'm busy"?!
Shen Zhuo's fingers moved quickly, and he replied almost instantly: "I'll decide the time, you decide the place."
Shao Chengzhang glanced at the text message page and finally smiled with satisfaction.
"Ares, I'll reward you by letting you eat more today." Shao Chengzhang, who was about to put the food away, picked up the tweezers again, picked up a piece of pet dry food and put it into the ecological tank.
Ares was very agile and quickly crawled over. He opened his mouth and swallowed the food. After confirming that his owner would not feed him anymore, he climbed onto the landscaping tree again, tilted his head and stared at his owner, wondering why his owner was suddenly happy.
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