"When did Xiaoyan call you?" Lu Feng sensed something was amiss.
"Just a while ago, we were chatting, talking about things at the factory. I told you, I just had a check-up a few days ago, and the baby is very healthy. The doctor said the due date is at the end of April or the beginning of May. It's just a pity you can't come. I'm quite scared to be alone, after all, I've never given birth before..."
She was talking nonstop on the other end of the phone, and you could tell she had a lot to say. Last month, she met with a former classmate who, upon learning she was pregnant, made veiled criticisms of her for not earning much money despite studying for so many years, instead acting like a housewife. Zhang Fengxia said she had stopped contacting that classmate.
They were all trivial matters: what the weather was like, what good food was around, and when it rained and someone forgot their umbrella. As Lu Feng listened to these things, he felt as if he were talking to Jiang Xiaoyan from the past.
When I went to another city, during a phone call, she would tell me about every single cockroach that had gotten into her house.
The person on the other end of the phone talked for more than ten minutes straight. Zhang Fengxia seemed to sense something and asked, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
"Not really, I just need an overseas phone number. I'm not in mainland China right now." Lu Feng briefly explained the situation. He simply wanted her to pretend to be the head of Texas Instruments' marketing department and fax over a price list and product introduction from Texas Instruments.
“Sure, I happen to have something to do too. I need some more time at school.” Zhang Fengxia readily agreed, though a hint of disappointment lingered in her voice.
“I can’t take care of you while you’re over there. Why don’t you come back to China? Just don’t tell your parents.” Lu Feng also felt a little guilty.
"I'm fine. You'll still have to worry about me when you get back. The company is at a critical juncture right now, so don't worry about me. Just focus on your work and think about a name for the baby when you have a spare moment," Zhang Fengxia comforted her, suppressing her disappointment.
"Come back after I'm done with this busy period. I miss you a lot. Oh, and I dreamt about you a while ago." Lu Feng wanted to comfort her, so he made up a dream.
A smile appeared on Zhang Fengxia's face on the other end of the phone. After chatting for a few words, she kissed the receiver and said a few more sweet nothings before hanging up.
Lu Feng sat there looking at the phone, recalling Zhang Fengxia's joy, and felt quite depressed. He lit a cigarette, smoked half of it, stood up, and left the room.
Find Liu Cheng in the hotel's reception room and say to him, "Get me some documents, a price list and product descriptions from Texas Instruments, all in English. I need them by three or four in the morning, and make them look legitimate!"
"Are we still going to the negotiations this afternoon?" Liu Cheng was a little annoyed. There would be negotiations in the afternoon, and then there might be eating and drinking in the evening. By the time he got back, it would be a long time, and he would still have to do this.
"Of course I'm going. Just come back soon. I've already arranged everything. Don't worry, we'll definitely take them down this time," Lu Feng said confidently.
Around noon, the four of them, including Zhang Rujing, were having lunch in a private room at the hotel restaurant when Lu Feng shared his thoughts.
"It's very simple. We'll use Texas Instruments to pressure them. This afternoon, we'll ask them for a quote. No matter what price they say, we'll say we need to think about it. Mr. Zhang can try to mention that we're also in contact with Texas Instruments. During the second negotiation, we'll bring the documents they faxed over and show them to them briefly. If they can't come down the price, we'll express our willingness to sign the contract. They definitely won't give up on this deal," Lu Feng said confidently.
Liu Cheng and Zhu Lidong nodded, agreeing with the plan. Manager Zhang, looking at Lu Feng, said, "Isn't this just fraud?"
"What fraud? For President Lu, this is already extremely honest," Liu Cheng said earnestly.
“Yes! Taking the goods and not paying, that’s real fraud,” Zhu Lidong added.
"What you're calling robbery, right?" Mr. Zhang felt something was off. Why were these people talking about it so casually?
"That's just a negotiation tactic, it's very common. Let's have dinner." Lu Feng casually avoided the topic.
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