Chapter 46 How about you consider marrying me?
It gets light early on Hong Kong Island, and the sunlight is dazzling.
Su Ruan swallowed the stomach medicine, splashed cold water on her face, and suppressed the dark circles under her eyes and the churning in her stomach.
She put on light makeup to make herself look more energetic.
At exactly nine o'clock, Chen Yu's Bentley pulled up in front of the hotel.
Su Ruan opened the car door and got in.
"Check the Tiangongfang data again on the way."
Shen Yu handed over the tablet and tapped the screen.
"Tiangongfang is full of old craftsmen who have worked in Europe. Their skills are top-notch, and their tempers are even more so."
"The quote is fixed at a five million down payment and a minimum construction period of thirty-five days; there's no room for negotiation."
He paused, then added.
“Baohua is even worse; they charge 70% upfront for 40 days.”
Su Ruan scrolled across the screen to view Tian Gong Fang's past works, showcasing their intricate and exquisite craftsmanship.
"Tian Gong Fang's craftsmanship is worth the price."
She looked up, her gaze calm.
"The construction period must be reduced to fifteen days."
Shen Yu almost stepped on the gas too far.
"Fifteen days? Mr. Su, do you think those craftsmen are assembly line robots?"
Su closed the tablet.
"The countdown to the 'Breaking the Cocoon' exhibition has begun; there's no other choice."
Shen Yu stared at the congested traffic ahead, and after a long while, he managed a smile.
"Okay, I'll go crazy with you."
...
Tiangongfang is nestled halfway up the mountain, offering tranquility amidst the bustling city.
The workshop is spacious with a nine-meter-high ceiling.
Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows is a lush mountain view, with plenty of soft light.
The workbenches are arranged in a neat and orderly fashion, and the craftsmen, dressed in work clothes and aprons, are engrossed in their work.
An assistant dressed in a plain cheongsam glanced at the appointment slip and quietly led the way.
"Miss Su, Mr. Shen, and Mr. Li are waiting in the reception room."
The reception room is elegant, with a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking a meticulously maintained Japanese dry landscape garden.
Li Shixiang, around fifty years old, had his gray hair neatly combed back and was wearing a dark gray linen Chinese-style jacket, slowly pouring tea.
"sit."
He didn't even look up, speaking with a heavy Hong Kong accent.
"Mr. Li, I've heard so much about you."
Su Ruan stepped forward, her posture neither humble nor arrogant.
As soon as Su Ruan sat down, teacups were pushed in front of the two of them.
"From the mainland?"
Li Shixiang spoke surprisingly fluent Mandarin.
"SoftVoice? Never heard of it."
Su Ruan handed over the design brochure.
"Song Shengsheng from the Central Academy of Fine Arts would like to request Tiangongfang to make a sample of her design."
"This is the 'Moonlight Over the Vast Sea' series. Mr. Li, please review the core component manufacturing process requirements."
He flipped through a couple of pages at random, then suddenly stopped.
He lingered on a sketch for a long time, then picked up his teacup and blew on it.
"The craftsmanship is something our Tiangongfang can handle."
"The construction period is 35 days, and 50% is paid in advance."
"Fifteen days."
Su Ruan's voice was clear and bright.
"Prepayment can be increased to 70%."
Li Shixiang looked up abruptly, as if looking at a madman, and suddenly sneered.
"A girl, fifteen days old?"
He slammed the booklet shut, so angry that he burst into Cantonese.
"Do you think I'm some kind of god? Even a tiny pebble needs to be calmed down!"
"Rushing to finish a project and producing garbage will damage my Tiangongfang's reputation. Can you afford to compensate for that?"
He looked at Shen Yu with the reproach of an elder.
"Ah Yu, what kind of friend are you introducing? Don't you know any manners!"
Chen Yu leaned back lazily in his chair.
"Uncle Li, rules are set by people."
"Miss Su is making a rare opportunity to showcase her talents at the Qingyan Festival."
"Your Tiangongfang is renowned throughout Hong Kong. Let's take a chance and create a sensational masterpiece."
"Fight?"
Li Shixiang sneered.
"Going all out? We don't have enough manpower, and the machines need to warm up! It's impossible!"
Chen Yu tapped his knees lightly with his knuckles.
"Uncle Li, about my friend's order..."
"Young Master Shen."
Li Shixiang interrupted.
"Personal feelings are personal feelings, but rules are rules."
"Breaking down the core difficulties."
Su Ruan interrupted his anger.
"The floating inlay and micro-carving of the main stone, the Tear of Neptune, is the soul of the entire series and also the most time-consuming part."
"For this tough challenge, I invited another master to assist me."
"This part will not take up the time of Tiangongfang's work."
Upon hearing this, Li Shixiang frowned.
"Who would they demolish it for? There are only a handful of companies on Hong Kong Island that can take on this job, and their schedules are even fuller than mine!"
"Yunnan, Chen Yansheng."
Su Ruan uttered five words.
Li Shixiang suddenly looked up.
"Old Chen?"
In this industry, this name is a pillar of strength.
"How many years has he been in seclusion? Can you persuade him to come?"
Whether or not I can get help is my business.
Su Ruan ignored his surprise and kept her eyes fixed on the target.
"Mr. Li only needs to tell me that Master Chen will be responsible for overcoming the core difficulties, and the rest will be the main framework, the setting of the secondary stones, polishing, and the final assembly and adjustment."
"With Tiangongfang's top-notch team of artisans giving it their all, can they deliver in fifteen days?"
Li Shixiang fell silent.
At this moment, Shen Yu, as if he had just finished watching a good show, slowly interjected with a smile.
"Uncle Li, Mr. Su's boldness is rare in Hong Kong."
"Uncle Li, the exhibition that Qingyan organized has a very high international standing."
"Is it time for Tiangongfang, this prestigious brand, to truly demonstrate its capabilities?"
Li Shixiang rubbed his temples and suddenly burst out laughing.
"Fifteen days it is."
He stared at Su Ruan with a serious expression, frowning as he pondered.
"With the construction period pushed to this tight, there's zero room for error!"
“I’ll personally oversee it and give it my all; hopefully we can catch up with your big exhibition.”
"Miss Su, you'd better make sure that Old Chen is absolutely safe!"
Su Ruan took a deep breath and decisively reached out her hand.
"Mr. Li, it's a pleasure doing business with you."
"We'll finalize the details right away, and sign the contract today."
“Miss Su, I have seen your courage and determination, and I admire them very much.”
He stood up and shook hands with her, his Cantonese-accented Mandarin still intact.
The contract was signed swiftly and decisively, but the additional clauses were numerous and tight, all aimed at meeting the tight deadline.
After handling the aftermath, Su Ruan and Shen Yu left Tiangongfang.
As the car drove away from the hillside, the air conditioning shielded us from the humid heat of Hong Kong Island.
Shen Yu rested one hand on the steering wheel and glanced at Su Ruan, who was sitting in the passenger seat with her eyes closed, rubbing her temples.
"But how did you manage to win over Old Chen?"
Su Ruan opened her eyes, her eyes showing faint redness from staying up late and stress.
"Sheng Sheng is currently searching for him in the mountains of Yunnan."
Shen Yu suddenly burst into a short laugh, filled with unbelievable absurdity.
"Su Ruan, Su Ruan, how come I never noticed before that you're a complete gambler!"
"The contract is signed, the money's been poured in, the workshop's up and running, and you're telling me that the most crucial part—the giant Buddha statue—is still being built by your men in the mountains, hoping for a lucky break?!"
"Whether we can even find the person is another matter, let alone get them to come out of seclusion!"
"If we lose this bet, there will be penalties for breach of contract at the workshop, compensation from Qingyan for the bet, and the intermediary fees and favors you owe me..."
"Tsk, if you piled them up, they could bury your little body."
He turned his head to the side, his gaze carrying a cynical air, yet revealing a hint of seriousness.
Aren't you afraid?
"Afraid."
Su Ruan's voice was very soft, yet exceptionally clear.
"But what's the use of being afraid? When the workshop broke the contract and choked me, I had no choice."
"Now, there's only one road, and we have to take it whether we want to or not."
She wasn't the chosen heroine of this world; she had no halo, no lucky charm.
If you want a good outcome, you have to gamble with your life.
He abruptly changed the subject, a smirk playing on his lips, and made a half-serious, half-joking suggestion.
"How about you consider marrying me?"
"The position of the young mistress of the Shen family is vacant, and the Shen family can still afford to support a spendthrift partner."
"How about I clean up your mess?"
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