On the other side, Jiang Tingchen put down his phone, but the gentleness in his tone during the call had not completely disappeared.
He went to the study and pondered for a long time before dialing the phone.
"It's me," Jiang Tingchen said succinctly. "Please help me investigate any recent unusual activity at Hengtong Materials, Hongye Precision, and Qiming Electronics, especially any changes to the details of their cooperation with the Fu Group. I need to find out if there's someone behind their sudden actions today, and who's behind them."
He needs accurate information, not market rumors.
A well-trained, respectful and clear response came from the other end of the phone: "Understood, Mr. Jiang, we will deal with it immediately and give you feedback as soon as possible." The voice belonged to a capable person he trusted to handle such matters.
After finishing this instruction, Jiang Tingchen did not pause and dialed another number. This time, his tone was softer, with respect for the elders: "Uncle Zhao, it's me, Tingchen."
"Tingchen, what's up so late?" Uncle Zhao on the other end of the phone had a steady voice, with a familiar elder's concern.
"I need your help with something," Jiang Tingchen said sincerely. "Fu Group is having some trouble with the supply of special alloys, high-precision bearings, and some key electronic components."
"I'd like to ask you to take the trouble to look for any manufacturers in our country, or within the reach of the Huayun system, that can undertake this part of the business and have high-quality products and a reliable reputation? You don't need to give me a precise list right away. You are experienced, so just help me do a preliminary screening and evaluation first."
Uncle Zhao agreed, and Jiang Tingchen hung up the phone.
The gentle tone he had used when talking to Uncle Zhao just now had not completely dissipated. He did not stay in the study for long and turned to leave the house.
Ning Nanxue was sitting on the sofa with a glass of cold water in her hand. The sudden knock on the door outside attracted her attention, and Ning Nanxue immediately went forward to open the door.
Ning Nanxue was stunned when she saw that it was Jiang Tingchen.
"Tingchen, why are you here so late?"
Jiang Tingchen did not respond, but followed Ning Nanxue into the house with light steps, sat down beside her, reached out to take the cold cup from her hand, and replaced it with a warm one.
"Still thinking about the company?" His voice was low and soft, with a soothing warmth.
Ning Nanxue came back to her senses and looked up at him. There was fatigue in her eyes that could not be concealed, but she still had a determination not to admit defeat.
"Hmm," she replied softly, not disguising her worry. "Hengtong, Hongye, and Qiming are all partners we've worked with for many years. The materials and parts they provide are crucial to several of our core production lines. They're all simultaneously proposing to terminate our cooperation, with such far-fetched reasons and such coincidental timing. I don't believe there's someone behind this."
She is not someone who will be easily defeated, but this situation is too difficult and makes her feel stressed.
Jiang Tingchen opened his mouth, wanting to tell Ning Nanxue that he had contacted his friends, but he swallowed the words back in the end.
If I tell Ning Nanxue that I have arranged everything, wouldn't that just add to the mountain of pressure she's under?
At the city's most exclusive private club, afternoon sunlight streamed through vast floor-to-ceiling windows, shimmering into the meticulously appointed tea room. The air was filled with the rich aroma of premium black tea and the rich, sweet flavors of French pastries. Silver tea sets shimmered softly, while bone china cups were adorned with delicate floral and bird designs.
Xu Zhiru sat among this group of elegantly dressed and graceful ladies. She wore a well-tailored off-white dress, her makeup delicate and elegant, and her every move exuded a carefully practiced gentleness and quietness.
She speaks softly and slowly, always listens attentively, offers well-placed compliments at the right time, and has a warm smile on her face.
Mrs. Li, who was sitting in the main seat, was the wife of a financial tycoon. She had a sharp vision and was used to meeting all kinds of people.
Holding a teacup, she observed Xu Zhiru calmly, listening to her talk about the recent art exhibition she had seen. Although her insights were not cutting-edge, they were fresh and unconventional. The key was that she was humble and good at making the jokes.
"Miss Xu has excellent taste," Mrs. Li said, putting down her teacup. "My husband's company is planning an art investment project and needs some discerning consultants. I'd like to introduce you to them someday if I have the chance."
"Yaoyao, you seem to be worried about something?" Xu Zhiru's voice was gentle and concerned.
Su Yao forced a smile and shook her head: "Nothing." She didn't want to expose her emotions too much in front of outsiders, especially to Xu Zhiru. She always felt that this woman was not simple-minded.
"Still thinking about Tingchen?" Xu Zhiru seemed oblivious to her resistance and continued speaking, lowering her voice so that only the two of them could hear. "Alas, Tingchen is such a nice person, gentle and polite to everyone. Sometimes I really worry that he's been deceived by others."
Su Yao tightened her fingers holding the teacup, and the warmth of the cup wall came through her fingertips. "What do you mean?"
Xu Zhiru seemed oblivious to her subtle change. Instead, she leaned in closer, her voice lowered to a whisper, as if sharing a secret. "Yaoyao, look at all the people here. Mrs. Li, Mrs. Wang... Which one of them isn't a prominent figure in their respective fields? How many resources and connections do their husbands control?"
She glanced at the ladies chatting and laughing around her, her tone full of recognition and admiration for this circle. Then she changed the subject slightly, with a hint of regret: "This kind of occasion, these connections, do you think someone with Ning Nanxue's background and status can access them? She can't even reach the threshold here."
Xu Zhiru picked up the bone china teacup in front of her, raised her little finger elegantly, and took a sip of black tea. Her movements were skillful and natural, as if she was born to such an environment.
She put down the teacup and her eyes fell on Su Yao again, this time with genuine admiration: "But you are different, Yaoyao. You grew up in such an environment since you were a child. You get along naturally with the ladies here and talk well. This is the true temperament of a lady. You and Tingchen standing together, that is a perfect match. "
The education Su Yao received since childhood and the environment around her told her that she and Jiang Tingchen were a match made in heaven.
In her opinion, Ning Nanxue's appearance itself was a kind of disharmony and a disruption to the established order.
Xu Zhiru continued speaking softly, as if stating an objective fact: "Tingchen is such an outstanding person, he deserves the best. Don't you think it's unfair to him to be with someone who needs his help in every aspect and may even drag him down? Only someone like you, who can match his status, knowledge, and connections, and even help him, is truly worthy of him."
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