Chapter 178 Start of Work
Back in room 1508, the moment Gu Baobao closed the door, her straight back finally relaxed slightly. Leaning against the door, she let out a long sigh of relief.
The continuous high-intensity mental activity and emotional fluctuations left even her feeling deeply exhausted.
Lu Zhanming immediately noticed, stepped forward, put his arm around her shoulder, and gently pulled her into his embrace, his deep voice full of heartache:
"Are you exhausted?"
Gu Baobao buried her face in his clean, soapy chest and mumbled a soft "Mmm".
Only in his strong and secure embrace could she completely let down her guard and reveal a hint of the vulnerability that belongs to a girl of her age.
Lu Zhanming didn't say anything, but simply tightened his arms around her, quietly holding her and gently patting her back with his large hand.
After a while, Gu Baobao finally recovered, lifted her head from his arms, and smiled somewhat shyly:
"I'm fine now, I just overworked my brain a bit."
"Go wash up first, then get a good night's sleep."
Lu Zhanming released her, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
"I'll go check if the midnight snack has arrived."
After Gu Baobao finished washing up and changed into comfortable pajamas, she came out to find warm milk and a few easily digestible snacks already laid out on the small round table.
Lu Zhanming was sitting at the table waiting for her.
The two quietly finished their simple late-night snack, and Gu Baobao fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Lu Zhanming remained beside her, holding her close, gazing at her peaceful sleeping face with a tender look that could melt hearts, yet his resolve only grew stronger.
He must become stronger to better protect his girl and everything she wants to protect.
The following morning, sunlight shone through the thin autumn mist of Paris onto the huge glass curtain wall of the convention center.
The members of the Chinese delegation, dressed in matching black woolen overcoats or suits, stepped into the exhibition hall once again, looking very energetic.
Each person wore a calm and confident expression that came from careful rest and strategic planning; their eyes were bright and their steps were firm.
When they turned the corner and saw the scene in front of their own deep red booth, even though they were mentally prepared, their hearts still skipped a beat, and they were immediately filled with great excitement and pride!
The queue at the booth was beyond what one could describe as a line.
It was absolutely packed with people!
The line stretched out from the front of the booth, turned two corners, and was almost endless!
The crowd was even larger than before yesterday's testing frenzy! Moreover, subtle changes in the crowd's composition were clearly visible:
There were many new faces, dressed more elegantly and with a more shrewd demeanor; they were clearly new clients who had come after hearing the news, or higher-level decision-makers.
Of course, there were also many familiar faces who had cancelled their orders yesterday but shamelessly squeezed back today. However, the expressions on their faces were less arrogant and questioning than yesterday, and more embarrassed and anxious.
Sui Jianguo walked at the front, feeling the gazes from all directions that were even more intense and complex than yesterday. His heart, which was devoted to the country and its people, pounded like a drum in his chest.
Where is this a crowd?
This is clearly a flood of foreign exchange!
These are urgently needed technologies and resources!
This is proof that China Pharmaceutical Group can hold its head high on the international stage!
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to maintain the composure expected of a foreign ministry official, but the barely suppressed upward curve of his lips betrayed his inner elation.
Under Lu Zhanming's close protection, Gu Baobao walked to her designated spot behind the booth.
She did not sit down immediately, but calmly scanned the faces below the stage, which were filled with anticipation, calculation, or regret.
"start!"
Sui Jianguo gave the order; his voice was not loud, but it carried immense power.
The booth instantly entered a state of high-efficiency operation.
Several translators and guides quickly stepped forward, maintaining order and explaining the rules in fluent English and French:
"Please proceed in the queue in order of arrival for consultation and negotiation. Today's product prices and ordering policies have been adjusted. Please discuss the details with our sales representative."
The words "price adjustment" were like a pebble thrown into a lake, causing a low commotion.
Many people's expressions changed slightly.
Inside the booth, Huaxia's staff were already in their positions.
At the negotiating table, several business representatives had brand-new contract folders in four different colors in front of them. They wore professional smiles, but their eyes were sharp as eagles.
When the first client—the very British company that had been the most vocal and quickest to cancel its order yesterday—was led to the negotiating table...
When he saw the eye-catching figure on the price list—25% higher than yesterday—his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and he exclaimed:
"This...this price! How come it's even higher than yesterday?!"
The business representative, Xiao Li, who was responsible for receiving him, maintained his smile, but his tone was polite yet distant.
"Mr. Jones, based on the latest authoritative testing results and market assessments, we have repositioned the value of our product."
We sincerely regret that you cannot accept this price. There are many other customers waiting in line.
As he spoke, he made a "please go ahead" gesture, his gaze already drifting to the next person in the line.
The British representative's face flushed red and then paled as he looked at the crowd behind him, who were watching him intently, fearing he might waste time. He also recalled the urgent instructions sent from headquarters yesterday after receiving the test results.
"We must secure the agency rights or at least guarantee a stable supply of goods, no matter the cost."
He gritted his teeth, almost forcing the sound out:
"I...we need to discuss the quantity again..."
"sure."
Xiao Li withdrew his gaze, picked up his pen again, and his smile remained impeccable.
"However, please note that the adjusted price applies to the entire quantity of newly signed orders."
Not far away, several other customers who had wavered yesterday but wanted to come back today to snag a bargain also experienced a similar shocking price lesson.
Some people walked away in anger, but many more, after weighing the product's unique efficacy and huge market potential, reluctantly began to haggle, of course, within the price framework set by Huaxia Fang.
Those loyal customers who did not cancel their orders, such as the Chinese businessmen and European partners introduced by Kang Ningfan, received VIP treatment.
The original price contract, the priority supply commitment, and even Gu Baobao's personal visit for a brief consultation made these people feel very honored and more confident about future cooperation.
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