CHAPTER 29: CHAPTER 29: LET’S TALK TONIGHT

In the office, a middle-aged man with a plump figure was leisurely sitting in a chair, sipping tea.

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door from outside.

Vice President Liu frowned slightly, put down his teacup, and said, "Come in."

The door slowly opened, and Qi Yun and Peng entered.

Peng wore a polite smile on his face, speaking first: "Hello Mr. Liu, sorry to disturb you."

Vice President Liu looked them up and down, puzzled: "Who are you?"

Peng took a step forward and explained the purpose of their visit: "We are from Xingxin Clothing Factory, and we heard that your factory wants to order a batch of work clothes for the staff recently. So we came to visit you, hoping for an opportunity to collaborate."

"Oh." Vice President Liu responded with obvious disinterest, pointing to the chairs opposite: "This matter, have a seat."

After speaking, he lowered his head and continued to play with the exquisite teacup in his hand.

Qi Yun and Peng exchanged a glance, realizing that things might not be so easy.

Peng took a deep breath, trying to maintain a smile on his face, and started briefly introducing their factory.

Vice President Liu didn’t look up the entire time and even yawned midway.

Only when Peng finished, did he finally lift his head, smile, and say, "This order is very important to our factory. Before you came, three other clothing factories have already spoken to me.

Here’s what we’ll do, go back first, and we’ll find a place to talk in detail tonight."

Upon hearing this, the two understood what he meant — clearly, he’s hungry for a bite.

As for how much he wants to eat, that is unknown.

Although Peng felt helpless inside, he kept the smile on his face, having become used to such situations.

"Sure, thank you Mr. Liu. I wonder if you could leave me a phone number, and I’ll find a place for us to chat tonight."

Mr. Liu finally showed a hint of a smile on his round, chubby face, and pushed over a business card from the desk: "Sure, I don’t like hotpot."

Peng hurriedly accepted the business card with both hands, carefully placed it in his pocket, his face full of a flattering smile: "Alright, I’ll definitely find a place that suits your taste tonight."

"Then Mr. Liu, we’ll take our leave."

Vice President Liu nodded, leaned back on the chair, and said no more.

Seeing this, Peng bent over and stepped back two paces before leaving the office together with Qi Yun.

Once out the door, the smile on Peng’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of concern.

Qi Yun patted his arm, and the two headed towards the parking lot.

Inside the car, they each lit a cigarette, Peng took a deep drag before speaking slowly: "If this order goes through, it’s estimated to bring in a profit of 150,000.

I’m planning to give him 80,000, and you take 70,000."

Qi Yun shook his head after hearing that: "Don’t worry about my side, Manager Sun doesn’t need any handouts, and I’ve earned some money selling goods these days, so I’m good."

"But judging from Vice President Liu’s attitude, his appetite might be quite large."

Peng didn’t insist after hearing this and just frowned and sighed: "I also know he has a big appetite, but even if this deal doesn’t make money, I’ve got to take it. The machines sitting idle cost money every day."

Qi Yun felt empathetic listening; his former company had also gone through such a predicament.

You either give up and go back to square one,

or gritting your teeth against the odds, hoping for a glimmer of hope but risk ending up in deep debt and becoming destitute.

Just like he once did.

No doubt most people would choose the latter.

Having once had it good, how could one be willing to see it vanish?

Looking through the car window at the blue sky, Qi Yun’s thoughts drifted back to those dark times.

The stress, the agony, countless sleepless nights filled with torment and helplessness, as if trapped in a deep abyss.

But he pulled through, hoping to help his friend pull through too.

The car returned to Xia Ping Village, and as Qi Yun got out, he asked Peng: "Want to come over to my place for a bit?"

Peng shook his head with a bitter smile: "I have to arrange tonight’s matters, see which upscale restaurant offers discounts."

"Alright, call me tonight."

Watching the other leave, Qi Yun sighed as it was almost five o’clock, quickly pulling out his phone to check the auction platform.

As expected, he was the only one to bid on the house.

Time slowly ticked by, and the auction ended. Shortly after, he received the notification of the successful bid.

"Hello Qi Yun, you have successfully won the auction for the New District Court’s Vanke Mansion auction property. The transaction price is 363,000 yuan. Please pay the remaining amount within 15 days upon receiving this message. If you fail to do so, the deposit will be forfeited."

Qi Yun felt relieved, put away his phone, and walked toward the Sichuan restaurant.

Inside the private room, Wei Yong and others couldn’t hide their smiling faces, standing up as Qi Yun entered.

"Old Qi, you finally made it back."

"Hmm, had some matters to attend, got delayed." Qi Yun responded, and continued, "I told you not to wait for me, you all must be hungry after a long day, just start eating."

"No way, you’re the main guy, we must wait for you!" Wei Yong laughed, pulling Qi Yun to sit down.

"Right right, without Qi bro, we wouldn’t dare to start eating."

Qi Yun shook his head with a helpless smile: "Okay, let’s hurry to eat, I’m starving too."

The atmosphere at the table was lively, everyone was happy about making money.

Qi Yun mentioned he still had business, so no one pushed drinks on him, just offered toasts individually.

After the meal, Qi Yun paid the salaries, and Skinny and the driver left first.

"Qi bro, if you need help in the future, just holler."

"Thank the boss for taking care of me, anytime you need me again, just call."

Qi Yun smiled, escorted them out of the restaurant, and returned to the private room for accounting and distributing profits with Wei Yong and others.

All remaining goods sold out, bringing in a total of 339,000, and Qi Yun received nearly 160,000.

Little Blonde also got over four thousand.

Qi Yun transferred him another ten thousand, saying: "This is from Uncle Wang, he doesn’t want it, so it’s yours."

Little Blonde gleefully took the money, his mouth almost unable to close with his smile: "Thank you, Qi bro!"

After distributing the money, everyone dispersed — before leaving Wei Yong pulled Qi Yun’s arm and very sincerely said: "Old Qi, I won’t bother with the words of gratitude, anytime you need something just say, if I frown, I’m no man."

Qi Yun offered him a cigarette: "Why say all this, we’re all brothers."

Wei Yong nodded: "Okay, no more words, all in my heart."

"Hmm, hurry home, have your wife drive safely."

...

After sending off Wei Yong, Qi Yun returned to his rental room and washed his face.

Then he checked his bank balance on his phone; there was now almost 470,000 in his account, earning close to 200,000 from this frozen shrimp deal.

Subtracting 150,000 to pay off debts, there’s still 320,000 left — a bit short of covering the remaining house payment.

But he’s not in a hurry, as long as he pays the balance within 15 days.

He put down his phone, changed his clothes, and soon a message from Peng arrived.

Only three words: "Yaxiang Building"