Chapter 77: Mom’s Favorability Score Goes Through the Roof
She heard that Xia Changyu was arguing with someone. And on his own territory, it seemed like he was losing the argument?
Unacceptable!
Only I’m allowed to mess with that guy!
Lin Yibai put down the work in her hands. Honestly, the store wasn’t fully set up yet, so there weren’t really any customers.
She still felt a bit uneasy about taking money for this part-time job.
If she could actually help with something, then she won’t feel guilty about the pay.
With that thought, she stood up and walked toward the office.
The guy at the next desk got nervous and said, “Hey! Where are you going?”
Lin Yibai replied, “I need to talk to the boss about something.”
She ignored his warning and kept walking.
The closer she got to the office, the clearer the arguing became. Other employees who heard it quickly walked away, looking nervous, trying to avoid the scene.
But Lin Yibai stepped closer to the door. Then she heard that so-called top-level expert shouting.
“Let me tell you, this project can’t happen without 300,000 yuan, okay? You’re just someone from foreign trade, what do you even know about the domestic market? Do you have any idea how competitive it is now? Look, I’ll be nice. Let’s keep things friendly. I’ll give you a special price, only 260,000 yuan. That’s my personal favor to you. I’ll get the whole thing done.”
Lin Yibai heard this and went, "Pfft~"
Then, a figure appeared beside her. It was Xia Zhilan.
"What are you 'pffting' at?"
Lin Yibai whispered, “That guy in there is totally ripping him off!”
“But didn’t he just say he was giving a discount? A special offer?”
“260,000 yuan, sister!” Lin Yibai frowned, her beautiful eyebrows twisting up as she said, “I’ve seen his plan. All he’s doing is setting up an online store and getting it running a little. I could do that for 30,000 yuan. And he wants 300,000?”
“You really think you can do all that for 30,000 yuan?”
“Not me,” Lin Yibai shook her head. She didn’t want to get involved in anything shady. “I’m just here as a part-time customer service worker. I wouldn’t do all that. But I do believe that asking for 300,000 yuan is totally a scam.”
Just as Lin Yibai had guessed, Xia Changyu wasn’t dumb. He also thought the price was ridiculous.
It was just that the other guy kept acting all high and mighty, calling himself some expert, speaking arrogantly and asking for an outrageous amount of money. That’s why Xia Changyu started arguing with him.
Outside the office, Xia Zhilan suddenly understood.
So it’s not that she can’t do it, she just doesn’t want to?
Xia Zhilan had come over after hearing people arguing. Then she saw her son being talked down to like that. Any mother would be furious in that situation!
There’s no reason to put up with that kind of disrespect.
With that thought, Xia Zhilan didn’t hesitate, she pushed the office door open.
The so-called “top expert” was sitting there confidently, saying, “I’ve already given you a chance. The market doesn’t wait. Think carefully!”
It was as if he was saying, “This is a rare opportunity. If you don’t take it, that’s your own fault.”
Hearing that only made Xia Zhilan angrier.
She knew that as a mom, it was usually best not to interfere with her son’s business. And Xia Changyu had even told her earlier not to get involved. But this was just too much!
“Who are you? Why did you come in here?”
The so-called expert was annoyed. He even sounded a bit mocking as he said, “Is this how your company’s staff behaves? That’s actually kind of funny!”
Xia Changyu frowned and said with displeasure, “Mr. Zhao, please watch your tone.”
Mr. Zhao waved his hand and spoke in a lecturing tone.
“President Xia, you’re still young. You haven’t even graduated college yet! As someone with experience, I need to give you some advice.”
“Advice?”
Xia Changyu continued, “Do you really think that just because you’ve been in society for a few more years, you’re some big deal?”
Mr. Zhao, the so-called "top expert," shook his head and said in a mocking tone.
“Employees represent the company. With staff like this, your company won’t get far. But don’t worry, I’m sure your company won’t fall apart without them, right?”
Lin Yibai: ?
Xia Zhilan: ??
The two of them exchanged a look.
It seemed like they had formed an unspoken alliance!
Could you explain what you mean by, ‘your company won’t fall apart without them’? Are you implying Xia Changyu should fire us both?
The project hasn’t even been settled yet!
And already, this guy is trying to interfere in other people’s business.
If he really gets involved in the company project, things are probably going to get messy!
Xia Changyu was becoming more and more impatient.
He didn’t want to deal with this self-important “top expert,” but some parts of the project really needed their technical expertise, so he had to tolerate it. However, he realized there was no need for further cooperation.
There are plenty of so-called "top experts," and he didn’t need to deal with one who had already annoyed his mother and the person he liked. He didn’t want to spend money just to make things uncomfortable.
Just as he was about to ask them to leave...
Xia Zhilan couldn’t hold it in anymore. She snorted coldly and said, “You’re talking nonsense! 300,000 for a project? Why don’t you aim higher and try to reach the sky? You’re just trying to steal money!”
Mr. Zhao, the so-called "top expert," sneered and replied with a dismissive tone.
“Then I’ll give you 300,000. Can you complete this project for me?”
His technical skills and abilities were what made him so arrogant!
Xia Zhilan was so angry that her face turned pale.
It seemed like Mr. Zhao thought he had nothing to worry about because he actually had the skills. So, were they just going to stand there and take the humiliation?
Seeing Xia Zhilan getting angry, Mr. Zhao became even bolder.
“Can you do it? No, you can’t! Do you have the ability? No, you don’t!”
“Here, 300,000 for you.”
“You gonna do it?”
“Can you do it?”
“You can’t, haha!”
Mr. Zhao even slapped his bank card down on the table, clearly trying to humiliate them.
Xia Zhilan became even angrier and more anxious.
Then, a pair of small hands stealthily reached out to take the bank card, and the person surnamed Zhao immediately yelled again.
“Who are you? What do you think you’re doing? How dare you take my bank card?”
“Me?” Lin Yibai raised the bank card in her hand and glanced at the furious Xia Zhilan. Then, she said, “I’m just a small assistant next to Sister Xia.”
Mr. Zhao sneered, “A small assistant? You don’t have the right to speak here.”
Lin Yibai gently squeezed Xia Zhilan’s trembling hand, signaling her to calm down. Then she continued, “Sister Xia is someone who gets things done. She’s not like you, who just blabbers nonsense like a barking dog.”
From the moment Lin Yibai saw the planning documents, she already felt something was off.
She followed the information on the plans and found a lot of dirt on Mr. Zhao.
At least in her eyes, the so-called "top expert" and his so-called skills were nowhere near worth the amount of money he was asking for.
With a calm smile, Lin Yibai whispered softly into Xia Zhilan’s ear.
“Don’t worry, Sister Xia, I’ve got your back!”
Xia Zhilan felt deeply moved, and her opinion of the girl in front of her skyrocketed.
She gave Xia Zhilan with the information she found.
Angry?
No problem. I'll help you turn the tables.