Hearing this, Bai Lu frowned. "Two million is already very high. We're a manufacturing company, after all. Our priority is increasing production value, not R&D."
Chen Xiao said, "I understand, but this project is complex. The drones need to be tested in all sorts of difficult scenarios, so they'll crash easily. The attrition rate will be very high. That's why we're hoping for more investment to ensure our R&D remains fast and cutting-edge."
He then turned to Feng Feifei and added, "Also, President Feng, we will publish at least five academic papers on this topic and apply for some technological advancement awards. I propose we offer the Jiangzhou Transportation Design Institute a co-authorship credit."
'Who said Chen Xiao doesn't understand business?' Feng Feifei's eyes lit up. 'I didn't even think of that. And Yuan Kai is just sitting there like a blockhead, not saying a word. He even asked someone if they played *King*, while he just sits there like a turtle in its shell.'
"Of course!" Feng Feifei replied decisively.
Bai Lu was swayed by Chen Xiao's proposal. After some thought, she said, "Alright, three million it is. I'll handle things on my end. I hope you can speed up the development and show us some preliminary results within three months."
And just like that, the deal was done. Chen Xiao realized Bai Lu held real power. She dared to make such a decision on the spot, and crucially, the group from the Design Institute next to her didn't seem the least bit surprised.
Feng Feifei stood up, happily shook Bai Lu's hand to say goodbye, and invited her to go for a spa day sometime.
For some reason, hearing the mention of a spa day made Bai Lu feel a little self-conscious. She glanced at Chen Xiao and said, "Let's aim for a holiday. Weekdays are just too busy with work!"
Feng Feifei said, "We could go in the evening, too!"
Before Bai Lu could answer, Yuan Kai jumped in with an overly familiar smile. "On weeknights, Assistant Bai is usually busy... grinding!"
Chen Xiao, who was walking last, nearly spat out the water he had just sipped.
The color drained from Bai Lu's face. She had no idea what "grinding" meant, but it sounded incredibly vulgar.
Feng Feifei had the same thought as Bai Lu. Her smile froze. 'What is wrong with Yuan Kai? Is he trying to be a clown?'
Everyone pretended not to hear and started walking out. Feng Feifei tried to smooth things over, "Assistant Bai, let's add each other on WhatsApp. We can arrange to get dinner or that spa day later!"
Bai Lu opened her WhatsApp QR code for Feng Feifei to scan. Yuan Kai also took out his phone. "Let me add you too!"
Without giving him any face at all, Bai Lu moved her phone away. "President Feng, in the future, please just have Chen Xiao be our point of contact. There's no need for unrelated people to come along."
Yuan Kai was completely dumbfounded. 'What does that mean? Why? I just wanted to add you on WhatsApp so we could play *King* together. Weren't we all getting along just fine a minute ago?'
Feng Feifei awkwardly agreed, then said her goodbyes. She didn't say a single word to Yuan Kai the entire way out.
DING! Task complete: Project initiated for the research collaboration between Dr. Feng's Robot and the Jiangzhou Transportation Design Institute.
Task Completion: 150%. Random Rewards: 1. Endurance +5; 2. Diligence Points +2; 3. One fully-loaded Mercedes-Benz CLS 300!
'Such lavish rewards!' The Mercedes-Benz CLS 300 alone was worth nearly 600,000. It was Chen Xiao's dream car. 'The system really gets me!'
'Plus two Diligence Points... that'll give my bonus another huge boost.'
But what pleased Chen Xiao the most was the +5 to Endurance. He could finally see a glimmer of hope. His previous 60 Endurance had given him a complex about finding a girlfriend, terrified of a poor performance and being looked down on. That would be a lifetime of shame...
Those five points of Endurance nearly brought tears to his eyes. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of combat effectiveness he'd have if his Endurance reached 100.
Back at the company, the first thing Feng Feifei did was tell Yuan Kai, "Manager Yuan, I'll have to trouble you to draft the project proposal."
Yuan Kai agreed, then added, "Have Chen Xiao assist me."
Feng Feifei paused for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "Let Chen Xiao manage his own schedule. This isn't his strong suit."
"..." 'No one's born good at this stuff,' Yuan Kai grumbled to himself as he got to work. He shot a resentful look at Chen Xiao, who was grinning from ear to ear in the corner like he'd just scored a pentakill.
Of course, Chen Xiao wasn't the type to just play games all day. He only played when there was nothing important to do at the office. For the sake of the system that kept giving him tasks and adjusting his Diligence Points, he had to go out and drum up business. 'Hard work is the way to wealth!'
That afternoon, Chen Xiao planned to visit Jiangzhou Zhongjian Equipment Co., Ltd. It was a national corporation with a branch office in Jiangzhou. Their main business was general contracting. For example, on large procurement projects involving various types of testing equipment, they would integrate products from different companies, like Dr. Feng's Robot, into a single comprehensive bid.
Jiangzhou Zhongjian Equipment Company was located in Jiangzhou City Center, on the 22nd floor of the Yunfeng Building. The Yunfeng Building was Jiangzhou's most prestigious office tower, nestled between a mountain and a body of water. Below, one could see the vast Bailu Lake, its surface shimmering beautifully under the sunlight.
Chen Xiao entered the lobby of the Yunfeng Building and saw an elevator's doors just about to close. He sprinted and slipped inside, letting out a sigh of relief. He pressed the button for the 22nd floor, only then noticing that a beautiful woman in professional attire was already in the elevator.
When the elevator arrived, the woman in professional attire also got out. They were on the same floor. Chen Xiao watched her walk up to the front desk. "Hello, I have an appointment with your President Yang. I'm Xu Wu from Zhi Fei Aerospace."
"Please wait a moment, I'll go check," the receptionist said, then turned to Chen Xiao. "And you are, sir?"
"I also have an appointment with President Yang. I'm from Dr. Feng's Robot."
Hearing this, Xu Wu glanced back at him, a sneer tugging at the corner of her mouth. She quickly turned away, giving off a very arrogant air.
After the receptionist went inside, only Chen Xiao and Xu Wu were left in the waiting area.
Judging by their names, the two companies were clearly competitors. Chen Xiao was new to the industry and wasn't very familiar with Zhi Fei Aerospace, but it seemed Xu Wu knew quite a bit about his company.
She smiled with feigned concern. "I hear almost everyone at your company has quit?"
Chen Xiao could tell she was gloating, so he retorted, "The ones who shouldn't have left, haven't."
Xu Wu sneered. "Still, you guys are pretty impressive. You moved fast on that contract with the Transportation Design Institute. Congratulations. I guess your company's funding problems are solved now."
Just then, a loud voice boomed from inside the office. "Hurry and show President Xu in! And as for that guy from... what was it, Dr. Feng's whatever... did you ask for his title? Don't just let any riffraff in here!"
The office was quiet and the voice was loud, so both Xu Wu and Chen Xiao heard it crystal clear. Xu Wu shot Chen Xiao a triumphant look, then swayed her hips and sashayed toward the main office area.
Chen Xiao rubbed his nose. 'Looks like today's off to a bad start,' he thought. 'Then again, landing a deal was never supposed to be easy. The Jiangzhou Transportation Design Institute contract was a fluke, born from that little incident with Bai Lu. Plus, her personality is so straightforward, and she's not afraid to take responsibility or make decisions.'
'He'd really lucked out with that deal!'
The receptionist came back and asked for his title. He honestly replied that he was a business representative. She then asked him to wait for a bit in the reception area. Since he was already here, they could hardly refuse to see him entirely.