Chapter 21: The Bidding Showdown

Xu Zhiquan remained silent, waiting for Third Uncle to continue.

“I heard State-run Bright Machinery Factory’s bid—Second Brother withdrew?”

“That’s right.”

Xu Zhiquan spoke up, offering no further explanation.

Third Uncle asked, “Second Brother, may I ask why?”

Xu Zhiquan replied casually, “That order’s too big. My small factory can’t handle it.”

Third Uncle’s eyes darted around.

“Why not take a bank loan? Expand the factory, hire more workers—that should do it.”

Xu Zhiquan shook his head. “I don’t want the risk. I’m content making small profits with my little workshop.”

Third Uncle grunted,

“I see…”

“Since you’ve withdrawn from that bid, I’d like to give it a shot. You don’t mind, do you?”

Xu Zhiquan said, “Why would I? It’s a public bid—anyone can join.”

Hearing that, Xu Chen exhaled in relief.

He’d worried his kind-hearted father might try to dissuade Third Uncle from bidding.

After all, Xu Chen had already explained that this machinery order was a minefield—anyone who got involved would only get burned.

Apparently, the family split years ago had deeply wounded his father.

Now that Third Uncle planned to bid, Xu Zhiquan was taking a ‘let it be’ stance and didn’t want to interfere.

He knew full well that even if he objected, Third Uncle wouldn’t listen.

He’d only think his brother was trying to sabotage his opportunity on purpose.

Third Uncle went on,

“That’s great!

To be honest, I’ve already found a channel and plan to bid…

But I’m not good at preparing the bid documents.

As you know, I’m not well educated—I can’t handle these legal papers.”

“I heard you had a set of bid documents prepared. Can I borrow them for reference?”

Xu Zhiquan stayed quiet, then glanced at his son, Xu Chen.

Right now, the bid documents were in Xu Chen’s hands.

Xu Zhiquan couldn’t help thinking: Could his son have anticipated this?

Xu Chen winked innocently at his father.

Seeing no reaction, Third Uncle added,

“Since you’ve dropped out, those documents are just gathering dust. Why not let me study them?”

Xu Zhiquan thought it over but said nothing.

Third Uncle forced a smile,

“I won’t take them for free. I’ll buy them from you—just cover the printing costs.”

He really had no choice but to ask Xu Zhiquan.

He’d only pulled strings to get this bid at the last minute.

With Monday’s deadline looming, if he couldn’t finish the documents in time, it was game over.

Xu Zhiquan said,

“Those papers are with Xu Chen. Ask my son if you want them.”

Third Uncle froze, then smiled at Xu Chen.

“Xiao Chen, should I buy you a new phone?”

Xu Chen replied,

“Don’t just say it—mind your manners, please…”

Third Uncle blinked in confusion.

Xu Zhiquan said nothing.

Xu Chen forced a smile and added,

“That machinery order is valued in the millions. You really think a phone will settle it?”

Third Uncle was taken aback by Xu Chen’s response.

He’d assumed a high-school senior would jump at the chance for a new phone. Who knew he knew the order’s true worth?

Third Uncle said, “Name your price!”

Xu Chen thought briefly and then said,

“One hundred thousand.”

Third Uncle’s eyes nearly popped out. “One hundred thousand?!”

He stared, utterly stunned.

Xu Zhiquan was equally shocked at his son’s outrageous demand.

Then he shot Xu Chen a mischievous grin.

Third Uncle looked at Xu Zhiquan,

“Second Brother, your son’s teasing me, right?”

He implied, Aren’t you going to rein him in?

Xu Zhiquan replied, “This is your business—I’m not meddling.”

Third Uncle turned to Xu Chen, exasperated,

“Xiao Chen, asking for a hundred thousand is too much. After all, I’m your uncle!”

Xu Chen smiled, “What’s your offer?”

Third Uncle pondered, then clenched his teeth and said,

“I’ll give you twenty thousand. I heard your college entrance exams are coming—consider it my support for your tuition.”

Xu Chen snorted,

“Support for college? Like Dad can’t afford my education?”

Third Uncle hurried to clarify, “That’s not what I meant…”

Xu Chen didn’t argue further. He said,

“My final price is sixty thousand.”

Third Uncle frowned,

“Xiao Chen, you’re being unreasonable. I am your uncle!”

Without expression, Xu Chen turned and headed upstairs without a backward glance.

Third Uncle looked furious, then glanced at Xu Zhiquan.

Xu Zhiquan said,

“No deal. Time to send him away.”

He effectively kicked Third Uncle out.

Third Uncle snorted in anger, grabbed the fruit basket from the table, and stormed out.

Xu Chen reached the second floor just as the old Xiali sputtered to life outside.

The engine’s harsh roar matched Third Uncle’s anger.

To Xu Chen, sixty thousand yuan was nothing.

But those bid documents meant everything to Third Uncle.

Without them, he couldn’t win the machinery factory’s contract.

In any negotiation, desire weakens you.

The one who cares more loses.

Xu Chen thought.

Tonight, he could wait a little longer.

One hundred thousand was obviously excessive.

But sixty thousand was a limit Xu Chen knew Third Uncle could—and would—meet.

It was just within his reach.

And it was the maximum Xu Chen would accept.

…

An hour later, Xu Chen had showered and lay dazed on his bed.

Suddenly, he heard the car engine downstairs.

Well… when the fish jumps, you can’t help it!

Third Uncle was like a gambler now.

The Bright Machinery Factory order was too tempting. Sixty thousand yuan was the stake.

Xu Chen got up calmly and headed downstairs.

Living room on the first floor.

Sure enough, Third Uncle stood there, all smiles.

Seeing Xu Chen, he said,

“Xiao Chen, I just withdrew the money!”

He opened a black wallet and spread six stacks of crisp bills on the table.

Xu Zhiquan glanced at his son and gave him a knowing look.

Xu Chen said, “Dad, count it carefully—every single note matters!”

“Uncle, please wait—I’ll fetch the bid documents for you.”

He turned and went upstairs.

Soon he returned with the thick bundle of bid documents and handed them to Third Uncle.

Third Uncle took them, leafed through them carefully, then said,

“All right. It’s a deal between us!”

He sneered, grabbed the papers, and walked off.

The moment Third Uncle got the documents, his arrogance resurfaced.

At the door, he turned to Xu Zhiquan and said,

“Second Brother, let me say this:

You’re too small-minded and timid.

You gave up a contract of this scale—your business will never grow.”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled,

“Then I wish you success, Third Brother. May your business surpass mine soon!”

Third Uncle snorted coldly,

“Surpass me? You must be joking. My vision’s far broader than yours.”

With that, he strode out.

…