Chapter 145: Shadows of Competition

Xu Zhiquan was as unflappable as always; no matter what business troubles came his way, he never showed any pressure or frustration in front of his son.

But Xu Chen could sense that today’s ‘intention communication meeting’ hadn’t gone smoothly.

They finished dinner around seven and strolled out of the hotel.

Night had fallen, and lights were starting to glow.

Xu Zhiquan stood by the road and lit a cigarette.

On his wrist, he still wore the Seiko watch Xu Chen had given him—the one like the richest man’s.

“Son, now that your college entrance exams are over, how about a graduation trip? I’ll sponsor it!”

Xu Chen: “Sounds good, but I need to think about where to go.”

Xu Zhiquan laughed heartily:

“Alright, just let me know when you’ve decided.”

Xu Chen: “Dad, how did today’s intention communication meeting really go?”

Xu Zhiquan took a drag from his cigarette and said:

“The companies involved have finally all come out into the open this time.”

“Including ours, there are four shortlisted companies in total.”

“From what we saw at today’s meeting, the challenges are significant…”

“Overall, we’re the weakest in terms of comprehensive strength, and our final bid will probably be the lowest.”

“The leaders have shown clear interest in negotiating with one or two of the other companies.”

“In fact, during the second half of today’s closed-door session, East Morning Star Co. didn’t even get an invitation…”

Xu Zhiquan spoke while smoking, his tone revealing no particular emotion.

But Xu Chen could pick up from a few words that his father and East Morning Star Co. had faced some disregard, even cold shoulders, at the meeting.

Xu Zhiquan tossed his cigarette butt on the ground and stamped it out, saying:

“Still, today was just the first round of contact. There’s a second formal meeting on the 13th…”

“The 13th is when the real bidding and scheme comparisons happen.”

“No matter the outcome, we have to give it our best!”

Xu Chen:

“Dad, I’m free now, so I can help out these next few days!”

Xu Zhiquan smiled:

“I’ve been waiting for you to take the lead!”

“Come on! We need to put in some overtime tonight—Fang Jun and Director Yang are still at the office waiting!”

……

Twenty minutes later, the black Accord pulled up at the base of Jinfeng Business Tower.

The father and son got out, and Xu Zhiquan headed to a nearby fruit store to pack several boxes of cut fruit and two fruit baskets.

He called Li Rui, who came down to help carry everything up.

On the 8th floor, in the East Morning Star Co. office.

The meeting room was brightly lit.

Fang Jun and Yang Congxin sat inside, still discussing a pile of documents.

Xu Zhiquan walked in carrying the fruit, chuckling: “You’ve all worked hard—grab some fruit!”

Seeing Xu Zhiquan and the others enter, Fang Jun and Yang Congxin quickly stood up.

Yang Congxin looked up at Xu Chen and smiled: “This must be Xu Chen?”

Xu Zhiquan introduced with a smile: “Xu Chen, this is Director Yang—Yang Congxin!”

Xu Chen bowed politely and said, “Yang Congxin.”

Director Yang was tall and lean, wearing a loose suit and thick black-rimmed glasses.

His cheekbones were prominent, and due to his slim build, his face wrinkled up when he smiled.

Xu Zhiquan: “Xu Chen’s exams are done, so he’s here to help us brainstorm.”

Fang Jun kept his usual stoic expression but couldn’t help saying: “Mr. Xu, you’re finally here—we’ve been waiting for your ideas!”

Xu Chen laughed and pushed a box of cut fruit toward Fang Jun: “Have some fruit, Fang Jun!”

Besides the ready-cut fruit, Li Rui helped wash two basins of fresh fruit and brought them into the meeting room.

As they ate, the conversation started casually.

Since Xu Zhiquan had brought Fang Jun to today’s intention communication meeting, Fang Jun gave a rough overview.

The main focus was on the other competitors.

As Xu Zhiquan had mentioned earlier, among the four shortlisted companies, East Morning Star Co. was indeed the weakest overall.

East Morning Star Co. had gotten the ‘intention qualification’ thanks to connections with Vice Mayor Wu Yongming.

……

The first company: Fengrong Commerce.

A Hong Kong-backed real estate firm eyeing the mechanical factory mainly for the land.

They have deep pockets and have invested in many residential and commercial projects on the mainland recently.

Of course, what they plan to do after acquiring the factory isn’t clear yet—most likely real estate…

The second company: Xixi Cultural Tourism.

A Zhejiang-based cultural tourism real estate company interested in turning the mechanical factory into a tourism and commercial project.

From the info shared, it might include amusement parks, creative parks, and comprehensive commercial developments.

The third company: Changsheng Chemical.

Also after the mechanical factory’s land and buildings, planning to convert it into a chemical plant.

They’d mainly produce detergents, adhesives, chemical fibers, and dyes.

The fourth is East Morning Star Co.

……

After Fang Jun finished outlining the companies, he added: “Among these, Fengrong Commerce and Xixi Cultural Tourism likely have the most funding.”

“They’re probably sticking to real estate, and the city won’t sell that land cheaply.”

“But from the leaders’ feedback today, Fengrong Commerce and Changsheng Chemical seem to be the top picks.”

Yang Congxin adjusted his black-rimmed glasses: “Why?”

Fang Jun explained: “After the open meeting ended, there was a ‘closed-door session,’ and only those two got invites.”

“We didn’t even qualify to listen in.”

Xu Zhiquan added: “I’ve asked around, and it’s complicated behind the scenes.”

“Fengrong Commerce and Changsheng Chemical have backers in their corners, and they’re still jostling for position.”

Yang Congxin: “Backers? Don’t we have Wu Yongming on our side?”

Xu Zhiquan shook his head: “Wu Yongming just lent a hand; he’s not really backing us.”

“He’s a good leader, clean and focused on Tiancheng City’s development…”

He paused, then said: “As for the backers behind Fengrong and Changsheng, that’s another story…”

Xu Chen thought back…

In his past life, Fengrong Commerce had ended up with the mechanical factory and turned it into residential and commercial real estate.

……

After some discussion, the room felt a bit tense.

Anyone could tell that East Morning Star Co. had the slimmest chance of winning.

With the weakest company strength, least funding, and no real backers…

Xu Chen pondered and said: “For the 13th meeting, what files are we preparing?”

Xu Zhiquan glanced at Fang Jun: “Let Fang Jun explain.”

Fang Jun flipped through the documents on the table and said: “Based on the review committee’s requirements and our situation…”

“It’s mainly about acquisition bids, investment plans, old factory renovations, and future operations.”

“I’m handling the acquisition bid and investment plans.”

“Yang Congxin is on the old factory renovations and future operations.”

“We have a fairly complete draft now—Xu Chen, want to take a look and give feedback?”

As soon as he finished, Yang Congxin glanced at Xu Chen with clear curiosity.

Over the past few days while working on the plans, Fang Jun had mentioned Xu Chen multiple times, wanting his “input” or “feedback.”

But Yang Congxin couldn’t imagine what a high school grad could offer…

Fang Jun’s trust in Xu Chen stemmed from their pitch trip together.

Back then, against foreign ad firms and domestic listed companies, Xu Chen had almost single-handedly won the pitch despite the odds.

And it wasn’t luck—his expertise, competitor analysis, and strategies had impressed Fang Jun deeply.

That trip had built Fang Jun’s confidence in the Xu family company, leading her to join…

Acquiring the mechanical factory was far more complex than that pitch, and not on the same scale.

Today’s intention meeting had clearly pressured Fang Jun.

Yet, for some reason, she felt that with Xu Chen’s arrival, things might clear up.

Even Fang Jun couldn’t fully explain her faith in him.

……

Xu Chen picked up the scattered printed files on the table and skimmed them.

Fang Jun quickly said: “This isn’t the full set—I’ll print a complete one.”

Xu Chen shook his head: “No need. This plan itself might not be that important anyway.”

“At least, not as important as we think.”

Xu Zhiquan smiled: “So, what’s most important?”

Everyone turned to look.

Especially Director Yang, who wore a curious expression, wondering what this high schooler would say.

Xu Chen: “The decision-makers, of course…”

It was basically a obvious statement.

Yang Congxin thought for a moment, then showed a faint, hidden disappointment.

Fang Jun still looked serious: “How so?”

Xu Chen thought it over: “From what I see, the decision-makers are leaning toward Fengrong Commerce and Changsheng Chemical, right?”

Xu Zhiquan nodded: “Based on today’s meeting and what I’ve heard…”

“The review committee is pretty much favoring those two.”

“East Morning Star and Xixi Cultural Tourism are just along for the ride.”

Xu Chen nodded: “So, I think we need two steps.”

“First, make the decision-makers drop those two.”

“Second, get them to choose us.”

Yang Congxin: “Drop them?!”

Xu Chen: “Yeah, force them to drop them.”

Yang Congxin adjusted his black-rimmed glasses: “How’s that possible?”