Chapter 121: Get Out

"What? Aren't these terms a bit too harsh?"

As soon as Wu Ya finished outlining his conditions, the voice of Factory Director Pei echoed throughout the hallway. It was a sound of dissatisfaction, laced with indignation.

Contracting. It sounded nice—he would be the one fronting the capital, and all the profits would go to Chensi. But in reality? The boy was opening his mouth like a lion! Asking for thirty thousand a year! Thirty thousand!

A textile workshop required at most 150,000 in total capital investment. With careful management, the annual profit would be, at best, 60,000. According to industry standards, it would take two and a half years to break even. Yet, this kid was using the pretext of contracting to Chensi to snatch away half of that in one fell swoop! Was this "all profits to Chensi"? This was highway robbery!

Furthermore, he had set a deadline for the buyback: one year at the earliest, two years at the latest. Let’s say it took one year. Thirty thousand. By then, he would have to take over all of his equipment. It was effectively like investing his own money while letting the kid pocket half the profit! It was an outrage!

And what if it took two years? By then, he would have grossed 210,000! No matter how he calculated it, Director Pei felt like a fool.

"Wu Ya, you’re putting me in a very difficult position! Have you thought this through? The authorities will never agree to such terms! And we’re supposed to be making this happen for mutual benefit, aren't we?"

But in the end, Director Pei swallowed his pride. After all, this matter was nothing but beneficial for him. If he could pull it off, it would be a major achievement. It might even be the spark that reignited his stalled career! He might even get transferred to the sub-district office as the head of the enterprise department!

So, for the sake of a visible future, Director Pei decided to bow his head. He decided to endure the humiliation and keep negotiating with Wu Ya. After all, their previous cooperation had been pleasant, and Wu Ya was young. Perhaps if he poured out his heart about his revolutionary history and offered a thorough analysis of the gains and losses, the kid might crack and make some concessions! That way, everyone would be happy.

However, he had underestimated Wu Ya. The boy might be young, but he possessed the soul of someone reborn! Appealing to reason and emotion? That was a trick that only the truly young and naive would fall for.

Therefore, "Hehe, Director Pei, that thirty thousand a year figure is something I calculated carefully on the way here! Look, a workshop requires an investment of at least 150,000, right? If I were to put that money elsewhere—say, I take that 150,000 to another textile factory to source goods—don't you think I could negotiate a discount of at least 30,000 by paying in cash?"

Wu Ya gave a cold laugh, his expression resolute. His tone carried the distinct implication that if they couldn't reach an agreement, they might as well walk away.

Sourcing from other factories and using cash to pressure them—Director Pei understood. Wu Ya’s hypothetical wasn't just a hypothetical. It was... a naked threat. If you don't agree, Director Pei, then consider my proposal null and void! I’ll take my cash to other factories. With my deep pockets and massive order volume, forget 30,000 a year—with quick turnover, I could save 50,000 without a problem!

"The only reason I'm cooperating with you is that we’ve always had a good relationship. I, Wu Ya, don't want to let the 'fat water' flow into an outsider's field! But given that, offering you 30,000 a year is already showing you a massive amount of respect! After all, I’m the one suffering a huge loss. At least 20,000! Twenty thousand! Do you have any idea what that means? And instead of being grateful, you want me to make concessions? Is that even possible?"

"This..." Director Pei’s aged face wrinkled like elm bark. It was true. On paper, Wu Ya would be losing a fortune at 30,000 a year. But from a practical standpoint, especially considering the concept of contracting, 30,000 did seem a bit high!

What to do? If he submitted the proposal at 30,000 a year, it might be approved, but the chances were slim! It might even delay the approval process while the leaders deliberated over the profit margins. If it dragged on for three years, not only would he violate the agreement signed with Wu Ya, but the exorbitant contracting fees would make the venture unprofitable, leading them to abandon the buyback! That would be a disaster!

But to give up this opportunity? Honestly, Director Pei couldn't bear it! He had been in this seat for eight full years! His career had hit a wall. If he didn't find a breakthrough, this factory director position would be his final destination. And the breakthrough? Without a doubt, pioneering a reform, benefiting the collective, and securing the workers' welfare was the greatest achievement in the current climate! If he succeeded, he could definitely move up!

So, what to do? Having weathered half a lifetime of storms and faced countless choices, Director Pei’s mind was in total disarray.

And Wu Ya? "Whew~ whew!" He was whistling, relaxed and saying nothing. He just kept his head down, sipping his tea and occasionally checking his pager. He wasn't in a hurry.

*Concern leads to chaos.* I know exactly what you're thinking, Director Pei! You want to get promoted, but you don't want to pay the price or take the risks. You want the best results and the maximum benefit for your side to maximize your political performance. But is that possible? There are no fools in this world. Concessions are merely for gathering strength for the next strike! So, as long as you want to be promoted, you will be anxious. And as long as you are anxious, that becomes your weakness.

Am I in a hurry? Actually, I am. I really, really want to control the raw materials myself! But I won't show it, so you’ll never know. Therefore, in a situation where you are anxious and I am not, the one who fails the negotiation will surely be you!

Sure enough. "Boss Wu, how about this? A contracting fee of 25,000 a year, and I’ll check with the higher-ups first. Once the intent is confirmed, we’ll sign the agreement! How’s that?"

Director Pei gritted his teeth, but he still laid out two conditions: one, lower the price; two, he would seek permission before acting. This was to ensure there were no mistakes! Of course, it was also beneficial for Wu Ya, but it further revealed Director Pei’s desperation to make this happen!

"Hehe, deal! Director Pei, I’ll wait quietly for your good news! At the same time, to assist with your communication, I’ll use some connections to put in a good word for you with the higher-ups!" Wu Ya stood up directly, looking at Director Pei with a definitive answer!

Don't push your luck. When it's time to concede, you must retreat temporarily. Didn't I say? A concession is just for the next strike! At the same time, he gave Director Pei’s anxious heart a dose of reassurance! Using connections to help him? After a brief moment of shock, Director Pei was instantly flooded with joy!

"That would be wonderful! I was just worried that I didn't have the right connections and that my words wouldn't carry enough weight! With the double insurance of benefits and connections, this thing is as good as done!"

Awesome! Who is Wu Ya? The richest man in the Suiyan District. Even though he’s low-key, he’s still the richest man! And precisely because he’s low-key, he might have some powerful connections that I don't know about. After all, his circle is not one I could ever reach! Don't let his youth fool you. The things he does are anything but immature!

But little did he know, Wu Ya’s desire to see this through was just as intense as his own! He was using the guise of helping Director Pei to actually help himself. But he couldn't waste that favor, could he?

As for the connections he could use? Looking across the entire Suiyan District, only poor Huang Silu came to mind! After all, his father was the manager of the Hardware Company. Holding real power and commanding influence! He was a person of significance in the Suiyan District!

"Director Pei, I’ll go handle my side of things now. You arrange the factory affairs and get to the Enterprise Office quickly. Let’s work from both ends and try to get this done as soon as possible!"

Soon, Wu Ya left the factory. He didn't need to worry about the work; Director Pei would handle it. So the priority was to find Huang Silu immediately and have him pressure his old man. He wanted to get a response from the higher-ups by today, or tomorrow at the latest! It was just a sub-district enterprise office; Wu Ya believed Huang Silu’s father could definitely handle it!

"Fatty Huang, are you dead, you bastard? How come I haven't seen your shadow since I ran into trouble? Can't you even come find me to ask how I am? At the very least, you should be paying your respects on time, right?"

Wu Ya hadn't closed the tailor shop yet. Firstly, because the lease had just been signed. Secondly, because of the seamstresses. They were all laid-off workers his mother had personally recruited. They hadn't worked for long; how could he let them be laid off again? Wu Ya didn't have the heart. So, he decided to keep the tailor shop open, treating it as a small supplement to the factory and giving his mother something to do! Whenever he asked her to help at the factory, she always said she was afraid of causing trouble for her son. But sitting at home, Wu Ya was afraid she’d get sick from boredom. After all, his parents had worked hard for half their lives and were people who couldn't sit still.

Now, back at the shop, the first thing he did when Huang Silu picked up the phone was to launch a barrage of fire!

"Your grandpa, Wu Ya! I’ve been going through hell these past few days, why haven't you asked me about it?"

But unexpectedly, he was met with a retort full of indignation from Huang Silu.

"You’re going through hell too? Tell me, who’s been tormenting you? Your brother will take revenge for you, I’m absolutely obligated!" Wu Ya paused, but he instantly changed his tone. Brotherhood was paramount. If his brother was suffering, how could he talk about his own business? That wouldn't be right.

"Sigh~" Huang Silu on the other end let out a long, heavy sigh, almost sending the sorrow through the phone line. "Who else could it be? My lady, Qiao Ya! I’ve been dizzy with all that financial theory these past few days. I accidentally forgot her birthday! Now she says I don't care about her at all and is threatening to break up with me!"

Wu Ya felt relieved. To facilitate things between him and Qiao Ya, and to force Huang Silu to study finance, Wu Ya had let him show off significantly on the first day of trading. But the price of that show was too high. Now, for Huang Silu, there was only studying and Qiao Ya. As for everything else? Completely cut off!

Poor guy. A slacker who never knew what studying was had suddenly put in unprecedented energy to master the difficult subject of finance! Thinking about that misery made Wu Ya feel guilty. But there was no choice; he had to get the real work done. He offered some comfort before bringing up the matter again.

"About that... Fatty Huang, there’s something I need to trouble your old man with..."

But before he could even finish, a roar came from the other end of the phone.

"Get lost!"

*Click!* The line went dead.