Chu Shichen looked directly into Xiang Xingzhao's eyes and said calmly, "Mr. Xiang, I am Chu Zhe's son. Chu Shichen, do you remember?"
Xiang Xingzhao narrowed his eyes, as if trying hard to identify.
At this time, Xiang Mingzhang came back after washing his hands, interrupting the vaguely solidified atmosphere in the treatment room, and asked Chu Shichen: "Is the old man not making a fuss?"
"No." Chu Shichen stepped back from the bedside, his tone calm and calm, "Director Xiang just asked me who I was."
Xiang Mingzhang covered Xiang Xingzhao with a blanket and said, "His memory is confused after the stroke, and he hasn't seen you much in these years. His impression of you was that you were still young, which doesn't match your current age."
After turning off the desk lamp, Xiang Mingzhang leaned over and said, "Grandpa, go to sleep. We'll go home tomorrow."
Xiang Xingzhao closed his eyes blankly. Uncle Qi came just in time, and Xiang Mingzhang and Chu Shichen left quietly.
The glass door of the treatment room closed. Chu Shichen secretly let out a sigh of relief. He turned around and glanced at the old face on the hospital bed.
Were Xiang Xingzhao's doubts and denials intentional or unintentional
Is it really because of memory confusion, or did he see some clues
Chu Shichen was glad that he was sober and able to remain calm, otherwise he would have made mistakes in a panic. If Xiang Mingzhang heard it, it would not be easy to explain.
Xiang Mingzhang took Chu Shichen to the visiting room next to the ward. The lights were not on, and the moonlight shining in was bright white. The two of them walked to the window and stood side by side, just in time to get some fresh air.
Xiang Mingzhang spoke first: "What brings you here so late at night?"
Chu Shichen asked: "The restaurant that Shang Fusheng invited us to dinner is very high-end. Can anyone go?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "It's a membership system. We only accept four tables a day, two at noon and two at night."
Chu Shichen took out a card from his pocket and handed it over: "Then non-members should not be able to take away."
Xiang Mingzhang took it and asked, "Where did the card come from?"
Chu Shichen only answered with two words: "Li Heng."
Xiang Mingzhang bent down slightly, rested his elbows on the windowsill, and played with the card with his hands suspended in the air.
As the night fell and the crowd was still, Chu Shichen's voice became clearer and clearer: "You have made preparations for this project in advance, and Shang Fusheng may not be idle either. After all, the mobilization meeting was held in Beijing, and Zhitian Chuangxiang is a local company in Beijing, so the other party will get the information no later than others."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "The list of the selection team was announced by Beijing, and Shang Fusheng may have known it earlier."
Chu Shichen deduced: "Zhitian has determined that Director She is the technical team leader, but it is not convenient to be far away, so he found a company here to cooperate with, so that he can take fewer detours."
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "So you found the unknown Du Heng?"
"Mr. Xiang, don't be so arrogant." Chu Shichen said, "Du Heng is indeed average, but he has Li Zangqiu behind him. As the president of operations, he has been immersed in the industry for many years and has both experience and connections. Father and son are fighting together, and Li Heng hasn't returned yet, but Li Zangqiu has already helped his son get in touch with Director She."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Xiang Yue acquired Yisi, Shang Fusheng must know about it."
The wind was a little cold. Chu Shichen turned sideways and said, "I think Zhitian values this point. Objectively speaking, Li Cangqiu is inside Xiang Yue and is a senior executive. He knows Xiang Yue better than an unrelated third party."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Then he is too reckless."
"Because it's hard to get evidence for this kind of thing." Chu Shichen said, "Besides, Yisi has been reorganizing and reforming for a few times. Instead of defending the old city that is gradually out of his control, Li Zangqiu should hurry up to build his retreat route, that is, the crossing bridge."
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "When will Li Heng come back?"
"Tonight." Chu Shichen replied, "Tomorrow is Saturday, he might strike while the iron is hot and ask Director She to meet him."
Bidding is not just about the final decision. In fact, every step in the early stages is a competition and pursuit. A phone call or a dinner may change the situation. You may have the upper hand tonight, but you may lose before dawn.
So Chu Shichen didn't want to delay and had to inform him as soon as possible, saying, "Xiang Yue needs to hurry up."
To meet with Party A, you must contact them at least one day in advance. Xiang Mingzhang made a prompt decision: "I will call Director She in person tomorrow morning. He will give me a favor."
Chu Shichen was relieved: "Okay."
After finishing this, Chu Shichen suddenly felt a little sleepy and tired. He leaned against the wall. His tall and thin figure looked like a straight bamboo, even its posture bending in the wind was beautiful.
The cold wind blew in through the window, and Chu Shichen's open coat swayed in the dimness. Xiang Mingzhang closed the window and said, "Thank you for coming. I'll ask the driver to take you home."
Chu Shichen said softly: "I want to stay for another five minutes."
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "What are you going to do in another five minutes?"
Chu Shichen didn't answer. Xiang Mingzhang approached and grabbed the collar of his coat. It was made of cashmere and was very soft, and it seemed that it could not withstand the slightest pulling.
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Then I will help you count down. Thirty seconds have passed."
Chu Shichen was trapped in the corner and had no way to escape except by jumping off the building, but unfortunately the window was also closed.
He leaned his head against the wall and asked, "Are you going to see Director She alone?"
The moonlight was dappled, and Chu Shichen's eyelashes were dense and fluffy, drooping down to cover the ambition in his eyes. Xiang Mingzhang stared at such a clear face and volunteered to be fooled, saying, "Do you want to go together?"
Chu Shichen said: "Follow Mr. Xiang's arrangements."
Xiang Mingzhang pretended to button his shirt, and inserted his slender index finger into the buttonhole, touching Chu Shichen's ribs through a layer of fabric, and also pretended: "Then I'll think about it."
His fingertips brushed across his waist, and Chu Shichen gritted his teeth to endure the itch: "Can you respect yourself a little more when you think about it."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "That may affect the results of the consideration."
Chu Shichen trembled.
Xiang Mingzhang pulled his hand away briefly, helped him button up his shirt, and said, "The time for the meeting has been confirmed. I'll send it to you."
Chu Shichen reached his goal and used his own method to fight back. He pressed his index finger against Xiang Mingzhang's abdominal muscles to push him away a little and said, "I should go now."
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "Is the five minutes over?"
"There are only two seconds left." Chu Shichen said before leaving, "There is not enough time for other things, just a good time to say good night to you."
The driver took Chu Shichen home. The streets were unobstructed but a little cold. Chu Shichen hugged his arms, pressing his palms against his ribs, and sporadic itching spread across his skin.
There was a blanket in the carriage, which was for Xiang Xingzhao. Chu Shichen recalled the scene in the treatment room. No matter what, it would be better for him to see him less often in the future.
Xiang Mingzhang stayed in the ward all night. The next morning, he completed the discharge procedures for Xiang Xingzhao and they returned to Jingpu mansion together.
The meeting was scheduled at the golf course. After Chu Shichen received the message, he asked his wife to accompany him to buy a set of clothes for playing golf and arrive on time in the afternoon.
The white polo shirt was neatly tucked into his waist. Chu Shichen had a narrow waist and long legs, and he walked slowly and gracefully, like a poplar on the green grass.
Director She met him for the first time and praised him, "Secretary Chu is really handsome. Public figures often come here to have fun. I thought you were a celebrity just now."
Chu Shichen smiled reservedly: "This is my first time playing golf, I hope I won't make a fool of myself."
After hitting a few shots on the tee, they walked and chatted along the grass slope, and then played for a while on the green. Xiang Mingzhang took the lead competitively.
Director She joked, "Mr. Xiang, I broke someone else's appointment to come see you. Are you going to let me lose all the time?"
This proves that they succeeded in intercepting the attack. Xiang Mingzhang said, "It seems that someone is faster than me."
Director She knew that playing basketball was just a cover, and said: "This cultural tourism project is very popular, and I have also become a popular item because of it."
Xiang Mingzhang got to the point: "The requirements at the Beijing meeting were not clear, so everyone must work harder before the promotion meeting. Everyone wants to be more confident."
Director She said impartially: "We are acting on behalf of the government and we treat everyone equally. We will disclose what needs to be disclosed, just like the scope of the exam and the scoring criteria. It depends on how well everyone performs."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "At the meeting, it was proposed to split it into two sites. Is the official intention strong?"
"To be honest, you big companies will definitely not be satisfied with just half, but the issue that the government must consider is 'stability'," said Director She. "But everything depends on the perspective. Some people think it is just a verbal proposal and does not count, while others think it will be implemented and have changed their strategy based on this intention."
Xiang Mingzhang and Chu Shichen looked at each other and asked, "Director She, what do you mean?"
Director She said, "Let me explain it this way. If the project is split into two, the government will have to find two companies, A and B. Now Company A has found a company, C, to operate under the name of a subsidiary or a cooperative company, trying to win both projects. On the surface, there are still two companies, but when it comes down to it, A only gives a little to C, which is much more advantageous than splitting it equally with B."
Xiang Mingzhang put himself in the shoes of Zhitian and Du Heng, and everything became clear. It turned out that Shang Fusheng had this idea. He said simply, "C is equivalent to A's little follower. I'm afraid his qualifications don't meet the official standards."
Director She said: "The key is that the government only has intentions, but no clear requirements. Now A has an extra C compared to other companies, just like having an extra card."
Xiang Mingzhang held the golf club. Zhitian's move could be used for attack or defense. Xiang Yue could not win by just defending, and he had to break it down.
Seeing Xiang Mingzhang remained silent, Director She misunderstood and consoled him, "Don't be discouraged, Mr. Xiang. The project has just started and all aspects are unknown."
Chu Shichen remained silent until he finally spoke up: "If I were an official, I would put an end to this strategy."
Director She asked with interest, "Why?"
Chu Shichen said bluntly: "This move is nothing more than 'big leading small'. When a big company selects followers, it values the ability to cooperate, not the business level. After all, the more capable, the more rewards. Its strategic goal is to take the lion's share."
"If this is the first time for both parties to work together, the project will go through their adjustment period, which will be inefficient and high risk."
"It's fine if the two companies are in the same city. But if they are separated, they will be in different circles and there will be information errors. In the future, communication will be inconvenient and technical interaction will be difficult. Who will pay for the disputes caused?"
Chu Shichen did not mention Zhitian and Du Heng at all, but every sentence he said was directly about the two.
After listening to this, Director She pondered and said, "Secretary Chu's words make sense. These drawbacks are indeed likely to occur."
Chu Shichen asked: "Will the government still approve it?"
Director She, on behalf of the government, said rigorously: "This requires detailed research, but in terms of the general direction, it is always safer to have a helper."
The most important thing in dialectically proving a point of view is to be objective, to analyze the disadvantages in detail, and not to arbitrarily erase the advantages. Chu Shichen nodded: "I agree, 1 0.3 is always greater than 1."
Director She was surprised and asked, "Didn't Secretary Chu object?"
Chu Shichen smiled suddenly and changed the subject very smoothly: "Because some companies avoid all the above disadvantages and have a familiar and controllable helper."
Director She asked: "Which company?"
Chu Shichen said: "Xiang Yue."
Director She asked again: "Who is the helper?"
Chu Shichen replied: "Yisi."
The sun was shining brightly above the green, and Xiang Mingzhang understood why Chu Shichen wanted to come along. When Chu Shichen was looking for him last night, or when he deduced the relationship between Du Heng and Zhitian, he probably thought of this.
On the surface, Chu Shichen only reported what happened and fulfilled his employee responsibilities.
In fact, Chu Shichen had planned a solution as well. The reason why he did not state it directly was that he knew that this method was beyond the secretary's authority.
From the moment they stepped onto the football field today, Chu Shichen accompanied them humbly all the way, listened to the conversation, and then seized the opportunity to lead the topic.
First, dismantle the competitor company, then make suggestions to the authorities, and finally achieve the purpose of offering advice.
It's true for Xiang Yue, it's also true for the project, and the intention hidden in this sincerity is for Yisi.
Last night's ambition was obscured by the shadows in the corners and the hazy moonlight. At this moment, Chu Shichen stood straight, calm and determined.
After hearing this, Director She smiled approvingly: "In this case, Xiang Yue is indeed thoughtful."
Xiang Mingzhang looked deep in the eyes and said, "Thanks to Secretary Chu for his quick thinking."
Chu Shichen knew that he was acting without authorization and that this was against the rules. He looked past Director She at Xiang Mingzhang and finally began to feel a little guilty for acting on his own initiative.
When in front of outsiders, everything should be done after the social event is over.
But Chu Shichen couldn't help it and asked tentatively: "Mr. Xiang, can you teach me how to play?"
Xiang Mingzhang was indistinguishable in his emotions, and said, "You can learn by yourself with your abilities."
Chu Shichen pursed his lips and tried again: "Just one shot, isn't that okay?"
Xiang Mingzhang paused for a moment. He couldn't judge who had the advantage between Xiang Yue and Zhitian, nor could he guess the official's subjective preference. He only knew that he was less promising than before.
With a slightly cold face, he changed the topic and said, "Then why don't you come over."
(End of this chapter)