The next day, Xia Xiaolan accompanied Zhou Cheng and the others to negotiations as their interpreter.

The situation wasn’t looking good.

Mr. Elmer, the American representative, hadn’t agreed to Du Zhaoqi’s offer, but his attitude was somewhat evasive. While Deng Changxing was very eager to finalize the purchase contract, Elmer seemed to be stalling and deflecting.

During the lunch break, Deng Changxing and Song Zhicheng expressed their concerns:

“Have they changed their minds?”

Xia Xiaolan sighed helplessly, “Second Young Master Du directly increased the price by one million dollars – who would turn down American dollars? It’s already good that they didn’t back out immediately, giving us time to maneuver!”

Either they match the price – the delegation would also need to add another million dollars to match Du Zhaoqi – and with Harold’s favor, it would be impossible not to sell to the Chinese delegation.

But raising the price was something Deng Changxing absolutely couldn’t agree to.

A production line worth 8.7 million dollars – who would bear the extra million to pay 9.7 million for it?

Song Zhi Cheng’s state-owned enterprise couldn’t accept it either!

As the Foreign Trade Ministry official handling this matter, Deng Changxing couldn’t make this decision.

Deng Changxing was extremely anxious. He had already sent word back home, trying to connect with anyone who might be able to reach Sheng Rong Group’s chairman. Since the Chinese delegation couldn’t raise another million dollars, their only hope was to get Du Zhaoqi to voluntarily withdraw from the bidding… Deng Changxing would certainly offer Sheng Rong Group some compensation. Whether Sheng Rong Group truly had friendly ties with China wasn’t certain, but Deng Changxing knew they had donated to several Beijing universities and had ongoing projects in Peng City!

Thank Buddha – Little Xia’s information was accurate, and this gave them room to negotiate!

Deng Changxing stuffed the remaining hamburger into his mouth and brushed the crumbs from his hands: “Let them stall – we’ll see who can hold out longer! The rest of the delegation has moved on to the next destination, while we few will stay in New York and wait it out.”

The other delegation members had already gone to other cities, leaving only Zhou Cheng, Deng Changxing, and Song Zhicheng in New York, which didn’t interfere with the delegation’s schedule.

The delay worked perfectly, giving him time to contact Sheng Rong Group.

Deng Changxing thought, surely a son must listen to his father? If Du Chengrong spoke up, wouldn’t that stop Du Zhaoqi from blindly raising the price here?

Xia Xiaolan shared the same thought.

This was a tug of war – Du Zhaoqi was eager to acquire the production line, but the Chinese delegation couldn’t let go either.

It would come down to who could outlast whom. Harold owed Zhou Cheng a “life debt,” and although Mr. Elmer was tempted by Du Zhaoqi’s offer, he hadn’t agreed – as long as Zhou Cheng didn’t say the Chinese delegation was withdrawing, Mr. Elmer wouldn’t reach an agreement with Du Zhaoqi.

“Looks like I’ll need to extend my leave by several days.”

Xia Xiaolan said with a smile. Having figured things out, Deng Changxing wasn’t as anxious as before: “We’re really troubling you, Little Xia. Your interpretation skills are impressive – I’d say they’re not inferior to the embassy’s professional interpreters.”

This was just Deng Changxing’s mindless praise.

Xia Xiaolan’s level was better than the average Chinese person’s, after all, she had won English competition awards.

But she couldn’t compare to professional interpreters… Deng Changxing found Xia Xiaolan useful because she was better at controlling the rhythm of business negotiations. Understanding the other party’s mindset was crucial, and she could sense it and convey it through her interpretation, helping Deng Changxing and Song Zhicheng understand more intuitively, which was very helpful for negotiations!

“Director Deng, once we reach an agreement with Mr. Elmer, we’ll need lawyers involved. Does the delegation have any familiar lawyers here? If not…”

If not, she could make some introductions.

Chinese people weren’t used to dealing with lawyers. For many years after the founding of the nation, people didn’t even have the concept of “lawyers.”

It wasn’t until 1979, with the Reform and Opening Up policy, that gradual contact with foreign investment and business created this need. In 1983, the Peng City Justice Bureau submitted a report to the Guang Province Justice Department about establishing a law firm in the Shekou Industrial Zone.

The provincial Justice Department gave special approval, and the “Shekou Law Office” was established!

Even now, only two or three years later, seeking legal counsel still wasn’t a Chinese habit, including many officials and state enterprise leaders who could travel abroad. Hiring lawyers cost money, and nobody wanted to spend it – saving small amounts led to many bad outcomes, with fraud in foreign trade activities becoming increasingly common!

Foreigners could be quite cunning too.

They looked for loopholes even in proper contracts, let alone improper ones.

Deng Changxing’s expression turned serious, perhaps remembering some painful experience:

“We need lawyers – this isn’t an expense we can skimp on!”

From Little Xia’s tone, she even knew lawyers.

See, capable young women, weren’t just capable in one area. Deng Changxing looked at Xia Xiaolan with appreciation.

This was just how the world worked – capable young men could find capable young women, forming power couples… Was it unfair? How was it unfair? Regardless of gender, if you weren’t outstanding yourself, how could you find an outstanding partner? Outstanding partners wouldn’t fall from the sky like some “poverty alleviation” program to rescue ordinary young men and women!

Xia Xiaolan naturally had no idea what Director Deng was thinking about.

When they returned to get their car after lunch, they ran into Du Zhaoqi arriving at the parking lot with his people.

This time, Du Zhaoqi had several people with him, but Ye Xiaoqiong wasn’t among them.

Had Ye Xiaoqiong been fired?

Du Zhaoqi certainly moved fast.

Xia Xiaolan said nothing, and Du Zhaoqi ignored them, heading straight upstairs with his people.

Both sides wanted the production line, and since negotiations had reached a deadlock, it was now down to their respective abilities!

Zhou Cheng said quietly: “Whether Ye Xiaoqiong loses her job or not isn’t your concern.”

“Of course, it isn’t my concern. I’m wondering if Jiang Yan is almost in America…”

Once Jiang Yan arrived, Grandmother Yu and her mother would follow. Everything was happening at once – she really hoped Du Zhaohui could quickly find a Hong Kong buyer for the vase, they needed to give Grandmother Yu new hope to hold onto!

…

“The negotiations have reached a deadlock?”

Harold had his mess of problems to deal with and hadn’t bothered with the Chinese delegation’s production line purchase. He had already put in a good word, thinking it would be an easy matter.

Unexpectedly, complications arose when another buyer refused to back down, even raising the price by a million dollars at once.

“Yes, sir. The negotiations have reached an impasse. Without your increased support, Mr. Zhou’s Chinese delegation might not be able to purchase the production line.”

Butler Alan pointed out this fact.

Harold was noncommittal, “If they can’t buy it, that means they lack the capability. I’ve already given them the opportunity – that’s enough to repay the favor.”

They wanted more?

Fine!

Let Zhou Cheng come to beg him himself.

That young upstart was too proud, and wouldn’t even take the million-dollar check. Now that negotiations were deadlocked, he probably regretted not taking it!

The other buyer probably wouldn’t raise the price further. If the Chinese delegation could add another million dollars, they could buy the production line smoothly!