Huo Chenzhou had fallen into a mental trap.

Like Ning Yanfan, when designing proposals, his first thought was about saving money.

It couldn’t be helped – China’s foundation was weak, and even after thirty years since its establishment, they hadn’t made up the gap.

Although Huo Chenzhou was young to be in charge of such projects, ultimately the funds he managed weren’t his own. He couldn’t act like Du Zhaohui, the second-generation wealthy Hong Kong businessman who could buy a sports car on a whim. Du Zhaohui’s money came from his father – he could act obediently, trick some money from his father, and spend it however he wanted.

Huo Chenzhou couldn’t do that. The money he managed belonged to the state, created by the common people. The country wasn’t wealthy now, so of course they should save where possible!

But he was cooperating with a Hong Kong company, and the Hong Kong side didn’t need such a cost-saving renovation plan. When Huo Chenzhou saw Du Zhaohui’s proposal with a budget of 25 million, claiming it could achieve a 30 million effect, he suddenly understood everything!

He had realized this so late.

If he hadn’t prepared that extra set of plans, at this moment, bringing out the previous proposal with a budget strictly limited to 16 million, even with Tang Hongen present… unless Tang Hongen forcefully intervened, Dongfeng Holdings was destined for defeat today.

Huo Chenzhou remained silent to conceal his inner turmoil.

His previous mockery of Xia Xiaolan’s lack of social experience and methodless actions – all those negative impressions now turned into silent slaps across his face!

Huo Chenzhou didn’t mind losing face.

As long as they could win, as long as Dongfeng Holdings could gain the upper hand, he would even personally apologize to Xia Xiaolan.

Looking at Du Zhaohui’s smug face, Huo Chenzhou suddenly wanted to laugh.

What was there to be proud of?

Someone who thought himself heaven’s chosen, proud of his family background, certain of victory, yet still lost to a female college student who made the first move.

Then Huo Chenzhou did laugh. He was usually serious, so when he suddenly laughed, Du Zhaohui found it quite strange.

“Manager Huo, the proposal still needs to be discussed with everyone, don’t you agree?”

A shabby design proposal, too embarrassing to show, must have lost his mind to be laughing at a time like this!

With less than 10 million more in the budget, so much more could be done. For instance, the room’s metal fixtures could be changed from copper to silver or made gold-plated. Small changes like these would instantly elevate the standard.

How could synthetic carpets compare with wool carpets?

The extra money could upgrade all of the hotel’s hard and soft furnishings!

Despite Du Zhaohui’s obvious mockery, Huo Chenzhou didn’t get angry.

“Tiancheng’s proposal is indeed good.”

“At this standard, Tiancheng is offering quite a discount.”

“I agree…”

The representatives from the Merchants Bureau and HSBC Bank spoke in moderate tones, clearly satisfied with Tiancheng’s proposal.

It sounded like the gold-plating and pure silver were indeed fitting for a five-star hotel’s standards. They’d heard that the world’s top hotels used pure gold for all bathroom fixtures. While the Nanhai Hotel couldn’t compare to that, it shouldn’t fall too far behind.

Tang Yuanyue was also quite satisfied. Industry insiders could tell Du Zhaohui wasn’t lying – this proposal would be worth 30 million even at that price. Du Zhaohui’s discount naturally made Tang Yuanyue look good.

“What does Mayor Tang think?”

Tang Yuanyue passed the choice to Tang Hongen, wanting both victory and to preserve the Mayor’s face.

Whether it was a donkey or a horse, Dongfeng still needed to parade their proposal. Tang Hongen spoke dispassionately: “It’s not easy to convene a shareholders’ meeting. Since we’re here, we might as well see Dongfeng Holdings’ proposal.”

Huo Chenzhou lifted the case at his feet onto the table. “This is our proposal. If anyone has objections, I can have our designer answer questions on the spot.”

Designer Gong Yang stood in the corner, trying not to fidget.

He had to explain the proposal in front of a group of Hong Kong businessmen and the Shenzhen Mayor.

Don’t be nervous, President Xia had anticipated this, otherwise she wouldn’t have prepared two proposals.

Gong Yang walked to the table as naturally as possible and took out the design drawings from the case: “This is our Yuanhui Decoration Company’s modified proposal based on Teacher Ning Yanfan’s design…”

Du Zhaohui snorted dismissively.

Ning Yanfan’s proposal – wasn’t it still the 16 million one?

If the budget hadn’t changed, how much could it be modified?

Tang Yuanyue also felt victory was certain today.

The representatives from the Merchants Bureau and HSBC Bank exchanged glances. At the first rejection, they had wanted to tell Huo Chenzhou the reason, but out of respect for Tang Yuanyue’s face, both investment representatives remained silent.

What a pity, Dongfeng Holdings had gotten the direction wrong.

They couldn’t be blamed for not helping. As Hong Kong companies investing in the mainland together, they naturally needed to align with Meihua for better benefits.

“Well, let me first look at this 16 million prop-“

Du Zhaohui picked up the price sheet, his mockery suddenly stopping.

“Why is it 30 million?!”

Gong Yang nodded honestly, “Yuanhui’s modified proposal is indeed 30 million.”

It wasn’t a last-minute change – the budget sheet clearly showed 30 million, with every item’s cost written in black and white.

Tang Yuanyue frowned, “Manager Huo, you can’t just take Teacher Ning Yanfan’s original proposal and double the price, can you?”

Gong Yang steeled himself and placed the renderings in front of Tang Yuanyue.

“Teacher Ning was our proposal’s modification consultant and gave Yuanhui great help and technical support, but this proposal has indeed been modified.”

It was truly modified.

Huo Chenzhou had people bring out Ning Yanfan’s original proposal for comparison.

Anyone with eyes could see the stark differences between the two proposals. In Teacher Ning’s original design, the hotel entrance had a European fountain, common in many high-end hotels.

In the new proposal, the entrance no longer had a fountain pool, replaced with palm trees and a swimming pool.

“Three swimming pools?”

Why one at the entrance, one in the courtyard, and one on the roof?

Gong Yang repeated word for word the inspiration Xia Xiaolan had drilled into him:

“It’s more than just three swimming pools. Shenzhen is a Special Economic Zone for Reform and Opening Up. Companies like Meihua, Hong Kong Merchants Bureau, and HSBC are the first foreign enterprises to establish themselves here. More foreign investment will come in the future, with people from around the world coming to Shenzhen to do business with China. The Nanhai Hotel, located at Shekou Port, overlooks the sea – such beautiful scenery is the ultimate luxury. We shouldn’t fence in this beauty but let guests from around the world enjoy it more easily – our biggest selling point is the infinity pool.”

Infinity pool?

What the hell!

Du Zhaohui frequently stayed at high-end hotels but had never heard of this concept.

But looking at the renderings, from the rooftop to the mid-air courtyard to the ground-level pool, all the way to sea level… the clever visual drop and seamless design indeed made one want to try it.

– Oh no, that feeling seemed like his heart skipping a beat.

Tiancheng’s Manager Meng tried to salvage some dignity technically: “Impossible, this can’t be achieved technically. The renderings are just drawings – the hotel’s main structure is already completed!”

Seeing how the “infinity pool” had stunned even Du Zhaohui, Gong Yang grew more confident:

“Teacher Ning is the original designer. He says it can be modified, and we’ve technically verified it.”