The concept of infinity pools didn’t exist in the 1980s.

The Nanhai Hotel’s main structure was already completed. If Xia Xiaolan had been involved from the start, the visual effect of the infinity pool would have been more striking. Currently, the hotel’s main structure had a higher center and lower sides on the roof, which was why Manager Meng from Tiancheng seized on this point, claiming there would be technical difficulties in achieving the design effect.

Xia Xiaolan had already prepared for this.

Remove the raised central portion, reinforce the roof, and transform it into a swimming pool.

With the original designer Ning Yanfan’s help addressing technical challenges… Gong Yang explained point by point, refuting each of the opponent’s doubts – it felt incredibly satisfying!

President Xia should have been here to witness this.

If President Xia had been present, these opponents would have suffered an even more humiliating defeat.

Gong Yang, who had initially stuttered, grew increasingly confident. After crushing Manager Meng from Tiancheng, he almost wished for two more skeptics to emerge, so the “infinity pool” proposal could triumph by stepping on the opponents’ faces!

Tang Yuanyue stared at the proposal as if trying to burn a hole through the design drawings.

Du Zhaohui’s heart-skipping sensation hadn’t subsided. He couldn’t help imagining the scene – if such a hotel existed, he would book the entire rooftop infinity pool and bring one… no, a group of hot beautiful women for a rooftop pool party!

The representatives from the Merchants Bureau and HSBC whispered opinions to each other.

Good things were simply good. When two candidates answer the same test, one scoring 70 and the other 80, the examiner might still favor the one with 70 and reject the 80-point candidate.

But between a 70 and a perfect 100, it was practically impossible for the examiner to reject the perfect scorer. With absolute excellence, crushing all unspoken rules – that was the current situation!

The Merchants Bureau and HSBC had invested real money. Choosing Dongfeng Holdings’ proposal would benefit Nanhai Hotel’s operations – they couldn’t deny this just because of Tang Yuanyue!

The Merchants Bureau representative cleared his throat:

“Director Tang, are there any other proposals to present?”

Tang Yuanyue’s expression showed slight discomfort. There were other proposals, but he had personally championed Tiancheng’s, essentially abandoning the others.

Because even if presented, they couldn’t surpass the innovation of the “infinity pool.”

Tang Yuanyue was reluctant to concede. Under Gong Yang’s expectant, challenging gaze, Tang Yuanyue raised a question:

“This concept is unfamiliar to all of us, making it difficult to imagine the construction challenges. Even if technically achievable, the cost for this aspect would be substantial. Consequently, investment in other areas of the hotel’s renovation would be reduced. To ensure achieving the proposed effect, can the 30 million budget suffice?”

Before Gong Yang could speak, Huo Chenzhou took over:

“What, Director Tang suggests increasing the renovation budget? While I have no objections, we must consider other investors. Maintaining the original budget is best. Tiancheng claims they can achieve a 30 million effect with 25 million – our proposal, with a 30 million budget, might achieve a 50 million effect. Director Tang needn’t worry whether 30 million is enough; we can overcome any difficulties!”

The mainland’s cheap, effective labor force attracted foreign investors to build factories.

When machine tools weren’t advanced enough, they could rely on skilled workers to manually craft parts to standard. Once leadership issued orders, no matter how difficult the task, they would deliver satisfactory results through manpower and dedication!

This was China’s current spirit – Huo Chenzhou’s words left Tang Yuanyue speechless. Tang Yuanyue couldn’t understand how mainlanders earning just dozens of yuan monthly could maintain such enthusiasm at work. He clutched the design drawings in silence.

“Having seen both proposals, let the four investor representatives vote. No need to complicate things – I think a show of hands will suffice!”

Tang Hongen’s words practically choked Tang Yuanyue.

With a secret ballot, the Merchants Bureau and HSBC might still vote for Tiancheng. Between the two proposals, Yuanhui was superior – voting for Tiancheng in front of Mayor Tang would require some serious explaining!

Such were mainland officials.

Sometimes cunning as foxes.

Sometimes brutal as tigers.

Today, Mayor Tang was a tiger, his words clamping Tang Yuanyue’s throat. Tang Yuanyue couldn’t accept losing, especially not like this. Even if Tang Hongen had forcefully pushed everyone to choose Yuanhui’s proposal, Tang Yuanyue would have felt better – he could have matched his wits with authority.

But now, Tiancheng’s proposal had lost to Yuanhui’s.

A small company Tang Yuanyue had never heard of before.

Where did they come from?

How could these unsophisticated mainlanders surpass Hong Kong renovation companies in design aesthetics and innovation?

“…Now, those in favor of Yuanhui Company’s proposal, please raise your hands.”

Huo Chenzhou raised his hand without hesitation.

The representatives from the Hong Kong Merchants Bureau and HSBC exchanged quiet words before raising their hands almost simultaneously!

Whether Tang Yuanyue raised his hand no longer mattered. With 3 of 4 shareholders in favor, the 3:1 result was crushing. The previously spirited Tang Yuanyue had never taken such a fall!

Everyone’s eyes fell on Tang Yuanyue as he slowly raised his right hand.

“I agree.”

Blood rushed to his head, and Gong Yang’s cheeks flushed red. Though the design wasn’t his, he had participated in the proposal.

Yuanhui had won, and the small company had created a miracle. Their sleepless nights modifying the proposal had paid off!

Huo Chenzhou smiled.

Liu Yong felt dizzy, as if drunk.

The 30 million budget proposal had passed!

A quarter of the project would go to Yuanhui.

Just like with the government guesthouse, Mayor Tang had given him and Xiaolan an opportunity, and Xiaolan had firmly grasped it with her abilities!

No need for Mayor Tang to show favoritism.

Yuanhui’s proposal was simply excellent, stunning the Hong Kong companies into silence. The previously confident Director Tang was forced to agree to Yuanhui’s proposal, while Young Master Du, whom Liu Yong found thoroughly disagreeable, was still squinting at the renderings with a distant look.

Voting, signing, adjournment.

Everyone first saw Tang Hongen off before dispersing.

Huo Chenzhou couldn’t help shaking hands with Liu Yong. “Miss Xia’s judgment was correct, and her design is excellent. With such talent, no wonder she’s studying architecture.”

The “infinity pool” was the biggest highlight. Though the proposal claimed to be modified from Ning Yanfan’s design, barely any traces of the original remained.

While Yuanhui said they had hired Ning Yanfan as a design consultant, Huo Chenzhou believed the proposal was entirely Xia Xiaolan’s work – romance wasn’t Ning Yanfan’s strong suit!

Several meters away.

Manager Meng from Tiancheng was trying to save face, attempting to compensate for his failure by suggesting to Du Zhaohui that they should poach Gong Yang, saying they couldn’t let such an excellent designer slip away when they heard Huo Chenzhou say “Miss Xia’s design is excellent.”

Miss Xia? Which Miss Xia?

Manager Meng was bewildered.

Du Zhaohui looked as if struck by lightning!

Which Miss Xia could it be? It must be Xia Xiaolan – the infinity pool concept was her creation.

Without even showing her face, Xia Xiaolan had snatched away the business he wanted!