I am the Holy Poisoner, the Empress advised me to calm down

Late at night in the factory office, Su Wanwan and Huo Jingshen were still discussing countermeasures. Various documents were spread out on the table, and the tea had long since gone cold.

"Li Mingxing's tactics this time are truly insidious." Su Wanwan rubbed her temples. "First, they stopped production due to safety inspections, then there were quality complaints. They've been pressing us step by step."

Huo Jingshen put down the document in his hand: "Their purpose is very clear, which is to force us to accept the acquisition."

"But our current situation is really not good," Factory Director Yang said worriedly. "During these days of suspension, the workers' wages alone are a considerable expense, not to mention the liquidated damages."

Su Wanwan stood up and walked to the window: "The more times like this, the more we can't lose our composure."

"So what do you think?" Huo Jingshen asked.

"Since they want to play, we'll play with them." Su Wanwan turned around, a determined glint in her eyes, "But we want to play differently."

"What do you mean?"

"Tomorrow I'm going to visit Li Mingxing at the Mingxing Clothing Company." Su Wanwan said.

Director Yang was shocked: "Isn't this like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth?"

"No." Su Wanwan shook her head. "This is called taking the initiative."

Huo Jingshen thought thoughtfully: "You want to negotiate?"

"Negotiation is one thing, but what's more important is to understand their true situation." Su Wanwan sat back in her chair. "Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you win every battle."

The next morning, Su Wanwan changed into a formal business suit and came to the Star Clothing Company, a splendidly decorated office building with over ten floors.

The receptionist was a little surprised to see Su Wanwan: "Excuse me, who are you?"

"I'm Su Wanwan from Guangming Textile Factory. I want to meet Mr. Li." Su Wanwan said with a smile.

The receptionist was stunned for a moment, then quickly picked up the phone: "Mr. Li, Mr. Su from Guangming Textile Factory is here."

After a while, a middle-aged man in a suit and tie came out. It was Li Mingxing. He had a fake smile on his face: "Mr. Su, what a rare guest."

"You're too polite, Mr. Li." Su Wanwan remained calm.

"Please come to my office to talk." Li Mingxing made a gesture of invitation.

Li Mingxing's office was luxurious, with various awards and photos hanging on the walls. He poured Su Wanwan a cup of tea and asked, "Mr. Su, what brings you here today?"

"Mr. Li is asking questions even though he already knows the answer." Su Wanwan said bluntly, "Mr. Li should be very clear about what happened yesterday."

Li Mingxing pretended to be confused: "What's going on? I don't quite understand."

"Those who came to our factory to complain are all employees of your company." Su Wanwan stared into his eyes. "This method is too despicable."

Li Mingxing's expression changed slightly, but he quickly returned to normal. "I don't like what President Su said. What do you mean by 'our employees'? How could our employees file a complaint against another company?"

"Sister Li works in your company, this can't be fake, right?"

"Oh, you're talking about Li Guihua." Li Mingxing seemed to suddenly realize something. "She did work for our company for a while, but she resigned a long time ago. Where did she go to complain? What does it have to do with our company?"

Su Wanwan sneered: "Boss Li has a really good memory. He even remembers the full names of his employees so clearly."

Li Mingxing was a little embarrassed, but still said stubbornly: "There are not many people in our company, and I know every employee."

"What about the reporting phone number for security inspections?" Su Wanwan continued to ask, "Is that also a coincidence?"

"Reporting a call?" Li Mingxing spread his hands. "Boss Su, do you have any evidence to prove it was us who made the call?"

Su Wanwan knew he wouldn't admit it easily, so she changed the subject: "Mr. Li, let's get straight to the point. You want to buy our factory. What's your offer?"

Li Mingxing's eyes lit up: "Boss Su finally figured it out?"

"I just want to hear your offer."

"Five million." Li Mingxing held up five fingers. "Cash purchase, immediate delivery."

Su Wanwan almost laughed out loud: "Mr. Li, are you kidding? The land use rights of our factory are only worth this much, not to mention the equipment and inventory."

"Boss Su, I'm very aware of your current situation," Li Mingxing said proudly. "Stop production, file complaints, breach of contract—which one of these doesn't require money? How much longer can you hold out?"

"So you're just taking advantage of the situation?"

"That's called business strategy," Li Mingxing shrugged. "Business is like a battlefield, where the strong prey on the weak."

Su Wanwan stood up and said, "Mr. Li, it seems we have nothing more to talk about."

"Mr. Su, don't be in such a hurry to leave." Li Mingxing also stood up. "I'll give you another 500,000. 5.5 million is my bottom line."

"Sorry, our factory doesn't sell it." Su Wanwan walked towards the door.

"Mr. Su, please think carefully." Li Mingxing said from behind, "If you miss this opportunity, you won't get such a good price in the future."

Su Wanwan walked out of the office without looking back.

Back at the factory, Huo Jingshen was discussing the resumption of production with Director Yang.

"How is it?" Huo Jingshen asked immediately when he saw Su Wanwan coming back.

"Li Mingxing is indeed an old fox." Su Wanwan sat down, "But I have also learned some things."

"Tell me."

"They're indeed eager to acquire our factory, and their funds don't seem to be sufficient," Su Wanwan analyzed. "The offer of five million is clearly too low, which shows that they are under pressure as well."

Director Yang was puzzled: "What kind of pressure do they have?"

"I observed their company. They don't have many employees, and although the office is luxuriously decorated, many details reveal signs of financial constraints," Su Wanwan said. "For example, the computers at the front desk are very old, and the equipment in the tea room is very simple."

Huo Jingshen nodded: "It seems that they are also bluffing."

"There's another important discovery," Su Wanwan continued. "When Li Mingxing mentioned the situation at our factory, he seemed unusually familiar with it, which suggests they've been secretly investigating us."

"What does this mean?"

"This shows they're determined to acquire our factory." A sly glint flashed in Su Wanwan's eyes. "If a businessman wasn't eyeing huge profits, he wouldn't spend so much effort calculating."

Director Yang suddenly realized: "You mean, our factory is actually very valuable?"

"Of course." Su Wanwan said affirmatively, "With a good location, complete equipment, and skilled workers, such a factory is very popular in the market."

Huo Jingshen thought thoughtfully: "Then what should we do next?"

"Let's solve the current problem first," Su Wanwan said. "The safety inspection issue has been resolved, and production can resume now. The quality complaint has also been clarified and will not affect our reputation."

"But we're still facing pressure on orders," Factory Director Yang said worriedly. "Some customers might cancel cooperation because of this incident."

"I'll figure this out," Su Wanwan said. "I have some designer friends who can introduce me to some new clients."