Double evil in the business district

Xiao Yue, dressed in a smart off-white suit, her long black hair pulled back into a neat bun, exuded confidence. Shen Ting, dressed in a dark blue suit, possessed a calm and composed aura that captivated everyone. They walked side by side into the opulent International Business Hotel, preparing for their first meeting with their American partner, Ms. Amy.

In the conference room, a crystal chandelier cast a soft glow, illuminating the polished mahogany conference table. Xiao Yue handed Amy her prepared proposal and delivered a brief opening statement in fluent Chinese. Translator Liu diligently translated Xiao Yue's speech into a more American-style expression.

Xiao Yue articulated the project's strengths, particularly Xiao's latest technological innovations, which distinguished them from their competitors. Her gaze was firm, her tone filled with passion, as if she were laying out the entire project blueprint for Amy.

However, during the subsequent Q&A session, a subtle misalignment began to emerge. When Amy asked in-depth questions about technical details, translator Liu used a slightly ambiguous expression when translating the term "core competitiveness," leading Amy to mistakenly believe that Xiao's technological advantages were not exclusive.

"Wait," Amy put down the documents in her hand and frowned slightly. "I just heard you say that this technology is not unique to you?"

Xiao Yue immediately sensed a communication problem. She was about to explain when Translator Liu spoke first, "Yes, Ms. Amy, this technology isn't Xiao's exclusive patent, but they've made unique innovations in its application."

These words made Xiao Yue's heart sink. She knew that Liu the translator's original intention was to emphasize their application innovation, but he inadvertently weakened their leading position in technology.

Meanwhile, in the hotel lobby, their competitor, Country D representative David, was quietly spreading unfavorable rumors about Xiao and Shen. He casually told several international colleagues, "I heard Xiao's funding chain has been experiencing some issues recently, and Shen is also implicated. I wonder if they can continue this project smoothly."

These words soon reached the ears of several corporate representatives who were hesitating whether to cooperate with Xiao's. They looked at Xiao Yue and Shen Ting with a bit more scrutiny and suspicion.

Back in the conference room, Xiao Yue tried hard to correct the misunderstanding caused by Liu the translator. She explained their core technology in more concise and clear Chinese, emphasizing its uniqueness and leading position. However, Amy seemed to have doubts about their plan, and her attitude became more cautious.

At that moment, Shen Ting's phone vibrated. He glanced at the message, his expression changing slightly. He looked up and said to Xiao Yue, "Looks like we've run into some trouble." He handed the phone to Xiao Yue, and the screen displayed a news push: "The Xiao and Shen families' joint venture to enter the international market may be a spent force."

This news came from the very reporter Li who had so harassed them at the press conference... Xiao Yue took a deep breath and handed the phone back to Shen Ting. Reporter Li's article undoubtedly made matters worse. Now they not only had to clarify technical misunderstandings, but also deal with external doubts about their capabilities. She turned to look at Amy, trying to maintain a smile. "Ms. Amy, regarding this report, I think..."

"Ms. Xiao," Amy interrupted her, a hint of apology in her tone, "I understand your ambition to enter the international market, but frankly, these reports have forced me to reassess the risks of working with your company." She gently pushed Xiao's proposal to the center of the table. "I need some time to think about it."

Xiao Yue knew that Amy's words were essentially a subtle rejection. She felt anxious, but forced herself to calm down. She realized that relying solely on technical advantages and business logic wouldn't impress Amy. She needed to find an angle that would resonate more with Amy, an approach that was more aligned with American cultural values.

"Ms. Amy," Xiao Yue spoke again. This time, she didn't directly discuss technology and profits, but instead approached the topic from a cultural perspective. "I know that corporate social responsibility and sustainable development are very important concepts in the United States. Our project isn't just about pursuing commercial interests; more importantly, it's about promoting sustainable development and creating value for the local community."

She elaborated on the project's positive impact on local environmental protection and economic development, and emphasized Xiao's commitment to social responsibility. She even quoted some famous American entrepreneurs' statements on sustainable development in an attempt to connect with Amy.

However, Amy's reaction was unexpected. She listened politely, but her face showed little enthusiasm. The atmosphere in the meeting room became awkward, and silence spread between the two of them.

"Ms. Xiao," Amy finally broke the silence. "I admire your sense of social responsibility, but this doesn't change the current market situation." She pointed to the news on her phone. "Investing is risky, and I have to be responsible to my shareholders."

Xiao Yue's heart sank. She knew that this time, she was truly powerless. Translator Liu comforted her quietly, "Mr. Xiao, don't lose heart. We still have other partners to fight for."

Xiao Yue forced a smile, but couldn't hide the disappointment in her heart. At this moment, Shen Ting suddenly stood up, walked to the window, and scanned the bustling crowd downstairs with sharp eyes. He seemed to see something, and his brows knitted slightly.

"Wait," he whispered, a subtle hint of nervousness in his tone. "Something seems a little off." He pointed to a figure in the corner of the hotel cafe downstairs. "That guy in the hat looks like Tom." Shen Ting's words stunned Xiao Yue and translator Liu. Tom? The international business consultant hired by their competitor, David? Why was he here? Could it be...

A chill ran down Xiao Yue's feet. She realized that David might have anticipated their attempt to win Amy's cooperation and had arranged for Tom to secretly observe them, gather information about them, and perhaps even... sabotage their negotiations.

"Has he been watching us?" Xiao Yue asked in a low voice, his tone full of worry.

Shen Ting didn't answer. Instead, he walked to the conference table, picked up Xiao's proposal, and quickly flipped through it. His brow furrowed, as if he were lost in thought. The atmosphere in the conference room grew more solemn. Translator Liu rubbed his hands nervously, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

At this moment, Amy spoke again, "Ms. Xiao, I have another question." She pointed to a point in the plan and said, "You mentioned respecting local cultural customs, but from what I understand, your corporate culture seems to focus more on efficiency and results. Will this conflict with American cultural values?"

When translator Liu heard this question, he immediately started translating. However, due to nervousness, he translated "efficiency and results" into "aggressive and demanding", which undoubtedly deepened Amy's misunderstanding.

Amy's face changed slightly after hearing Liu's translation. She said coldly, "Ms. Xiao, I understand cultural differences exist, but I hope our partners respect and understand our values. If you can't do that, I don't think there's any need for us to cooperate."

Xiao Yue immediately noticed the change in Amy's tone, realizing that Translator Liu might have made another translation error. She was about to explain, but Shen Ting spoke first, "Ms. Amy, please allow me to explain. When we talk about 'efficiency and results,' we don't mean being aggressive or demanding. Instead, we refer to our commitment to work and our pursuit of excellence. We deeply respect American cultural values ​​and are willing to make necessary adjustments for the sake of cooperation."

Although Shen Ting's explanation was timely, Amy's doubts were not completely eliminated. She remained cautious and did not give a clear answer.

"Mr. Shen, what should we do now?" Xiao Yue asked in a low voice, with a hint of anxiety in his tone.

Shen Ting pondered for a moment and said, "We must readjust our plan and communication methods. Amy attaches great importance to cultural exchange and social responsibility. We must work hard in this area to make her feel our sincerity and respect."

However, they all knew this wouldn't be easy. Breaking this impasse and winning Amy's trust in a short period of time was a huge challenge. As the seconds ticked by, the air in the conference room seemed frozen.

Suddenly, Shen Ting's eyes fell on a USB drive that Xiao Yue had brought with him. He picked it up, plugged it into his computer, and opened a folder. Inside were photos and videos documenting some of the public welfare activities and cultural exchange projects that Xiao's company had participated in.

"Maybe..." Shen Ting looked at the photo on the screen and whispered, "We can start from here..." Before he finished speaking, he heard a commotion downstairs. They walked to the window and saw Tom surrounded by several security guards. It seemed that there was an argument.

"It seems that our opponents have also begun to take action." Shen Ting showed a hint of sneer on his face. "This competition is becoming more and more interesting." He turned to look at Xiao Yue, his eyes full of determination. "Xiao Yue, prepare to face the challenge."

Xiao Yue took a deep breath and nodded. She knew that this international dream-chasing journey had just begun... At this moment, Shen Ting's phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the caller ID and his face instantly became serious. "It's David..."