Double evil in the business district

Time passed day by day, and the three-month deadline was getting closer and closer.

Xiao Yue stared at the densely packed progress chart on the computer screen. The bright red deadline was like a sword of Damocles hanging high in the sky, making her feel breathless.

Developing new products is like a race against time, and every minute that passes is like a countdown.

She rubbed her sore eyes, took a deep breath, and told herself that she had to speed up.

Xiao Yue visited Professor Li again with the latest technical solution that the team came up with after working day and night to overcome difficulties.

She explained the improved plan in detail, and every technical detail was repeatedly scrutinized in the pursuit of perfection.

At the same time, she also sincerely described the team's efforts to solve the problem, and her words revealed her persistence in technology and desire for cooperation.

Professor Li had a serious expression at first and asked pointed questions from time to time, but as Xiao Yue explained, his frown gradually relaxed and his eyes showed a bit more appreciation.

Finally, he adjusted his glasses, his tone carrying a barely perceptible excitement: "Manager Xiao, your persistence and hard work have shown me the sincerity and potential of Xiao Enterprises. I agree to cooperate with you."

This news made Xiao Yue ecstatic. She immediately notified the team members, and the entire R&D department was in an uproar.

Professor Li’s joining has undoubtedly given Xiao’s company a shot in the arm, and the technical difficulties in developing new products have finally been solved.

The moment the cooperation agreement was signed, Xiao Yue felt that the heavy stone that had been weighing on his heart had finally fallen to the ground, and a sense of relief arose spontaneously.

She shook Professor Li's hand and said excitedly, "Thank you for your trust in us. We will definitely not let you down!"

Professor Li patted her shoulder and said meaningfully, "Young man, I have high hopes for you."

Walking out of the gate of the scientific research institution, Xiao Yue looked up at the blue sky, and the sunlight shone on his face, making him feel warm.

She felt more confident and motivated than ever before.

However, just as she was immersed in joy, Assistant Wu's call broke the moment of tranquility.

"Director Xiao, President Sun..." Assistant Wu's voice was a little hesitant. "He seems to have changed his mind..."

Xiao Yue's heart sank suddenly, "What do you mean?"

The investment amount that President Sun had originally promised suddenly became confusing.

Citing changes in the market environment and increased risk assessment of Xiao's enterprise, he not only raised the loan interest rate but also attached a series of harsh conditions, such as requiring Xiao's enterprise to mortgage more assets and even requiring Xiao Yue to provide personal guarantee.

Xiao Yue and President Sun engaged in intense negotiations in the conference room.

President Sun is slick and sophisticated, and every word he says is like a sugar-coated bullet. He appears to be pleasant on the surface, but in fact he is pressing forward step by step, trying to squeeze more profits from Xiao's enterprise.

"Manager Xiao, you know the market isn't doing well right now, and our bank needs to mitigate risks." He took a sip from his teacup, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness. "Although these conditions may seem a bit harsh, they're also meant to protect the interests of both parties."

Xiao Yue refused to give in and argued with reason, explaining the market prospects of the new products and the potential of Xiao's enterprise one by one, and pointed out that the conditions proposed by President Sun were unreasonable and even violated the previous agreement.

"President Sun, our Xiao Enterprise has always operated with integrity and has never had any bad records. What you are doing now not only harms the interests of our company, but also the reputation of your bank." Her tone was firm and her eyes were sharp, and she was not afraid of President Sun's pressure at all.

The two sides exchanged sharp words, and the atmosphere in the conference room was so tense that it seemed to be frozen.

Just then, the office door was gently pushed open, and Assistant Wu walked in carrying an exquisite snack box.

"Manager Xiao, these are the snacks sent by Mr. Shen." She said softly.

When Xiao Yue saw the snack box, a faint smile appeared on his tired face.

This is her favorite matcha cake. Shen Ting always remembers her little preferences.

She picked up a piece and put it in her mouth. The fragrance of matcha spread instantly, as if a warm current flowed into her heart, dispelling the pressure brought by the negotiation.

Shen Ting walked to her side, gently stroked her hair, his eyes full of pampering.

"Are you tired?" he asked in a low voice.

Xiao Yue shook her head and gave him a reassuring smile.

Shen Ting didn't say anything, but just stood quietly behind her, giving her silent support.

Looking at the intimate interaction between Xiao Yue and Shen Ting, a barely perceptible gloom flashed across President Sun's eyes.

He cleared his throat and said, "Manager Xiao, let's get back to business."

Xiao Yue put down the snack in his hand and his eyes became sharp again.

"President Sun," she said slowly, "I think we need to re-evaluate this cooperation..." Before she finished her words, the door of the conference room was pushed open again, and headhunter Chen walked in. He walked straight to technician Zhou and whispered a few words in his ear.

Technician Zhou's face turned pale instantly...

Xiao Yue elegantly picked up a piece of matcha cake and savored it carefully, as if the tension in the conference room had nothing to do with her.

She finished her meal slowly, wiped the corners of her mouth with a tissue, and then looked at President Sun again with a barely perceptible hint of sarcasm in her eyes.

"President Sun, we have also evaluated the market risks you just mentioned. In fact, the prospects of the new product are even better than we expected. Professor Li's joining us has added strong technical support to us." Her tone was calm, but powerful, and every word was full of confidence.

"I believe that as a senior bank president, you will be able to see this."

President Sun looked at Xiao Yue and was secretly surprised.

This young woman was much more difficult to deal with than he had imagined.

She looks weak, but she has a strong heart and a keen business sense.

He originally thought that he could easily gain profits from Xiao's enterprise, but now it seems that he underestimated Xiao Yue.

He had to re-examine the potential of Xiao's enterprise and the value of cooperating with Xiao Yue.

At this moment, Technician Zhou stood up suddenly, his face pale and his lips trembling.

"Xiao...Manager Xiao...I..." He hesitated to speak, his eyes flickering, as if he was engaged in a fierce ideological struggle.

Headhunter Chen had a smug smile on his face, as if he was sure of victory.

He handed Technician Zhou a business card with eye-catching golden letters on it: XX Group, and a staggering annual salary figure.

"Technician Zhou," Xiao Yue's voice was cold and firm, "I hope you understand that the technology you have mastered is the result of the hard work of Xiao's enterprise and the result of your years of hard work. If you leave here, you will lose not only a position, but also an opportunity to realize your dream." She paused, took out a document from the folder, and pushed it in front of Technician Zhou.

"This is the new welfare plan we have prepared for you, including technology sharing, future profit sharing, and..."

Technician Zhou picked up the document with trembling hands and flipped through the pages one by one. His eyes gradually changed from confusion to determination.

He raised his head and looked at Xiao Yue with sharp eyes, "Manager Xiao, I'll stay!" He tore up Chen's business card into pieces and threw it into the trash can.

"I believe that Xiao's future will be brighter than theirs!"

Headhunter Chen's face turned pale. He glared at Technician Zhou fiercely and walked away in anger.

President Sun looked at this scene and felt even more uneasy.

Xiao Yue's methods and courage far exceeded his expectations.

He realized that he had to change his strategy in order to protect his own interests in this game.

He forced a smile and said, "Manager Xiao, it seems my previous assessment was a little off. We can still discuss the terms of the loan..."

As night falls, the lights are on.

Xiao Yue stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the night view of the city, and rubbed his temples tiredly.

Assistant Wu came over and handed her a cup of hot milk.

"Manager Xiao, please go to bed early."

Xiao Yue took the milk and took a sip. "Where's Shen Ting?"

"Mr. Shen is waiting for you downstairs." Assistant Wu said softly, with a meaningful smile in his eyes.

Xiao Yue was slightly stunned, put down the milk in his hand and walked towards the elevator.

The elevator door slowly opened and Shen Ting appeared in front of him.

He looked particularly tall and handsome in a black suit.

He looked at Xiao Yue, with a gentle arc on the corner of his mouth, "Let's go, I'll take you somewhere."

Xiao Yue didn't say anything, but just followed him quietly out of the building and towards a black car parked on the side of the road.

The car started and slowly drove into the night.

Xiao Yue looked at the street scene outside the window that was constantly receding, and suddenly felt an inexplicable uneasiness in his heart.

"where are we going?"

Shen Ting held her hand, his eyes deep and mysterious, "You'll know when you get there." He paused, his tone low and meaningful, "Tonight, there will be a surprise waiting for you..."