Gently bite the jasmine

The city I'm going to for business is right next door; it's only a 40-minute high-speed train ride away.

Lin Xi and Duan Yiheng were both traveling light when they exited the station, where a young man in his early thirties greeted them.

"Mr. Duan?"

Duan Yiheng nodded: "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you." The man extended his hand to Duan Yiheng. "I'm a client manager from Hongsheng Bank. You can call me Xiao Zhao."

"Manager Zhao," Duan Yiheng introduced him, "This is my secretary, Lin Xi."

Lin Xi and Manager Zhao greeted each other.

"Come on, this way, the car is waiting."

Lin Xi followed Duan Yiheng into the van parked by the roadside.

Manager Zhao asked the driver to go to the hotel first, but Duan Yiheng refused directly: "Go to your bank first, business is more important."

Manager Zhao was more than happy to oblige and offered a few words of flattery.

The bank's senior management was already waiting in the conference room. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two sides got down to business.

Duan Yiheng presented his arguments clearly and presented detailed data, making the initial negotiation seem to go very smoothly.

Back at the hotel, Duan Yiheng took Lin Xi to the restaurant.

He just declined the other party's invitation to dinner, citing physical exhaustion.

Lin Xi, who had a clear understanding of the situation, asked as soon as he sat down, "Have you had other ideas about this collaboration?"

"Why do you say that?" Duan Yiheng smiled, his eyes filled with obvious admiration as he looked at her.

Lin Xi chuckled: "I knew there was no future in this relationship since you didn't even have a meal with her."

Duan Yiheng: "You were here for the whole meeting, so tell us your thoughts."

“They’re too eager,” Lin Xi thought for a moment and said. “They’ve already laid out all their cards before even having initial contact and negotiations. It doesn’t seem very professional.”

Duan Yiheng nodded: "Continue."

Lin Xi: "Cross-border payments involve a large amount of capital flow, and the risks are not to be underestimated. They have a low risk tolerance for this project. On the one hand, they want to use our technology, but on the other hand, they impose many restrictions on the project and are unwilling to take any risks."

Duan Yiheng decisively said, "Prepare to end the trip early and inform the other party that Yinfan and Hongsheng have differences in their philosophies and cannot proceed with the cooperation for the time being."

"Okay." Lin Xi planned to inform the other party during the afternoon work period, "So when do we return?"

Just as Duan Yiheng was about to speak, his phone rang.

It was a call from the old man. From Lin Xi's perspective, Duan Yiheng seemed listless.

After the communication was cut off, Lin Xi asked him, "What did Grandpa say?"

Duan Yiheng looked at her for a while and said, "The trip doesn't need to end early. We'll still return on Sunday afternoon."

Lin Xi asked curiously for a moment, "Why?"

Duan Yiheng cleared his throat and casually made up an excuse: "Reassess the market and look for new partners."

The old man is constantly thinking about his marriage and urging him to finish his work as soon as possible so that he can meet the Tan family.

He couldn't be bothered to see them; he'd rather hide for a couple of days.

After eating, the two went upstairs to rest.

When Lin Xi got off the elevator on the 22nd floor, Duan Yiheng was stunned for a moment, and then followed her down.

"Didn't you say the 32nd floor? You went down to the wrong floor."

Lin Xi turned around, speechless: "Why did you come out? Your room is 3201, mine is 2208."

Duan Yiheng frowned: "Come up with me."

"Are you crazy?" Lin Xi couldn't help but curse. "I'm your secretary. We're here on a business trip. Are we going to share a room?"

The corridor was empty at the moment. Duan Yiheng chuckled and said, "It's not exactly a simple superior-subordinate relationship, since we've kissed."

Lin Xi: "...Shut up and go upstairs, I need to rest."

Duan Yiheng pulled her back: "I'm not joking with you. I'm worried about you down there."

"What are you worried about?" Lin Xi broke free from his grip.

Duan Yiheng: "News stories about women staying in hotels alone happen every year. I stayed in a suite with two bedrooms, a living room, and a meeting room, which is convenient for us to communicate and more conducive to work. This is an order. It's no different from sleeping at home, just a little smaller."

Lin Xi hesitated for a moment: "Then what about my room?"

Duan Yiheng: "Whether you retreat or not is irrelevant, it's up to you."

"Let's go upstairs first. I still need to inform the bank about your stance," Lin Xi said.

The two went up to the 32nd floor, swiped their cards to enter the room, and Lin Xi looked around.

She booked the room, so she naturally knew its layout.

It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchenette, and a dining area.

Lin Xi chose a smaller bedroom, took out her notebook, and began writing a script for refusing cooperation.

It's not like if she says she won't cooperate, the other party will just back down.

She needs to consider all aspects when responding to the other party's questions.

At 2 p.m., she called Duan Yiheng, then took her laptop to the small meeting room.

After showing the call to Duan Yiheng, Lin Xi finally made the call.

Everything proceeded smoothly. Duan Yiheng rested his chin on his hand, watching Lin Xi work.

Currently, she only lacks experience; her abilities are still quite good.

Given time, if one gets involved in a project, there is a possibility of upward mobility.

The old man's health is deteriorating, and he will eventually have to return to the group to take charge. Yinfan Technology will then welcome a new president.

Three years, just three years, and he can easily push Lin Xi to the top.

But if the old man doesn't last three years, and Lin Xi isn't capable of taking charge on his own yet, who will take over Yinfan Technology?

This is his life's work, and he trusts no one else.

Half an hour later, Lin Xi finished resolving the matter. She smiled and looked at Duan Yiheng with a smile on her face.

Duan Yiheng smiled as well: "Do you want me to praise you?"

Lin Xi felt embarrassed that her thoughts had been exposed, but she stubbornly said, "I'm not a kindergarten kid, why would I need praise?"

Duan Yiheng chuckled: "You did a great job."

Lin Xi's lips curved into a smile.

"Want me to give you a little red flower?" Duan Yiheng leaned back in his chair, enjoying the good mood.

Lin Xi snorted: "No need. Didn't you say you wanted to find new cooperation channels? I'll sort out the information of major banks and financial institutions."

Duan Yiheng shook his head: "No need to rush. Not every project can be completed. This preliminary trip is just to explore the path. I had considered this possibility before I came here."

Lin Xi: "Then do nothing?"

Duan Yiheng's eyes were sharp: "I have something for you to do."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xi leaned towards him and asked, "What is it?"

Duan Yiheng glanced at his watch and said, "Why don't you change your clothes? You're fine in the hotel anyway, go out for a walk, grab a drink while you're at it, and we can chat slowly."

He didn't want to put too much pressure on Lin Xi, so he wanted to find a relaxed place to chat and test her attitude.

Lin Xi's curiosity was piqued: "Is it about the company?"

Duan Yiheng nodded: "Of course."

The conversation was about business, but the itinerary was private, so Lin Xi wasn't dressed too formally.

Wearing a sweater, jeans, and sneakers, he looks every bit the naive college student.

The trip was short, and Duan Yiheng only brought Lin Xi with him.

Now that the partnership is over and they no longer have a driver, the two of them can only go out by taxi.

It was naturally cold outside the hotel, so Duan Yiheng put on his coat and reminded Lin Xi to bring a jacket.