Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

Meanwhile, inside the revolving doors of the hotel lobby, Zhao Dezhu, the owner of Jingcheng Mold, was pacing anxiously, his restless shadow reflected in the gleaming marble beneath his feet.

He would occasionally raise his hand to look at the Citizen watch he had worn for many years, and then crane his neck to look outside the door.

"Three million two hundred thousand... on the fifteenth of next month..."

The number felt like a tight band around his temples.

The bank's collection calls are getting increasingly aggressive, several long-term clients are dragging their feet on payments, and the factory's precious CNC machines haven't been running at full capacity for almost a month.

Just when he was so worried that he developed a blister on his lip, a manager named Wang from Shenzhen called, expressing great interest in high-precision mold processing and wanting to visit the factory in person.

This is like a pillow being handed to someone who's about to fall asleep!

Regardless of whether the other party genuinely wants to cooperate or something else, as long as we can get some down payment first, even if it means mortgaging part of the factory... we have to get through this hurdle first!

"They're here!"

Upon seeing the black Mercedes slowly come to a stop, especially the prominent three-pointed star emblem on the front, Zhao Dezhu's spirits lifted, and he immediately put on a smile and hurried out to greet it.

The car door opened, and a young man in a jacket with a stern face got out first, deftly opening the rear door.

Zhao Dezhu's smile widened even more. Being able to afford a full-time driver meant he was quite capable.

However, when the young man in the back seat bent down to get out of the car and straightened up, the smile on Zhao Dezhu's face froze almost imperceptibly for a moment.

Too young!

He looked to be in his early twenties at most, dressed in a simple casual jacket and jeans, with a handsome face that even had a touch of student-like innocence.

Is this the "General Manager Lin" that Manager Wang mentioned?

The nascent flame of hope in Zhao Dezhu's heart was doused with cold water, hissing and emitting smoke of doubt.

Could it be some rich kid who's just dabbling in this?

But the smile on his face didn't fade at all; instead, he extended his hand even more enthusiastically: "Oh! You must be General Manager Lin? My name is Zhao Dezhu! I've heard so much about you! You're truly a young and promising man, a handsome and talented one! You must be tired from your journey, please come in, the private room has been arranged!"

Lin Dong gently shook hands with him, feeling a barely perceptible dampness from the other's palm at his fingertips.

His gaze swept calmly over the other person's slightly tense shoulders and overly enthusiastic eyes.

Anxious, and trying to hide it.

This person was driven to the brink by debt, but still clung to a sliver of hope and wishful thinking.

"You're too kind, Mr. Zhao," Lin Dong replied calmly.

After exchanging pleasantries, we entered the lavish yet nouveau riche private room. A woman in her forties, with exquisite makeup but unable to hide her fatigue, was already sitting at the round table. She was Zhou Li, the factory's accountant and Zhao Dezhu's cousin.

Zhao Dezhu warmly invited Lin Dong to sit in the main seat, and out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that the cold-looking young man had also naturally followed in and was standing to the side and behind Lin Dong.

Zhao Dezhu paused, his smile fading as he turned to Ahao, his tone subtly condescending: "Young man, we've arranged for the driver's meal in the small hall next door; they'll be served by someone special. We're here to discuss business."

Lin Dong was about to sit down when he heard this, he paused slightly, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He looked up and calmly addressed Zhao Dezhu: "Boss Zhao, Ah Hao isn't a driver, he's one of us. Come sit with us."

Zhao Dezhu was taken aback.

One of their own? A mere lackey, bodyguard, or driver, worthy of sitting at the head table? How rude... But he needed their help right now, so how could he dare to reveal that?

He immediately slapped his forehead and said with a forced smile, "Oh dear! Look at me, I was so blind! It was a misunderstanding! Mr. Lin, please don't take offense! We're family, we're family! Please, have a seat, please have a seat!"

Ah Hao glanced at Lin Dong, and seeing Lin Dong nod slightly, he sat down at the end of the table with a blank expression.

Everyone took their seats, and the dishes were served quickly.

Zhao Dezhu toasted enthusiastically, and once he started talking, he went on and on: "President Lin, to be honest, our Jingcheng Mould is quite famous in Chang'an! We have three German-made five-axis CNC machines, and their precision is unparalleled!"

We get orders from big manufacturers, like Nokia's second-tier suppliers, you know? We have long-term partnerships! And there are several Hong Kong-funded companies that make high-end digital accessories…”

He spoke eloquently, vividly describing the factory's bright future and immense potential, as if the pressure of the three million yuan bank loan simply did not exist.

Lin Dong listened quietly, occasionally moving his chopsticks, his eyes growing increasingly calm.

These exaggerated words and the deliberate emphasis on "major clients" precisely confirm the falsifications and operational difficulties in Uncle Cai's report.

He silently counted the flaws in the other person's words, as if he were watching a clumsy performance.

Zhao Dezhu's throat grew dry from talking, so he picked up a teacup to moisten his throat...

Lin Dongcai wiped his mouth with a napkin and said:

"Mr. Zhao, your factory's 320 million yuan mortgage loan from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China is due on the 15th of next month. Currently, you only have no more than 50 yuan in readily available cash. Last month, the operating rate of your three CNC machines was less than 40%. Am I correct?"

The air in the private room froze instantly.

Zhao Dezhu's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air. The carefully crafted rosy glow and confidence on his face vanished instantly, leaving only a deathly pallor.

Zhou Li, who was next to him, turned pale and lowered her head in a panic.

"This...this..."

Zhao Dezhu's Adam's apple bobbed, and he chuckled twice. "President Lin, you've been listening to those rumors, haven't you? In our line of work, it's common to have temporary cash flow problems, but our foundation is very solid!"

Those machines can be put into full operation immediately as soon as an order comes in…

Lin Dong looked at the other person's forced composure and shifty eyes, but felt nothing.

A typical death throes attempt to obscure a personal crisis by using industry norms.

He no longer gave the other party the opportunity to continue weaving lies.

"I didn't come here to listen to these things."

Lin Dong's voice remained steady, yet carried an undeniable penetrating force: "Boss Zhao, let's be frank. I want to acquire your factory outright."

"Acquire...acquire?"

Zhao Dezhu's pupils contracted, and countless thoughts raced through his mind in an instant.

They definitely didn't come here to discuss cooperation!

Acquisition?

Looking at Lin Dong's young face, he felt a surge of anger at being taken advantage of and a hint of relief. Young man, so easy to fool!

He quickly adjusted his expression, revealing a troubled yet reserved look: "President Lin, it is my honor that you have taken a liking to my factory."

But this factory is my life's work—the equipment, the technology, the customer resources… To be honest, several bosses were interested before, and their offers weren't low. I really can't explain to my family anything less than five million.”

He held up five fingers, but his eyes were secretly observing Lin Dong's reaction.

After listening, Lin Dong's face remained expressionless; he simply stared at Zhao Dezhu for two seconds.

Sure enough, they treated me like a sucker they could rip off.

The best way to deal with a greedy and opportunistic person is to make them lose all their bargaining chips instantly.