Chapter Seventy-one: Make a Bet

  Miss, I think you've got the wrong person. My name is indeed Zhang Qingyun, but I don't seem to know you.

  The girl raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes before quickly disappearing. Her face turned gloomy, and she furrowed her brow, saying: "I'm Zhao Jiaxiao from Tianhe Road Bridge Company. Director Duan is quite busy today, but you can discuss whatever matters with me instead." Her tone was unpleasant, and after speaking, she walked into the room on her own and sat down.

  "Do you know about the Gaobu Bridge construction project?"

  The girl shook her head and suddenly looked up and said: "Mr. Duan said that if you ask about this project, we need to wait until the first payment is received before starting work at the end of the year."

  Zhang Qingyun bit her lip with her upper teeth, although she was extremely displeased in her heart, but still maintained her composure and ordered the waiter to start serving the meal.

  "What would you like to eat? You can order yourself."

  Zhao Jiayao gave her a sideways glance and said coldly, "If you don't have anything else to do, I'll take my leave. I've already eaten."

  Zhang Qingyun was taken aback, and if he followed his temper, he really wanted to slap him in the face. However, he knew that calmness was more valuable than impulsiveness. He had also learned a bit about the background of Tianhe Road Bridge when he came. The roots were very deep. According to rumors, several shareholders of the company were * , and from their arrogant attitude, one could see what was going on. However, Zhang Qingyun also knew that in such a situation, speaking nicely and smiling would have no effect at all, so he could only be straightforward and said calmly:

  "There's nothing to talk about with you, actually I came this time just to pay the first installment for you, but since you are so insincere, let's stop here! This world doesn't only have Tianhe Road Bridge that can build bridges."

  Zhao Jiayao's expression changed, her face slightly altered, as if she found it hard to believe Zhang Qingyun's toughness. She raised an eyebrow and said, "Is this your personal opinion or the opinion of the Yongping County Party Committee and Government?"

  "It's the will of the people of Yongping County!" Zhang Qingyun said in an official tone.

  Zhao Jiayu's eyebrows suddenly furrowed, and she glanced at Zhang Qingyun with some disgust. It was clear that she was very annoyed by Zhang Qingyun's official tone. However, seeing that Zhang Qingyun didn't show any signs of weakness, she hesitated for a moment before sitting back down again.

  "I'm the deputy general manager of Tianhe Road Bridge, this is my business card, and talking to me about the payment is the same!" Zhao Jiayao said after calming down, but her tone was still unpleasant.

  Zhang Qingyun took the business card and looked at it front and back, then suddenly smiled: "You don't look like a businessman at all. In the business world, 'harmony brings wealth', you should know this common sense, right?"

  Zhao Jiayao's face suddenly turned gloomy, as if she was about to erupt. Zhang Qingyun hastily interrupted her and continued: "Of course, Tianhe Road Bridge Company is not like a company at all. I've never seen such disrespect towards customers in the 21st century. You can't get rid of old habits. Don't give me that look, I know what kind of dock Tianhe Road Bridge is, no need for you to remind me."

  The girl was suddenly scolded by Zhang Qingyun, and she was so angry that her chest heaved up and down slightly, her face also flushed with a layer of redness, her eyes stared straight at Zhang Qingyun, as if fire was about to spew out from her eyes. A beauty's anger had a unique charm, but Zhang Qingyun didn't have the mood to appreciate the beauty's anger, he was waiting for the beauty to explode.

  Since he had already gone all out, he could only take risks now. He knew that although Tianhe Road Bridge had a deep background, he also knew that even bigger figures didn't want to cause trouble. The struggles at the top were more intense and cruel than those below, they were actually walking on thin ice too.

  It's just that some people with unclear circumstances encounter this type of company and lower their own worth, thereby helping to inflate the other party's arrogance.

  Moreover, Tianhe Road Bridge and Zhongnan Construction Group were previously state-owned enterprises, with leaders having high administrative ranks. Not long after the reform of state-owned enterprises, Wuhan is an inland city, with old ideas being prevalent, which led to the emergence of such abnormal companies. In fact, this type of company is rare in coastal areas, and even if they exist, they have a more business-like smoothness and would not be so arrogant.

  "Mr. Zhang, what exactly do you want? I've said that this project can be discussed with me and I'll take full responsibility." Zhao Jiayao said after a moment of hesitation.

  Zhang Qingyun was startled and couldn't help but take a glance at her, forming a new evaluation of her in his mind. This woman looked very proud, but actually had a good upbringing that wasn't inferior to his own. Looking again at her attire and demeanor, she didn't seem like an ordinary person. It seemed that her position in the Tianhe Road Bridge Company was not low.

  Zhang Qingyun was looking at her, and Zhao Jiayao was also pondering Zhang Qingyun. Before she came, Duan Yongchun told her about the situation, and she knew all about Zhang Qingyun's identity and purpose. She had thought of just casually dismissing him, but unexpectedly this guy was even more impressive than herself, and instead made herself very passive. Which county secretary in Wude City is so capable? Is there some inside story that doesn't add up?

  "I want to see your CEO, Duan Yongchun!" Zhang Qingyun said with a serious tone, without any doubt!

  Zhao Jiayao stared at Zhang Qingyun from head to toe for a long time, and finally elegantly opened her bag, took out her phone, nodded at Zhang Qingyun, and then left.

  About a minute later, she came in again, her face still looking unpleasant, but spoke to Zhang Qingyun with a much softer tone: "Mr. Zhang, it's really not possible, General Duan is having a banquet at the Red Building now, it won't work today!"

  Zhang Qing furrowed his brow, thinking that Honglou was a place he had been to before. Last time, Big Brother Zhao mentioned in passing during dinner that Honglou was mainly an entertainment venue, and the food was just for the guests' convenience. Duan Yongchun obviously wasn't there to entertain guests, so he was probably at the gambling table?

  As soon as he thought of this, Zhang Qingyun also had a bottom line in his heart. He raised his head and said: "It doesn't matter, let's go to the Red House then? Let's sit down and have dinner first before we leave, I know you haven't eaten yet!"

  Zhao Jiayao paused for a moment, she didn't expect Zhang Qingyun to be so persistent, it was as if he wouldn't give up until he reached the Yellow River. From Zhang Qingyun's tone, he seemed to be very familiar with the Red Mansion, and for a moment, Zhao Jiayao also felt some doubt.

  At this time, the waiter happened to bring in the meal. Zhang Qingyun's order was very simple, without any expensive dishes, just steak and salad, some common things.

  "Go ahead and eat, don't be polite, just have a simple bite!" Zhang Qingyun said, after which he himself picked up his knife and fork and started eating.

  Zhao Jiayao just stared at him blankly, several times wanting to open her mouth to speak, but ultimately didn't say a word. They remained in this stalemate for several minutes before she finally sat down, clearly Zhang Qingyun's series of abnormal behaviors had overturned her impression of Yongping.

  The food didn't really suit Zhang Qingyun's taste, but he was indeed hungry and ate with relish. As he ate, he pondered his next move, feeling like one of those BMW-driving, luxury-brand-toting company bosses he had seen in the coastal areas - all show and no substance. But things had developed to this point, did he still have a way out? He shook his head helplessly, reminding himself to put these thoughts aside, because this negotiation could only end in success, not failure!

  Zhao Jiayao hadn't eaten, and after Zhang Qingyun finished her meal, she found that the food in front of her had also been devoured by more than half. She couldn't help but glance at Zhao Jiayao, a faint smile appearing on the corner of her mouth. Zhao Jiayao's face turned red, and at this moment, she finally showed a bit of femininity.

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