Chapter Seventeen: The Bidding Conference

After Liang Wenru was mistaken for an employee by the Fu Corporation, he returned to his company and did his homework, confirming that the number before him belonged to Luo Yuan, the Deputy General Manager of Fu Corporation.

“Deputy Manager Luo contacting me personally about cooperation is truly an honor.”

If not for the intimidating presence of Fu Zhichen, Luo Yuan would have eagerly shared with everyone that Pei Susu had climbed to her position by seduction. She spoke bluntly.

“I’ll give you insider information about the bidding event, but I have one request: when you win Fu Corporation’s bid, embarrass Pei Susu during the cooperation, highlight her mistakes.”

“Hold Pei Susu accountable under the guise of the project partner—ideally, drive her out of Fu Corporation.”

Liang Wenru found Luo Yuan’s words incredible. The Deputy General Manager of Fu Corporation had gone to such lengths just to deal with a small employee like Pei Susu?

But since it allowed him to secure the bid and make Pei Susu look bad at Fu Corporation, why not do it?

“Deal. As long as I win Fu Corporation’s bid, I’ll do whatever it takes to force Pei Susu out.”

Luo Yuan sent the internal electronic bidding documents to Liang Wenru. “Do a good job. I’ll send you all the detailed information, and during the bid presentation, I’ll support your proposal. Don’t let me down.”

This government project was Fu Corporation’s top priority for the year. If Pei Susu kept making mistakes, not even Fu Zhichen could save her position as General Manager!

...

Three days later, at Fu Corporation’s bidding event.

Eager to make a good impression on Fu Zhi, Liang Wenru arrived early with Chu Qingzhu. Upon seeing Pei Susu checking the multimedia screens inside the conference room, he naturally assumed she was there to do menial work.

“Bring us some good tea,” Chu Qingzhu instructed Pei Susu, her gaze filled with pride and a hint of disdain. She didn’t even bother to use Pei Susu’s name, simply addressing her as “you.”

As the bidding event was about to begin, the assistant had to rush to the restroom due to a stomachache, so Pei Susu helped check the equipment. She hadn’t expected to be targeted so quickly.

“If you want tea, pour it yourself,” Pei Susu replied, not about to indulge them. She shot them a glare and continued her work.

Liang Wenru disliked Pei Susu’s proud attitude and said irritably, “Pei Susu, do you even understand basic courtesy? You don’t even bother with the simplest social niceties—do you still think you’re the lofty, untouchable General Manager at Xingye?”

“Employees should behave like employees. Otherwise, even if you get into Fu Corporation, offend the higher-ups and you’ll be kicked out sooner or later.”

Other bidders began arriving. Pei Susu finished setting up the multimedia, took a deep breath, and sat at the main seat.

After the divorce, she intended to go her own way, but Liang Wenru kept probing her patience again and again.

Xingye’s proposal had better be flawless, leaving her with nothing to criticize. Otherwise, she’d make Liang Wenru taste the humiliation of public rebuke.

Why was Pei Susu sitting at the host’s seat?

Liang Wenru’s eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Luo Yuan.

How could Pei Susu possibly approve his proposal?

Luo Yuan cast him a calm look, signaling him to keep his composure.

“Xingye, please begin your presentation.”

Chu Qingzhu gave Liang Wenru a reassuring glance and confidently took the stage. “Xingye, as a leader in the city’s construction industry, has participated in the planning and development of the local commercial district, and we have mature…”

Liang Wenru pinched his thigh. Yes, his proposal was crafted according to the materials Luo Yuan provided, tailored perfectly to Fu Corporation’s standards. No one present could offer a better plan.

With Luo Yuan there, Pei Susu wouldn’t dare tamper with the results.

During the presentation, Chu Qingzhu responded fluently to Luo Yuan and another Deputy General Manager’s questions. Pei Susu, who held final authority, said nothing, merely studying Xingye’s submission in deep contemplation.

Xingye’s proposal was identical to one she had prepared in a previous meeting—even the bid budget matched exactly. It was flawless.

The secrets of this bid had likely been leaked.

Luo Yuan’s heart skipped a beat, fearing Pei Susu might notice something amiss, and quickly called for the next presenter.

“President Pei, don’t just focus on Xingye’s proposal; we should carefully consider the others as well.”

Pei Susu lifted her gaze from the proposal and focused on the next speaker.

...

As one presenter followed another, the meeting lasted an hour and a half. All bidders had demonstrated their proposals. Luo Yuan, holding Xingye’s proposal, tentatively asked Pei Susu:

“President Pei, I believe Xingye’s proposal is the most suitable. What do you think?”

Deputy General Manager Su Rao, unaware of the underlying schemes, simply thought Xingye’s plan matched Fu Corporation’s bidding ideals best.

“Yes, President Pei, I feel Xingye put a lot of thought into this—it's almost perfectly aligned with our expectations.”

Pei Susu’s expression remained calm as she glanced meaningfully at Liang Wenru and remarked, “You’re right—suitable, perfect.”

Luo Yuan couldn’t help but show her excitement. “Then let’s award the bid to Xingye!”

But Pei Susu changed her tone. “We will not be adopting Xingye’s proposal. We’ve decided to select Lu Corporation’s submission.”

Liang Wenru turned his gaze to the relaxed Lu Qianqian, then back to Pei Susu, refusing to accept it. He stood and challenged her.

“You’re friends with Lu Corporation’s people. This bidding event is just a formality—you’ve already decided to give it to her, haven’t you?!”

“Pei Susu, this is favoritism!”

Chu Qingzhu glared furiously. How dare Pei Susu overshadow her? She was supposed to be just a stand-in!

“President Liang, are you questioning Fu Corporation’s decision? Lu Corporation’s proposal may not match Xingye’s in terms of fitting our expected criteria, but in terms of innovation and completeness, it’s the best among all submissions,” Su Rao interjected.

Her words were fair, and everyone present nodded in agreement.

Pei Susu rose, coldly tossed the proposal back to Liang Wenru, and said, “Let me give President Liang a clear explanation. May I trouble President Chu to present your PPT again?”

Chu Qingzhu sensed that Pei Susu might have discovered something wrong with the bid and nervously began to sweat, but forced herself to bring up the PPT.

Pei Susu pointed her pen at notes she’d recorded on her tablet. “Turn to pages five, ten, eleven, and fifteen in order.”

When Pei Susu named those pages, Luo Yuan’s face paled slightly, but quickly returned to normal.

Pei Susu was just someone who used her looks to climb the ladder—how could she possibly remember so many details?

Pei Susu glanced at Luo Yuan, curled her lips in a cold sneer, and went on stage to point directly at a line of text.

"Preserve the old buildings in the western district, reroute to build the commercial street."