I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 235: Securing a Large Order

Mr. John casually picked up a few headpieces and examined them closely. Although they were nearly perfect, he still pointed out a few minor issues and fiercely haggled over them, eventually bringing the price down close to the bottom line.

Secretary Tang and Secretary Guan breathed a sigh of relief, but before Mr. Li could even speak, Mr. John immediately pushed for an even lower price. Shen Meng frowned deeply; Mr. John was truly an old hand at this, sensing their brief sighs of relief and immediately becoming more alert.

As the price was pushed down again and again, Mr. Li obviously started to struggle, his mentality slightly collapsing. Shen Meng knew he wanted to make this work, as the order volume Mr. John was asking for was enormous. Each type of headpiece would have orders ranging from ten to twenty thousand units, and with over a dozen types, Ning County could generate foreign exchange in the tens of thousands just like that. He trembled at the thought; if Mr. John’s orders sold well, there would be ongoing, long-term orders, which would surely lift Ning County out of poverty!

Just as he was about to grit his teeth and agree, Shen Meng suddenly spoke up, "I apologize, Mr. John, but the volume you are asking for is too low, so we find it hard to accept this price. You’ve just raised several issues, all of which I can explain for you. These products are handmade by women from my hometown, crafted with precision, so they might not be perfect everywhere. But what they embody is the labor of each worker. In fact, you understand that our craftsmanship is already very good, something even machines in your country couldn’t achieve. If you are not sincere about this negotiation, I think we can consider them concluded for today."

Upon hearing this, Tang, the translator, suddenly stood up, disbelievingly staring at Shen Meng, wondering if she knew what she was risking—rejecting thousands in foreign exchange just like that; if that was not madness.

"Mr. Shen, have you lost your mind? Do you realize what you are saying?" fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

Mr. Li and Secretary Guan, upon hearing Tang’s words, turned to look at him, who promptly relayed Shen Meng’s statement. Their expressions immediately changed.

"Heh, this lady, it seems like you’re the ones who are not sincere about cooperation. The gentleman here has been the one talking all along. Looking at their expressions, it seems you didn’t have the authority to negotiate. Such disruption at this negotiation session signifies you better leave."

Secretary Tang addressed Mr. Li and Secretary Guan, "Mr. John asks for Mr. Shen to leave. Mr. Li, I think Comrade Shen Meng doesn’t understand the importance of this negotiation. Better let her leave quickly, else if she ruins the talk, our trip here would have been in vain."

Mr. Li’s expression turned rather ugly, but having listened to Shen Meng’s fluent foreign language and her confident demeanor, he felt an inexplicable trust in her.

Mr. John kept muttering, and Mr. Li thought it over and said, "Let’s go with what Shen Meng said."

"Secretary!"

"Mr. Li, you better think carefully! This isn’t a joke!"

Mr. Li clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, "Let’s go with what Shen Meng said."

Tang, the translator, and Secretary Guan resentfully sat down again, though both of their faces looked defeated, thinking that bringing Shen Meng to Provincial City was the worst decision, all blamed on Hu Biao.

This wasn’t just a casual chat with women on a bus, or helping hail a cab; this was negotiating with foreign businessmen. Mr. Li was completely non-serious.

Shen Meng smiled brightly at John, "Now, I will take the lead on behalf of our side. Let’s continue."

For an hour, as they debated intensely, Shen Meng increased each type of headpiece’s order from ten thousand units to thirty thousand, repeatedly raising the price. From the initial dejection, Tang became excited, translating passionately to Mr. Li and Secretary Guan, nearly jumping up on the table to shake John, urging him to agree to a final high price!

This rollercoaster of emotions was almost too much to bear.

Finally, Shen Meng signed a contract with Mr. John for thirty-five thousand units of each type, with prices six percent lower than usual, for a two-year term, and also promised that there would be at least five new products each month, which would be sold to Mr. John at prices not exceeding the highest wholesale price listed in the contract.

This is actually a kind of disguised monopoly, Shen Meng could tell from Mr. John’s words that he was actually very satisfied with the flower workshop.

When seeing Mr. John off at the office door, he hugged Shen Meng and even invited her to study in his country, thinking she was talented and could work at his company if she was interested.

Secretary Tang immediately interrupted, if he still thought Shen Meng was a burden at this moment, he was a fool; this was clearly a good omen!

Coincidentally, Jesse and Mark were among those who came to pick up Mr. John.

Jesse was extremely surprised to see Shen Meng and even cheered because the partner she was looking for was his own father, and he tightly embraced Shen Meng, directly taking off his watch and putting it on Shen Meng’s wrist.

"Dear Meng, this is my favorite watch, now I’m giving it to you, hoping our friendship will last forever."

"Thank you, dear Jesse."

Mr. John, seeing his daughter so fond of Shen Meng and able to find such a compatible friend in a foreign land, was also delighted for her. He nearly recognized Shen Meng as his daughter on the spot.

After Mr. John and others had left, it took a while before Mr. Li and his colleagues came back to their senses, their clothes drenched in sweat. Mr. Li wiped the sweat from his forehead; the day had indeed been thrilling.

"Mr. Li, I’ve roughly calculated that the order we received, when converted into our currency, amounts to 165,000 yuan. The order is large, we need a month’s time to produce it, and as long as the first batch has no issues, we’ll have this much or even more every month."

"Sss~"

Having been immersed in the joy of completing the order, he hadn’t thought about the specific amount of money, but now after hearing Shen Meng’s summary realized it was a windfall indeed!

"Shen Meng, you’ve made a great contribution, a huge accomplishment. So, when we get back, you and Qianqian will manage the Head Flower Workshop’s affairs, all decisions made by you. No, you directly manage it, with an official title, appointment letter, salary, by then I will definitely ensure you..."

"But Mr. Li, I...I’m no longer managing the workshop affairs, our workshop expelled me, I negotiated this deal also thinking to do one last thing for the village."

"Nonsense, who? Who dared to expel you?"

"Is it your commune’s director? I’ve always felt that Feng Si was slick, not a good person. Mr. Shen, don’t worry, when I get back, and without troubling Mr. Li, I’ll be the first to go inquire properly."

"That’s not..."

"Mr. Shen, don’t worry, I’ll also involve Secretary Guan in this, I refuse to believe, with both of us going, he’d dare touch you, huh, if he’s capable, he should create his own foreign exchange."

Shen Meng: "...."

It really isn’t our commune director; he is wrongly accused!!!