Xie Dingyuan was uneasy.
This was the sixth time he had glanced at his watch. It was his good manners that kept him seated here at this moment, the only reason he hadn’t stormed out in a huff.
“…So, our product is absolutely safe, effective, and has low consumption, which is something no other country except D Country can achieve.”
Xie Dingyuan remained silent.
Across the table, several executives began exchanging frequent glances.
Originally, their company had scheduled negotiations with Hanqing Biology, but no one had expected the great Buddha Xie Dingyuan to come in person!
Previously, it had always been Vice President Song Yuanzhou negotiating with them.
Several executives couldn’t help but speculate whether there was any deeper meaning or implication behind this.
But the calm and serene expression on the face of the person at the head of the table made it difficult to discern any emotions.
This was troublesome.
It was unclear how much time had passed—maybe several tens of seconds, maybe several minutes. Just as the executives were starting to feel increasingly bewildered, Xie Dingyuan finally spoke—
“Finished?”
The marketing manager standing on the stage was taken aback. After a moment of realization, he awkwardly nodded, “Y-Yes, finished.”
“Three questions.”
“Ah?”
Xie Dingyuan continued, “First, the cost is too high. Your low consumption is based on high-performance materials. As for why no other countries have it… it’s because these materials are monopolized by D Country. Naturally, other countries do not have access.”
Several executives looked slightly embarrassed.
“Second, the machines wear out too quickly. Based on the usage of 15 units in the first phase, the newest machines will be scrapped within two years at most. I don’t know how you control the cycle of upgrades and replacements, but in my view, this is very unreasonable.”
“Third, if you cannot control costs and wear rates, then the price must come down.”
Three sentences instantly put the other party in a tight spot.
For example, the high-performance materials—this was something even Song Yuanzhou didn’t know about. How did he…
These people didn’t consider that apart from being the big boss of Hanqing Biology, Xie Dingyuan was also a renowned international biochemist and physicist.
How could any new materials developed by various countries escape his attention?
One executive stood up, “Mr. Xie, from what I understand, these machines from Hanqing are simply purchased on behalf of national needs, right?”
Xie Dingyuan raised his eyes and looked over, “And?”
“Since it’s for the national needs of Huaxia, Hanqing acts as a middleman. We won’t shortchange you on your handling fees. So, could this price… be negotiated?”
The implication was clear. Since Hanqing was purchasing on behalf of them, and it was the national treasury that allocated funds, was the small difference in price really that significant? As long as you stabilize the price for us, there will definitely be benefits.
Don’t think that foreigners wouldn’t haggle. In business, there’s no avoiding seeking profit.
This company had been dealing with Chinese enterprises for over a decade or two, so they understood all the ins and outs.
They had already said this much. Originally, they thought Xie Dingyuan would be satisfied, but unexpectedly—
Xie Dingyuan suddenly stood up and turned to leave.
“Mr. Xie!” The executives panicked and quickly called out to him, “Please wait! What’s wrong? Why… why are you leaving just like that?”
Xie Dingyuan didn’t look back, “Hanqing does not negotiate with opportunists. Later, I will have Song Yuanzhou contact you to discuss the termination of the contract.”
“Termination?!” The other side was shocked to the core, “W-Why terminate the contract?!”
Several executives hurried after him, blocking his way, “Don’t act rashly, let’s both calm down. We can discuss everything, right?”
“Yeah, after all, we’re old friends. How can we just cut off relations like this?”
“Mr. Xie, we are very sincere and also value big clients like Hanqing…”
They tried to placate him with one reassurance after another.
Unfortunately, Xie Dingyuan wasn’t buying it—
“I am calm.”
“I can cut off if I say so.”
“Sorry, I don’t see your sincerity and value.”
Just as he was about to walk out of the conference room and leave for good, one executive, infuriated and embarrassed, shouted at his back—
“Only our company in the whole world can produce these machines. You have no other choice!”
“You’re wrong,” Xie Dingyuan stopped in his tracks and turned back, “Huaxia can produce them on its own. The laboratory has already found better optimization solutions and improvement methods. So, you are no longer the world’s only option. Next time, please don’t rashly claim such titles.”
“No, that’s impossible! You don’t have the raw materials, so you can’t produce them!”
“Raw materials? Are you talking about that composite metal?”
“H-How do you know…” The executive staggered back, taking a half step, his expression stunned and fearful.
Xie Dingyuan had already walked far away.
…
When he arrived at the venue, the awards ceremony had already ended, and the closing ceremony was nearing its end.
The representative from D Country handed over the International Physics Olympiad’s bronze medal and certificate to the representative of the next host country’s organizing committee.
The latter took the stage to welcome the teams from various countries to participate in the next International Physics Olympiad.
Finally, all the participants from various countries gathered for a group photo.
The Huaxia team was prominently positioned, and Jiang Fuyue was again in the center of the team.
Xie Dingyuan looked at the girl on stage holding her certificate and flowers, and suddenly, he didn’t feel so regretful.
After all, he managed to catch up, didn’t he?
In the afternoon, the host country hosted a banquet, attended by the dressed-up participants from various countries.
Zhong Ziang didn’t have an invitation card, so he couldn’t get in.
He tried asking Yan Zhenfeng and Qin Libin for help, but the organizers stated that to maintain the privacy of the banquet, only team leaders and participants from each country were allowed to attend.
The rest, especially media reporters, were strictly prohibited.
Huo Fanjin shrugged, “If Professor Yan says there’s no way, then there really is no way.”
Zhong Ziang scowled.
Huo Fanjin swayed as he entered, leaving him with a gloating figure.
“D*mn!”
Suddenly, a figure flashed through the boy’s mind. He was sure he could find a way!
…
Xie Dingyuan stood in front of a full-length mirror, adjusting the height of his tie.
After several adjustments, none seemed quite right, so he continued to fiddle with it, meticulous in his efforts.
At that moment, his phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Uncle, what are you up to? Hehe… Have you had lunch? Are you busy?”
Xie Dingyuan replied flatly, “Speak if you have something.”
“Cough… Can you get an invitation to the IPhO banquet?”
Xie Dingyuan’s eyes flickered slightly. “What do you want to do?”
“I want to join in the fun.”
“I can’t get one.”
“How is that possible?!” Zhong Ziang didn’t believe it. “If you ask, D Country will definitely give you face.”
“That’s also my face. You take it, but there’s no guarantee it will work.”
Zhong Ziang was getting desperate. “Then what should I do?”
“Is that all you want to do?”
“Of course! My wife… uh… Lin Shumo and the others are inside. I want to broaden my horizons.”
Xie Dingyuan didn’t expose him, just said calmly, “Then I can’t help you. The hotel is about to deliver the meal. I won’t talk to you anymore.”
“Wait… You’re at the hotel?”
Xie Dingyuan remained composed. “Is there a problem?”
“No problem! It’s absolutely no problem! Uncle, if you’re in the mood to order food now, does that mean you won’t be busy later?”
“And?”
“That’s great! Come with me! Since I can’t use your face, let me bask in your glory by accompanying you. Right? Twenty minutes later, meet me at the hotel entrance.”
With that, he quickly hung up, afraid that Xie Dingyuan would change his mind.
Xie Dingyuan calmly put down his phone and continued to adjust his tie.
Two minutes later, he was finally satisfied.
Looking at himself in the mirror, impeccably dressed from head to toe, nothing seemed out of place.
Very good.
He turned around, picked up his phone, dialed a number, and spoke fluently in German, “It’s me, Professor Smith. I’m sorry to bother you again. Please leave me another invitation card. Thank you… Yes, I received the previous one… Yes, I need one more…”
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the room. The neatly made bed showed no obvious wrinkles, and a quiet invitation card laid on top.
The card was a luxurious Roland purple, bordered with silver edges, and in the center, written in smooth English script—
IPhO Invitation (International Physics Olympiad Invitation)
Xie Dingyuan picked up the card and left the room.
His polished leather shoes made no noise on the thick carpet in the corridor.
Twenty minutes later, the uncle and nephew met up and set off together.
In the car.
For the Nth time, Zhong Ziang glanced at his uncle, only to be caught by Xie Dingyuan’s cold gaze.
“Ahem…” he cleared his throat awkwardly.
Xie Dingyuan turned his face away, looking out the window.
Suddenly, Zhong Ziang spoke up, “Uncle, I feel like there’s something off about you today.”
Dog Xie: Please, call me the Acting King of the Academic World.
