chsdbacks Chapter 260 This is not like Comrade Shen's style.
Chapter 260 This is not like Comrade Shen's style.
Director Feng twirled his fingers, a shrewd smile plastered on his face: "What Boss Shen says makes sense. I just wonder, how much is Boss Shen planning to offer?"
Shen Li picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip. His tone was calm yet neither humble nor arrogant: "I am young and have limited savings. I am here to test the waters. Why don't we hear your bureau's bottom line first? If I can afford it, we can continue to discuss the acquisition; if not, I can only trouble Director Feng."
Director Feng glanced at Fang Yi beside him out of the corner of his eye, then turned to Shen Li, his smile deepening: "Boss Shen is certainly outspoken."
"I'm just telling the truth." Shen Li thought to herself. Originally, she planned to discuss cooperation directly, but judging from Director Feng's attitude, a private deal might not be safe.
Shen Li trusted her intuition more; there must be a reason why she instinctively disliked someone.
It would be better to go through the auction process, which would be aboveboard and would also prevent anyone from using this as a pretext to create trouble by associating her with the Shen family.
Director Feng didn't mince words and said directly, "This factory isn't very large, but it's adjacent to a sizable vacant lot. Including the factory's equipment and land ownership, the initial estimated base price was 100,000 yuan."
"One hundred thousand?" Shen Li raised an eyebrow slightly, feigning surprise.
"Yes." Director Feng nodded, his eyes fixed on her reaction.
The 100,000 yuan was actually within Shen Li's budget, but Director Feng's appearance made her inexplicably more wary.
She hesitated for a moment, a troubled look on her face, and sighed softly, "Sigh... it seems I didn't prepare enough money this time..."
The matter was ultimately not resolved on the spot.
Shen Li ultimately decided to go through the auction route, as it would be the more appropriate approach.
As they went downstairs, Fang Yi followed beside her and couldn't help but tease, "This isn't like Comrade Shen at all. Why the sudden change of heart?"
Shen Li gave an awkward smile and made an excuse: "I'm a little short on funds right now, I need to raise some more. By the way, when is the auction scheduled?"
Fang Yi looked at her with a half-smile: "Doesn't Comrade Shen have acquaintances in Beijing? Would she be short of a little money?"
"Is Director Fang mocking me?" Shen Li raised an eyebrow and asked.
"No, no," Fang Yi waved his hand, his eyes full of curiosity, "I'm just really curious why Comrade Shen suddenly changed his mind."
"It's really just that we don't have enough money," Shen Li insisted.
Fang Yi chuckled lightly, his words carrying a pointed meaning: "That new car in front of your shop is probably worth more than this factory..."
Shen Li didn't respond, but just smiled and said, "It's a pity that Director Fang is so smart, only a factory director."
Shen Li changed the subject.
"That's right," Fang Yi continued, following her words. "I was originally thinking of taking advantage of Boss Shen's influence to build an even bigger business, but now it's probably going to be nipped in the bud."
When Shen Li heard him deliberately change "Comrade Shen" to "Boss Shen," he understood but didn't point it out. He simply said apologetically, "I'm sorry to have disappointed Director Fang."
Fang Yi watched her retreating figure, filled with doubt—nothing unusual had happened from going upstairs to coming downstairs, so why did Shen Li suddenly change her mind?
But he knew he shouldn't ask too many questions, so he said, "It's alright. Since Boss Shen still has ideas, I'll call you once the auction date is set."
"Thank you very much, Director Fang."
"I also hope to meet a generous boss."
"Then I hope we are destined to meet."
"OK."
After leaving the Industrial Bureau, Shen Li first took Fang Yi back to the factory, and then took Lu Zhou home.
The carriage fell silent. Lu Zhou finally couldn't contain himself and turned to ask, "How did it go? Did you reach an agreement?"
Shen Li looked straight ahead and said calmly, "No."
"It didn't work out?" Lu Zhou looked surprised, his eyes widening. "With Sister Li involved, how could anything not be agreed upon?"
Shen Li was amused by his appearance and turned to look at him: "I'm not a god, how can I do everything?"
Lu Zhou murmured to himself, his voice not loud but clearly reaching Shen Li's ears: "In my eyes, you are a god, you can accomplish anything."
Shen Li raised an eyebrow, deliberately teasing him: "When did I become a god in your eyes? Didn't you call me a tigress before?"
Lu Zhou's face flushed instantly, and he awkwardly pursed his lips, unable to utter a single word.
The carriage fell silent for a moment before Shen Li broke the silence, her tone becoming serious: "I've thought about this factory, and I think we still have to go through the public auction process. We can't negotiate privately. If any disputes arise in the future, it will be difficult to explain, and it might even implicate the Shen family."
The Shen family treated her very well, and she had long regarded this place as her own home, so she naturally had more considerations when doing things.
They will likely be bound together for a long time to come. "Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it." She cannot afford to leave any evidence that could give others the opportunity to attack Shen's father.
This matter needs to be handled prudently, step by step.
Lu Zhou was taken aback for a moment, then understood her concerns and nodded gently.
In fact, Shen Li's sudden change of mind was largely due to the moment she saw Director Feng—his calculating eyes hidden in his smile made her subconsciously want to avoid the risks of a private transaction.
After returning home, Lu Zhou lingered behind Shen Li, hesitant to speak, "Sister Li..."
"What's wrong?" Shen Li turned to look at him, her eyes full of confusion.
Lu Zhou gripped the hem of his clothes, his voice low: "What happened that night... I didn't mean to..."
Upon hearing this, Shen Li couldn't help but laugh and patted his shoulder: "So many days have passed, I've long forgotten about it. Don't overthink it, it's all in the past, don't take it to heart. As the eldest sister-in-law, how could I hold a grudge against you?"
"The eldest sister-in-law is like a mother..." Lu Zhou repeated these four words in a low voice, feeling as if something was blocking his heart, a dull and indescribable feeling.
For the next few days, Shen Li did not go out. She accompanied Lu's mother to check the goods in the store, and also took care of her own health. She had the maid massage her every day, and her whole body felt comfortable.
On a sunny afternoon, Grandma Shen sat under the grape trellis in the yard, enjoying the cool air while fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan.
Grandpa Yu walked over carrying a bamboo chess box, his voice gentle: "Sister Muyun."
Grandma Shen looked up and saw the white-haired old man in front of her. In a daze, she seemed to see the little brother who was eight years younger than her and always followed behind her.
She smiled and said, "You've come."
"Hmm." Grandpa Yu nodded, placed the chess box on the stone table, and said, "Since I have nothing to do, I'll play a couple of games with you."
The two often played chess together; it had long become a habit.
Wang Ma's mother was a maid who watched Grandma Shen grow up from childhood. Later, Wang Ma stayed by Grandma Shen's side to serve her and knew everything about Grandma Shen's past.
When she saw Grandpa Yu arrive, she quietly retreated to the kitchen to make tea.
A moment later, Wang Ma brought over a pot of hot tea and two teacups, and gently placed them on the stone table.