Xinhe District, Chengguan.
In a private room by the window on the second floor of the Pinwei Shiguang Tea Restaurant, Feng Wen, a salesman for Lijian Board Factory, was secretly admiring the beautiful woman opposite him, Xiao Wen, while holding his teacup.
Xiao Wen was a purchasing agent for a construction company. In her mid-twenties, she was tall, fair-skinned, and exquisitely featured. Especially in that off-the-shoulder dress, which was almost bursting at the seams from her ample bosom, she exuded a sexy and alluring charm. Feng Wen dared not look too much, lest he get a nosebleed.
After reviewing the purchase contract, Xiao Wen, with eyes as soft as silk, said to Feng Wen, "Manager Feng, we're quite fated, aren't we? Our names even share a character. For the sake of this fate, can you give me a better price on the templates?"
"Director Xiao, this is already the ex-factory price. I really can't lower it."
Although Feng Wen was infatuated with her beauty, he was principled in business. Factory Director Jiang had set a minimum price. He could sell at a higher price outside, but not below the set price, otherwise, the factory wouldn't ship, and invoices would need to be issued.
As for any price increase, it wouldn't go into his private pocket. At most, he'd get a commission, unless he received kickbacks. However, the construction template market was a buyer's market. Salespeople had to promote their products at various construction sites or dealerships. There were many manufacturers of construction templates, and competition was fierce, making it difficult to receive kickbacks.
"Manager Feng, our company has many projects, and our template usage is large. This single order is for eighteen thousand sheets, all paid in cash. If it weren't for hearing that your factory's templates are of superior quality, where else could I buy templates with this money? The price should at least be two yuan cheaper per sheet."
"Director Xiao, precisely because our factory's templates are of good quality, the price is a bit higher. Our templates can be reused more than ten times, while similar templates can only be reused six to eight times. You understand the cost-effectiveness without me needing to elaborate.
"Oh, why are you so stubborn? I originally wanted to be friends with you, to go out singing and drinking. I didn't expect that even though you're handsome, you're a blockhead. Forget it, I'll find another manufacturer."
Xiao Wen said this and stood up to leave.
The information conveyed by her words was significant, seemingly hinting at something.
Feng Wen, who had a rough background, was emboldened by lust. He quickly stood up and grabbed her hand, "Director Xiao, don't rush. We can discuss it. How about we offer you credit? The price would be the same, what do you say?"
Offering credit for construction templates was a normal business practice, but the price difference was significant. Generally, credit sales were three to eight yuan higher per sheet than cash payments. Feng Wen's offer was quite generous.
Xiao Wen smiled shyly and, as if by chance, sat next to Feng Wen. Their hands remained clasped.
"Manager Feng is straightforward. Then I'll sign this contract. I'll have the company make an advance payment this afternoon."
Xiao Wen was well-versed in the rules. Credit sales didn't mean no payment upfront; about thirty percent of the funds would still be paid, and the rest could be paid gradually at the construction site's payment milestones. This would help alleviate the cash flow pressure of the construction company.
"No rush, no rush. It's not too late to get paid after the templates are delivered to the site."
Feng Wen was already smitten, and his hands began to grow restless.
Xiao Wen feigned resistance as they flirted.
Feng Wen, who was usually shrewd, was completely captivated. He didn't have time to consider if there might be something wrong with her being so forward and throwing herself at him on their first meeting.
His newlywed wife was at the factory, but compared to this woman, she was far inferior. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her a goddess.
As they were intimately entangled, there was a knock on the door. A waiter was bringing in the dishes.
The two had to sit up straight and start eating.
"Xiao Wen, are you busy this afternoon?"
After eating most of their meal, Xiao Wen asked gently, even changing her address.
"Not busy, not busy. The factory is temporarily shut down, there's no stock in the warehouse, and I haven't been out selling. It's like a holiday."
Feng Wen thought she wanted to go to a hotel with him and was overjoyed. Even if she had something important, he would have gone to great lengths for her.
"Then come out with me this afternoon. I'll treat you to dinner tonight and invite a few sisters to sing. What do you say?"
"Okay, you call the shots today."
Not only had he secured a large order today, but he had also encountered a stroke of luck with romance. It was a win-win situation, both financially and personally. Feng Wen felt his luck had turned.
After lunch, Feng Wen wanted to linger in the private room, but Xiao Wen politely declined. She got up and left.
Feng Wen thought she was taking him to a hotel, so he quickly followed her to the front desk to settle the bill, then went downstairs.
Xiao Wen drove a red Honda, while Feng Wen drove Jiang Bin's SUV. He actually owned a Santana that he drove around Hancheng, but today, someone had told him about a big business opportunity, so he drove Jiang Bin's car to make a good impression.
Following Xiao Wen, after a short drive, Feng Wen felt something was wrong. She was heading out of the city, not to a hotel. However, he didn't dare to ask. Thinking about the evening's activities, he felt a sense of anticipation.
They entered a village in the suburbs of Chengguan. After getting out of the car, Feng Wen realized it was a casino, and a rather large one at that, with over a hundred people.
"Feng Wen, I like to gamble. I come here to play a few rounds whenever I have time. I've been unlucky lately and losing money. Since I signed the contract with you today, perhaps my luck will turn. Play a few rounds with me, won't you?"
As they walked from the parking lot towards the casino, Xiao Wen linked her arm with Feng Wen's and explained.
Feng Wen felt the soft pressure against his arm and couldn't refuse. "I'm from Xiangnan and don't know your local games. Besides, I haven't brought much money."
"It's okay. I'll have you sit next to me, and I'll teach you. You'll get it after a couple of rounds. I have money. I'll give you a hundred thousand later. If you win, it's yours. If you lose, it's on me."
"How can I do that? How can I take advantage of you, a grown man?"
As they spoke, they entered the open-air casino at the entrance of the ancestral hall. People along the way greeted Xiao Wen, indicating that she was a regular, and a big gambler at that.
Indeed, as soon as Xiao Wen entered the casino, someone immediately made a seat for her.
Xiao Wen pulled Feng Wen to sit opposite the dealer and took out a hundred thousand yuan from her bag, giving fifty thousand to Feng Wen.
"We're gambling with dice. It's simple, just betting on odd or even. This side is even, and that side is odd. The house pays out according to the bet amount and doesn't take a cut from the gamblers."
A new round of gambling began. Xiao Wen placed ten thousand yuan on the 'even' side and then explained the game and the casino's rules to Feng Wen.
Feng Wen, having been involved in the underworld before, had some experience with gambling and understood quickly. After watching a couple of rounds, he grasped the concept.
However, he felt a bit hesitant to gamble. Although the minimum bet in this casino was a hundred yuan, everyone treated him as a big shot since he was with Xiao Wen. Xiao Wen bet at least ten thousand yuan each time. If he bet only one or two hundred, it would be embarrassing.
But he didn't dare to bet in tens of thousands. He was just a salesman on a salary. Even with commissions, his total monthly income was only five to six thousand yuan.
This salary was several times higher than that of ordinary workers, but he lacked the confidence to gamble extravagantly like Xiao Wen.