Under the large willow tree outside the Butterfly Clothing Factory, Zhang Long and Wu Erma had been waiting for a full two and a half hours. They hadn't even eaten lunch and were starving, their stomachs rumbling.
But they couldn't care less. Every few seconds, they would look up towards the end of the road, their eyes straining, wishing the Santana they had in mind would appear sooner.
Heaven rewards the persistent. Finally, after their fervent prayers, the Santana appeared.
"They're back!"
"Qin Chuan and Li Ya are back!"
Seeing the Santana, Zhang Long and Wu Erma were happier than if they had seen their own parents.
Finally, the Santana stopped in front of them, and the two quickly scurried over.
"Brother Qin Chuan!"
"Hello, Boss Li!"
Seeing Qin Chuan and Li Ya driving, they quickly bowed and scraped.
"The boss wants you in her office!"
Qin Chuan said. Li Ya, on the other hand, kept her head down, trimming her white, slender fingernails with a nail clipper, as if she hadn't seen Zhang Long and Wu Erma at all.
It wasn't until the Santana drove through the factory gate that Zhang Long and Wu Erma seemed to snap out of a daze. They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with undisguised excitement.
"We did it!"
"It really worked!"
Qin Chuan's words had made it very clear; their business had hope.
When the two rushed to Li Ya's office at their fastest pace, they saw Qin Chuan sitting casually on the sofa, sipping tea. Behind the desk, Li Ya sat expressionlessly, working.
"You're here, have a seat!"
Qin Chuan called out. But Zhang Long and Wu Erma dared not sit. They stood before the boss like scolded schoolchildren, feeling incredibly nervous.
"Boss Li, we've come to admit our mistake!"
Zhang Long spoke first.
Behind the desk, Li Ya didn't even look up, engrossed in her work.
This scene, which had initially filled them with a sliver of hope, plunged them back into gloom. They couldn't help but steal glances at Qin Chuan, who was sitting on the sofa.
They found Qin Chuan equally expressionless, as if he hadn't seen them.
Since they had made a mistake, they deserved to be punished. Even if they were forgiven, what was wrong with making them wait a few minutes?
Throughout history, the price of choosing the wrong side had always been heavy.
"Boss Li, we were truly wrong!"
Wu Erma also spoke, his expression full of pitiable regret.
Li Ya finally finished her work and looked up, revealing her bright and beautiful face.
At this moment, she exuded an aura of authority, her stern demeanor making one feel intimidated.
Qin Chuan felt that Li Ya already possessed the qualities of a strong businesswoman. In time, she might achieve great things.
It was precisely this potential that made him decide to partner with her.
This was Qin Chuan's first collaborator since his rebirth!
Otherwise, with his discerning eyes as a reborn individual, just any cat or dog wouldn't catch his attention.
"Zhang Long, Wu Erma, Qin Chuan has told me everything about your situation!"
Li Ya said slowly.
"Yes, yes, yes, Boss Li. We were blinded by greed and followed the Guo family's words to oppose you!"
"We now deeply realize our grave mistake and beg for your magnanimity!"
"We will never do such foolish things again!"
Zhang Long and Wu Erma lowered their attitudes even further, becoming meek and obedient.
Li Ya's expression remained unchanged. "You can earn my forgiveness, but I have one condition!"
"A condition?"
The two were taken aback, then quickly reacted, nodding incessantly. "Please tell us, Boss Li. We will do whatever we can!"
"Don't be so nervous. My condition is actually beneficial to you!"
Li Ya suddenly smiled charmingly, and the entire office seemed to brighten. However, Zhang Long and Wu Erma were so frightened that they quickly lowered their heads, daring not to look.
At this, Li Ya emerged from behind the desk, holding two A4 sheets of paper. She handed them to them.
"I have an agreement here. The content is very simple: you will become the grain and oil suppliers and general goods providers for my Butterfly Clothing Factory from now on!"
"What?!"
Zhang Long and Wu Erma, who had been tense, simultaneously looked up, their faces filled with astonishment, as if they had misheard.
"You heard correctly. From now on, whenever our factory needs anything, we will purchase it from your two companies!"
Li Ya continued, "But before that, I need you to do something first."
"Here it comes!"
"This is the real critical matter!"
Zhang Long and Wu Erma were not fools. They understood that the true climax was about to begin.
This was their hard-won chance to see Li Ya today. Not only had she not punished them, but she was also offering them such a great benefit. Any fool would know there had to be a catch.
"Please, Boss Li, instruct us!"
Wu Erma, slightly quicker-witted, said obsequiously.
"It's very simple. From now on, you two will be on my side!"
Li Ya's smile vanished, and she once again transformed into the stern, authoritative boss, exuding an imposing presence that made the office atmosphere heavy.
"Not long from now, I will take some measures against the Guo family, as a counterattack against their recent targeting of me! At that time, I will need you two to be the vanguards. You are the only suitable candidates!"
Boom!!
Upon hearing this, the faces of Zhang Long and Wu Erma turned ashen, their complexions draining of all color.
Even though they had anticipated that Li Ya's hidden agenda would be significant, they never imagined it would be so drastic. This was essentially forcing them to walk a tightrope.
A single misstep would lead to the complete loss of everything.
The Guo family, being an established enterprise in the county with vast resources, was not an easy opponent to deal with.
This was clearly forcing them to choose sides once again!
Sweat beaded on the foreheads of both Zhang and Wu. They felt their mouths dry and their breathing labored.
"Don't be so nervous. This is a society governed by law. I'm not asking you to commit murder or arson, merely to lead people to make a scene at the Guo family's doorstep!"
"Similarly, no matter how overbearing the Guo family is, they wouldn't dare to commit murder or arson. Doing so would be their own downfall!"
Li Ya coaxed them, her words filled with seduction.
"You've dealt with the Guo family before. You know their character better than I do!"
"They are the type to cross the bridge and then demolish it. But my situation is different. As long as you choose the right side, I will not only not abandon you, but I will also greatly reward those who distinguish themselves."
"As my business grows, the benefits you receive will only increase!"
"Now, the choice is yours. What decision you make rests entirely on your thoughts. Think carefully..."
After delivering her speech, Li Ya returned to her desk, leaving Zhang and Wu standing there with shifting expressions...