The eighth day of the Lunar New Year, all enterprises under the Zhan Group officially resumed operations.
Gree Appliances also reopened for business.
The bidding project for the State Grid Electric Power entered the final review stage.
On the first day back to work, Zhan Beijue did not go to the group to preside over the opening meeting.
Given the significant matter of entering the final review, Vice President Gao dared not fail to inform him, so he called that afternoon.
"Mr. Zhan, the State Grid's bid documents will be submitted for final review tomorrow. Would you like to go over them again?"
Zhan Beijue was sitting on the balcony with Lu Mingzhe, gazing into the distance, feeling bored.
Upon hearing this, his heart stirred, and he thought of something.
"Yes. Send the documents over, and I'll take another look."
Soon, the files were sent.
Zhan Beijue asked Lu Mingzhe to fetch his computer.
Lu Mingzhe mocked him.
"You said you were closing your doors to guests and wouldn't think about anything, but I knew you couldn't be that detached."
"You have no face to go out and see people, yet you still have to do your work. You truly don't let anything delay you."
"If you could just speak less, you wouldn't still be single."
Zhan Beijue retorted.
"Don't you know that women nowadays dislike men who talk too much?"
"As if you know that many women, acting like you understand them so well."
Lu Mingzhe stood up.
Zhan Beijue looked into the distance, his tone languid.
"Although I don't know as many women as you do, every single one I know..."
"Anyway, someone like you wouldn't win her favor."
Lu Mingzhe was almost sickened by his words.
"Isn't it just your ex-wife? Tsk, tsk. You've lived for thirty years and only know this one woman, and you're proud of it?"
"Fine, fine, she's the best woman in the world, and her opinion represents all women. Is that enough?"
"She's broken up with you and doesn't care about you anymore, yet you're still shamelessly praising her. I never saw you as so pathetic before."
Zhan Beijue ignored him, took the computer, opened the files, and changed two numbers.
The next day, Vice President Gao personally took the documents to the review site.
He was initially confident, believing that with Zhan Beijue's repeated personal oversight, they would surely win the project.
However, they were unexpectedly eliminated.
Then, he watched as the project fell into the hands of Huatai Appliances, which was managed by Jiang Nan Fang.
Vice President Gao was greatly alarmed.
After the meeting, he hurriedly stopped the Deputy Director to ask what had happened.
The Deputy Director said, "I wanted to ask you too."
"Why did you change the data again? And so ridiculously!"
"You made the Director scold me, asking how such exaggerated data entered the final review and if there was a problem in any of your processes."
"That's impossible. Mr. Zhan personally reviewed the bid documents yesterday afternoon; there shouldn't be any issues."
Vice President Gao quickly opened the files to check.
To his astonishment, the data had indeed been altered.
Two inconspicuous indicators had been modified to several times the industry average.
It wasn't just ridiculous; it was absurd.
Could someone have hacked into Zhan Beijue's computer and tampered with the data?
Having lost such a major project, Vice President Gao dared not delay and immediately called Zhan Beijue.
Zhan Beijue was mentally prepared.
Seeing Vice President Gao's call, he answered with a blank expression.
"Mr. Zhan, after you reviewed the bid documents yesterday, was your computer accessed by anyone? How could..."
Zhan Beijue interrupted him, feigning ignorance, "What happened?"
"I strongly suspect someone hacked into your computer and tampered with our bid documents."
Vice President Gao was furious. "How unethical! They changed two simple numbers to be comically absurd, directly causing us..."
"It's also my fault for not checking carefully again before leaving. I apologize, Mr. Zhan. We didn't secure the project today."
"I've failed you, the company, and the efforts of my colleagues for so long. I truly have no face to face my ancestors..."
His tone was heavy, but Zhan Beijue's was nonchalant.
"There's no need to be so dramatic. There are many projects in the industry; if we didn't get this one, we'll get another."
"We can't always win, always be the ones eating meat while others drink soup."
"Relax, no one blames you. It's good to let others have a taste of the meat occasionally. Don't blame yourself too much. That's all."
Before, Mr. Zhan had seemed quite concerned about this project. Why was his tone today as if the failure was within his expectations?
Vice President Gao was puzzled.
Could it be that no one tampered with his numbers, but Mr. Zhan himself made the changes?
Was it because the other party was Jiang Nan Fang, and he intentionally wanted to give the project to her?
If that were the case...
Upon further thought, Vice President Gao couldn't help but admire Zhan Beijue.
The way a domineering CEO pursues someone is truly extraordinary.
He starts by gifting projects and performance. Jiang Nan Fang is too fortunate!
As he was thinking, Jiang Nan Fang and her staff also emerged from the review room, carrying documents.
Seeing Vice President Gao, she showed none of her usual joy or enthusiasm. She nodded expressionlessly and was about to walk away.
As they were about to pass each other, Vice President Gao called out to her.
"Engineer Jiang!"
Jiang Nan Fang had no enmity with Vice President Gao, so she had to stop.
"Mr. Gao, do you need something?"
Oh, not only her cousin, but her address has changed too.
Why is she so distant?
Vice President Gao chuckled awkwardly.
"Nothing much. It's been a while since we last met, and seeing you secure such a big project at the start of the year, I just wanted to congratulate you."
Vice President Gao waved to her staff member.
"You go ahead. Let's just chat for a moment."
The staff member nodded and left first.
Vice President Gao and Jiang Nan Fang walked forward side by side.
Vice President Gao's mind was filled with work.
"Engineer Jiang, although I don't know what happened that made you have to join Ke Jingyu and work at Huatai, I must say."
"Because of your exceptional capability, I feel a great sense of crisis."
Jiang Nan Fang was also business-like.
"Mr. Gao's sense of crisis might stem from the fact that those around you are not handling their work effectively, causing you to bear too much responsibility."
"Based on my past understanding of you, you are quite dedicated to your work."
"If you are so career-minded and unwilling to retire early at home, I might as well offer you a suggestion."
"Oh? What suggestion?"
"Come to Huatai. Work with me."
"I guarantee I won't be a hands-off manager like Zhan Beijue, leaving everything to you. We'll work side by side, and you won't have to bear such great pressure."
"..."
Vice President Gao took her words as a joke and smiled.
"Engineer Jiang's words are becoming increasingly humorous. No wonder Mr. Zhan likes you. Hehe."
"Speaking of which, you're too unthoughtful. You called me 'godfather' before. How could you not tell me about such wonderful things happening between you and Mr. Zhan?"
"Where are things at now? Do you have any plans to get married?"
"When you get married in the future, no matter where the venue is, I must go and get a wedding drink! And a double portion!"