"Based on my understanding of you, President Pei, you haven't saved much money in your years at the Pei family."
"You own no property, only one car, which you've driven for two years and has already depreciated. You partnered with Gu Wei to start a company, but it only broke even last year... As a woman, you have to buy cosmetics and bags, so your hands must be tied, right? Are you sure you want to give me this much? Can you afford it?"
Pei Kexin found this person increasingly capable, knowing her financial situation so clearly.
"Xiao Jiang, besides delivering food, do you moonlight as a paparazzi?"
"Are you acquainted with everyone of note in the Nancheng business district? Not only acquainted, but you've investigated them thoroughly? To expand your business, I find you quite professional."
Zhan Jingchen paid no mind to her sarcasm, even taking pride in it.
"Knowing yourself and your enemy, you will win a hundred battles. President Pei, you must understand this principle better than I do."
A stinking delivery guy talking about knowing oneself and one's enemy... If you give him an inch, he'll take a mile.
"Enough nonsense. Sign this payment receipt, I'll give you the money, and we'll be even from now on."
She took out another contract she had prepared from her bag and tossed a pen to Zhan Jingchen.
Zhan Jingchen's gaze fell on the pen, lingered for a few seconds, then he flicked it aside and casually grabbed the contract.
After a brief glance, he picked up the pen and signed.
"Remember what you said today. I hope you don't regret it later. Pei Kexin, you didn't cherish me when I actively sought you out. When you come looking for me later, things won't be said this way."
With that, he dropped the contract and pen and stood up, his posture straight.
"I'll settle the bill. Stay for tea after you finish. I hope everything goes smoothly for you next, my dear ex-wife."
Pei Kexin sat in the tea room and transferred the money to Zhan Jingchen in installments before leaving.
She didn't realize how little she knew about her business partner until she started transferring the money.
It turned out his real name wasn't Jiang Jingchen, but Zhan Mouchen.
His surname was Zhan...
Pei Kexin regretted her haste in choosing him back then.
Everyone was busy heading to work.
Going downstairs and sitting in the car, she watched the hurried figures outside. Suddenly finding herself idle, she felt unaccustomed to it.
After some thought, she decided to visit the Pei Corporation again before her resignation procedures were completely finalized.
After all, it was the old master's life's work and a place she had strived for years.
The old master had shown her immense kindness; she couldn't just abandon it.
She quickly drove to the company and, as if by habit, went to the office of the Vice President of Sales.
Her assistant, seeing her enter, was very surprised and hurried to follow.
Pei Kexin sat down at her desk and looked at the empty surface.
"I didn't come to work yesterday. Did anything major happen?"
The assistant hesitated for a moment before saying, "Human Resources issued a new document."
Pei Kexin knew it was about her without hearing the content.
"What did it say."
The assistant replied, "You resigned..."
Pei Kexin lifted her eyelids and looked at her assistant. She had been with her for three years, and she truly couldn't bear to part with her.
Smiling, she comforted her assistant.
"Weren't you mentally prepared? Don't be like this. I'm just resigning, not dying. Has the new Vice President of Sales been confirmed?"
The assistant pondered for a moment before saying with a heavy heart.
"Not yet confirmed. But I heard a shareholders' meeting is about to be held, and they intend to nominate Zong Rui as the Vice President of Sales."
Although not entirely suitable, it was understandable.
After all, Pei Corporation was the Pei family's property, and they held the largest share, giving them the most say in appointments.
"Alright, follow him and work diligently when the new Vice President takes office. You've been working here for a long time, and everything is familiar. As long as you perform well, you won't be mistreated."
The assistant looked a bit worried. "President Pei, what about you..."
"I'm not going anywhere for now. I haven't rested in a long time, so I'll take a break. I'm fine. Perhaps in the future, I'll be more relaxed and at ease. Don't overthink it."
After chatting for a while, Pei Kexin asked if the assistant had anything else to say. The assistant handed her several documents.
"This morning we received several customer complaints. I didn't know what to do."
"The sales manager for East China has been in contact with a long-term client, Longchang Electric Power. They suddenly issued a document stating there were product quality issues and demanding a return. Furthermore, they have objections to our pricing, saying that raw material prices have been falling recently. If we don't adjust the prices for them, they will terminate our business relationship in the future."
Pei Kexin frowned. "Isn't Longchang Electric Power an old client? Our cooperation has always been good. We've always negotiated advance payments and final payments smoothly. Why is there such a big conflict all of a sudden?"
The assistant said, "The regional manager said he has communicated with them. Their explanation is that firstly, our product quality does have issues, and secondly, the market conditions are unstable, and their company's cash flow is slow, causing financial strain..."
Pei Kexin said, "The price we gave them is the lowest among major clients in the entire East China region. Do they not know if it can be adjusted further? Financial strain is not a reason to threaten clients. What kind of explanation is this?"
The assistant said, "The regional manager speculates that their procurement department has likely encountered new clients, and someone is engaging in malicious competition by lowering prices, which is why they are picking on us."
Pei Kexin agreed. It was highly possible.
This kind of cutthroat competition by lowering prices to snatch clients was all too common in the business world.
However, the few products Pei Corporation sold to Longchang had limited substitutes, and she couldn't figure out who was trying to steal clients at the moment.
"Call the regional manager and ask him to probe Longchang's stance and find out who their new collaborator is. I'm curious who is so desperate to compete with us."
The assistant said okay, but then didn't leave.
Pei Kexin asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Yes, from Harbin. You just finished your business trip, and it shouldn't be a problem, but today they also reported unstable product quality, saying they will withhold a portion of the final payment as per the contract, or they won't cooperate with us in the future."
"And Guanghua Holdings in South China. We had agreed yesterday that they would pay the advance payment for an order of five thousand sets of product 45737. Today, they suddenly said they don't want it anymore..."
It was normal for one company to seek to terminate cooperation. But three companies in a row, one of which she had personally provided after-sales service for, inevitably aroused suspicion.
Pei Kexin asked the assistant to leave and personally called the procurement manager of the Harbin client. After a polite conversation, the procurement manager, who had a good impression of her, gave her a general idea.
"Nancheng has many companies with guaranteed brands and large scale, not just yours. Others offer lower prices and more comprehensive services promised in contracts. If it were you, what would you choose?"
Pei Kexin understood.
Their newly contacted client was from Nancheng.
But there were no companies in Nancheng that could substitute Pei Corporation's products.
Or perhaps, another company had been developing quietly without Pei Corporation's knowledge?