To create an electrical product, such as a transformer, explosion-proof device, or isolating switch, besides various accessories like screws, the most crucial components are the plastic casing and copper parts.
Nancheng, being the nation's most renowned electrical capital, naturally sees its most profitable businesses within its entire industrial chain as various plastic product enterprises, copper enterprises, and finished electrical products.
Plastic products have low costs and numerous suppliers, offering a wide range of choices. They are considered downstream industries, which the Pei family generally disregards.
But copper is different.
Copper, like gold, requires high investment costs and its market fluctuates daily, making it very difficult to manage and control.
For electrical products to have good quality and high conductivity, one must work with top-tier copper enterprises.
Nancheng has countless small and large copper factories, but only three are well-known.
Among these, the ones with the longest operating history, largest scale, and best reputation, and that are comparable, are only two.
One is Yao's Wanlong Copper Industry, and the other is Hengda Copper Production, which has been cooperating with the Pei family for many years.
If one were to say who is better than whom, there isn't much difference; it's just that they cater to different customer demographics.
Yao's family had also extended an olive branch to the Pei family, hoping for cooperation, but due to the personal relationship between the elder Mr. Pei and the CEO of Hengda, they never received a positive response.
Therefore, when Pei Kexin saw Pei Zongrui sitting with Yao Dongzhuo, the eldest son of the Yao family, she was deeply surprised.
Yao Dongzhuo is around the same age as Pei Kexin and took over the company around the same time.
However, it is rumored that he is ruthless in his dealings and ostentatious in his actions, making many industry insiders reluctant to associate with him.
Pei Kexin has encountered him in various public settings quite a few times, but due to a lack of interaction and her reservations about his reputation, they had never spoken.
Someone she dared not approach, and Pei Zongrui, of all people, dared to sit as an equal with him?
Pei Kexin's initial glance gave her a premonition that something was amiss.
This kid was either being used or owed someone a favor.
Otherwise, with Yao Dongzhuo's discerning eye, he wouldn't be willing to associate with him.
Damn Pei Zongrui, he had really gone too far this time.
In just a single glance, Pei Kexin's mind raced through a myriad of thoughts.
But she maintained her composure, walking over with a smile that didn't betray a single worry.
"Mr. Yao? Zongrui didn't inform me beforehand that you would be here. I didn't expect you to be present. And who is this? Are you gentlemen discussing something important? Please excuse my intrusion if I'm interrupting."
Yao Dongzhuo cast a calm glance at her but remained silent.
She continued to smile and looked at Pei Zongrui.
"Didn't you ask me to pick you up? It's getting late, and we still need to depart for another city. You need to sober up, wash up, change, and come with me."
Pei Zongrui had no intention of leaving, nor did he intend to let her leave.
"You've mentioned the business trip several times. Isn't it at three in the afternoon? There's still plenty of time. It's rare to get together with Brother Zhuo and Brother Dong. You both know each other, right? Don't rush off. Come, let's sit down and have a few drinks."
Pei Kexin's expression turned cold as she realized she had been tricked by her nephew.
He had likely deliberately lured her here to meet Yao Dongzhuo.
What did this Yao fellow want?
Instinctively, she wanted to distance herself from them.
"I drove myself here and didn't bring a driver, so I can't conveniently drink."
"Zongrui, if you have unfinished business, I'll come back to pick you up later. I have company matters waiting for me and really don't have time to sit around idly."
"Not having a driver is no big deal. Vice President Pei, saying that makes us strangers."
Seeing her about to leave, the man beside Yao Dongzhuo, Brother Dong, stood up with a smile.
"We're all acquaintances. We didn't have a chance to get to know each other properly when we met before. Today, we happen to have free time, and Vice President Pei is unwilling to grace us with her presence? Brother Zhuo doesn't easily make friends with people. For Young Master Pei, he's pushed aside a lot of things today. Just for this favor, shouldn't you, as an aunt, sit down and teach your nephew how to be grateful?"
Pei Kexin: "..."
Pei Zongrui was indeed being used.
Why, of all people, would Yao Dongzhuo choose to befriend him?
Only someone as foolish as him would have the confidence to think he was worthy.
Since the words had been spoken, it seemed that whatever friend Yao Dongzhuo wanted to make, he could.
They were all businessmen who saw each other frequently. Pei Kexin couldn't refuse without appearing rude.
She could only smile and walk over to Pei Zongrui, speaking kindly.
"It's truly unexpected that Zongrui, a student fresh out of ivory towers, has the honor of sitting with two seniors like yourselves."
"Mr. Yao is approachable and willing to befriend juniors; it is his honor..."
"Enough with the pleasantries,"
Brother Dong suddenly interrupted Pei Kexin, getting straight to the point.
"I've long heard that Vice President Pei is a remarkable woman, not only possessing strong business acumen but also being very beautiful. Seeing you today, it's indeed as rumored."
"Come, let's be friends. I'll toast you. To the young and beautiful aunt."
Pei Kexin did not want to drink.
Once she accepted this drink, who knew how many more excuses for toasting awaited her.
She also knew that since these people had gone to such lengths to lure her here, she wouldn't be able to leave without clarifying matters, so she decided to be direct.
"I won't be drinking. The circumstances today simply don't permit it. If there's anything to discuss besides drinking, perhaps you two could speak your minds directly."
Yao Dongzhuo, who had remained silent since her entrance, finally spoke.
"Is Vice President Pei currently in charge of sales at the Pei Corporation?"
Just as she feared.
She was afraid that by associating with him, they would discuss cooperation between their two companies.
It wasn't that Pei Kexin was unwilling, but rather that the elder Mr. Pei was against it.
He and the CEO of Hengda Copper Production had started their businesses together when they were young and had cooperated happily for decades.
As long as Hengda didn't play games with prices, he had no reason to switch suppliers.
Pei Kexin dared not defy her grandfather, nor did she want to offend Hengda because of the Yao family.
With Yao Dongzhuo asking this, she had to be wary.
"Yes, but it's my family's company, and the title is self-proclaimed. Mr. Yao, please don't call me that."
Yao Dongzhuo was a shrewd man and understood the hidden meaning in her words.
Upon hearing this, he smiled, "The Pei Corporation's current market value exceeds ten billion, with monthly transactions in the billions, all thanks to Vice President Pei's efforts. Why be so modest?"
Pei Kexin did not dare to accept the compliment.
"They say one reaps what others sow. Without the efforts of our elders in their youth, how could there be a company today, let alone me?"
"Wanlong's market value is far higher than the Pei Corporation's, and Mr. Yao's capabilities are more than a little stronger than mine. To say such things is to mock me."
Yao Dongzhuo stared at her and said half-jokingly, "Do you think I'm mocking you?"
It was pointless to beat around the bush with a smart person.
Pei Kexin: "Mr. Yao is certainly not that bored. What exactly do you want to say?"
Then Yao Dongzhuo spoke his mind.
"With the Pei Corporation's current business volume, Hengda's copper supply alone might be insufficient."
"Preferring to pay a higher price for semi-finished products from other suppliers rather than cooperating with Wanlong... Vice President Pei, since we have the fate to sit together today, can you explain to me why you look down on the Yao family so much?"