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Hu Manli stood by the window, looking at the six-figure sum that had just been deposited into her phone, a slight smile playing on her lips.

This was the first major order she secured through her partnership with Suning. After deducting her daily expenses during this period, Suning has transferred her share of the commission as agreed.

"What are you looking at, so happy?" Su Ning pushed open the door and entered, holding two cups of coffee in her hand, handing one of them to Hu Manli.

“Look at our first pot of gold.” Hu Manli took the coffee and took a small sip. “It went more smoothly than I expected. Finally, we don’t have to give up the business we’re familiar with.”

Su Ning sat down opposite her and asked, "That's because you did a good job with your preliminary work. By the way, when can we arrange to meet with Ai Zhonghua, whom you mentioned last time?"

Hu Manli's eyes lit up: "What a coincidence! I was just about to tell you this."

Then she took a folder out of the drawer and handed it to Su Ning. "This is Ai Zhonghua's information. He runs an art company called 'Huaxia Art Gallery,' which is quite famous in the industry."

Suning quickly glanced at the documents: "Looks like a high-quality client. You do have some good resources."

“I’ve been working with Ai Zhonghua for many years now. When I first contacted him, things were going well, but in the end he gave the policy to another company.” Hu Manli shrugged, but there was no resentment in her tone. “However, something happened later that completely changed his attitude towards me.”

Su Ning looked up curiously: "What is it?"

Hu Manli recalled: "Once, Ai Zhonghua was organizing an exhibition of famous works of art, all of which were priceless. The day before the opening, a sudden downpour caused some water to seep into the roof of the exhibition hall. I happened to be delivering some materials when I saw this situation. Without saying a word, I reminded him and stayed to help. So, together with Ai Zhonghua and his wife, we moved all the exhibits to a dry warehouse overnight."

"Impressive! I didn't expect you to know so much about art!" Su Ning raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“I took an art conservation course in college, so I know how to handle this,” Hu Manli smiled. “Since then, Ai Zhonghua has been very impressed with me and always takes the initiative to ask me to talk about insurance. I’ve already arranged to meet him tomorrow. I’ll go ahead and find out his needs first.”

Suning nodded: "Okay! I'll wait for your news. Also, I have some inside information: Taiying International has decided that the top-selling company within three months will be rewarded with a luxury car."

"real or fake?"

"It should be true."

"Then it seems I'm determined to take this order."

"Just do your best! There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

"Su Ning, how's your relationship with Wang Xue going lately?"

"Very good! Wang Xue is very well-behaved every day."

"Wow! Looks like you're pretty good at picking up girls."

"Haha, it was alright! I was just lucky."

……

The next morning, Hu Manli arrived at Huaxia Art Gallery on time.

Ai Zhonghua's office is decorated in an antique style, with several paintings and calligraphy works by famous artists hanging on the walls and a bronze vessel on his desk.

“Manli is here, please have a seat.” Ai Zhonghua, in his early fifties, with graying hair but still sprightly, gestured to the chair opposite him. “Tea or coffee?”

"Tea is fine, thank you, Ms. Ai." Hu Manli smiled as she sat down and took out the prepared documents from her bag.

Ai Zhonghua poured her a cup of tea himself, and then got straight to the point: "Manli, the reason I came to you this time is to buy an insurance policy for my son."

"That's wonderful! Little Ai must be overjoyed." Hu Manli nodded, about to take notes.

But Ai Zhonghua added, "It's not my eldest son, Ai Linjiang, but another son, Ma Xiaowei."

"What? Mr. Ai, are you kidding me? I've never heard that you have a son." The pen stopped on the paper.

Hu Manli looked up and met Ai Zhonghua's slightly embarrassed gaze.

“It’s a long story…” Ai Zhonghua sighed. “Xiaowei was born to my girlfriend in the countryside when I was young. I didn’t know she was pregnant at the time. It wasn’t until many years after I got married and had children that Xiaowei came to me to acknowledge her as my daughter.”

Hu Manli maintained a professional smile, but her heart was already in turmoil.

The purchase of insurance for an illegitimate child clearly indicates a complex family relationship behind this transaction.

“I want to buy Xiaowei a three million yuan annuity insurance policy,” Ai Zhonghua said in a low voice, “but this must be kept from Linjiang. Can you help me with this?”

Hu Manli's fingers unconsciously rubbed the rim of the teacup.

A three-million-dollar policy means a hefty commission, but such a demand clearly crossed her professional line.

After all, this insurance policy involves not only ethical issues but also legal issues related to the transfer of assets.

Therefore, there weren't many insurance agents willing to take on this case, which is why Ai Zhonghua approached Hu Manli.

“Mr. Ai, I understand how you feel, but concealing information about important family members may affect the validity of the policy…” She carefully chose her words.

However, Ai Zhonghua's expression turned painful at this moment: "Manli, you don't know how much I've suffered over the past few decades. I didn't even know Xiaowei existed back then. By the time I found out, he was already eighteen years old. Over the years, I've been trying my best to make it up to him, but I didn't want to hurt Linjiang and his mother. I just never expected that this illegitimate son would keep pressing me."

Seeing the vulnerability revealed in this usually dignified entrepreneur, Hu Manli's heart softened.

She thought for a moment and finally nodded: "Okay, Ms. Ai. I will handle it for you, but you must ensure that all procedures are legal and compliant."

Ai Zhonghua breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you so much, Manli. I knew I would have made the right choice by coming to you."

After leaving Mr. Ai's company, Hu Manli immediately found Su Ning and told him everything.

“An illegitimate child? Three million annuity?” Su Ning whistled. “This deal is complicated enough.”

“Suning, do you think we can accept this?” Hu Manli asked somewhat nervously. “From a legal point of view, it’s fine, but morally it might be untenable for us. In addition, it also involves the issue of fund transfer.”

Suning interrupted her: "We're not moral judges. Customers have needs, we provide services, it's that simple. As long as it's not illegal, who cares who they buy insurance for?"

Hu Manli breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good! Ai Zhonghua gave me Ma Xiaowei's contact information, we need to arrange a meeting to sign the contract as soon as possible."

Suning has already opened its insurance system and started designing insurance policies: "Leave it to me! I can come up with a plan tomorrow."

"Great! Once you close this deal, you're getting closer and closer to becoming the top salesperson."

"Actually, I don't care too much about the title of top salesperson! As long as I can make money, that's fine. After all, it's not easy to live in Shanghai."

"Don't worry! As long as you continue to cooperate with me, you will never lack resources."

"trust you."

……

The following afternoon, Hu Manli and Su Ning met Ma Xiaowei at a coffee shop.

He looked to be in his late twenties, and his features didn't resemble Ai Zhonghua at all. Su Ning even began to suspect that Ma Xiaowei might be Ai Zhonghua's son.

“Mr. Ma, this is an annuity insurance plan designed according to your father’s requirements.” Hu Manli pushed the document in front of him. “The annual premium is 30 yuan. After 10 years of payment, you can start receiving an annuity with a coverage of 300 million yuan.”

Ma Xiaowei quickly scanned the documents, then suddenly looked up: "Could you transfer three million directly to my account? I don't need any insurance." Hu Manli and Su Ning exchanged a glance; Ma Xiaowei's request was not unexpected.

However, Hu Manli explained gently but firmly, “Mr. Ma, there would be a great risk in doing this. If Mr. Ai Linjiang discovers this transfer, it could cause family conflicts. In that case, the most likely outcome is that you will not get a single penny back. Insurance is a more discreet and secure way to allocate assets.”

“Moreover,” Suning added, “annuity insurance has tax avoidance and asset protection functions, which is more beneficial to you in the long run.”

Ma Xiaowei frowned: "Are you on my dad's side or mine?"

Hu Manli looked him straight in the eye: "From a professional perspective, this policy is indeed in your best interest. If you urgently need money right now, you can also consider a policy loan."

After nearly an hour of explanation and persuasion, Ma Xiaowei was finally convinced and signed his name on the insurance policy.

After all, he was only trying to extort money from his own father, and the method of payment wasn't that important.

Of course, Ma Xiaowei could not receive the three million yuan all at once, but would receive a fixed amount of money every month.

However, the interest rate for this money would be much higher if it were kept in an insurance company than in a bank.

Furthermore, Ma Xiaowei would have to live a long enough to receive all the money, and he couldn't withdraw it in advance even if he had to attend a major event like a wedding or funeral.

Moreover, the beneficiary of this policy is Ai Zhonghua, so if anything happens to Ma Xiaowei, the money will ultimately belong to Ai Zhonghua.

These hidden, crucial pieces of information could not possibly be told to Ma Xiaowei: every contract contains limitations and pitfalls.

Of course, Suning is not the morally corrupt Xue Xiaozhou from the original drama, so naturally she wouldn't have any psychological burden.

……

Stepping out of the coffee shop, Su Ning excitedly put his arm around Hu Manli's shoulder: "Sister Manli, another big order! Looks like we're working well together."

Hu Manli smiled, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes: "I hope this won't cause trouble for the Ai family."

“That’s their family matter,” Su Ning said dismissively. “We just need to do our jobs well. We can also help them in any way we can.”

Hu Manli nodded, but she knew in her heart that the insurance business was never just about cold numbers and terms; behind it were living people and their stories.

This is also why she loves her job; beyond money and numbers, she can encounter the most authentic parts of people's lives.

However, family matters disheartened Hu Manli, and her marriage, which had lasted for more than ten years, ultimately came to an end.

Immediately afterwards, Hu Manli received a call from Teacher Li at the educational institution, who said that Dingdaer had been playing games during class.

Hu Manli was furious and went straight home to confront Tyndall.

Humanli spent a lot of money to send Tyndall to a private school, but he was so disappointing.

Hu Manli was heartbroken and could only hide in the kitchen and weep silently.

Despite Hu Manli's strong, independent demeanor, she really needs a shoulder to lean on.

"Where are you? Got some time to come out and have a drink with me?"

"Great! Wang Xue has been very busy at school lately, and I was just worried about being bored at home all by myself."

"Then come to my house! I'm going to drink all the wine I have at home."

"Haha, I'd be happy to oblige."

Then Su Ning drove to Hu Manli's house, and after learning the details, he couldn't help but laugh.

However, Tyndall felt quite ashamed, since he had indeed gone too far this time.

……

Suning's two consecutive big orders immediately caused a sensation at Taiying International. It should be noted that one of Suning's orders was more than the total amount of other companies' orders over three months.

Of course, the head of Suning's sales team was the most delighted, since Suning's success also belonged to the entire team.

However, Tang Ling felt even more frustrated because Su Ning's success made her feel very uncomfortable, as if she had been slapped hard in the face.

Tang Ling looked at Xue Xiaozhou with disdain and announced, "Xue Xiaozhou, you're fired."

"What?" Although Xue Xiaozhou was mentally prepared, he still couldn't accept it when it actually happened.

"It's been a month and you haven't closed a single deal. Do you think Taiying International will keep such a useless person around?" However, Tang Ling's reasons for firing Xue Xiaozhou were very valid.

"I...I'm going to sue you for workplace bullying."

"Whatever! These are company rules anyway, it won't matter even if we complain to the ends of the earth."

"I……"

Xue Xiaozhou naturally knew that it was impossible to sue Tang Ling for workplace bullying, after all, insurance sales companies are a special industry.

In addition, he had also heard about the two big deals made by Suning in the next group, and naturally he was extremely envious of Suning.

Of course, he didn't know that these big orders and resources should have belonged to him, otherwise he would have been furious.

Xue Xiaozhou, who had left Taiying International in a dejected manner, looked at Su Ning with a bitter expression and said, "Su Ning, congratulations."

"Don't be discouraged! You just haven't found your place yet." Su Ning patted Xue Xiaozhou on the shoulder with deep emotion.

"You're right! Maybe I'm really not suited for this line of work." Xue Xiaozhou realized his shortcomings at this moment.

"Xue Xiaozhou, I have your WeChat. Let's go out for a drink sometime."

"Great! How about tonight?"

"No problem! Is there a really nice little restaurant near Donghua University?"

Xue Xiaozhou, who wanted to learn from Suning, took this dinner very seriously. "Okay! See you tonight!"

Su Ning's heart skipped a beat, and she reminded Xue Xiaozhou to bring his girlfriend, "Remember to bring your girlfriend! I'll bring my girlfriend too."

"it is good."

Suning felt that Xue Xiaozhou was not suited for the insurance business because he was too prone to overthinking.

He was actually better suited to being an insurance claims adjuster at first, but he wasn't satisfied and still wanted to earn more money.

Suning felt that Xue Xiaozhou was particularly stubborn when selling insurance, and some of his behaviors seemed particularly unnecessary.

...(End of chapter)