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Suning had been focused entirely on the equipment installation at the Qingdao commercial vehicle base, completely unaware that Shen Ranran had already made him her primary target.

If they actually knew, they'd probably burst out laughing.

How dare this little brat try to take advantage of me, and even plot how to get closer to me step by step?

The commercial vehicle base's factories in Huangdao sprang up even faster than those in Shunyi back then.

To support this project, Qingdao established a special on-site coordination team in Huangdao, with Director Hou personally overseeing the work and monitoring progress at the construction site every day.

The laying of water and electricity pipelines was a special project specially approved by the city. From application to construction, everything was given the green light, and even the municipal roads surrounding the construction site were completed in advance.

Director Hou once remarked to his assistant, Xiao Zhao, at the construction site: "Assistant Zhao, I've worked in the investment promotion system for almost twenty years, and I've never seen the city cooperate with a project to this extent."

Xiao Zhao replied with a smile, "That's because President Su made the real deal for Qingdao."

"I heard the equipment has already been shipped?"

"It seems so! However, equipment issues have always been handled personally by General Manager Su, so our staff isn't too clear on the details."

"Oh? So mysterious?"

"Director Hou, you must be aware of the sensitivity of advanced equipment. Tianchao Group can't operate without its own channels."

"That's true."

……

After the main structure of the factory building was completed, the date for the equipment to be delivered was set.

Like the Shunyi factory, this batch of commercial vehicle production line equipment was also transferred from Suning's Space World.

However, on the surface, a complete import process must be followed so that no one can detect anything unusual.

This task once again fell to the foreign trade sector.

The Siyi Foreign Trade team is already very familiar with this operation.

After all, they were the ones who handled the equipment import for the Shunyi factory back then. They went through every step, from placing orders through overseas offshore companies, CCIC pre-shipment inspection, customs declaration upon arrival, and commodity inspection and acceptance. They had ready-made templates for all the process documents and compliance procedures.

The equipment list for this commercial vehicle production line is longer than that for the passenger vehicle production line…

The manufacturing processes for buses and trucks are completely different. The size of the stamped parts is several times larger, the number of welding stations has more than doubled, and the height of the spray booth and the length of the drying oven in the painting workshop are more than twice that of the passenger car production line.

When the customs broker at Siyi Foreign Trade received the equipment list, he gasped. It took them three whole days just to classify the HS codes.

Su Ning summoned Mr. Fan, the head of Siyi Foreign Trade, to his office and personally instructed him on several key points: "Mr. Fan, all the equipment purchase contracts, payment vouchers, certificates of origin, packing lists, and bills of lading—not a single document can be missing. Customs and commodity inspection authorities must report exactly what is required and pay the required taxes; not a penny can be saved. I don't care where the equipment actually comes from, but on paper, it must be imported from those offshore companies. The contract terms, fund flows, and logistics tracking must all match. If anyone asks, it must be a normal international trade purchase; there are no special channels. You should have the complete import documents for the batch of equipment from Shunyi two years ago; follow the same procedure this time, only on a larger scale."

Mr. Fan has been with Suning for more than two years and knows the boss's style of doing things. He nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Upon returning, General Manager Fan immediately divided the team into three groups: one group was responsible for coordinating contracts and documents with overseas offshore companies; another group was responsible for communicating with Qingdao Customs and Shandong Commodity Inspection Bureau regarding pre-declaration; and the third group was responsible for the land transportation scheduling from Qingdao Port to the Huangdao factory.

The three teams work together, meeting every morning to confirm the day's progress milestones.

General Manager Fan said to the group leaders, "This batch of equipment is the lifeblood of the Qingdao commercial vehicle base. Whoever's process is stuck, they have to explain it to General Manager Su themselves."

"clear."

None of the three groups wanted to explain to President Su, so the process and procedures were pushed forward very quickly.

……

On the day the first batch of equipment and production lines arrived at Qingdao Port, Director Hou personally went to the dock with several staff members.

Director Hou has worked in investment promotion and the industrial sector for many years and has seen a lot of imported equipment and production lines.

But when he saw the huge pieces of equipment being hoisted off the container ship one by one, he stood on the dock for a long time in a daze.

The packaging boxes of the welding robots were as neat as soldiers in formation. Each box had detailed specification labels and moisture-proof markings on the outside, and the English and Chinese nameplates on the outer packaging were clearly printed.

However, the nameplate was quite strange, reading "Celestial Empire".

The spray booth module in the painting workshop is larger than a truck. When the gantry crane on the dock lifted it from the ship, the steel cables creaked and the crane operator's palms were sweaty with tension.

Director Hou stood by the dock, watching the equipment being unloaded from the ship one piece at a time. He turned to the staff next to him and said, "Tianchao Auto has brought its entire fortune to Qingdao."

The staff member said, "Director Hou, isn't this exactly what we've been wanting?"

Director Hou nodded, took out his phone and dialed Suning's number. "President Su, the equipment has arrived at the port, and I'm at the dock watching over it. This batch of goods is bigger than I expected. The spray booth module in the painting workshop was almost too heavy for our dock's largest gantry crane to lift."

Suning said on the phone, "Director Hou, thank you for your hard work. I have already arranged the subsequent land transportation. The convoy is waiting outside the port area. We will unload one batch and take it away one batch. We will get them all into the factory today."

Director Hou said, "President Su, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on things at the dock, not a single vehicle will be delayed."

……

The convoy of land transport vehicles stretched for several kilometers from the dock to the Huangdao factory. The traffic police department made special arrangements to guide traffic along the route to ensure that these oversized and overweight special transport vehicles could travel smoothly.

After the equipment arrived at the factory, the AI ​​robot engineer, along with the first batch of local Qingdao-recruited technicians, began installation and debugging.

The installation process was just as efficient and orderly as that of the Shunyi factory. Every inch of space in the Huangdao factory was precisely calculated. The spacing between workstations on each production line, the width of the logistics channel, and the hanging point height of the overhead conveyor system were all accurate to the millimeter according to the drawings.

Several key leaders from Qingdao made a special trip to the Huangdao factory to inspect the installation site.

Director Hou led the way, explaining the function and origin of each piece of equipment as they walked.

When they arrived at the welding workshop, Director Hou pointed to the group of robots that were being debugged and said, "Leaders, the automation rate of this welding line is even higher than that of the Shunyi factory. It uses the most advanced international equipment."

"Oh? Where do China's automotive equipment and production lines come from?"

"Uh? I'm sorry! I can't answer that question either. It's supposedly the most important channel for the Tianchao Group."

"..."

The group then walked outside the painting workshop and pointed to the huge spray booth module, saying, "This spray booth is designed to commercial vehicle standards, and its height and length are the best in the world."

After listening, the leaders looked at each other and nodded.

After the visit, Vice Mayor Li, who was leading the team, stood in the open space outside the workshop for a while without rushing to get into the car.

Vice Mayor Li turned to his secretary and said, "Xiao Lin, if the Tianchao Automobile project falls through, it will be the biggest regret in Qingdao's history of attracting investment."

Secretary Xiaolin added, "Fortunately, not only have they not run away, but they've also settled down here."

Vice Mayor Li nodded: "When Director Hou went to Beijing to pursue the project, some people said he was too hasty and offered too high a price, without considering Qingdao's interests at all. Looking back now, it's fortunate that he acted quickly. If he had been any slower, the project might have ended up in Shanghai."

"I heard that the Shanghai Gigafactory project is still progressing."

"Yes, I've heard about it too! It seems that Tianchao Group is not only very powerful, but also particularly ambitious."

"Mayor Li, should our municipal government purchase a batch of Tianchao Qinglong automobiles as official vehicles?"

"That's a good suggestion! We'll develop a detailed procurement plan later and then submit it to the Standing Committee."

"clear."

……

Following this inspection, Qingdao officially submitted its application materials for the national key project of the commercial vehicle base.

The application materials were as thick as a book, detailing Tianchao Auto's commercial vehicle R&D achievements, the investment scale of the Huangdao base, the expected annual output value and tax contribution, and the estimated number of jobs created in the upstream and downstream industrial chains.

The materials also included a list of Chinese auto suppliers, which listed hundreds of auto parts suppliers that have already settled or plan to settle in the Huangdao area.

After the materials were submitted, Qingdao authorities proactively coordinated with relevant experts and competent authorities to ensure smooth communication.

At a municipal government work meeting, Vice Mayor Li said, "This project is not just Tianchao Auto's project; it is a benchmark project for Qingdao's industrial upgrading. Whoever delays it will be held responsible."

At the same time, local human resources in Qingdao were also fully mobilized.

The Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau held a special recruitment fair for Tianchao Automobile at several local technical schools and vocational high schools. Young and middle-aged laborers from several towns and villages around Huangdao District were also given priority in being recommended to Tianchao Automobile's recruitment channels.

On the day of the job fair, Director Hou led people from the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau to the site to oversee the event. Several rows of tables were set up in the venue, and long queues formed in front of each table.

Suning has instructed its HR department that the Qingdao factory's employment principles are the same as those in Shunyi: recruit people from nearby areas, provide training before starting work, and focus on attitude and ability rather than education or connections.

When interviewing candidates, HR personnel don't look at whether the candidate has attended university or not; they only look at whether the candidate is diligent in their work and how quickly they learn.

Soon, the first batch of local Qingdao apprentice technicians put on Tianchao Auto's work uniforms and followed behind AI robot engineers to learn equipment operation and basic maintenance.

The apprentices arrive at the workshop half an hour early every morning to arrange the tools and testing instruments at their workstations neatly.

Those who learn quickly have been assigned to different work groups as internship leaders, and their shoulder patches now have a yellow internship identification line.

……

That day, Su Ning had just finished a project meeting and returned to her office, preparing to go home. Suddenly, the phone on her desk rang. Su Ning picked it up immediately, "Hello! This is Su Ning."

Shen Ranran's voice immediately came from the other end of the phone, "President Su, this is Shen Ranran."

"Oh? Ranran, is something wrong?" Su Ning looked up at Zhuangzhuang with a surprised expression.

"Mr. Su, are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner to thank you for your continued support."

“…” Su Ning paused for a moment while holding the teacup.

Shen Ranran invited me to dinner? This is a bit sudden.

Most of the interactions between myself and Shen Ranran were relayed through Zhuangzhuang.

For example, Zhuangzhuang coordinated Shen Ranran's work arrangements, contract issues, and resource connections with Huayu Film & Television.

The few times we had direct contact were all at work, discussing business in the office or holding meetings in the conference room.

But Su Ning didn't think much of it and readily agreed, "Okay, you choose the place."

Shen Ranran gave the name of a hotel and a room number.

The presidential suite of a five-star hotel.

When Suning heard the words "presidential suite," his eyebrows twitched slightly.

He didn't ask why the meal was booked in a hotel suite, nor did he show any surprise.

He simply said "I understand" calmly and then hung up the phone.

Su Ning leaned back in her chair and suddenly looked meaningfully at Zhuang Zhuang beside her. "Zhuang Zhuang, do you know why Shen Ranran asked me out?"

"Uh? Mr. Su, I don't know." Zhuang Zhuang's expression was indeed very complicated.

"Okay! You can go home now! I have plans tonight."

"Well... Mr. Su, see you tomorrow."

Then, Zhuangzhuang left Suning's office with a complicated expression.

Suning, however, turned his executive chair around and looked out the window at the view of Beijing.

When an actress in the entertainment industry invites her boss to dinner, and the venue is the presidential suite of a five-star hotel, the nature of this meal needs no further explanation.

Su Ning couldn't help but chuckle, then shook his head and muttered to himself, "This little girl is quite proactive! But I like her."

He had actually been targeted by a young girl.

However, since the other party had taken the initiative to set up this meeting, he didn't mind going to accept it.

……

At the agreed time, Suning drove to the hotel.

The five-star lobby was brightly lit, with the light from the crystal chandelier shining on the polished marble floor, and the receptionist smiled and nodded in greeting.

Suning walked through the lobby and into the elevator. When he pressed the floor button, his face was expressionless. He was neither nervous nor excited, as if he were going to an ordinary business banquet.

During the few dozen seconds the elevator ascended, he looked at his reflection in the elevator door and slightly adjusted his collar.

When Su Ning reached the suite door, she raised her hand and knocked twice.

"dong dong dong"

The door opened.

Shen Ranran stood at the door.

She was wearing a finely tailored black slip dress with thin straps, and the lines of her collarbone and shoulders were softly and three-dimensionally illuminated by the light.

Her hair was loose, with slightly curled ends draped over her shoulders, and she wore light makeup that perfectly accentuated her already striking features.

Shen Ranran didn't say anything, but simply stepped aside to let the doorway open, and smiled slightly with her head down.

Su Ning's gaze swept from her face to her shoulder and back to her face. He stood at the door for two seconds before stepping inside.

Suning showed no sign of unease or impatience. Instead, he calmly took off his coat, hung it on a hanger, and then sat down on the sofa.

Su Ning looked at Shen Ranran, who was taking the initiative, with a knowing smile on his face.

"You must have put a lot of thought into this meal, right?"

"President Su, I invited you here today simply so I could be closer to you."

"Then why are you still so far away from me?"

"..." Shen Ranran immediately understood and took two steps forward, then sat down shyly next to Su Ning.

Su Ning reached out one hand and put her arm around Shen Ranran's shoulder, then used her other hand to lift her chin.

And so, the two of them locked eyes.

Suning is not a person who is indifferent to worldly desires.

He had seen too many social occasions in the business world, and he had encountered women who took the initiative to throw themselves at him.

Some are after the money, some are after the resources, and some simply want to climb the social ladder.

Suning's attitude towards these kinds of things has always been: not to refuse, but not to take it seriously either.

But Shen Ranran is different; she is the second female lead in "Winter Goes, Spring Comes".

Even though the plot of "Winter Goes, Spring Comes" is particularly dry and boring, it doesn't stop the female lead and the second female lead from attracting attention.

This girl rose through the ranks step by step from that small inn where winter turned to spring...

From a sales office receptionist to being tricked into working at a film and television company by Chu Caiyuan; from being forced to dance and drink in private rooms to obtaining a termination agreement; from playing minor roles in various film crews to establishing himself in the industry through his acting skills.

Su Ning knew what hardships Shen Ranran had endured and what darkness she had witnessed, which was why she wisely chose to throw herself into his arms.

After all, Suning can give Shen Ranran everything she wants, and all of Shen Ranran's efforts will be rewarded accordingly.

"Shen Ranran, do you know what taking this step means?"

"I know! I have no regrets."

You may only ever be my lover.

"I said... I have no regrets."

Su Ning didn't ask Shen Ranran any more unnecessary questions. Instead, he lowered his head and kissed her...

……

The next morning, Shen Ranran woke up earlier than Su Ning, but the pain in her body made her very uncomfortable.

As dawn broke, the gray skyline of Beijing could be faintly seen outside the hotel window, with a few tall buildings in the distance casting blurry outlines in the morning light.

Shen Ranran tiptoed out of bed, not wearing slippers, and stepped barefoot onto the carpet.

Then, wearing the hotel bathrobe, he poured a glass of warm water and placed it directly on the bedside table on Suning's side.

She didn't wake Su Ning, but just stood by the bed and looked at Su Ning for a few seconds, a gentle smile involuntarily appearing on her lips.

She chose this person herself.

She was right.

It wasn't because Suning made any promises to her...

Suning didn't say a single nice word from beginning to end, nor did he make any promises to her.

It was because Suning never made Shen Ranran feel like she was making an exchange.

Suning did not treat her as a woman who offered herself up, nor as a troublesome person who needed to be dealt with.

Suning simply accepted her choice and then, in some small details, gave her a sense of being respected.

That feeling made Shen Ranran feel that she wasn't doing anything shameful, but rather that she was getting closer to a man she could entrust her life to.

...(End of this chapter)