Super Rich: It all started when I met a young woman in a sleeper car.

Chapter 100 Bidding Turmoil

In the office, the projector light shone on the white wall, displaying the words "Cinema Renovation Project Bidding and Defense Meeting".

The person from Company A had just finished speaking and sat down, a professional smile on their face.

Chen Xun didn't speak, but glanced at Lin Xinyue beside him.

Lin Xinyue picked up the microphone: "Manager Wang, the material grade for the fire protection pipes in your plan is listed as 'National Standard Grade A,' but the unit price for this item in the quotation is 15% lower than the market price for the same grade of material. I'd like to confirm whether you have special procurement channels, or... is there an error in the quotation?"

Company A's project manager immediately stood up: "Ms. Lin, you have a sharp eye. We have a long-term price agreement with the steel mill, so we can keep costs down. The materials are guaranteed to be national standard Grade A, and we can test them freely during acceptance."

Lin Xinyue nodded and made a note in her notebook.

Chen Xun then looked at Li Qian.

Li Qian flipped through Company B's tender documents, looked up and asked, "Mr. Zhang, your proposal only lists basic sound insulation cotton in the budget for the acoustic treatment of the 'nostalgic viewing area.' But our design requirements are to meet the standards of a small cinema, which requires a multi-layered composite structure. Is your budget sufficient?"

Mr. Zhang, the general manager of Company B, was a chubby middle-aged man. He wiped his sweat and said, "Well... Ms. Li, the budget can be adjusted. Our initial quote is based on standard procedures, but we can refine the specific requirements further. The cost... is negotiable."

Yang Xiaotao couldn't help but interject: "And the design of the first-floor photo wall, your renderings use an arc-shaped surface, but the construction instructions say 'plasterboard zigzag design.' The effect is so different, they're not even the same thing."

Mr. Zhang was sweating even more: "Renderings... renderings are just ideas; we'll do our best to recreate them during construction..."

Chen Xun tapped his fingers on the table.

The meeting room fell silent.

"Mr. Zhang," Chen Xun began, "let's get straight to the point. Your quote is 18 percent lower than Company A's, which is very tempting. But Xin Yue just looked at your cost breakdown, and you've pushed down the hard costs like fire protection, structure, and water and electricity even below the market price. You've also been vague about the design fidelity that Xiao Tao mentioned."

He paused for a moment: "I understand that doing business requires making money. But this quote... it feels like bait? You'll win the bid with a low price first, then add all sorts of extra items after you get to the site, and the final total price might even be higher than Company A's?"

Mr. Zhang's face turned pale instantly: "Mr. Chen, you can't say things like that! Our company has always had an excellent reputation!"

"Really?" Chen Xun picked up a piece of paper that Li Qian had just pushed over and glanced at it. "But I heard that there's a 'campus nostalgia' themed restaurant in the university town that you guys decorated. I think the owner is your cousin?"

Mr. Zhang froze.

Li Qian gently nudged Chen Xun's shoe from under the table.

Chen Xun remained unfazed, continuing to look at General Manager Zhang: "That restaurant, isn't it a competitor of our 'Xunwei'? Of course, it's your prerogative to choose whose orders you accept. I'm just a little curious, with such a low price this time, is it because you genuinely want a long-term partnership with us, or... do you have other motives?"

Mr. Zhang opened his mouth, but the words got stuck in his throat.

He glanced at Chen Xun, then at the three girls staring at him beside Chen Xun, and finally slumped down.

"Mr. Chen," his voice lowered, "we can lower the price by another three percent. Materials and workmanship will meet your highest requirements. As for the design fidelity, I guarantee it will be exactly as depicted in the renderings on-site."

Chen Xun did not agree immediately.

He looked at Lin Xinyue.

Lin Xinyue quickly pressed a few buttons on the calculator, then nodded to Chen Xun.

Chen Xun then looked at Yang Xiaotao.

Yang Xiaotao whispered, "If they can really make an exact replica... that would be fine too."

Chen Xun looked at Li Qian one last time.

Li Qian shook her head slightly and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "The risk is still there."

Chen Xun understood.

He turned to the project manager of Company A: "Manager Wang, you heard it too. Company B's offer is now 21% lower than yours."

Manager Wang's expression remained unchanged: "Mr. Chen, price is only one aspect. Our company doesn't engage in price wars, but we guarantee quality, construction time, and after-sales service. This project is a flagship store, meant to serve as a long-term model; stability is more important than saving a little money."

These words struck a chord with Chen Xun.

He hesitated for a few seconds.

"Okay," Chen Xun said, "Company A, can you reduce the original quote and the construction period by one week?"

Manager Wang thought for a moment and said, "Working overtime... is possible."

"Company B," Chen Xun said, looking at General Manager Zhang, "you need to lower your quote by another five percent and sign a supplementary agreement stipulating that any additional items during construction must be submitted in writing in advance and approved by us before implementation. The total price is fixed, and there will be no additional charges later."

Mr. Zhang's face turned green: "Mr. Chen, five percent... we really have no profit left!"

"Then there's nothing I can do." Chen Xun shrugged. "I want to cooperate, but first I need to make sure I don't get scammed. You guys choose."

Mr. Zhang gritted his teeth and whispered a few words to his two subordinates beside him.

Finally, he raised his head and said with difficulty, "...Okay. We'll sign."

Chen Xun smiled.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhang," he said, "I've changed my mind."

Mr. Zhang was taken aback.

"I choose Company A," Chen Xun said decisively. "It's a bit more expensive, but it'll save you the trouble."

Mr. Zhang panicked: "Mr. Chen! We've already agreed to a five-point reduction! You..."

"I'm not comfortable with this," Chen Xun interrupted him. "You guys were suspected of overstating costs before, and now you've been squeezed to the point of having no profit. I'm worried that once you're on site, you'll either cut corners or drag out the work and delay the project. I can't afford to delay this project."

He stood up, walked up to Manager Wang from Company A, and extended his hand.

"It's a pleasure working with you."

Manager Wang quickly stood up and shook hands: "Don't worry, Mr. Chen! I'll definitely do my best for you!"

Mr. Zhang slumped in his chair, his face ashen.

【Ding! 】

[The host has been detected to have made a final investment decision on the "Cinema Renovation Project".]

[Investment Target: Company A, a renovation engineering company.]

[Investment Amount: Total Contract Price.]

[Triggering a 10x rebate calculation...]

[Calculation in progress...]

[Because the investment decision mitigated potential risks (cost traps, related competitors), and a more stable and reliable partner was chosen, the risk aversion factor was increased...]

[Rebate amount: 8,200,000 yuan.]

[The money has arrived.]

The system's prompts in my mind were crisp and loud.

Chen Xun's lips curled up almost imperceptibly.

Eight million two hundred thousand.

This money is earned honestly and with a clear conscience.

The signing ceremony was completed quickly.

After seeing off the people from Company A, only Chen Xun and the three women remained in the office.

Yang Xiaotao let out a long sigh and slumped into her chair: "Oh my god, I was so nervous. Mr. Zhang's face at the end looked like he'd swallowed a fly."

Lin Xinyue was still checking the contract copy: "They deserved it. The price they quoted was so inflated; it was clearly a trap."

Li Qian put away the recorder: "The information from the affiliated company has come in handy."

Chen Xun looked at her: "How did you find out so much detail? You even found out about your cousin's relationship?"

Li Qian said casually, "I asked around. In our line of work, I used to know quite a few contractors and material suppliers, so we're well-informed."

Chen Xun didn't ask any further questions.

He knew that Li Qian had her connections.

"Alright," Chen Xun clapped his hands, "First phase, done. We'll be busy from now on."

Lin Xinyue looked up: "The construction team will be on site next week, and I need to go and oversee things. I need to go over the budget again; we were in a rush when we signed the contract, and some details haven't been finalized yet."

Li Qian said, "I'll sign the contract for the light catering supply chain this week. I'll handle the fire safety approval and business registration change procedures."

Yang Xiaotao raised her hand: "Me! I'll oversee the design implementation! I need to compare each rendering with the actual site!"

She spoke excitedly, but Chen Xun noticed that she had dark circles under her eyes and her voice wasn't as bright as usual.

"Xiao Tao," Chen Xun called out to her, "Did you stay up late drawing again last night?"

Yang Xiaotao was taken aback, then chuckled, "No... I didn't stay up for long. I just... drew some inspiration sketches."

"How late will you finish drawing?"

"...Three o'clock."

Chen Xun frowned: "Are you out of your mind? The project has just started, and there's a long construction period ahead. You're already working yourself to the bone?"

Yang Xiaotao shrank her neck: "I...I'm just a little excited and can't sleep."

Lin Xinyue interjected, "She's been like this for the past two days. She's running around on-site during the day and drawing at night, and she won't listen to any advice."

Li Qian glanced at Yang Xiaotao but didn't say anything.

Chen Xun walked up to Yang Xiaotao and reached out to ruffle her blond hair.

"Even when you're excited, you still need to sleep," he said. "The project is important, but people are even more important. If you keep pushing yourself like this, how will you have the energy to oversee the site when construction officially starts?"

Yang Xiaotao lowered her head and whispered, "I'm afraid... I won't do a good job. This is our first big project, and I don't want to hold us back."

"Nobody said you were holding us back," Chen Xun said. "The design issues you raised during today's bidding were all crucial. But if you fail, who will find those minor flaws?"

He paused for a moment, then said, "So, starting today, you must be in bed by midnight. I'll have Xin Yue supervise you."

Lin Xinyue immediately said, "Okay! I'll keep an eye on her!"

Yang Xiaotao muttered, "I'm not a child..."

"Then let's be obedient adults," Chen Xun said. "Alright, that's enough for today. Go back and rest. Starting tomorrow, everyone can get back to their own work."

The three women began packing their things.

Chen Xun walked to the window and looked outside.

As dusk fell, the city lights gradually came on.

He mentally went over what was to come.

Construction supervision, supply chain integration, brand promotion, team management...

A multitude of issues.

But at least the first step has been taken.

And he walked quite steadily.

He took out his phone and opened the bank's app.

The balance has increased significantly again.

With more money comes more trouble.

But it feels...not bad.

"Big brother."

Li Qian's voice rang out from behind.

Chen Xun turned his head.

Li Qian stood at the door, holding the car keys in her hand.

"Want to go? I can give you a ride since it's on my way."

Chen Xun glanced at Yang Xiaotao and Lin Xinyue, who were still dawdling, and nodded.

"Walk."

The two went downstairs and got into the car.

The car drove out of the parking lot and merged into the evening rush hour traffic.

While driving, Li Qian suddenly said, "Xiao Tao has been under a lot of pressure lately."

Chen Xun: "I can see that."

"She had never been in charge of such a large project before," Li Qian said. "She always wanted to do her best, but was also afraid that she wasn't capable enough. So she could only work her hardest."

Chen Xun looked at the streetlights flashing past the window: "Try to take her out more often when you have time. You're thoughtful, you can help her out."

"Mmm," Li Qian replied.

After a while, she said again, "Thanks for what happened with Company B today."

Chen Xun was taken aback: "Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for trusting me," Li Qian said. "You handed me that note and used it without even asking."

Chen Xun laughed: "Why wouldn't I believe the intelligence you gathered?"

Li Qian didn't laugh.

She looked ahead, her voice calm.

"No one has ever trusted me like this before..."

Chen Xun did not respond.

The car was quiet for a while.

Only the low rumble of the engine could be heard.

"There will be more in the future," Chen Xun said. "And there will be more and more of them."

Li Qian's fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel.

"Um."

The car stopped at an intersection, waiting for the red light.

Chen Xun suddenly asked, "And you? Are you tired?"

Li Qian turned her head and glanced at him.

"It's alright," she said. "It's easier than scheming against people."

Chen Xun laughed: "Your analogy..."

"To be honest." Li Qian turned around. The light turned green, and she stepped on the gas. "What I'm doing now, although busy, makes me feel at peace. I know why I'm busy, and I know what I'll get after I'm done."

Chen Xun nodded.

He understood what he meant.

I used to be busy when I was working.

But I'm busy but feel lost and frustrated.

I don't know what I'm busy with, or what I'll have left after I finish.

Things are different now.

Every decision and every investment has a visible impact.

The impact of money.

The response from people.

And the future echoes.

The car pulled up to the entrance of the residential complex where Chen Xun lived.

Before getting out of the car, Chen Xun said, "I'm going to the cinema tomorrow to meet with the construction team. If you're unsure about anything regarding your supply chain contracts, feel free to call me anytime."

"it is good."

Li Qian nodded and drove away.

Chen Xun stood at the entrance of the residential area, watching the car's taillights disappear around the street corner.

Then he turned around and walked home.

The streetlights cast a long shadow over him.

He was already starting to plan for tomorrow.

Construction schedule, material acceptance standards, worker management guidelines...

One by one.

But as he walked, he suddenly stopped.

He took out his phone and sent a WeChat message to Yang Xiaotao.

Are you asleep?

A few seconds later, a reply came.