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

There were three thick file folders piled up in the office.

Chen Xun sat behind the table and tapped the top document folder with his finger.

"Company A, Company B, Company C," he said. "Just delivered, still warm."

Lin Xinyue picked up the top document, pulled out the tender document inside, and flipped through it: "Wow, this is thick, almost like a textbook."

Li Qian took the second copy and quickly glanced at the table of contents: "The table of contents is quite standard, but I wonder how much fluff is in it."

Yang Xiaotao moved closer to the third set of drawings and flipped to the pages with the design sketches: "Wow, this rendering is really well done! It's much prettier than my sketches!"

Chen Xun didn't reply; the system's notification sound had just echoed in his mind.

【Ding! 】

[The host has been detected initiating a formal bidding process for the "Cinema Renovation Project".]

[Investment Nature: Tendering and supplier selection for large-scale engineering projects.]

[Triggered pre-assessment...]

[Under evaluation...]

[Note: The bidding process will affect the final return on investment; please review carefully.]

"Please sit down," Chen Xun said, pointing to the chairs opposite him. "Let's go through it once."

The three women sat down.

Lin Xinyue spread out Company A's tender documents and took out a calculator: "Let me look at the cost details first. Material costs, labor costs, management fees, profit... Hmm, the price list is quite detailed."

Li Qian opened Company B's qualification documents: "Business license, qualification certificates, past cases... The case photos are well taken, but I don't know what the actual products are like."

Holding C Company's design drawings, Yang Xiaotao looked at her own previous zoning sketches: "The layout of their first-floor dining area... is not quite what I imagined. They want to put the photo booth wall in the corner, but I think it should be placed in the most conspicuous spot near the entrance."

Chen Xun listened without saying a word.

The only sounds in the office were the turning of pages and the clicking of calculator keys.

About ten minutes later.

Lin Xinyue raised her head, her brows furrowed: "Company C has a problem."

"What's the problem?" Chen Xun asked, looking at her.

"The cost breakdown is unreasonable." Lin Xinyue pointed to a line on the quote, "For the fire protection renovation, their price is 30% higher than the market average. And for the structural reinforcement, the materials they used sound high-end, but the actual cost isn't that high. I feel... they're overstating the cost."

Li Qian also looked up: "I checked the reputation of Company B."

She took out her phone and swiped the screen a few times: "There are a few anonymous posts online saying that their construction was delayed and there were many additional charges later. Although there's no concrete evidence, it doesn't seem like baseless rumors."

Yang Xiaotao scratched her head: "Company A's design drawings look nice, but... they're a bit too much like 'renderings.' Look at this neon light rendering; you can't actually create that effect. Also, they didn't follow my zoning plan completely. They want to make the second-floor viewing area semi-open, which I think will affect the soundproofing."

Chen Xun leaned back in his chair.

All three companies have problems.

"So," he began, "which company do you think should make the cut?"

Lin Xinyue said first, "Company C is definitely not a good fit. Their costs are inflated; they're clearly trying to rip us off. Pass."

Li Qian thought for a moment: "Company B... is a bit risky. But they have all the necessary qualifications and case studies. We can investigate further, but let's tentatively decide."

Yang Xiaotao hesitated for a moment: "Although Company A's design is a bit unconventional, the overall direction is correct. And they are willing to modify the plan according to our requirements. I think... we can give them a chance."

Chen Xun tapped his fingers on the table.

"Then let's tentatively choose A and B," he said. "C is out."

Lin Xinyue nodded: "Agreed."

Li Qian: "I have no objection."

Yang Xiaotao: "Mmm!"

"However," Chen Xun continued, "a tentative decision doesn't mean it's finalized. We need to go and see for ourselves what kind of work they've actually done."

Li Qian asked, "When are we going?"

"Tomorrow," Chen Xun said, "we'll visit Company A in the morning and Company B in the afternoon. Xin Yue, focus on the construction quality and materials. Li Qian, pay attention to their cooperation details with the client and their site management. Xiao Tao, check the design fidelity, especially their previous themed projects."

The three women recorded this.

"So, that's it for today?" Lin Xinyue asked.

"No." Chen Xun stood up. "Let's clarify our requirements in the tender documents again today. Especially the fire protection and acoustic design; these two areas cannot be ambiguous."

The four of them worked hard all afternoon.

The supplementary requirements for the tender documents were finally completed as it was getting dark.

Chen Xun looked at the densely packed terms on the computer screen and let out a sigh.

"Alright, that's enough for today," he said. "Let's leave early tomorrow, at eight o'clock."

The next morning at eight o'clock, Chen Xun drove the three women to a construction project of Company A.

It was a themed restaurant in a shopping mall, and it was also part of a renovation project.

The construction site was quite clean, with materials neatly stacked and workers wearing safety helmets.

The project manager from Company A accompanied them, explaining things as they walked.

Lin Xinyue squatted down to examine the details of the wall finish and then touched the grout lines between the tiles.

Li Qian walked over to the project manager and asked a few questions about the project schedule and change procedures.

Yang Xiaotao held up her phone, comparing the renderings with the completed parts on site.

Chen Xun didn't say much, he just watched.

After watching for more than an hour, the four of them returned to the car.

"How are you feeling?" Chen Xun started the car.

Lin Xinyue said first, "The construction quality is okay, and the details are handled well. The materials were also supplied according to the quotation, and there was no cutting corners."

Li Qian said, "The project manager is quite professional; he can answer all the questions I ask. The schedule control also seems to follow a process."

Yang Xiaotao was a little disappointed: "But... the final result was quite different from the renderings. The colors weren't as bright, and the design wasn't as refined."

Chen Xun nodded, offering no comment.

In the afternoon, they went to a catering project that Company B completed last year.

It was a hot pot restaurant, and the storefront was quite impressive.

But as soon as he stepped inside, Chen Xun frowned.

The wall surface was uneven in some places, and the exposed light wiring was not properly covered.

Lin Xinyue was more direct; she walked to the fire hydrant, squatted down, and looked at the pipe connection.

"This connector is installed a little crooked," she said softly. "It might leak after a while."

Li Qian walked over to the cashier and looked at the finishing details: "The edge here isn't finished well; the gap is too big."

Yang Xiaotao looked at the decorative design on the wall: "This design... is a bit rough, the edges aren't even smoothed out."

The people from Company B were still there, giving their presentations and saying how dedicated and responsible they were.

Chen Xun listened without saying a word.

【Ding! 】

[WARNING! Construction quality risks detected at potential investment target (Company B)!]

[Risk points: Non-standard installation of fire pipe connections, rough wall surface treatment, and insufficient attention to detail.]

If you choose this company, the investment risk rating is medium-high.

[Potential return coefficient: Estimated to decrease by 40% due to potential engineering quality issues.]

Recommendation: Reassess or request rectification.

The system notification sounded in my mind.

Chen Xun's face remained expressionless.

He turned to the people from Company B and said, "Thank you, we've finished looking at it."

On the way back, the atmosphere in the car was a bit somber.

Yang Xiaotao spoke first: "Company B... doesn't seem to be a good fit."

Lin Xinyue nodded: "The fire safety aspect is a major weakness, and we can't be careless about it."

Li Qian said, "Moreover, their project manager was a bit evasive when answering questions, unlike Company A which was more straightforward."

Chen Xun drove the car, looking at the road ahead.

"So," he said, "Company A is shortlisted, Company B... to be determined."

"Undecided?" Lin Xinyue looked at him. "Not outright elimination?"

"No," Chen Xun said, "Give them another chance."

Li Qian asked, "Why?"

"Because of the price," Chen Xun said. "Company B's quote is 15 percent lower than Company A's. If they can fix the problem, it will be more cost-effective."

Yang Xiaotao: "What if they can't change?"

"Then we'll eliminate them," Chen Xun said. "So, let's add another round."

"Add another round?" All three women looked at him.

"Solution optimization and on-site Q&A," Chen Xun said. "We'll have both Company A and Company B come and propose detailed solutions for our fire zoning and acoustic design. They'll present and ask questions on-site."

Lin Xinyue's eyes lit up: "That works! It'll force them to show their true abilities!"

Li Qian nodded: "We can also see their adaptability and professionalism."

Yang Xiaotao: "When will it happen?"

"Three days later," Chen Xun said. "Give them time to prepare."

The car was driven back to the shop.

It was already getting dark when the four people got off the bus.

Li Qian suddenly said, "Wait, I have something else to say."

Chen Xun looked at her: "What is it?"

"This afternoon, I asked around about Company B," Li Qian said. "I heard... they seem to have some connection with that 'campus nostalgia' themed restaurant in the university town."

Chen Xun raised an eyebrow: "What's the relationship?"

"The restaurant's interior design was done by Company B," Li Qian said. "Moreover, I heard that one of Company B's minor shareholders is related to the restaurant's owner."

Lin Xinyue: "Holy crap? What a coincidence?"

Yang Xiaotao: "Then aren't they... from our competitor?"

Chen Xun didn't speak immediately.

He thought for a moment, then said, "Don't tell anyone about this yet."

Li Qian: "Shouldn't we revoke their qualifications?"

"No," Chen Xun said, "Keep it as a bargaining chip."

"Champions?"

"That's right," Chen Xun said. "If Company B's solution is good and the price is low, we'll use it. If not, or if they try to pull some tricks, this is their way of driving down the price."

Li Qian understood: "I get it."

Three days later, on the day of the bidding conference.

There were two long tables in the office, with a projector placed opposite them.

Chen Xun sat in the middle, Lin Xinyue on the left, Li Qian on the right, and Yang Xiaotao sat next to him, responsible for showing the PPT.

The atmosphere was formal, even a bit somber.

Company A's team arrived first, consisting of three people, carrying laptops and thick brochures.

Three people from Company B also arrived, but they looked a little nervous.

Chen Xun checked the time.

Nine o'clock sharp.

"Let's begin," he said.