Chapter 96

"Hello, nice to meet you, please take care of me." Xiaoci extended her small hand to Chu Tianshu for a brief shake, then lowered her head with a shy smile, her doll-like face adorned with two dimples, looking truly sweet.

Chu Tianshu inwardly cursed: "Damn, from her chest to her hips, she's clearly a rotten peach left over from a meal, but she can still put on a show of innocence quite convincingly."

The host and guest took their seats, and Yuan Jiong laughed heartily, saying, "Perfect, perfect, a good mix of men and women makes the meal more enjoyable. Come, come, Mr. Shu, please take the seat of honor."

At the banquet, Yuan Jiong spoke eloquently, boasting about his products as if they were the best in the world, with the most comprehensive functions, the most favorable prices, and long-term good cooperation with many medical institutions, enjoying an excellent reputation in the industry.

Finally, he emphasized that Mr. Shu and Secretary Bai were businessmen of taste, and Kangertai sold only high-tech products imported from abroad. To show sincerity, he could offer a 10% discount.

Chu Tianshu flattered him, "President Yuan, I'm just starting out and know some of the rules in this industry. If it's just a 10% discount, I, as an intermediary, might end up losing my pants."

"Haha, you get what you pay for," Yuan Jiong said with a forced smile.

Bai Yunduo quickly added, "President Yuan, our Mr. Shu heard that Kangertai has good supply channels, which is why he specifically asked me to contact you. You know, securing a supply contract with a hospital is very costly."

Yuan Jiong's eyes darted around, and he said, "That's true, that's true. Mr. Shu, how about this: introduce the hospitals you've contacted to me, and I'll supply them directly. I'll give you a 10% commission on the transaction price, and I'll bear the costs of smoothing things over with the hospitals. Is that a good deal?"

A 10% discount turned into a 10% net profit. On the surface, Yuan Jiong seemed to have made a significant concession, but he was very clear that a hospital's annual revenue was more than half spent on purchasing drugs and equipment. If he could secure Chu Tianshu's clients, the money would keep flowing in.

Chu Tianshu immediately refused, "President Yuan, I'm sorry, they appointed me as their agent, and they might not accept you. Besides, I don't want to do just a one-time deal with you."

Caught off guard, Yuan Jiong leaned over and whispered, "To be honest, business is tough these days. A few years ago, the profit margin on medical devices was around 50%, but now it's less than 30%."

Bai Yunduo quickly chimed in, "That's true, the people at the hospitals aren't fools, right?"

Yuan Jiong was taken aback, immediately realizing he had let something slip. The implication of his words, as pointed out by Bai Yunduo, was that the kickback to the hospitals was 20% to 30% of the transaction price.

"Ha ha," Yuan Jiong raised his glass and smiled, "Let's not talk business, just enjoy the company. Come, let's drink, let's drink."

No matter how much Yuan Jiong tried to talk, Chu Tianshu refused to discuss the price, stubbornly waiting for Yuan Jiong to make a move.

The conversation went on without much progress, but a lot of alcohol was consumed.

The two men and two women paired off, with Bai Yunduo and Xiaoci having similar drinking capacities. They each toasted Yuan Jiong and Chu Tianshu, then sipped their drinks in small mouthfuls.

Chu Tianshu didn't find it too difficult to handle Yuan Jiong, but he deliberately hid his strength. After drinking about half a liter, he pretended to be unable to hold his liquor, and began to boast about his extensive connections in the industry, listing a bunch of names of experts and professors he had found online, and naming several medical device dealers inside and outside the province that Bai Yunduo had gathered.

What stunned Yuan Jiong the most was that Chu Tianshu could casually name the leaders of the health departments and major state-owned hospitals in the province and city.

Yuan Jiong, listening to Chu Tianshu's grandiose talk, became increasingly anxious. It seemed that this young man had connections with the heads of various management departments and possessed a large number of customer resources in the industry in the province and city. Securing him would mean a lot of money-making opportunities in the future.

Heh, it seems bringing Xiaoci out tonight was a good idea; she could be useful.

Thinking this, Yuan Jiong winked at Xiaoci while pouring the wine.

Chu Tianshu saw this and was sure that Yuan Jiong was planning to use Xiaoci to his advantage.

He staggered to his feet and said, "Sorry, I've had too much to drink. I need to use the restroom." With that, he turned and walked out.

Just before leaving, Chu Tianshu glanced at Bai Yunduo, who was being pestered by Yuan Jiong to toast him.

After leaving, Chu Tianshu deliberately slowed his pace, suddenly feeling a warm sensation on his arm.

Looking over, he saw that Xiaoci had indeed followed him out, and she was holding his arm in a caring manner.

She smiled sweetly and said softly, "Mr. Shu, I've dealt with many dealers, but I've never met anyone as handsome and suave as you. You're really handsome!"

"Is that so?" Chu Tianshu looked at her with blurred eyes and asked, "China is so vast, there are many people more handsome than me."

"Oh, I've only been in China for two years. Among the men I've met, you're the best."

"You're not Chinese?"

"No, I'm from the island country."

Damn! Island country women are really something. To get close, they can say such sappy things so casually.

Chu Tianshu's heart trembled when he heard this, and he asked, "You're from the island country? Your Mandarin is pretty good!"

She nodded and said, "Yes, many of the people we do business with are graduates of medical schools in the island country."

Chu Tianshu stopped and stared at her intently, asking with interest, "I've never met a woman from the island country before. I've heard that women from your country are very gentle. Is that true?"

"Of course it's true." Xiaoci looked at Chu Tianshu, thinking her plan was working, and secretly rejoiced. "Don't believe me? You can try."

As she spoke, Xiaoci moved closer, supporting him as they walked toward the restroom.

Chu Tianshu pretended to be distracted, swaying even more.

Xiaoci took the opportunity to press her chest against Chu Tianshu's arm.

At the restroom door, Chu Tianshu, still pretending to be drunk, asked, "Xiaoci, do you want to come in with me?"

Xiaoci smiled innocently and said, "No, I'll wait for you."

After entering the restroom, Chu Tianshu stuck two fingers down his throat and vomited out all the alcohol he had drunk, feeling much fresher and more alert.

He washed his face with cold water, then came out of the restroom, where Xiaoci immediately came to support him, cooing, "Mr. Shu, your secretary is so beautiful."

Chu Tianshu, annoyed, said, "Is that so? I've seen many beautiful women. It's the first time I've met a gentle and beautiful woman from the island country like you." As he spoke, he pinched her soft, round cheek.

"Mr. Shu, be gentle," Xiaoci wriggled her body, deliberately rubbing her prominent chest against Chu Tianshu and touching his arm shyly, saying, "You're so strong, I can't take it."

Chu Tianshu stopped and deliberately hugged Xiaoci's shoulder tightly, causing her to moan softly.

This moan had a distinct island country flavor, floating and lingering, drawing the attention of several men who had just come out of the restroom, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy.

Damn, you use a beauty trap, and I'll turn the tables on you!

Having made up his mind, Chu Tianshu put his arm around her waist, leaned his face close to her ear, and whispered, "Xiaoci, tell me, what's the lowest discount President Yuan can offer?"

Xiaoci was a bit surprised; her beauty trap hadn't even started, and Chu Tianshu was already taking the initiative, asking so directly.

Xiaoci smiled and twisted her waist, whispering, "Want to know? It's a secret."

Chu Tianshu blew a breath into her ear and teased, "Of course I want to know. I also want to know how gentle you are."

Xiaoci, feeling pleased with herself, said, "This... I can't tell you."

Chu Tianshu's lips brushed against her face, and he asked, "How will you tell me?"

Xiaoci moaned again and said, "After the banquet, we can talk privately."

"Afraid President Yuan will see?"

Xiaoci nodded.

Chu Tianshu said, "Alright, see you later."

Xiaoci tiptoed and lightly kissed Chu Tianshu's ear, saying, "Okay, it's a deal." Then she led Chu Tianshu back to the Peony Hall.

Inside the private room, Bai Yunduo and Yuan Jiong were also having a pleasant conversation.

Yuan Jiong was talking nonsense, and Bai Yunduo was overjoyed.

Seeing Yuan Jiong's state, Chu Tianshu thought he was quite drunk and felt a bit uneasy, wondering if Bai Yunduo had also used a beauty trap.

However, seeing that Bai Yunduo was still neatly dressed, he felt a bit more at ease.

Seeing Xiaoci and Chu Tianshu come in, Yuan Jiong stared at Xiaoci intently.

Xiaoci blinked at Yuan Jiong a few times.

Yuan Jiong, understanding the situation, raised his glass and proposed a final toast, signaling the end of the banquet.

The meeting seemed to be going nowhere, but Yuan Jiong now appeared confident.

Chu Tianshu, pretending to be still enjoying himself, said, "To thank President Yuan for his hospitality, let's go sing after the banquet. I'll treat you."

The KTV at the International Hotel was one of the best in the city.

Yuan Jiong politely declined a few times, but Bai Yunduo and Xiaoci enthusiastically agreed.

When it came time to pay the bill, Chu Tianshu mentioned singing, and the restaurant manager immediately called the KTV manager to reserve a luxury private room and personally escorted them to the fourth floor where the KTV was located.

After entering the private room and sitting down, Xiaoci naturally walked to Chu Tianshu's side.

Yuan Jiong thought Bai Yunduo would follow Xiaoci's example, but she kept her distance, and a hint of displeasure appeared on his face.

Chu Tianshu immediately saw through Yuan Jiong's thoughts, patted Bai Yunduo's thigh with his right hand, and said, "Secretary Hua, now that I'm treating you, how are you going to entertain the guests?"

Bai Yunduo explained, "Boss, I can only sing, not dance, and I'm afraid I won't be able to entertain President Yuan well."

"That won't do," Chu Tianshu said sternly, waving to the DJ in the private room, "Go, get the KTV 'mama' here."

The DJ immediately brought the KTV manager in.