184: Chapter 184 Intervening

The car door slammed shut.

Chen Guangke, who had been holding back for more than half an hour, finally couldn't contain himself.

"Why didn't you talk to them directly about cooperation just now?"

"Didn't you say that as long as the contract wasn't signed, we still had a chance?"

Hearing this, Shen Yan glanced at Chen Guangke.

"I did say that, but this kind of thing can't be rushed in a moment."

Chen Guangke didn't have Shen Yan's good mentality.

A good Research Team was like a treasure; everyone wanted it.

If they couldn't snatch this Research Team, they would only be able to select a lesser Research Team or cultivate one themselves.

But if they did that, they would have to endlessly extend the time consumed.

This would be a very losing deal for them.

He didn't believe Shen Yan didn't know this.

But he didn't know why Shen Yan's mentality could be so good.

"You always say I'm impatient, but I think you're the abnormal one. The artificial intelligence project is imminent now. Are you telling me we still need to take it slow?"

Shen Yan made a 'tsk' sound and said, "Who told you we need to take it slow? What I mean is you don't need to be overly anxious."

"Negotiating cooperation isn't something that can be settled in a short while. We've already obtained some intelligence today."

Intelligence?

Several question marks popped up in Chen Guangke's mind.

He participated in the entire dinner; how come he didn't hear any intelligence?

Thinking about it, he voiced his confusion.

"What intelligence did you get? Why don't I know about it?"

Shen Yan sighed and flicked Chen Guangke's forehead.

"What do you use that brain of yours for?"

"Didn't I ask him how long he talked with Chen Ling's company?"

Chen Guangke blinked and recalled carefully, realizing Shen Yan had indeed asked that question.

"You did ask, but what about it?"

Shen Yan analyzed it for him step by step.

"It's been almost a month, and they still haven't been able to sign the contract. Don't you think that speed is a bit too slow?"

As his voice fell.

Chen Guangke's brain finally started working.

He put his hand on his chin and began to ponder.

Indeed.

Almost a month was a bit too long.

If it were them, they probably could have signed the contract in less than a week.

So, why was Chen Ling dragging things out with them for so long?

Shen Yan seemed to read Chen Guangke's thoughts and immediately stated the only two possible answers to the problem.

"Usually, there are only two reasons for dragging things out this long. The first reason is that there's a problem with the Research Team; the second reason is that there's a problem with the company. Which reason do you think it is?"

Chen Guangke answered without hesitation, "The company has a problem! Because I investigated that Research Team, aside from having fewer personnel, they have virtually no problems. So, the one with the issue must be the company!"

Hearing this, Shen Yan's lips curled up.

"Since the company has a problem, why is it still talking to the Research Team for so long?"

Under Shen Yan's gentle guidance, the answer finally emerged in Chen Guangke's mind.

"Money!"

"The company probably can't offer the salary and benefits that the Research Team has in mind, so the two sides are haggling!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Yan quickly snapped his fingers.

"Exactly! Now, do you still think we didn't get any intelligence from that dinner?"

Chen Guangke shook his head like a rattle drum. He asked Shen Yan, "Since we already know Chen Ling can't offer the salary the Research Team wants, shouldn't we raise our price to snatch the Research Team?"

Shen Yan nodded.

"You can do that, but I suggest taking it slow. Don't raise the price too high; haggle with them a bit first."

Chen Guangke agreed there was no problem.

Thus, the matter was temporarily settled.

On the other side.

"What did you say? Shen Yan is taking the Research Team out to dinner?!"

Hearing Chen Ling's questioning, the secretary nodded and replied, "Yes, didn't you ask me to monitor the Research Team's movements? I've been keeping an eye on them."

"They were fine in the lab the day before yesterday. I don't know why, but today they suddenly went to have dinner with Chen Guangke and Shen Yan."

After listening, Chen Ling remained silent for a long time.

Seeing her like this, the secretary felt a little uneasy, afraid that Chen Ling would vent her anger on him the next second.

Fortunately, things weren't as bad as he imagined.

Chen Ling didn't yell at him; she just instructed him, "In the next two days—no, you arrange for Cheng He and Yu Miaomiao to come to the conference room today. I want to sign the contract with them today!"

The secretary frowned, and a look of difficulty appeared on his face.

"But we scheduled the meeting with them for two days later. If we suddenly call them now to sign the contract, won't it..."

Chen Ling glared at the secretary and asked, "Is sticking to the schedule more important right now, or is settling the Research Team's matter quickly more important?"

Of course, settling the Research Team's matter quickly was more important.

But the problem was that the initiative was currently with the Research Team.

Who knew if Cheng He and Yu Miaomiao would suddenly make some demands?

Thinking this, the secretary pursed his lips and remained silent.

Chen Ling was preoccupied and couldn't be bothered to look at the secretary's sullen face. She waved her hand and said again, "Alright, stop staying here. Hurry up and do what I told you to do. Remember, you must invite those two people here today!"

As her voice faded, the secretary nodded and exited the office.

As soon as he left, Chen Ling stood up and walked to the window to think alone.

She wondered: Is Shen Yan trying to snatch his Research Team for the artificial intelligence project just to compete with her?

Or did he also get the news that Hai Province would vigorously support companies working on artificial intelligence projects in the future?

After thinking through the entire morning, she still couldn't come up with an answer.

In the afternoon, Cheng He and Yu Miaomiao were invited into Chen Ling's office.

"CEO Chen, why did you suddenly call us over?"

"Come, please have a seat first."

After inviting them to sit, Chen Ling smiled and replied to them:

"It's like this. Although we agreed to sign the contract in two days, I felt like a huge weight was pressing on my heart every time I thought about the contract not being signed during these two days."

"To avoid any unforeseen complications, I thought it over and decided to sign the contract today."

With that, she placed the two prepared contracts on the table in front of Cheng He and Yu Miaomiao.

Looking at the two drafted contracts before them, Cheng He and Yu Miaomiao exchanged a look and tacitly pushed the contracts away.

"Actually, we have also been discussing this matter these past two days. Based on our discussion, we believe the salary and benefits you offered us previously are a bit too low..."