190: Chapter 19 All's Fair in War

"The most important thing right now is to quickly finish up the company matters, and then give the two of us a few days off to properly rest."

Shen Yan gasped while replying, "Fine, fine, I'll give you a few days off, just say what you need to say properly. Why did you have to pinch me so hard? You've completely jolted me awake."

Wu Ya chuckled from the side and said,

"Looks like you pulled an all-nighter too."

Shen Yan nodded helplessly, "No choice, you know. With so many people in the whole company, the workload is just too heavy. I can't exactly ask the others to stay up all night rushing work for me."

Saying this, he looked at Wu Ya and Chen Guangke with a face full of gratitude, "Thank goodness for you two. Without you, I truly don't know what I would do."

Chen Guangke had long been sick of hearing the words "Thank you."

He rolled his eyes and kicked Shen Yan lightly with his foot, saying, "If you have actual business, say it. If not, I'm going back to work."

Just as Chen Guangke was about to tell him to get back to work, Chen Guangke's phone started ringing.

"Jingle, jingle!"

The phone kept ringing, so Chen Guangke had no choice but to first pull out his phone to see who was calling him.

"Cheng He?"

Upon seeing that the call was from Cheng He, Chen Guangke immediately looked up at Shen Yan.

Shen Yan didn't hesitate and directly told Chen Guangke, "Answer it on speakerphone."

Chen Guangke nodded.

Immediately, he slid his finger across the answer button to pick up.

"Hello, is this President Chen?"

Chen Guangke grunted an affirmation and asked, "Why are you calling?"

Cheng He replied with a smile to Chen Guangke, "It's like this, we've already negotiated with the other company. They are currently offering a price of 130 million. I wonder if your esteemed company..."

Chen Guangke's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Cheng He to actually want to keep driving up the price against them.

Just as he was about to speak up about something, Shen Yan suddenly grabbed his hand and drew a '+2' in his palm.

Realizing that Shen Yan wanted him to add another 20 million onto the 130 million price, he couldn't hold back and directly told Shen Yan, "No way!"

As soon as these words came out, the other end with Cheng He instantly went silent for a few seconds.

"So, is your company not planning to continue bidding anymore?"

Just as Chen Guangke was about to say yes, Shen Yan snatched the phone away from his hand.

"No, I'll add another 20 million. You can go negotiate with them again and see if they are willing to increase their offer above our price."

Hearing this, Cheng He was stunned.

He hadn't expected Shen Yan to be listening in next to Chen Guangke, nor had he expected Shen Yan to so readily and directly add another 20 million.

But after the surprise came ecstasy.

After all, the more fiercely the two companies competed, the higher the benefits for them as the team being competed for.

Thinking this, he said to Shen Yan with unconcealed joy, "Okay, I'll go negotiate with the other company right now. Don't worry, as long as they don't report a higher price within half a day, I will immediately proceed to discuss the contract signing with your company."

After saying that, he hung up the phone.

Once the call ended, Chen Guangke couldn't help but touch Shen Yan's forehead.

"Something's not right. You don't have a fever. How could you be so reckless as to add another 20 million?"

"You know our company's current situation. Where are we going to get 150 million to recruit this Research Team?"

Shen Yan replied calmly, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Even Wu Ya, who always supported Shen Yan, couldn't help but speak up at this moment.

"But our company's current book funds are truly limited. 150 million is too high. I think... we still need to reconsider."

Chen Guangke nodded vigorously from the side.

Seeing these two rarely on the same side, Shen Yan smiled and replied to them, "But we don't need to pay them the full amount right at the start. We only need to pay them a 40% deposit."

Hearing this, Chen Guangke nearly went crazy on the spot.

"Forty percent is still a lot!"

"You also need to think about the current state of our company. No, no, I really think this won't work. How about this, I'll call him back right now and explain the situation!"

Just as Chen Guangke was about to tap the phone number, Shen Yan pressed his hand down.

"It's not a signed contract yet, what's the rush?"

"If it really doesn't work out then, we'll just tell them then. If we don't sign the contract, then that's that."

As soon as the words fell.

Chen Guangke and Wu Ya were both stunned.

"You mean... if it really doesn't work out later, we just break the agreement?"

Shen Yan's lips curved into a smile.

"All's fair in war. We have to prepare for two possibilities."

"Alright, stop lazing around in my office, both of you. Hurry up and get back to your work. Oh, right, Old Chen, remember to keep scouting all the Research Teams currently on the market to see if we can dig up any other potentially good Research Teams."

Chen Guangke was convinced. He put down his phone and replied, "Okay, as expected, the older the ginger, the spicier it is. I'm impressed, truly impressed. I'll get back to my workstation immediately to continue screening Research Teams."

After saying that, he and Wu Ya left Shen Yan's office without delay.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Chen Ling received a message from her secretary.

"You mean they offered how much?!"

The secretary replied with his head bowed submissively, "My boyfriend said they offered 150 million and asked if we are raising the price."

After speaking, he quietly took a step back.

The next second, a shattered teacup appeared in front of him.

"Damn it, is there something wrong with Shen Yan?!"

Chen Ling raged powerlessly while desperately trying to find a way to break the deadlock in her mind.

150 million was simply too high for their newly established company.

Even if they didn't have to pay the entire salary upfront, their company couldn't afford even half of the initial deposit.

But Chen Ling didn't want to admit defeat, and she certainly didn't want to lose to Shen Yan!

After much thought, she decided to take an unconventional and risky move.

"You, go organize the company's transaction records and qualification documents, then come with me to the Bank."

The secretary frowned and asked, "President Chen, are you planning to apply for a loan from the Bank using the company funds?"

Chen Ling grunted an affirmation and said, "Even if it means taking out a loan, I must snatch this Research Team!"

Taking out a loan to support a Research Team? It was unheard of!

The secretary felt Chen Ling was acting crazily, but he still displayed his diligent spirit, turned around, and left to organize the documents for Chen Ling.

After all, if this company truly collapsed, he would just find another company. His job was just to do his part.

6:30 PM that evening.

Chen Ling and the secretary arrived at the Bank.

"Hello, both of you, what service can we help you with?"

Chen Ling kept her head down looking at her phone and didn't respond.

Seeing this, the secretary next to her quickly stepped forward and replied to the Bank teller at the counter, "We are here to apply for a loan."