282: Chapter 282 Who are you trying to screw over?

Gu Hui blinked, saying helplessly, "That's just sophistry on your part."

"Even though I said that I, Gu Mingming, am Gu Mingming, we are still part of the same company in the end."

"To put it bluntly, I am not optimistic about your company's artificial intelligence project, so I will not continue to fund your company project."

Shen Yan made a 'tsk' sound. Gu Hui had been too absolute with his words, practically blocking off any future path for him and Gu Mingming.

Just as he was contemplating what method he would use to attract other investments if Gu Mingming couldn't provide additional funding, Gu Hui spoke again.

"While you can't get supplementary investment from Gu Mingming, you can earn the money needed for continued project investment from me."

As soon as the words fell, Shen Yan shifted his gaze toward Gu Hui.

Was he finally throwing out bait?

While pondering this internally, he pretended to be completely unaware and asked Gu Hui, "By doing software projects for your company?"

Gu Hui shook his head and said seriously, "No. If you only relied on making money from the projects I give you, your artificial intelligence project would definitely fall apart."

Shen Yan feigned confusion and asked,

"If it's not by making money doing software projects for your company, then how can I continue to earn enough money from you to invest in the project?"

Gu Hui tapped the table with his hand, his face full of mystery. "First, finish the software project I gave you. Once it's done, I will naturally tell you how you can continue to earn money from me to invest in the project."

Shen Yan: "..."

Say it if you want to say it, don't say it if you don't want to say it.

Why build suspense here!

Though that's what he thought, he still nodded respectfully to the other party on the surface.

"Fine, then I will ask you after I finish it."

After a brief conversation, the two continued eating.

When they finished eating, Shen Yan prepared to pay the bill, only to find that Shen Ya had sent him a message.

Because the message lacked any context, he sent his scatterbrained younger sister a bewildered question mark.

"?"

Unexpectedly, Shen Ya replied to his message instantly.

"Why did you come with me today?!"

Shen Yan paused his fingers and continued typing his reply in the chat box.

"To see your work environment, and to discuss business. What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

This time, Shen Ya did not reply instantly.

Seeing that Shen Ya remained silent, Shen Yan put away his phone and turned to Gu Hui, saying, "I've paid the bill, let's go."

Gu Hui nodded and stood up. "You treated me this time; next time, let me treat you."

Shen Yan smiled but said nothing.

The meal was eaten, the talk was had, and the cooperation was completely settled.

Shen Yan felt there was no need for him to stay by Gu Hui's side any longer.

So he told Gu Hui, "I have something else to do later, so I won't go with you."

Gu Hui had anticipated this and replied to Shen Yan, "Okay, then I'll head back first. Contact me anytime if you need anything."

"If you can't reach me, contact my secretary."

Shen Yan indicated that there was no problem.

Then, they parted ways.

Just as Shen Yan was about to hail a taxi back to the company.

The message notification sound rang again.

"Mr. Shen, your car is repaired. When will you come to pick it up?"

Because the car had been sent for repair these past few days, Shen Yan had to take a taxi everywhere he went.

It was fine the first few times he took a taxi; it felt somewhat novel, but later he found it quite troublesome.

Knowing the car was fixed, he didn't hesitate and immediately called the other party, telling them he would be there right away.

Half an hour later.

He appeared at the repair shop.

He had originally intended to drive the car directly to a body shop to have them touch it up.

But because his car was a luxury model, ordinary repair shops couldn't fix the chipped paint, so he had to take it to a shop he wasn't familiar with.

Upon arrival, he went straight in and asked the shop manager, "I heard my car is fixed?"

The manager glanced at him, nodded, and led him to his car, saying, "The car is completely fixed. Take a look."

Shen Yan opened the door, got in, and test-drove it briefly.

Confirming the car handled as well as ever and the exterior was restored to its original condition, he got out and asked the manager, "How much for the repairs? I'll swipe my card."

Although he could have gone through insurance, since this incident involved someone deliberately causing trouble and malicious damage to the car, dealing with insurance would have been more complicated. Thus, he ultimately decided to bear the repair costs himself.

"I calculated it just before you arrived. It's a total of 1.2 million."

The manager said this while placing the card reader in front of him.

Hearing the figure of 1.2 million, the hand Shen Yan extended with his card instantly retracted.

"... How much did you say?"

The manager repeated the figure once more.

"1.2 million."

Shen Yan took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to curse.

"Did you miscalculate? I only asked you to touch up the paint, and perhaps fix the rear end. How could it cost 1.2 million?"

As if anticipating his reaction, the manager immediately took out an account book from the side and explained the charges point by point. "Your car is one of the latest mercedes-benz series. The paint is very difficult to match; just repainting the paint costs over 500,000."

"Your car windows and doors are the same. We used the best materials and replaced the windows with the best ones. The rear end is the same, we..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Yan raised his hand to interrupt him.

"If I remember correctly, at the time I only asked you to touch up the paint, and to fix the rear end and replace one drive unit, right?"

Although the car had stalled after being hit and the windows and doors were smashed, Shen Yan had inspected the car and its functions were not broken.

Under those circumstances, the repair cost for his car should have been only a few hundred thousand at most, impossible to reach the enormous sum of 1.2 million.

This shop owner was clearly trying to swindle him out of money.

The manager also understood the implication of his words. His face hardened, and he stared menacingly at Shen Yan, asking, "Are you refusing to pay? I'm telling you, we've already repaired the car for you. Even if you don't want to pay, you have to!"

Shen Yan was amused by these words. He stared at the manager with a half-smile and said, "What if I just don't pay? Are you going to call the police or hit me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, several large, burly men walked out from inside the shop. They were flexing their fists and rubbing their palms as they walked, clearly intending to physically force Shen Yan to pay if he refused.

Seeing his men emerge from the shop, the manager slowly put down the bill and held out his POS machine to Shen Yan, saying,

"I advise you not to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Just pay the money obediently and drive your car away."