93: lend a helping hand

Guo Zihong looked at Chen Li eagerly, as if grasping at a life-saving straw:

"A Li, do you know anyone at 'Fu Bao Ling'? Or could you help me ask around and find out what exactly is going on?"

"Leave this to me."

Chen Li patted his shoulder. "I'm quite familiar with their senior management."

"Really?" Guo Zihong's eyes lit up instantly.

"Would I lie to you about something this big?" Chen Li smiled. It was more than just knowing them; he was the largest shareholder, after all.

After understanding the ins and outs of the situation, Chen Li felt confident.

It was just a raw material procurement issue. The fruits of the farmers' hard labor must not go to waste because of the company's actions.

Although he didn't usually participate in the company's operations, Tang Yifeng would surely give him enough face for a small matter like this.

Besides, Tang You was there too. He should contact her first to see what was going on.

Thinking of Tang You, Chen Li felt a bit troubled. He really had no idea how to spend the remaining ten million quota.

Every time he saw Tang You, looking at her slender figure in her uniform and her charming demeanor, Chen Li felt an uncontrollable itch in his heart.

It seemed he needed to come up with a suitable excuse soon to get rid of the remaining quota.

He first reassured Guo Zihong: "Don't worry, I'll contact the senior management there right now." With that, he dialed Tang You's number.

"Hello, Chen Li? What made you think of calling me today?" Tang You's voice carried a hint of pleasant surprise.

"Youyou, there's something I'd like you to help me look into." Chen Li didn't flirt with her and went straight to the point,

He explained the whole story in detail, hoping she could investigate what was going on.

To see if they could find a solution that would both resolve the issue and achieve a win-win outcome.

"Understood. I'll go check on it now and give you an answer this afternoon." Tang You immediately switched into work mode and hung up the phone efficiently.

Not long after, in the afternoon, Tang You called back.

"Chen Li, I've found out the truth."

Her tone was serious. "It's the procurement manager who's playing tricks. He used his position to open a back door for his brother-in-law..."

It turned out that with the company's aggressive promotion, product sales had skyrocketed, and the demand for raw materials had risen accordingly, especially for the core ingredient, aloe, which saw explosive growth in demand.

The company's original plan was to expand production bases with existing partners and establish a long-term, stable supply relationship.

This was originally a win-win plan: the farmers wouldn't have to worry about sales, and the company could ensure a supply of raw materials.

But the procurement manager played a trick; he deliberately refused to renew the contract on the grounds that 'Boshe Village was unwilling to establish a long-term partnership.'

In reality, his brother-in-law had contracted an aloe base and wanted to monopolize this business.

Even more outrageously, the terms he proposed were simply bullying clauses—not only did he want the farmers to surrender their land usage rights,

but the purchase price was also ten percent lower than the market rate. No one could possibly accept such terms.

"His brother-in-law's base can indeed supply goods at ten percent below the market price, and the scale is large enough to meet the company's needs."

Tang You added, "This move is indeed clever. On the surface, it looks reasonable, but in reality, it's just forcing the farmers to submit."

As Chen Li listened, his brow furrowed deeper. He could absolutely not sit idly by while someone bullied others using their position.

"So, do you have any solution now?" Chen Li asked straightforwardly.

"I sent quality inspectors to his brother-in-law's base to conduct a random sampling."

Tang You's tone became serious. "The inspection report shows that the active ingredient content in the aloe they grow doesn't meet the standards at all.

We suspect it's caused by excessive use of pesticides, although you can't tell at all from the appearance."

"Has the contract been signed?"

"Not yet, it's waiting for my dad's final signature."

"Good, I'm heading over now."

Chen Li made a prompt decision. "Help me set up an appointment with President Tang. We'll explain the whole story to him together."

"Understood, I'll arrange it right away."

Not long after, Chen Li drove that black Rolls-Royce Phantom and pulled up downstairs at the company.

He had specifically gone back to the Villa to drive this car; naturally, he had to put on a show and act impressive when coming to the company.

The car slowed to a halt in front of the building. In the afternoon sun, Tang You was still wearing that elegant professional suit, already standing at the entrance waiting.

Seeing Chen Li step out of the driver's seat of the Rolls-Royce, she was slightly stunned, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes.

But this expression was fleeting—thinking of how the man before her had casually gifted her a Bentley, it really wasn't worth being surprised that he drove a Phantom himself.

"Is President Tang already waiting?" Chen Li walked up and walked inside side-by-side with Tang You.

"He's waiting for you in the conference room. The head of the legal department is there too. I'll take you there now." Tang You led Chen Li inside.

When the two entered the conference room, Tang Yifeng was discussing something with a middle-aged man wearing glasses.

Seeing them enter, he immediately stood up to welcome them.

"Uncle Tang."

"President Chen is here. Please, sit." Tang Yifeng greeted him warmly.

"We have already investigated this matter."

Tang Yifeng went straight to the point. "I have already halted the cooperation with the 'Baoshu' base and sent people to Boshe Village to renegotiate the contract renewal."

Chen Li frowned slightly. "But if you give up the 'Baoshu' base, how will the raw material shortage be resolved? Won't this affect production?"

"There will definitely be an impact, but we must never use substandard raw materials." Tang Yifeng's tone was firm.

"President Tang, I have a question,"

Chen Li looked directly at Tang Yifeng. "If I hadn't accidentally discovered this issue, would the company have signed for this batch of problematic raw materials?"

"Hehe, President Chen is overthinking it."

Tang Yifeng smiled and shook his head. "We have a strict quality inspection process—all raw materials from third-party suppliers,

must undergo random sampling tests by three different teams of personnel, and can only be signed after passing all of them.

This is the guarantee of our 'Fu Bao Ling' quality."

"I see," Chen Li nodded thoughtfully. "President Tang is still the one who considers things thoroughly."

"The most troublesome issue now is the raw material shortage."

Tang Yifeng sighed. "We have special requirements for the aloe variety, and it's hard to find a suitable substitute in the short term, unless... we could buy the 'Baoshu' base directly."

"But even if we buy the base, this batch of substandard aloe can't be put directly into production, right?" Chen Li asked.

Tang Yifeng smiled slightly upon hearing this. "President Chen might not know, but this special variety of aloe has a fast metabolism.

As long as our professional team takes over, through improved planting methods and scientific maintenance, it can fully meet quality standards within three months."

"Since that's the case, what's there to hesitate about?" Chen Li made the decision immediately. "Just buy it."

"But the company's current working capital is limited. Contracting would only cost two or three million, but a buyout would require at least over ten million.

Although profits have been good recently, most of the funds are needed for subsequent operations, so we really can't afford such a large acquisition."

Hearing the figure 'over ten million,' Chen Li's eyes lit up—wasn't this the perfect opportunity to complete that ten-million quota for Tang You?