C3 Bet

Boss Zheng watched Zhang Qiang with displeasure. He had been diligently trying to soothe Liu Hsing, and then Zhang Qiang walks in and makes such a remark. If Liu Hsing walked out in a huff, how would he ever obtain the itinerary from him?

Zhang Qiang was taken aback. He had been with the company for quite some time, and Boss Zheng had always treated him with kindness. Why was he suddenly berating him as if he were a street urchin?

"Zhang Qiang, step outside for a moment."

"Boss?"

"Out, now!"

"Director Zheng! What's going on? Be straight with me. Did I misspeak, or did I mess something up?"

Zhang Qiang considered himself a cornerstone of the company and wasn't intimidated by Director Zheng. He had, after all, brought significant benefits to the company through some less-than-scrupulous means.

"Zhang Qiang, Liu Hsing possesses the complete promotional materials for Hangda Distance Ltd's pre-sale project, valued at one million and two hundred thousand yuan, including the itinerary for the project lead. He's confident he can secure the deal."

Zhang Qiang's frown deepened, and he was initially startled, but then he burst into laughter.

"Hangda Distance Ltd's pre-sale project?! Valued at one million and two hundred thousand yuan?! Damn, Liu Hsing, why don't you just ascend to the heavens? Are you daydreaming? Or are you hoping to spin this tale to cling onto your base salary for another month?"

Zhang Qiang's reaction was a stark contrast to Boss Zheng's. He thought Liu Hsing was all talk.

"Boss, aren't you overthinking it? Him? A one million and two hundred thousand yuan deal? Has he brought in even a penny of business in the past three months?"

"This..."

Zhang Qiang's words sowed seeds of doubt in Boss Zheng, but deep down, he knew Liu Hsing had a shot at the business—it was just that Zhang Qiang had undercut him. So, despite his skepticism, Boss Zheng still harbored a sliver of belief in Liu Hsing, enough to take him seriously.

"Heh, maybe Zhang Qiang is right. Consider it just me blowing smoke."

With that, Liu Hsing turned to leave. He couldn't be certain of landing Hangda's business, but he couldn't afford to delay his mother's medical expenses. He needed this job.

Moreover, he was acutely aware of Director Zheng's stance and believed that the more he persisted, the less likely Director Zheng would let him go.

Sure enough, as soon as Liu Hsing finished speaking, Director Zheng grabbed him.

"Zhang Qiang, cut the crap. Liu, let's seriously discuss Hangda's business."

"Boss, if you let him try and he manages to secure Hangda's business, I swear I'll eat shit."

Liu Hsing slowly turned, fixing Zhang Qiang with a glare that could curdle milk.

"Repeat that!"

"What, are you deaf? I said, if you secure Hangda's business, I'll eat shit!"

"Fine! You've said it now! I'm taking you up on that bet. Ten days! If I secure Hangda's business within ten days, then you'll eat a kilo of shit publicly, bow down to apologize, and give back every cent of the commission you stole from me!"

In the face of Zhang Qiang, Liu Hsing felt a rush of impulsiveness, confident as he was, he knew that the competition for Hangda's business was fierce.

"Shit, you think you're some kind of sales guru? If you land a deal that big, forget eating shit, I'd lick your shoes clean. But if you don't close Hangda's deal within ten days, you'll be the one eating shit. Bow down three times, admit you're a fool, and then pack your bags and leave."

"Deal! But forget the shoe-licking, I find you repulsive!"

Zhang Qiang scoffed, utterly unconvinced that Liu Hsing could land such a major deal.

"To make sure no one backs out, we'll need a written agreement. Director Zheng, would you do us the honor of witnessing it?"

Zhang Qiang quickly drafted a contract on Director Zheng's computer, signed his name, and handed it to Director Zheng.

Director Zheng perused the contract, feigning concern, but internally he was thrilled. He saw it as a win-win: if Liu Hsing succeeded, the company would gain a substantial new account; if not, there would be no harm done.

Regarding who would end up eating crow, he couldn't care less.

"A penalty of ten thousand yuan?"

Director Zheng looked at Zhang Qiang with some astonishment, while Zhang Qiang just smiled at Liu Hsing.

"Absolutely. We must include a penalty clause in the contract. Once it's signed, it carries legal weight, preventing anyone from reneging later on."

Liu Hsing accepted the contract from Zhang Qiang's hands. After verifying that Zhang Qiang hadn't pulled any fast ones, Liu Hsing promptly signed his name.

"Director Zheng, I'll be out of the office for the next ten days."

"Alright, business takes precedence. If you need any documents, just give me a call."

Liu Hsing gave Zhang Qiang a glance and quickly exited the company.

Walking out of the office building, Liu Hsing felt a twinge of regret for agreeing to such a wager.

But that feeling was fleeting, and Liu Hsing forcefully pushed it out of his mind.

"Damn it, it's just business! What's so hard about that! Mom's still in the hospital waiting for me! I've got to seal the deal with Tang Xiaomin and win Hangda's contract! Zhang Qiang, you jerk, just wait until you cough up every last cent of my money!"

Checking his watch, Liu Hsing noted it was nearly noon.

He picked up some of his mother's favorite foods from a nearby supermarket and then hopped on the bus to the hospital.

Arriving on the sixth floor, room number nine, Liu Hsing quietly opened the door to the ward.

"Mom, how are you feeling?"

At the sound of Liu Hsing's voice, his mother, Dong Chunmei, who was lying in bed, immediately smiled, though her pale complexion and stiff neck revealed her true condition.

"Son, I'm feeling much better. But why are you wasting money again?"

"Don't worry about it, Mom. Is your headache any better?"

Liu Hsing set down the groceries and sat at the bedside, gazing at his mother with deep concern.

She was a woman in her early forties, yet years of hard work had aged her prematurely, with streaks of gray running through her hair.

Once a beautiful and vanity-conscious woman, her skin had become spotted from frugality and exposure to the elements.

She could have remarried in her younger days, but for Liu Hsing's sake, she remained single. After more than twenty years of sacrifice, she had successfully raised Liu Hsing, only to succumb to illness, bedridden and unable to rise.

Every time Liu Hsing thought about the more than twenty years his mother had tirelessly worked for him, his heart ached as if pierced by a needle.

Watching Liu Hsing's eyes well up with tears, Dong Chunmei tenderly stroked his face and softly reassured him, "Son, Mom is okay, truly. There's no need to heed the doctors' wild claims. It's just a little hypoglycemia that causes me to faint occasionally. It's nothing serious, so don't worry."

Liu Hsing grasped his mother's hand, feeling the roughness of her skin, and fought back his tears. "Mom, please don't hide the truth from me. I'm well aware of your condition. Just stay here and rest, alright? The doctor said you need at least a month of hospital care before you can go home."

"Son, this is an old ailment of mine, and the hospital can't cure it. Let's not waste money," she replied.

Dong Chunmei's heart was heavy with sorrow. Her son was just beginning to make his way in his career, yet he was burdened with the constant worry for her health and the immense medical costs.

"Mom, stop worrying about the finances. I've recently secured a major deal worth over a million yuan. Once the contract is signed, I'll receive a commission. Then, you'll be able to undergo the proper medical treatment," Liu Hsing said, trying to ease her concerns.

Dong Chunmei gazed at her son's earnest face, mistaking his assurance for mere comfort. She was about to respond when Liu Hsing cut her off.

"Mom, let's eat something. I've brought some of your favorite rice sausages and a selection of cold dishes."

A look of relief washed over Dong Chunmei's weathered face. Despite all the hardships she had endured, her son had grown into a thoughtful and responsible adult.

"Son, how's work going? Did you finalize the deal with Director Wang that you mentioned?" she inquired.

"It's signed, but the commission won't be released for a few days. So, Mom, just concentrate on getting better. I'll take care of everything else," he assured her.

Liu Hsing kept the harsh reality to himself, not wanting to add to his mother's worries. He was determined to shoulder the external struggles and pressures alone.

"Son, money doesn't come easily. Make sure to keep a level head. Failure isn't to be feared, but becoming complacent after success is truly dangerous," she advised.

Looking into his mother's earnest eyes, Liu Hsing nodded deeply, taking her words to heart.

After a brief conversation with his mother, Liu Hsing sought out a nurse.

"How is my mother's condition?" he inquired.

"Sir, the patient is currently on the lowest dosage of nutritional medication, and her condition is quite serious. At this point, we can only maintain her current state. The doctor recommends increasing the medication dosage as soon as possible to prevent further spread of the disease. It's important to understand that the patient's cervical spine issue is just the tip of the iceberg; other health problems could be triggered during this time due to overexertion. We urge the family to take this matter seriously and act promptly," the nurse explained.

Liu Hsing nodded, his expression somber, and walked to the ward door. From a distance, he gazed at his mother, tears swirling in his eyes.

"Mom, rest assured, I will cure your illness. I will make something of myself. I promise to give you a better life," he whispered.

Leaving the hospital, Liu Hsing headed to the modest Liu Family Manor on the city's outskirts, the place he and his mother called home.

Their home was sparsely decorated. Passing through the tiny yard, he entered the house, immediately greeted by the sight of a large stove, the heart of their meals. The bedrooms were on opposite ends; his mother's room to the west, furnished with just a heated brick bed and a small television.

Liu Hsing's own room was even more austere—a tiny space with just a small bed and a worn desk.

Lying on the bed, he pulled out his four-year-old phone, endlessly scrolling through information about Hangda and Tang Xiaomin. He pondered his approach to the project and how he might connect with Tang Xiaomin.

This was his one opportunity.