C43 A New Start

Old Lady Pei was left speechless by a single remark.

Qiu Fulin then barked, "We're here at Y Corporation specifically for Miss Pei Qiuyu. What business is it of yours? We're pulling our 100,000-ton steel deal from your table!"

"Exactly. Our fifty-year cooperation plan with Zhengdong Trading Group is moving to a competitor!"

"And our ten-million-yuan project with Jiatai Financial? Consider it off the table!"

The executives, faces grim, were ready to storm out.

In a panic, Old Lady Pei pleaded, "Wait, please, don't leave! Let's talk this over. I'm willing to make concessions..."

"Do I look like I need your concessions?" Qiu Fulin retorted with a scornful snort.

"Indeed, you're not as important as you think!" added Lu Yongtao of Zhengdong.

Desperate, Old Lady Pei turned to Pei Jinzheng's family, "Hurry! Go after Qiuyu, don't let her leave!"

Pei Jinzheng's family dashed out to intercept Pei Qiuyu.

Pei Qiuyu gave them a withering look. "What now? I've been stripped of everything, what more do you want?"

Pei Jinzheng implored, "You can't just leave! We need you to negotiate these deals."

Pei Qiuyu couldn't help but laugh in frustration, "What am I to you? Someone you can summon or dismiss at will? I'm not a plaything to be kicked around."

At that moment, Old Lady Pei rushed out, clutched at Pei Qiuyu's hand, and begged, "Qiuyu, Grandma was foolish, speaking out of turn. I'm sorry, can you forgive me?"

"Come back with me. Those executives are all waiting for you to seal the big deals!"

"Please, Qiuyu, you mustn't go!" Sun Lanping chimed in, her eagerness palpable.

Pei Jinzheng blocked Pei Qiuyu's path like a clumsy bear, arms outstretched.

"What's this? You want to get physical?" Lin Xuan glared at him, his voice icy with protective fury.

Old Lady Pei sharply rebuked Pei Jinzheng, "What are you doing? Stop this insolence! Show some respect to Qiuyu!"

At that moment, Pei Qiuyu's family saw the true colors of their relatives, who now seemed like entirely different people from before.

They were all angling for the lucrative contracts from the company executives.

The terms laid out by these executives were irresistibly enticing; securing just one could mean an annual profit of thirty to fifty million, propelling the Pei family up the social ladder.

Unswayed, Qiuyu watched as Old Lady Pei, in a moment of desperation, declared, "Here's the deal: once these contracts are signed, I'll give your family a 30% bonus on the returns!"

"Thirty percent for your family—imagine that! Even with a profit of thirty million, that's a nine million dividend for you. You wouldn't turn down that kind of money, would you?"

Qiuyu averted her gaze.

Unable to contain her excitement, Lee Moxiang approached and coaxed, "Qiuyu, listen to your grandma. If we secure that contract, we'll be set for life!"

Lin Xuan interjected, "Mom, money isn't truly ours until it's in our hands."

"What do you mean by that?" Moxiang inquired, puzzled.

Lin Xuan explained, "The Pei family is unpredictable. How can we be sure they won't just cast Qiuyu aside once more?"

Moxiang paused, her eyes shifting to Old Lady Pei.

"That's out of the question!" Old Lady Pei retorted firmly.

Lin Xuan pressed on, "Considering you were willing to use Y Corporation's funds to cover Pei Jinzheng's family debts, what's stopping you from doing worse?"

Pei Qiuyu glared at Old Lady Pei with a mix of anger and betrayal.

Old Lady Pei's expression soured instantly.

"To me, it's only fair to raise the dividend percentage. Moreover, Pei Jinzheng has no right to divert Y Corporation's funds. And let's be honest, verbal assurances are worthless. We need a written pledge from Old Lady Pei, promising not to dismiss Qiuyu again—that's the only way this will work."

Moxiang quickly agreed, "Exactly! I got so carried away, I nearly let the head of the family pull one over on us again!"

Lee Moxiang paused before stating, "My family insists on taking half of the dividends, and that money can't be diverted to cover any shortfalls. We also need a written promise that Qiuyu will never be fired."

"We can negotiate if you accept these terms. If not, we're walking away."

Upon hearing this, Old Lady Pei's expression shifted between storm and calm.

Pei Jinzheng bellowed, "I disagree! Grandmother, you're not going to give in to them, are you?"

"Absolutely not!" Sun Lanping chimed in, "They're just exploiting the situation. If it comes to it, we'll walk away from the deal! No one needs to make this money!"

Sun Lanping shot a meaningful glance at Old Lady Pei as she spoke.

Their reasoning was simple: Qiuyu's family wouldn't be able to resist the lure of profit. A little intimidation should make them fold.

After all, a dividend of nine million yuan was a substantial sum for their family.

Old Lady Pei clearly grasped their intent and declared resolutely, "I cannot accept these terms. I still call the shots in the Pei family."

"Whether you sign or not is your choice, but don't expect me to bend."

At that, Lee Moxiang couldn't contain herself.

The prospect of a nine million yuan dividend had her green with envy.

Missing out on that would leave her with nowhere to even shed tears.

"I retract that. We can still talk this over. Please, don't be upset, Mother."

"There's nothing to discuss. It's my terms or nothing!"

Seeing her advantage, Old Lady Pei grew even more steadfast.

"That settles it," Pei Jinzheng said with a smug grin. "In this house, Grandma's word is law. Can you really outmuscle us? Just get back to the negotiating table. I refuse to believe you'd turn your back on money."

"Fine, I retract my offer," Lin Xuan said with disgust at their behavior, "So, we won't sign. If you're going to be this shameless, then you can forget about making any money off this."

"All these executives are here for Qiuyu. We'll just start afresh and let Qiuyu open her own company. You won't see a dime of it!"

"You..."

Old Lady Pei pointed at Lin Xuan, seething with rage. "You have the nerve to threaten me? Without Y Corporation, what bargaining chip do you have? Just empty promises? Without the company as a foundation, what do you amount to?"

Pei Jinzheng chimed in, his face flushed with urgency, "Exactly! Do you think you can just start a company out of thin air? Do you have the capital? Do you have the cash flow to operate? Would any respectable executive partner with a non-entity? It's laughable!"

"Why can't we?"

Just then, Qiu Fulin stepped forward, his voice resonant, "If Miss Pei decides to start a company, I'll provide the initial funding for her inventory!"

"Yes! We can settle all payments at the end!"

"Absolutely. I trust Miss Pei's integrity, so none of this is an issue! Moreover, my company is willing to advance 50 million!"

One by one, the executives thumped their chests, voicing their support.

Pei Qiuyu was dumbfounded.

Everyone there, except Lin Xuan, was equally shocked!

With such support, even without startup capital, Qiuyu wouldn't have to worry about getting the company off the ground!

Lee Moxiang couldn't contain her delight.

"What are we waiting for then? Qiuyu, let's get our company up and running immediately!"

"They won't get even a sip from us!"

"Alright." Qiuyu nodded in agreement.

"No, this can't happen!" Old Lady Pei was now in a frenzy, resorting to shameless tactics, "You can't go. If you do, I'll... I'll die right here for you all to see!"