Chapter 27: Chapter 26: How Could There Be Benefits Without Including Me

What can I do with super hearing?

Lu Li got off the bus, still pondering this question.

Maybe he’s too eager to find the answer, as he left home earlier than usual today.

About half an hour earlier than usual, perhaps.

Could it really only be used to eavesdrop on girls talking about naughty topics?

That would be way too creepy!

Such a high-class skill, how could it be used for something sleazy?

Lu Li felt he wasn’t that lowly.

Like yesterday, why didn’t he use X-ray vision to sneak a peek at President Liu’s figure?

Too busy and forgot? No way!

Lu Li knew clearly he didn’t want to be such a sleazy person. He couldn’t live with that on his conscience, so he didn’t use X-ray vision to spy.

Suddenly, he saw Deputy Manager Zhang and the handsome guy Xiaoyu from the purchasing department get into a business car across the street.

The glass of this business car seemed to have a privacy film, at least Lu Li couldn’t see inside without using his X-ray vision.

“Hmm?” Lu Li was stunned for a moment. “Why are Deputy Manager Zhang and Xiaoyu hiding in a business car early in the morning?”

Could it be…

His eyes lit up.

Could Deputy Manager Zhang and Xiaoyu secretly have something going on?

The company was located in a relatively remote area, and usually, there’s not much foot traffic at this time.

Now, those two sneaking into a business car with privacy film early in the morning, are they about to do something unsavory?

Heh, this is kind of thrilling.

Activate X-ray vision and super hearing to see what they’re actually up to?

X-ray vision and super hearing are awesome! With these skills, he might be able to catch Deputy Manager Zhang and Xiaoyu…

Wait, no!

Didn’t I say before that I’m honorable and not so sleazy?

Let me think.

Did I ever say that?

Forget it, I guess I didn’t.

Without hesitation, Lu Li activated his X-ray vision and super hearing to look at the business car.

It’s a waste not to record such a thrilling scene, but phone cameras can’t see through things.

He gazed over with anticipation, thinking he might witness some exciting scene.

When he looked inside, Lu Li found that what he saw was different from what he imagined!

There were several people inside the business car.

Besides Deputy Manager Zhang and Xiaoyu, in the back sat a middle-aged man, a bit plump, dressed in a suit.

Beside him were a young man and woman, and in the front, there was a middle-aged male driver.

In total, six people, they didn’t seem to be preparing for anything unsavory.

Lu Li couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed; it was much different from what he had imagined.

He was about to turn off his X-ray vision and super hearing to save some energy.

Before he could, his super hearing picked up their conversation.

“President Wang, this is Deputy Manager Zhang from our company’s eCommerce sales department.”

Xiaoyu was introducing the people to each other, “Deputy Manager Zhang, President Wang is the general manager of Tianheng Equipment Manufacturing.”

Hearing this, Lu Li was taken aback.

The President of Tianheng Equipment Manufacturing?

Isn’t that the person I’m supposed to meet today to discuss the live streaming equipment supplier?

He was confused as to why President Wang hadn’t met with him for detailed discussions but instead met with Deputy Manager Zhang and Xiaoyu in private.

Since President Liu’s intention was for the company to build a large live streaming studio, the cost of building it certainly wouldn’t be cheap.

Lu Li was very focused on this matter and had previously spoken with several live streaming equipment manufacturers, including large manufacturers like Levitt and Philips.

However, these large manufacturers offered rather high quotes, and he temporarily dismissed them.

Later, Manager Ning from the neighboring department heard about this and recommended Tianheng.

Tianheng Equipment Manufacturing is a medium-sized manufacturer, although not well-known in the industry, it is said to have good equipment quality.

Lu Li got the phone number and reached out to the other party with a try-and-see mindset.

Indeed, President Wang’s quote was very low, about 30% less than that of large manufacturers like Levitt and Philips.

So, Lu Li decided to meet with the other party to discuss specific cooperations.

Who would have thought that instead of meeting with him first thing in the morning, they met with Deputy Manager Zhang and Xiaoyu?

Lu Li felt something was off and a bit unusual.

He decided not to turn off the X-ray vision and super hearing and listened carefully.

The two sides had just finished introducing each other.

President Wang frowned and looked at Xiaoyu, “Mr. Qin, isn’t Mr. Lu the one we were going to discuss the cooperation with? Why did you bring Ms. Zhang?”

Xiaoyu spoke mysteriously, “Deputy Manager Zhang is Mr. Lu’s immediate superior. Whether you can finalize the cooperation with our company largely depends on her opinion.”

President Wang’s face changed immediately, smiling obsequiously, “Manager Zhang, later when I’m discussing the cooperation with Mr. Lu, I’ll trouble you to speak well of us.”

Deputy Manager Zhang seemed a bit arrogant, replying with just a “Hmm” without giving a clear response.

Xiaoyu laughed heartily, “It’s not that we can’t say nice things, just that, you understand.”

Hearing this, Lu Li basically understood what Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang were doing.

No surprise, they were asking for benefits.

He squinted his eyes.

You two are really awful!

How can you sabotage the project I’m in charge of?

How can you shamelessly ask for benefits?

How can you not include me in the benefits…

Alright, just kidding.

Since unlocking his genes, Lu Li found it very easy to earn money.

Like casually playing lottery scratch cards, earning tens of thousands per month like it’s a game.

So even if Deputy Manager Zhang and Xiaoyu included him, Lu Li would never engage in illegal activities like taking kickbacks.

He has a bright future – why challenge the law?

The reason Lu Li was really mad was that he felt disrespected by Deputy Manager Zhang and Xiaoyu.

If you want kickbacks, at least ask the project manager if they allow it, right?

Honestly, taking kickbacks is common in many companies. If it’s not too excessive, Lu Li wouldn’t be so stupid to offend people and would pretend not to know most of the time.

Only now, Deputy Manager Zhang and Xiaoyu bypassed him, which made him a bit dissatisfied.

Lu Li continued to stand across the street and listen.

By this time, they were already discussing the specific amount of kickback in the car.

President Wang tentatively said, “The price I agreed to give Mr. Lu is 30% below the market. Since Manager Zhang and Mr. Qin, you two are willing to help, after everything is settled, I’m willing to offer half a percent of the contract value. How do you two feel about that?”

This kickback was actually a lot and didn’t harm the company’s interests – after all, President Wang was taking from his profits to offer the kickback.

The cost of building this large live streaming studio would probably be between several hundred thousand to over a million. Half a percent of the contract value could be several thousand yuan.

Even if Deputy Manager Zhang and Xiaoyu split it evenly, each could at least get ten to twenty thousand yuan, which is better than their monthly salary.

Although Lu Li thought it wasn’t too excessive of a kickback, he was upset and hesitated about reporting them.

Who would have thought that Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang weren’t satisfied with this amount?

Xiaoyu shook his head and said, “For half a percent, you want me and Deputy Manager Zhang to take the risk of convincing Xiaolu to cooperate with you? If someone finds out, we’re screwed.”

Deputy Manager Zhang also showed dissatisfaction.

President Wang frowned again, “Our company’s profit margin is small, if more is needed, honestly, it’s not worth the partnership.”

Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang exchanged sly smiles.

President Wang was confused and asked, “Manager Zhang, Mr. Qin, what does your smile mean?”

Xiaoyu pointedly replied, “You can still earn your profit, Manager Zhang and I aren’t unreasonable. We won’t let you earn nothing.”

President Wang became even more bewildered, “Still earn profit?”

Xiaoyu leisurely said, “You can still quote Xiaolu the original price. Just make slight changes to the product – after all, he’s just a young kid and wouldn’t know the difference.”

You’ve got to be kidding!

Lu Li was furious. Are you suggesting President Wang sell subpar products?

Fine, sabotaging the project behind my back, huh?

Even wanting to have the other party sell substandard products to ruin my project?

I’ll see if your unscrupulous plan succeeds today!

Lu Li was hesitant about reporting them, but now he made up his mind completely.

Report them, absolutely report those bastards.

No problem if I don’t get any benefits, but sabotaging my project? That’s something intolerable!

Honestly, the project getting ruined isn’t the big issue, but if President Liu investigates and finds they paid dearly for subpar equipment, they’d suspect me of taking kickbacks.

That’d be taking the fall for them!

Oh, they take the benefits.

And I take the blame for them?

That’s something I won’t tolerate!

In the future, even if my life is at stake, I won’t put up with them!

Lu Li wasn’t afraid of offending people; if they wanted to ruin his project, then sorry – there’s no way he’d let them off easy.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep