“I can agree to cooperate with you, but we need to change the business model,” Xiang Tianyi said slowly, suppressing the swirling thoughts in his mind.

“I won’t change the branding. I’m only offering distribution rights; everything else is negotiable,” Song Nianchu stated firmly, setting the boundaries upfront.

Xiang Tianyi gave a light chuckle. “Comrade Song, you certainly have a lot of confidence in yourself.”

“Doesn’t Manager Xiang have a lot of confidence in my products as well? Otherwise, why would you go through all this trouble to work with me for so long?” Having dominated the business world in her previous life, Song Nianchu knew better than anyone that one must never show weakness at the negotiating table.

Xiang Tianyi stared at Song Nianchu for a long moment before finally withdrawing his gaze.

“Comrade Song, you needn’t worry. Based on our previous interactions, I understand your intentions. I won’t make the same demand again.”

“Then how does Manager Xiang wish to cooperate?” Song Nianchu’s attitude softened considerably once she heard he wasn’t after her branding.

“My side can sign a long-term contract with your village, but I want a share of the profits, not just a middleman’s markup,” Xiang Tianyi said, enunciating every word.

“You mean you want to invest as a shareholder?” Song Nianchu was momentarily stunned.

“Correct. I can also invest capital to help build the factory with your village,” Xiang Tianyi replied.

Song Nianchu lowered her eyes in thought. After a moment, she looked up.

“I can work with you on that, but I can only give you a five percent stake.”

“Five percent? Are you underestimating me a bit too much?” Xiang Tianyi’s dark eyes narrowed slightly.

“Manager Xiang, this was originally collective property. When two entities collaborate, someone must hold the controlling interest. A five percent stake is already quite significant,” Song Nianchu said, her red lips curving slightly.

“I want twenty percent.”

“Eight percent, maximum.”

“Fifteen percent.”

“Ten percent. That is my final offer.”

“Fine, ten percent it is. However, my side will only handle sales; I won’t be responsible for the capital investment,” Xiang Tianyi finally agreed.

“No problem.” Song Nianchu agreed instantly, her eyes bright with a smile.

It was only then that Xiang Tianyi realized something. He narrowed his eyes and scrutinized her.

“Was ten percent your target from the very beginning?”

“Of course not. It’s just that I didn’t want to lose such a high-quality partner like Manager Xiang, so I gritted my teeth and agreed,” Song Nianchu said with a look of utter sincerity.

Hmph.

Xiang Tianyi had already seen through her. This woman was truly full of schemes.

However, he didn’t press the matter further. A ten percent stake was indeed his bottom line.

“Get ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‍everything ready. Bring your Village Chief with you tomorrow to sign the contract,” Xiang Tianyi said in a deep voice.

“Will do!” Song Nianchu smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

Currently, for this kind of collective joint venture, the collective leadership still needed to be present.

Xiang Tianyi merely glanced at her. The more harmless this woman looked when she smiled, the more ruthless she was in her actions.

In the business world, such people were called ‘Smiling Tigers.’

He just hadn’t expected that he would one day meet such a person, and a woman at that.

After settling things with Xiang Tianyi, Song Nianchu didn’t linger. She headed straight back to the village to find Wu Zhenggui and discuss the matter.

As luck would have it, Wu Zhenggui was also looking for Song Nianchu, and the two ran into each other halfway.

“Uncle Zhenggui, I was just looking for you.”

“Nianchu, I was just about to head to your place.”

The two spoke in unison.

Song Nianchu was startled, then burst into laughter.

“Uncle Zhenggui, what is it? Could it be that there’s news regarding Zhou Ziqiang?” Song Nianchu spoke first.

“Exactly! Yesterday, I spoke with some of the refugees in our village. They didn’t know much, but they gave me a lead. They said someone came from the same village as Zhou Ziqiang. I went to find that person, and guess what?” Wu Zhenggui’s eyes were bright with excitement.

“He’s willing to testify against Zhou Ziqiang?” Although Song Nianchu had already guessed it from his expression, she still played along enthusiastically.

“Yes! He went with me earlier today to identify Zhou Ziqiang and gave a statement. He told the police the exact location where they buried the remains. If those bones can be found, Zhou Ziqiang and his gang will definitely face the firing squad,” Wu Zhenggui said proudly.

“As expected of my Uncle Zhenggui. You handled all of this in just one day.” Song Nianchu gave him a big thumbs up.

Wu Zhenggui smiled sheepishly.

“Actually, it’s because they saw that Zhou Ziqiang had already been arrested. I gave them a little food, and that’s why they were willing to come forward.”

“That’s still very impressive,” Song Nianchu praised him without hesitation.

“But Nianchu, those refugees who were sent to other villages are having a really hard time. They don’t even have a place to live; they just have to build little shacks. Plus, there’s no grain to distribute to them. Many of them are barely hanging on. That’s the only reason I could get that man to testify with just a bit of food.” Wu Zhenggui’s face showed a hint of sorrow as he spoke.

“Times are hard for everyone right now. Such a situation was to be expected,” Song Nianchu sighed.

“I suppose it’s just their fate. Anyway, what did you want to see me about?” Wu Zhenggui didn’t want the topic to dampen Song Nianchu’s spirits, so he quickly changed the subject.

“Oh, right! I’ve negotiated a partnership with Manager Xiang from the state-owned restaurant in the city. You might need to come with me tomorrow to sign the contract,” Song Nianchu said quickly.

“The state-owned restaurant in the city? Nianchu, you even know the manager of the city’s state-owned restaurant now?” Wu Zhenggui’s eyes widened.

“Director Sun from the supply and marketing cooperative introduced us,” Song Nianchu explained with a smile.

“I see. Then I’ll make the trip with you tomorrow,” Wu Zhenggui said.

“Great.” Song Nianchu nodded.

***

The next day.

Song Nianchu took Wu Zhenggui with her to sign the contract.

Throughout the process, Wu Zhenggui followed Song Nianchu’s lead completely. He signed where she told him to sign and stamped where she told him to stamp.

This caused Xiang Tianyi to cast several curious glances at Song Nianchu.

Song Nianchu acted as if she didn’t notice. Only after the signing was complete did she carefully put away her copy of the contract.

“Manager Xiang, here’s to a successful partnership,” Song Nianchu said, proactively extending her hand after confirming the contract was in order.

“To a successful partnership,” Xiang Tianyi replied somewhat languidly as he shook her hand. He then asked, “When can you provide a full shipment?”

“It might take a few more days. I need to go to the glass factory to order the right jars. Next week—I’ll have the first batch ready for you next week,” Song Nianchu said after a moment’s thought.

“Fine. Prepare five hundred units for me next week,” Xiang Tianyi stated.

“Will do,” Song Nianchu nodded firmly. Then, remembering something, she asked, “I was also thinking of preparing a gift box set—twelve bottles to a set with special packaging. It would be perfect for personal use or as a gift. Would you be interested in that?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep