"Actually, I came today to discuss the collaboration that was halted midway with your company."
Qin Zhongtian wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking expectantly at the two people before him.
"Well..."
Su Banxia deliberately put on a troubled expression.
Before she could finish, Qin Zhongtian quickly interjected, "I know what happened last time caused irreparable harm to Dingcheng Group, so I came this time with an apology."
With that, he hurriedly pulled a document from his briefcase: "According to the previous contract, the profits were split 60-40. Now we can make concessions and go with a 70-30 split."
"Gasp!"
Su Banxia drew in a sharp breath, never expecting Qin Zhongtian to be so accommodating, even voluntarily offering to reduce his own profits.
"Secretary Su, President Pei mentioned last time that the decision on this project rests with you. What do you think about our proposal..."
Qin Zhongtian deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze flickering toward Su Banxia.
"Since President Qin has put it that way, if I don't agree, wouldn't that be a bit unreasonable?"
Su Banxia relaxed her furrowed brow, a gentle smile spreading across her face.
Seeing that things were looking promising, Qin Zhongtian doubled down on his flattery: "I really envy President Pei for having such an excellent secretary like you, always thinking about the company's interests. Unlike me, I don't have a single decent person by my side—otherwise, the front desk wouldn't have made such a fool of themselves this time."
Su Banxia, covered in goosebumps from his relentless praise, smiled faintly and interrupted him: "I haven't taken that matter to heart, President Qin, so you don't need to dwell on it either. But whether we ultimately sign or not still depends on President Pei's opinion."
As she spoke, both of their gazes fell on Pei Shaoze.
"Hmm, Secretary Su's presentation just now was excellent. What she wants to say is what I want to say. If Secretary Su sees no issue, then we can go ahead and sign this document."
Pei Shaoze said with a faint smile, offering no personal opinion.
Su Banxia couldn't help but feel uneasy. From his words, she couldn't gauge Pei Shaoze's thoughts at all. Whether to sign or not was a dilemma for her.
"President Pei, how about this!"
Seeing Pei Shaoze's dismissive attitude, Qin Zhongtian quickly pressed on: "I can take on more responsibility for material procurement in the early stages. This is the biggest concession our company can make."
"Deal!"
Pei Shaoze raised an eyebrow and said calmly.
Hearing those two words, the other two in the room breathed a sigh of relief.
Su Banxia cheerfully signed the contract, saw President Qin out, took a deep breath, and then turned to look at the man beside her: "Be honest with me—were you deliberately messing with President Qin?"
"It seems your brain isn't completely useless after all."
Pei Shaoze said with a very satisfied smile.
"You!"
Su Banxia pointed at the tip of his nose but ultimately swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue.
Regardless, the final outcome of this matter was beneficial to her. If Pei Shaoze hadn't pulled this stunt, the project's profit margin wouldn't have increased so much.
Higher profits also meant, from another angle, that her commission would be higher.
"With your intelligence, if you'd negotiated with Qin Zhongtian, he'd have sold you out and you'd still be counting the money. So it's better to make those moves, let him think he offended Dingcheng Group, and force him to come begging us to sign the contract."
Pei Shaoze didn't hold back in his critique of Su Banxia.
Su Banxia made a face at him in indignation, clutching the document in her hands with a light heart. Her mood over the past two days had been like a roller coaster, rising and falling unpredictably.
"Since you signed this contract, you'll be responsible for the follow-up. If any issues arise, you need to address them promptly."
Seeing her smug demeanor, Pei Shaoze couldn't resist pouring cold water on her.
Su Banxia pouted and nodded in agreement. Sure enough, this money wasn't easy to come by!
Throughout the afternoon, Su Banxia's efficiency noticeably improved. As she watched the pile of documents in front of her shrink bit by bit, she couldn't help but sneak a glance at Pei Shaoze.
Though he didn't say it, she knew in her heart that this contract signing was his way of deliberately helping her.
Su Banxia was someone who remembered kindness. Thinking of this, she paused, pen in hand: "Thank you for today's contract matter."
"Oh, has the sun risen from the west? You're actually saying thank you?"
Pei Shaoze took a deep breath, looking at her with some surprise.
"Anyway, I'm grateful. If it weren't for you, whether the contract could even be signed would still be up in the air."
Su Banxia turned her face away, speaking a bit awkwardly. This man really took an inch when given a mile!
Pei Shaoze chuckled lightly: "The contract was bound to be signed; it was just a matter of how much profit. How did you know their front desk would throw me out?"
Su Banxia asked seriously. Could it be that the front desk was planted by Pei Shaoze?
"Actually, even if the front desk hadn't thrown you out, someone else would have. I just didn't expect things to go so smoothly."
Pei Shaoze was in a great mood. Fortunately, the mole he had placed in Qin's Group hadn't been exposed yet and could continue working for him.
Seeing his smug expression, Su Banxia couldn't help but purse her lips. This man really couldn't handle praise!
When it was time for the kids to get out of school, Pei Shaoze snapped his document shut and said calmly, "Let's go. The kids should be getting out."
Su Banxia was momentarily stunned, looking at Pei Shaoze: "You... you're coming with me?"
"Is that not allowed?"
Pei Shaoze glanced at her lightly: "Don't worry, I won't do anything inappropriate with them. I just want to treat your family to a meal. After all, signing the contract today is something worth celebrating."
"I..."
"Are you afraid of me getting close to the kids because you have a guilty conscience?"
Hearing this, Su Banxia quickly waved her hands: "That's not what I meant. I just feel that you, President Pei, are incredibly busy, and having you take time out to worry about my family's affairs makes me a bit uneasy."
"You're my personal secretary. If something happens to you, it will inevitably affect your work. I'm doing this from the company's perspective."
Pei Shaoze said this with such a righteous air that if it weren't for the hint of a smile curling at the corner of his mouth, Su Banxia might have believed him.
Still, seeing the look of anticipation on Pei Shaoze's face, Su Banxia finally nodded and agreed to go with him.
Her selfishness had already prevented Guoguo and Haohao from knowing their father, but she had no right to deprive them of the simple joy of father and children playing together.