In other words, they couldn’t match the terms offered by Hengfa.
Consequently, the moment Jiang Chiyu spoke, the expression on Lin Wu’s face shifted.
“And what is Hengchuang’s position?” His beady eyes were narrowed so tightly they were almost invisible, yet he struggled to keep his eyelids open as he looked toward Jiang Chiyu.
Now that Jiang Chiyu had figured things out, she didn’t want to keep up the act. However, with Pei Su—Hengchuang’s mortal enemy—sitting right beside her, she feared that acting too indifferent would make her a target. After much consideration, she decided to proceed with her original plan.
“The price Hengfa offered averages out to 5,500 per square meter, whereas the absolute maximum Hengchuang can offer is 5,000… I’m honestly too embarrassed to keep sitting here.”
Jiang Chiyu made a move to stand up. Seeing that she truly intended to leave, Lin Wu stood up even faster than she did. “Hey, don’t be in such a hurry! We can negotiate the price. What Hengfa offered is just their ceiling; we haven’t finalized the details yet… Can Hengchuang really not add just a little bit more?”
He had assumed that since he’d put it that way, Jiang Chiyu would be sensible enough to raise her offer slightly. Instead, her next answer left him dumbfounded.
“I really can’t, Secretary Lin. When I left, my boss specifically warned me that if I dared to mess with the price, he definitely wouldn’t let me off the hook.” She put on an expression of genuine fear. “This is a life-and-death matter—who would dare to take risks? Don’t you agree, Secretary Lin?”
The fear on her face looked entirely sincere, with not a trace of pretense. If Lin Wu hadn’t just heard Pei Su say that this so-called “representative” was actually the newly appointed Chairwoman of Hengchuang, he might have actually believed her. She was the Chairwoman herself—the person at the very top. Who would dare punish her?
In reality, such a person did exist; it was just that no one would believe it if she said it out loud.
“But from what Mr. Pei said just now, aren’t you already the Chairwoman of Hengchuang? Who would dare to discipline the Chairwoman? Aren’t you joking with me?” Lin Wu’s massive frame blocked Jiang Chiyu’s path, his posture making it clear he wouldn’t let her leave without an explanation.
Jiang Chiyu arched an eyebrow. “Internal matters of Hengchuang aren’t shared with outsiders. Even if you want to know, I won’t tell you.”
Lin Wu wanted to snap back that he didn’t care about Hengchuang’s internal drama; he only cared about how high Jiang Chiyu could go. Dealing with Pei Su was far too uncomfortable. Just sitting there for a few moments had made him feel like he couldn’t breathe. If Pei Su actually bought his land, they would have to interact constantly in the future. And with Pei Su’s permanent “dead-man’s face”… he truly didn’t want to have anything to do with the man.
“I don’t want to know about that.” Lin Wu waved his hand, his expression on the verge of crumbling. “I just want to know if Hengchuang can increase the price. If Hengchuang considers adding a little more, I think you’d make a very good partner.”
Saying those words in front of Pei Su had exhausted all of Lin Wu’s courage. If Jiang Chiyu still didn’t take the hint, there was nothing more he could do. After all, Pei Su couldn’t actually kill him, right? The man just had a sour face; he could endure that. He couldn’t let his grudge against a personality get in the way of money.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Chiyu proved to be completely lacking in situational awareness. Even though Lin Wu had spelled it out, she continued to play dumb. “The maximum price for Hengchuang is 5,000. If I add even a single dollar, I won’t be able to pay for it.”
She wore a helpless expression, indicating her hands were tied. But after saying this, she suddenly sat back down. Crossing her arms, she looked at Lin Wu with a smirk.
“If Secretary Lin is willing, I can have the full amount transferred to your account in less than twelve hours. Cash. Not a penny less.” Her tone was serious, showing she wasn’t joking. Her expression remained calm from start to finish—unnervingly so.
“I wonder how Hengfa plans to pay?” After waiting a moment without a response, Jiang Chiyu asked casually. This question changed the atmosphere instantly. Everyone’s wandering gazes suddenly snapped onto her.
“Hengfa will pay ten million upfront, with the remainder paid in installments.”
The person who spoke this time wasn’t Lin Wu or Pei Su, but the middle-aged woman who had opened the door for Jiang Chiyu and Chen Mo. The woman wore black-rimmed glasses and possessed an aura very similar to Pei Su—stern and unsmiling.
“Oh—” Jiang Chiyu elongated the sound provocatively. “So, if Secretary Lin sells the land to Hengfa, you only get ten million in cash and a pile of empty promises.”
“In that case, I suggest you think it over, Secretary Lin. Hengchuang can have fifty million in your account the same day you sign the contract. Here is my contact information. If you feel that Hengchuang is a reliable partner, you can give me a call.”
“Now, I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you any further.”
This time, she actually stood up and walked out. Chen Mo followed closely behind. Her steps were light and easy; she looked as though victory was already in her grasp.
Chen Mo had actually connected a call to Pei Jinnian a moment ago. He had wanted to interrupt several times during the conversation between Jiang Chiyu and Lin Wu, but Pei Jinnian seemed to have the gift of foresight. Every time Chen Mo was about to stop her, Pei Jinnian’s voice would ring out first:
“Let her continue.”
The words were simple but carried immense authority. No matter how much Chen Mo wanted to speak, he had to swallow his words.
“Young Master, are you really going to spoil her like this?” Once he was sure Jiang Chiyu was far enough away, Chen Mo finally couldn’t hold it in. “She’s so stingy! Pei Su offered 5,500 per square meter, and she’s still holding the line, refusing to add even a single dollar!”
“If Pei Su snatches this away, the Board of Directors will be livid!” Chen Mo was gnashing his teeth in frustration. If the Young Master hadn’t repeatedly stopped him, he would have definitely stepped in to raise the price to 5,200. That way, the gap between them and Hengfa wouldn’t be so large. With their advantage of being able to pay in full, Lin Wu might have chosen Hengchuang for the sake of the immediate cash.
“It’s fine. Pei Su likely can’t even produce ten million in liquid funds right now.”
Pei Jinnian’s indifferent voice traveled through the Bluetooth earpiece, sending waves of shock through Chen Mo.
What?
“Chen Mo, what are you doing? Are you trying to step on every ant on the road?”