Chapter 27: Project Bidding

Pei Qizhou held his phone, intending to call his assistant.

However, he hung up just as the call connected. He had originally planned to instruct his assistant to cut off the funding for Father Yao’s medical treatment, but for some reason, his heart softened this time.

His assistant called back, and Pei Qizhou answered.

"Mr. Pei, you called?" the assistant’s voice came through.

"It’s nothing," Pei Qizhou said, and hung up, leaving the assistant on the other end completely bewildered.

Just then, there was a knock at his office door. Pei Qizhou frowned and gestured for the assistant to enter.

"The Galaxy Group project is turning out to be very different from what we anticipated," said Manager Zhang, who had entered the room.

After Xu Miao took over the Galaxy Group project, Pei Qizhou had lost interest in overseeing it. He had continued to let Manager Zhang handle the project, telling him to report any issues, but he had not expected problems to arise so quickly.

"I expected as much," he nodded. He was well aware that Xu Miao lacked any professional capability.

"Then what should we do now?" Manager Zhang asked cautiously, having no idea what Pei Qizhou’s true intentions for the project were.

"Handle it as you see fit," Pei Qizhou waved his hand dismissively. The primary reason he had become involved in the project in the first place was because Yao Shan was part of it. Now that she had been replaced by Xu Miao, he had no desire to manage it anymore.

"Understood," Manager Zhang nodded.

"There is one more thing I feel I should report to you," Manager Zhang said, his brows furrowed tightly. In his view, this matter was potentially more serious than the Galaxy Group project, as he knew how much importance Pei Qizhou placed on it.

Manager Zhang took a deep breath and said with a serious expression, "The Chu Group has been making frequent moves lately, seemingly intent on competing with us for market share. In particular, for their newly launched project, Yao Shan has been appointed as the project manager, which poses a significant threat to us."

Hearing Yao Shan’s name, Pei Qizhou raised an eyebrow, a complex emotion flickering in his heart.

"Yao Shan has gone to the Chu Group?" His brow furrowed. He had hoped that handing the Galaxy Group project to Xu Miao would dampen Yao Shan’s spirit. He certainly hadn't expected her to join the Chu Group.

Pei Qizhou fell into deep thought, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He knew that Yao Shan’s abilities were not to be underestimated, and especially on a platform like the Chu Group, her potential would be fully unleashed.

"Keep monitoring the Chu Group’s movements, especially the project Yao Shan is in charge of," Pei Qizhou instructed Manager Zhang. "Report any developments to me immediately."

Manager Zhang nodded, understanding the importance Pei Qizhou placed on Yao Shan. He turned and left the office to begin making the necessary arrangements.

Pei Qizhou sat alone at his desk, his mind replaying the past he shared with Yao Shan. His feelings for her were complicated, a mix of former deep affection and present hostility. He knew this business rivalry was more than just a competition between two companies; it was a game of strategy between him and Yao Shan.

Taking a deep breath, he decided to stop reacting passively and go on the offensive.

Pei Qizhou picked up the phone and dialed the marketing department: "Draft a competitive strategy against the Chu Group’s new project. I need a proposal in the shortest time possible."

Meanwhile, inside the Chu Group, Yao Shan was meeting with her team to discuss the next steps of the project. Her gaze was steady, her thinking clear, and every decision she made appeared decisive and wise. The team members expressed their admiration for her leadership, and the group’s cohesion continued to grow.

After the meeting, Chu Xun walked over to Yao Shan and asked softly, "Is the pressure too much?"

Yao Shan smiled slightly and shook her head: "With you supporting me from behind, I fear nothing."

Chu Xun nodded, secretly resolving that no matter what the Pei Group did, he would do his utmost to protect Yao Shan and ensure her project proceeded smoothly.

As night fell and the city lights began to twinkle, the battle between the two groups had only just begun. Yao Shan and Pei Qizhou, once lovers, now stood as adversaries in the business world. Who would emerge as the final winner remained to be seen.

"Yao Shan, we may have to participate in a project bid against the Pei Group tomorrow. Are you confident?" Father Chu asked, looking at her.

Yao Shan took a deep breath, a glimmer of determination in her eyes, and replied, "I am confident. I have made thorough preparations for the project, and our team has excellent synergy. No matter how powerful the Pei Group may be, we will not retreat easily."

Father Chu nodded in satisfaction. He knew Yao Shan’s capability and resolve, and he trusted that she would display her best self during the bidding process.

"That is good. Tomorrow’s bidding will be a tough battle, but as long as we stand united, I believe we will win."

Yao Shan returned to her office to put the finishing touches on the bidding proposal. She had carefully analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the Pei Group and developed targeted strategies to ensure every detail was impeccable.

Early the next morning, Yao Shan, Chu Xun, and Father Chu headed to the bidding site.

Pei Qizhou looked at Yao Shan with a complex expression; he hadn’t seen her in several days. He had not expected their next meeting to be in such circumstances.

"Long time no see," he started.

Yao Shan nodded slightly, returning a polite smile, though her eyes held a trace of firmness and composure.

"Long time no see, Mr. Pei." Her tone was flat, as if they were merely ordinary business partners.

Pei Qizhou smiled slightly, secretly admiring Yao Shan’s composure. He knew today’s bidding would not be easy; Yao Shan was clearly well-prepared.

"I hope there will be a fair outcome in today’s bidding," Pei Qizhou said, a hint of provocation in his gaze.

Yao Shan met his eyes without flinching, "Of course, fair competition is what we both look forward to."

The bidding meeting officially began, and the teams from both sides took the stage one after another to present their proposals.

Yao Shan’s presentation was logical and clear, supported by detailed data. Every point she made was tightly focused on the project's core requirements, earning frequent nods from the judges present.

Pei Qizhou was not to be outdone; his proposal was equally brilliant, but Yao Shan’s poise and professionalism put him under a certain amount of pressure.

Halfway through the meeting, the judges began asking questions, and Yao Shan and Pei Qizhou each represented their respective teams to provide answers. Faced with sharp questions from the judges, Yao Shan’s responses were always precise and powerful. Her confidence and professional demeanor drew silent admiration from both Chu Xun and Father Chu.

Finally, the judges retired to deliberate, and the atmosphere in the room turned tense.