After that conversation ended on a sour note, Song Aotian’s companies launched an even more aggressive campaign of competition. Yu Xia seemed to simply give up, allowing him to disrupt the market by driving prices down to snatch up orders.
“Tang, the major shareholders are starting to voice their doubts. They believe that since we’ve always been the leaders in contract manufacturing, there’s no reason for so many orders to be flowing to Song Aotian.” Yu Luoyan stepped into the General Manager’s office to brief her on the current situation, having finally shaken off the complaining elders. “When exactly is this ‘overstuffed’ scenario you mentioned going to happen?”
Que Tang habitually took the hand the other woman reached out to her. “Right now.” She turned her monitor toward Yu Luoyan. “Song Aotian has already swallowed fifteen orders that we intentionally dropped. To our company, these were just scattered small-scale orders with low profit margins. But for Song Aotian’s fledgling company, they represent significant revenue. However, these orders share a common trait: short lead times and overlapping delivery dates. Song Aotian’s factories don’t have Yu Xia’s scale or refined systems yet, and on top of that…” She smiled and clicked open another page. “Raw material prices rose by about ten percent a month ago. I bet he didn't even consider that when he was crazed with price-cutting to steal our business. And now, I’ve prepared an even bigger deal to gift him.”
When Song Aotian heard that Yu Xia recently had an order with a transaction value higher than all fifteen of the previous orders combined, he immediately ordered his sales department to investigate.
Before long, he received the details and paid a personal visit to the client. He assumed that with his low-margin strategy, he would surely secure the deal. To his surprise, the client cryptically informed him that Yu Xia had offered a discount nearly as competitive as his own.
The client also explained that because their goods were in high demand and the volume was massive, they would consider letting Yu Xia take the order even if they were slightly more expensive.
Hearing this, Song Aotian immediately stated that he could provide an even lower price and meet the delivery schedule.
The client indeed looked interested. “But I have one condition: my company has the right to request delivery one to one and a half weeks early.”
“What? A week to a week and a half early?” Song Aotian frowned. “That’s impossible. That would mean an already tight production cycle becomes even shorter.” His company’s production lines wouldn't be able to handle the load.
“Then I’m afraid we won’t be able to work with you. We are racing against our competitors’ launch dates. According to our sales department’s estimates, a week to a week and a half is the most likely window for our rivals to move. We’ll have to regretfully decline.”
“Wait. One week to a week and a half, right?” Song Aotian’s expression was stiff.
“General Manager.” The product coordinator beside him immediately pulled at him, signaling him to stop. The company’s production lines were already strained to their limit by those fifteen orders. Taking on this order would be like taking a ticking time bomb; it wouldn't help the company at all. Furthermore, the level-headed coordinator could tell from Song Aotian’s tone that he was prepared to sell at cost. Wouldn't that mean they were working for nothing?
But Song Aotian wouldn't listen. The obsession with stealing Yu Xia’s business and defeating Que Tang was deeply rooted in his heart. He immediately ordered the coordinator to revise the original contract to include everything they had just discussed. As for the agreed price, it was exactly as the coordinator feared—nearly equal to their cost.
And that was assuming they used existing inventory for raw materials.
“General Manager, we can’t sign this,” the coordinator whispered, trying to interrupt. They only had enough stock for the fifteen orders; the remaining raw materials couldn't possibly cover this new one. The procurement request had landed on his desk the day before yesterday, clearly stating that raw material prices had risen by ten percent. If they signed at this price, the company would lose money on every unit shipped.
Song Aotian gave him a warning glare for the constant interruptions.
“General Manager, raw material prices rose by ten percent a month ago. If we estimate based on previous costs, the company will suffer a loss. To at least break even… the price needs to be ten percent higher.” Risking being kicked out by Song Aotian, the product coordinator fought to stop his irrational decision.
At the mention of the word "loss," Song Aotian finally calmed down. After scrutinizing the procurement forms and estimated costs, he realized he had been too hasty. He immediately apologized to the client, explained the quoting error, and presented a new price list based on the updated costs.
“This price is still within our acceptable range.” Although changing a quote is a major taboo in business, there is always room for negotiation before a contract is signed. Understanding the market rates and knowing this was indeed the lowest possible price, the client smiled and shook Song Aotian’s hand. “I’ll discuss this with the whole team today. I can give you an answer tomorrow.”
“I understand. Thank you.” Song Aotian withdrew his hand. As he turned to leave, a look of certain victory crossed his face.
After several more rounds of detailed negotiations, Song Aotian successfully secured the order as he had hoped.
“Luoyan, things aren't going well for Yu Xia lately, are they?” Having learned through some people still working at Yu Xia that Yu Luoyan had an appointment this afternoon and would be out alone, he had been waiting for her at the company gates.
Song Aotian had made up his mind. Even though Yu Luoyan had betrayed him to be with Que Tang, he still loved her. As long as she returned to his side, he could act as if nothing had happened and let bygones be bygones.
“Song Aotian, is there something you need?” She signaled her male secretary to stop and tilted her chin up, looking at him coldly.
Song Aotian looked obsessively at Yu Luoyan, who was dressed in a white blouse and a pencil skirt. How had he never noticed she could be this beautiful? “Luoyan, come back to me. Only I can be someone you can rely on.” He flashed a confident smile. “When you were with me before, you didn't have to work at all. Now you have to show your face in public like this; it’s all because Que Tang is incompetent. So come back to me, and stop being angry with me.”
Yu Luoyan glanced at her secretary and saw an expression similar to her own on his face. It was a mix of contempt, absurdity, and irony. All these negative emotions actually made her burst into laughter.
“Luoyan?” Song Aotian thought he had finally moved her. He reached forward to take her hand, but she dodged him.
“Mr. Song, please understand that we are now strangers with no relation whatsoever. Do not attempt to initiate physical contact with me.” Yu Luoyan stood behind her secretary, who had automatically stepped forward to act as a shield.
“Why? Haven’t I proven that I’m a better fit for you than Que Tang? That I can provide you with a life of luxury where you don’t have to work?”
“A life of luxury without working is something I can have even without relying on you.” She arched an eyebrow and smiled at Song Aotian’s embarrassed state, continuing her ruthless critique: “And during my past marriage with you, I indeed lived that kind of life. But what did I get? I was treated as an ignorant wife while you expected me to turn a blind eye to your flings outside—you even brought your mistress into Yu Xia. Heh.”
“But I suppose I have you to thank for letting me meet Que Tang.” At the mention of that name, the corners of Yu Luoyan’s mocking mouth softened. “If not for her, I would probably still be living that life you described—worry-free but powerless, wondering every day why my husband wouldn't come home. But because of her, I’ve found value in my life again.”
Song Aotian was speechless. Yet he still tried to defend himself. “ I’ll change all of that, because I truly love you.”
“So you didn't love me before?” Yu Luoyan caught the point. “In that case, why should I give another chance to someone who has already deceived me?” She glanced at her wristwatch. “Mr. Song, I have nothing more to say to you. Please do not disturb me again.” She turned to leave. Her male secretary, fearing Song Aotian might do something irrational, guarded her carefully.
“Luoyan! Don’t you know that Yu Xia has lost a lot of orders lately?” Song Aotian called out to her again.
Yu Luoyan stopped and looked back at him with a half-smile. “Mr. Song, for the sake of our past as a couple, I’ll be generous and tell you: Yu Xia is currently focusing all its efforts on developing next-generation products, and the results are excellent. The costs are much lower than this generation, and many clients have already contacted us for talks. As for the orders we lost, they didn't meet our company’s expectations for a contract anyway. I heard your company picked up quite a few; congratulations are in order. However… I heard your company’s cash flow is very tight right now. It seems that if there’s even a slight hitch, you’ll face a liquidity crisis and start bouncing checks? You’d better be careful. Banks are man-eating monsters, after all.” Having said her piece, she nodded with a smile and walked away, leaving Song Aotian standing there with a deep frown.
As soon as Yu Luoyan got into the back seat, she reached out and pulled Que Tang, who was already waiting in the car, into her arms. “It seems there are still his people in our company, though their information is still incomplete.”
“I changed my itinerary at the last minute; it’s normal for there to be gaps.” Que Tang was already used to the other woman’s clingy ways. She picked up the financial reports for Song Aotian’s company. “His company has a lot of short-term debt coming due soon, but their cash on hand seems insufficient. I imagine… he might pursue you even more aggressively with his ‘charms’ now.” Que Tang joked.
Hearing this, Yu Luoyan looked down at the person in her arms who was gloating. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly as she pressed a button. The black privacy glass that blocked sound and sight from the front seats immediately rose.
“What’s wrong? Is there some secret we need to discuss?” After the black glass rose, Que Tang, sensing she was in a dangerous position, tried to play dumb.
“Mm, I suppose there is. And this secret has a ve-ry close relationship with you.” Her finger slid across Que Tang’s chin.
“A secret related to me?” Que Tang blinked, feigning ignorance. However, her body slowly tried to move away from Yu Luoyan’s reach.
“Of course. For example, whether your bust is an A or an A-minus, whether your waist is 22 inches or 20, and then your hips…” Having long since seen through her intentions, Yu Luoyan reached out and pulled her back into the confinement of her embrace.
“Meow. Female Lead’s Shame Level decreased by 10, currently at negative 10. The Shame Level has finally opened a new chapter! Good luck, Host.”
But Que Tang no longer had the spare energy to roast the system.
