"The Xingsheng Group people have arrived!"
Someone exclaimed loudly.
Meng Changhai immediately looked into the distance, spotting three black cars approaching from afar, the first and last cars being luxury Mercedes S-Class vehicles, and a Rolls-Royce Phantom in the middle.
The three cars had a commanding presence, instantly drawing all attention.
The waiting journalists also pointed their cameras at the three cars.
Once the cars stopped, six bodyguards in black got out of the two Mercedes, along with an elderly man in his sixties. Despite his graying hair, he exuded extraordinary poise.
He looked like a butler and opened the right rear door of the Rolls-Royce.
Ye Qingxin, dressed in a black trench coat and wearing sunglasses, appeared in everyone’s view, regal as a swan.
Her stunning appearance and elegant demeanor gave off a powerful oppressive aura.
Even though she was a woman, no one dared to underestimate her.
Meng Changhai hurriedly stepped forward, warmly extending both hands with a smile as bright as a chrysanthemum: "Hello, Miss Ye, I am Meng Changhai, the County Chief of Lianyun County. Welcome to Lianyun County for investment. On behalf of the Lianyun County government, I would like to sign a cooperation contract with you!"
Ye Qingxin took off her sunglasses, glanced at him in surprise, and spoke in a melodious yet cold voice: "Did I ever say I wanted to sign a contract with you?"
Meng Changhai’s face was full of embarrassment; he didn’t know whether to pull back his extended hand or not.
Ma Chengwen immediately smoothed things over, saying: "Miss Ye, County Chief Meng was genuinely pleased to learn that your company is coming to invest in Lianyun County. He personally arranged the hotel’s preparations..."
Ye Qingxin mercilessly interrupted him: "I don’t like discussing cooperation with men. Be it the county chief or even the county party secretary, it won’t change my decision."
At that, she looked around the surrounding people and said: "Why haven’t I seen Chief Bai?"
Ma Chengwen instantly panicked, not expecting Ye Qingxin to mention Bai Lu, and immediately said: "Chief Bai is unwell and is currently recuperating at home."
Ye Qingxin realized: "Oh, that’s the case!"
Ma Chengwen continued: "Miss Ye, Chief Bai is but an assistant director at our bureau. For such a major cooperation project, naturally, the higher-ups of Lianyun County should..."
Ye Qingxin interrupted him once more: "I said, I don’t like discussing cooperation with men. Since Chief Bai is not here, let’s conclude today’s signing activity!" With that, she resolutely turned and headed towards the Rolls-Royce.
This scene completely left Meng Changhai, Ma Chengwen, and other Yun County leaders dumbfounded, as no one anticipated Ye Qingxin’s firm stance, unwilling to cooperate with anyone other than Bai Lu.
It left them feeling caught in a dilemma, intending to have Meng Changhai take the lead in signing the cooperation with Ye Qingxin, thus securing a political achievement.
However, the results were far from satisfactory!
Without further thought, Meng Changhai gave Ma Chengwen a look, whispering: "Quickly bring this woman back, otherwise we’ll both face disciplinary action!"
Although he didn’t understand why Ye Qingxin insisted on signing the contract with Bai Lu, one thing was clear: if this cooperation failed, both of them would be reprimanded.
After all, a trillion-yuan project was explosive, not just in Lianyun County but nationwide.
"Miss Ye, please don’t leave, please wait!" Ma Chengwen, with a smile more painful than crying, blocked Ye Qingxin’s retreat and said: "I’ll immediately send someone to fetch Chief Bai to sign the contract for you, alright?"
Ye Qingxin: "You have twenty minutes!"
"Alright, alright, I understand." Ma Chengwen quickly agreed, then stepped aside to call Bai Lu’s office.
Attempting to have Bai Lu come over directly.
Bai Lu did not respond.
Hence, he called Bai Lu’s mobile phone, yet received no answer again.
This made Ma Chengwen as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
"Fool, don’t you understand? She’s deliberately not answering your call, she’s showing us who’s boss!" Meng Changhai said, his face gloomy with anger, having spent so much effort, but ultimately achieving nothing.
Ma Chengwen was full of urgency: "Then what should we do?"
"What else can we do? Hurry and drive to fetch her! We must get her over!" Meng Changhai raged.
"Alright, alright, I’ll go get Bai Lu right away." Ma Chengwen immediately looked at the driver, then headed to the Investment Promotion Bureau by car.
"You’re saying Ma Chengwen would personally invite me to the Si Hai Hotel, is that true?" In the Investment Promotion Bureau, Bai Lu couldn’t help but look at Xu Wendong.
She had actually heard the landline and mobile phone ringing, but Xu Wendong didn’t let her answer.
"He definitely will." Xu Wendong smiled broadly.
Although Meng Changhai and Ma Chengwen intended to secure cooperation with Ye Qingxin for political gain, he was the real investor behind the scenes!
Bai Lu sighed with a bitter smile: "If Ma Chengwen really comes, it means I’ve thoroughly torn our relationship apart!"
Xu Wendong replied indifferently: "What’s the big deal about tearing apart a relationship with someone like him?"
Bai Lu remained silent, always feeling that Xu Wendong oversimplified things.
Behind Ma Chengwen was County Chief Meng Changhai!
Ma Chengwen pushed open Bai Lu’s office door, panting heavily, with a tinge of displeasure in his eyes: "Chief Bai, why didn’t you answer my call earlier?"
Bai Lu feigned surprise: "Did Director Ma call me? Sorry, I didn’t bring my phone to the restroom earlier."
Pausing her speech, she then asked: "What’s the matter, Director Ma?"
Ma Chengwen’s face turned green with anger.
He knew Bai Lu was fully aware of why he was looking for her.
At this moment, she was merely playing dumb.
Taking a deep breath, he said: "I thought long and hard, and it’s best that you handle the signing ceremony with Xingsheng Group, given that Xingsheng Group initially contacted you."
"It would be rather disrespectful to Xingsheng Group if we took your place to sign the contract."
Xu Wendong piped up sarcastically: "It’s not just disrespectful to Xingsheng Group, right?"
"Who invited you to speak?" Ma Chengwen glared at Xu Wendong.
Though he didn’t dare to rip into Bai Lu.
A mere driver was not someone he took seriously.
Xu Wendong’s smile remained unchanged, not taking Ma Chengwen seriously at all.
After all, when a stray dog barked at you on the street, you couldn’t possibly bark back, could you?
Anxiously, Ma Chengwen turned to Bai Lu: "Chief Bai, hurry, they’re waiting for you to sign the contract. If they don’t see you, this cooperation might fall through!"
Regret welled up in Ma Chengwen’s heart.
Had he anticipated this, he wouldn’t have interfered with the project from the start.
Without which, how would he be reduced to pleading with Bai Lu for the signing today?