OBS Chapter 586 Winning the Prize
Chapter 586 Winning the Prize
"Forget it, since things have already come to this, there's no need to dwell on it. We've done what we could; let time take its course."
Li Xiangyang understood that even if Liang Zhiqiang didn't change his story, he couldn't arrest Zhao Mingyuan based solely on Liang's identification.
Ma Qingfu was somewhat unwilling: "Are we just going to let it go like this?"
"It's not about giving up, it's about focusing our energy on more important things." Li Xiangyang glanced at the exhibition booth in the distance. "Our goal is to make the company bigger and stronger, not to get entangled with certain people."
As they were talking, Feng Mingyuan strode over, his face beaming with excitement.
"Factory Manager, great news!" Feng Mingyuan said, barely containing his excitement. "The organizing committee just informed us that our dried blueberries have won the 'Innovative Product Award' at this exhibition!"
This news excited everyone. Lin Yuqing exclaimed excitedly, "Really? This is a national exhibition!"
“Absolutely true.” Feng Mingyuan produced a notification slip. “The awards ceremony is this afternoon at four o’clock.”
Looking at the notification, Li Xiangyang felt a surge of warmth in his heart. This award was not only recognition of the product, but also affirmation of their commitment to quality.
"That's great! With this award, our product is even more convincing," Ma Qingfu said happily.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out: "Congratulations, Mr. Li."
Everyone turned around and saw that it was Zhao Mingyuan. He was wearing a well-tailored suit and had a nonchalant smile on his face, as if nothing had happened last night.
The air instantly became heavy. Feng Mingyuan instinctively stepped forward, blocking Li Xiangyang's path.
"What are you doing here?" Ma Qingfu asked warily.
Zhao Mingyuan waved his hand: "Don't be nervous, I'm here to apologize."
He looked at Li Xiangyang: "Mr. Li, what happened last night was due to my mismanagement, which led my subordinates to do something foolish. I've come specifically to apologize to you."
Li Xiangyang watched him quietly, without responding immediately. He was observing Zhao Mingyuan's eyes and expression, trying to determine his true intentions.
"An apology?" Li Xiangyang said calmly. "President Zhao's apology comes a little late."
“I know this has caused you trouble,” Zhao Mingyuan continued. “To express my apologies, I would like to offer a suggestion.”
"What suggestion?"
Zhao Mingyuan glanced around to make sure no one else was nearby, then lowered his voice and said, "Mr. Li, we're all in business, why make things so tense? Let's turn hostility into friendship, and from now on, let's rely on our own abilities in the market and stop these underhanded tactics."
Li Xiangyang sneered: "Now you say you won't resort to underhanded tactics, how do you explain what happened last night?"
“That was indeed a misunderstanding,” Zhao Mingyuan said with an innocent expression. “Liang Zhiqiang has already admitted that it was his personal behavior and has nothing to do with our company.”
Feng Mingyuan couldn't hold back any longer: "President Zhao, aren't you going a bit too far? Last night, Liang Zhiqiang clearly stated that you were the one who instructed him."
“Young man, you can’t speak carelessly.” Zhao Mingyuan’s face darkened. “Liang Zhiqiang has already clarified that he personally had a problem with Mr. Li, which is why he did something foolish. Our Jinyuan Industrial is a legitimate business and would never do such a thing.”
Li Xiangyang watched Zhao Mingyuan's performance with a cold smile. He knew that Zhao Mingyuan wouldn't admit it without solid evidence.
“Since Mr. Zhao puts it that way, I won’t say anything more,” Li Xiangyang said calmly. “However, I would like to remind you that doing business requires real skills; you can’t go far by resorting to crooked means.”
A cold glint flashed in Zhao Mingyuan's eyes, but he quickly regained his smile: "Mr. Li is right, we should indeed compete based on our true abilities."
He paused, glanced at the exhibitors and visitors around him, and raised his voice slightly: "However, Mr. Li, while that's true, market competition is fierce, and sometimes misunderstandings are inevitable."
Li Xiangyang sensed the threat in his words, but remained outwardly calm: "Don't worry, Mr. Zhao, I've always believed the market will give a fair answer."
"That's good." Zhao Mingyuan extended his hand. "Then I wish Mr. Li great success in his business."
Li Xiangyang glanced at the outstretched hand, hesitated for a moment, and finally reached out to shake it. But this handshake was more like a polite greeting between two opponents in the ring than a genuine reconciliation.
After Zhao Mingyuan left, Feng Mingyuan couldn't help but say, "Factory Director, this man was clearly testing us. Why did you shake hands with him just now?"
“Sometimes, a little politeness is necessary,” Li Xiangyang said calmly. “But that doesn’t mean we’ll let our guard down.”
Ma Qingfu said thoughtfully, "I don't think Zhao Mingyuan will give up so easily. Although last night's events didn't convict him, they served as a warning. He might now try a different approach to deal with us."
“You’re right,” Li Xiangyang nodded. “So we need to be even more careful when we get back. We need to not only improve product quality, but also strengthen internal safety management.”
Just then, Director Zhang from the organizing committee walked over, holding a beautiful trophy in his hand.
"Mr. Li, congratulations on winning the 'Innovative Product Award' at this exhibition!" Director Zhang said warmly. "This is recognition of the quality of your product and your innovative spirit."
Li Xiangyang accepted the trophy, feeling its weight, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. This trophy not only represented honor, but also the reward for perseverance and hard work.
"Thank you, Director Zhang, and thank you to the organizing committee for their recognition," Li Xiangyang said sincerely.
The awards ceremony was held at the main venue of the exhibition, where the audience was filled with exhibitors and media reporters. Li Xiangyang stood on the stage, holding the trophy, facing hundreds of eyes, and was surprisingly calm.
As the host introduced the innovative aspects of the award-winning products, Li Xiangyang's gaze inadvertently swept across the audience. He saw Manager Wang from Hualian Trading applauding, and Lao Zhang and Xiao Liu from Tianhua Foods nodding and smiling.
What's even more noticeable is that Zhao Mingyuan was also sitting in the third row below the stage, with a faint smile on his face, as if he were enjoying a good show.
"Please welcome Mr. Li Xiangyang, representative of the winning company, to give his acceptance speech." The host's voice brought Li Xiangyang back to reality.
Li Xiangyang walked to the microphone, cleared his throat, and said, "Thank you for the organizing committee's recognition, and thank you to all my colleagues for your support." He paused, his gaze sweeping across the audience, "Running a business is like being a person; quality is fundamental, and integrity is life. We will continue to adhere to this principle and provide consumers with better products."
As soon as he finished speaking, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. But Li Xiangyang noticed that Zhao Mingyuan's applause was particularly loud, almost as if it were a deliberate performance.
As soon as Li Xiangyang stepped off the stage after the awards ceremony, he was surrounded by a group of reporters.
"Mr. Li, I heard that your company was vandalized last night. Can you share your feelings?" a young female reporter asked.
Li Xiangyang thought for a moment, then smiled and replied, "The business world is like a battlefield; competition is inevitable. But I believe that only companies that compete through fair means can go further."
"So what's your opinion on this kind of malicious competition?" another reporter pressed.
“I think this is actually a form of affirmation,” Li Xiangyang’s answer surprised everyone present. “If our products weren’t competitive, no one would go to such lengths to sabotage us. This shows that we’re on the right track.”
The reporters were amused by this answer and nodded in agreement.