OBS Chapter 581 Be careful
Chapter 581 Be careful
When Liang Zhiqiang heard that Li Xiangyang was going to send someone to conduct an on-site investigation, his smile visibly stiffened. He picked up his teacup and took a sip, seemingly trying to buy himself some time to think.
“A site visit is certainly no problem.” Liang Zhiqiang put down his teacup, his tone still polite, but Li Xiangyang keenly noticed a flicker of something in his eyes. “However, the procedures in Hong Kong are rather complicated and will require some time to arrange.”
“Then let’s wait and see,” Li Xiangyang said calmly. “After all, an order for 500,000 boxes is no small amount; being cautious is better for both sides.”
Liang Zhiqiang sat for a few more minutes, the conversation dwindling. Finally, he glanced at his watch, stood up, and said, "Alright, I'll go back and make some arrangements, and contact Mr. Li again in a few days."
"Okay, Mr. Liang, take care." Li Xiangyang politely stood up to see him off.
After seeing Liang Zhiqiang off, Li Xiangyang returned to his office, where Ma Qingfu and Feng Mingyuan were still there.
“This guy is definitely suspicious,” Ma Qingfu shook his head. “His face turned green as soon as he heard we needed to conduct an on-site investigation.”
Feng Mingyuan adjusted his glasses: "I think he might be trying to extract our business information, or he might be someone sent by a competitor."
Li Xiangyang nodded: "Regardless of his background, we just need to be on high alert. The most important thing now is preparing for the Beijing exhibition."
Speaking of the Beijing exhibition, Feng Mingyuan immediately became excited: "Factory manager, the first batch of hazelnut chocolate samples has come out, and the taste is very good."
"That's good." Li Xiangyang nodded in satisfaction. "The exhibition only lasts ten days, we need to hurry."
Over the next few days, the entire factory was busy preparing for the Beijing exhibition. Feng Mingyuan and his technical team continuously adjusted the hazelnut chocolate recipe, striving for the best taste. Li Xiangyang, on the other hand, was busy contacting booth designers and product packaging.
Three days later, the group finally arrived at the exhibition. The exhibition hall was bustling with activity, and agricultural product companies from all over the country were showing off their best products.
Although Li Xiangyang's booth was small, it was very well decorated. Dried blueberries, hazelnut chocolates, canned goods, and other products were neatly displayed in the glass counter.
"Brother Xiangyang!"
A familiar voice came from behind him. Li Xiangyang turned around and saw that it was Old Zhu, whom he knew from the provincial capital.
"Old Zhu, you're here too?" Li Xiangyang shook hands.
"Of course! At such a big exhibition, who wouldn't want to make an appearance?" Old Zhu glanced around their booth, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes. "Your product packaging is getting more and more exquisite."
Just then, a well-dressed middle-aged man walked up to the booth. He picked up a box of dried blueberries, examined it carefully, and then asked, "Are these your own?"
“Yes, we have our own processing plant,” Lin Yuqing said enthusiastically.
"How's the quality?" the man continued to ask.
"You can try some." Li Xiangyang opened a box of dried blueberries and handed it to the other person.
The man tasted a few, and his eyes immediately lit up: "They taste good, a perfect balance of sweet and sour, and very chewy."
"Who are you...?" Li Xiangyang asked tentatively.
"I'm Wang, the purchasing manager of Beijing Hualian Commerce Group." The man handed over a business card. "We specialize in supplying goods to major department stores in the capital."
Manager Wang tasted the hazelnut chocolate again and nodded repeatedly: "This is a great idea; the aroma of hazelnuts blends perfectly with the chocolate."
"Is Manager Wang interested in cooperating?" Li Xiangyang was overjoyed.
“We can talk about it.” Manager Wang glanced at his watch. “I’ll come back at two o’clock this afternoon, and we can discuss it in detail.”
After seeing Manager Wang off, Lin Yuqing excitedly whispered, "Factory Manager, it seems we made the right decision coming here."
"Don't get too excited yet." Although Li Xiangyang was also excited, he remained calm. "Let's see how sincere he is first."
The morning's exhibition went smoothly, with many buyers coming to inquire. One of them, the owner of a trading company from Shanghai, was very interested in dried blueberries and expressed his intention to cooperate on the spot.
Just as Li Xiangyang was having a lively conversation with the Shanghai boss, Feng Mingyuan suddenly tugged at his sleeve.
"Factory manager, look over there." Feng Mingyuan gestured with his eyes to the booth diagonally opposite.
Li Xiangyang followed his gaze and saw a familiar figure busy at work—it was Liang Zhiqiang!
At this moment, Liang Zhiqiang had changed into casual clothes and was talking to a staff member at a booth. Li Xiangyang took a closer look and saw that the booth's sign read "Northeast Mountain Delicacies Food Co., Ltd."
"This guy is really persistent." Ma Qingfu also noticed Liang Zhiqiang, his brows furrowed.
Li Xiangyang's alarm bells rang. Liang Zhiqiang's presence here was definitely not a coincidence. He excused himself to go to the restroom and circled around to the vicinity of that booth.
“Mr. Liang, our boss’s meaning is very clear,” the staff member at the booth said in a low voice, “As long as you can get that company’s production formula, the price is negotiable.”
“This won’t be easy,” Liang Zhiqiang shook his head. “That Li Xiangyang is very vigilant, and their technicians are no pushovers either.”
"Then what other options do you have?"
"Let's think of other ways." Liang Zhiqiang looked around and suddenly spotted Li Xiangyang not far away.
Their eyes met in mid-air. Liang Zhiqiang was visibly startled for a moment, then walked away as if nothing had happened.
Li Xiangyang returned to his booth, his mood somewhat heavy. It seemed that Liang Zhiqiang was indeed not an ordinary Hong Kong businessman, but a spy sent by a competitor.
"What's wrong?" Lin Yuqing keenly noticed his change.
"It's nothing, let's continue doing business." Li Xiangyang didn't want her to worry.
At 2 PM, Manager Wang arrived at the booth on time. This time, he brought an assistant who looked very formal.
"Mr. Li, I've thought about it and I think we can cooperate," Manager Wang said bluntly. "I'd like to order a batch of goods first to test the market reaction."
"How many do you want, Manager Wang?"
"One thousand boxes of dried blueberries and five thousand boxes of hazelnut chocolates," Manager Wang said, pulling out a notebook. "The prices will be based on your quotation, but I'd like to have a one-month payment period."
Li Xiangyang considered for a moment: "Manager Wang, since this is our first collaboration, regarding the payment terms..."
"How about this," Manager Wang seemed to have anticipated this problem, "I can pay 50% deposit first, and the balance upon delivery."
"This condition is reasonable," Li Xiangyang nodded. "Then let's sign a letter of intent."
Just as they were about to sign the contract, Liang Zhiqiang appeared again. This time, he went straight to the booth.
"Mr. Li, I didn't expect to run into you here." Liang Zhiqiang wore a professional smile. "Business seems to be good."
Li Xiangyang nodded indifferently: "Mr. Liang is also participating in the exhibition?"
“No, I’m here to make purchases.” Liang Zhiqiang’s gaze lingered on Manager Wang for a moment. “And this is…?”
"Manager Wang from Hualian Trading Co., Ltd." Li Xiangyang didn't elaborate further.
Manager Wang politely shook hands with Liang Zhiqiang, and then continued to discuss the details of the cooperation with Li Xiangyang.
Liang Zhiqiang stood there for a while, but finding he couldn't get a word in edgewise, he had no choice but to leave dejectedly.
"Who is that person?" Manager Wang asked curiously.
“A guy who claims to be a Hong Kong businessman, whose background is unclear,” Li Xiangyang answered truthfully.
Manager Wang nodded thoughtfully: "There are indeed quite a few people like this nowadays. Mr. Li, you'd better be careful."