Chapter 47: The Unseen Battle

Japan, Tokyo, within the Matsushita Group Headquarters building.

A young man in a sharp suit was conversing with a hawk-eyed middle-aged man.

The young man was Matsushita Shinichi, Vice President of the Matsushita Group, while the middle-aged man was his father, Matsushita Suguru, the Chairman of the Matsushita Group.

“Shinichi, you will lead the negotiations with the Zijing Group in Xia Country this time. Strive to seize the dominant position.” Matsushita Suguru’s voice was deep and powerful, each word imbued with an undeniable resolve.

However, Matsushita Shinichi’s expression was clearly troubled.

He knew that while the Matsushita Group held significant influence in Japan, it still lagged behind the Zijing Group in new energy technology.

“Father, the technology we possess isn’t compelling enough. It’s unlikely we can secure the dominant position,” Matsushita Shinichi expressed his concerns candidly.

Matsushita Suguru’s gaze instantly turned cold. He glared at his son, his tone brooking no argument. “If you can’t get it at the negotiating table, then use other methods. Find an excuse to lure Zi Yanran to Tokyo. Once she’s here, we’ll have plenty of ways to deal with her.”

Matsushita Shinichi’s face paled, and his hands involuntarily clenched into fists. He understood his father’s intentions, yet deep down, he disapproved of such methods, knowing they would undoubtedly lead to unpredictable consequences.

Still, he was helpless. After all, within the Matsushita Group, his father’s authority was unmatched.

“Yes, Father.”

****

Three days later, Xia Country, Jiang City.

Today marked Bai Mengqi’s seventh day with the Zijing Group.

The Zijing Group’s collaboration with Matsushita Group’s Sanhua Energy to develop a new energy project was a crucial strategic move for them.

Therefore, the two parties needed to conduct in-depth negotiations today.

This first round of talks was held at the Zijing Group headquarters.

Within the spacious conference room, the long table clearly divided the two sides.

On the Zijing Group’s side, Zi Yanran wore a sharp black suit, her red lips like fire, her aura fully unleashed.

As the President of the Zijing Group, she bore the heavy responsibility of securing the maximum benefits for her company.

Opposite her sat the Matsushita Group delegation, led by Matsushita Shinichi.

As soon as the negotiations began, both sides immediately engaged in a fierce struggle over technological dominance.

Zi Yanran calmly analyzed the deficiencies in the Matsushita Group’s technology, then pushed a detailed assessment report across the table to them.

“Based on our assessment, your company’s energy storage technology has clear flaws, lacking sufficient stability under extreme temperatures. We cannot accept your company leading this project.”

Zi Yanran’s voice was calm and firm, every word conveying her rigorous approach to technology.

Matsushita Shinichi’s expression shifted slightly, but he quickly regained his composure, as this was all within his expectations.

He then began to articulate the Matsushita Group’s willingness to invest more R&D resources to improve the technology, attempting to persuade Zi Yanran with the advantage of their research investment and funding.

“Miss Zi, all technology has room for improvement. We are prepared to invest more R&D resources. In terms of R&D investment and funding, our Matsushita Group is clearly more compelling than your company.”

Matsushita Shinichi’s words carried a hint of persuasion.

However, Zi Yanran remained unmoved. She continued to calmly analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, offering her insights and suggestions.

“This project is funded by our Xia Country government, so your company’s financial advantage holds no sway with us.”

The negotiation lasted several hours, with both sides holding their ground, refusing to yield.

Ultimately, seeing that the other party would not budge, Matsushita Shinichi had no choice but to resort to his father’s suggestion.

“We can agree to the Zijing Group leading the development, but we hope Miss Zi can personally visit our R&D center in Japan and make a decision after speaking directly with my father.”

After a moment of thought, Zi Yanran exchanged a glance with her technical director.

She understood that this collaboration was crucial for the Zijing Group, and a personal visit to Japan was a way to assess the other party’s capabilities.

Thus, she nodded.

“Very well. We can discuss the specific itinerary later.”

Just like that, the tense negotiations temporarily concluded.

However, both sides knew this was merely the beginning; the real contest lay ahead.

After the meeting, Bai Mengqi helped Zi Yanran organize documents, quietly asking, “Are you really going to Japan?”

Zi Yanran rubbed her temples, looking somewhat weary.

“Yes, for a collaboration of this level, it’s necessary for the key personnel from both sides to meet.”

Bai Mengqi nodded.

As Zi Yanran’s personal secretary, as well as her stand-in bodyguard and companion, she would certainly accompany Zi Yanran to Japan.

Moreover, she had a premonition that this collaboration with a foreign enterprise would not be so straightforward.

The對方’s request for Zi Yanran to bring their technology to Japan was, in itself, a huge risk.

If this technology were lost in Japan, or acquired by the other company through certain means, the Zijing Group would find itself in a passive position.

“Let’s go to the Ability Bureau tonight. We need to register before we leave,” Bai Mengqi suggested.

Zi Yanran nodded, remembering her aunt had visited before.

“Okay, I also want to see what the Ability Bureau is like.”

In the afternoon, after work, the two headed directly to the Ability Bureau in the old district.

Before going, they had already informed Su Ruoxi.

Su Ruoxi took Bai Mengqi’s arrival very seriously, immediately relaying the news to the director of the Jiang City Ability Bureau.

At this moment, in the director’s office, a disheveled, bearded man was drinking and smoking.

His office was filled with swirling smoke, like a realm of immortals.

This man was Lin Hongyu, the director of the Jiang City Ability Bureau.

“Ah! Fine wine with a fragrant cigarette, what a life! If only a beautiful woman were here too,” Lin Hongyu said, looking utterly content.

Just then, his office door opened, and Su Ruoxi walked in.

Upon entering, Su Ruoxi was immediately choked by the smell of smoke and alcohol, coughing incessantly. “Cough, cough… Lin Hongyu, what do you think this bureau is? Anyone who didn’t know would think this was your home!”

Having said that, she raised her hand, formed a hand seal, and waved it towards the room.

Instantly, a powerful gust of wind swept through, clearing the smoke from the room in moments.

“Hey? I say, Deputy Director Su, aren’t you being a busybody? The immortal realm that this director painstakingly created has been ruined by you,” Lin Hongyu complained, clearly annoyed.

Su Ruoxi rolled her eyes at him. “It’s one thing for you to be a hands-off boss, but can’t you at least be a bit more proper? Those who know you’re the director will. Those who don’t might think you’re a rogue!”

Lin Hongyu looked helpless. “Alright, alright, fine. Tell me, what do you need to see this director for?”

Su Ruoxi then got down to business. “Bai Mengqi is coming to the bureau to register her information. You’ll need to get busy.”

Lin Hongyu’s eyes lit up at these words, his previously lazy posture immediately becoming energetic.

“Is that so? She’s finally here! Hahaha, I, the great director, will personally receive her! I want to see just how powerful a little girl under twenty-three can be!”

With that, he stumbled out, still somewhat tipsy.

Su Ruoxi quickly called after him, “Hey! Can you at least fix your appearance? You reek of smoke and alcohol, your face is covered in a beard, and when you speak, be more polite. Don’t push her too hard with your tests.”

Lin Hongyu waved his hand dismissively. “Got it, got it! I know what I’m doing! With my half-step A-rank strength, isn’t handling her going to be a piece of cake?”

Then he walked into the restroom to tidy himself up.

Su Ruoxi, however, shook her head helplessly. She knew that while Lin Hongyu was powerful, his personality was extremely eccentric.