Chapter 15: Setbacks

"Mr. Su, our preliminary estimate is 450 million yuan, but I can't make such a big transaction decision on my own. I need to consult the boss before making a decision," said Manager Liang.

After calculating the price, Liang Lianjun couldn't help but feel a pounding heart.

Surprised by the high value of the wood, Su Jie wondered where he had managed to get it from.

Such wood only comes from Southeast Asia but is also highly protected; the amount of logging each year is regulated, and even seeing one precious tree is not easy, let alone dozens at a time.

Su Jie meanwhile, was calculating how his recently depleted capital pool would soon swell up again with this money at hand, no longer fearing the voracious appetite of the thousand-hand centipede.

"We still need to discuss the price, you first go and tell your boss," he said.

Su Jie nodded; the price was about what he had in mind.

The price Liang Lianjun offered was sincere, but of course, it would be better if it could go higher.

Liang Lianjun quickly excused himself to make a phone call, while Su Jie wasn't in a hurry, pondering how he was going to spend the money once it was in his account.

Even at its hungriest, the present thousand-hand centipede couldn't devour funds enough to purchase millions worth of poison insects.

About fifteen minutes later, Liang Lianjun came back.

However, his face seemed a bit unnatural this time and chuckled nervously upon seeing Su Jie, explaining, "Mr. Su, I'm really sorry, but the boss said your batch of goods is too valuable, and the company can't come up with so much working capital at the moment, hoping you can give a one-week extension."

"Can't come up with the money?"

Su Jie frowned slightly and looked at Liang Lianjun without speaking.

The atmosphere became slightly awkward, and Liang Lianjun wiped sweat from his forehead, fearful of offending Su Jie, their major client, "Mr. Su, I'm truly sorry, I will continue to persuade the boss on my end, ​​please don't be angry for now."

"What do I have to be angry about? It's just business, and I never force a sale or a purchase," Su Jie responded.

Su Jie patted Liang Lianjun on the shoulder, his gaze intense, saying, "I'm in no rush to sell this batch of wood. If you want me to extend the time, you'll have to pay me a portion of the deposit, calculated at 10% just fine, so first transfer a 45 million yuan deposit."

"This... this probably can't be done, the boss on that end..."

Liang Lianjun found himself in an awkward and difficult situation because Su Jie's request was quite reasonable.

After all, not making contact with other buyers for such premium raw material was already a sign of trust in Leng Baihe, and requiring a deposit was a rightful gesture of sincerity.

But his boss had specifically instructed him over the phone earlier not to agree to any payment of funds.

To be honest, Liang Lianjun himself couldn't understand why his boss made such an unreasonable decision.

Didn't he realize how rare this batch of premium raw material was?

If it was purchased by another buyer, it would only serve to enhance a competitor's reputation.

"Heh, it seems this collaboration isn't going smoothly, no worries, business does not affect friendship, you go back and discuss with your boss first," Su Jie said calmly.

From Liang Lianjun's difficulties, Su Jie had already sensed something amiss.

Normally, such a batch of premium raw material would undoubtedly be something that furniture companies would eagerly hope to procure.

Even if genuinely short of working capital, they could arrange a loan from a bank or borrow corporate funds using this quality wood as collateral. It shouldn't be difficult to secure the funds.

Even if there were difficulties, to secure this batch of wood, it would be unimaginable to not even agree to use a deposit to secure it, suggesting an outright reluctance to trade.

"Mr. Su, I..."

"There's no need to explain anymore, this isn't something you can decide—just go back," Su Jie interrupted.

With a shake of his head, Su Jie left Liang Lianjun with his words stuck in his throat and seeing Su Jie's resolute attitude, he could only leave the warehouse with a face full of gloom.

As Su Jie stood at the warehouse door, watching the retreating convoy, he toyed with a small dragonfly in his hand: "I hope it's not what I'm thinking, otherwise..."

Buzz!

The dragonfly, having broken free from Su Jie's palm, flapped its wings and flew to a hidden corner to quietly lie in wait.

...

Leng Baihe Furniture headquarters in Linping City.

Returning from the suburban warehouse, Liang Lianjun didn't even stop to drink water and hurriedly rushed into the chairman's office, knocking on the door.

A sexy figure of a female secretary opened the door and let Liang Lianjun in.

Behind the desk sat a man in his fifties, dressed in a neat suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and looking very scholarly, as he was busy correcting documents.

This man was none other than Cui Yunchun, the founder of Cold Lily Company and its current chairman and CEO. He single-handedly controlled this well-known furniture enterprise in Hannan Province, with a net worth exceeding two billion yuan.

The entrepreneurial journey of Cui Yunchun was quite legendary. In those turbulent times, he dropped his secure job to start a business. He had owned a popular disco and bar back in the day, and managed local civil contracting and river sand procurement.

Reportedly, because of some murky background, he was arrested and spent several years in prison. After his release, he was practically penniless.

Just when everyone thought Cui Yunchun was doomed to obscurity, he chose to start a business again, establishing Leng Baihe Furniture Company.

Over ten years of management, he completed a magnificent comeback, becoming a multi-billionaire and a well-known entrepreneur in Linping City.

"Chairman Cui, why cancel this deal? Our Leng Baihe could definitely procure this batch of rare materials and make a strong push in the high-end furniture market," said Liang Lianjun, unable to contain his emotions as soon as they met.

He truly loved wood, and it was evident how high the quality of those materials was and how important they were to the Cold Lily Company.

This is why he could not understand Cui Yunchun's actions.

"Manager Liang, don't be hasty, sit down. Xiao Fei, please bring Manager Liang a cup of tea," Cui Yunchun said, lifting his head and pushing up his glasses with a gentle smile.

"Manager Liang, please," said the executive secretary Ma Lanfei, handing over the tea, though Liang Lianjun showed no interest in enjoying it.

"Well, it seems that I must explain, or Manager Liang won't want to drink this cup of tea," said Cui Yunchun with a helpless shake of his head, putting down his pen and slowly continuing, "Manager Liang, it's not that I don't want to purchase that batch of wood, but the price is indeed too steep; such a purchase would drain our company's working capital."

"But making that batch into furniture would easily allow us to sell and collect the funds! This type of luxury furniture is always in high demand in the market," Liang Lianjun argued, showing his deep understanding of the market despite working in procurement.

"The reason I didn't proceed with the purchase is that our company managed to open a new channel in Nanxiang Country through special relationships, acquiring a batch of equally rare tree materials of comparable quality and quantity, and even at a lower price. I have already ordered the purchase, and it's currently being transshipped. You will see it in a few days," explained Cui Yunchun patiently, seeming to highly value Liang Lianjun's talent and consoling him with good words.

Liang Lianjun was stunned, as he, the manager of the procurement department, was unaware of this transaction.

Moreover, what kind of channel was so powerful that, aside from Su Jie, he had not seen anyone who could bring in so many rare wood materials from abroad in one go.

Cough, cough!

Cui Yunchun seemed to have spoken too much all at once, starting to cough as his throat became uncomfortable.

"Chairman Cui, quickly take your medicine; your chronic issue is acting up again," said Ma Lanfei, handing over a pill and warm water. Cui Yunchun swallowed it and his complexion improved slightly, managing a bitter smile, "It's the chronic pharyngitis flaring up again. I can't talk too much."

"Chairman Cui, I'll let you rest then," Liang Lianjun said.

Although Liang Lianjun still had his doubts, seeing Cui Yunchun like this, he felt it wasn't appropriate to stay any longer.