Chapter 54 You Are Absolutely Nothing

Chen Xiao grew embarrassed and angry, putting on a stern face. "I have something to take care of. Are you going to help me out or not?"

Ma Jing wasn't easily intimidated. She blinked and asked, "What is it first?"

"I have a buffet voucher for the 'Seeking' seafood restaurant, but I don't have time to go. Can you help me deal with it?"

The buffet voucher for Seeking Seafood was worth 598 yuan. Hearing this, Ma Jing's eyes lit up instantly. She nodded vigorously and said, "No problem!"

Chen Xiao continued, "And there's also the task assigned by President Hou. Could you do me a favor and take care of that as well?"

Ma Jing's smile vanished in an instant. "Humph, I knew you wouldn't have anything good in mind."

"How is this not a good thing? You help me finish these tasks, and after a hard day's work, you go eat a seafood buffet to reward yourself. Work and life are both taken care of—what a perfect arrangement!"

She hesitated for a while, but ultimately gave in and agreed for the sake of the seafood buffet.

Chen Xiao went to the large conference room. There were quite a few attendees today. First came a round of communication between Bai Lu and the local team, followed around 11 a.m. by a delegation from Zhifei Aviation who would come to discuss this project with冯菲菲 (Feng Feifei).

All of this was coordinated by Chen Xiao, so he had to attend every single communication meeting.

The liaison meeting began with presentations on product solutions given by the persons in charge from both sides.

As Chen Xiao listened attentively, the representatives from the Jiangzhou Design Institute mentioned during their introduction to the project's background that this was a project of special concern to their Chairman Bai.

He couldn't help casting a few extra glances at Bai Lu. The chairman's surname was Bai, and as a general manager's assistant, she held heavy sway over many projects. The connection between these facts was self-evident.

He glanced at Feng Feifei, and coincidentally, Feng Feifei also nodded at him meaningfully, presumably having caught the underlying implication as well.

Dr. Feng's robotics team focused their presentation on the company's technical strength and technical team. Today, they also grandly introduced Hou Fei, a PhD graduate who returned from studying in Germany, possessing top-tier expertise in the field of AI video analysis.

High-education intellectuals generally made a good first impression, and people were more willing to respect such individuals. Therefore, the people from the Jiangzhou Design Institute were extremely polite to Hou Fei.

Hou Fei was full of high spirits. At that moment, he was the brightest star in the room, as everyone was gazing at him.

Today's matchmaking meeting went very smoothly, primarily confirming many detailed technical points, on-site evaluation of technical routes, and whether the required parameters could be met.

Of course, this was also because both parties were already mutually inclined to cooperate from the start.

In the end, the cooperation was basically confirmed: Dr. Feng's robotics team would be responsible for overall research and development, including taking the lead in cooperating with the hardware supplier, Zhifei Aviation.

The Jiangzhou Design Institute would be responsible for market business promotion, placing orders with Dr. Feng's robotics team based on business volume. At the same time, Bai Lu agreed to go back and provide Dr. Feng's robotics team with 3 million yuan in research funding in the form of a scientific research project.

After seeing off Bai Lu and her delegation, Feng Feifei, Hou Fei, and Chen Xiao returned to the office to prepare for the arrival of the Zhifei Aviation delegation.

Perhaps because he had successfully negotiated a major project on his very first day in office, Hou Fei radiated a somewhat patronizing demeanor, as if he held the world in the palm of his hand.

He said to Chen Xiao, "Chen Xiao, did you see that? Professionalism is crucial if you want to close deals quickly. Otherwise, when the other party chats with you and finds out you know nothing, you are nothing in their eyes, and the deal cannot be made!"

Feng Feifei frowned and glanced at Chen Xiao, while Chen Xiao looked somewhat startled. Was this guy completely clueless about the actual situation? Did he really think today's rapid closing was driven by his professionalism?

He looked at his phone, at the conversation he had just had with Bai Lu.

"Chen Xiao, we are leaving first. I'll hurry back and push this project through the board meeting, and then we can sign the contract!"

Chen Xiao had replied, "Drive safely on the way. Today's exchange was extremely pleasant, and thank you, Assistant Bai, for your support!"

Bai Lu had simply replied, "You and President Feng are friends after all, no need for polite formalities. By the way, your new President Hou seems a bit bookish; he doesn't look like someone cut out for marketing!"

"Not someone cut out for marketing" was a polite euphemism—it was essentially criticism!

This was completely different from what Hou Fei believed—that today's smooth communication was entirely thanks to his own professionalism.

There was no helping it; some people in this world simply loved to mistake polite praise for genuine admiration.

Chen Xiao held little regard for him and didn't want to stay a moment longer, so he said he was going out for a moment to welcome the Zhifei Aviation group.

As soon as he stepped out, Hou Fei said to Feng Feifei, "This Chen Xiao is all right in other ways, but he lacks humility and isn't good at learning."

"Besides, for an order like today's, isn't his sales commission a bit too high? He didn't contribute much; he hardly spoke during the entire meeting!"

A dark cloud instantly gathered over Feng Feifei's pretty face. After a moment of thought, she said, "Senior brother, the role Chen Xiao played in coordinating with the Jiangzhou Design Institute is far beyond what you saw."

"Furthermore, the company has established regulations regarding bonus systems for every level and position. We must still adhere to those regulations!"

Hou Fei nodded and said nothing more.

Xu Wu had sent him a message on her way, and called him again when she arrived at the company's downstairs parking lot.

So he came out to welcome them.

Just as he arrived, he saw the business van of Chalan arrive and park. Someone in the passenger seat got out and hurried to open the door for the boss!

Chen Xiao scratched his head in confusion. He remembered that this business van had automatic doors—what was the need to pull the door open?

Looking closer at the young man pulling the door, wasn't that Bai Jie, whom he had met just a few days ago?

Bai Jie, whom Hua Jiao described as talented, handsome, promising, holding an executive position in the company, and boasting about his immense influence within the company.

"Oh, my brother, to trouble you to come out and welcome us!"

That was quite something to say. Logically speaking, even Feng Feifei should have come out to the company entrance to welcome them, seeing as Chalan was also a general manager.

Chen Xiao stepped forward to shake his hand, nodded in greeting to Xu Wu, and then nodded at Bai Jie.

When Bai Jie saw him, he froze instantly, then stammered, "Chen... Chen... Chen Xiao!"

Part of it was the shock of seeing Chen Xiao here, combined with his own boss's warm attitude toward him, and recalling the things he and Hua Jiao had said to Chen Xiao that day, as well as seeing Chen Xiao's car drive into Bihu Shuangxi later on. He wished he could dig a hole in the ground and crawl into it.

Chalan didn't know they knew each other. He glared at Bai Jie and said, "Call him President Chen! You have no manners at all!"

Bai Jie's head practically drooped to his chest. With a flushed face, he stammered out another title: "President Chen!"

"It's fine, just call me by my name!" Chen Xiao harbored no ill will toward him; it was quite common for some people to brag outside to elevate their own status.

Polite as Chen Xiao was, Bai Jie no longer dared to call him by his name, lest he be disciplined by his own boss.

Chalan, Xu Wu, and Chen Xiao walked toward the conference room together, with Bai Jie following closely behind carrying the bag.