Back To The 80s-Chapter 352 - 362: Negotiation_1

Jiang Jiahua continued, "The market might not necessarily accept it though."

Gu Xiaobei maintained a formulaic smile and replied, "The market is there for those who dare to venture. I suppose Editor Jiang has had coca-cola before? When our country first opened its policies to the world, our foreign minister once said that coca-cola would not be successful in China because of our thousands of years of tea culture and our national preference for tea. But look at us now. In just a few years time, coca-cola has penetrated the Chinese market and even built a factory in the south. What does this tell us? That nothing is impossible if we are willing to accept change."

Gu Xiaobei paused momentarily, then continued, "50,000. In terms of business value, I’m selling it for less than it’s worth and in terms of market prospects, I would still be at a loss. You must be aware, editor Jiang, that the market is always first come first serve. There’s only so much market share available, wouldn’t he who arrives first stand the greatest chance of leading the pack?"

Jiang Jiahua raised an eyebrow and laughed, "That may be so, but we still need to have a meeting to discuss the financial aspects. Also, can we keep paying on a monthly installment basis?"

Gu Xiaobei seemed prepared for this, she took a moment to consider then said, "For monthly payments, I require fifty percent upfront, and an additional 10,000 on top of the original fifty thousand." She was strapped for cash and was intent on driving a hard bargain. She wasn’t about to compromise.

Jiang Jiahua laughed at Gu Xiaobei’s determination to squeeze every last penny, "Women shouldn’t have to work so hard."

Gu Xiaobei felt insulted. What did he mean? Was he implying that the man was incompetent and it was up to the woman to support the family?

Seeing a flicker of displeasure cross Gu Xiaobei’s face, Jiang Jiahua hurriedly corrected himself, "I apologize, I misspoke."

Gu Xiaobei chuckled and said, "I hope you’ll consider it as soon as possible. I’ll come back in a few days." She was furious, seething. Even if it meant passing up a lucrative business deal, no one was allowed to disrespect her man.

Jiang Jiahua laughed awkwardly and said, "Right, you can come over next Monday. I’ll do my best to secure you a better deal."

Gu Xiaobei smiled briefly and replied, "Thanks, Editor Jiang."

......

Lu Zhanguo has been incredibly busy lately. He then received a complaint forwarded from the base, which stated that one of his soldiers had been involved with a local girl then irresponsibly abandoned her.

Angrily, Lu Zhanguo tossed the letter to Zhong Zhi, "Go and find the Commissar, figure out a solution together. If we catch this kind of dishonorable soldier, we should strip him of his uniform and kick him out."

Zhong Zhi, looking at the information on the complaint, couldn’t quite believe it. "Our squad shouldn’t be responsible for this. Look, the letter says it was a Company Commander surnamed Huang. There’s no one in our squad with that surname."

Lu Zhanguo sneered then said, "There couldn’t possibly be anonymous complaints? Our unit is classified, even our numbers and address are secret. Even if the culprit wasn’t from our squad, whoever leaked the information certainly was from our squad. Investigate it, who leaked the information?"

Zhong Zhi shook his head worriedly, "How are we supposed to investigate this? There are more than two thousand people in our squad. Where are we supposed to start from?" He felt Lu Zhanguo was making a mountain out of a molehill, they should just reply stating they didn’t have such a person in their squad and that they were innocent. What would be the point of making a fuss about this?

Looking at the annoyed Zhong Zhi, Lu Zhanguo said coldly, "Putting aside the issue of inappropriate sexual conduct, let’s look at the leaking of classified information. How did you remember the confidentiality regulations? Do you know what the consequences of this could be? If someone with an ulterior motive decided to spin this, it would be considered a major leak of military secrets. Would you still think I am making a big deal out of nothing? Rest assured, the higher-ups will send someone to investigate soon. So, do you think it is better for us to find out before they do and waste time or wait for them to throw the problem in your face?"

After hearing Lu Zhanguo’s explanation, Zhong Zhi was taken aback. He broke out in a cold sweat, "Alright, I’ll look into it right away."

Watching Zhong Zhi leave, Lu Zhanguo was in deep thought. He was hoping desperately that this whole ordeal was just a lifestyle problem.

Gu Xiaobei noticed that Lu Zhanguo would always come back home late. He looked noticeably thinner. She boiled some chicken soup on low heat for him. She hoped it would be ready for him as soon as he got back.

Xiaopang hadn’t seen his father for days. He would cry every night before going to bed.

When Lu Zhanguo came home to see his little girl sleeping soundly, he felt a pang of relief. His daytime worries seemed to have lightened somewhat too. He gently stroked Xiaopang’s face, and then Mo Wang’s little hands. He hadn’t held his kids in a long time because he had been so busy.

Gu Xiaobei brought in a bowl of chicken soup. She whispered, "Did you skip meals? Why are you so thin? I thought the food for the special forces was supposed to be pretty good?"

Lu Zhanguo took the bowl, and guided Gu Xiaobei to sit alongside him. He replied, "Yeah, the training’s been ramped up recently. It’ll pass soon I hope. Did you go to the publishing house today? How did it go?"

Smiling, Gu Xiaobei replied, "I asked for 50,000. I’m not sure if they’ll agree."

Lu Zhanguo almost choked on his chicken soup at her response. 50,000, that was a hefty amount. Even though their salary had increased recently, they still just made 1,000 yuan a year. He asked hesitantly, "Is that too much?"

Gu Xiaobei answered with confidence, "That’s how business works - whoever dares to bet can win big in the end. If the publisher had foresight, this 50,000 wouldn’t seem very much."

Lu Zhanguo couldn’t help himself from hugging Gu Xiaobei and said, "What in the world goes on in your head? I’d love to know how you lived before this."

Leaning into his chest, Gu Xiaobei said contentedly, "You’ll find out someday. I’ll take you to see where I grew up, where I studied, where I worked."

Lu Zhanguo ran his hand down her back, "Alright, after I retire when I turn fifty, I will accompany you wherever you want to go."

Surprised, Gu Xiaobei looked up at Lu Zhanguo, "Did something upset you today? Why are you so emotional?"

He put the bowl to one side, then embraced Gu Xiaobei,"Because you are Gu Xiaobei."

Gu Xiaobei laughed, arms wrapped around his neck,"You’re getting cuter." We’ll travel throughout our country when we are fifty and Mo Wang and Xiaopang are in college. Then we’ll settle in a city that we both like."

"Deal." said Lu Zhanguo, then he gently laid Gu Xiaobei down onto the bed and what followed was not suitable for children.

The next morning, when Gu Xiaobei woke up, Lu Zhanguo was already gone. Xiaopang and Mo Wang were still sleeping soundly.

As Gu Xiaobei laid on the bed, she realized it was already past eight. Wen Xiuqing should be bringing breakfast over soon. After spending a couple more minutes in bed, she slowly got up.

As soon as she was done dressing, she heard a soft knocking on the door. Thinking it must be Wen Xiuqing, she opened the door to see Bai Xiaolan.

Gu Xiaobei feigned surprise, "Why are you here so early instead of going on a date?"

Bai Xiaolan rolled her eyes at her, "Keep running your mouth, wait until the day I become your sister-in-law, let’s see how I’ll deal with you."

"Wow, becoming my sister-in-law so soon. You’re quick." teased Gu Xiaobei.

Bai Xiaolan was not one for acting coy. She was fully committed to Ji Xiangdong and was willing to follow him wherever he went.