After Qin Hai left the small meeting room, Qiao Wei waited for a while. Seeing that Qin Hai didn't return, a hint of worry crept into her heart. She had heard rumors about the complex background of the Four Seas Company, seemingly entangled with the underworld. If Qin Hai got into trouble with them, he would be the one to suffer.
Checking the time, Qiao Wei quickly left the small meeting room and searched for Qin Hai in the corridor. Just as she was about to call him, a loud noise echoed from ahead. Alarmed, she hurried towards the manager's office door, only to find it surrounded by people, making it impassable.
Struggling to get a chair to stand on, Qiao Wei peeked inside. The scene she witnessed nearly made her faint. Qin Hai stood on the collapsed door, facing off against a bald man. Surrounding Qin Hai were seven or eight burly men, looking furious, ready to pounce at any moment.
The bald man, identified as Hou Dabao, the purchasing manager of the Four Seas Company, had a robust physique with a terrifying scar on his forehead. His face was grim, resembling a beast fixated on its prey, cold and bloodthirsty. Standing beside him, Qin Hai, though tall, seemed insignificant to Qiao Wei compared to the imposing figure of Hou Dabao.
Without much time to think, Qiao Wei quickly jumped down from the chair and squeezed through the crowd, extending her arms to shield Qin Hai.
"Don't act rashly! Manager Hou, it's all a misunderstanding," Qiao Wei said with a forced smile.
Hou Dabao, still glaring, asked in a stern tone, "Team Leader Qiao, is this guy from your company?"
"Yes, yes, Qin Hai is my colleague. Manager Hou, he's young and impulsive. Please don't take it too seriously," Qiao Wei said, subtly pulling on Qin Hai's arm, signaling him to stay quiet.
Outside the office, Secretary Liu sneaked a glance inside, a cold smile playing on his lips. He discreetly dialed Xue Rong's number and informed him of the situation.
Upon receiving the news, Xue Rong quickly hung up and headed towards Jian Ren's office, wearing an expression of barely contained joy.
Back at the Four Seas Company, Hou Dabao circled around Qin Hai, sneering, "Not bad, some strength there."
Returning to his desk, he lit a cigar and reclined in his chair, propping his legs on the table. Blowing out a puff of smoke, he glanced at Qiao Wei, "Team Leader Qiao, do you have something to discuss with me?"
Seeing a slight softening in Hou Dabao's tone, Qiao Wei breathed a sigh of relief. She retrieved the project plan from her bag and placed it in front of him.
"Manager Hou, we're here about the project. This is our latest proposal; please take a look."
Without glancing at the proposal, Hou Dabao chuckled, "Running back and forth for such a small project. Your company is really persistent!"
Qiao Wei, with a smile, replied, "A few million may not mean much to Manager Hou, but it's significant to us. We're genuinely sincere, and we hope you can reconsider."
"No problem. Whether your company or another takes on this project, it's all the same." Hou Dabao's words brought a hopeful smile to Qiao Wei's face. However, before she could express her gratitude, he suddenly turned serious.
"However, Team Leader Qiao, your company has some capable individuals. Not only did they kick down my door, but they also seem ready to assault me openly. What should we do about that?"
Qiao Wei nervously wiped away a bead of sweat. She hadn't realized Qin Hai could be so violent.
"Manager Hou, it's a misunderstanding. Please rest assured; we'll fix the broken door. Qin Hai is young and impulsive. Please forgive him. I'll apologize on his behalf."
"Oh, you'll apologize on his behalf?"
Qiao Wei nodded vigorously.
Hou Dabao grinned, "Good. Since that's the case, Team Leader Qiao, don't leave today. Accompany me and my brothers for a drink tonight. I hear your ex-husband was a cop. I've never had a drink with a cop's wife. I'd like to see what it's like tonight!"
Before Qiao Wei could refuse, Hou Dabao's companions burst into laughter, some even starting to leer at her. Feeling cornered, Qiao Wei sighed, regretting not preventing Qin Hai from leaving the small meeting room alone.
Unwillingly, she was about to agree when a large hand rested on her shoulder. Qin Hai's lazy voice sounded in her ear, "No problem, as long as you bring your wife out for a drink with me."
"What did you say?"
"Do you want to die?"
The burly men nearby became furious, rolling up their sleeves, ready to charge.
Pale with fear, Qiao Wei signaled desperately for Qin Hai to be silent. However, he paid no attention and casually brought over a chair, guiding Qiao Wei to sit.
"Don't worry; I'm fine!" Qin Hai reassured Qiao Wei with a smile, patting her shoulder gently. He then walked to the front of the desk, glancing at the cigar box. His eyes lit up, and he took out a cigar, sniffing it appreciatively.
"Not bad, authentic Cuban!" Qin Hai nodded in satisfaction, stuffing the entire box into his pocket. He picked up the lighter on the table, lit the cigar, and took a satisfying drag. Opening his mouth, he blew a thick smoke directly into Hou Dabao's face.
Bending down with a sinister grin, he stared at Hou Dabao, eyes flashing an intimidating light. "You can tell you lack culture at a glance. I'll give you a free piece of advice: don't court trouble. Remember, not everyone is someone you can afford to offend."
Finished speaking, Qin Hai ignored the still-shocked Hou Dabao and returned to Qiao Wei, helping her stand up with a smile. "Qiao Jie, let's go!"
"But—" Although Qiao Wei's mind was still in chaos, she remembered the purpose of their visit to the Four Seas Company.
Lowering her head and looking at the shattered pieces of their proposal on the ground, Qiao Wei realized that this project was most likely lost. As the situation had escalated to this point, there was a high possibility that Qin Hai might be fired. The thought saddened Qiao Wei.
"Sister Qiao, don't look. It's just a project. Nothing to worry about. We'll sign an even bigger one later," Qin Hai comforted Qiao Wei with a beaming smile.
Knowing Qin Hai was intentionally comforting her, Qiao Wei could only accept the reality. Sighing, she said, "I never thought things would turn out like this. Qin Hai, don't worry. If the company insists on firing you, I'll resign with you."
Just then, a woman's voice came from the entrance, a clear and crisp tone.
"What's everyone doing here?"