The man took a deep breath and slowly said something that Dai Shiya didn't expect: "We...we were forced to refuse to cooperate with you..."
He paused, as if he was organizing his words, his expression full of struggle and helplessness. "In fact, we are very optimistic about your company's new products, and we are willing to promote this cooperation. But..." The man rubbed his hands and glanced at Dai Shiya uneasily, "Zhou Group has announced that anyone who dares to cooperate with you will not be able to stay in the industry in the future."
"This..." Dai Shiya couldn't help but frown. The Zhou Group's strong suppression had reached the point where they had resorted to every possible means.
"More importantly..." The man seemed to have made a great decision, gritted his teeth and said, "Zhou Group promised to give us a large order, the condition is... we must refuse to cooperate with you."
"So, you refused our cooperation because you were worried about offending the Zhou Group?" Dai Shiya understood what the man meant.
"Not entirely." The man sighed, "We are a small business, and our capital turnover is tight. The payment promised by Zhou Group will be settled within a month, and you..."
He didn't say anything more, but the meaning was self-evident. When Dai Shiya cooperated with large suppliers, the payment cycle was generally three months, which was undoubtedly a huge challenge for small suppliers with limited cash flow.
Dai Shiya returned to the company and immediately called a meeting of family members and proposed a plan to cooperate with this small supplier.
"What? Cooperate with such a small company? That's nonsense!" Dai Shiya's uncle was the first to jump out to object, his tone full of disdain and questioning.
"They are too small and lack financial resources, so they cannot guarantee the stability and quality of supply." Another family member also expressed his opposition, his concern evident in his words.
"I know everyone's concerns, but I believe this company has potential," Dai Shiya argued. "Besides, we can sign a more flexible cooperation agreement with them to protect our interests."
However, the family members were extremely determined. They believed that cooperating with such a small supplier was too risky and expressed their opposition.
"Shiya, you can't let your emotions get the better of you!" Dai Shiya's uncle advised earnestly, "The interests of the family are above all else!"
Dai Shiya took a deep breath and looked around at the faces of those who were questioning and opposing her in the conference room. She felt powerless. But she was unwilling to give up. This might be their only chance to break through... Just then, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Wei Qing...
Dai Shiya hurried to the tea room and clicked on the message from Wei Qing. A line of words appeared on the screen: "The supplier's background check is complete. The situation is complicated. Please call me as soon as possible to discuss in detail." Dai Shiya's heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition came to her mind.
When the call was connected, Wei Qing's voice was solemn: "This supplier was indeed involved in a contract dispute some time ago. They were accused of substandard product quality, which caused heavy losses to their partners. There is still a lot of negative news online, which has a great impact on their reputation."
Dai Shiya's heart sank. Was this opportunity going to slip away? But she quickly calmed down and asked, "So what's the situation now? Have you found any solid evidence?"
"Not yet," Wei Qing replied. "I contacted several people in the industry, and they said there are many suspicious points in this matter. It is very likely a smear campaign by malicious competition from peers. But the specific situation needs further investigation to be determined."
Dai Shiya was in a dilemma. The opposition from her family members and the negative news about her suppliers were like huge rocks weighing on her heart, making it hard for her to breathe. But deep down, she was still unwilling to give up this only hope.
At the same time, in the office of the president of Zhou Group, Mr. Zhou was listening to his subordinates' reports, with a sneer on his face: "I heard that Dai Shiya found a new supplier? Ha, you are overestimating yourself!"
"I've checked it out. It's just a small, unknown company. There's nothing to worry about." The subordinate said with contempt. "I've sent someone to 'say hello'. I believe they will soon give up."
President Zhou nodded with satisfaction, a fierce light flashing in his eyes: "I want to let Dai Shiya know that if you go against me, you will only die!"
The news spread quickly. That evening, the head of the small supplier contacted Dai Shiya anxiously, his tone full of hesitation and uneasiness: "Boss Dai, I'm sorry, we may... not be able to cooperate with your company anymore."
Dai Shiya's heart tightened, but she suppressed her anger and asked in a calm tone, "Why? Is there any difficulty?"
"This... is a long story. Anyway, we can't afford such a risk..." The other party's tone was evasive, and it was obvious that he had something to hide.
Dai Shiya took a deep breath. She knew that the other party must have been threatened by the Zhou Group. But she was unwilling to give up, so she made a bold decision...
"I can understand your difficulties," Dai Shiya said firmly, "but I can assure you..."
"I can understand your difficulties," Dai Shiya said firmly, "but I can assure you that as long as your product quality is up to standard, I will provide you with more favorable conditions and a longer-term cooperation agreement than Zhou Group."
There was silence for a moment on the other end of the phone. He was obviously moved by Dai Shiya's proposal, but hesitant: "Boss Dai, we appreciate your kindness, but..."
"I know what you're worried about," Dai Shiya interrupted him. "I can pay an additional deposit as a guarantee, and clearly stipulate in the contract that if the cooperation is terminated due to external pressure, we will provide corresponding compensation."
Dai Shiya knew that such a promise would make her more passive within the family, but she had no way out. If she could not keep this supplier, she would really have nothing to play.
The person on the other end of the phone was obviously relieved, and his tone became much lighter: "With your words, we feel much more at ease. It's just..."
"Just what?" Dai Shiya's heart was lifted again.
"It's just that our current production capacity is limited and we may not be able to meet all of your company's needs immediately..." The other party cautiously proposed, "How about we try small-scale cooperation first?"
Dai Shiya's fingers tightened slightly around the phone. Small-batch cooperation? This would undoubtedly push the slow progress of the project back a long way. By then, not to mention family members, even other project leaders would question her decision, and the risk of the project stagnating would still be great.
She took a deep breath and tried to control her inner anxiety: "How long will it take for the first batch of goods to be shipped for small-scale cooperation?"
"It will take at least a month." the other party replied.
One month... Dai Shiya silently calculated the time. This was already the limit. If it was delayed any further, the project would be completely passive. By then, even if she found a good supplier, it would be useless.
"Okay, I promise you." Dai Shiya finally gritted her teeth and agreed, "But I hope you can increase production capacity as soon as possible. After a month, I want to see your sincerity."
After hanging up the phone, Dai Shiya leaned back in her chair tiredly and rubbed her aching temples. Outside the window, the lights of the city flickered like flowing fire, reflecting her complicated feelings at the moment. She knew that this decision was related to the survival of the project. If she made the wrong choice, she would completely lose the opportunity to fight back, and President Zhou...
Dai Shiya fell into deep thought. She knew that this decision was related to the life and death of the project. If she made the wrong choice, she would completely lose the opportunity to fight back, and President Zhou... She seemed to have seen President Zhou's face full of ridicule and complacency, waiting to see how she would fall into the abyss.
"No, I can't give up!" Dai Shiya stood up suddenly, with fighting spirit burning in her eyes.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Wei Qing, who had been silently accompanying Dai Shiya, noticed the change in her mood and asked with concern.
"Xiao Qing, I've made up my mind. I'm going to choose this small supplier!" Dai Shiya said in a firm tone, as if she had made an important decision.
Wei Qing was a little surprised, but she also knew Dai Shiya's character. Once she made up her mind, she would not change it easily. She did not ask more questions, but just smiled faintly: "Okay, I believe in your choice."
Dai Shiya walked to the window, looking at the flashing neon lights in the distance, but she was thinking about the next plan in her mind. In a month, she had to race against time, not only to ensure that the new supplier's production capacity kept up, but also to find a way to stabilize the morale of the project team, and to guard against Mr. Zhou's secret obstruction.
"Xiao Qing, do you think it's too late for me to recruit soldiers now?" Dai Shiya suddenly turned around with a cunning light in her eyes.
Wei Qing was slightly stunned, then she understood what she meant and said with a smile: "It's still in time, of course it's still in time. It's just..."
"Just what?"
"But now that the news of the project's obstruction has spread widely, it may not be easy to find people willing to join." Wei Qing revealed the cruelty of reality in one sentence.
Dai Shiya certainly understood this, but she was unwilling to give up easily: "No matter how difficult it is, I have to give it a try! I don't believe that with such generous treatment and my sincere invitation, no one would be willing to join!"
The next morning, Dai Shiya took Wei Qing to the largest talent market in the city center. Not long after the job posting was posted, it attracted many people to come and consult. However, when they heard that it was Dai Shiya's project, their enthusiasm instantly dimmed, and some even turned around and left.
"Sorry, I have something else to do, so I'll leave first."
"Sorry, I have no plans to change jobs for the time being."
…
After asking dozens of people, all of them got the same result. Dai Shiya's heart gradually sank. Was it really like Wei Qing said, that no one was willing to believe her?
At this moment, a tall man came over, stared at Dai Shiya with sharp eyes, and asked in a deep voice: "Tell me, what kind of technicians are you recruiting?"