You Don't Know How to Cherish

Three days later, the supply bidding conference convened by the First Branch Factory proceeded smoothly.

Those suppliers who had not signed contracts three days earlier all came with long faces. Their "alliance" had become even tighter.

"Today, we won't give him any face. We simply won't bid. I refuse to believe a mere deputy section chief can overturn so many of us. Has he even asked around? If he doesn't use our engines, whose can he use?"

"Section Chief Gai has a point. Our Vacuum Brake Booster was the first of its kind in China and basically has no domestic rivals. Unless he imports from Hong Kong, he'll be smashing his own brand."

"If you ask me, let's see who else comes to join the fun later and talk it over together. Everyone knows everyone else; we'll be seeing each other with heads lowered and heads raised. They can't deny us even this much face."

"Hey, take a look. It's so deserted. Could this bidding conference fail to get started today?"

As the group entered the gates of the First Branch Factory and saw no colorful flags or banners, they began griping again, accusing Li Ye of showing no respect to his guests.

But when they entered the workshop where the bidding was being held, Section Chief Kan and the others were taken by surprise.

There were several groups of people attending the bidding conference whom none of them recognized.

"Factory Director Sun, those people in suits—they aren't here to bid too, are they? Why are they wearing bidder badges as well?"

"Exactly! And that foreigner too. Is the First Branch Factory really planning to purchase imported goods? Using imported parts on a 130? Is he planning to lose even his underwear?"

Factory Director Sun was equally puzzled. They were