At seven thirty that evening, the top-floor conference room at Haoyu Pharmaceutical Group headquarters blazed with light.
Several potted plants stood in the center of the enormous square conference table, and the projection screen at the front had already been lowered. Department managers arrived one after another, speaking in low voices. The solemn atmosphere held a hint of anticipation.
Xiao Tianhao sat at the head of the table, his well-tailored dark gray suit making him look even more upright. He leafed through the documents before him, his expression focused.
Huang Shujian sat to his right. She had changed back into business attire and pinned her hair up impeccably, once again looking every inch the capable secretary. Yet the brand-new sapphire necklace around her neck occasionally caught the conference room lights, giving off a faint sparkle.
General Manager Su Ran and Deputy General Manager Lin Qiang occupied the next seats on either side of Xiao Tianhao. Su Ran was a sharp-looking woman of around forty, while Lin Qiang appeared somewhat older, his expression stern.
"Have you all familiarized yourselves with the materials?" Xiao Tianhao asked without looking up.
"We've reviewed everything thoroughly, Chairman Xiao," Su Ran replied. "The American company Vananiers Beauty Group is one of the largest beauty-product retail chains in the United States, with over two thousand stores, primarily targeting the mid-to-high-end market. Their interest in working with us stems mainly from the sensation our Radiant Complexion line has caused in the market."
Lin Qiang added, "Based on our preliminary discussions, they want exclusive distribution rights for the Radiant Complexion line in North America. This is an excellent opportunity for us to enter the international market, but the negotiations won't be easy. Vinaniels is known for driving a hard bargain."
Xiao Tianhao nodded and glanced at Huang Shujian beside him. "Is the conference connection ready?"
"Testing is complete. We can connect at any time," Huang Shujian replied professionally, though her gaze flickered away for a moment when it met Xiao Tianhao's.
At seven fifty, the technical staff entered the conference room for the final checks. At eight sharp, the enormous projection screen lit up, splitting into several windows that showed the negotiating team from America's Vananiers Beauty Group.
"Good morning, our friends in China." A middle-aged man in the center of the screen, wearing a dark blue suit with his silver hair immaculately combed, spoke first. "I'm Robert Steve, CEO of Vananiers Beauty Group. It's an honor to hold these talks with your company."
His Chinese carried a distinct American accent, but it was clear enough. Xiao Tianhao noticed that he had deliberately opened in Chinese and raised an eyebrow slightly at the detail-it seemed the other side had done its homework.
"Good morning, Mr. Steve. I'm Xiao Tianhao, chairman of Haoyu Pharmaceutical Group," Xiao Tianhao replied in fluent English. "Thank you for making time for this meeting. Please allow me to introduce my team..." (With the protagonist's mental power, learning English was very easy.)
The members of both teams gave brief introductions in turn. Besides its CEO, the Vinaniels team included Chief Operating Officer Sarah Miller, International Business Director Mike Chen, and several department heads.
After the pleasantries, Robert went straight to the point. "Mr. Xiao, let's be direct. Vananiers Beauty Group is very interested in your Radiant Complexion product line. We've closely followed its performance in the Asian market over the past two months, and the results have been astonishing."
Sarah Miller picked up the thread. "Indeed, Radiant Complexion serum outperforms the vast majority of comparable products on the market in improving skin condition and reducing wrinkles. We believe it has enormous potential in the American market."
Xiao Tianhao smiled faintly. "Thank you for the recognition. Radiant Complexion truly is the pride of our research and development team. It uses a unique technology for extracting bioactive ingredients, allowing it to promote skin-cell regeneration more effectively..."
For the next twenty minutes, both sides held an in-depth discussion of the product's technical features, market positioning, and consumer feedback.
Huang Shujian occasionally supplied figures and market details, demonstrating outstanding professionalism. Xiao Tianhao noticed that whenever she spoke, the American team looked at her with appreciation.
"Now, let's discuss how we might work together." Steve leaned forward and clasped his hands on the table. "We would like exclusive distribution rights for the Radiant Complexion line in North America, including the United States and Canada. Our preliminary proposal is a five-year exclusive agreement, with guaranteed purchases of no less than fifty million dollars in the first year."
A few soft gasps sounded around the conference room. The figure exceeded many people's expectations; even the normally composed Su Ran widened her eyes slightly.
Xiao Tianhao's expression remained unchanged. He merely turned the pen in his hand. "Mr. Steve, as a leading beauty-product retailer in North America, Vinaniels is certainly a very attractive partner. However, granting exclusive distribution rights would mean giving up all other distribution opportunities across the North American market..."
Lin Qiang joined in at just the right moment. "According to our research, the annual North American premium beauty market exceeds twenty billion dollars. Even by conservative estimates, the Radiant Complexion line has the potential to capture three to five percent of that market within three years, equivalent to six hundred million to one billion dollars. Five years of exclusive distribution rights would mean entrusting that entire market opportunity to your company."
Mike Chen responded, "But please don't forget that developing a market requires enormous investment. Vinaniels has an established sales network and strong brand influence, which can greatly shorten the time needed to bring your products to market. Without our distribution channels, the costs and risks of entering North America on your own would be much higher."
The negotiations became a tug-of-war. Both sides engaged in heated but professional discussions over sales targets, marketing responsibilities, pricing structures, breach-of-contract liability, and other terms. The materials and data Huang Shujian had carefully prepared repeatedly provided strong support for the Chinese team's position.
An hour and a half into the meeting, they reached a deadlock. Vinaniels insisted on exclusive distribution rights but refused to accept Haoyu's proposed sales-growth targets and breach-of-contract provisions.
Steve's expression grew serious. "Mr. Xiao, I must be frank. The terms Vinaniels has offered are already very generous. If your company insists on these provisions, we may need to reconsider whether this partnership is possible."
The atmosphere in the conference room instantly tightened. Su Ran and Lin Qiang exchanged worried looks. This partnership was crucial to Haoyu's international expansion, and a breakdown in talks would be a considerable loss.
Just as Xiao Tianhao was about to respond, Huang Shujian gave a soft cough. After receiving a nod to proceed, she spoke:
"Mr. Steve, Ms. Miller, please allow me to add something from a slightly different perspective." Her voice was clear and confident. "I wonder whether you've noticed that Radiant Complexion isn't Haoyu Pharmaceutical Group's only star product."
She operated the computer, bringing up the logos and main products of three subsidiaries on the projection screen. "Our Star Sleep Calm oral solution holds a sixty-two percent share of Asia's sleep-health market, while our Lush Hair Source shampoo achieved the remarkable feat of exceeding five hundred million in sales during its very first month in the hair-loss prevention market."
Huang Shujian paused to let the information sink in, then continued, "By partnering with Haoyu, Vinaniels would gain more than distribution rights to a single product. You would gain access to an innovation platform capable of continually delivering blockbuster products in the future. Our research and development pipeline includes several new products nearing launch, spanning anti-aging, skin repair, and other fields."
She looked directly at Steve on the screen. "Exclusive distribution rights would make Vinaniels our first-choice North American partner for these new products. This isn't merely a transaction involving Radiant Complexion. It's a strategic move shaping your position in the North American beauty market over the next five or even ten years."
The conference room fell silent. Xiao Tianhao gave Huang Shujian a surprised look; even he had not fully considered that angle. Su Ran and Lin Qiang wore expressions of approval.
On the other end of the screen, the Vinaniels team visibly began discussing among themselves in low voices. A few minutes later, Steve's expression had softened considerably. "Ms. Huang has raised a... very interesting point. I must admit that we are indeed impressed by your company's research and development capabilities."
Sarah Miller added, "If priority partnership rights for future products can be explicitly written into the agreement, I believe we can be more flexible on the exclusive distribution period and sales targets."
The deadlock was broken. The discussions that followed went much more smoothly, and both sides reached a preliminary understanding on the main framework of the partnership. By the time the meeting ended, it had run more than an hour beyond its scheduled finish.
"Mr. Xiao, your team is truly impressive," Steve said sincerely before they concluded. "Ms. Huang in particular has remarkably keen insight into the long-term value of a partnership between our companies."
Xiao Tianhao replied with a smile, "Shujian is indeed one of our finest team members. I look forward to a highly successful partnership with Vinaniels."
After the video connection ended, relieved exhalations filled the conference room. Su Ran was the first to speak. "That was brilliant! Chairman Xiao, Secretary Huang, that final argument about the future product pipeline was the finishing touch that brought the whole picture to life!"
Lin Qiang nodded in agreement. "Exactly. With that approach, exclusive distribution rights actually became a term in our favor. Well done, Secretary Huang!"
Huang Shujian blushed slightly. "I was only doing my job. What matters most is that we secured the partnership."
Once the other managers had left one after another, only Xiao Tianhao and Huang Shujian remained in the conference room. Outside the windows, the city at night resembled a sea of stars, shining all the more brilliantly after the conference room lights were dimmed.
"You did exceptionally well today," Xiao Tianhao said softly, his eyes full of admiration. "I hadn't even thought of negotiating from the perspective of our future product pipeline."
Huang Shujian lowered her head to organize the documents, concealing her expression. "Actually, I got the idea while we were shopping this afternoon."
"Oh?" Xiao Tianhao raised an eyebrow curiously.
"When you bought that necklace without hesitation, it suddenly occurred to me-what truly matters isn't an individual item, but the ability to keep providing value," Huang Shujian explained. "In the same way, Vinaniels shouldn't be interested in Radiant Complexion alone, but in Haoyu's ability to keep launching blockbuster products."
Xiao Tianhao watched her quietly for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "Do you know what I'm thinking right now?"
"What?"
"I'm thinking that keeping you as just a secretary is a real waste of talent," Xiao Tianhao said seriously. "You deserve more room to grow."
Huang Shujian froze for a moment, then joked, "What, are you going to give me a promotion and a raise, Mr. Chairman?"
Xiao Tianhao looked at her and burst out laughing.
"I'll promote you to the chairman's wife, and your compensation will be control of the household finances from then on. How does that sound? Satisfied?"
Huang Shujian blushed, but replied boldly, "That depends on your performance. If you do well enough, I'll agree to the promotion to chairman's wife."
Xiao Tianhao walked to the window and stretched, looking out over the city lights. "Then I'll have to put in a good performance. But before that..." He turned to her. "I owe you dinner. Now that the meeting's over, would you care to join me for a late-night meal?"
Huang Shujian pretended to think for a moment, then smiled. "I remember someone saying she wouldn't pass up a chance to have the chairman treat her to a meal. Of course I would."
Xiao Tianhao smiled too. He picked up his jacket and naturally took Huang Shujian's bag for her. "Then let's go. I know a good restaurant nearby. It should still be open at this hour."
They left the conference room side by side. The corridor lights stretched their shadows, which occasionally crossed.
"But let's get one thing straight first," Huang Shujian suddenly said. "No more expensive gifts this time. That one necklace already has me feeling guilty enough."
Xiao Tianhao pretended to consider it. "Hmm... I can't promise that. After all, keeping the economy circulating is an entrepreneur's social responsibility."
Huang Shujian couldn't help laughing. "You're absolutely hopeless!"
Their laughter echoed through the empty corridor.
(The next chapter is where they do that... you know what I mean.)
Before you continue