Chapter 37: A Taste of Her Own Medicine
Susan's amusement vanished, replaced by a sharp, business-like stare that could've cut through steel. "Let's talk about Infinity's rent. But let's be clear—I don't waste time with games. Either state your case, or I'll have security show you out. Your call."
Wu leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other, his tone shifting from playful to calm and deliberate—a transformation that caught Susan off guard. "Fair enough. Infinity's been a tenant here for three years, hasn't it? Never missed a rent payment, never caused a single disturbance. Now you want to jack up the price by 30%? That seems a bit excessive, don't you think?"
"Excessive?" Susan scoffed, parroting the lines Wang had prepped her with. "Property values in Beitian have surged. A 30% increase is generous, given the location. We could fill this space tomorrow with a tenant who'd pay more and ask fewer questions."
"Could you, though?" Wu raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. "Infinity's a KTV. Those places are noisy, they draw crowds until the early hours—landlords hate that. If you hike the rent too high and Ye Xiwen shuts it down, good luck finding someone else willing to take the space. Who wants a venue that'll get complaints from every neighbor within a mile? Not to mention the late-night drunks and rowdy parties. You'd be stuck with a vacant spot for months, maybe longer."
Susan paused,不得不承认 (having to admit) he had a point. KTVs *were* high-maintenance tenants, and replacing Infinity wouldn't be as easy as Wang made it sound. Still, she wasn't about to back down that quickly.
"Even if you're right about the noise," she said, leaning forward, "30% is non-negotiable. Yingjie Group doesn't make exceptions. Rules are rules."
"Rules are made to be broken—especially when they're stupid," Wu shot back, grinning. "How about a compromise? 10% increase. It keeps up with inflation, shows you're serious about the bottom line, but doesn't strangle Infinity. Everyone wins."
"10%? That's an insult." Susan leaned in, her eyes sparkling with what looked like… mischief? "25%. Take it or leave it."
"15%," Wu said firmly, leaning forward. "Final offer. No more, no less."
Susan pretended to deliberate, tapping her pen against the desk for effect. In truth, Wang had given her the green light to accept anything below 20%, but stringing him along was too fun. "Fine. 15%. But if Infinity is late *once*—even by a day—the rate jumps to 30%. No exceptions."
"Deal." Wu stuck out his hand, his grin wide.
Susan hesitated, then shook it. His palm was warm, calloused—nothing like the soft hands of the businessmen she usually dealt with. She pulled back quickly, clearing her throat to hide her fluster. "I'll have the new contract drawn up. You can pick it up tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow? Why not now? I'm free," Wu pressed, not about to let this slip through his fingers. He'd learned the hard way that delays meant trouble—especially with someone as shrewd as Wang Xuefei.
"Legal needs to review it. They're swamped," Susan said, standing up to signal the meeting was over. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
"One last thing," Wu said, not moving from his chair.
Susan raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Thanks for not calling security. And for… indulging me. You're not as tough as you pretend to be," he said, his tone softening, a genuine warmth in his eyes.
Susan felt her cheeks heat up. "Don't get cocky. You're still a pain in the neck."
"Probably. But you'll miss me," Wu said, winking. He stood, heading for the door, then paused, glancing back. "Nice try, by the way—'Ms. Wang.'"
Susan froze. "How did you—?"
"C'mon. You're way too nice to be a CEO like Wang Xuefei. I've heard stories—she's sharp, ruthless, never cracks a smile. You laughed at my dumb jokes. Dead giveaway," Wu said, grinning. "Tell the real Ms. Wang she picked a good actress. Almost had me fooled."
With that, he walked out, leaving Susan staring at the closed door, mouth agape. Then, despite herself, she burst out laughing. He was infuriating—*and* weirdly impressive.
Upstairs in Wang Xuefei's private office, the CEO watched the scene unfold on her monitor, a faint smile playing on her lips. She'd been observing the entire conversation, hidden behind a one-way mirror.
"Told you he was good," she said to her legal advisor, who sat nearby, reviewing documents.
The advisor glanced up, frowning. "He's lucky. His arguments were flimsy—no data, no leverage. Susan could've shut him down easily."
"Lucky? Or clever?" Wang countered, sipping her coffee. "He read Susan like a book. Knew she was bluffing. That's a skill—one we could use around here. Too many people get stuck in spreadsheets and forget how to *persuade*."
The advisor scoffed. "You're not seriously considering… hiring him? He's a security guard, for heaven's sake."
"Never judge a man by his job title," Wang said, nodding toward the monitor, where Wu was high-fiving Xiao Lin at the reception desk. "Anyone who chooses to be a security guard when he could outnegotiate my assistant? There's more to him than meets the eye. I want to know what it is."
"Shall I look into his background?"
"Discreetly. I don't want to spook him," Wang said, her eyes narrowing with curiosity.
As the advisor left, Wang returned to the monitor, watching Wu stride out of the building, whistling a tune.
*Interesting*, she thought. *Very interesting.*
Outside, Wu pulled out his phone and dialed Ye Xiwen.
"Boss Ye? Good news. The rent hike's only 15%. I'll pick up the new contract tomorrow."
Ye's voice crackled over the line, clearly stunned. "15%? How? I was ready to budget for 30%."
"Let's just say I'm good at talking people into things," Wu said, grinning. "See you back at Infinity." He hung up before she could press for details—some secrets were better kept.
He strolled down the street, a spring in his step, when a familiar figure stepped out from behind a lamppost.
Fu Junyao.
She stood with her arms crossed, her police uniform crisp, her expression so icy it could've frozen the pavement. "Well, well. Fancy seeing you here, 'security guard.' Negotiating rent? Or just here to hit on more women?"
Wu's smile faded. *Speak of the devil.*
"Officer Fu. To what do I owe this… pleasure?"
"Cut the act. I saw you leave Yingjie Group. What were you *really* doing there?" Fu stepped closer, her eyes blazing. She'd been staking out the building since that morning, determined to get payback for the humiliation he'd heaped on her earlier.
"Negotiating rent. Like I said," Wu repeated, shrugging.
"Liar. You're up to something— I can smell it," Fu said, grabbing his arm, her fingers digging into his skin. "You're gonna tell me the truth. One way or another."
Wu sighed. This woman was relentless.
"Fine. You want the truth? I came to see Wang Xuefei. Her assistant pretended to be her. We haggled. I won. Happy?"
Fu stared at him, then scoffed. "You? Outnegotiate Wang Xuefei? Please. She's one of Beitian's toughest businesswomen. You couldn't outsmart her if you tried."
"Who said anything about outsmarting her? I was just… charming," Wu said, winking.
Fu's glare sharpened. "I'm arresting you. Obstructing justice. Harassment. Take your pick."
"Harassment? I haven't even touched you!" Wu said, pulling his arm free.
"Yet," Fu muttered, reaching for her handcuffs.
Wu rolled his eyes. *Not this again.*
As she lunged forward, he dodged, grinning. "Catch me if you can, 'Tyrannosaurus'!"
He took off down the street, laughing, as Fu yelled and gave chase—her boots thudding against the pavement, her voice echoing through the crowded sidewalks.
Another day, another chase.
Wu couldn't help but laugh.
This was getting ridiculous.
But weirdly? He kind of loved it.