Chapter 194: Spending the Night at Auntie's House

Hearing his quoted price, Alexander and Alyosha exchanged a glance and shook their heads.

"Xu, please forgive me, I cannot accept your price."

Alexander frowned and, with diplomatic language, replied, "Although our country lacks Chips, that does not mean I am unaware of Chip prices."

A 40‑micron Mature Process Chip sells for only $12, so 100 units total $1,200.

A whole adult black bear skin costs as much as $4,000.

Ten cubic meters of fir wood fetches an even higher $4,500.

Alyosha's expression was also awkward: including himself, they all thought the price was far too steep.

Xu Yuexin saw their change of demeanor and felt completely indifferent.

His quoted price was indeed extremely low, darker than Li Kui's face or Song Jiang's heart.

But they couldn't produce Foreign Exchange at the moment. "If you find it expensive, you can pay directly with Foreign Exchange."

"In that case, I'll sell you Chips at the international market price, even offering a 2% discount."

Xu Yuexin had pinpointed Alexander's soft spot and said lightly.

It's truly a headache.

This kid Xu Yuexin has banked on our inability to provide Foreign Exchange, hasn't he? Alexander felt a pang of distress, as if forced to crush his teeth and swallow them.

"If we could produce Foreign Exchange, we wouldn't be coming to you."

Alexander, for the first time, adopted a firm stance: "Even if we can't produce Foreign Exchange, you still cannot quote such an excessive price."

"Mr. Alexander, I must remind you, we are now Bartering."

"Don't apply a cash‑transaction mindset here."

Xu Yuexin paused at each word and declared very authoritatively.

"Gentlemen, shall we each make a concession?"

Seeing the tension rise, the previously silent Alyosha spoke up, "How about taking a midpoint between the market price and Boss Xu's demand?"

"No."

Xu Yuexin and Alexander simultaneously waved their hands to refuse.

The situation stalled, but a large dish was brought to the table, diffusing the tension in time.

"The braised dog fish at the Moscow Restaurant is famous."

Alyosha seized the opening, changing the subject: "The flavor is very authentic."

Xu Yuexin lifted chopsticks while Alexander picked up a knife and fork, and they began eating together.

The taste was indeed excellent; dog fish, as a cold‑water species, has tender flesh and a unique flavor.

Xu Yuexin took two bites and internally evaluated.

Compared with Xu Yuexin's hearty gulping, Alexander ate much more slowly, taking a long time to finish a piece of dog fish.

On one hand, a knife and fork are inherently slower than chopsticks; on the other, he was deep in thought.

In fact, before this trip to China, he had already reported the general trade situation to the leaders of the Import and Export Committee.

The leaders placed great importance on this Barter trade and instructed him to do everything possible to seal it.

If negotiations with Xu Yuexin truly broke down, the leaders would certainly be displeased.

Thinking of that, Alexander felt a bit constrained.

A breakdown displeases the leaders, and an excessive price would also displease them.

He felt caught in the middle, taking the heat.

Alexander thought gloomily and only spoke again after finishing the dog fish on his plate.

"Otherwise, let's follow what Alyosha just suggested and each make a concession."

Alexander furrowed his brow and said, "At market price, one black bear skin equals 330 Chips; taking a midpoint as you request, that would be one black bear skin for 215 Chips. Is that acceptable?"

215 Chips for one black bear skin.

That price is already very close to Xu Yuexin's bottom line.

Nevertheless, Xu Yuexin remained unmoved.

"That's impossible."

"Rather than this, I'd rather not make the deal at all."

Alexander and Alyosha exchanged a glance, both feeling at a loss.

"Let's go discuss first."

After exchanging glances, Alyosha said, then rose with Alexander and walked toward the outside.

"Let's go discuss."

Xu Yuexin said.

By this stage of the negotiation, he already had a seventy‑ to eighty‑percent confidence.

Sure enough, after a while Alexander returned to the restaurant and immediately agreed to Xu Yuexin's request.

"I agree to trade according to the exchange ratio you proposed."

"However, the exact proportion that black bear skin and fir wood occupy in the payment will be decided by our side."

Alexander said with a solemn expression.

Xu Yuexin understood that he said this to give his superiors an explanation after returning.

Otherwise, following his own terms would make it hard for him to report back.

"Alright, let's do it that way.

Xu Yuexin nodded, then discussed some additional transaction details with Alexander.

There's little to negotiate about Chips; they are standard industrial goods with identical quality.

The key is on Alexander's side.

"Black bear skin or Fir wood, I only accept new ones, not old stock."

After the negotiations began, Xu Yuexin stated.

There are too many flaws in the old stock. Take the wood, for example; it may look whole on the surface, but inside it is completely rotten.

Xu Yuexin wants to eliminate this situation at its source.

"It will probably be difficult. We're also not sure we can gather that many new items."

Alexander said with a troubled expression.

"We still have a month, we can collect slowly."

"Believe me, your territory is so vast, with so many primeval forests; you can definitely collect them."

"I'll give it a try."

"Don't just try, it must be done."

"……"

Alexander looked at Xu Yuexin gloomily.

This was undoubtedly the most troublesome counterpart he had ever faced in his foreign trade career. Fortunately, Alyosha mediated, and in the end Alexander agreed to Xu Yuexin's request, reaching a consensus.

After settling the new versus old goods, Xu Yuexin continued negotiations with Alexander on delivery methods, freight, and other issues.

Since the initiative was on Xu Yuexin's side, most of the remaining differences were handled according to his terms.

After everything was agreed, the two set a meeting in Xiangjiang a month later to complete the transaction in person.

……

When the negotiations ended, it was already late at night.

However, Xu Yuexin didn't go home immediately; he went to see Shen Qingru.

"I'm heading to Xiangjiang for a deal later, planning to hire Aunt Cheng as my legal counsel."

"Do you want to come with me?"

In the Guogong Mansion Main Hall of Shen Qingru's family, Xu Yuexin asked her.

"Sure, when shall we go?"

Shen Qingru replied gladly.

"In a month, by plane."

"Alright, remember to bring two sets of summer clothes; Xiangjiang will be very hot then."

Shen Qingru said thoughtfully and meticulously.

"What have you been busy with lately?"

Xu Yuexin took Shen Qingru's soft jade-like hand and said.

"Attending classes, writing a thesis, helping my mentor organize ancient texts."

Shen Qingru said, "And you? Your business must be growing larger, right?"

"The scale has increased a bit; it's broken the hundred‑million mark."

"So? Happy about it?"

Xu Yuexin slightly lifted the corner of his mouth and said.

"Great."

Hearing the 'hundred‑million' figure, Shen Qingru nodded slightly, feeling happy for Xu Yuexin while also recalling her once‑glorious family.

"Hehe, you were born into a wealthy family and now married into one; any thoughts?"

Xu Yuexin replied with a mischievous grin.

Shen Qingru's complexion flushed embarrassedly at his words.

"Don't say that, we're not husband and wife."

Shen Qingru gently touched her flushed cheek, sighed, and said, "It's just a bond that shouldn't have started."

"Whether it should or not, it's already begun."

Xu Yuexin released Shen Qingru's delicate fingers, leaned back onto the grandmaster chair and said, "By the way, I'll stay at your place tonight."

"No, don't."

Shen Qingru softly refused, "That really isn't appropriate."

"It's been a long time since we were together."

Xu Yuexin, unwilling to be denied, said, "I'll go take a shower first; you can wash later."

After speaking, Xu Yuexin stood up, walked to the bathroom, and turned on the shower.

Hearing his shower sounds, Shen Qingru's heartbeat quickened, and the blush that had faded resurfaced.

A short while later, Xu Yuexin finished showering, put on the Underpants, and walked out.

"I'm done washing."

"Wear more, don't catch a chill."

Shen Qingru got up with some concern and handed Xu Yuexin a towel to drape over him.

Then she herself walked toward the shower.

"Wait a moment."

At that moment, Xu Yuexin wrapped his arms around Shen Qingru's slender waist from behind and whispered a few words in her ear.

Hearing his words, Shen Qingru was mortified with shame.

"Only you would cause trouble."

"Just wear that set then."

Xu Yuexin lightly tapped Aunt Shen's perky butt, then walked to the bedroom, fetched a cheongsam and a pair of black silk tights, and handed them to Aunt Shen.

Sigh…

Aunt Shen blushed, silently sighed, and took the cheongsam.

Seeing Xu Yuexin's resolute demeanor, she knew she couldn't escape tonight's ordeal.

On the surface, what Xu Yuexin gave Aunt Shen was just an ordinary cheongsam.

But when Aunt Shen finished bathing and stepped out of the bathroom wearing the cheongsam, its special features immediately became apparent.

Unlike ordinary cheongsams, this one had a heart‑shaped cutout at the chest, revealing a patch of snow‑white, smooth skin.

The fabric on the back was further reduced, exposing Aunt Shen's gracefully contoured back.

The lower part was split to the thighs, and paired with alluring black silk pantyhose, making it impossible to take one's eyes off Aunt Shen's thighs.

"Seen enough?"

Aunt Shen, wearing such a provocative cheongsam, slipped into the bed as soon as she entered the bedroom, turned her back to Xu Yuexin and said a bit petulantly.

"You get under the covers, how can I look?"

Xu Yuexin said with a smile in his voice, raising his hand to lift the covers.

"Then turn off the lights."

Aunt Shen finished speaking, raised her hand, and reached for the switch.

"No, I like the lights on."

Xu Yuexin pressed down on Aunt Shen's jade hand, then gently pushed her, causing her to lie on the bed.

"Mmm…"

Xu Yuexin smoothly kissed her, drawing out Aunt Shen's suppressed sound.

At the same time, his large hand began unfastening the buttons of Aunt Shen's cheongsam.

Hmm… they were lace, and black, his favorite color.

Soon, Xu Yuexin was visually delighted.

Thus, his large hand grew even more forceful as he climbed…

(End of chapter)