Chapter 196: Aunt Cheng's Magnificent Vista

"You mean, if the shipping company goes to court against you, you would accept the reasons they present?"

Cheng Li Yan retorted sharply.

Alexander remained silent, nonchalantly shifting his gaze to the surrounding sea.

Alyosha looked at Xu Yuexin, then at Alexander, trying to mediate.

"Shall we talk somewhere else?"

"No."

Cheng Li Yan said forcefully, "This is the scene of the incident; we will talk right here."

Fine, the money she spent wasn't wasted.

Xu Yuexin thought, pleased with Cheng Li Yan's stance in defending his interests.

"Alexander, Alyosha, let's resolve the issue here."

Xu Yuexin said calmly, "You only need to answer one question for me."

"When the incident occurred earlier, was the container moved onto the shore?"

Alexander stayed silent, while Alyosha shook his head.

"That is the crux of the matter."

Cheng Li Yan took over, bright‑eyed, "Essentially, cargo loss caused by the shipping company's mistake is the same as loss caused by a sailor's error during the voyage."

"Proximity to shore should not affect the final allocation of liability or the deadline for fulfilling responsibilities."

"If you need, I can also brief you on the international customs regarding maritime liability allocation."

While Cheng Li Yan spoke, Alexander's face remained ashen.

"No need."

When she finished, Alexander finally spoke, hurrying toward the cabin.

Alyosha quickly followed, entering the cabin with him to discuss matters.

After the two left, Xu Yuexin cast an admiring glance at Cheng Li Yan.

Professional, assertive, capable.

That is the impression Cheng Li Yan left on Xu Yuexin during the negotiation.

Cheng Li Yan smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

Xu Yuexin found her impression equally good today.

Soon after, Alexander and Alyosha emerged from the cabin one after the other, walking up to Xu Yuexin and Cheng Li Yan.

"We accept full responsibility."

Alexander, his face dark, said, "There's a box of spare Fir wood in the cabin; we'll move it to shore shortly."

"Alright, then we'll sign the agreement, and the subsequent claim rights will be transferred to you."

Xu Yuexin nodded.

……

At noon, all supplies were transferred to the warehouse Xu Yuexin rented.

5,000 cubic meters of Fir wood and 500 sheets of Black bear skin packed the warehouse to the brim.

After all goods were stored, Xu Yuexin called Mei Naizi to ask if she had any demand.

"Fir wood and Black bear skin? Okay, keep them for me."

On the phone, Mei Naizi replied promptly, "Our Xiangjiang branch staff will come this afternoon to inspect the goods at your place."

"Price will follow the international market rate."

From Mei Naizi's tone, it was clear she needed this batch badly.

"Hmm, I'll wait for you at the warehouse."

Xu Yuexin said.

In the afternoon, Watanabe Co., Ltd. representatives arrived as scheduled, and under Xu Yuexin's lead entered the warehouse for inspection.

"All top‑grade goods."

After reviewing, the other side showed an approving expression, "At market price, it should be $4.25 million?"

"Exactly."

Xu Yuexin said, "When will you come to pick up the goods?"

"Now. Please have Xu Sang give me the bank account number."

The other party smiled.

Xu Yuexin took out a notebook, tore off a sheet, and wrote down his bank card number.

Then came the money transfer, shipping, signing the delivery note…

In a short afternoon, all Fir wood and Black bear skin inventory was completely cleared.

The $4.25 million was transferred into Xu Yuexin's account.

In less than a year, Xu Yuexin's Chip Factory had recouped its costs and made a good profit.

"Come back to my house."

After leaving the bank, Xu Yuexin, relaxed, said to Cheng Li Yan and Shen Qingru, "Lawyer Cheng, if you're not in a hurry to leave, stay the night here first."

"Sure, where is your home?"

"At Taiping Shan, a distance away from here."

"Then we'll go there now."

After speaking, the group took the car from Xu Yuexin's Kwai Chung Factory toward the Urban Area.

Upon entering the Urban Area, the car drove a bit further to the foot of Taiping Shan, delivering the group to Xu Yuexin's home.

When they got home, Xu Yuexin contacted a private chef outside and prepared a delicious dinner for the three of them.

The night was late, and after a day of constant running around, Shen Qingru ate dinner and went to sleep right away.

Xu Yuexin and Cheng Li Yan each returned to their own rooms and lay down.

However, after getting into bed, Xu Yuexin did not fall asleep immediately.

4.25 million US dollars, converted at the current Exchange Rate, equals 23 million Hong Kong Dollars.

This means the selling price of each Chip reached 230 Hong Kong Dollars.

At that moment, the market price for a 40‑micron Mature Process Chip was 40 Hong Kong Dollars.

230 divided by 40—what does that equal again?

That's a solid profit margin!

Xu Yuexin leaned against the headboard, arms folded in his lap, thinking happily.

He built the Kwai Chung Factory at a total cost of only 18 million Hong Kong Dollars, so the 23 million would more than double the plant's capacity! At this expansion rate, perhaps in the future the list of international chip giants could gain another name? Thinking this, Xu Yuexin became even more sleepless. After turning off the lights, he tossed and turned in bed, pondering the development plan of the Chip business, and remained awake deep into the night.

Enough calculations, I'm not sleeping.

Xu Yuexin rolled out of bed in one motion and walked out.

When he opened the bedroom door, he saw the living room lights on.

Was it Cheng Li Yan or Shen Qingru?

Xu Yuexin thought to himself, walked down the hallway into the living room, and saw Cheng Li Yan leaning on the balcony.

Cheng Li Yan was wearing a burgundy lace camisole nightgown, the hem of which fell above the knees.

From Xu Yuexin's viewpoint, he could just see the broad expanse of her chest, her slender, long calves, and her plump, fair thighs.

At that moment, Cheng Li Yan held a glass of wine, gazing into the distance as if pondering something.

"Aunt Cheng."

Xu Yuexin stepped forward and greeted her, "You're still up?"

"Boss Xu."

Cheng Li Yan turned her head toward him and said, "You're not sleeping either."

"Hmm, I'm thinking about something and can't sleep. Aunt Cheng, how about you?"

"I'm also thinking about something. And just call me Sister Cheng; I'm only ten years older than you."

Cheng Li Yan swirled the wine glass in her hand and gave Xu Yuexin a charming smile, saying,

"Hehe, when I call Qingru, I call her Aunt Shen."

"If I called you Sister Cheng, wouldn't you be half as tall?"

"Then just call me Sister Cheng in private."

"Alright, Sister Cheng, what's on your mind?"

"Thinking about business matters; you probably are too, right?"

"Hmm, I'm considering expanding the Chip Factory's scale."

"Not bad, you have ambition."

Cheng Li Yan nodded and said, "By the way, how did you originally come up with the idea of getting into the Chip business?"

Like the common view in the industry, Cheng Li Yan thought chip foundry was merely a hard‑money‑making trade, with thin profit margins, and each time production lines were upgraded it required huge capital.

Therefore, deep down she didn't quite understand Xu Yuexin's choice.

"I'm optimistic about the Chip industry's prospects."

Xu Yuexin replied without hesitation, "Nowadays televisions are spreading, and phones and personal computers are emerging one after another, which means a brand‑new era is about to arrive."

"In this era, electronic products will not only be tools but will become part of life itself."

"Correspondingly, Chips, as the core and soul of electronic products, will be elevated to an unprecedented level of importance."

"For that reason, I decided to position myself early in the Chip industry, so I can get a share of the future era's changes."

Xu Yuexin spoke confidently, his tone relaxed and casual.

Cheng Li Yan listened attentively the whole time, occasionally falling into thought.

As Xu Yuexin said, electronic products are indeed becoming more widespread, with advanced‑function new products constantly emerging.

LCD TVs, fully automatic washing machines, micro‑computers…

Many previously unheard‑of electronic devices are continuously entering people's lives.

Following this trend, in the future chip manufacturing should indeed become an important and highly profitable industry, just as Xu Yuexin claimed.

Thinking of this, Cheng Li Yan greatly admired Xu Yuexin's foresight and felt deep appreciation for him.

"You're absolutely right; let's have a drink."

Cheng Li Yan flashed a charming smile and said to Xu Yuexin,

"Alright."

Xu Yuexin raised an eyebrow slightly, went to the living room to pour himself a glass of red wine, and returned to the balcony.

"Cheers, may your Chip business thrive and one day become a global giant."

"Cheers. May your lawyer career keep advancing daily and bring good cases."

The two stemmed wine glasses clinked together, producing a crisp sound.

"Sister Cheng, you came all the way to Xiangjiang this time just to take my case."

"I'm flattered, hehe."

After taking a sip of red wine, Xu Yuexin smiled and asked,

"You're a friend of Ruru, so of course I had to come."

"Oh? Is that all?"

Clever, indeed it doesn't stop there.

I want to come to Xiangjiang to develop new business, but I don't know whether you're willing to become my first client in Xiangjiang.

Of course I'm willing.

It's just that my Chip Factory is still limited in scale, so I'm afraid I can't give you much in lawyer fees.

You will make it big.

Cheng Li Yan said confidently, and then determination flashed in their eyes, "As long as I can secure enough business in Xiangjiang, I'll move over."

What, you're not looking after Tokyo anymore?

There are some issues within the firm, and I plan to start anew.

Cheng Li Yan clearly treated Xu Yuexin as an ally and confided to him, "And Xiangjiang is, in my eyes, the best place to settle."

I agree with your view.

Xu Yuexin nodded.

Hmm, the mainland is undergoing reform and opening up, and Xiangjiang will inevitably reap huge benefits.

Practicing law here, the prospects will be excellent.

Cheng Li Yan stepped through the corridor, eyes sparkling, "Moreover, my specialty is litigation in trade and finance, which aligns perfectly with Xiangjiang's industrial structure."

Even if I come here alone, I can build a large firm within a few years.

Xu Yuexin listened quietly beside him, admiration flashing in his eyes.

No wonder she's Cheng Yujie…

Whether in ability or ambition, she's top‑notch.

(End of chapter)