Chapter 164: She Actually Knows Him?!

Everyone in the conference room looked at Gu Mianmian, but at this moment Gu Mianmian didn't think there was anything wrong with what she had done; she even looked at Bai Ran, signaling her again and again?

Why wasn't the Gu Group's name on the list?

This was something Bai Ran had long since promised her!

However, at that moment Bai Ran turned her gaze aside. Although Bai Ran was indeed going to help Gu Mianmian out, she had just handed the entire list over to her father, the Chairman of Bai Shi Group, to make the final selection himself.

After all, he was participating in this on-site bidding today, so he was very clear on the advantages each company held in this bid.

And when making the first round of selections, he had crossed the Gu Group's name off directly. Although Bai Ran had just tried to discuss it with her father, Chairman Bai's opinion was very clear; he told Bai Ran straight out: "Although the Gu Group's proposal this time isn't bad, I believe there are better choices."

So, quite autocratically, he crossed the Gu Group off the list.

Bai Ran was also extremely anxious. She had never imagined her father would be involved before. If only she were here making this small decision, ensuring the Gu Group's bid succeeded wouldn't be any difficult task at all...

And the Gu Group did have its own advantages. Unfortunately, everything had gone against Bai Ran's calculations.

Bai Ran truly hadn't expected things to turn out this way.

Now, Bai Ran also felt a slight twinge of guilt and was unwilling to look at Gu Mianmian. After all, they had agreed on everything so nicely before... and now suddenly the collaboration had failed, and Bai Ran hadn't been able to help. Thinking about how she had also promised Bao Mu before... and it had ended up like this.

Bai Ran did feel some guilt, but even if she felt indebted in her heart, when all was said and done, the help she could offer only went so far.

All other decisions would be made by her father personally. After Gu Mianmian's questioning, that staff member confirmed the list and said coldly: "I'm sorry, Miss Gu, there is no problem with our list."

"... Impossible! Our presentation and our plan, everything was perfect!"

Gu Mianmian of course refused to believe it would turn out this way. Why was it that they had agreed this collaboration would definitely succeed, yet in the end...

Bai Ran had already promised her, so what did this mean now? Was she being played?

Just as Gu Mianmian was about to continue her questioning, the Chairman of Bai Shi Group, who had been silent all along, spoke up in a measured tone: "This representative from the Gu Group, I don't think you need to question my choice."

"... Chairman, but is there some problem with our Gu Group's proposal?"

"Whether there's a problem or not, I have the final say."

Gu Mianmian's face grew increasingly ashen; of course, she had no way to do anything about it.

Casting a sidelong glance at the other executives of the Gu Group, their expressions were all very unsightly at this moment. Some of them could no longer sit still and had turned to go out to call Gu Yechen to report the current situation and ask him what to do.

Previously, Gu Mianmian had sworn up and down with absolute certainty, but now reality had slapped her in the face. The other executives also had to immediately think of a way to resolve the current problem.

But the key issue was that the list was already out, and it seemed they had no way to salvage the situation now.

When Gu Yechen received the call from his subordinate and learned about the bidding collaboration, he frowned as well. He attached great importance to this collaboration.

The company's proposal was, in fact, the result of everyone's hard work over a long period, and Gu Mianmian's earlier sworn assurances had also given the company more confidence internally.

Gu Yechen decided to contact Bai Shi Group separately afterward. Although this bid had failed, they could still participate in the collaboration through other means.

"Tell everyone to come back; there's no need to keep dwelling on it."

He also didn't think the Gu Group should lose face in front of everyone. A loss is a loss; they had to accept this result.

While Gu Mianmian was still trying to argue her case, Gu Wenyan said with a faint smile: "You don't need to keep doing this. I think Chairman Bai is very clear on what the final outcome of this collaboration will be; pushing harder is meaningless."

Gu Mianmian gritted her teeth: "Gu Wenyan, what are you so pleased about? You don't have the ability yourself, so you come here to mock me. If you've got the guts, you sign this contract!"

"This collaboration has already failed for you; how do you expect me to sign it?"

"Hmph, if you don't have the ability, stop putting on an act here! I have to get to the bottom of this... she clearly promised me!"

Gu Mianmian's last sentence was spoken very softly, but Gu Wenyan heard it, so she deliberately asked: "Who promised you?"

"None of your business!"

Gu Mianmian had already decided to go find Bai Ran right away to get a clear answer, to know exactly what was going on. She absolutely could not take this loss lying down!

After the executive who had just called Gu Yechen came back, he relayed his opinion. Hearing that her big brother wanted them to return to the company, Gu Mianmian clenched her fists: "I don't want to go back; I want to try harder..."

"Enough, what's the use? No matter how hard we try, the result has already been announced. Everyone else has left. If we stay here any longer, it will only make our Gu Group look graceless and unable to accept defeat!"

Gu Mianmian was extremely reluctant, but the result was right there in front of her. A loss was a loss; the people from the Gu Group could only turn around and leave.

Gu Wenyan walked at the very back. After the people from the other companies had gradually left, she stopped and said to them: "Could everyone wait for me for a moment?"

Gu Mianmian said impatiently and scoldingly: "Wait for you for what? Don't tell me you still have some trick up your sleeve? Stop playing dumb!"

Gu Wenyan smiled: "Although this bidding collaboration failed, it doesn't mean our other collaborations can't continue."

Gu Mianmian's face was full of contempt and disdain: "What kind of show are you putting on here? With your level, you still want to negotiate other collaborations with Bai Shi Group? Don't go embarrassing yourself!"

Gu Wenyan ignored her, turned around, and re-entered the conference room. The other three companies that had stayed behind were there, preparing for the next round of specific negotiations with Bai Shi Group.

Now, naturally, it was time to discuss the funding aspects. Unless the funding was agreed upon, there was no possibility of a formal collaboration.

But what Gu Wenyan was about to say wasn't about these things. She looked directly at Chairman Bai, this middle-aged man who, though past fifty, was still full of vigor: "Uncle Bai, could I borrow five minutes of your time to chat alone?"

The Chairman of Bai Shi Group, who had just been rather inscrutable and cold-faced, suddenly burst into hearty laughter: "You little girl, I've been waiting for you to speak up today! You've been able to hold your tongue long enough before this!"

Gu Mianmian, who had just been about to mock Gu Wenyan, heard the Chairman of Bai Shi Group's words and swayed, unable to believe it...

What had she just heard? Gu Wenyan and the Chairman of Bai Shi Group knew each other? And this Chairman of Bai Shi Group was so familiar with Gu Wenyan?!