Chapter 84: Chu Lin Casually Dug a Pit!

After signing the contract, Chu Lin left the Fisheries Bureau accompanied by Wang Yu.

“Director Wang, I really have to thank you for all your help,” Chu Lin said with a smile, shaking Wang Yu’s hand. Formalities were necessary.

“Mr. Chu, I hope I get to help you like this more often,” Wang Yu replied, beaming with satisfaction. Chu Lin’s willingness to lease in Pingjiang for twenty years showed genuine confidence in the area. Even if, in the future, he managed to cultivate large batches of oysters for Zhizhen, and other districts tried to poach him, Chu Lin’s attitude would ensure they had the upper hand.

After bidding farewell to Wang Yu, Chu Lin had just gotten into his car when his phone rang. He answered, and a warm, enthusiastic voice greeted him, “Mr. Chu, hello, I’m Zhao Sheng, manager at Eight Directions Guest. You’ve commissioned us regarding the rare White Dragon Saliva. I’d like to discuss this matter with you.”

“Yes, that’s right. What’s the issue?” Chu Lin inquired. Eight Directions Guest was Huang Bin’s company, so the call meant Huang Bin must have submitted his application and the company was following up.

Zhao Sheng quickly explained, “Mr. Chu, our employees have different levels of authority. Huang Bin, whom you previously dealt with, is just a regular agent, with limited access to our premium client resources. As a manager, I have much higher authority and can easily connect with high-end clientele. Handling this matter through me will be far more efficient. If you leave it to a regular agent, the process will be slow and drawn out. To serve you best, our company has assigned me to take over from Huang Bin and ensure your needs are met as quickly as possible.”

The more Chu Lin listened, the deeper his frown grew. He wasn’t stupid; if Eight Directions Guest truly had this arrangement, Huang Bin himself would have called. Clearly, Huang Bin was unaware—his superior was trying to steal his deal.

Such things were common in the workplace: employees worked themselves to the bone, only for their supervisors to claim the credit and bonuses. Most people chose to swallow their indignation, as confronting superiors often brought consequences worse than enduring the injustice.

Zhao Sheng was adept at this kind of maneuver, expertly dissecting the differences in authority between agents and managers, highlighting how one route would be slow and the other swift. The implicit message was clear: let me handle it, and it’ll be done quickly; leave it to Huang Bin, and who knows how long it’ll take? Most would be swayed—after all, business was about efficiency.

Unfortunately, Zhao Sheng had misread the situation. Chu Lin wasn’t a big shot, but he wouldn’t let his brother be bullied over such matters.

So, he replied with a genial smile, “Very well, Manager Zhao. I’ll leave this matter in your hands. My only concern is selling the goods quickly; everything else is secondary.”

On the other end, Zhao Sheng’s face lit up. “Mr. Chu, rest assured—I’ll handle this immediately.”

Perfect. Just as he expected. Clients weren’t loyal; whoever could get things done fastest would win their business.

Inside the car, Chu Lin ended the call and searched for Huang Bin’s number, intending to call him. But before he could, Huang Bin’s call came through first.

“Chu Lin, I’ve already submitted the application. Once it’s approved, I’ll help you find buyers,” Huang Bin said when the call connected.

Chu Lin immediately realized his suspicions were correct. He said, “Huang Bin, a guy named Zhao Sheng just contacted me, claiming your company wants him to handle the matter instead.”

“Damn, that snake… Our team used to think he was decent.” Huang Bin’s curses were swift and heartfelt, then he added, “Chu Lin, if you’re in a hurry, Zhao Sheng would indeed be faster than me.”

“I’m not that desperate,” Chu Lin replied irritably. “I told him he could arrange meetings with clients, but when the time comes, I won’t show up and there’ll be no goods. He’ll look pretty foolish.”

Huang Bin understood Chu Lin’s intent, and with a hint of mischief, said, “Depends on the clients he lines up. If they’re influential, this could turn into a real embarrassment—he might even lose his job. For a manager to grab a deal so brazenly, the consequences won’t be minor.”

“Good,” Chu Lin laughed. No matter what lofty claims Zhao Sheng made about high-end clients, if he lost his job, which of those clients would stand up for him? Without Eight Directions Guest backing him, he was nothing.

Inside Eight Directions Guest, Zhao Sheng’s face gleamed with satisfaction after Chu Lin’s agreement. He hurried to his computer, copying Huang Bin’s application, but listing himself as the business lead. Once done, he rushed to the chairman’s office.

He knew Chairman Wang Yang had long sought membership in the Fujian Chamber of Commerce. Entry wasn’t easy; every member was powerful, and sponsorship was required. Wang Yang was keen on any business involving Fujian Chamber members, hoping to use it as a stepping stone.

Zhao Sheng saw the opportunity land right in his lap. He quickly reached the chairman’s office and knocked.

“Come in!” came the voice from inside.

Zhao Sheng entered, greeted by Chairman Wang Yang.

“Manager Zhao, you look pleased. Is there another deal for me to sign?” Wang Yang asked.

Zhao Sheng eagerly reported, “Chairman, I’ve found a deal for rare White Dragon Saliva, and there’s a good amount—three pounds.”

“Really?” Wang Yang’s face was radiant with surprise. This was exactly what he’d been worrying about.

The deal hadn’t come from the Fujian Chamber members but from his own investigations. He’d researched White Dragon Saliva; it was so rare that even the wealthiest struggled to acquire it. Securing some would be a sign of prestige. The usual sources had dried up after their team was wiped out by storms, so the supply had ceased. Now the opportunity had come his way.

Zhao Sheng added, “Chairman, you can come to my office. I personally inspected the sample before reporting to you—it's truly extraordinary.”

“Let’s go,” Wang Yang said without hesitation, quickly reaching Zhao Sheng’s office. Upon inhaling its enticing fragrance and feeling its calming effect, his delight grew. Having experienced White Dragon Saliva at a wealthy patron’s place, he found this sample even more potent.

Although both were rare, this was superior.

“Well done, Zhao Sheng,” Wang Yang praised unreservedly.

Zhao Sheng replied, “I knew you needed this, Chairman, so I exhausted all my contacts, working tirelessly to secure this deal.”

Wang Yang nodded approvingly, “Good work. I’ll reach out to the Fujian Chamber members to arrange a meeting. You make sure everything’s ready on your end. When this is done, the deputy general manager position is yours.”

“Thank you, Chairman. There will be no problems,” Zhao Sheng promised, respectfully seeing Wang Yang out of his office.

Back in his office, Zhao Sheng clenched his fists in triumph.

He’d succeeded.

However, he knew there were two things left to do: secure Mr. Chu and silence Huang Bin. That shouldn’t be difficult—he could offer Huang Bin a couple of deals as compensation, dangle the prospect of a deputy manager’s role, and if Huang Bin still wasn’t satisfied, find a reason to let him go.