Movie/TV series: Starting with Ode to Joy, I opened my own private kitchen.

Page 193

Su Chang sighed, knowing that Tan Zongming was right. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Then what I can do now is to negotiate with the higher-ups as soon as possible to see what they really want. As long as I can meet their needs, there is hope for the island project."

Tan Zongming nodded and said, "That's right, negotiation is key. However, you need to be fully prepared before negotiating. I can only act as an intermediary to help you make connections; the rest is up to you to negotiate."

Su Chang nodded in agreement. He knew that Tan Zongming's words were simple, but in reality, his role as the "middleman" was crucial. In this world, many things cannot be accomplished simply through direct discussion; often, the role of the middleman is paramount.

Su Chang smiled and said, "Thanks, Lao Tan. But when do you think we can go and negotiate with them?"

Tan Zongming smiled and said, "You don't need to worry about that. I've already made the contact for you. Just be prepared, and I'll let you know as soon as I have any news. But you should think it over carefully. If you don't have enough leverage, they won't agree to your request easily."

Su Chang nodded, indicating that he understood. He knew that Tan Zongming was right. What they needed most now was to prepare enough bargaining chips to gain the upper hand in the negotiations.

"Mr. Tan, what kind of bargaining chips do you think I should prepare?" Su Chang asked.

Tan Zongming pondered for a moment, then slowly said, “First, you need to prepare sufficient funds. These funds should not only be used for charity but also to support certain key national projects. Second, you need to prepare some political capital. For example, you can promise to create a certain number of jobs or generate a certain amount of tax revenue for the country in the next few years. Finally, you need to prepare some international resources. For example, you can promise to help the country gain more support in certain international affairs.”

Su Chang nodded in agreement. He knew that Tan Zongming's analysis was spot on. What they needed most now was to prepare these bargaining chips to gain the upper hand in the negotiations.

The two chatted for a while longer before Su Chang got up to take his leave. He knew the next few days would be very busy, and he needed to prepare all his bargaining chips as soon as possible for use in the negotiations.

After leaving Tan Zongming's manor, Su Chang sat in the car and took a deep breath. He knew that every step from now on would be crucial. He had to give it his all to ensure their plan went smoothly.

"No matter what, the island project must succeed," Su Chang vowed silently in his heart.

After leaving Tan Zongming's manor, Su Chang's mood did not lighten with the end of the conversation. On the contrary, he felt an even heavier burden on his shoulders.

While Tan Zongming's advice was pertinent, it also made him realize that every step from now on needed to be taken with greater caution and thoroughness.

He sat in the car, watching the scenery rushing past the window, Tan Zongming's words echoing in his mind: "You need to prepare enough bargaining chips, otherwise the negotiations will be difficult to succeed."

He took a deep breath, took out his phone, and sent messages to several important women. The messages were simple, just telling them that he had some important matters to attend to and might be quite busy, unable to spend time with them for the time being. After sending the messages, he put his phone aside, closed his eyes, and began to mentally plan his next move.

The car quickly drove into the Junyue Mansion. He got out of the car, went straight to the top floor, entered the study, and then dialed Zheng Fangxiu's number.

"Big sister, come back right now. I have something important to discuss with you." Su Chang's tone was serious and urgent.

Zheng Fangxiu didn't ask any questions on the other end of the phone, and simply replied, "Okay, young master, I'll be right back."

About half an hour later, Zheng Fangxiu rushed to Junyue Mansion. As soon as she entered, she saw Su Chang sitting on the sofa in the study, his brows furrowed, clearly deep in thought.

She walked over and asked softly, "Young Master, what happened?"

Su Chang looked up, gesturing for her to sit down, and then told her Tan Zongming's suggestion in detail... After listening, Zheng Fangxiu frowned slightly, clearly realizing the complexity of the problem.

“President Tan’s suggestion is very pertinent, but we do need to carefully consider our next steps.” Zheng Fangxiu pondered for a moment, then said, “President Su, I have two options that you can consider.”

Su Chang nodded, signaling her to continue.

"The first option is for us to contribute a sum of money to the country to gain its support, but rely entirely on ourselves for defense. The advantage of this option is that we can maintain complete control over the island, and the country will not interfere too much in our internal affairs. The disadvantage is that we will have to bear all the defense pressure, and we may be put on the defensive if we encounter interference from external forces. Moreover, the acquisition of weapons and the organization of troops may take a relatively long time."

Zheng Fangxiu paused for a moment, then continued, "The second option is for us to cooperate deeply with the country, and we could even have the country establish a base on the island. The advantage of this option is that we can use the power of the country to ensure the safety and stability of the island, while also obtaining more resource support. The disadvantage is that we may lose some control, and the country's intervention may have some impact on our plans."

After listening, Su Chang fell into deep thought. He knew that both options had their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice would directly affect the future direction of the island project.

"Sister, which option do you think is more suitable for us?" Su Chang asked.

Zheng Fangxiu shook her head and said, "Young Master, this decision can only be made by you. I can only offer suggestions, but the final choice is up to your judgment."

Su Chang nodded and then said, "How about this, you write out both of these plans in detail, including the specific implementation steps and possible risk assessments. We'll decide based on the specific circumstances when we go to negotiate."

Zheng Fangxiu nodded, indicating that she understood. She then asked, "What about the progress on Liang Dawei and Xiong Kuo's 3.9 sea project? Do we need to wait for their results?"

Su Chang pondered for a moment and said, "Their progress is also very important. Keep an eye on it. If they make any new progress, let me know immediately. We can't wait too long. The negotiations must be moved forward as soon as possible. If they make a major breakthrough, we will have more confidence in our negotiations."

Zheng Fangxiu nodded, then stood up and said, "Okay, I'll go prepare the plan right away."

Su Chang nodded and watched Zheng Fangxiu leave the study. He leaned back on the sofa, took a deep breath, and began to think about each step he would take next.

He knew that the island project was not just a simple project, but a crucial part of building his ideal home. If this step was not done well, all subsequent plans would be affected.

"No matter what, the island project must succeed," Su Chang vowed silently in his heart.

Over the next few days, Su Chang devoted almost all his time to preparing for the negotiations. He not only had to consider how to exchange benefits with the higher-ups, but also had to keep a close eye on the progress of Liang Dawei and Xiong Kuohai. The ten Zheng sisters also worked overtime to produce detailed plans for both options.

Chapter 355 Negotiation

A few days later, Su Chang received another call from Tan Zongming.

"Su Chang, I've already made the arrangements for you. The higher-ups have agreed to meet with you. The meeting is scheduled for the afternoon of the day after tomorrow at the State Guesthouse." Tan Zongming's tone was calm, but Su Chang could sense the weight of his words.

"Okay, Lao Tan, thank you for your hard work," Su Chang said solemnly.

After hanging up the phone, Su Chang took a deep breath. He knew the real test was about to begin. He picked up the proposal Zheng Fangxiu had prepared, carefully reviewed it, and then dialed her number.

"Little sister, the negotiation is scheduled for the afternoon of the day after tomorrow. You'll come with me then," Su Chang said.

Zheng Fangxiu responded on the other end of the phone, then asked, "Young Master, which option do you think we should choose? Have you made a decision?"

Su Chang was silent for a moment, then said, "I definitely prefer the first option. I don't like the feeling of being controlled. We'll see how things go. We need to be flexible."

After hanging up the phone, Su Chang stood by the window of his study in the Junyue Mansion, gazing at the brightly lit cityscape of Shanghai in the distance, his heart unable to find peace. He knew that the upcoming negotiations would be the most important gamble of his life, and success or failure hinged on this moment.

He took a deep breath, turned around and walked to his desk, picked up his phone, and dialed the first number.

"Hey, Guan Guan, it's me." Su Chang's voice was deep and gentle.

A soft, pleasant female voice came from the other end of the phone: "Brother Su Chang, what's wrong? Are you done with your work?"

Su Chang smiled and said, "Yes, I have some things to take care of recently. Tell everyone not to go to work tomorrow, I want to see you all."

Guan Juer was taken aback for a moment, then asked softly, "Brother Su Chang, is something wrong? You're rarely this formal."

Su Chang was silent for a moment, then said, "It's nothing serious, I just have some things I want to talk to you 22s about. I'll be back tomorrow morning."

Guan Juer didn't ask any more questions, and simply replied obediently, "Okay, Brother Su Chang, I'll let everyone know."

After hanging up, Su Chang dialed Ye Zhenzhen and Zhu Zhe's numbers in turn. Their reactions were similar to Guan Juer's; although they were somewhat puzzled, they all agreed without hesitation.

After hanging up the phone, Su Chang leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He knew that these women were not just his confidantes, but an indispensable part of his life. Their presence gave him warmth and strength, especially when facing immense pressure.

The next morning, Su Chang returned to Villa No. 8 in Dongshan early.

As soon as Su Chang returned, he saw that Jiang Lai, Andy, Guan Juer, and all of Su Chang's women, except for Li Meng and Yan Xiaoqiu, were already waiting in the living room.

"Brother Su Chang, we're all here," Guan Juer said with a smile, a hint of concern in her eyes.

Su Chang nodded, gesturing for them to sit down. The women sat around the sofa, all eyes fixed on Su Chang, waiting for him to speak.

Su Chang took a deep breath and said slowly, "I called you back today because I wanted to talk to you. I have some things to take care of recently, so I might be quite busy and won't be able to spend time with you for the time being."

Jiang Lai frowned and asked softly, "Su Chang, is something wrong? You look a little tired."

Su Chang smiled and shook his head: "It's nothing serious, just some important negotiations. These negotiations are related to my future plans, so I have to go all out."

Chen Nanxing blinked and asked, "Brother Su Chang, is there anything we can do to help?"

Su Chang looked at them, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes: "Your presence by my side is the greatest support for me. I called you back today to see you and give me more motivation and confidence to face the challenges ahead."

Andy smiled slightly and said, "Su Chang, you have always been our support. Whatever decision you make, we will support you."

Su Chang nodded, feeling a warmth in his heart. He knew that these women were not only his confidantes, but also the most important pillars in his life. Their presence made him feel at ease and gave him more courage to face all difficulties.

"Thank you," Su Chang said softly, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes.

Guan Juer stood up, walked to Su Chang's side, and gently took his hand: "Brother Su Chang, you don't have to shoulder everything alone. Although we can't help you deal with those complicated things, we can stay by your side and give you strength."

Su Chang gripped Xiao Rou's hand tightly, feeling a surge of warmth in his heart. He knew he wasn't fighting alone. No matter how difficult the road ahead, he had these women by his side.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." Su Chang smiled, trying to lighten the mood: "I called you back today not only to chat, but also to have a meal with you. I'll cook you a big meal myself later."

The women smiled upon hearing this. They knew that although Su Chang was usually busy with work, he always made time for them. These heartwarming moments were what they cherished most.

Thanks to everyone's concerted efforts, lunch was prepared before noon. Su Chang and the women sat around the table in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

They chatted about everyday things, their laughter filling the air. Looking at them, Su Chang felt a surge of contentment. He knew these women were the most precious treasures in his life, and no matter what the future held, he would do everything in his power to protect them.

After lunch, Su Chang sat with the women on the sofa in the living room and continued chatting. The women took turns sharing their recent life stories, while Su Chang listened quietly, occasionally chiming in with a few words. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

Su Chang stood before the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the Kyoto night view. The city lights shone brightly, and the traffic flowed smoothly, as if everything was operating in an orderly fashion. However, his heart was far from at peace.

Tan Zongming's words in the car made him realize the complexity and challenge of this negotiation. The higher-ups clearly had a strong interest in the island project, and had even expressed their intention to establish a base there. This was undoubtedly a huge pressure, but it could also be an opportunity.

Su Chang took a deep breath and turned to look at Zheng Fangxiu, Cui Tianqi, and Guan Xiaodi sitting on the sofa. Their faces all wore a serious expression, clearly indicating the importance of this negotiation.

"Big sister, is the gift ready?" Su Chang asked.

Zheng Fangxiu nodded, took out an exquisite gift box from her bag, and handed it to Su Chang: "Young Master, this was prepared according to your request. President Tan should like it."

Su Chang took the gift box, opened it, and saw a piece of imperial green jade inside, which was quite valuable. He nodded in satisfaction, closed the gift box, and placed it aside.

“Tan Zongming has helped us a lot this time, and giving him this gift is a way of expressing our sincerity,” Su Chang said. “However, tomorrow’s negotiations are the most important. We must be fully prepared.”

Cui Tianqi frowned and asked softly, "President Su, what do you think of the information President Tan revealed in the car? It seems that the higher-ups are more inclined to establish a base on the island. Could this be a disadvantage for us?"

Su Chang was silent for a moment, then said, "The higher-ups' intentions are indeed very clear, but this may not necessarily be a bad thing. If handled properly, perhaps we can use the power of the state to ensure the safety and stability of the island. The key is how we can secure the greatest benefits in the negotiations while maintaining control over the island. Moreover, Lao Tan may just be testing my attitude on behalf of certain people."

Guan Xiaodi nodded and added, "The boss is right. We must demonstrate sufficient leverage in negotiations to show the higher-ups our value. Only in this way can we take the initiative in the cooperation."

Su Chang gave Guan Xiaodi an approving look, then said, "Xiaodi is right. Both of the plans we brought this time have been carefully prepared. No matter which one the higher-ups prefer, we must have a strategy to deal with it."

Zheng Fangxiu stood up, walked to Su Chang's side, and said softly, "Young Master, I have prepared detailed plans for both options. During tomorrow's negotiations, we can flexibly adjust our strategy based on the reactions from higher-ups."

Su Chang nodded and then said, "Okay, everyone has worked hard. Get a good rest tonight. Tomorrow afternoon, we will face the real challenge."

Everyone nodded and then returned to their rooms to rest. Su Chang sat alone on the sofa, his mind replaying Tan Zongming's words and the higher-ups' intentions. He knew that tomorrow's negotiations would be a tough battle, and no detail could be overlooked.

The next day at noon, after washing up, Su Chang changed into a sharp suit. Standing in front of the mirror, he carefully adjusted his tie, silently encouraging himself. No matter the outcome, he had to give it his all.

After lunch, Tan Zongming arrived at the hotel on time to pick them up. Su Chang handed him the prepared gift and said with a smile, "Old Tan, we owe you a lot for your help this time. This is just a small token of our appreciation."

Tan Zongming took the gift box, opened it, and glanced at it. A look of surprise and delight appeared on his face: "Su Chang, this is too precious. How can I accept it? Besides, it was just a small favor."

Su Chang waved his hand and said with a smile, "Old Tan, it was just a small favor for you, but it helped me a lot. What's this little token? Please accept it. We should cooperate more in the future."

Tan Zongming smiled, put the gift box away, and then said, "Alright then, Su Chang, it's getting late, let's go."

The group got into the car and headed towards the state guesthouse. On the way, Tan Zongming reminded Su Chang again: "President Su, I've already told you about the higher-ups' attitude on September 913th. They prefer to establish a base on the island. However, if you can offer more attractive terms, there might still be room for negotiation."

Su Chang nodded and said in a deep voice, "Old Tan, don't worry, I have made full preparations. No matter what conditions the higher-ups propose, I will do my best to achieve the most favorable outcome for us."

Tan Zongming nodded and said no more.

Upon arriving at the state guesthouse, Su Chang and his entourage were led to a spacious conference room. Only Zheng Fangxiu accompanied him inside; Guan Xiaodi and Cui Tianqi were left outside. The conference room was decorated in a solemn and elegant style, with several valuable calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, indicating its importance.

Shortly after, several senior leaders entered the conference room. Su Chang stood up and greeted them respectfully. The leaders smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, then sat down at the conference table.

Negotiations officially begin.