Chapter 22: The Battle for the Order

Beimo’s heartfelt confession did nothing to disrupt the rhythm of Duan Fei’s entrepreneurial journey.

The next day, she arrived at the office early, only to find her employees huddled together, their faces etched with anxiety.

"Sister Fei, President Li has submitted his quote as well. It’s a full 20% lower than ours. This is clearly malicious undercutting!" Xiao Wang said, his face pale with worry. He clutched the competitor’s price sheet as if it were a ticking time bomb.

Duan Fei took the document, glanced at it, and let out a cold laugh. "Hah, playing the price war game? President Li has miscalculated." The office was thick with tension; this first major order was crucial for the new company. Losing it would be a devastating blow to the team’s morale.

Xiao Wang suggested, "Why don't we lower our prices too? We can make up the margins with volume." Another employee agreed, "Exactly, anything is better than having no orders at all." Duan Fei shook her head, vetoing the proposal. "Lower our prices? That’s exactly what he wants. President Li has deep pockets and can afford a price war, but we cannot."

She walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the city, her eyes glinting with resolve.

"Rather than passive defense, it is better to take the initiative." Duan Fei turned around, her gaze sharp as she swept over the room. "Xiao Wang, come with me."

President Li’s company was located in a high-end office building in the city center, with luxurious decor that flaunted his success.

Duan Fei and Xiao Wang were led into Li’s office by his secretary. The president sat behind a massive desk, twirling a fountain pen with a look of contemptuous amusement on his face.

"Well, if it isn't Miss Duan. What’s this? Here to beg me to show some mercy?" Li said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Duan Fei didn't back down. She walked straight to the desk and sat down across from him. "President Li, let’s skip the pleasantries. With this kind of malicious price-cutting, aren't you afraid of a mutually destructive outcome?"

Li laughed heartily, as if he had heard a joke. "Mutually destructive? Miss Duan, you think far too highly of yourself. Your little shop? I could crush it with a flick of my finger."

"You’re overconfident, President Li," Duan Fei replied coldly, her eyes harboring a chill. "Who will emerge victorious is yet to be determined." She paused, her voice turning cryptic. "I advise you to be careful. Some things, when taken too far, will not end well for you either."

Li’s expression shifted, a flicker of cruelty crossing his eyes. "Are you threatening me?"

Duan Fei didn't answer. She merely smiled slightly and stood up to leave.

"Xiao Wang, let’s go." As she reached the door, she stopped and looked back at Li. "Oh, by the way, President Li, I heard..."

Duan Fei’s lips curled into a sly, meaningful smile. "I heard that your company’s recent raw material suppliers have run into some trouble. The quality, well... let’s just say it’s hard to speak highly of it."

Li’s face turned ashen. He lunged to his feet and pointed at Duan Fei, roaring, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting!" Duan Fei ignored his outburst and walked out with Xiao Wang, leaving the president behind looking as if he had swallowed a fly.

***

Back at the office, Duan Fei immediately called a meeting. Xiao Wang laid out the intelligence he had gathered: to cut costs, President Li had been using inferior raw materials—a truly unscrupulous businessman.

"Sister Fei, what should we do now?" Xiao Wang rubbed his hands together excitedly, as if he could already see the dawn of victory.

"We make good use of this 'surprise,' of course." Duan Fei smiled confidently. She didn't reveal Li’s dirty secrets immediately; instead, she decided to hold her ground and wait for the right moment. She wanted Li’s low-price strategy to be the very thing that tripped him up.

The following days saw the team shift into "996" mode. They worked busily during the day and burned the midnight oil, encouraging one another. The office was filled with a vibrant, industrious atmosphere.

Duan Fei found this both heartening and moving. To reward everyone, she ordered a lavish late-night feast—barbecue, milk tea, and crawfish—piling the conference table high.

As they ate and discussed work, happiness radiated from their faces. The company felt like a warm family, with everyone striving toward a common goal.

"Sister Fei, don't worry, we won't let you down!" Xiao Wang said, raising his milk tea.

"That’s right! We’ll definitely land this order!" the others chimed in. Their voices were full of fighting spirit, as if they could dismantle Li’s schemes in an instant.

Looking at them, Duan Fei felt a surge of pride. With such a wonderful team, what was there to fear?

She raised her cola and said with a smile, "Come on, let’s toast to our impending victory!"

Everyone raised their drinks. The cheers, the clinking of cups, and the laughter wove together like a beautiful symphony that resonated in the office long after the night ended.

The next day, just as Duan Fei entered the office, Xiao Wang came running over in a panic. "Sister Fei, something’s wrong..."

Xiao Wang was panting, his face pale. "Sister Fei, we haven't received any new orders in days. The market clients have almost all been lured away by President Li’s low-price strategy. What do we do?"

Duan Fei’s heart sank. Although she had been mentally prepared, the cruelty of reality still left her feeling a sense of powerlessness.

She braced herself and comforted him. "Don't panic. It’s only the beginning; we still have a chance." She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. After all, as the boss, she couldn't afford to lose her composure.

***

In the following days, Duan Fei led her team everywhere, attending various exhibitions and actively reaching out to potential clients. However, reality felt like a wall of ice, and they were met with rejection time and again.

Orders were scarce, and the company’s funds were running thin. The hardships of starting a business surged over her like a tide, putting Duan Fei under immense pressure.

Just when she felt a sense of despair, she accidentally discovered that the low-cost products from President Li’s company had serious flaws in their after-sales service.

A flash of inspiration struck her. She immediately organized her team to work overtime to create a detailed comparison proposal, using facts and data to expose the deception behind Li’s low-price strategy.

With this meticulously crafted proposal in hand, Duan Fei revisited those potential clients.

When the clients saw her presentation, their previous indifference began to waver. One by one, they grew interested in her company and began asking for product details.

Duan Fei struck while the iron was hot, explaining patiently and showcasing her company’s strength and advantages. Gradually, the clients’ attitudes shifted, and the prospects of orders began to emerge.

Duan Fei’s mood lifted, and she felt a surge of excitement.

However, just as she felt everything was turning around, an unexpected person suddenly appeared at her meeting with a client.

"Feifei, long time no see."

The familiar voice caused Duan Fei to freeze in place. She looked up and saw Beimo standing at the door with a meaningful smile on his face, while the clients looked on with confusion.

Beimo’s appearance made her heart skip a beat. She was thrown off balance. Was he trying to stir up trouble again?

She looked at him, her brows furrowed, filled with doubt.

"President Bei, why are you here?"