People in the alley: A woman dressed as a man shouldn't be foolishly filial, Zhuang Chaoying

Chapter 224 Negotiation Failed

Qiao Jianshe's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered.

"My name is Qiao Jianshe, please have a seat."

Soon, Secretary Bai brought in three cups of tea. "Please enjoy," she said, and then quietly left the office.

Qiao Jianshe dropped the pretense and pulled out a cigarette from his pocket. "Would you like a smoke, Director An? And these two comrades?"

Factory Director An doesn't usually smoke, but considering he'd come to resolve the issue privately, he felt it wouldn't be right to refuse. He took the cigarette, lit it with a match from his pocket, took two puffs, and coughed a few times from the thick smoke.

Qiao Jianshe leaned back in his chair, smoking a cigarette, and looked at the three of them.

He knew perfectly well why they were there; they just wanted to copy the electric kettles from their factory.

The factory's economic performance has been poor for the past two years, and it's almost impossible to pay workers' wages.

He happened to see the electric kettle his wife had bought and immediately saw the business opportunity in this simple and practical small appliance.

Production only started after the report was submitted to the head office. In just over half a month, they earned the revenue of the previous quarter and successfully paid the workers' wages. Now the workers are very enthusiastic.

With a seemingly gentle smile on his face, Qiao Jianshe leaned forward slightly and asked the question knowing the answer already.

"Director An, what brings you to our factory on such a cold day?"

They were pretending as if they really knew nothing about their purpose in coming, and were just exchanging pleasantries.

When Director An heard his tone of feigning ignorance, his anger flared up instantly.

He suddenly stood up, threw the cigarette butt in his hand to the ground, and stomped it out with the sole of his shoe.

Just as he was about to open his mouth to lash out, Zhuang Chaoying swiftly stopped him.

Zhuang Chaoying smiled. "Director Qiao, we've come here to genuinely resolve this issue. But we're wondering if you're truly willing to have a proper discussion with us?"

As Zhuang Chaoying spoke, she kept her eyes fixed on Qiao Jianshe's eyes.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Jianshe suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter, the sound of which was particularly jarring in the quiet office.

He spread his hands, looking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Oh? Solve the problem? I don't see any problem. This heater heats up quickly, and it's not like anyone said only you can produce it. We put in a lot of effort and developed it, so naturally we can also produce and sell it."

Lin Wufeng had been quietly observing Qiao Jianshe's reaction. At this moment, he gently placed the teacup in his hand on the table.

"Director Qiao, your attitude doesn't seem like you want to resolve the issue. We've come with the utmost sincerity. If you want to continue producing immersion heaters, you have to pay us a trademark usage fee and guarantee that the immersion heaters you produce meet our factory's product quality requirements. As for the fees, we can discuss them."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Jianshe's face instantly darkened, and he stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

"Haha, what a joke! I, Qiao Jianshe, have reported to the head office about the rapid production of heat pumps. And I'm doing this for all the workers in the factory, to ensure everyone has food to eat. You've got a good plan, thinking you can make us pay a usage fee? No way!"

Zhuang Chaoying was still smiling, but there was no smile in her eyes.

"Since Director Qiao doesn't want to pay the trademark usage fee, then don't blame us for suing your factory in court. We didn't want things to escalate to this point, but we have to protect our legitimate rights and interests."

Qiao Jianshe looked at the three of them with disdain, a smirk playing on his lips. "Sue, sue me all you want! Your factory's production speed can't keep up with customer demand, and the market is in short supply. We helped you solve this problem, and instead of thanking us, you come here to interrogate us?" He crossed his arms, leaned back in his chair, looking completely nonchalant, as if their counterfeiting was perfectly justified.

Zhuang Chaoying continued, "Since Director Qiao disagrees, then you must pay the price for your actions. The law is fair, and we believe there will be a reasonable judgment."

Seeing the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense, Lin Wufeng quickly tried to smooth things over.

He really didn't want things to escalate; resolving it privately would be best. "Director Qiao, our factory's immersion heaters are registered trademarks and protected by law. Once the judgment is issued, your factory's products can no longer be called 'immersion heaters,' and the losses will be huge. We've explained this consequence to you in advance; please consider it further."

Qiao Jianshe stood tall and straight, his face stern. "I haven't pocketed a single penny of the factory's profits; it's all for the workers. I, Qiao, have a clear conscience and am not afraid of being sued!"

[Ding, temporary mission: Organize Qiao Construction. This mission is valid indefinitely.]

In fact, Zhuang Chaoying and his group had already discussed it thoroughly. As long as the refrigerator parts factory agreed to pay the trademark usage fee, they would allow the other party to produce the product, as long as the product met the quality requirements. This is the OEM cooperation model that became very common later.

I never expected Qiao Jianshe to be so tough; he's practically asking for trouble.

Since that's the case, then don't blame them for taking direct action.

Factory Director An was so angry with Qiao Jianshe that his face turned pale. He clutched his chest, his finger trembling as he pointed at him. "Factory Director Qiao, we'll see about this! Don't come begging to us again! Let's go!"

Qiao Jianshe returned to his chair, straightened his clothes, and raised his voice. "Xiao Bai, see the guest out!"

Factory Director An glared at him. "We don't need you to see us off, we can walk by ourselves!" With that, he turned and strode towards the door.

Watching Director An and the others leave, he felt resentful and worried, but he quickly regained his tough demeanor.

,,,,,,

The three were escorted out of the refrigerator parts factory by people arranged by Secretary Bai. The winter wind was biting, but it did nothing to cool down the anger in Director An's heart.

He stood at the factory gate, his finger trembling as he pointed at the factory sign. "Since you don't want to resolve this properly, don't blame us for being ruthless! To counterfeit our products and act so brazenly is simply shameless!"

Upon hearing the noise, the old gatekeeper hurriedly came out of the guardhouse, a broom still in his hand.

"Are you leaving or not? If you don't leave, I'm going to call for help!"

Seeing this, Director An quickly pulled Teacher Zhuang and Engineer Lin outside, saying, "A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle; we'll have plenty of time in the future!"

Lin Wufeng gently patted Factory Director An on the shoulder. "Factory Director An, since we can't reach an agreement, let's stick to what we agreed on before and file a lawsuit directly. The law will give us a fair judgment."

Factory Director An nodded slightly.

They randomly picked a small restaurant on the street, ate a simple meal, and then returned to the guesthouse.

Upon entering the room, after washing up, Director An and Lin Wufeng took off their clothes and crawled into bed.

Seeing this, Zhuang Chaoying couldn't help but ask, "Engineer Lin, Factory Director An, why did you take off your clothes? It's not cold outside!"