Chapter 8: Maintaining Client Relationships

"What a great colleague! Yuan Kai talks behind his back even with such a subordinate; he really doesn't know when he's well off. His perspective is just too limited!" Feng Feifei had effectively pegged Yuan Kai.

"Alright, Chen Xiao, thank you for your hard work too! I'll have 'Zhiwei Ju' downstairs send some food up for you both later." With that, Feng Feifei left for the day.

"Chen Xiao, thanks for staying behind to keep me company for this unpaid overtime!" Yuan Kai said triumphantly, thinking he had gotten his way.

*Only an idiot would work unpaid overtime,* Chen Xiao sneered inwardly. *You'll never understand how I play the game.*

Wait? That’s right, it didn't really count as unpaid overtime. If this project succeeded, he would get a 25,000 bonus. At the thought of this, Yuan Kai's fatigue vanished, and he added happily, "You're right, there's quite a bit of money in it. I really have to thank you for your contribution!"

Chen Xiao gave a disdainful snort. *Small-minded fool. Chen doesn't even care for that pocket change!*

His scoff reminded Yuan Kai that Chen Xiao could earn 250,000 on this project. *Damn it, my heart aches. If I had handled it myself, it would all be mine! All mine!*

Chen Xiao, naturally unaware of the internal battle raging within Yuan Kai, was killed in the game and shouted, "Damn it, matched with a brainless teammate!"

Yuan Kai immediately flared up: "Who are you calling names?"

*Huh? What does that have to do with you?* Realizing Yuan Kai thought he was talking about him, Chen Xiao replied, "It has nothing to do with you. You work on your proposal, I'll play my game. You should cherish that 100x return!"

*Damn, is he really being this brazen about playing games? He’s acting so arrogant just because he got a little lucky!* Yuan Kai bit his tongue, afraid that if he kept talking, his blood pressure would spike and he'd end up having a stroke.

*Wait—no. What does he mean by 100x return? Is he calling me a '250' (an idiot)?* Yuan Kai realized too late. By the time he caught on, Chen Xiao had already started another match, leaving Yuan Kai to stew in his own resentment.

At 11:30 PM, Yuan Kai finally finished revising the proposal and sent it to Chen Xiao.

With only half an hour left until the mission was complete, Chen Xiao checked it slowly and methodically. After ten minutes passed, Yuan Kai urged, "Are you done looking?"

"I've looked. There seem to be a few typos and some incorrect punctuation marks in the middle. We should fix them; otherwise, it will affect the company's image."

Yuan Kai asked, "Which parts?" This affected his image, too.

"I forgot to mark them. You should check it again yourself!"

*Are you kidding me? Are you even human? You stared at it for ages just to see nothing?* Yuan Kai's eyes turned red with fury.

Chen Xiao looked innocent. "I'm sorry, I don't have much experience. I forgot!"

*I must endure this,* Yuan Kai thought. To avoid falling at the final hurdle, he checked the document three more times, but couldn't find a single typo. Rubbing his dizzy head, he said almost plaintively, "There aren't any errors here!"

Chen Xiao stood up slowly. "I don't remember anymore either, which is why I said 'seem to be.' Since you've checked it a few times now, there shouldn't be any issues!"

It was exactly midnight. Perfect timing!

Yuan Kai looked like he was suffering a fate worse than death, staring blankly as Chen Xiao packed his bag and left the office. He slammed his fist onto the keyboard in frustration. *Damn it, you're playing me! Just you wait!*

*Damn it all!* Chen Xiao didn't hear him as he walked away. Yuan Kai realized that his punch had caused a few typos and garbled characters in the otherwise perfect proposal. He spent another half hour checking it repeatedly, saved the file, shut down the computer, and left the office, feeling physically drained.

"Ding! Mission complete. Completion rate: 100%. Distributing random gift pack..."

"Reward 1: Physique +5. Reward 2: Professionalism +2. Reward 3: One 50-square-meter apartment at Hairun Mansion. The deed has been delivered to the parcel locker at the host's rental apartment."

The three rewards were given. With the +5 to Physique, Chen Xiao felt a surge of vitality, as if he had improved in every way. But checking his character panel, he realized he had thought too much; his stamina hadn't increased. How unscientific!

The +2 in Professionalism was a pleasant surprise; it would be a massive help for future earnings.

As for the real estate, the system was a bit stingy—a 50-square-meter apartment wasn't worth much—but at least he wouldn't have to live in a rental anymore.

[Host: Chen Xiao (Professionalism: 4)]
[Profession: Feng Doctor Robot - Business Specialist]
[Height: 178CM, Weight: 75KG]
[Physique: 80, Stamina: 60, Health: 70, Charisma: 80]
[Minimum Income LV1: 8,000/day]
[Professionalism Bonus Coefficient: 4]
[Asset Status: Balance: 491,200. Real Estate: Hairun Mansion (50 sqm). Vehicle: None.]

The Professionalism bonus coefficient had become 4. This meant his bonus had increased by another 500,000. *Wahaha!*

It was already past midnight, so he naturally wouldn't go to Hairun Mansion. He returned to his rental as usual, taking the opportunity to pack his important belongings so he could move the next day.

The next morning, Chen Xiao immediately sent the project proposal to Bai Lu. This was only the 3-million-yuan equipment procurement part; the research project would need to be finalized after Feng Feifei led a team for further discussion and negotiations.

Bai Lu responded quickly, sending over the electronic copy of the procurement agreement. Chen Xiao gave it a quick look and went straight to consult Feng Feifei. Since the company hadn't hired a new legal advisor yet, Feng Feifei was wearing many hats; calling her a "model general manager" was no exaggeration.

Getting the agreement so quickly shocked Feng Feifei. This was the easiest business negotiation she had ever experienced, especially for a 3-million-yuan deal, which normally would take at least half a year to close.

Chen Xiao was truly a lucky charm! Feng Feifei looked at him, her eyes brightening. She saw him as a hidden treasure—an employee like this was hard to find even with a lantern.

Chen Xiao felt uncomfortable. He was afraid Feng Feifei might be eyeing him, and he didn't know whether he should agree, agree, or... agree. It was such a difficult decision!

The work of printing, stamping, reviewing, and binding the contract was handed to Yuan Kai. A department manager reduced to doing assistant work—but at least he would get his 25,000 bonus, so it wasn't for nothing! Still, thinking of Chen Xiao's "good luck," he hadn't slept a wink the night before. If only it had been him!

He even fantasized that if he had secured the 5-million-yuan order, given the company's current situation, he would have descended from the heavens on a colorful cloud to turn the tide. Feng Feifei wouldn't just offer herself; she would likely have made him a vice president without hesitation.

What a pity that the "bad seed" Chen Xiao had picked up the scraps. But fortunately, he hadn't passed his probation period yet. He could only get the bonus; as for a promotion, he could keep dreaming!

Little did he know, in Chen Xiao's eyes, a promotion was worth less than nothing! He was doing his best to avoid one.

Yuan Kai sorted the documents and tossed them to Chen Xiao, telling him to take them to the design institute for the final seals. "Anything else tonight? Come with me to entertain some clients!"

"No time."

Yuan Kai was furious. What was the excuse this time?

"Playing League of Legends."

*Damn, is he being this arrogant now? Skipping work to play games, and saying it so brazenly? He's completely lawless!*

But Chen Xiao's next sentence made him shut up, as his reasoning was actually quite self-consistent.

"I'm playing League of Legends with the leaders of the design institute to maintain the client relationship!"