“What’s going on?”
Wang Yu watched as a group of people rushed towards him, their faces contorted with rage, as if Wang Yu had murdered their fathers and stolen their wives. They all seemed intent on killing him.
The employees of the automobile factory quickly stepped forward to block them. Although they didn't know who these people were, in such a situation, their priority was to protect their young factory director.
Han Jun, being observant, prepared to notify the exhibition hall’s security and the police.
“Wait a moment, let’s see what this is about first.”
Wang Yu stopped Han Jun and walked forward.
He noticed that the group approaching him were all well-dressed and appeared cultured, not like people of low character.
Why were they now acting like shrewish gossips, hurling insults? Even with Wang Yu’s extraordinary composure and experience from two lifetimes, some of the harsh words made him frown slightly.
“Who are you people? How have I, Wang Yu, offended you all?”
Wang Yu frowned and stepped forward to straighten a large propaganda board that had been knocked over in the scuffle. It was the painstaking work of the old director, personally written, and it would be a pity if it were stepped on by someone.
“Humph, Wang Yu, don't you know what despicable things you’ve done?”
Someone from the group spoke up. It was a well-dressed middle-aged man, looking refined, but his expression was one of utter hatred towards Wang Yu.
“What have I done?”
Wang Yu looked utterly bewildered. Had he blinded the blind and cursed the mute, or dug up the graves of widows? Did he deserve to be called “despicable”?
Although he sometimes acted without much regard for convention, Wang Yu had been quite principled in major matters since his rebirth. He had even often shared profits, believing in the idea of “making money together.”
Therefore, being called “despicable” like this was truly the first time in his life.
“We, humph! We are from the major bicycle factories! I am the representative of Lei Niao Bicycle Factory!”
The middle-aged man said his identity with a cold snort. “Do you remember the orders for fuel-assisted bicycles that you and your woman sold to us?”
“That’s right, I am the person in charge from Ming Huang.”
“I'm from Yong Wang.”
…
One by one, they announced their affiliations. They were all representatives of well-known bicycle factories across the country. Any one of their factories was a leading enterprise in their respective local economies.
It was clear they were here to attend the Dongzhou Industrial Expo. After all, with their strength, securing a spot at the event was a certainty.
“My woman partnered with you to sell fuel-assisted bicycle orders? Are you talking about Wu Lingling?”
Wang Yu suddenly recalled something. Wu Lingling had indeed sold many fuel-assisted bicycle orders to major bicycle factories nationwide. This had led to a conflict with Wang Yu, initiated by Huang He of the Bicycle Factory, as well as supporting factories demanding price increases and opposing Wang Yu.
Wang Yu certainly wouldn't forget this. As for Wu Lingling being his woman, that was a bit of a misunderstanding. Their relationship was purely a business partnership… or so he thought.
“Then, why have you all come here with such aggressive intent?”
Wang Yu looked at them confusedly. It seemed like all those orders had already been fulfilled. With everything settled, both goods and money exchanged, what was there to discuss? Why were these people here to cause trouble for him?
Speaking of which, where had Wu Lingling gone? He hadn’t seen her all morning. He wondered what she was up to.
Among the automobile factory's staff, besides her, there was also Andre. But Andre didn't count. He had said last night he was going to catch up with an old friend, but then got drunk and was still asleep.
That guy probably wasn't catching up with friends, more like indulging in alcohol…
“That’s right, it’s about these orders you sold us!”
The middle-aged man said furiously. “You sold orders to us, and then at even lower prices to other smaller bicycle factories. What are your intentions?”
“Ah? What are you talking about?”
Wang Yu was somewhat dazed, then he remembered. Wu Lingling seemed to have sold quite a few batches of fuel-assisted bicycles. The first batch was sold to these major brands at 799 yuan. Then she found a batch of second-tier brands that competed with these manufacturers but were slightly weaker, and sold a batch for 699 yuan…
This kind of behavior, profiting from both sides, was very much in line with Wu Lingling’s style.
More importantly, the price Wu Lingling purchased the vehicles from Wang Yu was also 699 yuan per unit. So, the goods she sold to those smaller factories didn’t yield any profit. She earned through capital flow, interest, and then by forcing these first and second-tier brands into a price war.
Alright, this kind of behavior, harming others without benefiting oneself, was also very much in line with Wu Lingling’s style…
Wang Yu looked at the representatives of the bicycle factories with some helplessness. Honestly speaking, while this behavior aligned with business logic – a fair partnership where buyer and seller were willing – it was indeed somewhat unethical. It was understandable that they would come looking for him.
Also… was it still too late to explain to them that Wu Lingling wasn’t his woman?
Before Wang Yu could say anything more, he heard the representative from Lei Niao speak again. “Furthermore, if this were all, it would be one thing. But you’ve also increased the price of your mini fuel engines! This is unforgivable! Utterly shameless!”
The representative’s tone was filled with indignation. If they had only sold at lower prices to competitors, it wouldn't have been much for these behemoth leading enterprises. The cars they had originally ordered were merely for them to copy and reverse-engineer.
But what truly infuriated them was that after they had finally copied… no, designed and produced similar products, Wang Yu had increased the price of his mini fuel engines!
The core of a fuel-assisted bicycle was this mini engine. A larger one would not only increase production and usage costs, but also make it difficult to match the exterior dimensions for use on an assisted bicycle. For customers, it would be better to buy a motorcycle.
However, they searched the entire country but couldn't find anyone who could supply such a mini, small-sized engine. Wang Yu’s self-produced and self-sold model was something others couldn't replicate.
Large factories with the capabilities and technology were unwilling to invest capital and manpower into the research and development of this engine due to its niche market.
As for those who wanted to develop these engines, they lacked the necessary capabilities and funding.
This led to the "chicken rib" attribute of the mini fuel engine. Even if these bicycle factories successfully copied it, they could only reluctantly source it from Wang Yu.
Upon hearing this, Wang Yu immediately understood. He seemed to recall that Feng Daochun had reported to him some time ago that the mini fuel engines had been price-increased due to production capacity and insufficient manpower.
From the perspective of these bicycle factories, Wang Yu was deliberately inflating the price, a blatant strategy forcing them into a trap!
How could they not be angry?
“Oh? So, what do you all mean by this now?”
After clarifying the whole story, Wang Yu smiled friendly at everyone.
Thinking about it, his company might have been a bit unethical. But now that the production capacity issue had been resolved, he could adjust the prices back.
“It’s very simple. You directly publish your engine design technology to us, and we will forgive you.”
The middle-aged man finally revealed his true intentions.
“We represent leading enterprises from over a dozen key provinces. You had better consider the consequences of refusing us!”