"A 70% premium? That’s impossible, it’s too much!"

The merchant from country R was the first to object.

Jiang Cheng maintained a smile and looked at the tea merchant from country R, asking, "You finally decided to speak up."

The tea merchant from country R felt a "heart attack" from Jiang Cheng’s words, but for his own interest, he chose to speak again.

"We cannot accept this price."

Jiang Cheng responded with an "Oh" and said, "Alright, I’ll translate that for our factory director. It’s his decision. I’m just a translator."

Just as Jiang Cheng was about to turn and speak, he was interrupted by the tea merchant from country R.

"No need for you to translate, we have our own translator."

Clearly wary of Jiang Cheng, the tea merchant from country R, observed Jiang Cheng step back, making an inviting gesture, "Please, go ahead."

After speaking, Jiang Cheng really stepped aside, crossing his arms and remaining silent.

While keeping an eye on Jiang Cheng, the tea merchant from country R had their translator step forward to communicate.

There were four tea factories in total.

All four factory directors stood together, listening to the translator from country R chattering away in not-so-fluent Hua Xia language.

"Sorry, we can’t offer the previous price. The price we discussed with Mr. Clooney is like this."

One of the factory directors pointed to the foreigner sitting there and continued, "Our tea quality is excellent this year, and the production is low. Any insightful tea merchant would raise the price."

The translator from country R conveyed this truthfully to the tea merchant from country R.

The other three had accompanying translators who were whispering quietly.

The factory directors from Hua Xia were not anxious at all.

Yesterday, they feared the four foreign merchants because they didn’t know Mr. Clooney was there.

Even though they had never met Mr. Clooney before, he immediately wanted two-thirds of the tea, and at a high price.

Even if they didn’t do business with the four foreign guests, their sales for the year would still exceed expectations.

As the saying goes, having grain in hand keeps the heart calm.

Clooney was their ace in the hole, which is why the four directors were particularly tough.

Next, the four tea merchants took turns negotiating prices, but the Hua Xia side didn’t budge. Together with the confident and resolute attitude of the four directors, the four foreign merchants began to realize the situation.

The tea was indeed good, and the quantity was indeed scarce.

This foreign merchant buying the tea was indeed real.

If it wasn’t true, the four directors wouldn’t be this unwavering.

Ordinary people can’t hold out this long unless they’re confident.

All four realized this.

"We are willing to buy all your remaining tea at this price."

The merchant from country M spoke first.

"We are also willing to buy! Mr. Glu, it’s best not to be too greedy."

Country R stepped forward with a look of pressure aimed at country M.

The merchants from countries Y and D also rushed over, eagerly agreeing to this price.

Not only agreeing, but the four country tea merchants started bidding to secure the last bit of stock.

The prices rose and rose, reaching twice, two-and-a-half, and even three times last year’s prices!

When the price hit three times by the Y country people, the other three countries bid three, two-point-eight, and two-point-five multiples.

This time, the factory directors from Hua Xia were bewildered.

They were initially firm, but now at this price...

It wasn’t that they weren’t firm, it was just that the offers were too good!

The factory directors instinctively glanced at the seated "confidence," Mr. Clooney.

Clooney, wearing glasses, let out a deep "hmm" and said, "Seventy percent is the highest price I can offer."

The tea factory owner looked apologetically at Clooney and said, "Mr. Clooney, we’re truly sorry. Perhaps you could look at our other teas?"

Clooney didn’t respond but instead got up quietly, lowering his head, hands behind his back, he left.

The foreign tea merchants standing felt victorious smiles spread across their faces.

But behind the smiles was a bit of pain.

If it weren’t for that unexpected disruptor, they wouldn’t have had to pay such a high price.

The thought made the pain worse.

If it weren’t for country M’s suggestion to collude on price fixing, they wouldn’t have needed to pay such a high price.

At this thought, the merchant from country M, Glu, was glared at fiercely by the other three, as if they wanted to bite off a piece of him.

Glu’s eyes darted around evasively.

"Why are you glaring at me? I paid too!!!"

Besides, who could have known in advance!

"Ladies and gentlemen, can we proceed with the paperwork after the negotiation?"

Jiang Cheng reappeared, this time not chased away.

The tea merchants from four countries and the factory directors from Hua Xia walked together to the foreign trade desks to handle paperwork.

The paperwork handlers numbered twelve.

As there were four tea factories and four merchants doing business, each required differing teas.

The entire procedure took over an hour.

By the time everything settled, it was already two in the afternoon.

Lunchtime had already passed.

Jiang Cheng trailed at the back, watching Director Cui and others escort the four tea merchants out of the trading hall and then return.

With Director Cui leading, the group hurriedly approached Jiang Cheng.

"Jiang Cheng, you’re something else!"

Director Cui gave an unreserved thumbs-up, the praise clear on his face.

"It’s not just my achievement. Without your leadership trusting in using me, without the cooperation of the factory directors, without the distraction during the tea tasting today, and the efforts of all the foreign trade staff..."

After commending everyone one by one, Jiang Cheng concluded, "Victory is never owned by one person; it’s a result of our collective hard work."

"Let’s all give ourselves a round of applause!"

With Jiang Cheng’s words, the room erupted in thunderous applause.

Director Cui admired Jiang Cheng even more.

Mr. Jiang had confidence when necessary, and effortlessly deflected credit when due.

This level of open-mindedness is rare.

After the applause died down, Jiang Cheng joked, "I think I deserve a lunch, don’t you think?"

"Not at all! Name your dish!"

One of the factory directors stepped up, with the other three regretting not being quicker.

Jiang Cheng unceremoniously picked a few dishes, and among the four directors, each took one to cover.

Watching this, Director Cui thought to himself: this young woman can go places, stay grounded, with a limitless future.

An hour later, Jiang Cheng finally got to enjoy her belated lunch.

With the accompaniment of the four directors, the event was nothing short of grand.

During the meal, one of the tea factory directors asked, "Mr. Jiang, which country is Mr. Clooney a tea merchant from?"

"He’s not a tea merchant."

Jiang Cheng calmly answered, but the four directors did not stay calm.

"Not a tea merchant?" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"What do you mean?"

Jiang Cheng put down her chopsticks, blinked, and asked, "Didn’t I say?"

The four directors shook their heads in unison, their eyes wide and round, staring at Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng innocently realized, chuckled, and said, "Maybe I forgot... Clooney was a stand-in I brought in."