dmims Chapter 42: Chris
Chapter 42: Chris
The glass door opened.
Four people stood inside and outside the door, and the air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.
Yu Chen moved forward half a step, blocking Nie Xiguang's view slightly to the side.
The focused expression he had when discussing technology vanished, replaced by a calm, welcoming demeanor.
"Manager Zhuang." He nodded to Zhuang Xu, then turned his gaze to Chris. "And this is?"
"My colleague, Chris," Zhuang Xu replied, his gaze quickly sliding to Nie Xiguang before shifting away. "We're here for due diligence as scheduled."
Chris glanced quickly at the two people opposite her.
She had seen the man in a file photo; he was Yu Chen.
She looks much better in person than in photos, and she's very young.
The other one is Nie Xiguang, the daughter of the Nie family.
Nie Xiguang wore a slightly oversized gray coat, and her face was clean and tidy without makeup.
She is a very pretty girl.
"Mr. Yu, I've heard so much about you." Chris extended her hand and shook hands with Yu Chen. "This must be Miss Nie? Excuse me for bothering you."
Nie Xiguang nodded, her tone polite: "Manager Chris, Manager Zhuang, welcome." She was still holding the stack of documents in her arms. "President Hua is waiting in the lab. I'll take you there."
"Okay, thank you for your help."
He tried hard not to look at Nie Xiguang, but out of the corner of his eye, he could see her standing quietly behind Yu Chen.
Just as the four people were about to walk inside, they heard footsteps coming from the other end of the corridor.
The sound of leather shoes tapping on the floor tiles was not loud, but the rhythm was steady and clear.
Several people turned to look.
A man in a dark gray suit is walking over.
He was tall and walked slowly, carrying several documents in his hand.
The light from the corridor ceiling lamp fell on his face, revealing his straight nose and deep-set eyes.
It's Lin Yusen.
He clearly saw the group of people at the door, and without stopping, he walked straight over.
Yu Chen looked at him and nodded slightly.
"President Lin," Nie Xiguang called softly.
Lin Yusen nodded, his gaze sweeping over Zhuang Xu and Chris's faces. "The investment banking department of Huaya Bank?"
"Yes, Mr. Lin," Zhuang Xu replied. "I am Zhuang Xu, and this is my colleague Chris. We are here to conduct preliminary due diligence on the tandem battery project."
Lin Yusen's gaze lingered on Zhuang Xu's face for a moment, as if he remembered something, but he quickly looked away and focused on Chris.
Chris met his gaze without looking away.
She slightly raised her chin, her face still bearing that polite smile, but there was something else in her eyes, as if she were scrutinizing someone, or as if she had been aroused.
"Mr. Lin, it's a pleasure to meet you..."
"Hmm," Lin Yusen responded, then turned to Yu Chen and asked, "Is the gardener in the lab?"
"Yes, I'm about to take you two in." Yu Chen nodded.
"You proceed according to plan," Lin Yusen said.
He glanced at Chris again, speaking to both her and Zhuang Xu, "For technical matters, Engineer Yu and Engineer Hua will be responsible for explaining. If there are any questions about the company's overall strategy or financial planning, you can come to my office to discuss them after the due diligence is completed."
After he finished speaking, he nodded slightly to the group and walked past them, heading straight for the office at the other end of the corridor without stopping.
Chris watched Lin Yusen's retreating figure until he turned into his office and the door closed gently.
She turned back, her face unreadable, and said to Yu Chen and Nie Xiguang, "Then let's not keep President Hua waiting."
The next two hours or so were spent in the laboratory.
Hua Xiangyang explained, Yu Chen supplemented the key points, and Nie Xiguang adjusted the data.
Efficiency curves, aging tests, cost estimates... a barrage of technical terms and figures come rushing in.
Chris asked very detailed questions.
She asked about yield rates, loopholes in patent strategy, the backgrounds of key team members, and what to do if the raw material supply chain was disrupted.
One question after another, carrying the prudence and discernment characteristic of bankers.
Yu Chen's answers were mostly brief, but all to the point.
The data is on the tablet next to Nie Xiguang. He can often just say a keyword and Nie Xiguang can immediately bring it up.
Zhuang Xu also asked, but in a more technical way.
He asked about the precision of temperature control, how different materials are bonded together, and whether thermal expansion and contraction would cause the battery cells to crack.
Yu Chen answered these questions in more detail.
Chris listened while taking notes on her tablet.
The expression on her face slowly changed.
At first, there was scrutiny and doubt, but later the frown relaxed and a serious expression appeared.
Zhuang Xu watched Yu Chen moving around in the equipment room, and Nie Xiguang always following half a step away from him.
They don't need to say much; a single glance is enough for them to know what the other wants.
That tacit understanding was so tight that no one else could get in.
He felt a little frustrated, but he had to admit that what Yu Chen said had substance.
Nie Xiguang isn't just there for show; she's actually doing real work.
After inspecting the main equipment, Hua Xiangyang showed them the samples.
A few small battery cells lay in the glass cabinet, their surfaces matte.
"This is our latest stacked prototype," Hua Xiangyang said, pointing to it. "The laboratory efficiency is consistently above 28.5%."
Chris leaned closer to look. "Can I take it out?"
"Okay." Yu Chen put on gloves and took out a piece.
Chris, also wearing gloves, took the tray.
"We've seen the data, it's amazing." Chris put the sample back, took off her gloves, "But Engineer Yu, Boss Hua, I still have the same question: with such excellent technology, why is it in Shuangyuan? How can you guarantee it won't get stuck halfway due to shareholder or funding issues?"
This question is very direct, even a bit provocative.
Hua Xiangyang smiled and looked at Yu Chen.
Yu Chen remained silent for a few seconds.
"Where the technology lies depends on opportunity. Shuangyuan provided the location and initial resources. As for the future..." He paused for a moment, "Once things are done, there will be more options."
Chris nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
The main stages of due diligence have been completed.
Hua Xiangyang glanced at his watch. "It's past lunchtime. Why don't you two eat something in the cafeteria? It's not as good as outside, but it's clean."
Chris looked at Zhuang Xu. Zhuang Xu said, "When in Rome, do as the host does."
The atmosphere became a bit more relaxed on the way to the cafeteria.
Hua Xiangyang loves to talk and introduces the factory area.
Chris occasionally chimes in.
Zhuang Xu walked a little behind, with Nie Xiguang diagonally in front of him.
He watched her ponytail, which swayed gently as she walked.
"How have you been lately?" Zhuang Xu asked in a low voice.
He was stunned for a moment after he said it.
Nie Xiguang didn't stop walking, but turned her head to glance at him.
His eyes were calm, like an autumn lake. "It's good. Work is busy, but fulfilling."
Like responding to an old classmate's greeting.
"That's good," Zhuang Xu said dryly.
He wanted to say something more, but he didn't know what to say.
There weren't many people in the cafeteria.
They ordered several dishes and sat down around the small square table.
Xiangyang was still introducing which dish was the chef's specialty.
Chris ate politely, but quickly.
As she picked up some food, she casually asked, "Engineer Yu, do you report directly to General Manager Lin for your project?"
Yu Chen looked up. "Report to me."
Chris was momentarily speechless, then asked, "Is President Lin in this afternoon?"
"He should be in his office," Nie Xiguang replied this time.
"Oh." Chris nodded, didn't ask any more questions, and lowered her head to drink her soup.
Zhuang Xu could sense that Chris's interest in that "President Lin" was no less than her interest in technology.
After finishing their meal, Zhuang Xu and Chris were about to leave.
Hua Xiangyang and Yu Chen escorted them to the entrance of the research and development building.
Nie Xiguang also came out.
"That was very detailed today, thank you." Chris shook hands with them. "We'll put together the report as soon as possible."
"Looking forward to your good news." Hua Xiangyang said with a smile.
When Yu Chen and Zhuang Xu shook hands, the two men exchanged glances.
Zhuang Xu saw a calm confidence in Yu Chen's eyes, which made him feel uneasy, yet he had to admit defeat.
Finally, there's Nie Xiguang.
"Goodbye, Zhuang Xu." Nie Xiguang called him by name.
"Goodbye." Zhuang Xu nodded, his expression unreadable.
It's time to go.
However, Chris, who was standing to the side, did not move.
After Yu Chen and Nie Xiguang left, she turned to look at the main office building and the row of windows on the top floor.
There seemed to be someone she was interested in there.