Reborn and married in a swapped marriage, my aloof husband is too ruthless.

Chapter 73 The Budding Alliance, A First Encounter with Thorns

"But what?" Su Jinxin turned around, a hint of doubt in her eyes.

Yan Cheng'an gently flicked the tip of her nose. "Xin'er, have you forgotten that the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind?"

Su Jinxin was taken aback by his words, then smiled gently. "Is my husband reminding me to be careful that someone doesn't reap the benefits?"

“Exactly.” Yan Cheng’an nodded. “I’m afraid it’s not just you and me who want to muddy this water.”

The following day, in the main hall of the Su residence, several invited merchant representatives gathered together, but the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.

Su Jinxin, dressed in gorgeous attire, sat regally in the main seat, while Yan Chengan stood beside her, like a perfect couple.

"Gentlemen, I've invited you all here today to discuss an important matter," Su Jinxin said, her clear voice echoing in the hall. "I wish to establish a business alliance to share resources and pursue common development. What are your thoughts?"

These words immediately sparked a flurry of discussion in the hall.

Some people looked delighted, while others frowned, and still others looked bewildered, clearly not having realized what was happening yet.

Boss Zheng spoke first, rubbing his hands together and smiling, "Boss Su's suggestion is quite novel. However, we would appreciate it if Boss Su could enlighten us on how this alliance will operate." His tone was eager, but his eyes gleamed with shrewdness, as if he were waiting to see a good show.

"Mr. Zheng, please don't be impatient. I will explain the details one by one." Su Jinxin smiled slightly and was about to explain when a rough voice interrupted her.

"Mr. Su, if I may be so bold, I'm afraid your so-called business alliance won't work!" The speaker was Wu, a burly businessman with a face full of menacing features. His tone was forceful and carried an air of unquestionable authority.

"Oh? What makes you say that, Mr. Wu?" Su Jinxin raised an eyebrow, her smile unchanged.

Wu, the wealthy businessman, sneered, "The current business landscape has been stable for many years. Your sudden attempt to form an alliance is just trying to disrupt this balance. I think you want to dominate the market and swallow up us small businesses!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several small business owners in the hall echoed his words, and the atmosphere immediately became tense.

Su Jinxin simply looked at him quietly, a meaningful smile playing on her lips... "Mr. Wu, please don't misunderstand..."

Su Jinxin didn't immediately refute him. Instead, she smiled slightly, her tone as gentle as a spring breeze in March: "I understand Mr. Wu's concerns. Who doesn't do business for money? But there's more than one way to earn money. Going it alone can't compare to the power of many hands making light work. My proposal to form an alliance today isn't about one company dominating, but about everyone sticking together, weathering market risks, and making the pie bigger so everyone can get a bigger slice. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

She paused, then continued, "I know that Mr. Wu is a very influential figure in our area. After the alliance is established, it will naturally be helpful to have an experienced senior like Mr. Wu to guide us. So, why don't we let Mr. Wu take on the position of alliance leader?"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

Wu, the wealthy businessman, was also stunned. He hadn't expected Su Jinxin to pull off such a "retreat to advance" stunt.

The prepared remarks now felt like a fishbone stuck in my throat, neither going up nor down, causing me immense discomfort.

Some small businessmen who had originally sided with Wu the wealthy merchant began to waver and started whispering among themselves.

Seeing that Wu Dafu's expression had eased slightly, Su Jinxin seized the opportunity and presented her carefully prepared preliminary alliance plan.

She made detailed plans for everything from resource sharing and risk sharing to profit distribution, striving for fairness and justice while taking into account the interests of all parties.

Some small business owners who had initially resisted the alliance began to seriously consider the possibility of joining after hearing the story.

Just then, Boss Zheng rubbed his hands together, grinning ingratiatingly, and said, "Boss Su's alliance sounds good, but the profit sharing, isn't it..." He paused, his eyes darting around, "...could we discuss it some more?"

Su Jinxin had anticipated this move and wasn't annoyed. She simply smiled, took out a stack of pre-prepared data, and slowly analyzed, "Mr. Zheng, you see, according to the profit-sharing ratio you proposed, the long-term development of the alliance will be limited, and ultimately, it will be your own interests that suffer..."

After being bombarded with data, Boss Zheng was dizzy and his original greed was greatly diminished by Su Jinxin's calm analysis. He had to admit that Su Jinxin's plan was more reasonable, and in the end, he had no choice but to sheepishly withdraw his excessive demands.

Seeing that even Boss Zheng was speechless, everyone secretly admired Su Jinxin's ability to handle the situation.

Just as the alliance was about to be settled, Su Jinxin smiled slightly and was about to give her summary when she heard hurried footsteps outside the door. Then, a servant rushed in and whispered a few words in Su Jinxin's ear.

Su Jinxin's expression changed drastically, and she stood up abruptly. "What did you say?!" This sudden turn of events silenced the previously noisy conference room instantly. All eyes were on her, and a tense atmosphere filled the air.

Just then, Yan Chengan walked quietly to Su Jinxin's side and handed her a cup of hot tea.

"My lady, soothe your throat first." His deep voice carried a hint of reassurance, and his eyes were full of encouragement and support.

Su Jinxin took the teacup, her fingertips gently touching the back of his hand, and a warm current instantly spread throughout her body.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her panic, and gave him a reassuring look.

Yan Chengan's appearance was like a reassurance, allowing her to regain her confidence in controlling the overall situation.

She looked around at everyone, her tone calm and firm: "Everyone, please be patient. I will handle this matter as soon as possible. The alliance matter will be put on hold for now."

Upon seeing this, a hint of smugness flashed in Wu Dafu's eyes.

"Boss Su, it seems something tricky has happened. Why don't you tell us so we can all give it a shot?" He pretended to be concerned, but in reality, he wanted to take the opportunity to find out the truth and see if he could profit from it.

Su Jinxin sneered, determined not to let him have his way.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Wu. It's just a family matter, nothing to mention."

After the meeting ended, everyone dispersed, but Su Jinxin kept Zhao Moushi behind alone.

“Mr. Zhao, I have some details I would like to discuss with you regarding the charter of the alliance.”

Zhao, the strategist, pushed up his glasses, a glint of shrewdness flashing in the lenses.

"Please speak, Ms. Su." Ever since he was secretly bribed by the wealthy businessman Wu, he had been looking for opportunities to cause trouble for Su Jinxin.

He knew that Su Jinxin was shrewd and capable, so he acted with extra caution, afraid of giving himself away.

"Regarding profit distribution, I think..." Zhao cleared his throat and began to ramble on with his "brilliant opinions," "we should lean more towards..." he deliberately lowered his voice, "to large merchants like Boss Wu."

Su Jinxin listened calmly, a barely perceptible smile curving her lips.

"Oh? Mr. Zhao means..."

“What I mean is…” Seeing that Su Jinxin seemed to be wavering, Zhao the strategist was secretly pleased and boldly put forward a clearly unreasonable suggestion, “reduce the profit margin for small and medium-sized businesses by five percentage points…”

"Bang!" Su Jinxin slammed her hand on the table, interrupting him.

"Mr. Zhao, what do you mean by this?" Her gaze was piercing, staring directly into Zhao's eyes, her tone so cold it seemed as if ice shards could fall from his skin.

Zhao, the strategist, was so startled by Su Jinxin's sudden change of expression that he nearly dropped his glasses.

He hurriedly adjusted his glasses and stammered, "Mr. Su... I... I was just... considering the long-term development of the alliance..."

Su Jinxin sneered, mercilessly exposing his lie: "Long-term development? I think you're just thinking about the selfish interests of some people! Five percentage points, Mr. Zhao, you really dare to ask for such an exorbitant amount! Do you really think I'm a naive fool?"

Zhao, the strategist, was deathly pale, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He hadn't expected Su Jinxin to expose him so directly, and for a moment he didn't know how to respond.

He stammered, trying to explain, "Mr. Su...you've misunderstood me..."

Su Jinxin was too lazy to waste any more words with him. She simply threw a document at him and said in an icy tone, "This is my revised alliance charter. If you don't like it, then please do so!"

Zhao, the strategist, nervously took the document and began to read it.

It clearly states: All merchants who join the alliance, regardless of size, will receive equal distribution of profits.

He was stunned. This... how could this be? The benefits that the wealthy businessman Wu had promised him...

Su Jinxin looked at his dejected appearance and sneered inwardly.

She had long noticed Zhao's unusual behavior and, after secretly investigating, discovered that he had actually been bribed by the wealthy businessman Wu!

"Mr. Zhao, do you have any other questions?" Su Jinxin looked at him with a half-smile.

Zhao, the strategist, swallowed hard, knowing he had been completely exposed.

He placed the file back on the table with trembling hands, forcing a smile: "No...nothing more...Boss Su is wise..."

"Since there are no problems, please leave." Su Jinxin gave them the order to leave without any politeness.

Zhao, the strategist, slunk away like a defeated dog.

Su Jinxin watched his retreating figure, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips.

She picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip, and a glint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes.

Mr. Wu, do you think you can stop me like this?

The game has only just begun!

At this moment, Yan Chengan walked in. He looked at Su Jinxin with worry in his eyes: "Jinxin, are you alright?"

Su Jinxin put down her teacup and gave him a reassuring smile: "It's nothing, he's just a clown."

Yan Chengan walked to her side and gently put his arm around her shoulder: "Jinxin, you are always so strong, it breaks my heart."

Su Jinxin leaned against him, feeling his warm embrace, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

“Cheng’an, we still have a long way to go.” Su Jinxin raised her head and looked at him with a determined gaze.

“Yes, let’s do it together.” Yan Cheng’an held her hand tightly.

Suddenly, there was a rapid knocking at the door, "Knock knock knock..."

Su Jinxin and Yan Chengan exchanged a glance, a hint of doubt flashing in their eyes.

It's so late, who could it be?

"Come in," Su Jinxin said.

The door was pushed open, and Boss Zheng rushed in, looking flustered. "Boss Su, something terrible has happened..."