Chapter 72 - 72 Game Over!

72 Game Over!

Zhao Chenggong was not surprised that Director Guo found the name Li Chengqian familiar.

Zhao Chenggong reminded him with a smile, “Director Guo, it’s Liu Wendao’s case!”

“Yes, yes, yes. Now that you’ve mentioned it, I recall it.”

“A few days ago, your bureau reported his righteous act. I even looked into it.”

“This Li Chengqian is brave and resourceful. He helped us crack Liu Wendao’s murder case.”

“I’ve already signed the submission on Li Chengqian’s act of heroism and have submitted it to the board of directors for review. The results will be out soon. I reckon the award will be delivered to your bureau soon.”

Director Guo changed the topic. “I thought Li Chengqian was just bold and righteous. I didn’t expect him to be so good at programming.”

“Li Chengqian is indeed a genius.” Director Guo exclaimed.

…

Meanwhile, He Jingguo sat anxiously on a sofa in the office of Cheng Dayong, the Deputy Director of the provincial office’s Information department. He had been waiting at the Information department since early in the morning.

A few days ago, he had already discussed in detail with the Information department and had in-principle understanding that as long as Director Guo approves, the provincial office would purchase the right to use the Jingguo Data Restoration software for a year.

He came over today to conduct the software demonstration for Director Guo. As long as Director Guo approves, this deal would be completely sealed.

However, the scheduled time for the presentation was 11 o’clock.

It was already half past eleven and there was still no news.

He Jingguo sat on the sofa waiting anxiously. Cheng Dayong told him to wait here for updates, thus he didn’t dare go anywhere.

“Why isn’t Deputy Director Cheng back yet? Has something happened?” He Jingguo began to worry.

Just then, Cheng Dayong walked in from outside. He Jingguo stood up immediately and rushed to Cheng Dayong. “Director Cheng, how is it?”

“President He, don’t be anxious. Director Guo has already summoned our Director just now. He should be updating Director Guo on the Jingguo Data Restoration software as we speak.”

“If Director Guo is satisfied, he may not necessarily need to hear from you.” Cheng Dayong assured him.

“Don’t be anxious. This deal is basically yours! Your company’s software is so advanced and useful? Nowadays, being advanced is the greatest advantage. Just wait.” Cheng Dayong sat down and looked at He Jingguo.

“Director Cheng, when do you think you’ll get firm news?” He Jingguo’s attitude was subservient and he was fawning over Director Cheng.

When he was with Tian Wenming and the others, He Jingguo had always appeared very confident. He can’t help feeling superior to everyone else.

He didn’t care about someone like Li Chengqian at all.

He was a completely different person now.

“Director Cheng, Director He wants you to go to the meeting room immediately. He said that he has something important to discuss.” A staff of the Information department rushed over to the door to inform him.

“President He, wait a moment. I’ll go find out what is going on.” Cheng Dayong said to He Jingguo and walked out.

“Could it be that they’re discussing the purchase of the Jingguo Data Restoration software?” He Jingguo’s heart skipped a beat. Cheng Dayong had told him before, as long as Director Guo approves and the Information department submits the proposal, the deal would be done.

…

In the meeting room, all the deputy directors of the Information department and the directors of the bureau were seated.

Director He sat at the head of the table. After seeing that everyone was present, he asked the bureau director to hand everyone a copy of the software test report that had been written by the Tianyi City Bureau.

“Everyone, sit down. Let’s look at the test report of the Divine Dragon Data Restoration software.”

“Because the boss has asked for this matter to be expedited, I’ll make it short.”

“The Divine Dragon Data Restoration software has been tested. It’s the most advanced data restoration software in the world.”

“A few days ago, Tianyi City used this software to crack 36 cases that they couldn’t solve earlier. The software allowed them to restore data from hard disks that were previously unreadable. They did all this in one night and arrested 39 suspects.”

“Director Zhao of Tianyi City reported this matter and because of this, the Divine Dragon Data Restoration software has caught the attention of the bosses!”

“This software is not expensive. It only costs 100,000 yuan per year per county for software usage.”

“Chief Zhao wants us to submit a report to the provincial office as soon as possible.”

“Everyone, take a good look at the test report.” After Director He finished speaking, he waited patiently for the other deputy directors to finish reading.

“It’s good value for money. I have no objections. I agree to purchase the Divine Dragon Data Restoration software!” Deputy Director Zhang was the first to express his opinion after reading it.

“This software is very advanced and the price is fine. I agree to purchase it too.”

“Agreed!”

“Director He, I agree too!” Cheng Dayong was the last to express his opinion. The report statistics of the Divine Dragon Data Restoration software looked very good on paper. It was indeed very advanced and cheap, especially when it had been put to actual test in Tianyi City.

He had no reason to disagree.

“Director Ma, draft a proposal based on our discussion immediately. I’ll personally send it to Director Guo’s office for him to review.” Director He nodded and gave his instructions.

“Alright, that’s it then. Meeting over.” After Director He made the arrangements, he was about to go back to the office to wait for Director Ma’s proposal.

At this moment, Cheng Dayong hesitated for a moment before saying, “Director He, there’s one more thing I want to ask you. He Jingguo, the person in charge of Jingguo Software, is still waiting in my office. He was supposed to conduct a demonstration for Director Guo. What should I do with him?”

“Ask him to leave. We haven’t signed a contract with him yet. We have every right to choose another vendor. We are not breaching any contract,” Director He replied without thinking.

“Alright, I understand! I’ll do it now.” Although Cheng Dayong didn’t want to play the bad guy, Director He had already made up his mind, so he could only follow his instructions.

Cheng Dayong went back to his office.

“How is it going, Director Cheng? What did Director He say? Does Director Guo still need me to conduct a demonstration on the software?” He Jingguo rushed in front of Cheng Dayong, his tone was both nervous and excited.

“President He, cool down. Sit down and listen to me.” Cheng Dayong’s expression was complicated. After thinking about it again and again, he spoke.

He Jingguo suddenly had a bad feeling. He panicked. “Director Cheng, what’s going on?”

“This is what happened. After testing, we discovered another world-leading domestic data restoration software. Just now, after our Information department’s discussion, we’ve decided to purchase the other software this time round.”

“President He, I’m afraid we won’t be able to work together this time round. There will always be another opportunity.” Cheng Dayong’s tone was filled with regret.

“What do you mean?” He Jingguo was stunned. He even thought that he was hallucinating! They had agreed that after the demonstration to Director Guo today, he would be confirmed as a vendor.

He had already considered the 20 million yuan deal a done deal. Not only had he planned what he would do after he received the 20 million yuan, he had also taken out a loan in advance to buy the BMW…

And now they are suddenly saying they have chosen another software. How could they do this to him! He Jingguo couldn’t accept this twist of fate.

“We have decided to purchase another software. That’s why we’re not buying your company’s software this year,” Cheng Dayong said bluntly.

He Jingguo’s face fell. His originally rosy face instantly lost its color and turned extremely pale. “Director Cheng, that’s not what you said before. You said that it’s basically a done deal.”

“I’ve already spent three million yuan on this project.” The car loan was 1.8 million yuan. The company registration, office rental, office supplies, staff remuneration and so on cost more than a million yuan.

“I can’t afford to lose this project! I really can’t afford it.”

“If I lose this project, I’ll go bankrupt immediately. Not only will I have nothing, but I’ll also owe a huge debt. Director Cheng, please help me think of a way.” He Jingguo almost went on his knees. His face was terrified, and his voice breaking.

“You haven’t even signed the contract and you’ve already spent so much money? What audacity!” Cheng Dayong looked at He Jingguo in shock.

“You said that as long as I make a presentation to Director Guo today and Director Guo agrees, I can sign the contract. That’s why I thought this project is mine for sure. That’s why I spent so much money. Please think of a way. I really can’t afford to lose this project,” He Jingguo replied with a pale face and looked at Cheng Dayong pleadingly.

“I can’t!”

“You said it yourself, we need Director Guo’s approval! Now, Director Guo has already approved, but it’s not your software! It’s another company’s! Do you understand?”

“President He, there’s no point in saying anything anymore. You can leave now. I still have a meeting to go to. Please leave,” Cheng Dayong replied with a straight face. He hardened his heart and pointed at the door, gesturing to him to leave.

When He Jingguo heard this, he lost all hope. His vision darkened and he almost fell to the ground. He looked as if he had lost his soul. His eyes were lifeless and he walked out of the provincial office like a zombie.

The phone in He Jingguo’s pocket kept ringing, but he ignored it and didn’t bother to take it out.

There were only two words in his head: Game over!