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After the controversy surrounding the supplementary agreement subsided, things calmed down in the company for a while.

Although Group Four and Group Energy still don't like each other, at least on the surface, their work coordination can still proceed normally.

Wu Kezhi's "apology email" became a topic of conversation in the investment department, but no one mentioned it publicly again.

Everyone knows this is a minefield, and it must not be touched.

Suning's time in the energy group is gradually getting on track.

In the beginning, Xu Taiping didn't deliberately make things difficult for Suning, but he still had to do his job.

After all, this is a high-intensity investment bank, and all the tedious and worthless work is done by Suning, since Suning is a newcomer to the energy group.

For example, organizing mountains of industry reports, checking dozens of pages of data tables, or running errands to deliver documents to other departments.

Suning didn't complain; they did everything they were supposed to do.

But he will spend more time studying the intricacies of the energy industry, including technological trends, policy changes, and market structure.

I discovered that I'm actually quite interested in this field, especially new energy and clean technologies.

Ma Jianguo would occasionally call him to his office for a "chat," his words implying he wanted to probe his background.

But Suning always answered very tactfully, neither revealing too much nor making any definitive statements.

After a few times, Ma Jianguo got tired of asking and just wanted Suning to do its job well.

What truly allowed Suning to gain a foothold in the energy sector were two small projects.

The first investment was in a company that makes photovoltaic inverters.

The due diligence report was primarily written by Zhao Boqian, and the technical parts were very well written.

However, during its review, Suning discovered that half of the company's core patents would expire in two years, and their new product development was significantly behind schedule.

He raised it during the group discussion.

Xu Taiping initially dismissed it: "So what if the patent expires? They have such a high market share now, even if the patent expires, the brand effect will still be there."

Suning immediately pulled up the data: "Mr. Xu, you see, 70% of this company's revenue growth over the past three years has relied on products supported by these core patents. Once the patents expire, competitors can immediately release imitations, and the price can be reduced by at least 30%. As for their own new products, according to the current R&D progress, it will take at least three more years before they can be mass-produced. This one-year gap in the middle is very dangerous."

Zhao Boqian nodded in agreement: "Suning is right, we didn't assess this risk in detail before."

After listening, Ma Jianguo asked Suning to add the risk analysis to the report.

Later, at the investment decision meeting, this risk point was discussed in detail, and the final investment amount was reduced by 20%, and a performance-based clause was added.

After the project was signed, Ma Jianguo specifically praised Suning: "Suning, you made a very accurate judgment this time. You should make more use of this ability in the future."

The second project was smaller; it was an investment in a startup that recycles lithium batteries.

The company has very new technology, but its business model is still immature, and most people in the team are not optimistic about it.

Suning spent a week visiting three downstream battery manufacturers, talking to five industry experts, and finally wrote a detailed feasibility report.

The report not only analyzed the technological prospects but also designed a phased investment plan…

The first phase will involve a small investment to validate the business model; if it proves successful, further investment will be made.

This plan was approved by Ma Jianguo.

Although the project is small, it became the first successful early-stage project launched by the energy group this year...

Eight months later, the company was acquired by a listed company, and the investment doubled.

After these projects, the team's attitude towards Suning has clearly changed.

Although Xu Taiping still didn't like him very much, he knew that Su Ning's background was not simple, so he didn't dare to order him around casually.

Zhou Ming addressed him as "Brother Su" repeatedly, being extremely attentive.

Zhao Boqian would occasionally take the initiative to discuss technical issues with him, which was unthinkable before.

Ma Jianguo began to delegate more important tasks to Suning, perhaps at the behest of Qu Zhonghui, who was behind Ma Jianguo.

……

Recently, the energy group has been working on a project related to methane hydrate extraction technology.

Methane hydrate is a new energy source, buried in the deep sea or permafrost, with huge reserves, but its extraction technology is difficult and costly.

The company claims to have broken through key technologies that will reduce mining costs to commercial levels.

Ma Jianguo personally oversaw the project, but the specific execution was handed over to Suning.

“Suning, you’ll be in charge of this project from start to finish,” Ma Jianguo said. “You’ll lead the due diligence, negotiations, and agreements. Zhao Boqian will assist you with the technical aspects, and Xu Taiping will help with the business negotiations. Report any problems directly to me.”

The meaning is clear: Suning is now in charge of this project.

Xu Taiping and Zhao Boqian exchanged a shocked glance. When did their CEO Ma start valuing talent so much?

After accepting the task, Su Ning immediately got busy.

He first spent three days going through the entire technological roadmap, major players, and policy environment for global combustible ice extraction.

Then we contacted three experts in this field: two university professors and a retired chief engineer from a state-owned enterprise, and conducted interviews with them.

Zhao Boqian did a great job on the technical due diligence.

He took Suning to the company's lab, showed them the demo, and interviewed the core R&D team.

On the way back, Zhao Boqian told Suning, "There have indeed been technological breakthroughs, but we are still far from large-scale commercialization. I suspect that the cost data they mentioned is inflated."

“I think so too,” Su Ning said. “That’s why I’ve scheduled a trip to their pilot plant next week to see the actual operational data.”

During the business negotiations, Xu Taiping initially wanted to take the lead, but the other party's CEO clearly preferred to talk to Suning...

Because Suning understands technology, their questions were all on point.

“Manager Su, that’s a good question,” the CEO said. “We do have challenges with equipment durability, but we’ve found a solution…”

After several rounds of negotiations, the investment terms were basically finalized.

Suning designed a phased investment plan: the first phase was to verify the feasibility of the technology, the second phase was to build a pilot platform, and the third phase was for large-scale commercialization.

Each stage has clearly defined milestones and exit mechanisms.

When he presented the proposal to Ma Jianguo, Ma Jianguo studied it for a long time and then said, "Suning, this proposal is very pragmatic. It neither misses the opportunity nor fails to control the risks. Let's proceed with the negotiations based on this."

The final investment agreement was drafted by Suning himself and revised more than a dozen times.

The terms and conditions are written in great detail, taking into account technical risks, market risks, and team risks.

The night before signing the agreement, Suning was still in the office revising the last few clauses.

Zhao Boqian walked over and handed him a cup of coffee: "Aren't you leaving yet?"

"It'll be ready soon." Su Ning took the coffee. "Thank you, Manager Zhao."

Zhao Boqian sat down next to him, remained silent for a while, and then suddenly said, "Su Ning, you are the most decent person I have met in all these years in the energy group."

Suning was taken aback.

“Xu Taiping is just a suck-up, and Zhou Ming is just a lackey. Boss Ma… has vision, but sometimes he’s too eager for quick success and too domineering! He’s turned everyone in the energy group into quails, all just trying to avoid making mistakes.” Zhao Boqian said bluntly, “You’re different. You understand technology, you understand business, and you’re reliable. This group… needs someone like you.”

These words, spoken by someone who is usually very sparing with words, carry great weight.

Su Ning smiled and said, "Manager Zhao, you flatter me. I'm just doing my job."

"You flatter me." Zhao Boqian stood up. "Go back and rest early; we have to sign a contract tomorrow."

He took a few steps, then turned back: "By the way, you'll be in charge of the combustible ice project from now on. Mr. Ma has already made the decision."

Suning nodded.

After Zhao Boqian left, he leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh of relief.

In less than two months in the energy team, he went from being a marginalized newcomer to becoming a project leader who could handle things on his own.

He walked slowly on this road, but every step was steady.

He knew this was just the beginning.

My phone vibrated; it was a WeChat message from Lan Qianyi…

This was the first time she had contacted him since the start of the Cold War a week ago.

"I heard you're about to sign a big project? Congratulations."

Su Ning looked at the message and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

He replied, "Thanks. Let's sign the contract tomorrow, and celebrate tonight?"

After a while, Lan Qianyi replied, "Okay."

That single word brought Suning a great deal of peace of mind. It seemed that this cold war should come to an end.

……

At 11 p.m. on Friday, Suning had just finished showering and changed into clean clothes, ready to go to his appointment, when his phone rang.

It was his father, Su Jianguo, who called.

"Su Ning, go to the police station now." Su Jianguo's voice was urgent. "Su Ming got into a fight at a bar and was taken away. Your sister is on a business trip abroad, so I sent Lawyer Li there. You should go too and see what's going on."

Su Ning frowned: "A fight? Is it serious?"

"They said someone was injured, but it shouldn't be serious. Attorney Li will handle it. Your main task is to keep an eye on Su Ming and make sure he doesn't cause any more trouble." Su Jianguo paused. "Also, don't let anyone know he works for Jianguo Group; it's not a good thing."

"understood."

Suning hung up the phone, changed her clothes, and went out.

He first called Lan Qianyi to explain that he had an urgent matter and couldn't make it, and then called Lawyer Li, who said he was already on his way to the police station.

“Young Master Su, don’t worry. These kinds of fights can be resolved with some compensation as long as the other party isn’t seriously injured,” Attorney Li said on the phone. “The key is to prevent things from escalating.”

"Understood, see you in a bit."

After hanging up the phone, Su Ning drove to the police station.

His adopted younger brother, Su Ming, was born later in his parents' lives, and was essentially his replacement.

After all, his name was Su Ming before he was abducted. Later, his biological parents had given up hope, so they had another son.

Perhaps this is why Su Ming has always rejected himself; after all, no one wants to be someone else's substitute.

Chen Ming was six years younger than him and had been spoiled since childhood. He spent his days idly and causing trouble.

He'd already been to the police station twice before for fighting, and now he's back again.

It was almost midnight when we arrived at the police station.

The lobby was brightly lit, and several police officers on duty were busy at work.

Su Ning spotted Attorney Li immediately. He was a man in his fifties wearing gold-rimmed glasses, talking to a policeman.

“Attorney Li.” Su Ning walked over.

“Young Master Su, you’ve arrived.” Attorney Li said in a low voice, “Su Ming is in the mediation room inside, and the other party is also there. The injuries aren’t serious, just superficial wounds, but the other party is quite adamant and insists on pursuing the matter.”

"Who is the other party?"

"I don't know, but it doesn't seem like a simple matter. They even brought a lawyer with them," said Attorney Li. "Let's go in and take a look."

The two entered the mediation room.

The room was small, with a long table and a few chairs.

Su Ming sat to one side, head down, with a bruise on his face and his clothes torn.

Two people were sitting opposite me: a man in his thirties with a bandage on his forehead and a woman in a business suit with her back to the door, talking to a policeman.

Hearing the door open, the woman turned around.

Suning was stunned.

The other party was also stunned.

"Suning?"

"Mr. Gao?"

This woman turned out to be Gao Yue, the HR director of Jin Chen Capital.

Gao Yue clearly didn't expect to see Su Ning here.

She paused for a moment, then looked at Su Ming: "This is... your brother?"

Su Ning nodded with a forced smile: "Yes. Mr. Gao, this is..."

“My younger brother, Gao Fei,” Gao Yue said, pointing to the young man beside her.

It's exciting now.

Upon seeing this, Attorney Li immediately understood and breathed a sigh of relief.

He quickly tried to smooth things over: "Oh, it's Director Gao. What a coincidence. I'm Li, the legal counsel for Jianguo Group. This matter... perhaps we can resolve it privately?"

Gao Yue glanced at Su Ning, then at Su Ming, her expression somewhat complicated.

She turned to the police officer: "Officer Wang, can we talk alone for a few minutes?"

The police officer nodded: "Okay, you can try to communicate first. It would be best if you could mediate."

The police left, leaving only five people in the mediation room.

Gao Yue spoke first: "Su Ning, I really didn't expect you to be your brother."

"Mr. Gao, I'm so sorry." Su Ning said sincerely, "Su Ming was immature and caused trouble for your brother. We will cover all medical expenses and compensation."

Gao Fei shouted from the side, "Sis, we can't just let this go! He hit me first, look at my head..."

"Shut up." Gao Yue glared at her younger brother. "You're no better. How many times have you caused trouble at bars late at night?"

Gao Fei fell silent.

Gao Yue looked at Su Ning: "Su Ning, since we know each other, I won't make things difficult for you. Medical expenses are a small matter; the key is your attitude. Your brother needs to apologize to my brother and promise not to cause trouble again."

“It’s my duty.” Su Ning turned to Su Ming. “Su Ming, apologize.”

Su Ming raised his head, looking unwilling: "Why! He started it first..."

"Apologize." Su Ning's voice turned cold.

Su Ming gritted his teeth and said to Gao Fei, "I'm sorry."

Gao Fei snorted but didn't say anything.

Gao Yue nodded: "Okay, then let's call it a day. I'll talk to Officer Wang and tell him we've settled this privately."

Attorney Li quickly replied, "Thank you, Mr. Gao! We will transfer the medical expenses and other losses tomorrow."

"No need," Gao Yue waved her hand. "It's just a minor injury; a bandage at the hospital will suffice. The main thing is to teach them a lesson."

"Thank you, Mr. Gao."

The matter was resolved more smoothly than expected.

Gao Yue spoke to the police briefly, and the case was closed.

Su Ming and Gao Fei each signed a mediation agreement, promising not to cause trouble again.

It was already 1 a.m. when I walked out of the police station.

Gao Yue said to Su Ning, "I'm taking my brother home. What about you?"

"I'll take Su Ming," Su Ning said. "I'm so sorry about today, Mr. Gao."

"It's alright, we're all young people, impulsiveness is inevitable."

Only after watching Gao Yue's car drive away did Su Ning turn to Su Ming.

Su Ming looked at Su Ning with a dismissive expression. "Hmph! Su Ning, I'll remember you! You actually forced me to apologize to someone else."

"Get in the car." Su Ning interrupted him, really too lazy to deal with this spoiled brat.

Suning remained silent throughout the ride.

Su Ming also glared angrily out the window, feeling that Su Ning had humiliated him today.

I didn't like this older brother who suddenly appeared in the first place, and now I hate him even more.

They quickly returned to the Su family mansion, and Su Ming ignored everyone and went straight upstairs.

Then Su Ning looked at Su Jianguo and Li Xiuqin and explained the situation, "Dad, Mom, the matter is resolved! The other party turned out to be the younger brother of the HR director of Jin Chen Capital, so he was an acquaintance. Therefore, I had Su Ming apologize and we reached a settlement."

"Oh? What a coincidence?" Su Jianguo and Li Xiuqin exchanged surprised glances.

"It was quite a coincidence! Su Ming and his men were ruthless; they beat the other side badly."

"Yes, you can go and visit them on behalf of the Su family later."

"Okay! Dad, Mom, I'll head back now."

"Okay! Be careful on the road."

...(End of chapter)