vstars Chapter 184 Negotiating Conditions
Chapter 184 Negotiating Conditions
Before Xu Xiaoyan could fully grasp what the green light meant, or even consider whether her remaining two thousand points had reached the so-called "threshold," the expression on the previously expressionless staff member's face underwent a subtle and rapid change. The businesslike indifference receded like the tide, replaced by a well-trained, somewhat formulaic, and respectful smile. Although it wasn't sincere, the etiquette was impeccable.
Almost simultaneously, he stepped to the side, his movements swift yet composed, and took an access card from his waist, swiping it lightly on the electronic lock sensor area on the side of the barrier.
With a soft "beep," the red indicator light on the electronic lock turned green. He gripped the movable part of the barrier with both hands and steadily pushed it aside, just enough for one person to pass through. At the same time, he made a clear and standard "please come in" gesture, bowed slightly, and said, "Identity verified, ma'am, please."
Xu Xiaoyan wasn't sure what specific criteria they used to make that instantaneous judgment—was it because the two thousand-plus points she still had in her chip had just reached some invisible threshold? Or did her status as a "Midtown resident" inherently grant her access to the second-floor trading area? Or perhaps it was a combination of both, forming a comprehensive assessment? She had neither the time nor the inclination to delve into it at this moment; green light, door open, she could go in—that was the most important outcome right now!
She nodded slightly to the staff without saying much. Holding the bag of sea buckthorn, which served as both a sample and a "stepping stone," she quickly passed through the barrier. After she passed, the barrier behind her was immediately and silently closed by the staff. The slight "click" of the lock seemed to separate the two worlds again.
The moment she stepped onto the second floor, the sight before her made her pause again, and she even subconsciously held her breath.
In stark contrast to the bustling, polluted, and chaotic scene on the first floor, which resembled a refugee camp, the second floor was unusually quiet, bright, orderly, and even... had an almost rigid sense of cleanliness.
Bright yet not glaring warm white light poured down from the meticulously designed ceiling, illuminating the gleaming dark marble floor beneath our feet. A wide, straight corridor, wide enough for two small electric cars to drive side by side, stretched forward as far as the eye could see. The walls on both sides of the corridor were a soft off-white, adorned with abstract artworks, and there were exquisite wall lamps at intervals.
What surprised Xu Xiaoyan the most, and even made her feel somewhat lost, was that there was a row of waiters standing neatly on both sides of the corridor! Men on the left and women on the right, clearly separated. They were all dressed in well-tailored, perfectly pressed dark gray uniforms, with small silver number tags on their chests. Regardless of gender, their faces were calm and peaceful, and their posture was so standard that it was as if they had been measured with a ruler—chest out, stomach in, hands naturally folded in front of them, eyes looking straight ahead, and the corners of their mouths maintaining an almost identical, slightly upturned arc. This formation did not resemble the staff of a trading center, but rather the welcoming etiquette of a high-end hotel or private club.
Xu Xiaoyan was momentarily at a loss for how to react. The stark contrast left her somewhat dazed. She had imagined that the bulk trading area would be more inclined towards an efficiency-driven negotiation style, rather than this "high-class place" with a certain sense of ritual and class distinction.
Fortunately, a young woman standing at the front of the row of female servers, who seemed to be a junior supervisor, noticed her hesitation. A quick assessment flashed in her eyes, and then she walked lightly and silently to a stop about a meter in front of Xu Xiaoyan, bowed slightly, and said in a soft and pleasant voice, "Hello, ma'am, welcome to the second floor of the trading center. Are you here to conduct trading business?"
Xu Xiaoyan composed herself, slightly lowered the heavy sack in her arms, nodded, her voice a little hoarse from running and tension, "Yes, I need to sell a batch of goods and provide relevant information sources."
"Understood, please follow me." The female supervisor didn't waste any time or ask any more questions about the goods. She turned slightly to the side, made a guiding gesture, and then walked half a step ahead of Xu Xiaoyan, leading her forward along the spacious corridor. There were many closed doors on both sides of the corridor, with only numbers on them.
After walking about twenty or thirty meters, the female supervisor stopped in front of a door marked "0321". She reached out and pressed a few buttons on the electronic panel next to the door to verify some kind of permission. The door slid open silently, and soft light shone into the room.
"Madam, please come in. This is your temporary meeting room." The female supervisor stepped aside to make way for the doorway.
Xu Xiaoyan carried the sack inside. The room was small, about ten square meters, but it was simply and comfortably furnished. The walls were upholstered, and the floor was covered with a light gray carpet. In the center of the room was a small solid wood round table, with two armchairs with soft cushions on either side. In the corner, there was a mini water dispenser and a small cabinet.
What's most reassuring is that once the door is closed, the faint background noise from the corridor outside and the hustle and bustle from the first floor are almost completely shut out, and the room instantly falls into a reassuring tranquility.
Xu Xiaoyan gently placed the heavy sack on the carpet, took off her snow-soaked outer gloves, pulled down the windproof mask covering her mouth and nose, and let out a long sigh of relief, only then did she feel her tense nerves relax a little.
Almost simultaneously, the female supervisor walked to the wall shelf by the door, took down a slim tablet computer that was fixed there, then walked to the opposite side of the small round table, and sat down elegantly in another chair. She placed the tablet computer on the table, folded her hands on her knees, maintained a professional smile, and looked calmly at Xu Xiaoyan, asking, "Madam, are you planning to sell physical goods, provide information resources, or both? We need to match you with suitable trading partners and procedures."
Xu Xiaoyan composed herself and replied, "Both. I want to sell a batch of sea buckthorn berries, about several thousand kilograms." She pointed to the sacks on the ground, "These are samples. Also, I can provide accurate information on the source of these sea buckthorn berries, including their specific location, the current state of the park, and the method of entry."
Upon hearing this, the waitress picked up her tablet and quickly and skillfully tapped and swiped on it, typing out a line of text that seemed to be some kind of internal notice or request. Then, she put down the tablet, got up, and walked to the mini water dispenser in the corner. She poured Xu Xiaoyan a cup of warm water in a disposable paper cup, took out a tea bag from a delicate little jar, brewed a cup of hot tea, and gently placed it on the table in front of Xu Xiaoyan.