Eighteen thousand yuan.
Swipe the card, sign the name, done in one smooth motion.
He carefully placed the adapter piece and the flaw detection report into a specially made shockproof briefcase.
He raised his head and looked once more at the young man who had remained unnervingly calm from start to finish.
There was not a trace of contempt left in his gaze.
"Boss Lu," he said solemnly, "I'm Li Wei, from Dragon Country Construction Group. This is my business card. If you don't mind, please keep it."
He offered his business card with both hands.
Lu You took the card and nodded: "Okay."
It wasn't that Lu You was being aloof; he simply didn't have the energy to say more.
That single "Okay" sounded to Li Wei like the sweetest music.
It meant that a supply chain capable of providing anything had just opened its doors to him.
"Yangcheng City truly has hidden dragons and crouching tigers!" Li Wei sighed sincerely.
Then he turned and, with his Assistant Xiao Chen, made his way through the still-noisy crowd back to his car.
"Manager, we..." Assistant Xiao Chen's words were cut off by Li Wei.
"Head back to the project site immediately! Arrange for the lab to run a full performance tests on this part right away!"
"Material composition, mechanical strength, pressure resistance limit... run every test possible!"
Excitement glittered in Li Wei's eyes.
"Even though I've already expedited orders with the original Hans Cat factory and top domestic processing plants, the fastest they can deliver is half a month! This is available now!"
He gently patted the briefcase on his lap, a faint smile appearing on his face. "This isn't just a part, Xiao Chen. You don't understand... This represents a whole new possibility!"
"If—and I'm saying if—its performance tests are fully up to standard, then this mere eighteen thousand yuan will save us at least half a month of project delays and millions in potential losses!"
"And this is just the beginning!"
"If this shop can reliably provide custom non-standard parts of this caliber, I've decided we'll buy all the materials, components, and special tools we need for our future projects here!"
He couldn't even imagine the uproar it would cause.
When he reported this decision up the chain.
The shockwaves it would send through the entire project's procurement system.
Lu You, of course, had no idea that the simple little transaction he'd just completed.
Had driven a procurement manager who'd weathered countless storms into a frenzy.
A potential mega-order had just sprouted, fresh and tender.
And Li Wei's challenge visit hadn't faded away quietly as it had arrived.
The shop was packed at the time with onlookers, would-be challengers, and even a few small-time internet celebrities live-streaming.
Li Wei's professional jargon and stringent demands.
And his final expression, shifting from shock to disbelief to pure delight.
Were all faithfully captured by several cameras.
That evening, a clip titled [Challenges the All-Purpose Hardware Store, Gets Schooled on the Spot!] began circulating online.
In the video, Li Wei's demands, which were as rigorous as a thesis defense.
And Lu You's nonchalant, single-word reply, "Yes," formed a stark contrast.
Especially when that gleaming, custom non-standard part was brought out.
The barrage of "Holy shit!" in the live chat perfectly captured the mood of every viewer.
Top comment: "Folks, I have an announcement: I'm an idiot! I said it was scripted before, but now I believe it!"
Reply 1: "You're not alone! I specifically looked it up; I didn't understand a single word of his, but I was deeply impressed."
Reply 2: "Any experts care to explain? What's the deal with that 'duplex stainless steel 225, integrally formed with a 15-degree angle'? Sounds impressive."
Reply 3 (Verified: Mechanical Engineering PhD, a certain university): "To put it this way: For a small Hardware Store, this requirement..."
"...is like asking a small restaurant chef to carve a galloping horse with a 15-degree tilt, complete with internal bones and sinews, from a single piece of A5 Wagyu beef, without any assembly."
"Those capable of this are exceedingly rare in the global industry."
"And this little Hardware Store..."
"He actually had it in stock!"
"Now I just want to know if flights to Yangcheng City are still available."
"I don't want to challenge him; I just want to go buy some stuff I need!"
"And ask the boss if he has any memory bread that'll let me ace all my finals? 🤔"
With official endorsement and Li Wei's ironclad, heaven-sent evidence.
Lu You's credibility in the eyes of skeptical netizens leaped directly from "suspected hype" to "I don't understand, but it seems amazing."
The tide of public opinion online reversed completely overnight.
Skepticism remained, but it became the stubborn mutterings of a minority.
More people found their curiosity and enthusiasm thoroughly ignited.
And the Yangcheng side had clearly anticipated this unprecedented surge of attention.
After just a few days of rapid buzz and meticulous preparation.
The old street where "Old Lu Hardware Store" was located underwent a dramatic transformation!
The street had been somewhat dilapidated, with most shops long closed.
This actually provided great convenience for setting up the venue.
The Yangcheng City Municipal Government displayed astonishing efficiency, showcasing the explosive potential of a fifth-tier City seizing an opportunity.
Urban construction, transportation, culture/tourism, public security...
All departments gave the green light, cooperating fully every step of the way.
After all, this was a heaven-sent chance to boost their hometown's profile, attract investment, and revitalize tourism!
Everyone was fired up.
Determined to make this event the most successful showcase of the City's image in Yangcheng's history.
As the sun set, the last golden rays gently bathed the revitalized old street.
Lu You and a group of staff stood at the street entrance, looking at the perfectly arranged challenge arena before them.
A surge of pride welled up in their hearts.
The originally shabby street had now been completely cleared.
Covered with a brand-new red carpet stretching from the street entrance all the way to the door of "Old Lu Hardware Store."
Forming a glittering Path of Challengers.
On both sides of the street, huge red banners fluttered in the wind.
Their slogans were both Passion and tinged with humor:
"Welcome friends from across the country to challenge us in Yangcheng City! Your imagination is the only limit!"
"Lose, you take what you wanted; win, you take ten thousand! — Welcome to Yangcheng City!"
The street was clearly divided into several functional zones.
At the entrance was a spacious "Registration Area," where staff in uniform were adjusting electronic equipment for the draw.
Next to it was a cozy, comfortable "Challenger Rest Area," furnished with comfortable seats, complimentary tea and snacks.
There were even a few arcade machines for people to relax.
The most eye-catching feature was undoubtedly the "Payout Zone" in the center of the venue, enclosed with high-strength bulletproof glass.
Inside the glass room, stacks of crisp, new banknotes were neatly piled into several small mountains.
A brilliant, eye-catching red, shimmering under the lights with a mesmerizing, heart-racing allure.
This simple, direct method spoke more eloquently than any words about the organizers' sincerity and confidence.