Zhan Ruofeng sighed, "We had a very pleasant conversation, and our discussions were very successful. Both sides have reached an agreement."
"Reached an agreement?" Zhan Li's eyes suddenly lit up. "Does that mean you've officially become a couple?"
"Yes, we've become a couple," Zhan Ruofeng said with a wry smile.
"Hahaha, that's my son for you!" Zhan Li roared with pride. "I never expected you to win over Ye Zhi so quickly! Your sister was just arguing with me, saying we were overthinking things..."
"Then why don't you ask my brother what kind of relationship he's actually established with Ye Zhi?" Zhan Ruoqing chimed in as she entered, perfectly composed. She sauntered over and plopped onto the sofa, casually crossing her legs.
"Look at you, your manners are getting worse and worse!" Zhan Li frowned slightly in displeasure. He continued, "What other relationship could it be? It must be a romantic relationship!"
"No, it's a cooperative relationship," Zhan Ruofeng stated with resignation.
Zhan Li's eyes widened in bewilderment, as if questioning if he had heard correctly. Zhan Ruoqing, on the other hand, burst into unrestrained laughter. "I knew it! It's not my brother who won over Ye Zhi, but Ye Zhi who won over my brother! Hahaha..."
"Zhan Ruoqing!" Zhan Ruofeng gritted his teeth in anger, wondering for the umpteenth time if he should have spanked his sister.
"Why are you yelling at me?" Zhan Ruoqing said gleefully. "It's not like I didn't warn you. If you didn't listen, who else can you blame?"
"You two, stop arguing for a moment," Zhan Li asked, confused. "You're both confusing me. What kind of cooperation is it? What cooperation?"
"Dad, it's like this..."
Just as Zhan Ruofeng was about to explain, Zhan Li interrupted him, "Wait a moment, Qingqing, you go out first..."
"Dad," Zhan Ruofeng reminded him with a hint of helplessness, "Ruoqing is Zhiwei's boss now."
Zhan Li came to his senses. In the past, when he conducted business, he would always ask Zhan Ruoqing to leave. Although he knew Zhan Ruoqing was very capable now, he still subconsciously reverted to his old habits at times.
"Qingqing," Zhan Li said with an awkward expression, "Uh, I was momentarily confused..."
"It's okay, Dad," Zhan Ruoqing said with a smile. "You guys talk, I'll listen."
She was naturally displeased by Zhan Li's reaction. She knew it was because Zhan Li hadn't yet gotten used to her involvement in business matters.
However, if he wasn't used to it, they would start getting used to it from now on! She wanted to listen, and she wanted to be involved!
Zhan Ruofeng recounted the events of the evening to the two of them. Zhan Li became increasingly shocked as he listened. After asking for more details, he murmured, "This is a good project, a truly profitable project... But, Ye Zhi had everything so well-prepared. Why would she suddenly want to cooperate with our Zhan family?"
"That's because Ye Zhi has a bigger vision!" Zhan Ruoqing retorted with an eye roll. "For her, money is inexhaustible. A good business environment is more important than desperately grabbing money! She's not like you capitalists who only focus on immediate interests and ignore future development!"
Zhan Ruofeng opened his mouth to speak, but found himself unable to refute her.
"Regardless, Ye Zhi's capabilities are truly remarkable," Zhan Li said with emotion. Suddenly, his gaze fixed on Zhan Ruofeng. "Even though you are now business partners, you young people can still develop other relationships. You're not young anymore, and it's time you got married..."
Zhan Ruoqing let out a disdainful scoff.
Zhan Ruofeng ignored his sister's taunt and said with a touch of helplessness, "Dad, Qi Xuan is also pursuing her."
"Ah?" Zhan Li's expression cleared, and he suddenly understood many things. After some deliberation, he still advised, "You said Qi Xuan is also pursuing her, which means he hasn't succeeded yet! You young people should compete based on your own merits. Perhaps Ye Zhi likes mature and stable men like you. Besides, your sister has a good relationship with her; you can ask your sister to help..."
"Dad, just give up," Zhan Ruoqing stated plainly. "The biggest obstacle to my brother pursuing Ye Zhi isn't Qi Xuan at all, but Ye Zhi herself! Ye Zhi's heart is only for her career, not for romance!"
Zhan Li looked at Zhan Ruofeng in surprise, only to see him nod with a wry smile.
"Dad, I just don't understand. If Ye Zhi were a man, would you be trying to get my brother to pursue him today?" Zhan Ruoqing said with a cold sneer. "Just because Ye Zhi is young and beautiful, you're not thinking of cooperating with her through proper channels, but instead trying to win her over. Do you respect her at all? Do you see her as an equal competitor? No wonder so many people tried to fight her and failed so miserably!"
"You little girl!" Zhan Li's nose seemed to be emitting smoke in his anger. "Whose side are you on?"
"I'm on the side of reason!" Zhan Ruoqing declared righteously.
Zhan Li's face darkened. He was about to scold her further when he heard Zhan Ruofeng say thoughtfully, "I understand now."
"Understand what?" Zhan Ruoqing looked at him in surprise.
"Ye Zhi is a business partner. I shouldn't have ulterior motives towards her just because of her gender. Before seeing her as a woman, I should first see her as a person. That's true respect," Zhan Ruofeng said earnestly.
"A teachable student!" Zhan Ruoqing nodded with satisfaction.
"So, you're not pursuing Ye Zhi anymore?" Zhan Li asked regretfully.
"Love cannot be forced; it's best to let nature take its course," Zhan Ruofeng said. "Actually, I realized today that I don't know much about Ms. Ye. I think it's best for us to maintain a cooperative relationship for now."
"Alright then, I won't interfere with your young people's affairs," Zhan Li conceded.
*
The next day, Zhan Ruofeng personally went to Taoxun to sign the cooperation agreement with Ye Zhi.
After signing the agreement, the two directly discussed the company's name and the future development path. Regarding the name, after discussion, they chose a simple and clear name: Xin Fang Yi Zhan (Reassurance Post Station).
"Ms. Ye, I've considered it. Customizing the express lockers will take time, but we don't need to rush. We can gradually roll them out nationwide. We can start by setting up express drop-off points," Zhan Ruofeng said, frowning. "However, renting properties and hiring staff also incurs significant costs. Expanding rapidly nationwide might still be difficult."
"Mr. Zhan, have you considered another model for the drop-off points?" Ye Zhi proposed. "Franchising."
"Franchising?" Zhan Ruofeng appeared somewhat surprised.
"Yes. With a small franchise fee, we can provide the drop-off application and professional training. This way, we can save on rental and labor costs," Ye Zhi explained. "And for the franchisees, we can prioritize delivery personnel. They already have a lot of experience and can get started immediately, which will also accelerate the expansion of the drop-off points."