“It’s not a big deal,” Zhan Ruoqing said somewhat awkwardly. “My dad asked me home for dinner tonight, and I got into an argument with my family at the table. In a fit of pique, I blurted out that I was starting my own business, and even said things like ‘fortune’s tide turns,’ and ‘never underestimate a girl’s potential’…”
Ye Zhi could already picture the scene. She understood why Zhan Ruoqing had come to find her. Just imagining it made her toes curl in embarrassment for Zhan Ruoqing.
“Are you secretly laughing?” Zhan Ruoqing asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
“No, no, absolutely not!” Ye Zhi said, desperately suppressing a smile.
“Hmph, go ahead and laugh if you want. I realized how impatient I was only after I’d said it all. I should have waited until I’d achieved something before saying such things. Now it just sounds like bragging…” Zhan Ruoqing suddenly remembered something and quickly added, “But don’t worry, I didn’t give you away!”
Ye Zhi was touched. She said with a chuckle, “You shouldn’t overthink it. You’ll definitely achieve something. Here’s some good news: a friend who wishes to remain anonymous is preparing to give you a substantial investment…”
“Anonymous?” Zhan Ruoqing immediately became suspicious. “Could it be my brother?”
Ye Zhi paused. “No, I don’t know your brother.”
“That’s right,” Zhan Ruoqing collected herself. “Strictly speaking, you and my brother are enemies. He definitely wouldn’t approach you. But it’s strange, why would he hide his identity?”
Ye Zhi thought for a moment and gave up trying to find an excuse. “I don’t know, but he’s trustworthy.”
“As long as it’s not my brother, I’ll trust the people you trust,” Zhan Ruoqing said casually.
“From what you’re saying, your brother is also investing?” Ye Zhi keenly caught the important point.
“Yes,” Zhan Ruoqing said indignantly. “But I have my pride, how could I possibly accept his damn money?!”
“Why wouldn’t you accept money that’s freely given?” Ye Zhi sat down on the bed. “Besides, if you take his money, you don’t even have to give him any shares. It’s a great deal, why refuse?”
“You’re right!” Zhan Ruoqing slapped her forehead, filled with regret. “No, I have to find him and ask for the money!”
After a few more words, Zhan Ruoqing hung up, afraid of disturbing Ye Zhi’s rest.
Ye Zhi tidied her luggage. She suddenly thought of something and walked directly to the balcony.
“Qi Xuan!” she called out to the window across the way.
The window opened, and Qi Xuan looked at her, slightly surprised. “What is it?”
“I’m going on a business trip for a week. Please tell the butler that he doesn’t need to prepare my meals this week,” Ye Zhi said.
“Business trip?” Qi Xuan was slightly taken aback. He couldn’t help but ask, “What requires a whole week?”
Ye Zhi explained, “Taoxun has recently built several large-scale intelligent warehouses that are about to be put into operation. I need to go and inspect them first.”
Qi Xuan looked surprised. “It seems Taoxun is about to make a big move?”
“Nothing can be hidden from you,” Ye Zhi smiled faintly. “When I get back from my trip, you’ll see Taoxun’s big move. I hope to give you a surprise!”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Qi Xuan asked gently, “What time is your flight tomorrow?”
“Five-thirty in the morning,” Ye Zhi replied.
Qi Xuan nodded slightly. “Then get some rest early. I’ll have the driver take you to the airport tomorrow.”
“Thank you then!” Ye Zhi smiled faintly. She waved goodbye to Qi Xuan and turned back into the bedroom.
Watching the curtains close and the lights go out across the way, Qi Xuan let out a long sigh.
A week…
He suddenly felt that it was an eternity.
*
A week passed quickly. During this week, Feitong Express first canceled its policy of secretly increasing prices, but it didn’t have much effect.
After all, the previous price hikes had alienated merchants, and who knew if it would happen again?
However, soon after several intense discussions, Qianbai and Feitong reached a consensus.
Several investors would invest in Feitong Express and support its price war. As for Feitong’s purchase of warehouses, the two parties also reached an agreement. The investors would provide the money, but Feitong could not buy warehouses; they could only rent them. This way, they could rent more warehouses with the least amount of money, and both parties were satisfied.
After a week of back-and-forth negotiations, the investors’ funds finally arrived, and Feitong swiftly launched its price war, slashing express delivery prices to an extremely low level. This price quickly attracted many merchants, and Feitong regained its advantage, while Shunda’s business plummeted.
Everything went too smoothly, so smoothly that even Yao Hongbo was somewhat incredulous.
Taoxun had shown no reaction at all, and was even conducting surveys, seemingly planning to launch a new social platform.
Upon learning of Taoxun’s movements, several investors mercilessly mocked Ye Zhi during a video conference. As expected, young people were just young people; their ambitions were high, but with such a large undertaking, could she manage it?
Only Yao Hongbo felt a faint sense of unease, as this scene felt eerily familiar.
He was no longer sure if Taoxun truly intended to abandon Shunda Express, or if the so-called social platform was merely a smokescreen, and Ye Zhi already had a plan.
In the evening, at Half-Mountain Villa, Qi Xuan was holding a magazine, somewhat distracted.
Earlier, Ye Zhi had called him, saying she would be back today.
By his calculations, she should have arrived by now. However, why was there no movement next door?
“Oh dear, Miss Ye…”
The butler’s voice sounded, and Qi Xuan instinctively looked towards the door. But he saw the butler with a teasing smile, who then said, “Why hasn’t she returned yet?”
Qi Xuan: …
Should he display his employer’s authority and deduct some wages?
Perhaps not.
Qi Xuan sighed. He got up and prepared to go upstairs. From the study upstairs, one could see outside the window.
As he stepped onto the stairs, he heard the butler exclaim in surprise, “Young master, Miss Ye is back!”
Qi Xuan said helplessly, “Butler, making the same joke twice…”
Before he could finish speaking, he saw the butler rush out.
Qi Xuan was taken aback. He followed and saw Ye Zhi walking through the main gate.
Ye Zhi smiled faintly and said, “Uncle Butler, I bought a lot of gifts! Quickly find someone to help me carry them down…”
“Yes, yes,” the butler readily agreed.
Ye Zhi raised her eyes and saw Qi Xuan walking towards her. Her eyes immediately curved into crescent moons.
“Qi Xuan, I bought you a lot of gifts!” As she spoke, Ye Zhi picked up the gifts she had brought back and stuffed them directly into Qi Xuan’s arms.
“These decorative items can be placed in your bedroom. I’ve tasted these local specialties, and they’re so delicious that’s why I bought them. And these few things, I think they’re very unique, and you’ll definitely like them…”