In a tea room rich with aroma, Qin Chuan earnestly persuaded two arrogant young masters from affluent families.
Ye Huai'an was somewhat better, seemingly possessing a genuine aptitude for business and receptive to advice. Qin Chuan was unfamiliar with Zhong Dongyao, so his primary focus was to persuade the latter.
Fortunately, Zhong Dongyao proved more reasonable than Qin Chuan had anticipated. He wasn't a brainless dandy, and with the presence of the goddess Ye Meiyun, he ultimately heeded Qin Chuan's counsel and tempered his expectations.
The two decided to invest fifty million yuan to construct a luxurious electronic shopping mall.
In 1998, fifty million yuan was a considerable sum, capable of achieving much even in Beijing.
Having successfully convinced Ye Huai'an and Zhong Dongyao, Qin Chuan's mind was finally at ease. The group then set off for home.
Their trip to Beijing had, unbeknownst to them, lasted a full ten days, causing a significant delay.
The advertisements on CCTV were now fully prepared and would air in about twenty days. They had to seize this time to ramp up production at full speed.
It wouldn't do if franchisees flocked to them, only to find their factory unable to supply the goods.
On the way back, in the roaring Tiger Head Benz, with pulsating music playing, they actually rolled down the windows in the biting winter cold, feeling the wind outside as if it were warm.
After another six or seven hours of driving, they arrived at the provincial capital as night fell and the city lights began to twinkle.
Qin Chuan didn't push them to travel further, opting for a night's rest in the provincial capital before departing early the next morning.
When everyone excitedly suggested having dinner together, Qin Chuan waved them off, saying he had to go out.
Without waiting for their response, he immediately got into the car and drove away.
He left the others exchanging bewildered glances.
However, he was the boss, and he frequented the provincial capital. It wasn't unusual for him to have an important friend.
No one thought too much of it, continuing their enthusiastic discussion about what to have for dinner.
Meanwhile, on the brightly lit asphalt roads, the Tiger Head Benz sped along at over 120 kilometers per hour.
As Qin Chuan drove, he dialed a familiar phone number.
"Hello, I've arrived in the provincial capital and am on my way to you now!"
"Don't worry, I'm definitely not speeding!"
"Mmm-hmm, I'll come to your workplace, give you a buzz, and you can come down. We'll have dinner together."
"Bye-bye!"
After hanging up, Qin Chuan's lips were practically splitting to his ears. An irrepressible excitement surged through him, palpable to anyone who saw him.
He floored the accelerator, pressing it so hard it seemed to merge with the engine. The Tiger Head Benz roared like a beast, its speed increasing, overtaking one car after another.
A journey that should have taken over fifty minutes was completed in half an hour!
Finally, the Tiger Head Benz stopped beneath a brightly lit skyscraper. Looking up, the four characters "Jin Mei International" shone brilliantly.
Qin Chuan took out his phone, about to dial that familiar number, when he suddenly froze. His gaze was fixed straight ahead.
There, standing at some point, was a slender figure.
In the biting winter wind, even the thickest padded jacket couldn't ward off the bone-chilling cold. The girl had clearly been waiting for a long time, her small face red from the cold. Under the streetlights, hot air continuously billowed from her mouth and nose.
However, as Qin Chuan's gaze fell upon her, the girl standing in the wind suddenly broke into a radiant smile that warmed the entire cold night.
Her exquisite, picturesque face was so familiar. Who else could it be but our Teacher Yang?
"Teacher Yang!"
The moment Qin Chuan saw Yang Zimo's face again, he felt as if an electric current had shot through him. First, his whole body shivered, then, filled with unprecedented excitement and joy, he ran towards her.
"Xiao Chuan!"
Yang Zimo's smile grew even brighter as she looked at the young man she hadn't seen in days, revealing two shallow dimples.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, Yang Zimo let out a surprised yelp. Qin Chuan, unable to contain his excitement any longer, scooped her into his arms and spun her around.
"Put me down! Put me down quickly!"
"I'm dizzy! I'm so dizzy! You rascal!"
Yang Zimo playfully pounded Qin Chuan's shoulder with her small fists. After a long while, Qin Chuan stopped spinning, but he didn't let go, still holding her tightly in his arms.
Yang Zimo's delicate face was flushed red, perhaps from dizziness or something else. Her large eyes were filled with shyness.
This shyness intensified particularly when she felt his intense gaze.
"Still looking!"
"Be careful, your eyes might fall out!"
Yang Zimo said softly, lowering her head.
"I could never see enough in a lifetime!"
Qin Chuan replied with a shy grin.
"It's not like I haven't been seen before. Your eyes look like you're going to eat me alive!"
Yang Zimo said, feigning annoyance. She couldn't hold a candle to this man's thick skin; she was truly helpless.
"Let's go, quickly. If we stay here any longer, I'm afraid my colleagues will find out!"
Suddenly, Yang Zimo urged.
"Okay, let's get in the car!"
Qin Chuan, holding Teacher Yang's small hand tightly, strode towards the Tiger Head Benz.
Once inside the car, Yang Zimo finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Silly, didn't I tell you to wait until I called you before coming down? It's so cold outside!"
Qin Chuan chided.
"Hmph, none of your business! I want to stand outside in the cold, so what?"
Teacher Yang haughtily lifted her crystal-clear, jade-like chin.
Qin Chuan's mouth twitched slightly, but his expression clearly conveyed happiness.
In a relationship, this kind of playful bickering was a private understanding. This was perhaps what made the sweet scent of romance so captivating.
"What should we eat?"
Qin Chuan started the car.
"Hot pot. I haven't had hot pot in ages!"
Yang Zimo said without hesitation.
"Got it!"
The Tiger Head Benz pulled away from Jin Mei International Building and drove straight ahead.
On the road, the couple, who hadn't seen each other for days, had an endless stream of things to talk about.
During Qin Chuan's busy period, no matter how occupied he was, he maintained daily contact with Teacher Yang, either through texts or calls. She was aware of his trip to Beijing for advertising.
Similarly, Qin Chuan knew about Yang Zimo's work at Shan Mei International.
Soon, they found an authentic Sichuan-Chongqing hot pot restaurant.
Upon entering, they found a private room and ordered a variety of dishes. Teacher Yang specifically requested several bottles of Tai Gang soda.
Qin Chuan couldn't help but grumble, "You're a girl, drinking soda in the middle of winter. Aren't you afraid of damaging your health in the future?"
"Hee hee!"
Teacher Yang playfully stuck out her small, fragrant tongue. "Xiao Chuan, you'll know the feeling if you try it!"
Saying that, she placed two bottles of soda down in front of Qin Chuan with a thud.
Qin Chuan had never experienced drinking soda with hot pot in the dead of winter.
Driven by curiosity, he carefully savored the sensation.
The spicy tripe, honeycomb tripe, and beef tongue, paired with the icy Tai Gang soda, created an incredibly refreshing contrast between cold and hot.
"Refreshing, right?"
Yang Zimo watched Qin Chuan with a beaming smile.
"Refreshing! It's truly refreshing!"
Qin Chuan felt as if every pore in his body was opening up.
"Let's have another one!"
"Cheers!"
The couple, reunited after a long separation, shared their longing for each other in the warm private room.
During the meal, Qin Chuan recounted his trip to Beijing in detail to Teacher Yang, omitting, of course, what needed to be omitted.
For instance, Fan Xiaobin, the newly recognized 'sister'...
"So, you mean I'll be able to see your product on television in about twenty days?"
Teacher Yang listened with keen interest while eating hot pot.
"Yes, if there are no unexpected issues!"
Qin Chuan nodded. "My factory now has all three shifts working, and the machines are running twenty-four hours a day, pushing production to its limits!"
"We're just waiting for the day the advertisement airs!"
Teacher Yang smiled sweetly, a captivating blush gracing her exquisite, picturesque face.
She raised her soda and said with a smile, "Then I wish Mr. Qin great prosperity and immense wealth in advance!"
Qin Chuan also raised his soda, grinning.
"My money is your money. We'll get rich together! Together!"
Teacher Yang's beautiful eyes sparkled, and with a charming glance, she playfully chided, "Oh, you!"
"Who cares about your little bit of money!"
Qin Chuan was captivated by the sudden charm Yang Zimo displayed. He couldn't help but put down his soda, take her soft and delicate hand, and ask with a smile, "Teacher Yang, then what do you care about?"