"Pr... President Xie."
Qiuqiu quickly greeted her, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness.
"It really is you, I thought I was seeing things." A genuine smile appeared on Xie Shuyu's face, tinged with the joy of reuniting with an old acquaintance. "Long ti no see, what a coincidence, I never expected to run into you here."
She had a deep impression of this forr designer from Inspiration Design whom she had collaborated with,
not just because of Cheng Qiuqiu's outstanding figure and looks, but more because of her talent and creativity.
Back then, the website redesign, mini-program UI, and poster designs for [Weiguang Coffee] were all done by her,
not only executed excellently but also with remarkably high efficiency.
When she later heard that Cheng Qiuqiu had left Inspiration Design, Xie Shuyu felt quite regretful, never expecting they would reunite here.
"Long ti no see, President Xie." Qiuqiu sowhat shyly tucked her hair behind her ear. "You... are you going on a business trip?"
"Yes, heading to Rongcheng. What about you?"
" too, my hotown is Rongcheng."
"Oh right, I vaguely rember you ntioning that before."
After a brief exchange, the announcent for the train's arrival sounded.
Ticket check, boarding.
Inside the first-class cabin, the seating adopted a 2 2 layout with spacious leather seats offering ample legroom.
This was Qiuqiu's first ti in first class, and she couldn't help but look around curiously.
When she found her seat according to her ticket, she realized she was sitting right next to President Xie.
Seeing this, Xie Shuyu also smiled, stepping in first to take the window seat.
Qiuqiu sat down beside her, her whole deanor becoming tense and nervous.
She had never been good at socializing, especially in such confined spaces.
During previous etings, they could at least talk about work.
But now... this train journey would last a full seven hours, which felt like an eternity of torture for her.
Seemingly sensing her unease and the awkward atmosphere, Xie Shuyu initiated conversation, chatting with her about Rongcheng's food and weather.
As a self-made successful woman, Xie Shuyu naturally possessed excellent social skills.
Facing an introverted and quiet "introvert" like Cheng Qiuqiu, she didn't bring up any stressful topics but simply shared her experiences casually like a friend. ℝαℕ𝘖βΕ𝙎
As the train slowly started moving, the familiar winter scenery of Yancheng outside the window began swiftly receding backward.
After chatting for a while, the atmosphere in the cabin relaxed considerably.
Xie Shuyu took out a tablet with a keyboard from her handbag and put on headphones.
She softly said to Cheng Qiuqiu, "I need to handle so work first," and began focusing intently on her tasks.
Qiuqiu breathed a sigh of relief, lowered her head, and started spacing out.
This ti returning to Rongcheng, she hadn't contacted her mother in advance and didn't know how to face that woman.
In fact, since starting university, she had rarely returned to that cold "ho."
Facing an introverted and quiet "introvert" like Cheng Qiuqiu, she didn't bring up any stressful topics but simply shared her experiences lightly like a friend.
Approaching noon, the sound of al cart vendors could be heard.
Cheng Qiuqiu opened the 12306 app to order lunch.
After hesitating for a while and glancing at the still-busy Xie Shuyu beside her, she finally asked politely in a small voice, "President Xie, would you like sothing to eat? I can order for you."
Xie Shuyu's gaze didn't leave the screen as she casually replied, "A unagi and fatty beef combo rice, please. Thank you."
"Okay." Cheng Qiuqiu sighed in relief, added the unagi and fatty beef combo rice, and ordered her favorite pepper pork rice for herself.
Soon, she received a 40 yuan al paynt transfer from Xie Shuyu via WeChat.
The attendant delivered the steaming hot als.
Xie Shuyu still didn't stop working, only removing one headphone as she ate small bites while on the phone.
"I don't want to hear any excuses, I only care about results."
"...No, we cannot accept a 3% increase, this is our bottom line. Tell Manager Li that if they can't provide a new solution by today's closing ti, we'll imdiately activate the backup contract with that factory in Jiangcheng..."
Watching her efficient, strong-willed deanor, Qiuqiu sighed inwardly.
She had always known President Xie was a workaholic, very ticulous, and highly concerned about cost control.
Many projects in the company were outsourced, including design, developnt, and even many coffee shop staff were part-tirs.
From a vendor's perspective, this type of client wasn't easy to work with.
Back then, the experienced employees at Inspiration Design didn't want to take on this job, which was why the task was assigned to her, a newcor.
However, she actually liked it.
Because Xie Shuyu never beat around the bush—if she had even the slightest dissatisfaction with a design draft, she would clearly point it out.
Business was business, never mixing in superficial social niceties.
For soone socially awkward like her, this was the best type of client.
This was also the main reason she genuinely respected Xie Shuyu.
After eating, drowsiness gradually washed over her like a tide.
She hadn't slept well last night, and now that she was relaxed, she couldn't hold on any longer.
Leaning against the soft seat back, thinking about all the troubles awaiting her at ho this ti.
Unknowingly, she fell into a deep sleep.
...
Around 4 PM.
When Cheng Qiuqiu woke up from a slight jolt,
she found a warm cashre coat with a faint perfu scent draped over her at so point.
Startled, she turned to see Xie Shuyu closing her iPad, a trace of fatigue on her face.
"Awake?"
"President Xie..." Qiuqiu's cheeks instantly flushed red as she quickly picked up the coat and handed it back. "Thank you, sorry, I..."
"It's fine." Xie Shuyu took the coat and placed it aside, smiling gently. "You were sleeping so soundly, I was afraid you'd catch a chill."
Looking at Qiuqiu, as if finally having so leisure ti, she initiated conversation: "By the way, I never asked—after leaving Inspiration Design, where did you move to?"
She truly admired Cheng Qiuqiu.
For soone not good at socializing like her, this was the best type of client.
The upcoming brand visual system upgrade would beco crucial, and outsourcing would no longer be suitable. They were currently building a team.
If possible, she wouldn't mind personally recruiting this talented and hardworking designer to her side.
In fact, her judgnt of people had always been excellent.
Back then, the three long-term outsourcing partners for Weiguang Coffee—
Tang Song responsible for technical developnt, Wen Ruan for marketing planning, and Cheng Qiuqiu for visual design—
were all first-rate talents.
Though there was certainly no need to poach Tang Song and Wen Ruan now.
But this Cheng Qiuqiu before her eyes might still be worth recruiting.
"At a clothing e-comrce company," Qiuqiu answered softly. "Still doing visual design."
Xie Shuyu imdiately beca interested. "Clothing e-comrce? That's a good industry. For designers, this field offers great developnt space. Short feedback cycles, direct access to real user data."
"Yes, that's true." Qiuqiu nodded.
The two chatted for a while about clothing e-comrce topics.
Xie Shuyu casually asked, "What's your company called?"
Qiuqiu answered seriously: "Songi Apparel Trade Co., Ltd., over at Yunxi Building."
Hearing this, Xie Shuyu paused, looking surprised. "Songi Apparel?"
"Yes, President Xie, you know it?" As soon as she spoke, Qiuqiu suddenly realized, "Oh right! President Xie, you also know our President Tang!"
Her ntal state today was really poor, constantly preoccupied with family matters. She had forgotten that Tang Song was previously the outsourced programr for Weiguang Coffee.
She and Tang Song had also been introduced by Xie Shuyu at Weiguang Coffee's headquarters.
Recalling their first eting, she couldn't help but smile.
That day, Xie Shuyu called her to Huayun Center to align the visual design with developers.
They encountered Tang Song wearing Under Armour athletic wear downstairs.
He had been staring at her as she arrived by bike, even secretly taking photos of her with his phone.
So, her first impression of him wasn't great.
Who would have thought so many things would happen later.
Xie Shuyu chuckled lightly, her tone carrying just the right amount of teasing. "Well, so Tang Song poached you. He's really sothing, poaching soone I had my eye on without even giving a heads-up. After all, I was the one who introduced you."
Back then, the three long-term outsourcing partners for Weiguang Coffee—
Tang Song responsible for technical developnt, Wen Ruan for marketing planning, and Cheng Qiuqiu for visual design—
She seed to have guessed sothing.
"Hehe, you misunderstood, I'm not blaming him. You might not know yet, but he's now a major shareholder of [Weiguang Coffee], participating in our Series A funding."
But this Cheng Qiuqiu before her eyes might still be worth trying to recruit.
Xie Shuyu nodded, took a sip of water, and looking into her eyes said: "Moreover, I am now his girlfriend."
Boom—
Cheng Qiuqiu's mind went blank.
Another girlfriend?!
And... President Xie?!
In her heart, Xie Shuyu was almost like an elder figure.
Not only because Xie Shuyu was 10 years older, but also because of her mature, capable presence, and that aura of being a self-made, admirable female entrepreneur.
In her eyes, this was soone worthy of respect, even sowhat intimidating.
To think she was actually Tang Song's girlfriend?
She looked at this impeccable "female CEO" with exceptional presence before her, then thought of senior, Xiao Jing, Xu Qing...
Her mind beca a tangled ss.
How... how many girlfriends does he have?
"Why so quiet? Is it that strange?"
Her ntal state today was really poor, constantly preoccupied with family matters. She had forgotten that Tang Song was previously the outsourced programr for Weiguang Coffee.
Her tone remained gentle, but those bright eyes held a barely perceptible scrutiny as they quietly watched her.
"No... nothing." Qiuqiu instinctively avoided her gaze, her voice flustered. "It's just a bit surprising, that's all. Congratulations, President Xie."
That day, Xie Shuyu called her to Huayun Center to align the visual design with developers.
Her exquisite, delicate face that looked smooth and flawless, full of collagen.
Her figure was curvaceous and incredibly sexy.
Her appearance and deanor leaned towards aloof, yet she radiated a youthful girlish charm.
Sowhat resembling the big celebrity Su Yu.
This was the first ti Xie Shuyu had so directly assessed Cheng Qiuqiu's appearance, and she felt many emotions.
Youth is wonderful.
After all, so things, once gone, can never return.
Hearing this, Qiuqiu imdiately instinctively defended Tang Song: "No, President Xie! I encountered problems at my company and was recruited by a senior! President Tang... he only found out I joined the company later..."
Lately, she had been extrely busy.
The new phase of nationwide expansion, strategic alignnt with coffee suppliers under Smile Holdings, and the upcoming trip to Rongcheng...
Each matter left her stretched thin.
She and Tang Song, though nominally boyfriend and girlfriend, had precious little ti together.
About this, she actually felt deep guilt and unease.
So she never interfered with his private life, which had been agreed upon from the start.
But now, seeing the girlish affection Cheng Qiuqiu—whom she had once regarded as a "junior"—showed towards Tang Song,
a woman's subtle sense of crisis and possessiveness made her instinctively utter those words "declaring sovereignty."
Perhaps... she really should ease up on work a bit.
Thinking this, she couldn't help feeling inexplicably nervous.
When it ca to intimate relationships requiring emotional maintenance, she actually had very little confidence.
...
5:17 PM.
After over seven hours of smooth travel, the high-speed train finally slowly pulled into Rongcheng East Station.
Not only because Xie Shuyu was 10 years older, but also because of her mature, capable presence, and that aura of being a self-made, admirable female entrepreneur.
In her eyes, this was soone worthy of respect, even sowhat intimidating.
The train stopped.
She looked at this impeccable "female CEO" with exceptional presence before her, then thought of senior, Xiao Jing, Xu Qing...
Rongcheng East Station was massive, its design full of modernity and technological feel.
Under the huge glass do, crowds surged, filled with the unique, leisurely yet vibrant atmosphere of the Southwest region.
Exiting the ticket gates, they arrived at the spacious exit hall.
Xie Shuyu stopped and turned to ask: "Qiuqiu, which district do you live in? A friend is picking up. If it's not out of the way, I can give you a ride."
Cheng Qiuqiu quickly waved her hand. "No need, President Xie, I'll take the tro. It's very convenient."
"Alright." Xie Shuyu didn't insist further. Looking at Qiuqiu, her bright eyes showed a trace of gentleness. "I'll be in Rongcheng for a while. If anything cos up, feel free to call anyti."
"Yes, thank you, President Xie. You should... also rest well."
"No... nothing." Qiuqiu instinctively avoided her gaze, her voice flustered. "It's just a bit surprising, that's all. Congratulations, President Xie."
Soon rging into the surging crowd.
Xie Shuyu stood still, watching her figure disappear around the corner before slowly withdrawing her gaze.
Her exquisite, delicate face that looked smooth and flawless, full of collagen.
Just as she stepped out of the passageway, a familiar figure ca into view.
Her appearance and temperant leaned towards aloof, yet she radiated a youthful girlish charm.
Sowhat resembling the big celebrity Su Yu.
"Ran Ran."
A truly relaxed smile finally appeared on Xie Shuyu's face.
The newcor was her long-ti good friend, ng Ran.
Also her university bunkmate and close sister.
She instinctively touched the corner of her eye and sighed inwardly.
"Don't worry," ng Ran helped her put the suitcase in the trunk, closing the door as she spoke. "That 'Young Master Chen' from [Shuxian Cold Chain] has a very complicated situation. Let's go, get in the car, we can talk on the way. I'll also take you to try Rongcheng's most authentic private kitchen cuisine."
The new phase of nationwide expansion, strategic alignnt with coffee suppliers under Smile Holdings, and the upcoming trip to Rongcheng...
The black Audi A6L rged into the crowded evening traffic, heading deep into the city center.
She and Tang Song, though nominally boyfriend and girlfriend, had precious little ti together.
...
tro Line 7 traveled smoothly through the underground tunnels.
Looking at the familiar station nas flashing past the window, listening to the rising and falling Sichuanese dialect around her,
a woman's subtle sense of crisis and possessiveness made her instinctively utter those words "declaring sovereignty."
Her ho, or rather, the place where her mother currently lived, was in an old resettlent housing complex near Shanbanqiao,
Thinking this, she couldn't help feeling inexplicably nervous.
It was also the place where she had spent her entire repressed adolescence since junior high.
Every alley, every yellow barrel tree, even the air perated with the mixed scent of hotpot base and dampness—all were part of a past she had desperately wanted to escape.
And now, she was back.
The tro stopped at "University of Technology" station.
Cheng Qiuqiu got off with the crowd, transferred to a bus, rode four or five stops, and finally got off at that familiar yet unfamiliar platform.
The sky had completely darkened, street lamps emitting a dim yellow light that stretched her shadow long.
Crossing a noisy, bustling street,
she stopped in front of a sowhat dated-looking red-brick residential building.
Step by step, she climbed the stairs.
Finally stopping at a worn-out security door on the 4th floor.
Taking out her key, inserting it into the lock, giving it a gentle turn.
Rongcheng East Station was massive, its design full of modernity and tech feel.
The door pushed open.
Everything before her eyes felt so familiar, yet so foreign.
Entering the small room that belonged to her, she placed her suitcase in the corner and looked around.
The room was tiny, less than ten square ters.
A single bed, an old wardrobe, and a desk cramd with various books and art supplies were pretty much everything.
Many posters of Su Yu adorned the walls.
This place seed frozen in ti, everything maintained exactly as when she left.
Her eyes involuntarily revealed emotions both nostalgic and resistant.
After putting her luggage away, Qiuqiu didn't linger.
Taking her toiletries and change of clothes, she put them in her backpack, lowered her head, and walked out without a word.
Soon rging into the surging crowd.
Inpatient building, sixth floor.
Xie Shuyu stood still, watching her back disappear around the corner before slowly withdrawing her gaze.
The corridor was quiet, only occasional chatter from the nurse's station and the "beeping" of instrunts.
She walked to the door of room 603, looking through the glass window.
Imdiately spotting that weak figure lying in bed, eyes closed, receiving an IV.
Just then,
a familiar voice sounded beside her: "Aiyo, Qiuqiu! You're finally here!"
Qiuqiu turned to see Aunt Wang Aijuan walking over from the hot water area holding a cup.
"Auntie Wang, thank you for your trouble. My... mom, how is she?"
"The doctor said it's nothing serious, just a minor concussion. She needs observation for a few days, and can be discharged if all is well." Wang Aijuan placed the thermos on the floor and added, "The money you transferred earlier, I've already paid the hospitalization deposit. The excess will be refunded after discharge."
"Thank you."
"Don't ntion it, we're old neighbors." Auntie Wang patted her shoulder. "Now that you're here, I'm relieved. Your mom's asleep. I need to hurry back, lots of things waiting for at ho."
After a brief farewell, Aunt Wang hurried off.
Qiuqiu stood at the door for a long ti before finally gathering the courage to push it open.
It was a standard large ward with five beds in a row, all occupied.
The air was stuffy, mixed with the sll of dicine, food, and the particular scent of patients.
Walking to the innermost hospital bed, she sat down on a plastic stool.
She looked at the woman with thick bandages wrapped around her head, her face pale.
In her mory, this woman was always shrewd and sharp-tongued, back straight, speaking rapidly and loudly like rapid fire.
To her childhood self, that presence felt overwhelmingly oppressive.
But now, she looked much older than rembered, as if all her vitality had been completely drained by this accident.
Then again, she loved money so much.
Valued money more than her own life.
To earn money, she moved from their hotown to Rongcheng, opened a small food stall, worked early and late, never even taking care of herself.
Cheng Qiuqiu felt an indescribable sense of being in a different era.
Ti passed bit by bit in this silence.
Qiuqiu just sat there dazedly, not saying a word.
She didn't know how much ti had passed.
It was also the place where she had spent her entire repressed adolescence since junior high.
She was first startled, seemingly not processing the situation.
"Qiuqiu, how did you... suddenly co back..."
Qiuqiu retorted in an emotionless tone: "Weren't you the one calling every day urging to co back?"
Li ihua parted her dry, cracked lips, wanting to say sothing, but seed choked up.
Cheng Qiuqiu got off with the crowd, transferred to a bus, rode four or five stops, and finally got off at that familiar yet unfamiliar platform.
The usual sharpness in her eyes was gone, replaced only by weariness and sha.
Qiuqiu didn't speak further, taking an apple from the fruit basket on the bedside table.
The knife blade slid over the peel, making a faint "rustling" sound.
Li ihua turned her head away, tears gradually welling up in her eyes.
...
Rongcheng, Yulin district, deep within a quiet alley
Narrow Door Private Kitchen.
In the courtyard, bamboo shadows swayed, a stream babbled, the air faintly scented with gardenia flowers.
Xie Shuyu and ng Ran sat opposite each other, several authentic Sichuan ho-style dishes on the table.
Everything before her eyes felt so familiar, yet so strange.
They seed to revert to the university best friends who could talk about anything.
Looking at her friend across the table, Xie Shuyu's eyes were full of the soft light of reminiscence.
Once, she and ng Ran had left university together and plunged into the magnificent, dazzling world of Modu.
In their youth, they wore ZARA bought only after getting paid, drank hand-brewed coffee at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery,
carried installnt-bought CHANEL WOC bags, ate fine dining French cuisine at K1iJ's top floor.
On weekends, they would stroll arm in arm through Galeries Lafayette, still enjoying themselves even if they couldn't afford anything.
Her eyes involuntarily revealed emotions both nostalgic and resistant.
Naively believing they could stay young forever in that city.
They were among the relatively lucky '90s generation favored by the era.
But later, they chose different paths.
After keenly discovering the comrcial prospects in the coffee industry, Xie Shuyu quit her job, returned to Yancheng, and threw herself into the hardships of entrepreneurship.
Struggling through ups and downs, she finally achieved today's success.
anwhile, ng Ran chose a more stable path.
She had been deeply involved within the giant corporation [Alibaba], now becoming an operations executive for [Hema Fresh] in the Southwest region.
Actually, in terms of personal achievent alone, if [Weiguang Coffee] hadn't been elevated in valuation by Tang Song, she might not necessarily compare to ng Ran.
After all, the imnse influence of a platform is hard to match through individual effort alone.
"Ding~"
Their glasses of plum wine lightly clinked in the air, making a crisp sound.
ng Ran took a sip, put down her glass, her expression turning more serious. "Catching up is about done. Now, let's talk about the serious matter you're most concerned about."
"Okay." Xie Shuyu imdiately sat up straight.
"Xiao Yu, regarding that Chen Hao from [Shuxian Supply Chain], you must be cautious. Trying to bypass him and the Chen family behind him in the Southwest region is almost impossible..."
Xie Shuyu listened quietly, her eyes flickering, her heart gradually sinking.
Currently, the upstream coffee bean production and roasting for [Weiguang Coffee] were fully handled by the top-tier supplier [Yuntong Zhicui] under Smile Holdings, with impeccable quality and supply.
This had fueled greater ambitions in her—to integrate the logistics system.
"The doctor said it's nothing serious, just a minor concussion. She needs observation for a few days, and can be discharged if all is well." Wang Aijuan placed the thermos on the floor and added, "The money you transferred earlier, I've already paid the hospitalization deposit. The excess will be refunded after discharge."
A complete cold chain logistics system was paramount.
[Weiguang Coffee]'s stores in the Southwest, as a temporary transition, had been cooperating with [Shuxian Supply Chain] through an introduction by the local restaurant association.
But after two months of cooperation, she was extrely dissatisfied with their inflated quotes, rigid delivery efficiency, and occasional product loss.
She had always had an almost obsessive pursuit of cost control.
To cut expenses, she rarely flew business class herself, and most of the company's non-core operations were outsourced.
And the Southwest was Weiguang's next most important strategic expansion area after North China.
Naturally, Xie Shuyu wanted everything perfect.
This trip to Rongcheng was originally intended to confront them and switch suppliers.
But now, it seed things were far more difficult than she imagined.
Walking to the innermost hospital bed, she sat down on a plastic stool.
General Manager Chen Hao's father was not only the chairman of Zhongshu Group but also the vice president of the provincial restaurant association.
Rumored to have official backing as well.
If she stubbornly went ahead with replacing them, it would an completely offending this entrenched local power.
It could lead to a series of chain reactions later.
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