Entering the temporary tent shop, we sat around a small table. Fangyuan called the owner over and directly ordered three barrels of ten-pound draft beer before we started ordering food.
Soon, the owner brought the barbecue grill, and the three of us each poured ourselves a large cup of draft beer. As we always had, we drank the first round in one go with silent understanding.
In that freezing night, my brain was stimulated by the icy beer, causing an intense cold pain. As the pain faded, it was replaced by a sense of indulgence and pleasure.
I exhaled heavily, only to find that Fangyuan and Xiangchen did the same simultaneously. Then the three of us exchanged helpless bitter smiles. In truth, we had already lost the passion and vigor we once had; otherwise, we would have immediately started on the second round without pause.
Jianwei and Yanyan skillfully flipped the meat skewers on the grill. Then Yanyan handed a cooked skewer to Mi Cai and asked, “Director Mi, would you like to try it?”
Mi Cai nodded and said, “Of course, I’d really like to experience what your life was like back in university.”
Yanyan smiled at everyone and said, “We were just fooling around… but Director Mi, I’m curious, what was your life like when you were studying in the U.S.? Was it the same as ours?”
“My life back then was very simple.”
Yanyan nodded again and asked, “So, Director Mi, which city did you attend university in?”
“Philadelphia.”
“Weiwei was in Los Angeles. Sometimes I really feel that fate is amazing. People who are meant to be together will find their way no matter how far apart they are… So, I think we should cherish this kind of connection and forget all the messy stuff. It would be great if we could gather like this more often!”
After Yanyan finished speaking, everyone fell silent. Admittedly, what Yanyan expressed was a beautiful wish, but after all, she wasn’t one of the people directly involved. We all knew deep down that such gatherings would become increasingly rare.
The reason I was willing to bring Mi Cai to this gathering today was, first, because I missed our university days, and second, because I hoped to use this opportunity to completely put the past behind me. Sometimes, thinking about the heart-wrenching pain caused by the past really made me tired. It might be better to forget everything and move on with the help of time, even if it meant leaving behind a blank space.
…
Soon, under the influence of alcohol, we all felt a bit dazed. Xiangchen, who had rarely interacted with Jianwei, suddenly raised his glass toward her and said, “Weiwei, since all our friends are here, let them bear witness. I sincerely ask for your forgiveness for my recent irrationality… During this time abroad, I’ve done a lot of thinking and realized that I didn’t give you enough freedom…”
Jianwei frowned and interrupted Xiangchen, saying, “Can we talk about this privately?”
Xiangchen looked to Yanyan and Fangyuan for help.
Yanyan held Jianwei’s hand and said, “Weiwei, Xiangchen is apologizing to you in front of all of us so we can help supervise him and ensure he doesn’t make similar mistakes again. This is a good thing, so please let him finish.”
Jianwei looked at Xiangchen without saying anything, silently giving Yanyan a favor.
Xiangchen seemed somewhat emotional. He took a sip of beer and continued, “Regarding your advertising company, I absolutely won’t interfere anymore. I’ll fully support you. In the future, I’ll shift my career focus to Suzhou and stay there with you to help build your advertising company!”
Jianwei’s expression finally softened slightly as she said to Xiangchen, “There’s no need for full support. My advertising company is just a small operation compared to your career. You should focus on your own work. It’s enough for me to have your moral support!”
Xiangchen eagerly asked, “Then does that mean you’re willing to forgive me?”
“Do I really have another choice?”
Xiangchen tilted his head upward. When he looked at Jianwei again, his eyes were already red, and he choked up, saying, “Weiwei, I care about you so much that I want to keep you by my side and build a future family together. If my actions have restricted your freedom, I’m willing to compromise because loving someone means loving their entirety, including the freedom they cherish.”
Jianwei’s expression finally changed. After a long pause, she softly said to Xiangchen, “Thank you for your understanding and tolerance!”
Xiangchen wiped his face with both hands, then tightly embraced Jianwei as if he had just gotten her back. He said to her again, “I’ve already decided to move my company to Suzhou. From now on, we’ll settle down there. It’s close to both Shanghai and Nanjing, which is also a way to satisfy our parents.”
Jianwei was silent for a while before replying, “You can handle this as you see fit.”
Xiangchen smiled and hugged Jianwei even tighter. Then, unexpectedly, he turned to Mi Cai and said, “Director Mi, after we move our company to Suzhou this year, I hope we can have an in-depth cooperation. I plan to set up high-standard counters in both Suzhou and Shanghai’s Zhuomei stores next month. I hope you can offer some resource support!”
Mi Cai didn’t immediately respond due to the unexpected nature of the request.
Fangyuan took over the conversation and said, “Director Mi, I believe that having Xiangchen’s tobacco and alcohol counters in Zhuomei would also be an opportunity for Zhuomei. Compared to Baoli Department Store, Zhuomei is indeed slightly weaker in the tobacco and alcohol category. Although Xiangchen has already set up counters at Baoli, I am confident that the scale of investment at Zhuomei will surpass that at Baoli.”
Xiangchen nodded in agreement and added, “Last year, I went overseas and secured exclusive distribution rights for two top-tier red wine brands. I am eager to leverage Zhuomei as a platform to showcase our company’s unparalleled strength in the industry. Therefore, the scale of investment will be unprecedented.”
Mi Cai thought for a moment and said, “Once you provide the counter setup plan, we can discuss it in detail. Regarding resources, I will definitely offer the maximum assistance within my capabilities.”
Xiangchen raised his beer glass with a smile and said to Mi Cai, “Then I’ll thank Director Mi for your strong support in advance. I hope our cooperation will be pleasant!”
Mi Cai merely nodded without saying any more polite words.
…
On the way back, Mi Cai was driving while I leaned slightly against the passenger seat, feeling a bit dizzy. I wasn’t really in the mood to talk, mostly because during their earlier discussion about cooperation, I hadn’t been able to contribute much. For one, I don’t belong to Zhuomei’s planning department, so I couldn’t offer any professional suggestions. Besides, I’ve never been involved in capital games at this level before, which made me even less qualified to speak up.
I gazed blankly out of the car window at the city’s glittering lights, worrying about my future. I repeatedly questioned myself inwardly, wondering how I should strive forward.
As I questioned, I gradually felt overwhelmed because my empty hands couldn’t carry the enormous desire. In an instant, I felt trapped in a fractured space—my hands touching Mi Cai’s pride while my feet were locked in a barren desert…
Suddenly, the previously clean car window was covered with dense raindrops. An unexpected heavy rain began to fall. Amidst the “pitter-patter” of the rain, Mi Cai finally spoke her first words since getting into the car.
Zhaoyang, what do you think about Xiangchen’s plan to set up counters in Zhuomei?
I didn’t react immediately, merely staring blankly at Mi Cai for a while, unable to form a coherent thought.
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