After lunch, Jan Wei and I stood under the eaves saying goodbye to Yang Congrong. Before he left, we had a brief conversation during which I could genuinely sense his high expectations for the diversified development of Luku Company. However, this expectation was a source of helplessness for me. Still, I didn’t voice any objections because, as Jan Wei suggested, I should visit that scenic area first before making any decisions.
Yang Congrong had already left, but Jan Wei and I remained under the eaves. I smoked a cigarette while she looked serious. For us, the meeting we had just experienced was not a successful communication.
“Zhaoyang, I know that as an investor, I shouldn’t interfere too much in the company’s operations, but Uncle Yang doesn’t intend to overshadow anyone. He genuinely has high hopes for the company. Planning to enter the physical tourism industry has been his goal for more than one or two years. It was your artistic path that finally convinced him, so we can all see how much effort he has invested for the company’s development!”
“I’ve never denied that, and I’ve always been grateful toward him,” I said, taking a deep puff of my cigarette.
Jan Wei looked at me apologetically and, after a long pause, said, “I know what it is you’ve always wanted, but I hope you can rise quickly and establish yourself in the business world. You should trust my judgment—this is a great opportunity, one that many people can only dream of.”
“Then should I consider myself lucky or pitiful?”
“That depends on how you choose to approach this situation.”
“I understand… By the way, I want to help the Old City West Café. I’ve already reached an agreement with the owner. The café will operate under Luku’s name, and the company will pay a monthly subsidy of 15,000 yuan for any losses.”
“The moment I took the first sip of coffee, I knew how much you loved that café. I support your decision.”
I nodded, smoked my cigarette down to the butt, and irritably looked at the still drizzling sky.
“Zhaoyang, can you tell me about the story of Old City West?”
I looked at her but remained silent for quite some time. During those days when I was full of dreams, I had always hoped she would be by my side. Unfortunately, we broke up, and I watched my dreams gradually fade away. That was fine, just a little regrettable. At least we were still alive and well, while the woman from Old City West had left this world that needs reflection, taking her unfulfilled dreams with her and leaving only the most painful memories for her lover.
“Maybe another time. I’ll head back to the office first.”
Jan Wei seemed to want to say more but ultimately didn’t press me, simply saying, “I’ve already arranged with the scenic area management. Tomorrow morning at seven, I’ll go with you to that county.”
“Aren’t they holding a public tender?”
Jan Wei smiled, “They’re planning to sell the scenic area, not to form a joint venture. In the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region, how many tourism companies have the financial strength to buy a medium-sized unprofitable scenic area?”
Her words made me realize how fortunate I was to have such a strong backer and how lucky I had been in my entrepreneurial journey, encountering almost no setbacks or difficulties. However, precisely because things had gone too smoothly, I always felt something was missing, and my passion seemed to gradually fade in this smooth sailing, as I couldn’t experience the satisfaction that comes from slow accumulation.
…
Back at the company, I just happened to meet Xia Fanye, who had come to deliver the car. Immediately, I took him to my office, brewed a cup of tea for him, and handed him the well-prepared contract, saying, “Take a look at the details of this contract. If there’s no problem, our cooperation will officially begin.”
Xia Fanye took it from me, glanced through it briefly, and then said there was no problem. He signed his name on the contract. I also stamped the company seal and signed my name on it before extending my hand to him, saying, “Thank you for giving our company such a historically rich café. I look forward to Old City West shining with the most humanistic charm on this artistic path!”
Xia Fanye shook my hand, his expression sincere as he said, “It’s I who should thank you. Although you always place this café in such a high position, I know that your main purpose in helping me is to realize my dream. I need this kind of help because I’m not ready to leave this city yet, nor am I ready to leave the dream she devoted her life to!”
“I understand. Keep going. One day, your achievements will comfort her soul that is still waiting!”
Xia Fanye smiled, then looked out the floor-to-ceiling window at the world outside. Although it was far from the old western district of the city, we could still see its dilapidated outline and the countless desperate souls buried beneath it.
I gently nudged him, who had become lost in thought, then handed him a cigarette and lit it for him. He took a deep puff, patted my shoulder, and said, “Cherish the people around you. We are really too fragile in this world.”
“Yeah, I will.”
When Xia Fanye left, I also had the finance department issue him a check for 30,000 yuan to temporarily solve the café’s immediate operational problems. A weight finally lifted from my heart. At this moment, I sincerely felt grateful to Yang Congrong and Jan Wei. Without their investment, how could I have had the resources to do something I felt I must do? Perhaps I really should learn to be grateful and support Yang Congrong’s business dreams.
Yet I also felt some inner conflict. In an instant, I felt as though I was living off someone else’s achievements, recklessly standing on their shoulders. This feeling made me vaguely feel lost and self-doubtful. On what grounds could I reject Yang Congrong and Jan Wei with such an arrogant attitude? And why would Yang Congrong, with his high status and prestige, tolerate my temperamental behavior as a junior?
Probably because of Jan Wei. He couldn’t ignore her face. To facilitate my cooperation with Yang Congrong, Jan Wei must have worked hard behind the scenes, continuously creating dreams for me and pushing me forward… But wasn’t that somewhat inappropriate?
That afternoon, the more I thought about it, the more anxious I became, eventually feeling restless and unsure of how to handle the situation. This sudden realization made me feel even more estranged, and I wanted to break free, but I was already bound to this commercial warship.
I tried to comfort myself: It’s okay because I still have the opportunity and strength to adjust. I will gradually understand the rules for surviving in the business world. More importantly, I can always talk to Jan Wei and share my thoughts with her.
In the evening, the sky remained gloomy, but the rain had stopped. Just as I was about to find Luo Ben to have a few drinks in the empty city, I unexpectedly received a text message from Mi Cai. She asked me to go to the villa where she was staying. She said she would cook dinner herself tonight, and her uncle, aunt, and Mi Lan would also be there. She especially emphasized that there would be no one else—just a purely family gathering!
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