HLnovel Chapter 33 Meeting
Chapter 33 Meeting
Dinner was eaten at home again, and Zhong's mother cooked a table full of her signature dishes. She seems to have many signature dishes, and this time the table full of dishes was basically not the same as the last time.
Mr. Zhong seemed to see through Chen Yu's thoughts and explained, "Your aunt, she likes to research recipes at home when she has nothing to do, and make some new dishes for Xiaoqin."
Chen Yu immediately flattered her: "That's right, Xiaoqin is truly happy. No one can compare to her in that respect."
“Oh, I like hearing that. Xiaoyu, let me tell you, Xiaoqin has never done any heavy work with us. We’ve raised her like a princess.” After saying that, Mr. Zhong secretly glanced at the three women cooking and serving dishes in the kitchen and whispered, “But her mother has spoiled her a bit, so she has a bit of a princess complex. Xiaoyu, you have to be more tolerant of her!”
"Uncle, don't worry, Xiaoqin is the best girl I've ever met. I will definitely treat her well," Chen Yu quickly assured him.
By this time, all the dishes had been served, and the five people sat down in order of seniority.
Chen Yu first stated his second purpose for coming: "Uncle and Aunt, Xiaoqin and I have been spending some time together, and I think Xiaoqin is a really good girl. So I was thinking, should I have my parents come and meet you two?" He had already discussed this with Zhong Xiaoqin and Wang Wenwen beforehand, so they were not surprised.
The slightly surprised people were Mr. and Mrs. Zhong. However, since Chen Yu had visited twice, it was understandable that he would ask such a question. The two exchanged a glance, and Mr. Zhong spoke up, "Sure, Xiao Yu, if your parents don't have time, we can go there. We've heard that the scenery there is very nice."
"They have plenty of time!" Chen Yu said frankly. His father, Chen Yunqiu, had already handed over the management of the company to professional managers, and Chen Yu himself frequently participated in company management during university, learning his coursework while familiarizing himself with the family business's management system. Therefore, Chen Yunqiu was already living a semi-retired life. His mother, Sun Suying, remained in that small house, tending to the plants on the balcony and cooking meals for Chen Yunqiu when he came home. "Uncle, how about this, after the Spring Festival, in mid-February?"
“It should be fine, the office wasn’t busy at that time.” Mr. Zhong had been a clerk in the archives bureau his whole life and had never been promoted. The busiest time there was actually at the end of the year and the beginning of the year, and by mid-February, the work was basically finished. The timing was chosen by Zhong Xiaoqin.
"Alright, let's discuss the specific date for coming to Shanghai later." When the two parties meet, it's usually the man who takes the initiative, somewhat like a marriage proposal. Nowadays, with the emphasis on gender equality, marriage proposals and betrothal gifts have lost their feudal connotations.
After the business was settled, the meal was eaten much faster, and since Mr. Zhong could no longer drink alcohol, the meal ended quickly.
After finishing his meal, Chen Yu only sat for a short while before getting up and leaving. The four of them followed Chen Yu to the entrance of the building and watched him get into his car and leave.
Chen Yu asked the designated driver to drive around the city for a while; he didn't want to go home yet—it was too early, and no one was home. Before, when he was a vegetarian, eating vegetarian food every day was fine, but once he started eating meat, he found he had developed a dependence on it, and it became very difficult to go back to being vegetarian.
The driver took Chen Yu to the busiest street, partly because he saw Chen Yu was lonely and wanted him to entertain himself, and partly so that if Chen Yu wanted to park, he could get a new order faster. At that time, mobile internet was not widespread, and to get orders, one needed to wait outside the hotel or be directed by a telephone dispatch center.
As the designated driver had predicted, Chen Yu asked him to find a parking space on a commercial street in Shanghai, paid him, and let him go. Chen Yu then began to stroll leisurely along the pedestrian street of Shanghai.
This pedestrian street in Shanghai, nicknamed "Little Magic City," has only been built for less than two years, but its leasing speed has been astonishing, and it is now a very bustling commercial street. The signs of snack shops, clothing stores, and jewelry stores appear dazzling and colorful against the backdrop of the starless night sky.
Of course, this street isn't just for buyers and sellers; there are also hunters looking for prey.
"Miss, I've been observing you for a long time. I think you have a special kind of temperament that's perfect for being an actress! We have a movie that we're currently preparing to film, and we need someone with your kind of temperament. Why don't you consider it? I'm an agent from Kengsini Entertainment. This is my business card. You can contact me if you've made up your mind!" The androgynous "agent" grabbed a tall girl and began to persuade her.
The girl turned her head and saw Chen Yu. Ignoring the "agent," she walked towards Chen Yu.
"Chen Yu, what are you doing here? Where's Xiaoqin?" Gu Jia asked.
"Xiaoqin went back to her own home. I was bored at home by myself, so I thought I'd come out and enjoy the lively atmosphere. You and Xiaoqin haven't gone shopping together in a long time, have you?"
"Yes, working in a foreign company is tough. The hours are very restrictive, and the work pressure is immense. Newcomers like us have to learn the rules and regulations every day, and mistakes are punished. I haven't had a proper weekend in ages." High work intensity and intense competition among employees are what make companies more dynamic—this is the norm in big cities. It's also why every year, tired young people return to third- and fourth-tier cities to develop their careers; things are relatively easier there. It's not that third- and fourth-tier cities aren't competitive, but rather that the demand for talent is higher, allowing highly educated and experienced individuals to receive better compensation, such as regular weekends off.
"However, Huanshan and I have discussed it and decided that we will start our business in two more years."
"That's a good thing. Are you shopping by yourself? Where's Xu Huanshan?" Chen Yu asked curiously why Gu Jia was shopping alone.
Gu Jia glanced at Chen Yu, "Huanshan went to Australia to visit his parents, and he probably won't be back for another two days. I was going to ask Xiaoqin out, but she said she had something to do and couldn't come today."
"Oh, is that so? I just came from visiting her house, and I've only been out for less than two hours. Should I call her and ask her to come out and go shopping with you?"
Gu Jia glanced at the time. "Let's forget about it. Maybe next time. It's too late now. I have things to do tomorrow morning, so I can't stay up too late."
Actually, when Gu Jia learned that Zhong Xiaoqin worked at an investment company, she asked Zhong Xiaoqin if she could act as a go-between and get the company to invest in the fireworks factory that Xu Huanshan and Gu Jia were opening. But when Zhong Xiaoqin told Chen Yu, Chen Yu immediately understood who wanted to start the fireworks company. However, Chen Yu didn't agree. Investments are primarily about returns, and fireworks factories don't offer high profits but are extremely dangerous—high risk, low return—definitely not an investment! Similarly, there are industries like hazardous chemicals and high-pressure equipment. Real businesses are already difficult to run; investing in high-risk industries could result in total financial ruin.
Zhong Xiaoqin agreed, advising Gu Jia against starting the company and to consider other avenues. Gu Jia, however, ignored Zhong Xiaoqin's advice.
After being rejected, Gu Jia didn't hold a grudge against anyone. Instead, she wanted to start a company, specifically a fireworks company, and grow it to prove herself. So, Gu Jia and Xu Huanshan decided to mortgage their house to use as start-up capital.