Yue Shuzhen's trip abroad is already on the agenda and the formalities are being processed. She plans to leave after the New Year. Therefore, during Jiang Wanqing's time in Beijing, she also needs to help them arrange their work, promote those who should be promoted, and implement the tasks that need to be implemented. She is indeed not idle.

With the year-end approaching, she organized a meeting to discuss arrangements for the holiday period and employee annual leave benefits.

"Sister-in-law, our long-term employees have everything they need, and we haven't shortchanged them on wages. The new employees are also receiving their due salaries. It seems that money and small gifts alone are no longer enough to excite them. Should we change the benefits today?"

Hong Xing's suggestion was quite good. They had been distributing rice, flour, and cooking oil before, but now that everyone's income has increased, they don't lack these things. It would be worth considering changing things up. Jiang Wanqing nodded.

"Okay, do you have any good options regarding this benefit?"

The others exchanged bewildered glances. They hadn't considered this before, and now that they were suddenly being asked to make a choice, it was proving to be a bit difficult.

After about half a minute of silence, someone suddenly raised their hand.

"Director Jiang, I have a suggestion."

"Please speak," Jiang Wanqing nodded to the other party.

"The pastries produced by the Su's Pastry Factory are very popular recently and have swept the country. They're hard to buy now. Why don't you go and talk to them about using these pastries as a New Year's gift?"

Jiang Wanqing's eyes flickered as she saw it was another of the Su family's pastries.

She remained noncommittal, pursing her lips. It seemed that Su Su had some skills after all.

“Sister-in-law, I think that’s a good idea. It’s perfect for the New Year. Everyone can eat it themselves or give it as a gift. It’s practical.” Hong Xing agreed.

"Yes, Director Jiang, why don't you go and talk to them? Maybe you can get a good price. We've been wanting to eat those snacks for a long time."

"Me too……"

"I also think this method is feasible."

Everyone started offering their opinions without objection, so Jiang Wanqing compromised. It was just snacks; buying them as employee benefits wasn't a bad idea. She nodded slightly.

"Alright, since none of you have any objections, I'll go and talk to them, and try my best to make sure everyone gets what they want this year!"

It wasn't an unreasonable request, and Jiang Wanqing usually fulfilled it, just like this time.

"Director Jiang is wise!"

"Great! With the factory manager in charge, we can eat our fill of pastries this year."

"Following Director Jiang was definitely a wise decision!"

...

Jiang Wanqing was both amused and exasperated that such simple snacks could make everyone so happy; she didn't know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Is there anything else? If not, let's adjourn the meeting. Shuzhen, you can stay behind."

Jiang Wanqing looked at Yue Shuzhen, who smiled slightly and sat calmly.

After everyone else had left, Jiang Wanqing sat down next to her and nudged her arm.

"Come on, let me treat you to a meal as a farewell dinner. After all, I don't know whether you'll go abroad first after the New Year or I'll go to the southwest first. Once we leave, we probably won't see each other again."

During the meeting just now, Yue Shuzhen was very quiet and hardly spoke, which suggests that the emotions of parting had some impact on her.

Yue Shuzhen put her arm around Jiang Wanqing's shoulder: "Okay, you're treating, might as well take advantage of it. I want to eat the best and most expensive food, so you'd better watch your wallet!"

"Don't worry about me. After you go abroad, you'll hardly get to eat your parents' cooking anymore. So eat your fill this time, hahaha..."

The two left the factory chatting and laughing, and went to a newly opened restaurant in the Beijing area. It was Jiang Wanqing's first time there, so she asked for a private room for convenience.

"This restaurant is quite unique, with a distinctive style."

Upon entering, Jiang Wanqing was immediately drawn to the modern decor. Although the country was already in a period of reform and opening up, seeing a hotel that looked almost like it was from the 21st century still shocked her. Was this the kind of aesthetic that existed back then?

"Guess who owns this restaurant."

As Yue Shuzhen looked at the menu, she asked Jiang Wanqing a question. The other woman paused for a moment, then raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm, how would I know? Is it someone I know? Or is it you?"

"Don't tease me. I'm about to go abroad. Why would I open a restaurant? This restaurant is owned by Su Su, the female boss of Su's Pastry Factory. Just like her pastries, this restaurant is also very difficult to book a table for now. If you can get a reservation at the last minute, it's purely by luck."

"What? This is her too..."

Jiang Wanqing opened her eyes wide. Forgive her for being a little ignorant; she had never heard of such a person in her previous life. Either things had changed, or she had never paid attention to it before, which had kept her in a closed-off state.

Just then, a commotion arose outside. To make it easier to serve the food, the door to the private room was not yet closed. Jiang Wanqing casually looked out in the direction of the sound and saw a woman dressed in a Chanel-style dress being surrounded and led upstairs. She could vaguely hear others discussing the situation.

"See that? That's Su Su, the female owner of Su's Pastry Factory and this restaurant. She's truly a woman who's just as capable as any man!"

"Having a daughter like this is as good as having three sons!"

"Indeed, the Su family is really blessed. I heard that this Ms. Su used to have a bit of a mental illness, but somehow she was cured. There's a story behind that."

"There is a folk legend that some people have incomplete three souls and seven spirits. Once they are all in place, they will have extraordinary intelligence. Ms. Su Su is such a person."

Jiang Wanqing just smiled when she heard these words. The public's imagination is always rich. As long as something cannot be explained by science, just attribute it to gods and ghosts.

She shook her head, feeling bored, when suddenly she felt a gaze directed at her. When she turned around, she only saw Su Su with her back to her, walking upstairs.

That silhouette... that gait...

Jiang Wanqing took a breath, feeling a sense of familiarity, then patted her forehead and shook her head.

I'm so busy I'm confused. How can I feel familiar with someone I've never met before? If I were to say it to their face, it would seem like I'm trying to force a connection.

As a woman myself, Jiang Wanqing was also happy to see people who had achieved outstanding results in their respective fields.

"I've ordered the food. Do you want to add anything? It's your treat, so don't be shy about it."

While Jiang Wanqing was lost in thought, Yue Shuzhen handed her the menu, which she took and glanced at.

When I saw the dishes and their tongue-twisting names, I couldn't help but frown.

A gathering of outstanding individuals.

Imperial Jade Liquor...

Jiang Wanqing's lips twitched. Was this really a coincidence?

"Wanqing? What are you spacing out for? Don't know what to choose? Let me recommend something..."

"Ah, okay."

She suppressed her doubts and asked Yue Shuzhen to add a dessert and a freshly fried pastry.

When the waiter served the dishes, the food confirmed Jiang Wanqing's suspicions.