Chapter 19

Su Qiong's initial sense of sadness and melancholy was suddenly swept away. She organized her words and continued speaking.

"Before I studied tourism management, I didn't check what this major was about. I just studied it because I like traveling. Who knew that the focus is on management? Not only can I not travel around as a tour guide, but I can't make money either." Su Qiong sighed, recalling the painful time when he was studying in a field he was not interested in. He inexplicably remembered the classic saying - your university major is likely to have nothing to do with your future job.

"Later, I wanted to take the postgraduate entrance examination, and I took the popular computer science exam, but failed. That's why I came out to look for a job." Instead of continuing to study tourism management, a postgraduate course that I don't like, and wasting three years, it is better to enter the society as soon as possible.

Although both Su Qiong's parents were passionate high school teachers, they advocated a relaxed, quality-oriented education for her. They didn't interfere with her interests or future choices, but they had a common trait among teachers and parents: they demanded high grades. Even her college entrance exam choices were left to Su Qiong herself, with them offering only a few minor suggestions. When she was young, they would take her on trips and outings during holidays, and the family often enjoyed parent-child activities.

She has climbed the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and seen the snow-capped cliffs as sharp as knives; she has cycled through Tibet and laughed heartily on the back of a yak; she has crossed the Mongolian steppes and followed the yurts in their migration to herd sheep; she has visited the small town of Mohe and watched the aurora through a telescope...not to mention the scenery of the Jiangnan water towns and the ancient capitals of famous dynasties.

But since she entered high school, life has become busier and busier, both for her and her parents. As a result, they have not traveled anywhere, not even out of the province.

"When I was little, I often traveled, seeing new sights and meeting new people. But ever since I started working, my life feels like it's stayed the same," Su Qiong said, rubbing her fingertips against the back of her right hand. There was a faint scar, the result of a fall during a bike ride with her parents through Tibet in junior high. "The fundamental reason I left my job was that I wanted to get out and see the world. After all, I'd been working for so long, it was like the same day repeating itself for so many years: the same subway, the same roads, the same social life... I wanted to travel, see the world, and try other things."

"Even though working in a company is really lucrative, if I don't use it, then there's no point in making so much money."

Mu Yunting listened to Su Qiong's words slowly, looked at another cloud flying in the sky, and quickly reviewed his memories in his mind. After a pause, he said, "I haven't traveled yet."

His parents' generation, young and daring, ventured south to start businesses. Their company coincided with China's rapid growth. They believed in elite education and were very strict with Mu Yunting. His resume was impressive: a 24-year-old PhD in finance. He earned a bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree in finance from a top-3 university in the country, studied abroad as an exchange student in the United States, graduated early, and returned to China to take over his parents' company, completely revitalizing it and taking it to the next level.

Given his family's financial situation, he could go wherever he wanted. But his family were all workaholics who prioritized efficiency above all else, rarely taking more than two days off, let alone traveling.

"My parents are both very passionate and busy at work. Completing their work gives them a sense of accomplishment." Mu Yunting shared how he spent his holidays as a child. "When I was a child, after school or on vacation, I would be picked up and taken to the company. My mother would tell me stories about some easy-to-understand projects at the company, or assign me some tasks that I could participate in."

"I remember completing my first independent project in the first year of junior high. It involved putting screws into use. I visited many factories and chose the one with the best price-performance ratio." Mu Yunting couldn't help but smile as he recounted his factory visits. Unfamiliar with the workshop, he tripped over a mess of parts on the floor. The parts were the same color as the floor, and his hands were covered in grease.

Su Qiong listened with great interest. When Mu Yunting said, "It seems like I only go to other cities for business," she smacked her lips and jokingly thought, "As expected, the more privileged the family, the more competitive they are." She sat up and leaned forward, curiously asking, "Have you ever been to local attractions like the Bund in Shanghai?"

Mu Yunting thought for a few seconds, not wanting to admit that he had never played before, so he said, "I've been there with other group bosses when negotiating contracts."

Su Qiong wanted to laugh, but held it back. "It's okay. I'll give it a try sometime." Her eyes sparkled, and her voice rose as she spoke, "There's a black-themed grilled fish shop called 'Yuanyu' near the Bund in Shanghai. The owner is a Shaolin monk who retired from secular life. His grilled fish is absolutely delicious!"