Chapter 71

Besides the guests and friends who came to attend the opening ceremony.

That day, the Rose Manor was packed with guests.

The treehouse has become the most popular attraction, with a constant stream of visitors taking photos and checking in.

Gao Yinxi, Xu Zhuwen, and Li Chian occasionally glanced towards the treehouse from the manor. Surrounded by green trees, the six villas looked brand new, and guests chatted and laughed on the lawn.

"I never expected it to end like this." Gao Yin stroked her obviously pregnant belly. "Aside from encountering a terrible landlord, everything else went pretty smoothly."

“Yes.” Li Chi’an nodded.

Xu Zhuwen took out her phone and showed the two the information on the screen. "She just contacted us and said that many of her friends saw the photos on her WeChat Moments and said that the manor is so beautiful now. She also asked if she could bring her friends to visit the treehouse."

Gao Yinxi raised an eyebrow. "Sure, a friend's price, 20% off."

Xu Zhuwen shrugged. "She's definitely going to start nagging."

"Let her talk," Gao Yinxi said. "If you don't want to watch, fine. We're in business, and we give our own friends a 20% discount. Why would we give it to her friends for free?"

“That’s definitely not acceptable.” Xu Zhuwen put away her phone. “Since we set these rules ourselves, everyone has to abide by them.”

Gao Yinxi nodded, "That's right. If we're going to do business, we should do business. We shouldn't talk about personal relationships. If we do, I won't take any money. I'll just do charity."

Li Chian and Xu Zhuwen said OK, they would listen to her.

As for handling interpersonal relationships in business, Gao Yinxi has been training at the Gao Group since she was fifteen years old, so she is experienced and capable.

Xu Zhuwen and Li Chian will definitely listen to her more.

When doing business together, the biggest fear is that people will become disloyal and lose their way.

After discussing how to deal with difficult landlords, Li Chian calculated today's income, a smile playing on his lips. "Our occupancy rate is 100% today, the treehouse is booked three months in advance, and this month's bookings are almost full. We don't need to worry about the performance for the next two months."

Xu Zhuwen was also very happy, "Sigh, if our manor continues to be this popular, can we start considering expansion plans soon?"

"We can boldly envision the future, but execution must adhere to reality." Although Gao Yinxi invests a lot, he is a very steady and meticulous person when managing commercial projects. "We will wait until we get through the next year before deciding on future development plans, but everyone can keep their ideas to themselves for now."

The sunset at the seaside is like the most beautiful watercolor painting, and the setting sun gilds the treehouse with gold.

The three raised their glasses and clinked them together, unable to contain their emotions. They never imagined that they would be standing here today, celebrating the opening of their own manor. This manor is beautiful and healing, and although it is not large, it contains all the elements they wanted.

Whether it's the design, art, landscape, or the geographical environment of being nestled between mountains and the sea.

Occasionally, as they stroll through the estate and look at everything around them, they can't help but think that even if the project can't make any money, as long as it can keep operating and not lose money, they would still be willing to keep it as their own private haven.

When you have free time or need it, bring your closest loved ones, or even just yourself, to come here to see the mountains and the sea, walk on the green grass, and breathe in the fresh air. It's a wonderful thing.

Time is a wonderful thing; it can turn setbacks and disputes into the dust of the past.

It will test people's hearts and let those who take action get results.

It can produce miracles and make pain disappear.

Treehouses are fairy tales for children and also a safe haven for adults, where they can hold all the secrets and dreams that cannot be shared with others.

...

Two weeks later.

The "Xianghai City Women Entrepreneurs Association" Inauguration Ceremony and Women's Entrepreneurship Investment Fund Launch Ceremony were officially held in the largest multi-functional hall of Rose Manor.

The audience was filled with guests, including local business and arts figures, but also many female entrepreneurs from various industries.

As the main initiator, Gao Yinxi stood confidently and calmly on the podium.

Even with her large pregnant belly, she was still radiant on stage. Yuan Er carefully stayed by her side to take care of her, and it was clear that he was more concerned about her health than she was.

But when Gao Yinxi stood on the stage, he sat below, looking at him with admiration and pride.

"Distinguished guests, friends, and sisters, good afternoon! Welcome to the founding ceremony of the Xianghai City Women Entrepreneurs Association."

After the applause, Gao Yinxi continued her speech, her voice clear and powerful:

“In the current entrepreneurial ecosystem, more and more female founders are emerging. However, unequal access to funding remains one of the biggest challenges we face.” She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room. “When we see that female-founded companies often have higher returns on investment than the industry average, and when data shows that gender-diverse teams are more innovative and competitive in the market, we can’t help but ask: why is the proportion of initial investment received by female entrepreneurs still far lower than that of their male counterparts?”

The audience fell into deep thought, and many female entrepreneurs nodded in empathy.

"Fortunately, change is happening." Gao Yinxi's tone turned passionate. "More and more investment funds are focusing on supporting women-led businesses and promoting diversity and inclusion. It is against this backdrop that we decided to establish a fund specifically for supporting female entrepreneurs in Xianghai City!"

The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.

The invited media also put in a lot of effort to capture the scene on camera.

Gao Yinxi elaborated on the fund's plans and vision, stating, "Our fund will focus on the areas of daily consumption and the 'she-economy,' including but not limited to skills services and education and training, digital empowerment and online entrepreneurship, and health and wellness and green agriculture. But what we provide is far more than just financial support."

The large screen behind her lit up, listing the fund's core values:

First, we believe in women's leadership: We will systematically showcase the advantages of women leading companies, changing the investment community's stereotypes.

Secondly, cross-sectoral expansion: actively seek out outstanding female entrepreneurs in traditionally male-dominated fields such as technology and hardcore innovation.

Finally, resource sharing: We will not only invest, but also build a strong support network, providing mentors, strategic resources and industry connections.

“For every woman aspiring to start her own business,” Gao Yinxi’s voice resonated powerfully, “this association and this foundation aim to convey a message: friends, if you have dreams and a career you want to pursue, please bravely take action. You are not alone on this path of women’s entrepreneurship. The capital market is gradually opening its doors, welcoming more innovation and change led by women. The Xianghai City Women’s Entrepreneurship Association is committed to providing the most practical assistance based on the actual needs of female entrepreneurs in this city!”

With everyone present as witnesses, Mrs. Yu, as the president of the association, together with Gao Yinxi, Li Chian, Xu Zhuwen and other 38 co-initiators, launched the fund.

The foundation primarily unites 38 prominent women from various sectors in Xianghai City.

"Their union signifies the formal formation of a powerful mutual aid network."

The industry elites who attended the meeting that day all expressed their amazement.

After the press conference, friends from Rose Manor who had not yet attended the event held a high-end cocktail party. The atmosphere at the party was more relaxed compared to the formal meeting.

Whether they knew each other or not, everyone at the event grabbed their drinks and engaged in lively discussions with the other guests, sparking many wonderful ideas.

As a result, the "Xianghai City Women Entrepreneurs Association" has become an important non-governmental organization force that cannot be ignored in the future development of Xianghai City, bringing many positive images and strengths to the women of Xianghai City.

The rich aroma of the Italian red wine brought by Andrea, along with the "Heart of the Ocean" cocktail specially crafted by Rose Estate, became the background noise for the guests' conversations.

Yuan Ergeng, Gao Yanshu, Yu Shi and other men sat together and chatted back and forth.

Gao Yanshu's group of friends enlivened the atmosphere at the scene, surrounding Li Chi'an and the other two and offering their sincere blessings.

Once you've met the people you needed to meet and said what you needed to say, then...

Li Chian, Gao Yinxi, and Xu Zhuwen finally found an opportunity to sneak out to a corner of the terrace and relax together.

The sea breeze caressed my face, carrying the fragrance of roses.

"We really did it." Xu Zhuwen leaned on the railing, gazing at the azure sea in the distance with emotion.

The gap between any dream and its realization is something only those who personally do it and put it into practice know the hardships involved.

To achieve this day, they have not only made sacrifices, but also faced considerable pressure and skepticism, while also bearing the risk and anxiety of potential failure.

With the current poor economic climate, many people see them investing so much manpower and resources in building a manor, and countless people secretly say they are idealistic, that they are used to a privileged and stable life and haven't experienced the harsh realities of life before they dare to be so idealistic.

However, in anything, doing something doesn't necessarily mean you've made a profit.

When can a person live out their inner strength and broaden the boundaries of their cognition if they always live in data and fear?

In this world, some people love fame, some are greedy for money, and some just want to follow their hearts, live their own lives, and experience the world.

Gao Yinxi raised her glass, "This is just the beginning. There's still a long way to go for the estate to be run well and for the association to achieve tangible results."

Li Chian nodded and clinked glasses with them, "But at least, we've taken the hardest first step from 0 to 1. And we're together."

"Let's weather the storms together and move forward hand in hand," Xu Zhuwen added, before downing the glass of red wine in one gulp.

Of the three women, only her wine glass contained wine; the other two had water in their glasses.

As night deepened, the guests gradually departed.

Chen's youngest child was already fast asleep in Yu Shi's arms.

After Mrs. Yu led several core members of the association and Gao Yinxi to discuss the association's next steps for development, she planned to leave.

Before she left, she stood alone with Yu Shi and talked for a long time.

He then made a point of saying goodbye to Li Chian and gave her a warm hug, saying, "See you at the association's tea party next Wednesday."

"Okay, Auntie."

Nestled in Mrs. Yu's fragrant embrace, Li Chi'an thought that even if she and Yu Shi were not together in the future, she would probably still hope to be friends with a woman like Mrs. Yu who was gentle, strong, and kind-hearted.

The manor gradually quieted down, with only the staff doing the final tidying up.

Gao Yinxi was in good spirits, but Yuan Er forced her to rest on the sofa, not wanting her to continue working.

While supervising the staff in cleaning up the scene and reviewing the situation, Li Chian held Chen, the youngest child in his arms, and stood side by side with her under the starry sky, gazing at the city lights in the distance.

"Thank you." Li Chi'an turned his head and felt that looking at Yu Shi holding his son steadily was as steady and handsome as gazing at the distant dark mountains.

"What are you thanking me for?"

“All.” Her eyes were full of tenderness, and her pupils, illuminated by the light, shone like shattered diamonds. “Thank you for making me believe that even after walking through thorns, I can still find roses.”

He lowered his head, as if wanting to place a kiss on her face, but stopped at the tip of his straight nose, just a short distance from her face. "You planted the roses yourself. I'm just a farmer who came because I smelled the fragrance of the flowers, and I just happened to water them for you."

In the distance, Xu Zhuwen was saying goodbye to Andre. The two chatted about everything from red wine to art and music, switching between topics with ease and communicating without any obstacles. Before parting, they agreed to discuss their collaboration in detail next week.

As dusk settled, the lights of Rose Manor shone warmly, illuminating a small section of the sea cliffs, like a lighthouse, heralding a new journey for everyone.

...

A few days later, on a rare weekend afternoon, I had some free time.

Li Chian was at home playing with his son building a Lego warship. The Lego set was a gift from Yu Shi. The three of them were having dinner at a shopping mall when they passed by a toy store. Yu Shi took him inside to play, and as they played, they brought back several Lego sets.

The warship we are currently assembling is the largest and the most difficult to assemble.

Since getting this Lego warship, Chen's youngest son's favorite thing to do after school every day is to sit on the carpet and build the warship. Li Chi'an knows that his son has been a military enthusiast since he was a child.

But such obsession is rare, so it seems he really likes the Lego set that Yu took him to MixC shopping mall to choose.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang sharply, with a relentless intensity.

Chen, the youngest friend, and Li Chi'an both looked up at the same time.

"Mommy, I'll go open the door." The little boy was about to get up when Li Chi'an grabbed him, "Baby, I'll go."

The knocking was very unfriendly and abnormal.

I wonder who it is that has come here with such ill intentions.

Soon, the sounds of arguing penetrated the well-insulated porch and came straight at them.

Li Chi'an slowly walked to the door. She didn't rush to open it, but looked outside through the monitor. She saw Chen Li and Lin Ying standing outside the door with grim expressions.

She didn't want to open the door, but Chen Li started banging on it, "Li Chi'an, I know you're home! Open the door."

Li Chian ignored him.

But the more they knocked, the more excessive it became.

Li Chi'an opened the door with a cold expression and calmly looked at Chen Li and Lin Ying, "What is it?"

Chen Li was very impolite. He pushed open the half-closed door and walked straight into the living room. "You're doing quite well, Li Chi'an. You're doing really well now. Even the young master of the Yu family has become your lover?"

Lin Ying followed in, her gaze mocking, "You're something else, getting involved with Yu Shi right after your divorce. Who would believe you weren't cheating during your marriage?"

Li Chi'an's face darkened. "Please leave."