After bidding farewell to Zhao Jiequn, Xue Qiandai sent Huo Meiren a long message, outlining the future competitive landscape. The source of this information is omitted; it wouldn't be good if it stirred up jealousy.

Huo Yunchao's reply was quite assertive. "The food delivery and group-buying industries are inherently low-barrier-to-entry sectors. But with the fierce competition, it's still uncertain who will emerge victorious. I'm ready, so bring it on!" He concluded by adding, "Dai Dai, I miss you."

Xue Qiandai held her phone to her chest, tilted her head back at a 30-degree angle, and laughed heartily. "My beauty, Jian Yan and I have booked a flight to Hangzhou in three days to discuss autumn clothing production with the factory. Are you free then?"

"Okay, I also have a press conference in Hangzhou. I'll come find you after it's over. Kissgif."

Before leaving, Xue Qiandai went to see Yu Xue one last time.

The ward was different today. Yu Xue was still asleep, but there was a bouquet of flowers and fresh fruit on the bedside table. Xue Qiandai had initially felt some sympathy for the person lying in the hospital bed, but now it seemed she had been overthinking it.

She greeted the caregivers and inquired about the situation. Then, as usual, she fetched water and gave Yu Xue some basic care.

"Now that your family is here, I won't have to keep running around every day. I still have to go south to meet my beauty, Huo. Are you jealous? If you are, then get out of bed right now."

"Even if you get back on your feet, behave yourself. Don't covet what isn't yours. Dai Dai and Huo Mei are a match made in heaven, and no one can separate us."

"I know, Aunt Huo likes you. That's because she hasn't met me. I'm so lovable, everyone loves me, Aunt Huo and Dad Huo would definitely like me. Are you angry? If you're angry, wake up. Aren't you a coward lying in bed all the time?"

Xue Qiandai kept muttering to herself. After wiping herself, she prepared to get up when she sensed footsteps behind her. Her hair stood on end. Could it be that the assassin was coming to silence her? Oh my god, would she be caught in the crossfire? Slowly turning around, Xue Qiandai saw a kind old couple.

The old man was very tall and slender, with a particularly striking high nose; the old lady was gentle and dignified, with beautiful peach blossom eyes, and it was clear that she must have been a beauty in her youth.

Xue Qiandai thought to herself, "I never imagined Yu Xue's family genes were so good. It's a pity Yu Xue inherited less than half of them. Did she inherit only her parents' worst traits?"

"Uncle, Aunt, hello, I..." Xue Qiandai lowered her eyes, unsure how to introduce herself. Being a rival in love was always awkward. Although she didn't get along with Yu Xue, she couldn't take it out on her parents. "I'm... her classmate. I was asked by Huo Yunchao to look after her. Now that you're here, I'll retire gracefully. Goodbye."

"Wait a minute," the old lady spoke, her voice gentle and soft, "You just said your name is Dai Dai?"

Xue Qiandai slapped her forehead. Oh no! Yu Xue's parents had overheard what she just said. What should she do? Fortunately, it had already happened. She answered gracefully, "Yes, my name is Xue Qiandai. Xue as in snow, Qian as in thousands, and Dai as in Estée Lauder."

The old lady glanced at the old man, a sly smile clearly in her eyes. "Good child, thank you."

Xue Qiandai felt embarrassed by what was said, slung her bag over her shoulder, and said, "Uncle and Aunt, I'll be going now." She ran off in a flash.

After she left, Yu Xue, who was lying in the hospital bed, twitched her right little finger.

The old man asked the old woman, "Teacher Huo, what do you think of this child?"

Teacher Huo smiled broadly, extremely satisfied. "Old Yun, I originally wanted to match Xiaoxue and Yunchao up. But, children and grandchildren have their own destinies. Your son chose that girl, and what can we, as parents, do but respect him?"

The old man's surname was Yun, and his name was Yun Zhan. The old woman's surname was Huo, and her name was Huo Shuisheng. Huo Yunchao took his mother's surname and his father's surname in his given name.

Yun Zhan nodded. "I think this child has a good character, and judging from her face, she will definitely be a good wife in the future."

"More than that! Look at her figure, slim waist and full hips, she'll be able to bear children easily in the future."

If Xue Qiandai knew her future mother-in-law's evaluation, she would probably break out in a cold sweat.

Huo Shuisheng sat down by the bed, placed Yu Xue's hand in his palm, and said with tears in his eyes, "Xiao Xue, poor child, you've been lying in bed for so long and your parents haven't even come to see you. As for your teacher, although she came, she can't make a decision for you. You and Yun Chao are destined to be apart."

Yun Zhan patted Huo Shuisheng's shoulder gently, "We came suddenly this time without telling Yun Chao. When do you think we should go back?"

"Of course I'll see my son and daughter-in-law before I leave, and I'll take care of Xiaoxue for a few more days while I'm at it." As she was speaking, Yu Xue's finger twitched again. Huo Shuisheng was overjoyed, "Old Yun, Xiaoxue is awake! Quick, go call the doctor."

*

It's late July now.

Xue Qiandai, Jian Yan, and Rong Xiao boarded a flight bound for Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport.

Jian Yan's hometown is not in Xiaoshan District, but in a town under Xiaoshan's jurisdiction. The Jiangnan region is relatively prosperous, with small commodity markets and garment factories everywhere. People mostly live in three-story houses built by themselves.

The group arrived in town at 11:30 a.m. The weather was sweltering, almost like being turned into an ice cream cone.

Jian Yan booked two double rooms in a local budget hotel for Xue Qiandai and Rong Xiao. "Dai Dai, do you think we should rest first and take a stroll along the nearby Qiantang River, or go to the factory this afternoon to finalize the quantity and materials for the autumn clothing production?"

"I'm not going anywhere, I'm going to catch up on some sleep at the hotel first." The arrogant young man, Rong Xiao, rubbed his shoulders, fanning himself with his hand, looking exhausted. He'd had too much fun during summer vacation and hadn't been sleeping well at all. "Little bean, how come you don't even have a five-star hotel around here? Dai Dai is so delicate..."

"Want to stay in a five-star hotel? Then go to Xiaoshan city center or Hangzhou. You can choose any hotel you like." Jian Yan was blunt, and Rong Xiao seemed like he deserved to be teased.

Xue Qiandai poked her palm with her finger and said, "Stop. I'm not delicate. Jian's choice of location is spotless. Jian, I want to save time. The sooner the autumn clothes go into production, the better. Anyway, someone is just investing capital. We can handle the technology, production, and sales."

There's another reason Xue Qiandai didn't mention: Beauty Huo won't have time until the day after tomorrow. Without Beauty Huo, what does the magnificent Qiantang River have to do with her?

Rong Xiao, feeling utterly humiliated by being excluded, practically snorted in frustration. "Since we're all working together, I'll put up with it. A real man knows when to yield and when to stand firm. I'll go to the factory with you all. Ugh, what kind of weather is this? It's scorching hot!"

Tsk tsk, Jian Yan looked Rong Xiao up and down, "Are you even a man?"

Rong Xiao was furious. He put an arm around Xue Qiandai's shoulder and said, "If I'm not a man, then are you? Do you want me to test you?"

Xue Qiandai made a face at Rong Xiao, staring at his lazy paws, "When Huo Meiren comes in a couple of days, you'd better prove it to him then."

Rong Xiao abruptly removed his arm. He was no stranger to Huo Meiren's violence; his eyes still stung slightly. "Never mind... it's no big deal! I'll go check in."