39. Back to the old house

Jiang Nan pondered for a moment, then spoke dully and bewilderedly, "But... our current plan is a relatively safe choice based on extensive market research."

"The market is static, but people are alive," Chen Yunsheng patiently counseled. "Data is important, but sometimes, intuition and courage are even more important. Think about the core of the Summer Pulse brand. Put aside all the data and frameworks, what does it want to say to its consumers? And what kind of creative idea will hit the mark and make Song Wei feel that it is the right one?"

His words were like a cool breeze, gently brushing away the dust that had accumulated in Jiang Nan's mind. His thoughts, which had been muddled by Song Wei's various trivial requests for days, finally had a clear thread.

Although she didn't want to admit it, the first thing Jiang Nan could recall was Liang Yue showing off her jewelry at the dinner table. She pondered Liang Yue's attitude, unraveling it layer by layer, trying to understand KOC's true attitude towards affordable luxury.

After a few minutes of silence, Jiang Nan looked up at Chen Yunsheng and said in an uncertain tone, "I think... I have some ideas."

Chen Yunsheng looked at her eyes that had become bright again and smiled faintly: "Oh? Tell me about it."

"We've always struggled with how to embody affordable luxury and youthfulness," Jiang Nan said, excitedly grabbing the pillow beside him and speaking quickly. "We were always struggling with the material, design, tone, and production methods. But young people today, especially our target demographic, buy affordable luxury not just for a product, but for an attitude, a sense of recognition that they deserve better."

She grew increasingly excited as she spoke, almost forgetting her fatigue. "We could create a series of campaigns to promote this attitude of self-pleasure. We could find celebrities who aren't top stars but have unique personalities and live vibrant lives, or even some amateurs or niche bloggers. Then, using a documentary format, we'd tell the stories of how they strive to shine in their fields and how they reward themselves with a tactile item. We could integrate Summer Pulse into their lives, making it a natural legacy of this spirit of self-pleasure."

She finished speaking in one breath, and after calming down a bit, she looked at Chen Yunsheng anxiously: "Is this idea... too abstract? Is it not direct enough?"

Chen Yunsheng shook his head and answered sincerely, "No, this is a great idea. It goes beyond product functionality and reaches a level of emotional resonance and value. If executed well, it will be more penetrating and memorable than simply displaying the product."

Jiang Nan's confidence instantly soared after receiving his affirmation, but she immediately thought of the most practical problem: "But time is so tight, and we also need to find the right people to shoot the documentary. It may be too late."

"This is where you need to negotiate with Song Wei," Chen Yunsheng said calmly. "Come up with a core idea that's attractive enough, but clearly state the resources and support needed to realize it, and bring her onto the track you've set."

He paused and continued, "Of course, the premise is that your team has the ability to implement this idea in a short period of time and make it stand out."

"I understand," Jiang Nan nodded heavily, his eyes becoming firm. "I know what to do now. Thank you! Thank you."

She looked at Chen Yunsheng and thanked him sincerely. This unexpected conversation tonight was like a timely rain, moistening her anxious and dry heart.

Chen Yunsheng looked at her renewed spirit and smiled softly, "You're welcome. It's late, go get some rest." He was silent for a second or two before continuing, "Tomorrow morning... we'll leave for the old house at seven o'clock."

"Well, okay." Jiang Nan, who had found a new direction, was no longer worried about tomorrow's family dinner, nor did she complain about having to get up early on the weekend. She stood up and said in a light tone, "Good night."

"Good night." Chen Yunsheng looked at Jiang Nan's back as he left, and suddenly lowered his head and smiled.

Jiang Nan returned to her room but didn't rest immediately. She turned on her computer and couldn't wait to write down her thoughts. She worked until 1 a.m.

——

Although he stayed up late last night, Jiang Nan still got up early the next day.

After she had packed up, she sat quietly on the sofa, waiting for Chen Yunsheng.

She leaned back on the sofa, looking up at the crystal chandelier, while unconsciously turning the new ring on her ring finger.

Except for the night when Chen Yunsheng gave her the ring and she tried it on, the ring and the bracelet stayed in the depths of the closet until the right time, when she would take it out as a weight to increase the authenticity of her performance.

In fact, the ring’s size didn’t fit, but the cold ring setting was still warmed by Jiang Nan’s body temperature.

Although she had been calming down for a whole night, the excitement in Jiang Nan's heart caused by last night's creative breakthrough had not completely died down. She couldn't sit still and tapped the ground lightly with her toes to keep the beat.

When Chen Yunsheng came out of the bedroom, he saw her looking a little restless, like a little creature warmed by the sun and eager to go out for a walk.

He adjusted his cuffs as he walked towards the entrance, his tone normal: "We can't have breakfast until we get to the old house. But if you're hungry now, we can buy something else to eat on the way."

"Yeah, okay." Jiang Nan agreed immediately upon hearing his voice. Then, she grabbed her bag and quickly followed him, a hint of joy in her steps.

Chen Yunsheng tilted his head slightly and glanced at her.

Today she wore a simple black top and a pure white skirt. Her face was lightly powdered, her lips were naturally rosy, and her eyes were still sparkling. Her outfit seemed no different from usual, but Chen Yunsheng could sense the vibrant joy emanating from her.

This is very different from the usual cautious and even somewhat awkward Jiang Nan.

Jiang Nan walked to the entrance cabinet and touched the fur on the two rabbits' ears. After completing this small ritual, she bent down and opened the shoe cabinet.

In the shoe cabinet, there is a clear distinction.

Chen Yunsheng's section contained only a few neatly arranged pairs of high-quality leather and casual shoes. Jiang Nan's section, on the other hand, was packed to the brim with slippers, spring and autumn shoes, high heels of varying heights, flats, and sneakers – a diverse array of items, yet overflowing with the spirit of life.

Jiang Nan looked at the pair of black high heels that she had originally decided on and felt a little hesitant.

Chen Yunsheng hadn't mentioned staying overnight at the old house, but judging by the situation, he wouldn't be back too early today. This meant she might have to wear high heels all day, even dealing with various emergencies. Wearing high heels would simply be asking for trouble.

Chen Yunsheng, who was standing by, picked up the car keys and saw Jiang Nan staring blankly at the shoe cabinet. Then, he followed her gaze and looked at the pair of black high heels.

"Try these," he pointed to a pair of shallow-soled ballet flats with soft black lambskin uppers. The style was simple and elegant, and you couldn't go wrong with them. "They'll go with your skirt, and you won't feel tired."

Jiang Nan looked at him in surprise.

She had only worn this pair of shoes a few times since she bought them, but he actually remembered them and knew they were comfortable.

"Thank you," she whispered, and put on the ballet slippers.

"Wipe your hands and go." Chen Yunsheng turned around, pushed open the door, and said nothing more.

Jiang Nan responded, then strode past him and out the door.

Chen Yunsheng closed the door casually. As he turned sideways, he suddenly saw Jiang Nan standing obediently by the side, waiting for him. He knew Jiang Nan wasn't as obedient and docile as she appeared, and that she had her own cunning side, but seeing her somewhat cute and playful look, he couldn't help but smile.

Then, the two of them walked into the elevator side by side.

The elevator went down, and they were the only two people in the small space.

Jiang Nan looked at the ever-changing numbers and suddenly said something out of the blue: "I think the concept of the documentary can be strengthened to break through the circle. It's not limited to celebrities and fashion bloggers, but also some traditional craftsmen. This way, the contrast will be stronger and more memorable."

She was still immersed in the afterglow of her work, her thoughts jumping around.

Chen Yunsheng was stunned for a moment before realizing she was continuing the topic from last night. He looked at her profile. "The idea is good. But be careful about how it integrates with the brand's tone to avoid any inconsistency."

"Yeah, I see," Jiang Nan said. "I told Director Wen about this idea, and the initial task she has given everyone now is to screen the right people." She excitedly shared her initial ideas, speaking much faster than usual.

Chen Yunsheng listened quietly, occasionally making a simple "hmm" or mentioning one or two key points. He did not interrupt her interest, and even felt that her energetic appearance was more dazzling than her usual silence.

Jiang Nan didn't stop talking until the elevator reached the underground garage. She glanced at Chen Yunsheng and smiled sheepishly, "I'm sorry, I seem to have talked a little too much."

"It's okay," Chen Yunsheng led Jiang Nan out of the elevator and walked towards a black Maybach. He then opened the passenger door and looked back at her. "Your idea is good. However, when you renegotiate with Song Wei, you need to be more prepared so that you can get a more relaxed production period."

Jiang Nan's lips curled up again after being affirmed by him. She sat in the passenger seat, looked up at Chen Yunsheng and asked, "But she insisted on the end of July. Is it possible for us to negotiate a date until mid-August?"

"As long as your proposal is attractive enough, you can make Song Wei make certain concessions." Chen Yunsheng closed the car door and walked around to the driver's seat.

——

After exchanging a few more thoughts with Chen Yunsheng on the way, Jiang Nan's mood improved. But before long, the hollow feeling in her stomach became palpable. She glanced at Chen Yunsheng, who was concentrating on driving, but didn't dare mention her hunger.

However, at the next intersection, Chen Yunsheng turned on the turn signal and slowly parked the car in a temporary parking space in front of a convenience store on the side of the road.

"Wait a minute." He said, unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the car.

Jiang Nan stared blankly at his handsome and upright figure as he quickly walked into the convenience store. Just as she was wondering whether she should get out of the car to check, Chen Yunsheng came out with a cup of coffee and a paper bag and got back into the driver's seat.

A faint aroma of food wafted out of the paper bag.

Then he handed her the bag: "Eat something first."

Jiang Nan took it and felt a warm feeling in his heart.

"Thank you," she said softly, holding out the steaming cup of oden. The delicious flavor immediately made her even hungrier. But she didn't rush to eat. Instead, she asked, "Don't you want something to eat?"

"No need," Chen Yunsheng restarted the car and slowly merged into the traffic flow, "I have coffee, that's all."

Jiang Nan said "oh" and secretly felt distressed about being too talkative.

But she feigned composure, nibbling on the warm radish and konjac noodles. After just a few bites, she felt a surge of energy, like a half-filled power bank, now fully charged. Then, cautiously, she glanced at Chen Yunsheng, who was driving quietly beside her.

There was only a cup of black coffee in his hand.

She hesitated for a moment, then switched to a different skewer. Then she picked up a piece of white radish and asked cautiously, "Would you... like to try one too?"

Chen Yunsheng quickly glanced at the radish handed to him, then looked at her somewhat embarrassed and restrained expression, and was silent for a while.

Chen Yunsheng, who is not very picky about food, also has his dislikes.

The food that he disliked most was radish, but the convenience store had just opened, which meant that not much of the oden they had was cooked. So, he only bought radish and konjac noodles for Jiang Nan.

Jiang Nan looked at Chen Yunsheng's motionless face and said awkwardly: "I just said it casually..."

Just when Jiang Nan was about to take the radish back, Chen Yunsheng suddenly leaned over slightly, took advantage of her hand, and quickly bit off the radish.

He chewed slowly, swallowing before commenting, "It's a little hot."

A very faint blush appeared on the tips of his ears.

Although he couldn't determine what his attitude was, Chen Yunsheng was sure that Jiang Nan was different to him.

"Ah—yes, a little bit." Jiang Nan lowered his head and pretended to concentrate on blowing on the soup in his cup.

In the narrow carriage, the aroma of oden and a subtle, disorienting silence wafted through the air.

Jiang Nan took a sip of the soup and thought to himself that Chen Yunsheng was indeed different.

Some things that may be cheap and inferior in the eyes of rich children, his attitude is calm and tolerant. He is neither condescending nor picky and dissatisfied. He even accepts them with a very gentle attitude.

Jiang Nan thought that Chen Yunsheng was like the moon hanging high in the sky.

He watched everything in the world from afar, the four seasons, the rise and fall of mountains and seas, and was familiar with almost all the theorems of this world.

But he did not look down on others from a superior position. Instead, he had a broad and tolerant heart when facing those things, whether they were light or heavy.

With this understanding, Jiang Nan began to wonder why he chose to use an arranged marriage to deal with his family, especially after he showed his respect and love for Mr. Chen.