If there is a dispute, go to the site for investigation.

10:00 AM, in the conference room.

The long conference table seemed like an invisible chasm, with Meng Yihe and his strategy team sitting on one side, and Cui Yu and his operations team occupying the other.

A solemn atmosphere, almost stagnant, filled the air.

Meng Yihe stood tall and straight in front of the screen, speaking quickly and clearly. The red dot of his laser pointer landed precisely on every key data point and diagram in the PowerPoint presentation. He had almost perfectly replicated the results of the previous night, even making them more refined and powerful, striving for impeccable logic in every reasoning. He deliberately avoided eye contact with the man opposite him who always wore a faint smile, completely immersed in the "renewal" blueprint he had constructed.

"...Therefore, through the above brand upgrades, traffic flow restructuring, and experience optimization, we are confident that Xinghua Plaza will return to the top of the city's commercial landmark list within eighteen months, achieving a double leap in both customer traffic and sales."

Meng Yihe finished her presentation, put down the laser pointer, and scanned the entire room before finally looking at Cui Yu with a slightly provocative expression.

Cui Yu clapped first, his pace neither too fast nor too slow, his face displaying just the right amount of praise: "A truly brilliant plan, Director Meng. A grand vision, precise insight, especially your grasp of future consumer trends—I admire you greatly." His tone sounded utterly sincere.

Meng Yihe raised her chin slightly, preparing to accept this "submission".

However, Cui Yu changed the subject.

He tapped the table lightly with his pen: "However, there are a few minor issues that may require Director Meng and the team to reconsider." His smile remained unchanged.

"First, you estimate that the success rate of attracting top brands is as high as 70%. What is the basis for this figure? According to the latest industry data and internal assessments I have obtained, under the current economic environment and considering the specific conditions of our project, the optimistic estimate is probably only 50%. What is the corresponding revenue gap and alternative attraction strategies for this 20% difference?"

"Secondly, the initial budget for the 'omni-channel intelligent lighting system' and 'immersive art curation' mentioned in the plan seems sufficient, but the annual content updates, equipment maintenance, and copyright fees do not appear to be included in the long-term operating cost model. This part is expected to increase fixed expenses by at least 15% each year."

"Finally, and most importantly, regarding the large-scale eviction and relocation of merchants during the renovation period. The three-month concentrated renovation period involves the closure of two-thirds of the merchants. The rent reduction and compensation principles mentioned in your plan seem to be far lower than the total amount of potential legal disputes and compensation."

"How can we ensure that these merchants cooperate, rather than engaging in a collective boycott that leads to indefinite delays in the project?"

Each question directly addresses the underlying problems beneath the seemingly glamorous facade of the proposed solution. Cui Yu's tone is calm, even polite, as if it were a discussion, but each question is more fatal than the last.

Meng Yihe's expression darkened slightly, but she did not panic.

He was prepared.

He took a deep breath and began to refute the claims head-on, citing more data from specific market segments, comparisons of success stories, and preliminary risk response plans.

He spoke faster, his gaze meeting Cui Yu's without flinching. The argument escalated rapidly.

The two exchanged data, assumptions, and risk assessments at a rapid pace.

The atmosphere in the conference room grew increasingly tense, with an invisible spark seemingly flying between the two directors, causing their subordinates on both sides to hold their breath and dare not interrupt.

However, amidst this fierce exchange, moments of strange tacit understanding occasionally flashed by: Meng Yihe would mention a cutting-edge retail technology concept, and Cui Yu would immediately follow up with new requirements for subsequent property management. Cui Yu would present a complex cost accounting model, and Meng Yihe would quickly find supporting data from another analysis report to support his arguments.

They were like dancers performing a tango that pressed forward relentlessly, able to pinpoint each other's weaknesses precisely and instantly understand each other's next move.

The debate lasted for nearly an hour, and no agreement could be reached on several key points of disagreement.

Cui Yu leaned back in his chair and delivered his concluding remarks: "Director Meng's blueprint is undoubtedly forward-thinking, but my responsibility is to be accountable for the company's investments and ensure that every step is taken on solid ground, not quicksand. These risk points must be covered with more specific solutions."

Meng Yihe sneered, showing no weakness: "The biggest risk is to be complacent and miss opportunities. Director Cui's responsibility is to find ways to realize the blueprint, not to use difficulties as a shield to refuse innovation."

The meeting reached a stalemate.

Ultimately, the decision was made by the vice president who was observing the proceedings:

"Since you both have your own opinions, let's go out and take a look together. I'll give you a week to form a joint team, conduct on-site inspections of three of the most successful similar renovation projects in China, and bring back a jointly signed assessment report and proposed solutions. I hope that the on-site experience will help you find a consensus."

After the meeting ended, everyone began packing up their things.

Meng Yihe organized her documents expressionlessly, her feelings a mix of emotions—displeased that her plan was being questioned, yet also excited by the tenacity of her opponent.

Cui Yu strolled over slowly, stopped at his desk, and lowered his voice, carrying a hint of mockery that only the two of them could hear: "You're very well prepared, Director Meng. It seems my 'reference materials' were well worth the price?"

Meng Yihe raised her eyes, glared at him fiercely, and retorted in a harsh tone: "I was just worried that Director Cui wouldn't have enough abacus beads, so I'm just making sure the accounts are clear for you in advance."

Cui Yu chuckled softly, said no more, and turned to leave the conference room with the operations team.

As Meng Yihe watched his composed back, her fingers tightened slightly as she gripped the document, and the flame of defiance in her heart burned even brighter.

After the meeting, Meng Yihe returned to his office with an even stronger competitive spirit. He immediately convened his team, broke down the points of disagreement one by one according to the meeting minutes, and assigned them to conduct more in-depth research and data supplementation, making full preparations for the upcoming joint investigation.

His office door was hardly ever closed properly all afternoon.

People kept coming in and out to report and receive tasks, and the air was thick with the tension of efficient operation.

He was so engrossed in his work that he forgot about time and even forgot to eat.

When the office finally quieted down, it was already pitch black outside the window, and the city lights were shining brightly.

He felt a slight dizziness and an undeniable fatigue, only then belatedly realizing that his stomach was empty and even experiencing a familiar cramping pain. His stomach had always been weak, and the consequences of years of irregular eating habits and excessive coffee consumption were now becoming apparent.

Meng Yihe frowned, subconsciously pressing her hand to her stomach, while her other hand habitually reached for the coffee cup on the table, only to find it was already empty.

He clicked his tongue, intending to ask his assistant to buy some food, but then thought it was too much trouble. He decided to just endure it and finish watching the last bit of content he had. He refocused on the screen, trying to ignore his physical discomfort, but the dull ache stubbornly persisted, distracting him.

At that moment, there was a light knock on the office door twice, and then it was pushed open.

Cui Yu leaned in halfway, his face still bearing that ambiguous smile, as if he was about to say something sarcastic.

However, his gaze lingered for a moment on Meng Yihe's slightly pale face and her hand unconsciously pressing her stomach, and the hint of mockery in his smile quietly disappeared.

Meng Yihe looked up and saw him, asking in an annoyed tone, "What is it? Is Director Cui here to nitpick my 'blueprint' again?"

Cui Yu didn't reply, but walked in, his gaze sweeping over the empty coffee cup on his table, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

He didn't leave the company during dinner time, and there was no takeout or anything on the table.

They probably didn't have dinner and have been working here the whole time.

"It seems Director Meng is going to work day and night, risking his life to create value for the company." His tone was still relaxed, but less of his usual teasing.

"No need for you to bother," Meng Yihe replied curtly, his tone even harsher due to the cramping pain in his stomach.

Cui Yu didn't say anything more, gave him a meaningful look, turned around and left, closing the door behind him.

Meng Yihe thought he had finally left, and felt a strange emptiness in her heart. Then she was overwhelmed by stomach pain and irritability, and forced herself to continue watching the screen.

About ten minutes later, just as Meng Yihe felt her stomach pain becoming more and more pronounced and was considering whether to get some medicine, the office door was pushed open again.

Cui Yu returned, carrying a paper bag with the logo of a nearby porridge shop printed on it.

He walked straight to Meng Yihe's table, placed the bag on it, inside was a transparent plastic bowl filled with steaming hot pumpkin and millet porridge, and next to it was a box of refreshing side dishes.

"Just something I bought downstairs, it'll do." Cui Yu's tone was casual. "If Director Meng faints from hunger in his office, the 'Spark Project' will have to be postponed, and the lost time and costs will have to be factored into my budget, which isn't worth it."

After saying that, he didn't wait for Meng Yihe's response, as if he had really just made a very good deal, and turned to leave again, this time closing the door a little more gently.

Meng Yihe was completely stunned, staring blankly at the bowl of steaming porridge on the table.

The warm, white mist seemed to gradually soothe his nerves, which were taut with pain and agitation. Water droplets condensed on the packaging slid down the side of the cup.

He remained silent for a long time, and finally, he reached out and slowly pulled the bowl of porridge towards himself. The warmth emanating from the bowl seemed to ease the cramping pain in his stomach. Meng Yihe picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and put it in her mouth. The soft, sweet taste instantly soothed her protesting stomach.

The office was quiet, with only the soft sound of him slurping his porridge.

...

The first stop on the trip was a cultural and creative commercial complex in Pingcheng that had been successfully renovated.

In the airport VIP lounge, Meng Yihe was looking down and quickly replying to the last few work emails, her fingers flying across the screen.

Cui Yu had informed Cui Xuyue of his business trip in advance, told him to behave well, and hired a nanny to be responsible for his safety during this period.

Cui Yu slowly walked over with a cup of coffee in his hand and sat down on the sofa opposite him.

"Director Meng is really making the most of every minute." Cui Yu took a sip of coffee, his tone carrying his usual teasing.

Meng Yihe didn't even look up, her fingers still moving: "Not as good as Director Cui, who can still leisurely enjoy coffee right before boarding the plane."

Cui Yu wasn't annoyed. Instead, he smiled and leaned forward, lowering his voice: "I'm just conserving my energy. But Director Meng, don't be busy drawing blueprints on the plane later. If you get airsick, I'll probably have to do the first inspection alone."

Meng Yihe finally raised her eyes and glared at him coldly: "Don't worry, it will not delay Director Cui's 'cost accounting'."

After saying that, he put away his phone, stood up, picked up his briefcase, and walked straight to the boarding gate, his back straight, exuding a spirit of never giving up.

Cui Yu watched his retreating figure, slowly finished the last sip of her coffee, and then leisurely got up to follow him.

Inside the first-class cabin, the air circulation system emitted a low, white noise.

Meng Yihe and Cui Yu sat next to each other, separated by a narrow aisle.

After the plane stabilized, the flight attendants brought drinks.

Meng Yihe almost instinctively ordered black coffee, as if it were the essential fuel to keep him running at high efficiency.

He took out his tablet computer, preparing to continue reviewing the materials for the project, his brows furrowing slightly as he habitually shut himself out of the outside world.

Cui Yu ordered a glass of water, his gaze sweeping over the steaming black liquid in Meng Yihe's hand, and his lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

He adjusted his chair and said, "Director Meng, are you starting already? Reading at such a height can make you dizzy, and it's not worth it if it affects your performance during the inspection later."

Meng Yihe didn't even look up, her finger swiping across the screen as she coldly replied, "No need for Director Cui to trouble himself. I'm efficient and won't delay important matters."

Cui Yu chuckled lightly, said nothing more, and took out a document to read.

After a while, the plane encountered a turbulence and began to shake slightly.

Meng Yihe was engrossed in looking at a complex floor plan when the machine suddenly wobbled, causing his hand holding the tablet to slip, and his elbow accidentally bumped into Cui Yu's arm next to him.

He immediately tensed up, steadied himself, and subconsciously whispered, "I'm sorry."

Cui Yu didn't seem to care about the collision. Instead, his attention was on Meng Yihe's hand, which gripped the armrest tightly due to the sudden jolt, her knuckles turning white.

He subtly moved his water glass further in from the small table to prevent spills if he shook it again, his tone remaining calm: "It's nothing, just airflow."

The turbulence soon subsided, and the flight attendants began distributing meals.

When the lunchbox arrived, Meng Yihe only glanced at it, seemingly having no appetite. Her attention returned to the tablet, and she casually picked up the now-warm coffee and took a sip.

Cui Yu opened his lunchbox with elegant movements. He glanced at Meng Yihe's "forgetting to eat and sleep" appearance, then at his almost untouched food and nearly empty coffee cup, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. He casually pushed the unopened yogurt and a small box of fresh fruit salad from his lunchbox onto Meng Yihe's small table.

"Take some vitamins, Director Meng." Cui Yu's gaze was still on his documents. "Surveying is physically demanding. If you get hungry or have a stomach ache, it will delay the progress, and the final cost will have to be factored into the project budget, which is not worthwhile."

Meng Yihe's fingers, which were operating the tablet, paused.

He stared at the suddenly added box of yogurt and fruit, then looked up at the man next to him who was still looking at the documents with a serious expression, and for a moment he didn't know how to react.

Refuse? That would make me seem like I'm making a mountain out of a molehill.

And... my stomach does feel a bit empty and uncomfortable.

Accept it? It seems like I've inexplicably accepted his favor.

His lips moved, but in the end he only managed to squeeze out two words:

"……eventful."

However, a few minutes later, when Cui Yu glanced at it out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that the box of yogurt and fruit had already been opened.

Meng Yihe was looking at the screen while absentmindedly taking small bites with a spoon. Although his expression remained indifferent, the corners of his tightly pursed lips seemed to have softened somewhat.

Cui Yu withdrew his gaze and continued looking at the documents, but a slight smile quietly appeared at the corner of his mouth.