Chapter 66. To still have such a mood, Song Zhao is quite something…
Nie Qingqing now has an assistant. Fangyan takes care of everything, from booking tickets and arranging itineraries to scheduling times, saving her a lot of energy. Once you get used to it, you really can't do without her. No wonder Lawyer He used to bring her along with high salaries wherever he went.
Fangyan went to the dining car to buy food and didn't come back for a while. Nie Qingqing was a little worried. Could something have happened to her?
Fangyan used to travel all over the country to run her family's winery business, so she should be very vigilant. This is on a train without a platform, so people can't get off. An adult should be fine.
She waited patiently for a while, and thankfully Fangyan returned. She placed the steaming hot food on the small table between the berths before saying, "Sister Qing, I just ran into Qiao Shizhan."
Qiao Shizhan? Both his family and Fang Yan's family are in the liquor business. The house he bought with his first love and the wedding house Fang Yan's family bought for him were both upstairs from Nie Qingqing's house. His family had arranged for him to get engaged to Fang Yan, but after they were caught, Qiao Shizhan chose to break off the engagement with Fang Yan and marry his first love.
But even after getting married, they didn't have a happy life.
Nie Qingqing sighed, “You come to work at Yuanda instead of at the winery, so you don’t have a chance to meet him. I think you two were just looking for an opportunity to clear things up, which is why you met on the train.”
Hearing this, Fangyan was glad that she had made herself clear earlier.
“He said that if he had listened to his parents back then, his life might be different now. I said that if he had kept it a secret and married me, what he would be thinking about and regretting would be his first love whom he could not have. Now, we might be arguing at home and he would be so quiet.”
Fortunately, Fangyan was quite lucid. Nie Qingqing, being an experienced woman, told her not to regret it, saying:
"When I married Tangyuan's dad, my mom didn't agree. She said that Tangyuan's dad was just a pretty face that could bewitch people, and that he had no sense of responsibility and that I shouldn't marry him. I was young then and didn't listen to her. Later, Tangyuan's dad got into university, and I was so proud of myself. I even told my mom that I was glad I didn't listen to her, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to marry a college student. Tangyuan's dad started to look down on me as soon as he achieved some success in his career."
Nie Qingqing truly regretted it back then, but as she's come this far, she's come to understand that no matter what choice she makes, she'll regret it at least once, so it's better to regret it sooner and turn back sooner.
She continued, "But if I hadn't married Tangyuan's dad back then, I might have resented my mom for the rest of my life, and I might have thought that if I had married him, I would have lived the life of a leader's wife. But you see, that's not how it is. The path you imagine is always idealized. If you want to live a good life, the most reliable thing is to rely on yourself."
Fangyan said, "Sister Qing, I believe what you said. I have never regretted breaking up with Qiao Shizhan."
...
The two reminisced for a while. Nie Qingqing didn't regret her experiences when she was young because she had Tangyuan, her own child. How could she not love her? She thought that with Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan, Song Zhao wouldn't regret his experience with Yunli either.
Fangyan was glad that she was able to see things clearly and discovered the problems before getting married, thus avoiding many detours.
As they chatted, the conversation turned to Xiaoyin and Meng Kaiyang, who had similar experiences.
Nie Qingqing said, "Fortunately, our Xiaoyin is as insightful as you, and she broke up with Kaiyang early on."
Fang Yan could say with certainty: "Unless Meng Kaiyang finds someone as outstanding as Xiaoyin and has a happy and fulfilling family life, I think he will keep comparing, then becoming disappointed, and then regretting, just like Qiao Shizhan."
So what? Even if Meng Kaiyang had to choose again and actually married Xiaoyin, he still wouldn't be satisfied with the uncompromising Xiaoyin. The two of them would still be in pain and regret it, right?
Nie Qingqing finished her meal, tidied up, took a sip of water, and concluded, "If they were to choose again, they might not be satisfied."
Fangyan laughed: "That's right, people are just too greedy. It's better to be content."
...
When the two arrived in Shanghai, they first checked into Le Han's hotel, a chain hotel owned by Le Han's family. It was one of the best hotels in Shanghai, offering excellent accommodations and food. She loved staying there whenever she came on a business trip, and Le Han continued to run the business successfully even after Zhou Chengzhong left.
Unexpectedly, I saw Lian Hongrui at the hotel reception. She was accompanied by a young man who asked her in a warm and attentive manner: "Miss Lian, this is one of the best hotels in Shanghai. Suites are very hard to book, but I know the owner. If you come to stay here in the future, just look for me."
When Lian Hongrui saw Nie Qingqing, she quickly exchanged a few words with the young man, asked him to wait, and then ran over to greet him: "Sister Qing, I really did wait for you! What great luck!"
Nie Qingqing glanced at the two of them. The young man greeted them with a friendly smile, probably because of Hongrui.
She was happy to see someone she knew. Hongrui must have something on her mind, right?
She said, "Lehan has booked a room for me. Do you have time to go up and chat?"
Lian Hongrui was also there for work, and she would be going to another place with the film crew in a few days. She went to talk to the young man for a few minutes before coming back and going upstairs to the guest room with Nie Qingqing for a chat.
...
Lian Hongrui said that the young man she just met was named Zeng Sui. When he went to Hong Kong for tourism, he couldn't understand Cantonese, and people refused to speak Mandarin to him, so they got into an argument. She happened to be there, gave him some advice, and acted as his guide for a day. That's how they met.
Then, when she accompanied someone to make a movie, they invited her to be the art director, so she came to learn and was praised for her talent.
Lian Hongrui felt very satisfied and accomplished. She had never received such recognition before, and she was determined to study hard and make good use of her strengths.
She said something: "Sister Qing, isn't it a coincidence? Your Xiaoyin accompanied her best friend, a girl named Shi Wenqian, to audition. For some reason, the assistant director didn't think much of the perfect Shi Wenqian, but instead took a liking to Xiaoyin. I called Yuanda and your family and found out that you were in Shanghai on a business trip. I thought that since you were in Shanghai, you would definitely stay at Lehan's Hotel, so I came over too."
So that's how it is. The encounter wasn't a coincidence; Hongrui was waiting for her at this hotel.
She asked the assistant director's name, and it was Ling Qiuzhu, Xue Jinyun's aunt. She was speechless. Was the entire Xue family so vengeful? This was never going to end.
Nie Qingqing explained to Lian Hongrui, "The assistant director is still avenging his family and deliberately set a trap for Xiaoyin. If Xiaoyin goes, she will lose her best friend's friendship."
Lian Hongrui became anxious: "Then hurry up and tell Xiaoyin!"
Nie Qingqing shook her head and comforted her with a smile: "No need. If she cherishes friendship, she won't go. If she goes, it means that friendship is not as important to her as a fork in the road of her career. Although I don't approve, I respect her choice. Besides, I have confidence in Xiaoyin. She has always known what she wants. Let's just pretend we don't know."
...
When Xiaoyin received the call from the assistant director, she refused without hesitation.
At first, Shi Wenqian was upset, but when she learned that if Xiaoyin didn't go, the role would be given to Xue Jinyun, she thought it would be better for her good friend to go.
She immediately persuaded Xiaoyin: "I'm not angry, go ahead! If you don't go, you'll regret it when Xue Jinyun shines on screen in the future!"
Xiaoyin said with certainty, "I will not regret it, but I know that if I shine brightly on the screen in the future, you will regret it and distance yourself from me. I will lose you as my best friend. No matter how bright I shine on the outside, I will regret it in my heart."
Shi Wenqian stamped her foot, moved: "I know what you're thinking, and I've figured it out too. I won't be jealous of my good friend. Go now!"
Xiaoyin refused to go. She could imagine how sad she would feel when her best friend took away her opportunity and took the path she most wanted to take.
She really didn't want to go. She comforted her angry friend: "I have confidence in myself. No matter what path I take, I will succeed and be happy. So, on the path I take, my family and good friends must be there for me. Qianqian, being good friends with you is much more important than me becoming an actress. Wait a little longer. When I have the ability in the future, I will become a director and ask you to act in my films. At that time, no one can replace you."
Shi Wenqian wiped away her tears, laughing and crying at the same time: "Silly girl, if you give up this opportunity, you can't regret it or blame me in the future!"
Xiaoyin assured her, "I won't regret it. Let's go, let's go have dinner to celebrate."
...
Nie Qingqing learned from Lian Hongrui that Xiaoyin hadn't gone, and breathed a sigh of relief: "I knew it, our Xiaoyin is the child who needs no worry the most. Look at this choice, it's really gratifying."
Wen Fangyan laughed and joked, "Sister Qing, so that's what you were worried about."
Nie Qingqing said shyly, "The temptation of such a good opportunity is something I would hesitate for a long time. I really don't know what to expect."
Now, she can go to the construction site without worry.
Her arrival was a surprise, catching even Lu Chenguang off guard. Wearing a construction hat and work clothes, she toured the construction site, ensuring that everything from construction materials and techniques to site safety was done according to Yuanda's standards and procedures. Chenguang had adhered to the cooperation agreement and followed Yuanda's standards, without using inferior materials or cutting corners.
However, there was a minor issue: she saw several people delivering sand and cement offering cigarettes to Cheng Wang, Lu Chenguang's brother-in-law.
Nie Qingqing went to the construction site's engineering department and asked someone to call Cheng Wang over, intending to give him a few pointers.
...
Cheng Wang shamelessly went to the construction site to look for work.
His brother-in-law married a woman from a good family, but she didn't even look down on the Lu family. Besides, he was a distant relative, just Lu Chenguang's brother-in-law.
Upon seeing that it was the general manager of Yuanda Group who had arrived at the construction site, he hurriedly served tea and water, being extremely attentive: "Sister Qing, did you come here by surprise? Let me tell you, everything on this construction site is being built according to Yuanda's standards, there's absolutely no problem!"
Cheng Wang was clever enough to know how to change the subject, but Nie Qingqing wasn't going to let him get away with it this time.
She asked, "What were those guys who delivered the sand and cement saying to you?"
Cheng Wang knew that lies couldn't fool people, so he simply told the truth: "They wanted to change the source of the sand and cement, but they were afraid that the engineering department would not accept it, so they tried to get through to me, saying that yellow sand and cement are all the same and that there would be no problem. You see, I didn't dare to agree, and you caught me red-handed. I'm really wronged."
Nie Qingqing said, "Even if you were to handle all of this business, how much money could you possibly make? Don't embarrass your brother-in-law."
Manager Nie's words were honest, and Cheng Wang, still hoping for a better position, quickly pulled up a small stool and sat down next to him, starting a conversation:
"Sister Qing, look at this huge project. I'm practically family here, so how come I don't get any benefits? It's really unfair. Why don't you help me switch positions? I'd like to get a higher salary."
It's not that it's impossible. Nie Qingqing is very flexible in her actions. She needs to develop a personal relationship with Lu Chenguang, and Yuanda and Chenguang also need a deeper connection, but she can't do it that way.
She said, "Your brother-in-law's Chenguang Real Estate is just starting out. He's still struggling to make a living. And you're already thinking about making money? If you do something shameful, your brother-in-law will also lose face at his in-laws' house. Don't lose sight of the bigger picture. You need to have a long-term vision."
Cheng Wang understood perfectly well, but seeing everyone making money through connections made him anxious.
He wasn't afraid of looking bad and said sincerely, "Our family has had a tough time. My brother-in-law married a good wife, but it hasn't been easy for him. I want to buy my wife some nice coats and jewelry so that she won't look so shabby when she visits my sister-in-law's house."
After thinking for a moment, Nie Qingqing realized that helping Cheng Wang was the same as helping Lu Chenguang's sister. Lu Chenguang had a low-key and capable father-in-law. Nie Qingqing wanted to help, but couldn't, so she decided to do Cheng Wang the favor.
She said, "You, stop thinking about making money off projects. I'll find you a legitimate business. Broad Group is building Times Square in Shenzhen, and they'll be recruiting tenants next year. Out-of-town brands and inland brands will compete on a 50/50 basis. You can't compete with the inland brands, so I'll use my connections to get you an agency for a foreign brand. Once we get it, you can start at the department store, and Times Square will reserve a good spot for you. Want to give this business a try?"
"Of course I want it!" Cheng Wang said gratefully. "Sister Qing, why are you giving it to me for nothing?"
Nie Qingqing: "What are you thinking? How could I give it to you for free? This is to do your brother-in-law a favor, to relieve his worries so he doesn't have to worry about his sister not doing well. But remember, this favor belongs to your brother-in-law. If you dare to treat his sister badly, you won't get any business, and you'll have to give back any money you've earned. Don't get too cocky!"
Cheng Wang readily agreed: "Don't worry, Sister Qing, my wife and I are truly in love. Whether we have money or not, our love will never change."
Hopefully, even if Nie Qingqing doesn't help, Cheng Wang, relying on his brother-in-law's connections, will eventually find a way to make money. Helping others when they need it most is the only way to maintain good relationships.
...
Back at the hotel, Nie Qingqing contacted Attorney He and explained her purpose in helping Cheng Wang.
“Lu Chenguang doesn’t have the energy to help his sister and brother-in-law right now. If we help Cheng Wang, he will remember it. I was thinking of getting him a brand agency. Compared to the benefits later, it’s worth the trouble now, so I took the liberty of doing it.”
This wasn't acting on her own initiative; it was about building connections for Yuanda and getting brand agency deals, and it was He Shunyi who handled it in Hong Kong. So, the favors were Yuanda's and He Shunyi's, but the business itself was Qingqing's idea.
Attorney He said, “You’ve thought this through very well. I’ll look for a brand and find a general agent in mainland China first. I don’t have time, so I’ll let Cheng Wang do it. He can invest as much money as he can and take as many shares as he can get. This way, he will have less financial pressure.”
Lu Chenguang was concerned about his father-in-law's family and couldn't lend his sister and brother-in-law any way, but if he had a good connection, he should be able to borrow some money.
Nie Qingqing told Cheng Wang about it, and Cheng Wang asked his brother-in-law for an amount of money he could invest. Then they waited eagerly.
Attorney He was very efficient; he got the job done in just a few days and secured the exclusive distributorship for a well-known cosmetics brand in mainland China.
Cheng Wang was overjoyed to learn that he no longer needed to work on the construction site and could focus on distributing his brand's products. He exclaimed to his brother-in-law, "Manager Nie is truly a woman of great vision. She put in so much effort to solidify the relationship between Yuanda and Chenguang. Her boss actually listened to her advice and helped her get it done."
Lu Chenguang said, "Now that you have something important to do, just do it well."
...
Lu Chenguang told his wife about it and joked, "Manager Nie helped Cheng Wang get some serious work done, which was clearly a favor to us. But on the project, she didn't leave any room for compromise. In today's meeting, she argued for more than half an hour about the size of a few trees in the demonstration area. She wouldn't agree if they were even half a meter shorter. She's too serious."
Zeng Lan laughed and said, "There are many interesting things about her, and there will be even more things you won't understand in the future. This Manager Nie is really interesting. You should meet her if you have the chance."
When his wife mentioned wanting to meet him, Lu Chenguang asked curiously, "How do you know more about her than I do?"
His wife said, "My brother once pursued a girl named Lian Hongrui, an overseas Chinese from Hong Kong. She was very artistic, and my brother liked her very much. Now, he and a few like-minded friends are preparing to make a movie, so they invited Ms. Lian. He said that the friend Ms. Lian mentioned the most was Manager Nie. He said that when she was first sent to the mainland by her family, she worked with Manager Nie on a real estate project and made several times the profit from the land she was allocated. Her words were full of admiration."
Lu Chenguang exclaimed in surprise, "What a coincidence! It's a pity Manager Nie went back. Next time you come, I'll arrange a dinner for us to have together."
His wife nodded: "Okay, it won't hurt to meet someone like that."
...
Nie Qingqing didn't actually leave. She was avoiding a dinner party, saying she was going to inspect a construction site in Guangzhou. Actually, her ticket was for tomorrow. She was going to visit her brother and sister-in-law and see her mother.
My brother and sister-in-law's house is all renovated, and they plan to spend the Lunar New Year in their new house today instead of going back to their hometown.
Nie Qingqing said, "It's so cold this year. If it snows heavily, tell Tangyuan, Xiaoyuan, and Xiaoyin not to come back. They should all stay in Shanghai and spend the New Year with you."
Tang Guizhi was naturally happy to have so many relatives with her during the Spring Festival, but with her daughter not by her side, she always felt a void in her heart.
Afraid that Qingqing would find out, she asked, "So, are you and Song Zhao going back to your hometown to spend the New Year with his parents?"
Nie Qingqing smiled: "Last year during the Spring Festival, his parents had a little disagreement. This year, they both found their own places to spend the Spring Festival and have already informed us. Song Zhao and I are not going back to our hometown either."
...
After visiting her mother, Nie Qingqing and Fang Yan went to Guangzhou. Lu Qingfeng was in charge of the project there, working as a construction supervisor. With him watching the construction site and inspecting it, no problems were found, so Nie Qingqing felt at ease.
Guangzhou is close to Shenzhen, so she and Fangyan went back in the company car. Shenzhen is the headquarters of Yuanda Group, and the projects here are progressing according to the established plan, making it the most reassuring construction site.
After visiting all five construction sites, it started snowing as expected, and it snowed for several days. Nie Qingqing simply made a phone call and told the children to stay in Haishi and spend the New Year with their uncle, aunt, and grandmother.
Although only she and Song Zhao were at home for the New Year this year, neither of them felt anything was wrong. Shumei's family also didn't go back because of the heavy snow. There were also Director Min, Qian Yurong, and others who would visit each other during the New Year.
Nie Qingqing urged Song Zhao to finalize the annual meeting for the new factory. She really liked these kinds of events and was more enthusiastic than Song Zhao.
When asked, "You moved to a new factory this year and received a large order before the new year. Mr. Zhong has also paid off the first installment. You should be happy. Do you have a plan for this year's annual meeting?"
Song Zhao said, "Yes, I booked a large lobby at Lehan's hotel. It's high-class enough, isn't it? After dinner, we were assigned dorm rooms. We were happy, weren't we?"
That's it?
"Isn't that enough?"
Nie Qingqing laughed at him, saying that the process was too rough and that she should do it herself.
Before dinner, those with talents and a love for performing were asked to play the accordion or sing songs to liven up the atmosphere. All participants received prizes. Then, outstanding employees were selected and awarded prizes. Next, all employees participated in a lucky draw with first, second, and third prizes, as well as consolation prizes. Everyone received a consolation prize. Nie Qingqing's consolation prize was an extra three days of paid leave for each person throughout the year. Finally, the grand finale, of course, was the assignment of dormitories.
Following this process ensures a lively and festive annual meeting. If you're going to hold one, you can't skimp on the details; that's what makes an annual meeting proper.
Assigning dormitories is the most important step. They are allocated according to seniority and rank. There are many people in the factory, and not every family can get one. The current allocation system is relatively fair and also has an incentive effect.
Song Zhao reassured everyone, saying that after the New Year, another dormitory building would be built, and they could distribute the loot again at next year's annual meeting.
Nie Qingqing quietly asked him, "Does the factory have enough funds?"
Song Zhao nodded: "Actually, we could build two buildings, but I don't want to. Sometimes you can't be too nice. Following the rules and regulations will save you a lot of trouble."
That's true. People are never satisfied. In terms of business philosophy, bosses like Song Zhao and Lawyer He are never lenient, but Nie Qingqing is not.
So, she can be a high-level employee, but being a boss is not her style.
The annual meeting went very well. The weather had just cleared up when it started snowing again. The factory and Yuanda were both on holiday. Let it snow, I guess. I can stay home, enjoy the warmth of the heating, and have hot pot. It sounds so pleasant.
...
The snow wasn't heavy, so the two of them didn't take the bus. Instead, they walked home hand in hand. Song Zhao pulled her scarf up to cover her mouth and nose to keep her warm, and he also put her hands in his pockets to keep them warm.
Nie Qingqing thought of the three children in Haishi and suddenly laughed: "Do you think Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan might grumble that their parents want to have some alone time and don't want them to come home? Xiaoyin definitely won't think that way, but Tangyuan might grumble a little."
Song Zhao laughed and said, "I get a headache as soon as they come back. There are so many meals to cook and so many questions to ask. Actually, I don't really miss them, but I really don't like it when you're away on business."
Nie Qingqing originally wanted to say that she had to get used to it, as she would be traveling frequently during her two or three years managing Yuanda.
Thinking about it, I put it another way: "Actually, I'm not used to it either, but every time I come back, it feels like I'm falling in love with you all over again, which is quite nice."
Really? If you feel that way, then Song Zhao is quite happy.
...
There was someone at my doorstep today, a boy about the same age as Tangyuan Xiaoyuan, still wearing an autumn coat. He was shivering in the cold wind, and his lips were turning blue.
Nie Qingqing didn't recognize him, and neither did Song Zhao, but they couldn't let the child continue to be exposed to the wind.
Just as she was about to step forward to ask him questions, Fangyan had already run downstairs like lightning: "Sister Qing, he said his name is Feng Hensheng and he came to see you. I told him to wait at my house, but he's so stubborn and refused. We've been waiting for ages. You two should go home and talk."
Feng Hensheng? Nie Qingqing and Song Zhao exchanged a glance, both of them taken aback. Wasn't that the child Mr. Zhong had entrusted to take care of?
When Mr. Zhong lent money to Song Zhao to build the factory, he also used the money to buy 10% of the shares, which were registered under Lawyer He's name. This dividend was for Feng Hensheng.
The child was released six months early, which must mean he had a reduced sentence due to good behavior.
Nie Qingqing quickly led him into the house, turned on the air conditioner to heat it up, and made him some hot tea to warm his hands. She asked, "How did you end up at my doorstep?"
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