New opportunities
Just as Meng Yihe had predicted.
Her mother's tone quickly shifted from joy to her usual anxious anticipation: "Now your position in the company is completely secure, right? What are your plans for the future? You can't let your guard down! While things are going well, you need to take another step forward..."
Then, the conversation naturally veered to another topic: "By the way, you need to start thinking about your personal life too. Now that you're successful and have such good prospects, you should pay more attention to it. The kid from Uncle Li's family that I mentioned to you last time, he just came back from abroad, he's an Omega, what do you think..."
Her mother's words were like a string of dense raindrops, striking Meng Yihe's nerves, which had just relaxed.
The joy of success was quickly overshadowed, replaced by a heavy sense of pressure and constraint.
As he listened to his mother's plans, the image of Cui Yu's gaze as she draped her coat over him last night, and her low, somber words, "Happy to cooperate," flashed through his mind once more, seemingly out of place.
A strong sense of irritability and resistance welled up in his heart.
He took a deep breath, interrupting his mother, his voice somewhat stiff: "Mom, I know what I'm doing. I have things to do at the company, I'll hang up now." Without waiting for his mother's response, he hung up the phone.
The room fell silent instantly, with only sunlight and dust motes dancing in the air. Meng Yihe sat on the edge of the bed, feeling her hangover headache intensify.
Did he succeed?
Yes.
But is he happy?
The relief he felt after being relieved of his burden lasted less than one night; his family's expectations, like an invisible net, continued to weigh on him.
Outside this net, the figure with the scent of cedar, whose laughter always vexed him, seemed like a dangerous yet alluring exit.
He threw himself back onto the bed, pulled the covers over his head, trying to shut himself out of everything, and eventually drifted off to sleep, only to be awakened by hunger at noon. He subconsciously checked his work emails and messages. Even knowing it was a holiday, he couldn't help but want to make sure the project hadn't gone wrong.
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the blinds as Meng Yihe sat on the living room sofa, trying to appear as if he were enjoying a rare vacation. An open copy of the latest architecture and spatial planning magazine lay before him, its pages smooth and its images exquisite—content he might normally find interesting.
However, at this moment, he could not keep his gaze on any page for more than thirty seconds.
The ingenious compositions and cutting-edge ideas seemed to be separated from his mind by a layer of frosted glass. His fingers unconsciously twirled the pages, making a soft rustling sound that only accentuated the silence in the room.
He got up and made himself a cup of black coffee, the movements mechanical. But when he returned to the sofa with the cup, he only took a sip before putting it down. The bitterness of the coffee seemed to exacerbate the lingering headache from the alcohol, even making him feel a little nauseous.
He picked up the remote and turned on the TV, aimlessly flipping through channels. The noisy variety shows bothered him; the dull news failed to capture his attention; and even the magnificent natural scenery in documentaries seemed uninteresting.
In the end, he simply left the screen on as background noise in an attempt to dispel the excessive silence, but this only made him feel more agitated.
The apartment was clean and quiet. But at this moment, it felt like an exquisite cage, every moment of silence amplifying the chaotic thoughts in his mind. His mother's words, the clinking of glasses last night, his teammates' smiling faces, the sudden weight and warmth on his shoulders... all the images and sounds uncontrollably intertwined and swirled in his mind.
He suddenly stood up from the sofa, unable to bear the torment of doing nothing any longer.
He was trying to escape his job and live a "normal" life, but every attempt failed. He needed to get out of here, he needed to move, he needed some fresh air.
No destination.
He changed into simple casual clothes and sneakers and walked out of the apartment building.
The afternoon sun was a bit too bright, and he squinted instinctively. Occasionally, elderly people walking their dogs and children playing would pass by in the neighborhood, creating a relaxed weekend atmosphere.
This kind of leisurely lifestyle was completely out of place for him.
He wandered aimlessly along the sidewalk, his pace slow and directionless. Before he knew it, he found himself on the path leading to the moat of the old town. The ancient city walls stood silently, the river flowed gently, and the trees on both banks were lush and verdant, casting dappled shade.
The pace suddenly slowed down.
Elderly people were fishing by the river, couples were strolling hand in hand, and tourists were taking photos.
Meng Yihe walked slowly along the riverside path, shutting out the noise from the opposite bank. All he could hear was the rustling of the wind through the leaves, the babbling of the water, and the sound of his own footsteps. His hands were in his pockets, and his gaze was unfocused on the water.
Cold, hard reason told him that he should think about the second phase of the project and how to deal with his mother's next call.
Think about all the “right” things.
But his thoughts, like the river, drifted uncontrollably elsewhere. The time he spent with his colleagues was etched into his memory more clearly than any business data.
While Meng Yihe was strolling along the moat, feeling uneasy, Cui Yu was in a completely different environment.
He did not stay in his apartment.
On a weekend afternoon, he appeared at a secluded but well-equipped equestrian club on the outskirts of the city. It was not a luxurious social venue, but more like a personal hobby.
At this moment, he had changed out of his usual impeccable suit and into a sharp riding outfit, skillfully brushing the mane of a tall, dark brown horse. His movements were slow and focused, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor as a strategist at the negotiating table or commanding his team.
Sunlight streamed through the roof window of the stable, illuminating the tiny dust particles dancing in the air. It was relatively quiet here, with only the occasional snort of the horses and the rustling of brushes against their fur. This kind of physical labor, which required extreme patience and concentration, seemed to effectively clear his overly busy mind.
However, his mind was not blank; the scenes from last night were still lingering in his mind.
Meng Yihe's slightly drunk and somewhat dazed and obedient eyes; the way he frowned slightly when he took the skewers but still lowered his head to eat them; especially the stiffness in the other person's eyes and the look of disgust when I inexplicably put my coat on him.
Every detail is magnified infinitely, allowing for repeated savoring.
"Looks like I really drank too much last night," he muttered to himself, as if speaking to the horse, or perhaps to himself.
"Brother!" A clear voice broke the tranquility of the stable.
Cui Yu turned around and saw her younger brother, Cui Xuyue, running excitedly towards her.
"Why are you here? Weren't you out playing with your classmates?" Cui Yu put down the brush, patted the horse's neck, and walked towards his younger brother.
"The event was canceled, so I came to find you." Cui Xuyue curiously peeked into the stable, her sharp eyes landing on her brother, and she blinked.
"Brother, you seem to be in a good mood. Is something good? Is the project a great success? Or...?" the boy drawled.
Cui Yu chuckled and reached out to ruffle her younger brother's hair: "Kids shouldn't ask such questions."
“I’m not a child anymore! I’m 15!” Cui Xuyue protested, but then leaned closer and lowered her voice, as if sharing a big secret.
"Brother, tell me the truth, is it related to that particularly fierce Brother Meng?"
He neither admitted nor denied it, but instead asked, "Why do you say that?"
"Intuition!" Cui Xuyue proudly raised her chin. "You were different when you mentioned him last time! Besides, what else could make you this happy now, besides a project?"
Cui Yu smiled, did not answer his brother's question, and turned to walk out of the stable.
"Let's go, I'll take you to that dessert shop you've been talking about for so long."
"Wow! Really? Long live brother!" Cui Xuyue's attention was immediately diverted, and she cheered.
Watching his younger brother's joyful figure disappear into the distance, Cui Yu's smile deepened.
He was indeed in a good mood. The success of the project was certainly gratifying, but what truly interested him was the refreshing and mellow taste of the cherry brandy.
The weekend button seems to have been quietly pressed.
Everything seemed to be back on track.
Meng Yihe arrived at the office earlier than usual, trying to cover up the inappropriate and chaotic thoughts of the weekend with absolute work order. He forced himself to focus on the email approval for the final work of the first phase of the "Spark Program".
However, this deliberately maintained calm was soon shattered.
At 10:00 AM, the chief secretary in the president's office made a direct internal call: "Director Meng, Director Cui, President Wang requests that you both come to the top-floor conference room now."
The order came suddenly and directly.
Meng Yihe and Cui Yu came out of their respective offices at almost the same time and met at the elevator entrance.
"Good morning," Cui Yu said first, looking radiant. His gaze lingered on Meng Yihe's face for a moment, as if searching for something.
Meng Yihe avoided his gaze, simply nodded slightly, and whispered "Good morning" before stepping into the elevator first.
The elevator car was cramped, and there were only the two of them inside.
The air was so quiet you could hear each other breathing.
Meng Yihe could feel the probing gazes directed at him from the side, which made the skin on the back of his neck tighten. He stared intently at the constantly changing floor numbers, as if they were the most important thing in the world.
Top floor conference room.
Vice President Wang was already sitting there, a very satisfied smile on his face.
"You're here? Please have a seat."
He gestured for the two to sit down and got down to business.
“You did a fantastic job with the first phase of the ‘Spark Program’! The board is very satisfied; the results have far exceeded expectations.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping between Cui Yu and Meng Yihe, his tone becoming more solemn: "That's why the group has decided to entrust you with an even more important task."
He gestured to his assistant to push two thick confidentiality agreements in front of the two men.
"The group secretly negotiated and acquired a highly promising plot of land in the core area of the North District. The original plan was to develop a high-end office building. However, the board of directors has seen your innovative capabilities and execution ability demonstrated in the 'Xinghua Plaza' project and has decided to change the original plan."
Vice President Wang leaned forward, his voice low but filled with barely suppressed excitement: "The group hopes that the two of you will join forces again to lead the development of a brand-new, high-end urban complex project, tentatively named 'Beichen Zhiguang' (North Star Light)."
"This is not a renovation, but a start from scratch. It not only needs to have the unique experience and commercial vitality of 'Xinghua Plaza', but also needs to integrate the most cutting-edge technology and environmental protection concepts. The goal is to create a new landmark and core of commercial culture for the city in the future. This is a strategic project for the group's future. The resources invested, the expectations, and the challenges faced will far exceed those of the 'Spark Plan'."
Vice President Wang looked at them and asked, "So, are you confident in taking on this responsibility?" It was a huge challenge, but also an unparalleled opportunity and a sign of trust.
Cui Yu and Meng Yihe exchanged a glance.
“Of course,” Cui Yu said first, his tone calm and confident. “Thank you for the Group’s trust.”
Meng Yihe nodded immediately, "We accept the challenge."
"Great!" Vice President Wang slapped the table happily.
"A detailed preliminary research report and land information have been sent to your email. You have a week to familiarize yourself with them, and next week I would like to see your initial ideas and team building plan."
The meeting has ended.
Stepping out of the conference room, Cui Yu turned to look at Meng Yihe, a smile playing on his lips: "It seems our 'pleasant cooperation' will continue for quite some time, Director Meng."
The launch of the "North Star Light" project was like a shot in the arm, getting the entire team up and running at high speed again. Initial ideas, team building, resource applications, and countless other things needed to be handled immediately.
A few days later, an important opportunity arose.
A high-profile urban development forum dinner, spearheaded by the municipal government, is about to be held, attended by giants from the city's real estate and financial sectors, as well as numerous partners. This is an unmissable occasion for Cui Yu and Meng Yihe, who are seeking potential partners for the "Beichen Light" project and expanding their influence.
At the banquet, glasses clinked and toasts were exchanged.
Cui Yu and Meng Yihe attended together, representing Xinghuan Group and the "Northern Star Light" project. Both were top-tier Alphas with tall, handsome figures, attracting a lot of attention as soon as they entered.
They worked together seamlessly. One was responsible for making small talk and exchanging pleasantries, while the other focused on having brief and precise conversations with the target person.
The CEO of a building materials company with a long-term cooperative relationship with Shengshi Group walked over with his daughter. The Omega heiress greeted them with grace and poise, but her eyes remained fixed intently on Meng Yihe.
"Director Meng, I've long admired your name! I'm Li Qingchen. I've always admired your boldness and vision in the 'Spark Program'." She smiled and handed over a wine glass.
Meng Yihe accepted it out of politeness, her expression distant and courteous: "Miss Li, you flatter me."
Li Qingchen, however, seemed oblivious to his coldness. Instead, she moved even closer and began to enthusiastically inquire about the concept of "Northern Star Light," her words filled with curiosity and admiration for Meng Yihe. Her father also chimed in with a smile.
Meng Yihe frowned slightly, trying to keep his distance, but his good manners prevented him from being too impolite, so he could only respond somewhat stiffly.
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