Director Meng isn't very charismatic.
Upon arrival in Pingcheng, the group settled in briefly before heading straight to their first destination – "Pingcheng Art Gallery," a successful transformation of an old textile factory. Autumn sunlight streamed through the well-preserved industrial trusses, creating dappled patterns. The old and new buildings blended seamlessly, with trendy shops and art exhibitions scattered throughout, exuding vitality.
As soon as Meng Yihe entered the park, his professional instincts were fully activated. His eyes scanned like a scanner, quickly assessing the circulation plan, brand mix, utilization of public spaces, and the integration of art and commerce. He would occasionally take photos with his phone or quickly jot down key points on his tablet, his expression focused and calm. Occasionally, he would nod slightly at a clever idea, but most of the time he remained that critical and scrutinizing look.
Cui Yu focuses on operational details. He pays attention to whether the paving material is wear-resistant, inquires about the update frequency and cost of the wayfinding system, and observes the distribution and cleanliness of the trash cans. He might even chat with randomly selected shop assistants to understand the usual customer flow and the property management's response speed. He still wears that faint smile on his face, but his questions are increasingly precise and practical.
Inside a high-ceilinged bookstore converted from an old boiler room, the two were simultaneously drawn to a design—the designer utilized the original industrial piping system to transform it into a spiral staircase and lighting installation that runs through two floors, preserving historical traces while creating a visually striking effect.
"This idea of reusing the pipeline is ingenious," Meng Yihe couldn't help but murmur, her tone filled with rare pure admiration. "The cost is controllable, and the effect is outstanding."
“Indeed.” Cui Yu’s voice came from beside him; he had somehow moved to the same viewpoint as him. “And look, it connects the best-selling area on the first floor with the rest area on the second floor, naturally guiding customer flow and increasing the visitor rate and dwell time in the second-floor area. This operational ingenuity is no less than that of the design.”
Meng Yihe glanced at Cui Yu with some surprise and found that the other was also looking at the device, with the same professional scrutiny and appreciation in his eyes.
At this moment, there was no debate, no calculation. There was only unanimous recognition of the excellence of the case.
Their eyes met briefly in the air, each seemingly understanding the affirmation in the other's gaze, before simultaneously looking away to continue their own observations. But a subtle feeling of being "fellow travelers" quietly began to grow within them.
During the inspection, we passed by a slightly slippery indoor landscape pool.
Meng Yihe was looking down at the photos he had just taken on his phone, not paying attention to his footing. Cui Yu was talking to the project team when she quickly reached out and gently touched his elbow.
"Watch the road, Director Meng." His tone was incredibly natural, without even interrupting his own conversation with others, as if it were just something he did casually.
Meng Yihe was taken aback, then steadied herself. The "meddlesome" that was on the tip of her tongue inexplicably stuck in her throat when she saw his profile, still turned to communicate with the project team. She simply pursed her lips and whispered, "...Understood."
The entire inspection process was efficient and efficient. Most of the time, the two focused on their respective fields, and their exchanges mainly revolved around professional issues.
Dinner was arranged at an elegant creative cuisine restaurant inside "Pingcheng Art Gallery," hosted by the project manager. The huge floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the brightly lit park at night, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Naturally, there was plenty of toasting and polite conversation among industry professionals.
Although Meng Yihe had little interest in such occasions, his excellent professionalism allowed him to maintain a semblance of propriety. He was only a man of few words, occasionally offering a concise and insightful observation when the topic touched upon core issues.
Most of the time, he just listened quietly, barely touching the food in front of him.
In contrast, Cui Yu seemed to be in his element.
He handled the toasts with ease, his humorous remarks always eliciting laughter and skillfully maintaining the atmosphere at the table. But he never forgot the purpose of his trip, and after a joke, he would subtly steer the conversation towards deeper operational details.
For example: "What is the specific data conversion rate of the membership system and integrated marketing that Mr. Wang just mentioned?"
"How are the labor costs for security and cleaning controlled when the park is open until 10 p.m.?"
The questions are both professional and won't embarrass the other person.
Although Meng Yihe remained outwardly calm, he meticulously listened to every question Cui Yu asked and every answer. Occasionally, he would quickly jot down a few keywords in his phone's notes app. He had to admit that beneath this guy's joking exterior lay an extremely sharp business mind and a clear sense of purpose.
The project manager clearly admired Cui Yu, and said to him with a smile, "President Cui is truly young and promising. Not only is he professional, but he also has a great capacity for alcohol, and his personality is impeccable! Unlike us old guys."
Cui Yu raised his glass and smiled, his tone humble yet pointed: "President Wang, you flatter me. It's mainly because our Director Meng has a unique strategic vision and high standards. If I don't keep up with the details, I won't be able to explain myself when I get back."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over Meng Yihe with a half-smile.
Meng Yihe, who was picking up a piece of green vegetable, paused almost imperceptibly upon hearing this. She looked up and met Cui Yu's gaze, replying calmly, "Director Cui is too modest. Your 'calculation' is more shrewd than anyone else's." Like a reincarnated abacus, of course, Meng Yihe could only think this to herself. Her tone was unreadable, yet it subtly enlivened the atmosphere at the table.
After the banquet, it was late at night when they returned to their hotel. The two teams said goodbye at the elevator and went back to their rooms.
Meng Yihe was standing in front of her room when she heard footsteps behind her. She had just taken her room key out of her suit pocket when she heard footsteps behind her.
Cui Yu also came over and stopped at the doorway next to him. "Mr. Meng didn't eat much tonight. Was the food not to your liking?"
As Cui Yu touched his room key, he asked, his voice lower than usual due to being slightly drunk.
Meng Yihe continued swiping her card, and the door lock opened with a "beep".
"I'm okay, not hungry."
Cui Yu seemed to chuckle softly and opened the door as well.
Just as Meng Yihe was about to push open the door, he heard Cui Yu's voice again. "The hotel restaurant should be open quite late for supper. If your stomach isn't feeling well, having some hot porridge is better than going empty-handed. There are two projects to run tomorrow, so Director Meng, don't fall behind because of exhaustion." After saying that, he didn't wait for Meng Yihe's response and went into his room first.
The door closed with a soft click.
Meng Yihe was the only one left in the corridor. He gripped the doorknob and stood there for two seconds.
Cui Yu's words still seemed to linger in my ears, carrying a faint scent of alcohol.
He subconsciously pressed his stomach, which was indeed a little sore and uncomfortable, pursed his lips, and finally pushed open the door and went in.
The room was quiet.
Meng Yihe took off his suit jacket, loosened his tie, and felt a wave of fatigue wash over him. He walked to the minibar, habitually picking up a can of coffee, but his fingers paused as they touched the cold can. The bowl of pumpkin porridge on his desk flashed through his mind, along with the seemingly teasing but actually cautionary remark he'd just made.
He paused for a moment, then finally put down the coffee can, picked up the phone in the room, and dialed room service: "Hello, could you please send a bowl of congee and a side dish to room 401? Thank you."
After hanging up the phone, he walked to the window and looked at the night view of Pingcheng below.
In this unfamiliar city, with the presence of a familiar yet disliked "rival," he no longer felt entirely isolated. This feeling stirred a strange unease within him, yet he couldn't ignore the faint anticipation rising in his stomach because of the bowl of hot porridge that was about to be served…
The next day, upon waking, we were off to our second destination, Nanzhou.
When the plane landed in Nanzhou, the weather was slightly muggy.
In stark contrast to the artsy and bohemian atmosphere of Pingcheng, Nanzhou exudes the hustle and bustle of a metropolis. After checking into the hotel, the group didn't rest for long before heading directly to the second stop of their trip—Nanzhou MixC Mall.
Upon arrival, its enormous size is truly impressive.
This is not a converted old building, but a large, enclosed shopping mall with a modern design and full functionality. The huge glass curtain wall glitters in the sunlight, and the musical fountain in the entrance plaza attracts many families with children. The mall is bustling with people, and shopping carts and strollers move back and forth constantly.
Meng Yihe's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly almost immediately.
Compared to his ideal "blueprint" full of design and uniqueness, this place seemed too standardized and commercialized. The air was filled with the mixed smells of popcorn, coffee, and perfume, as well as the scent of pheromones. Bright lights, uniform shop signs, familiar international fast fashion brands... everything was efficient and clean, but it seemed to lack a certain "soul" that could make people's hearts flutter.
“The flow of people is indeed astonishing,” Cui Yu remarked from the side.
He was observing the customer flow statistics display screen at the entrance and the distribution of several main entrances and exits: "The circulation design is very clever. The locations of the anchor stores and secondary anchor stores can effectively drive the customer flow of the entire mall."
"But it lacks surprises, doesn't it?" Meng Yihe replied indifferently. "All the shops look almost the same, and the brand mix is largely the same. Why would consumers choose to come here?"
“Because it’s stable, convenient, and offers a wide range of choices, it can meet the basic needs of everyone in a family, from the elderly to the young.” Cui Yu answered quickly, clearly familiar with this area. “Look at the promotional area in the atrium, it’s packed with people. This kind of efficient monetization is something many cultural and creative projects can hardly match.”
The sparks of controversy were ignited from the moment they arrived.
Just as Meng Yihe and Cui Yu were having a quiet debate about the pros and cons of standardized mall design, a gentle yet clear voice broke in.
"Excuse me, may I bother you?"
The two stopped talking at the same time and looked in the direction of the sound.
A young man who looked to be in his mid-twenties stood not far away, dressed in a well-fitting mall management uniform with a "Customer Experience Supervisor" badge pinned to his chest. He had delicate features, a gentle demeanor, and a professional yet friendly smile. A faint, sweet, and not cloying scent of white peach oolong tea pheromones wafted over—he was an Omega.
"The two gentlemen seemed very interested in our mall and discussed it for quite a while."
The Omega supervisor smiled, his gaze politely sweeping between Cui Yu and Meng Yihe, but ultimately seemed to lean more towards Cui Yu, whose face still held a hint of a smile.
"I'm Lin, the Customer Experience Manager here. Do you two have any questions, or would you like me to explain anything to you?"
His attitude was very professional, but the Omega's naturally gentle temperament and comforting pheromones made the interruption seem natural.
Almost instantly, Cui Yu switched to his business-like, gentle demeanor, took a half-step forward, and naturally took over the conversation, smiling as he said, "Hello, Manager Lin, you have excellent judgment. We are indeed colleagues, having come from out of town specifically to learn from MixC's successful experience."
His sincere tone made people feel good about him.
"I was just marveling at the efficiency of your atrium's visitor flow conversion."
Meng Yihe remained silent, offering only a slight nod in greeting. His gaze quickly swept over the supervisor, Lin, before returning to his surroundings. He seemed somewhat impatient with the social interruption, yet maintained basic politeness. His pheromones subtly tightened; he never liked being distracted by irrelevant factors at work, especially when it involved a second gender.
Manager Lin's smile deepened, clearly pleased with Cui Yu's compliments.
“You flatter me. We’re just trying our best to provide excellent service. If you two are interested in customer flow or tenant management, I can share some data that isn’t confidential…” His gaze unconsciously lingered on Cui Yu a couple more times.
"That's wonderful, I couldn't be happier," Cui Yu replied with a smile, engaging in fluent conversation with the other party.
I asked a few questions about the membership system and customer complaint handling process, which made me appear both professional and not overly in-depth.
During this process, Meng Yihe noticed that the Omega supervisor's attention was almost entirely focused on Cui Yu, and the admiration in his eyes went beyond mere professional considerations. A sense of irritation inexplicably arose within him, as if his domain had been violated, though he couldn't quite define whether this domain was "discussion" or something else. He gave a barely perceptible snort, so soft it was almost inaudible.
Cui Yu seemed to sense something. In between answering Manager Lin's question, he very naturally turned his head and said to Meng Yihe as if seeking her opinion, "By the way, Manager Meng, about the issue you just mentioned regarding the traffic flow, would you also like to hear Manager Lin's opinion?"
He changed "Director Meng" to a more ordinary title, and at the same time threw a topic to Meng Yihe, bringing him back to the center of the conversation and interrupting Manager Lin's continued focus.
Meng Yihe glanced at Cui Yu, receiving a signal from his eyes. He suppressed his displeasure and took the opportunity to ask a rather sharp technical question, instantly steer the conversation back to a purely professional level.
Supervisor Lin paused for a moment, seemingly only then truly noticing the usually silent but somewhat cold-looking "Manager Meng," and quickly began to answer earnestly. After exchanging a few more words, Cui Yu politely ended the brief conversation, saying, "I won't take up too much of your time." Supervisor Lin left somewhat reluctantly, and the corridor returned to silence.
Cui Yu turned his head to look at Meng Yihe, raised his eyebrows slightly, and smiled knowingly. He lowered his voice and said, "Director Meng, you're not very charming. Even Manager Lin didn't pay much attention to you."
Meng Yihe retorted coldly, "Not as good as Director Cui, who can display his feathers anytime, anywhere. It seems your investigation was quite thorough?"
The sarcasm in his tone was even stronger than usual.
Cui Yu chuckled softly, stopping her teasing, and gestured ahead: "Let's go, Director Meng. Let's go see just how much money that 'unsurprising' children's area you complained about actually makes."
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