Zhou ShÃyì returned to his office where Zhan Liang handed him a tablet.
“President Zhou, the flagship store for the furniture brand sent the proposal. Please have a look.”
This office furniture brand had been a supplier to Kuncheng Group for years. He sent the boss’s requirements last night and already received the design proposals this morning.
“There are three designs based on different styles, though we’re not sure which one Director Yan prefers.”
Zhou ShÃyì didn’t look at the designs. “Pick the most expensive one. It should make him reluctant to leave his office.”
“…$389.”
Zhan Liang put away the tablet. “President Zhou, I emailed your schedule for next week.”
Zhou ShÃyì nodded and opened it. Only two events were scheduled, no other plans.
After three consecutive months of hard work, Kuncheng Motors was finally on the right track under his management.
“I’ll visit Ruichi this afternoon.”
Zhan Liang was surprised and slow to respond, “I’ll immediately schedule with President Shen’s secretary.”
“Are you going to discuss cooperation with President Shen?” he asked, curious.
Zhou ShÃyì said, “Not talking about anything. Just going to see him.”
At this moment, a visit to Shen Chi would surely upset him.
***
Ruichi Tower.
After lunch break, Shen Chi was as shocked as Zhan Liang when his secretary reported the news.
“Zhou ShÃyì wants to see me?”
Secretary: “…Assistant Zhan said that on the phone.”
“Is he bored?”
The secretary didn’t dare reply.
Shen Chi told his wife: [What’s he up to now?]
Zhang Nuoxu: [I don’t know what Zhou ShÃyì wants, but the price war—you should stop it. No one can afford to keep going.]
[If you insist on competing with Zhou ShÃyì and care about him so much, it makes me wonder if you like me.]
Shen Chi wanted to laugh, [No need to provoke me. Just say I like you and must compete with Zhou ShÃyì.]
Zhang Nuoxu: [I’m not provoking. You care too much about a betrothal partner you never even held hands with.]
Shen Chi: [My concern for him has nothing to do with you.]
Zhang Nuoxu guessed: [It’s about Zhong Yì?]
Shen Chi: [Even less about Zhong Yì. It’s about Yan Tinglin.]
Zhang Nuoxu:
Completely unexpected.
Shen Chi: [The price war is my business. Whether I can afford it or not, I won’t reduce your monthly allowance. Also, please don’t use that allowance to buy Kuncheng stock. By the way, I’m moving back to the master bedroom tonight.]
Zhang Nuoxu wasn’t short of money, but since he gave her a card, she naturally kept it.
After all, they were in this for the long haul.
Her advice to stop the price war was sincere, but futile.
[You keep living in the guest room until your IQ is up to standard, then come back.]
Shen Chi didn’t reply anymore because the unexpected visitor’s car had arrived downstairs.
It was only a three-to-five-minute drive from Kuncheng Tower to Ruichi.
While chatting with his wife, Zhou ShÃyì arrived.
Though mortal enemies, proper hospitality was a must.
Shen Chi had the secretary brew the best tea and received his rival in the office.
Neither wanted to discuss the price war.
Shen Chi placed a tea cup in front of him.
Zhou ShÃyì casually nodded towards the office, “You focus on your work.”
Shen Chi smirked, “President Zhou didn’t come just for tea, right?”
Zhou ShÃyì: “Actually, I was passing by for tea. Min Ting asked me to come see you.”
Shen Chi tried to keep his expression steady.
Realizing they had nothing to say in private and didn’t want to talk about Yan Tinglin (which only made him angry), the only topic was the price war.
“You shouldn’t have announced Lù Chéng’s attendance at the auto show so early. By then, there won’t be any surprises. Marketing must learn expectation management.”
Zhou ShÃyì: “My marketing is different from yours.”
“But at the auto show, you won’t have any aces left.”
Zhou ShÃyì smiled faintly, sipped tea, and said, “The tea’s good.”
Shen Chi bluntly said, “Ruichi is launching new cars that day, more than one model. See? I already showed you my cards.”
Zhou ShÃyì didn’t reply, having already guessed they would unveil new models.
With half a cup of tea left, he clinked cups in the air, “On the 10th, neither I nor Yan Tinglin knew you were getting your marriage license. Congratulations on your wedding.”
After speaking, he finished the tea.
No matter what, they grew up playing together. Even with conflicts in adulthood, such an important life event didn’t need to be used to spite each other.
***
After explaining, Zhou ShÃyì stood to leave. “You’re busy, I won’t disturb you.”
Only then did Shen Chi realize the real purpose of Zhou ShÃyì’s visit.
It was to personally apologize.
Also to clear up misunderstandings between him and Yan Tinglin.
Zhou ShÃyì left Ruichi Tower and instructed his driver to stop by a flower shop.
Busy with company matters lately, he hadn’t bought flowers for Zhong Yì in a long time.
On the way to the flower shop, he received a call from his mother.
Shi Fanyin asked if they needed to prepare anything special for the day he brought Zhong Yì home.
Zhou ShÃyì: “Just treat it like I’m still unmarried and bringing my first girlfriend home. You decide what to prepare.”
Shi Fanyin understood. The regret of not having brought Zhong Yì home earlier was something he still wanted to make up for.
“Then you didn’t propose or get engaged back then. What about those?”
Zhou ShÃyì: “Those will be made up for too. Won’t miss a thing.”
That wedding was for show. The proposal and engagement were their emotional ceremonies and didn’t conflict.
Shi Fanyin pressed, “What about the wedding?”
Zhou ShÃyì: “I’ll give her another one, at the Windmill Village she likes.”
He told his mother, “Don’t tell Zhong Yì yet.”
Besides him, only Shi Fanyin knew about this plan.
Shi Fanyin suddenly felt life had color again, after days of being frustrated with Zhou Yunlian.
“Is there a chance to order that wedding dress you liked for Zhong Yì? Or do you have one in mind?”
Zhou ShÃyì: “No.”
Shi Fanyin eagerly said, “Then I’ll contact the designer later.”
Although the previous wedding dress was a simple sheer veil, she still felt it was a pity Zhong Yì hadn’t worn the original.
Who would have thought there was a second chance?
At least it made up for one regret.
“When are you planning the wedding?”
Zhou ShÃyì hadn’t set a date, “After the project ends.”
“That gives enough time.”
Shi Fanyin was in a great mood. “I’ll invite your mother-in-law tonight. This time, we’ll properly discuss the wedding. Can’t let your dad and Jiang Jingyuan make decisions again. They’re unreliable!”
While happy, she thought about the Windmill Village wedding and realized many elders from both sides, including grandparents, wouldn’t be able to attend.
“It’ll have to be a small ceremony.”
Zhou ShÃyì: “We never planned to invite many people—about forty or fifty.”
“Tell me early who you want to invite so I can help with visas,” Shi Fanyin reminded. “Don’t forget to invite Yang Xi.”
Zhou ShÃyì: “I won’t.”
Shi Fanyin laughed, “Then you two will have two wedding anniversaries? If you have another wedding, Jiang Jingyuan will probably cry again.”
Zhou ShÃyì thought about his parents’ once-every-four-year anniversary. “Maybe you and my dad should divorce and remarry?”
“Forget it. Who wants to marry the same person again after thirty years?
“Besides, my husband would never divorce. He keeps the marriage certificate in a safe. I don’t even know the code.”
Shi Fanyin changed the subject. “Let’s not talk about me and your dad. Don’t spoil the mood.
“What kind of wedding do you want for Zhong Yì? Zhong Zhuóhuá and I know your heart well.”
Zhou ShÃyì: “You and my mother-in-law only need to prepare the wedding dress and jewelry. I’ll handle the wedding myself.”
He once thought about giving her everything. “She won’t have less than others. If they have it, how can she not?”