After they finished playing, the two headed straight back to the changing room.
The Aurora Tennis Club was fully equipped— even the shower area was complete— so Meng Chu took the opportunity to shower and change back into her previous clothes.
After using the hairdryer in the changing room to dry her hair, she finally stepped out.
Cheng Jinyu noticed her carrying her bag and walked over to ask, “Hungry?”
Though she had eaten before coming, after all that exercise, she definitely was.
Meng Chu nodded without hesitation. Cheng Jinyu raised his chin slightly. “There’s food in the lounge area. Let’s go sit for a bit.”
Saying that, he took the tennis bag from her hand and led the way.
Meng Chu followed behind.
When they arrived at the lounge, Meng Chu noticed just how spacious it was.
A huge wall of floor-to-ceiling windows was still bright against the night, and the outdoor courts were lit up with massive floodlights. Players were still vigorously rallying on the courts.
“Let’s sit by the window,” Meng Chu pointed toward it.
Cheng Jinyu, originally about to lead her to the VIP lounge, paused.
Instead, he followed her to a spot next to the window.
No sooner had they sat down than a lounge attendant approached and handed them a special menu.
Meng Chu took it, a bit surprised. She muttered, “They even have menus.”
“The food here’s not bad, and the drinks are good too,” Cheng Jinyu remarked casually.
Meng Chu asked directly, “Which do you recommend?”
Cheng Jinyu pointed at several dishes on the menu, but Meng Chu quickly stopped him. “No, no. Let’s not order too much. We won’t finish it all.”
After the attendant left, Meng Chu stared out at the tennis court.
Two players on the court were locked in an intense match.
Though she looked toward them, Meng Chu was clearly spaced out.
“What are you thinking about?” Cheng Jinyu saw her resting her chin on one hand, lost in thought.
Slowly, Meng Chu turned her gaze back. “I’m thinking, if I really meet Boss Zheng Feng this weekend, how should I convince him?”
Cheng Jinyu scoffed, “By just talking?”
His words seemed to snap her out of her daze.
Her eyes widened. “Exactly. Someone like Zheng Feng can’t be convinced by words alone.”
Then, her eyes lit up like they were filled with dazzling stars as she stared straight at Cheng Jinyu. “You should know who’s in charge of this tennis club. Could you introduce me?”
–
Twenty minutes later.
The manager of Aurora Tennis Club arrived hurriedly after receiving Cheng Jinyu’s call.
“Manager Wang, long time no see,” Cheng Jinyu greeted him proactively.
Manager Wang beamed. “Director Cheng, it’s been a while since you last came.”
Cheng Jinyu replied coolly, “Work’s been busy.”
“Of course, you’re a very busy man,” Manager Wang said with a wide smile.
Cheng Jinyu gestured to an empty seat beside them. “Why don’t we sit and chat?”
They sat at a round table with a vacant chair, and Manager Wang immediately took the seat.
Manager Wang looked over at Meng Chu. He knew every member of the club personally, but she was a new face.
However, since she had come with Cheng Jinyu, Manager Wang didn’t dare neglect her.
“I’m Wang Yang, manager of Aurora Club. Here’s my card. I believe this is your first time visiting the club,” Manager Wang said as he handed over his card.
Meng Chu smiled lightly. “I’m Meng Chu. Yes, it’s my first time here.”
Manager Wang immediately asked, “May I ask how you find your first experience? Are the club’s facilities and services satisfactory? If there’s anything we can improve, please let me know.”
Meng Chu nodded. “Everything is very good.”
But the real reason she had asked Cheng Jinyu to bring Manager Wang over was something else entirely.
“Clubs like Aurora are membership-based. There should be quite a few member activities regularly, right?” Meng Chu asked casually.
Thinking she was interested in the club’s member events, Manager Wang enthusiastically began to explain.
“Of course. Every month we have a variety of member activities: tournaments, private membership-only tennis parties. Our members are all from business circles, which is great for expanding social networks. We even have exclusive VIP boxes at the annual Shanghai Masters.”
Meng Chu nodded, her face showing genuine interest.
She looked at Manager Wang and smiled lightly. “I forgot to introduce myself earlier— I’m the Operations Director at Xingyuan Technology. Our company specializes in developing quadruped robots and humanoid robots.”
Manager Wang was taken aback, not sure why she had brought that up, but quickly recovered.
“That’s right, robots are very popular in China. Last year, a domestic tennis tournament even introduced robot performances during breaks.”
“Yes,” Meng Chu replied. “Because of the AI robot boom, I wanted to discuss a potential cooperation. We want to work with your club to hold a Family Day where members can interact closely with our robots.”
Manager Wang looked stunned but remained calm.
Meng Chu was confident she could persuade him. “You may not know this, but our robots have partnered with many entertainment companies. For example, the mid-game robot dog performances at basketball games were all provided by us.”
Manager Wang hurried to respond, “Ms. Meng, I know those robot performances are very popular. But the cost must be high.”
He was no stranger to big events.
Naturally, just the lighting could cost over ten thousand per day.
A performance event could easily cost over a hundred thousand yuan.
Coincidentally, the club had previously considered robot activities for an event, but the price was too steep to proceed.
Now, with this opportunity seemingly falling into their laps, Manager Wang wanted to take it—but worried about the cost.
“That’s why I said it’s a cooperation,” Meng Chu explained. “We provide the robots and handle the performances and interaction. Your club provides the venue and invites as many members as possible to participate.”
At this, Manager Wang caught the hidden meaning behind her words.
This wasn’t just a random windfall.
This was a valuable opportunity brought by the right person.
“Are there any particular members you’d especially like to invite?” Manager Wang asked cautiously.
Meng Chu smiled faintly, lowering her hook.
“I understand that member information is strictly confidential. We can discuss that in detail later.”
Manager Wang exhaled in relief. “Thank you for your understanding, Ms. Meng.”
Still, he asked, “When do you plan to hold this event?”
“This weekend,” Meng Chu answered without hesitation.
Manager Wang was shocked. He instinctively looked to Cheng Jinyu as if seeking help.
But Cheng Jinyu had handed the conversation’s reins fully over to Meng Chu from the start.
“Isn’t that a bit rushed?” Manager Wang finally said.
Meng Chu said confidently, “Don’t worry. We’ve held several Open Day events before, so you don’t need to be concerned.”
Manager Wang laughed awkwardly. “It’s not that I doubt you. It’s just that we’re inviting members on short notice. I’m worried they might not have time to come.”
Meng Chu smiled slightly. “If the event is interesting enough, I think many parents will bring their children to participate.”
Manager Wang seemed to understand her implication.
He quickly said, “Ms. Meng, why don’t I add you on WeChat so we can coordinate the event details?”
Meng Chu nodded. “Sure.”
They exchanged contacts.
After a short while, Manager Wang took the initiative to leave.
“This event you mentioned is very attractive. I’ll coordinate with the team on the schedule now.”
“Great, thank you,” Meng Chu nodded.
After seeing him off, Meng Chu finally let out a deep breath.
“Good idea,” Cheng Jinyu said quietly, smiling softly at her.
Meng Chu said, “I was prepared with a whole speech to convince Manager Wang, but it turned out I didn’t need to use any of it.”
Cheng Jinyu picked up his glass and took a sip. “Membership-based clubs like this charge expensive fees every year, and members don’t just come to play tennis. The club naturally has to go all out to keep members—so they have to be creative.”
“Is it to expand social circles?” Meng Chu nodded knowingly.
Compared to badminton or table tennis, tennis is generally a sport favored by the middle class or wealthy.
Just the court fees at Aurora Club were 600 yuan per hour.
Not to mention the cost of tennis coaching.
Here, they weren’t just playing tennis—they were playing the social game, building networks.
Meng Chu increasingly thought her idea was solid.
After all, the club’s members were likely affluent or influential.
Once these people attended the event and showed interest in their products, it could lead to potential partnerships.