RAHHSFL - Chapter 64

Chapter 64

With the Spring Festival approaching, business at "Ju Tavern" was booming. Qin Juran's projects were also flourishing; the shops she'd promoted were thrilled, many personally calling to express their gratitude or to continue their collaboration.

Many other businesses, hoping to capitalize on the Spring Festival rush, were also reaching out with offers.

Qin Juran became increasingly busy, and Ruan Nan spent most of her time assisting her, gradually discovering a growing interest in this field.

Initially, the team members felt some reservation, but seeing Ruan Nan's genuine dedication, her frequent organization of team dinners, and the small gifts she often brought, they eventually accepted her, one by one.

The two hadn't deliberately concealed their relationship. Although they hadn't explicitly defined it, nothing seemed to hinder the involuntary smiles that graced their faces whenever they saw each other.

Lin Wei and Zhou Ziqing traveled together in Europe. Lin Wei sent photos to Ruan Nan, telling her about the Swiss spa he'd booked and that if she and Qin Juran wanted to join them, first-class plane tickets were on him. Ruan Nan, looking at the message, hesitated for a while but ultimately didn't ask Qin Juran.

Qin Juran's busy startup was one reason; another was that they had just collaborated with a few businesses and, through video production and soft marketing, had earned some money. Ruan Nan was reluctant to let Qin Juran spend these precious early-stage funds on extravagant travel with her.

She didn't want Qin Juran to feel any burden in that regard.

They were busy right up until a few days before the Spring Festival. Qin Juran had promised to return home a week before the holiday, but during that week, she took on another project. Since her team hadn't left yet, she stayed with them to oversee it. Qin Juran explained the situation to Qin Haotian, saying she might return a bit late. Qin Haotian said as long as she was back for the Spring Festival itself, it was fine. However, he called again the next evening.

Qin Juran was taking a shower, so Ruan Nan answered. Qin Haotian enthusiastically asked Ruan Nan how their work was going in S City and told her to let him know if they needed money.

Ruan Nan replied with a smile to each of his inquiries. Qin Haotian's voice was filled with uncontainable joy, but then, as if remembering something, he asked with a hint of concern, "Nan Nan, you've been with Ranran at school for so long, does your family have any objections?"

Ruan Nan paused. Qin Haotian's attitude was clear, and Ruan Nan felt no need to hide anything: "It's okay, Uncle. My family is busy; they don't really keep track of me."

"No, no matter how busy, they should still ask what you're doing, right?"

Ruan Nan wasn't sure how to respond. Qin Haotian then realized his misstep and quickly apologized: "Nan Nan, no, Uncle, that's not what I meant. Uncle knows Ranran likes you, and you've helped our family so much. Uncle treats you like my own daughter, so I asked a bit too much. Don't mind me; I won't ask anymore..."

Ruan Nan smiled, gently smoothing out the two creases she'd pressed into the sofa: "It's okay, Uncle. I like this, this feeling of being cared for by you."

"It's very warm."

“That’s good, that’s good. Nan Nan, make a list of the dishes or flavors you like later and have Ranran send it to me. Eat a little less at home on New Year’s Eve, then come to Uncle’s place later, and we’ll have another late-night meal!”

Ruan Nan couldn’t help but purse her lips: “Uncle, I’ll get fat then.”

“Fat? What fat? Look how thin you are! Uncle would be embarrassed to run a restaurant if I didn’t feed you until you gained some weight!”

Qin Haotian was about to say more when Zuo Yanzhen seemed to overhear and asked from a distance who he was talking to. Qin Haotian simply said Ranran, and Zuo Yanzhen questioned, "Calling yourself 'Uncle' to Ranran?"

Qin Haotian helplessly explained he was talking to Ranran's classmate, Nan Nan, and was subsequently chided by Zuo Yanzhen. Qin Haotian retorted, and soon they could be heard bickering playfully on the phone, Qin Haotian crying out, "Ouch, ouch, stop pulling my ear!"

Ruan Nan couldn't help but laugh again, until Qin Juran came out and asked what she found so amusing. Ruan Nan quickly told the person on the phone that she was putting Qin Juran on.

Qin Juran picked up the phone, and Zuo Yanzhen immediately asked if she was wearing her flesh-colored knee brace.

Looking at her smooth, fair legs, Qin Juran replied solemnly, "Yes, Mom."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Then take a picture for Mom tomorrow so I can see."

"...Mom, did you call just to ask if I'm wearing my knee brace?"

"No, no, your dad said he had big news to tell you. Mom can't explain it clearly, so let your dad tell you."

Qin Haotian took the phone: "Ranran, you told Dad before, didn't you start a studio, the kind that's preparing to become a company?"

"Yes."

"So, shouldn't there be a boss giving you money, letting you do things? Not exactly making you do things, but helping you develop, and then you repay him later when things are going well. What's that word again?"

"Dad, are you talking about investors?"

"Yes, yes, yes, investment, shareholders, right? Do you need that now?"

"We do need it, but Dad, why are you suddenly asking this?"

"Well, there's a CEO, originally from A City, who saw your article about Ju Tavern online and wanted to try the old restaurant. He came by and heard you're my daughter. He'd seen you on TV before, and when he heard you're starting a company in this field, he wanted to meet with you. It seemed like he was talking about the kind of investment you need."

Qin Juran couldn't help but laugh: "Dad, investments are usually something you have to seek out yourself, and it has to be at least a listed company with visible potential before anyone invests. We're currently just a small studio. Why would any CEO be rushing to invest? You probably ran into a scammer. If they ask you for any startup funds or fees, don't give them anything."

"Oh, Dad knows, they didn't ask for any money, just said they wanted to meet and talk with you. We can choose the location, even Ju Tavern. Dad saw his car; it seemed really nice, like a luxury car. Could he really be a scammer?"

"What was the logo?"

Qin Haotian recalled: "It seemed like a letter B with wings, not a sticker, but one that pops up."

A Bentley? Qin Juran frowned. Their recent promotions had been successful, but had they already reached the point of attracting such a large investment? The previous incident with Fan Chuan had been disgusting enough; Qin Juran didn't want to get involved in any more strange disputes.

"Dad, you said that person is also from A City?"

"Yes, yes, yes, like a successful CEO, very busy, doesn't live in A City anymore, but still has feelings for his hometown. He said your 'City Series' is well done, and he just wants to meet. Anyway, Dad doesn't think he looks like a scammer."

"When did he say he's leaving A City?"

"The day after tomorrow, that's why Dad called you in such a hurry. Why don't we meet first? If you're scared to go alone, Dad will go with you. I won't let you be in any danger."

Qin Juran said she'd consider it, and Qin Haotian sent her the secretary's contact information. Ruan Nan, noticing Qin Juran's preoccupation, asked her what was wrong. Qin Juran held her phone, thinking for a moment: "Ah Ruan, what kind of car does your dad drive?"

Ruan Nan thought for a moment: "Before, it was a Porsche and a Mercedes. I don't know if he's changed it recently. Why?"

"My dad said that a CEO of a group, originally from A City, visited Ju Tavern and is interested in our 'City Memory' theme and wants to discuss investment."

Ruan Nan also frowned, shaking her head: "It shouldn't be my dad. He usually doesn't pay much attention to my interpersonal relationships."

Qin Juran nodded, and Ruan Nan said: "Actually, it's possible. Videos spread so fast these days, and you won first prize in the competition, so you're a bit famous. You might be a fresh prospect for them."

"So, in your opinion, should we go back and have a look?"

Ruan Nan nodded: "I'll go with you. It's almost New Year's anyway."

Qin Juran reached out and touched Ruan Nan's hair: "Ah Ruan, it's so nice to have you."

They packed their bags overnight and asked for leave from the studio the next day. With the Spring Festival approaching, it was almost time for them to go home for the holidays.

They set off early in the morning. Ruan Nan suggested Qin Juran drive the Range Rover back to A City for easier transportation over the next two weeks. Qin Juran agreed and followed behind her in the car.

They left early and arrived in A City by 3 p.m. They first stopped in front of "Ju Tavern." Qin Juran asked Ruan Nan if she wanted to go in and say hello. Ruan Nan said if they did, Qin Haotian would definitely start bustling around, so it was better to wait until tomorrow after they'd settled in.

Qin Juran agreed and reached out to touch Ruan Nan's head: "Send me your address."

"Are you coming to find me?" Ruan Nan's eyes widened.

"Just tell me."

Before getting out of the car, Qin Juran specifically put on her flesh-colored knee brace. Zuo Yanzhen was delighted upon seeing it and praised her profusely. Qin Julai, who was doing his homework, quickly brought her a plate of fruit salad.

Qin Haotian pulled Qin Julai aside and winked at her: "Where's Nan Nan?"

"She went home first, Dad. She'll come to our house tomorrow." A truly worried father.

Qin Juran ate a little. Qin Haotian said he'd make her eight dishes and a soup for dinner. Qin Juran quickly said no, as she had an appointment that evening with the assistant of the CEO Qin Haotian had mentioned and would probably just have a brief meeting. Qin Haotian asked if he should go with her. Qin Juran said they would meet in a public place and she would send him the location, so he didn't need to worry.

Qin Julai helped her carry her suitcase upstairs. Qin Juran froze as she opened her door. One wall of her room seemed to have been removed, the entire layout redesigned. Her small bed, wardrobe, and desk had been replaced with more upscale furniture, and the walls were adorned with Nordic-style wallpaper, similar to the style in Ruan Nan's home.

"Do you like it, Sis?" Qin Julai asked with a proud look.

"What is this?" Qin Juran hurried to the former storage room next door. That room was gone, incorporated into her bedroom, making hers the largest in the house. Half of the original clutter had been moved into Qin Julai's room.

Qin Julai scratched his head: "Well, Mom, Dad, and I thought your old bedroom was too small, worried you wouldn't be comfortable when you came back. We've been wanting to renovate it, wanted to give you a surprise."

"But I live alone; I don't need so much space. I've been used to it for so many years, why suddenly change it?"

Qin Juran felt genuinely guilty about this surprise. Her space was so large, while Qin Julai, at six foot two, lived in a much smaller room. "Let's switch rooms," Qin Juran said, about to pull Qin Julai.

Qin Julai quickly dodged her: "No, no, no, Sis, I live at school all year round. I'll be home even less frequently when I go to college. Why would I switch with you?"

"Then I'll switch with Mom and Dad."

As Qin Juran was about to head downstairs, Qin Haotian came up with snacks: "What's wrong, Ranran?"

"Dad, why didn't you tell me?" Qin Juran pointed at the room, looking at him with a hint of reproach.

Qin Haotian rubbed his nose: "Wasn't it supposed to be a surprise! Ranran, listen to your dad, you're a girl, you need more things, you can't live in a place too small. You stay in this bedroom for now, and in a few years, we'll just move to a bigger house."

He finished and, before Qin Juran could retort, quietly added: "Isn't Nan Nan coming to visit in a few days? Dad was afraid of slighting the girl."

"..." Qin Haotian and Qin Julai gave her no chance to argue, quickly putting her suitcase away before leaving. Qin Juran sighed softly, then remembered a family photo she'd seen in her desk drawer and carefully took it out, hanging it in the most prominent spot on the wall.

In the photo, their family of four was gathered together, each an indispensable part of their home.

At the appointed time that evening, Qin Juran, dressed in a smart professional coat, went to the designated location. After consulting with her, the other party had chosen a relatively private, upscale café.

She met with the CEO's assistant again. Qin Juran was initially cautious, but as they talked, she realized that the corporate group they mentioned was indeed nationally renowned.

The conversation between the two sides was a constant exchange of carefully chosen words. By the end of the second round of discussion, Qin Juran had a very favorable impression of the potential investor and was certain this was a rare opportunity.

The other party was clearly interested in their project and, in addition, had done a comprehensive background check on Qin Juran herself, even investigating her publicly available academic and professional records.

If this was the price for securing investment, Qin Juran didn't feel offended.

They talked a while longer, and Qin Juran handed over a resume. Mr. Wang, extremely polite, smiled and shook his head: "Miss Qin, you don't need to give these to me. They will be given to the appropriate person later."

"Does Mr. Wang have other arrangements?"

Mr. Wang smiled faintly and pointed to a corner of the private room: "Our conversation just now was a small interview. We've been watching remotely via video. Miss Qin, congratulations on passing the first round."

He stood up and extended his hand. Qin Juran glanced at the camera in the corner but remained seated, leaning back slightly: "Your company has a rather unique way of doing things. Willing to invest, but conducting interviews without a direct meeting. And now, after a brief introduction, you want me to meet someone whose identity isn't even disclosed."

Qin Juran picked up her coffee, took a slow sip, and curled her lips into a playful smile: "Mr. Wang, based on our current interaction and the information exchanged, even if I reported this as a scam to the police now, I'm afraid it would hold up."

Mr. Wang hadn't expected Qin Juran to be so articulate. He was momentarily stunned, then apologized: "I apologize, Miss Qin. My oversight in not fully considering your feelings. However, CEO Qin's itinerary in A City is really difficult to change. I'll take you to see him now. Please understand."

Qin Juran immediately caught the deliberately dropped piece of information, furrowing her brow slightly: "CEO Qin?"

“Yes, CEO Qin.” In the national real estate group sector, there was only one “CEO Qin” who truly mattered. Countless large enterprises were lining up for bidding and investment from him, let alone a university student’s fledgling studio.

Mr. Wang, seeing that Qin Juran was intelligent and realizing he now held the winning hand, leaned forward slightly and, looking at Qin Juran, said, "The Chairman of Chengmao Group, Qin Yuan."

The coffee cup in Qin Juran's hand slipped and shattered on the floor.

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