RAHHSFL - Chapter 72
Chapter 72
Both Qin Juran and Ruan Nan froze. Qin Yuan's gaze swept over them, lingering on Qin Juran's arm around Ruan Nan's waist.
Qin Juran was taller than Ruan Nan, and the gesture looked exactly like any ordinary couple.
Ruan Nan stiffened, instinctively wanting to pull away, but Qin Juran, seemingly unfazed, gave her waist a gentle squeeze before releasing her, then walked towards Qin Yuan with a polite smile.
"I didn't expect to run into you here, Mr. Qin," Qin Juran said, making no move to extend her hand.
Qin Yuan also didn't offer his hand, merely nodding curtly. "Here for vacation?"
"Skiing."
Qin Yuan sounded amused. "You know how to ski?"
Ruan Nan felt the question was slightly condescending, but Qin Juran seemed to understand, shaking her head and glancing at Ruan Nan. "A friend taught me."
"Are you in Switzerland on business, Mr. Qin?" Qin Juran asked politely, even though she already knew the answer.
Qin Yuan nodded. The elevator area was bustling with people, the noise level high. He took a card from his breast pocket and glanced at his expensive watch. "Meet me in the café on the twelfth floor in half an hour. Regarding the business proposal."
His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. Ruan Nan remembered Qin Juran saying that Qin Yuan had rejected their project last time. Why was he asking for another meeting now? Was there a new development?
Seeing Qin Juran's hesitation, Ruan Nan nudged her, urging her to take the card.
Qin Yuan noticed the subtle gesture. "Are you Qin Juran's classmate?"
Ruan Nan nodded and stepped forward to take the card for Qin Juran. "I'm also a member of Qin Juran's project company. Ruan Nan."
"Ruan... That's an unusual surname. I've encountered someone with that surname in business dealings recently."
"Are you referring to Juyue Building Materials?"
"You are...?"
"Ruan Huyue is my father."
Qin Yuan looked at Ruan Nan, then at Qin Juran, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. He nodded and turned to leave.
Half an hour later, in the luxurious café on the twelfth floor.
The café was divided into a main area and private rooms, the latter not arranged in rows, but situated in prime locations, adding to the sense of exclusivity.
Qin Yuan ordered three cups of Switzerland's finest coffee. He wasn't wearing a suit jacket, but his black shirt still emphasized his sharp, imposing figure. Qin Juran and Ruan Nan, also in more formal attire, sat opposite him.
Qin Yuan, a man of few words, skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point after the coffee arrived. "I said we would meet again. I've been busy in Switzerland recently. I was planning to consider your project investment after the new year, but since fate has brought us together, perhaps we can finalize it here in Switzerland.”
Qin Juran traced the rim of her cup. Ruan Nan smiled and leaned forward. "So, you've changed your mind, Mr. Qin?"
"Changed?"
Qin Yuan frowned slightly, glancing at Ruan Nan, who seemed unaware of the previous rejection, then understanding dawned on him. He didn't say anything more, just nodded slightly at Qin Juran. "Our last meeting might have felt rushed and presumptuous. The time I gave you, Miss Qin, was for you to learn more about Chengmao. The Spring Festival, the new year, is a time for new beginnings. I hope you won't let this opportunity pass you by again.”
Even someone as business-naive as Ruan Nan could sense that the situation was now reversed: the chairman of Chengmao Group was actively pursuing an investment in their small team, after having been rejected by Qin Juran once.
"Mr. Qin, before we formally cooperate, I'd like to ask a question on behalf of our studio members. It has nothing to do with Qin Juran personally."
Qin Yuan nodded.
"When we arrived at this hotel two days ago, we heard that Chengmao Group is here to acquire a Swiss ski resort. The importance of ski resorts to Switzerland's economy goes without saying. Regardless of Chengmao's past performance, its current shares and influence, being able to negotiate such a deal at this time speaks volumes about Chengmao's power. "
"So, my question is, why would you choose to invest in a small, student-run startup like ours that hasn't even officially launched?"
Qin Yuan paused, a thought striking him.
Ruan Nan's question was one that any normal person in this situation would ask, a natural expression of curiosity and concern.
Yet, Qin Juran hadn't asked it last time.
Qin Yuan considered his answer. "As you know, I first noticed you because of your 'City Memory' theme. I've lived abroad for many years, and A City is my hometown.”
"So, Mr. Qin, your answer is sentimentality?"
Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Not convincing enough?"
Ruan Nan smiled. "I believe that's a factor. However, it's definitely not the main driver behind your investment decision. Since Chengmao approached us, Juran and I have researched Chengmao's recent investment trends and your personal interviews. "
"Based on our understanding, Mr. Qin, you're not one to make investments without expecting a return."
Ruan Nan was direct. From what she and Ruan Huyue had discussed about Qin Yuan, the man, having built his empire from practically nothing, was undoubtedly shrewd and pragmatic.
Qin Yuan smiled, not offended, seemingly acknowledging her assessment. After a pause, he said, "Indeed. A larger factor is my appreciation for Qin Juran. If I must elaborate, perhaps my personal reasons play a bigger role.”
Hearing Qin Yuan say he "appreciated" Qin Juran, Ruan Nan’s eyes widened, her protective instincts kicking in.
Qin Yuan chuckled. "Miss Ruan, there’s no need to misunderstand. I don’t have any unusual or inappropriate intentions. My appreciation is purely for her professional abilities and personal qualities.”
Qin Yuan turned to Qin Juran. "And there are some personal reasons that are not convenient to disclose at this time. One day, you will both be privy to that information.”
Ruan Nan didn't know what these "personal reasons" were, but at least it seemed Qin Yuan wasn't harboring any creepy ulterior motives. While she was still hesitant, Qin Juran spoke up. "I also have a question."
Qin Yuan: "Ask away."
Qin Juran tapped her fingers on the pristine white tablecloth. "If our company grows and achieves a certain level of success, would you consider letting me be involved in more of Chengmao Group's affairs, Mr. Qin?"
This question, veiled in ambiguity, held a deeper meaning only Qin Juran and Qin Yuan understood.
Qin Yuan looked at Qin Juran, who met his gaze.
They were testing each other, probing the edges of knowledge. Did she know, or didn’t she?
The same surname, the strikingly similar features, the blood ties that connected them.
Qin Yuan took a sip of his coffee. "Of course.”
As if hearing the answer she needed to solidify her resolve, Qin Juran suddenly chuckled softly. "Mr. Qin, then I'm afraid you're going to hear another answer you won't like today."
Ruan Nan turned to Qin Juran, who straightened her back. "When I decided to start an MCN company, I valued innovation and being at the forefront of the times. Becoming someone like you is certainly many people’s dream, but for me, doing what I want, outside the confines of established frameworks, is more important."
Without waiting for Qin Yuan's response, she stood up and politely extended her hand. "I'm not interested in whatever personal reasons you have. I don't want to take any shortcuts. And whether it’s writing articles or winning national competitions, what you’ve seen is only my successes. I have many 'flaws' that you, or Chengmao Group, would find unacceptable.”
Qin Juran glanced meaningfully at Ruan Nan, ignoring Qin Yuan's gaze as she took Ruan Nan's hand.
"Thank you for the coffee and your time today, Mr. Qin. I hope we have the opportunity to meet again in a different context.”
Qin Juran pulled Ruan Nan away. Seeing Qin Juran’s firm stance against working with Qin Yuan, Ruan Nan didn’t say anything more.
In the elevator down to the seventh floor, Qin Juran remained silent.
A personal grudge.
Qin Yuan was around the same age as her parents, they shared the same surname, and twenty years ago, they were both in A City...
Ruan Nan didn't know if Qin Juran knew, or if her family knew, but since Qin Juran didn't want to talk about it and didn't want to cooperate with Qin Yuan, Ruan Nan would respect her decision.
They spent the next day exploring the town, enjoying the last day of their impromptu vacation. Early on the fourth day, their guide dropped them off at Kloten Airport. They hugged goodbye. Surprisingly, the young guide lingered in Wang Yuan Yuan's embrace, finally lifting her head and kissing Wang Yuan Yuan on the cheek.
Lin Wei, ever observant, immediately grabbed Wang Yuan Yuan. "Hey, what was that about?"
Wang Yuan Yuan blushed. "What do you mean? Just a goodbye kiss, that’s all.”
"Why didn't she kiss us then?"
"Probably thought you were too ugly.”
The more Wang Yuan Yuan tried to deflect, the more curious they became. They cornered her until she finally confessed, smiling shyly. "Well, you all have partners. The guide saw I was alone in my hotel room and kept me company for two nights."
"Whoa, you two shacked up already?" Zhou Ziqing's eyes widened.
"Don't get any ideas. We just hung out," Wang Yuan Yuan said, much less shy than Ruan Nan.
Qin Juran raised an eyebrow. "You like girls too?"
Wang Yuan Yuan considered it. "I've never been in a relationship before, and I didn’t know anyone who liked girls. Then, after you and Nan Jie got together, I suddenly realized that girls can be pretty great too. I mean, I feel that spark, that attraction. And this girl, she definitely sparked something~"
Ruan Nan asked, "She’s in Switzerland, you're in China. Even if you keep in touch, it'll be hard to see each other regularly, right?"
Wang Yuan Yuan shrugged. "Who knows? But it was because of her that this trip was so special. Even if we never meet again, I'll always remember those few days in Switzerland, when I was 21, and I met someone truly unique~"
Wow.
They were all impressed by Wang Yuan Yuan’s easygoing attitude, especially considering she was the one who got kissed.
They went through security, checked their luggage, and boarded the plane for the long flight back. It was nighttime in China when they departed. By the time they landed, they would have to adjust to the time difference. Everyone fell asleep quickly, exhausted from the trip. The plane landed smoothly. When the announcement chimed, Ruan Nan asked Qin Juran where she was going.
Qin Juran glanced at the time. It was afternoon in China. "To my house?"
Ruan Nan: "Then I'll go home, pack my things, and we'll head back to S City tomorrow. "
Qin Juran nodded.
As soon as she turned on her phone, she was bombarded with notifications, including messages from the platforms they used for their articles and videos.
Qin Juran checked WeChat first.
A message from one of their team members immediately caught her eye.
The plane had come to a stop, and passengers were disembarking. Qin Juran stared at her phone, frozen in her seat.
Ruan Nan, sensing something was wrong, leaned over to read the message:
[Juran, Xia Jin stole our account yesterday and announced she’s leaving the team.]
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