PB - Chapter 63

Chapter 63

At 9:30 in the morning, Xu Yangpu, Ning Song, and several other senior executives were already in a meeting in Qiao Qi’s office. Some of Xingda’s production lines had completed their upgrades, and two patented projects from a domestic R&D company were also in preparation for production. Based on the current market situation, Ruifeng’s similar products would be launched before U.E.’s, but as new products, they would also require a long period of market testing.

Xu Yangpu said, “What we need to do now is race against U.E. Their progress is almost transparent, which is very advantageous for us. However, my biggest concern at this stage is still market acceptance.”

“U.E.’s products have always been at the forefront in terms of quality, performance, and R&D investment.” Ning Song handed the data from recent years to Qiao Qi. “In the early stages of competition, the group must be prepared for a huge investment. For the later stages, I have great confidence in our R&D.”

Qiao Qi smiled faintly. “It’s good that you have confidence.”

Ning Song said, “We still need President Qiao and the board of directors to have confidence.”

“Neither the board nor I know much about R&D. For the specific steps, we’ll have to listen to the opinions of you professionals.” Qiao Qi was looking at a document on her tablet. She then picked up the phone and buzzed Yao Qiu on the intercom outside. “Have Zhiyu come up.”

The moment Jin Zhiyu entered and saw the assembly, he knew something big was happening. He immediately became serious. “President Qiao, what are you discussing?”

The product department manager gave him a brief explanation, concluding, “The new product has already entered production and is scheduled for an official launch early next year.”

Jin Zhiyu admired Qiao Qi’s efficiency. He had always known she hadn’t given up on the new energy project, but he hadn’t expected her to move so quickly—fast enough to enter the domestic market even before U.E. He asked, “Our R&D has been kept confidential. May I ask Director Ning, does our product have any selling points in terms of technological innovation?”

“Yes.”

He was about to ask more when Qiao Qi interrupted, “I called you up for something else. Yangpu and the others will handle this.” She handed him the tablet. “Prepare yourself. You’re coming with me the day after tomorrow.”

What Qiao Qi showed Jin Zhiyu was a peer European company that was currently undergoing an asset audit in preparation for declaring bankruptcy. The market share this company once held had been devoured by U.E. in recent years, and its performance had been declining to near-negative growth since last year. Of course, none of that was the main point. Jin Zhiyu knew that Qiao Qi had her eye on several of this company’s key R&D assets.

He nodded. “Alright, I’ll go down and arrange my work right away.” He handed the tablet back and added, “President Qiao, please email the information to me so I can review it carefully over the next two days.” Qiao Qi nodded. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head down now.”

After Jin Zhiyu left, Xu Yangpu asked, “Do you need me to go as well?”

“No, you stay here and prepare for the new product launch.”

The meeting lasted until noon. Alone in her office, President Qiao happened to receive a call from President Gu. Gu Jianchu said, “Do you have time for lunch together?”

“I’m very busy today.”

“What about tonight?”

“I have to see the Chairman tonight.” Although Qiao Qi was set to take over Ruifeng in the future, her current position as vice president was awkward. Before making decisions, she still had to report to the Chairman first as a matter of procedure, or go through a vote by the board of directors. However, these were all just formalities. The reason she still did them was simply to avoid giving Jin Zhihuan opportunities to cause her trouble.

Gu Jianchu asked tentatively, “Then I’ll wait for you at home?”

Qiao Qi smiled faintly and answered in her pleasant voice, “Okay.”

That evening, Old Master Jin was pleased that Qiao Qi had come back on her own initiative. At the dinner table, Jin Zhiyu saw her and knew why she had returned. Jin Zhihuan and Jin Zhilan both had social engagements, so the atmosphere at the table was less tense. Jin Zhiyu took the opportunity to ask her many questions during the meal, and for the first time, Qiao Qi spoke more than a few words at this dinner table.

His second aunt was delighted, bustling about serving Qiao Qi food and constantly telling her to eat more, saying she was too thin. His first aunt, displeased, made a few sarcastic remarks. The second aunt rolled her eyes and ignored her. With the old master present, it was better to build a relationship with Qiao Qi than to waste energy arguing. This, however, infuriated the first aunt, who left the table in a huff and stormed back to her room.

After dinner, Qiao Qi went to the old master’s study and gave a brief report on the acquisition plan. The old master was all smiles. “I fully support your idea of expanding the group’s stake in new industries, but the most important thing is to take care of your health. I heard you’ve been working overtime a lot recently. You’ll ruin your body.”

Qiao Qi said, “I’m fine.”

“Are you taking Zhiyu with you this time?” Seeing Qiao Qi nod, he added, “Go and call Zhiyu in as well.”

Jin Zhiyu entered the room apprehensively, first stealing a glance at Qiao Qi. He didn’t dare guess why the old master had summoned him, so he mimicked Qiao Qi and put on a serious, attentive expression. The old master’s voice was not loud, but it carried an air of authority that he had feared since childhood. “I haven’t spoken to you since you’ve been back for so long. Do you know why?”

Jin Zhiyu shook his head and answered, “I don’t know.”

The old master snorted. “Because letting you stew is good for you. Only by keeping you on edge will you not dare to go out and cause trouble again.”

He quickly stated his position. “Grandpa, I know I was wrong.”

The old master said sternly, “I called you in because I know you’re going to Europe too. A Qi thinks highly of you, so you must work even harder. Don’t you dare embarrass or trouble your sister while you’re out there, do you understand? You’ve disgraced the Jin family enough. If you dare do it again, get the hell out of this house.”

“Grandpa, I really know I was wrong. I promise you it will never happen again.” He was so thoroughly scolded he didn’t dare breathe, but he also knew that being scolded was a good thing. “I will be diligent while following Sister Qiqi from now on. Please rest assured, Grandpa.”

“That’s enough.” The old master waved his hand, ending the topic. “You can all go back and rest.”

Qiao Qi remembered that Gu Jianchu was waiting for her at home, so she added, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading back now.”

“Back? Back where?” The old master looked up at her. “Why go to all this trouble for no reason?” Seeing her silent and unmoved, he quickly seemed to understand. “That Gu girl moved in with you?” He was suddenly struck by the jealousy of a father marrying off his daughter, and his voice unconsciously rose. “Can’t she go back to her own home for one night? Is she planning on never going back to her own home again?”

Every time he wanted Qiao Qi to come back, he had to send someone to fetch her, inviting her repeatedly. Now she had finally come back on her own, but it turned out to be just to report on work. Moreover, he was most afraid that his soft-hearted granddaughter would be taken advantage of and suffer for it. The more he thought about it, the more displeased he became.

Jin Zhiyu knew a little about Qiao Qi and Gu Jianchu’s relationship, but he hadn’t expected the old master not only to know but also to have a not-unfavorable attitude. He now had a better sense of things; it was clearly just a matter of time before Ruifeng was in Qiao Qi’s hands.

The old master’s words made Qiao Qi feel a little embarrassed. She said, “Please forgive me.”

Knowing he couldn’t keep her, the old master relented. “Just this once.”

Qiao Qi opened the door. Jin Zhiyu was about to leave with her but was stopped by the old master. Only after the door was shut tight did the old master speak again. “She,” he gestured toward the door, indicating Qiao Qi, “is too soft-hearted. She didn’t even care when she was set up last time. I’m a little worried. You’re close to her and you know that Gu girl, so you must protect her well when you’re out there. If any problems arise, you must tell me immediately. Do you remember?”

“Grandpa, don’t worry.”

“Go on.”

The nights in Beijing had always been more restless than in other places. Qiao Qi drove from the bustling city into tranquility. The moment she entered her home, Ping An leaped off the sofa to greet her. She picked up the cat and sat down next to Gu Jianchu, saying, “I’m going on a business trip the day after tomorrow, for about a month.”

“Does it have to be that long?”

Qiao Qi nodded. “If you have time, come over and take care of Ping An. If not, have Jiayin come and check on him.” She lifted Ping An up to face her. “I’m going away for a month. You have to be a good boy at home by yourself.”

“He can’t understand you.”

Qiao Qi placed Ping An on her lap and stroked him. “I think he can.”

Gu Jianchu glanced at the black furball enjoying the comfort. She and this cat did not get along. She said with a touch of pique, “He also understands how to antagonize me.” Hearing her childish words, Qiao Qi just smiled.

This month, the weather had been affected by several typhoons, bringing ample rain. The heat retreated in the face of the downpours, and by evening, the wind was cool. Qiao Qi, draped in a shawl, worked in her study. Gu Jianchu, less busy, kept her company by reading on the chaise lounge by the window. Ping An was there too, lazily sprawled on the edge of the desk.

Early the next morning, Qi Sitian called to invite Qiao Qi and Gu Jianchu to dinner that evening. She had been in a good mood recently and enjoyed lively gatherings, so Su Jiayin and Shen Shoucheng were also on the invitation list. That evening, Qiao Qi discovered that Jin Zhiyu and Gu Fanchu had also been invited. Qi Sitian’s foundation was still shallow, so more of this kind of networking was always a good thing.

Gu Jianchu was a little surprised to see Gu Fanchu there. He hadn’t been in the country for long, but his social circle was quite extensive. During the conversation, she learned that Gu Fanchu had helped Qi Sitian quite a bit, and very attentively at that.

Gu Fanchu teased Qi Sitian, “You call Jianchu ‘Auntie.’ By seniority, you should call me ‘Uncle,’ right?”

Qi Sitian wouldn’t have it. By that logic, almost everyone here could be considered her elder, which was too stifling. She immediately turned to Qiao Qi, whining, “Auntie, help me.”

At a time like this, Qiao Qi was nowhere near as effective as Gu Jianchu. Without Qiao Qi needing to say a word, Gu Jianchu shot a glance at Gu Fanchu, who was teasing Qi Sitian. He quickly fell silent, clearing his throat twice and retracting all his playful intentions.

Only Su Jiayin was unfazed by this scene. She asked Qi Sitian, “I heard the Qi family is hosting a banquet. Is that your idea?”

Qi Sitian shook her head. “They probably feel I’ve been too high-profile lately and want to reclaim some of their old sense of presence.” The third branch of the Qi family was throwing a grand banquet, and everyone present was likely on the guest list. She asked Shen Shoucheng, “You were invited too, right?”

Shen Shoucheng nodded. “I received the invitation the day before yesterday. I thought it was your idea too.”

Qi Sitian said coldly, “The third branch does nothing but make trouble for me. I’m already swamped, and those old foxes on the board are hard enough to deal with. I don’t have their kind of leisure time.”

Shen Shoucheng asked her again, “So are you going to attend?”

“No way I’m going.”

Before Qi Sitian’s words had even faded, Qiao Qi spoke in her light, clear voice, “Go.”

Qi Sitian frowned, her face falling. “But Auntie won’t be there that day. I don’t want to go alone.” In the end, she was a little timid. Back when she first joined Yuanhang, she would always run into members of the Qi family at work functions. Every time, they would mock her with cold sarcasm, publicly humiliating her. She was too junior back then to say a single word in retort. Over time, they became the people she least wanted to see.

Moreover, this was a banquet hosted by the Qi family, which meant that whole crowd of people she detested would be gathered together. With so many members of the Qi family staring at her with cold hostility and mocking her in public, even if she tried her best to ignore it, she would still feel angry and wronged.

Qiao Qi consoled her, “The Guangming board members will all be there that day. If you don’t go, you’ll be looked down upon.” She soothed her in a gentle voice, “Be good.”

Gu Jianchu looked at Qi Sitian’s display of cowardice with great disdain, but her words offered immense comfort. “You go. I’ll be there.”

Then Su Jiayin drawled, “I received an invitation too. I was thinking of stopping by.”

Qi Sitian knew they were looking out for her because of her relationship with Qiao Qi, and Qiao Qi was the one who made her feel the most secure. She thought back to all the times Qiao Qi had comforted and protected her in the past. She wanted to cry, and she actually lost control of her emotions as tears welled up in her eyes. Her face instantly flushed hot, and she covered it with her hands, refusing to move them.

Shen Shoucheng had learned to be mischievous too. She leaned close to her ear and said, “Sitian, I’ll be there too. Don’t be afraid.”

The words that squeezed through Qi Sitian’s fingers came out muffled. “Go away,” she said. Though her face was covered, she could still hear the laughter from Jin Zhiyu, who hadn’t said anything until now. She felt even more ashamed to show her face.

Previous Table of Contents Next