"The reason I invited Mr. Xie here is to discuss the development of Beihai New City with you." Xie Chongyan's tone was low, and his eyes showed a hint of consideration: "I hope you can let me join."
Xie Wang was ordering food when he casually looked up and said, "Give me a reason."
Xie Chongyan said, "Reclamation has always been a very difficult task. I didn't expect that you, Mr. Xie, would actually get the approval. But now everyone is advocating for environmental protection. If you insist on developing it, you will probably face public backlash. Then the land will be worthless."
Xie Wang stated frankly, "I am aware of this matter, which is why we established a research laboratory two years ago and have been researching methods that do not damage the ecological environment, so you don't need to worry."
“But if we join, I can offer our patented products to help you resolve this matter smoothly and quickly,” Xie Chongyan told him.
In fact, Xie Wang knew that Xie Fan Group possessed this patent. However, if he had proactively sought cooperation two years ago, he would likely have had to concede many benefits. Therefore, he had been trying to develop it himself for the past two years.
Now that Xie Chongyan has taken the initiative to propose cooperation, he can go with the flow.
"Okay, I'll give you 20%."
Xie Chongyan smiled faintly: "Let's eat first, and talk later. Mr. Ling is probably hungry too."
Sure enough, Xie Wang looked at Ling Shuangjiang and noticed that two of the cookies in front of her had already been eaten. He frowned and said, "Tell the restaurant to hurry up and serve the food."
Ling Shuangjiang looked at him and said, "No need to rush."
Xie Chongyan: "Okay."
The table was quiet during the meal, with the four of them chatting occasionally.
“Mr. Cheng’s Fanyin brand is now very successful. I recently attended a conference abroad and saw the fashion week you organized.” Xie Wang initiated a conversation with Cheng Fan, his expression natural.
Cheng Fan hadn't expected Xie Wang to say these things to her, and raised her eyebrows: "Of course, I'm committed to making Fanyin a luxury brand belonging to our ancient culture."
The Xie family's businesses lean towards finance and industry, and they are not very familiar with cultural exports and fashion brands. Currently, Fanyin is arguably the most influential fashion brand in China.
He asked Cheng Fan, "What techniques are used to make your luxury goods?"
Cheng Fan was happy to answer the questions, her voice rising slightly with a hint of pride: "The most common embroidery styles are Suzhou embroidery, Sichuan embroidery, Guangdong embroidery, and Hunan embroidery."
"During the Frost's Descent solar term, are all textiles like the kesi (silk tapestry) you mentioned before considered the same type of textile?" Xie Wang suddenly asked.
Ling Shuangjiang's eyes were gentle: "Mm."
“Kesi?” Cheng Fan said with regret, “There are almost no experts in China who can make high-quality kesi. For example, we wanted to book a master to sew our high-end brand, but she declined because she was too old and her eyesight and dexterity were greatly reduced.”
At this point, Ling Shuangjiang seemed to realize Xie Wang's purpose in bringing up this topic.
At this moment, Xie Chongyan asked casually, "Is the embroidery on the collar of Mr. Ling's trench coat done using the kesi (silk tapestry) technique?"
Ling Shuangjiang: "Yes."
Cheng Fan then noticed Ling Shuangjiang's trench coat and was quite surprised: "Where did you order this from?"
Ling Shuangjiang: "My mom made it for me."
"Your mother knows how to make kesi (silk tapestry)?" Cheng Fan's eyes lit up. She walked over and stood next to him, awkwardly putting her hands behind her back. "May I take a closer look?"
Ling Shuangjiang raised the corners of her lips: "Of course."
Cheng Fan carefully stroked the embroidery, examining it from both sides. "Indeed, the kesi (silk tapestry) technique lives up to its reputation. The front and back are exactly the same, with no loose threads at all."
Ling Shuangjiang smiled and said, "Of course, that's where the complexity of his craftsmanship lies."
"Fanfan, if you want to have a detailed discussion with Mr. Ling, you can wait until we finish our meal. But can we let Mr. Ling eat first?"
"Can."
Cheng Fan sat back down with satisfaction, waiting for Ling Shuangjiang to finish her meal.
Xie Wang silently poured Ling Shuangjiang a glass of freshly squeezed grape juice. "Eat slowly."
Ling Shuangjiang smiled at him and said, "Okay."
About half an hour later, Ling Shuangjiang was pulled by Cheng Fan to chat on the rooftop, leaving only Xie Wang and Xie Chongyan at the dining table.
"Now that Mr. Xie's wish has been fulfilled, can we talk about our business?" Xie Chongyan asked.
“Okay,” Xie Wang said.
Both being intelligent people, they tacitly began discussing the collaboration, keeping silent about what had just happened.
Xie Chongyan said calmly, "If Cheng Fan and Mr. Ling get along well, I believe we will have many more opportunities to cooperate in the future."
Xie Wang picked up his wine glass and took a sip: "At most, I'll let you take a 30% stake."
"Sure." Xie Chongyan clinked glasses with him: "It's a pleasure working together."
The moment Xie Wang agreed to the meeting, the deal was essentially done; it was just a matter of who would earn more and who would earn less. Thirty percent was Xie Wang's bottom line, and besides, his other objective had been achieved, so he could accept it.
On the rooftop, Cheng Fan had already asked Ling Shuangjiang for her home address, planning to visit Lin Yinci when he had time.
"We can start with small items, such as popular round fans and accessories, and then launch clothing and paintings. You can rest assured about our brand influence; basically, new products on our official website will be sold out in a second."
Ling Shuangjiang spoke gently and calmly: "I know that. I've bought things from Fanyin before, and I spent a long time trying to snag them."
Cheng Fan raised an eyebrow: "Tell me what you need in the future, and I'll send someone to deliver it to you."
"I can't accept this." Ling Shuangjiang leaned against the railing, raising her hand to tidy her hair behind her ear. "I'm already very grateful that you're willing to cooperate with me to promote kesi (silk tapestry) products."
“Not at all, we’re cooperating, it’s mutually beneficial.” Cheng Fan sat at the table, resting his chin on his hand. “You have no idea how long I’ve been searching for this kesi (silk tapestry) inheritor.”
Ling Shuangjiang's eyebrows curved into a smile: "By the way, I have a request."
Cheng Fan: "Go ahead."
Ling Shuangjiang: "When our products are launched on the official website, could you please create a separate page about the kesi (silk tapestry) craft to promote this culture and allow more people to get involved, learn about kesi and its history, rather than simply buying it because it is precious and beautiful?"
Cheng Fan nodded: "No problem."
The two chatted for another half hour before deciding to leave. Before leaving, Ling Shuangjiang inadvertently glanced at the balloons floating in the sky not far away and murmured, "Are they celebrating something?"
Cheng Fan: "I guess he's proposing."
A balloon floated over, and Ling Shuangjiang stood on tiptoe, reached out and caught it. She smiled at Cheng Fan and said, "The material should be biodegradable. It will decompose automatically under certain conditions and will not pollute the environment."
Cheng Fan nodded: "That's not bad."
Ling Shuangjiang held the balloon and examined it for a moment. He noticed a line of small words on it. After reading the words, he let go and let the balloon fly away.
Cheng Fan asked, "Why did you let go?"
Ling Shuangjiang: "It says that whoever sees the balloon will be blessed. I've already seen it, so I can pass on the happiness to the next person."
Cheng Fan crossed her arms and carefully examined him: "I don't think you're 22 years old."
Ling Shuangjiang raised her lips slightly: "How old do you think I am?"
Cheng Fan said seriously, "Mental age, at least twenty-seven or twenty-eight."
Ling Shuang replied, "I'll take that as a compliment."
Cheng Fan suddenly glanced behind him and whispered, "You and Xie Wang aren't a couple at all, are you?"
Ling Shuangjiang wasn't surprised that this matter had been discovered by others, because apart from the introductions before the meal, Xie Wang hadn't made any intimate gestures towards her during the meal, and the two didn't seem like a couple at all.
"No, that's not it," Ling Shuangjiang said truthfully.
Cheng Fan smiled and said, "He probably thinks that if we really work together in the future, and you're his boyfriend, I won't neglect you."
Ling Shuangjiang looked at him in surprise, not knowing what to say for a moment.
Xie Wang probably wouldn't have thought of this, would he?
Cheng Fan smiled slyly: "Everyone outside says I have a bad temper. Is he worried that I'll bully you?"
Ling Shuangjiang paused for a moment: "No, you're fine."
When the two returned to the restaurant, Xie Chongyan looked up and said, "You two have been chatting so intently for an hour."
Cheng Fan replied, "Shuangjiang likes balloons, so we watched them for a while longer."
Xie Wang looked at Ling Shuangjiang upon hearing this: "What balloon?"
Ling Shuang replied: "The person on the other side might be proposing. I stopped one of the balloons that flew up, but then let it go."
Worried that Ling Shuangjiang might be disappointed, Xie Wang said, "It's alright, I'll buy you some more later."
Ling Shuangjiang smiled and said, "No need, I've already received the balloon's blessing."
Soon after, the four stood at the door saying goodbye.
Xie Wang's driver was already waiting ahead. He took Ling Shuangjiang's hand and opened the car door for him, nodding to Xie Chongyan.
Cheng Fan looked at the black Maybach and joked, "They're not together."
Xie Chongyan remained calm, as if he had already figured it out: "They probably didn't catch up."
—
Inside the car, Ling Shuangjiang was in a good mood, occasionally admiring the surrounding night view. Before coming to Haishi, he had planned to take advantage of other times to explore the city, but unfortunately, he hadn't had the chance.
Xie Wang looked at him: "You don't seem to have eaten much today? Did the food not suit your taste?"
Ling Shuangjiang nodded: "Yes, I don't like French food."
Xie Wang wrote it down: "Then next time we go out to eat, let's eat something different. What do you like to eat? I'll take you there now."
Ling Shuangjiang raised her hand and glanced at the time: "Why don't you go back first, and I'll wander around by myself."
Xie Wang could not possibly let Ling Shuangjiang go shopping alone late at night. He refused, and said firmly, "I'll go with you."
Ling Shuang subconsciously reached into her pocket and, realizing she didn't have a phone, said from memory, "I heard there's a food street here that's really good. I did some research and've always wanted to try it."
Xie Wang took out his phone: "What's your name?"
Ling Shuangjiang: "On Xilin North Street."
The driver quickly dropped them off nearby. Ling Shuang got out of the car, in a good mood, and her steps were much lighter.
The white trench coat was tailor-made for him, with even the lines of the hem designed according to his leg shape, which greatly enhanced his temperament and figure.
Xie Wang followed beside him: "So what do you usually like to eat? I remember you studied in England? Do you like British food?"
Ling Shuangjiang shook her head: "I don't like it. When I was studying abroad, I liked to cook for myself because I couldn't get used to the food from abroad. Besides, cooking for myself is more economical."
“Indeed,” Xie Wang said. “Some countries have simple dishes that are not very fancy.”
The food street was brightly lit and filled with the lively atmosphere of street food. Ling Shuangjiang had a good memory and found the place where she had planned her trip. She and Xie Wang sat at a clean little table and ordered food from the owner.
The small stool was very low, and Ling Shuangjiang was worried that Xie Wang would be uncomfortable sitting on it, so she asked, "Do you want me to get you a different chair?"
Xie Wang shook his head: "My butt isn't big, so I can sit here."