"You signed so quickly," Ning Yan laughed. "There's a payment slip in here! Once you sign, I can go to the finance department to collect the money! Aren't you afraid I'll embezzle it?"
I smiled and looked at her sincerely: "I trust you. To be honest, I'm still quite unfamiliar with the company's business, and besides, you're not that kind of person."
Then we went out to the International Convention and Exhibition Center to check out the venue.
Generally speaking, large-scale exhibitions and conventions held in Nanjing are held at the "International Convention and Exhibition Center". Ning Yan told me that a small domestic auto show is currently being held at the International Convention and Exhibition Center. Today, in addition to looking at the venue, we can also take a look at how other auto shows are being held, which may be helpful.
After going downstairs, we went to the parking lot. I didn't let Ning Yan get her car, but instead took her to the BMW that I had borrowed from Aze yesterday. Ning Yan was a little curious: "Is this your car? It's very nice... Chen Yang, you're quite rich."
I smiled and said, "I'm just a worker, where would I get the money to buy a car like this... This belongs to a friend."
Ning Yan just smiled when she heard this. She didn't say anything, but there was a strange look in her eyes. We drove out of the company, and I first found a convenience store and bought a breakfast. I heated it up in the microwave at the convenience store, and then handed it to Ning Yan in the car. Ning Yan just smiled, took it, and started eating it without any regard for her image.
I know that people who stay up late are very hungry in the morning! Anyone who often stays up late understands this feeling. Although Ning Yan ate quickly, she still maintained her ladylike demeanor, holding her breakfast in one hand and taking out a tissue in the other. She just kept stealing glances at me.
"Chen Yang, you're a very considerate man," Ning Yan said with a smile. "Your girlfriend seems very lucky."
I shook my head and thought for a moment. Then, quite casually, I asked, "What about you? You stay up all night and don't go home. Do you have a boyfriend? Does he mind?"
After asking that question, I suddenly felt the atmosphere was a bit strange. I glanced at Ning Yan and saw that her expression was slightly unnatural, with a hint of melancholy in her eyes. I realized that perhaps I shouldn't have asked that question. I quickly changed the subject and said with a smile, "By the way, you said there's a car show at the convention center today. What kind of car show is it? Is it similar to the one we're going to host? Will that affect the effect of our car show?"
Ning Yan immediately reverted to her strong-woman persona, shaking her head: "It's different. The auto show these past two days has mainly featured Japanese and Korean cars, focusing on mid-to-low-end sedans and family cars, targeting a different customer group and consumer base. Our auto show, on the other hand, focuses on European and American brands, targeting customers with stronger purchasing power."
She then sighed, "However, in a medium-sized city like Nanjing, I'm afraid that mid-to-low-end Japanese and Korean cars still dominate the market. After all, it can't compare to an international metropolis like Shanghai. The purchasing power here is also far inferior, so the consumption potential for some cutting-edge top-of-the-line cars is probably not very optimistic."
I nodded.
Basically, in the domestic mid-range car market priced around 200,000 yuan, Japanese and Korean cars occupy a large share of the market, especially Honda series, which is favored by the middle class... Although everyone knows that the quality of Japanese cars is far inferior to that of European cars, in terms of price comparison, European mid-range cars are hard to compete with Japanese cars.
As for domestically produced cars... well, all I can do is smile wryly.
There wasn't much to say about the auto show at the convention center... The foot traffic was quite good, but it was clear that many of the people were ordinary folks who couldn't afford a car, and most were probably just there to watch the spectacle.
It doesn't really matter anyway. In China, private cars are not yet common, and most people can't afford a car in their lifetime. But that doesn't stop people from going to car shows to see the excitement... Of course, there are also beautiful car show models to look at.
However, we can't afford cars, and we also can't afford those models.
Walking into the convention center, I just glanced around. Honda's models were beautiful and sexy, Toyota's models had great figures, and Suzuki's models looked rather innocent... I didn't pay much attention to the rest.
Ning Yan was much more serious than I was. She observed the layout of the booths, the flow of people at the auto show, the lighting, the design of the booths, and so on. She looked at everything very carefully and even took out a handwritten notebook to record everything.
As for me... like most of the men visiting the auto show, I mostly paid attention to how much fabric was on the clothes worn by the models...
After watching for a while, Ning Yan suddenly sighed: "We're probably in trouble."
"What?" I asked.
Ning Yan pointed at the Honda booth: "Can't you tell? Their car show models... those show girls, they're all from Japan! They're all Japanese girls."
I pursed my lips: "Japanese girls? I didn't care. These models can't talk, they just stand here posing for photos. They're no different from our Chinese models, there's no difference between them."
“It’s different,” Ning Yan said with a wry smile. “I’m not saying our local models aren’t as good as others… but for media coverage, this is at least a gimmick, a news selling point that can attract attention! Japanese professional car models can at least attract some media attention! But if our auto shows still use domestic car models, then we’re already a step behind in terms of publicity.” She closed her eyes and thought for a moment, then smiled wryly. “It seems we need to think about whether we can get those car dealerships to find a way to contact some foreign car models. But the cost is quite expensive…” Then her expression turned somewhat strange: “Unless…”
"Um?"
“Unless you bring back another batch of girls from the last lingerie show,” Ning Yan said with a bitter face. “But even if I were willing, the company definitely wouldn’t allow it. The risk would be too great… We went too far last time, luckily no one noticed… otherwise, we would have ruined the company’s reputation.”
I blinked, thinking: This really can't go on... What if I bring those girls back? What if one of them accidentally shouts "Thank you, boss!" in public and a reporter hears it... then everything will be over...
"Let's go back and discuss it with the company's planning team. These are not things we can decide." Ning Yan thought for a while, somewhat helplessly.
After browsing around for a while, it's quite obvious that the Honda Accord series is still very popular. This mid-range car has a large customer base, and its price is reasonable… Although I'm quite unhappy about it, I have to admit that the Honda Accord ranks among the top sellers in the domestic mid-range car market.
"Chen Yang, do you have any plans to buy a car?" Ning Yan asked me with a smile as she walked out of the exhibition hall.
"Yes." I smiled. "I might buy land soon... but I won't buy Japanese cars."
"Oh? Why?" But Ning Yan immediately understood: "Ah. That's right, you're a native of Nanjing. It seems that people from Nanjing are quite anti-Japanese, and many of you don't buy Japanese goods."
I pursed my lips: "Who said I don't use Japanese products? There's at least one Japanese product in my house."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Toilet." I said casually, "Japanese-made toilets are very good."
Reaching the parking lot, I told Ning Yan to wait for me at the entrance while I went to get the car. But as I got in, I inadvertently saw a man quickly walking towards Ning Yan from afar! The man appeared to be of medium build, around thirty years old, wearing a simple casual suit. Ning Yan seemed to see the man. She paused for a moment, then… to my astonishment, the man strode up to Ning Yan and slapped her across the face!
Snap!
Ning Yan was slapped to the ground! Then the man pointed at Ning Yan and said something while cursing, then pointed at me, then grabbed Ning Yan and slapped her again!
I snapped out of my daze, jumped out of the car, ran over, grabbed the man's arm, and slammed him to the ground. The man landed hard on his backside, his face contorted with rage, yelling, "You slut! You whore!! You shameless thing!!"
I ignored him and reached out to help Ning Yan up. Ning Yan's face was deathly pale. Hearing the man's vicious curses, I was furious and went to hit him, but Ning Yan grabbed me and cried, "No! No, Chen Yang, no!"
The man jumped up, pointing at Ning Yan and yelling, "You shameless slut! What kind of man have you seduced this time? Hmph, driving a BMW? You think you're rich? What do you have to say for yourself!"
Ning Yan covered her face and said angrily, "Don't talk nonsense! This is my colleague from the company!"
"Colleague!" the man roared, "Do you think I'm an idiot?! There's not a single man in your company! Don't think I don't know! You didn't go home last night, did you?! I saw you get into his car this morning right outside your company! You, Ning Yan, you've cheated on me! Do you think I'm a cuckold?!"
After saying that, he seemed to rush forward again to attack, but I pushed him back. Ning Yan grabbed my arm tightly and said through gritted teeth, "Chen Yang, don't do it... I'm sorry... he's my husband."
I glared at the man and said, "Husband? Even a husband can't hit a woman like that! Are you even a man? You hit your wife without even asking what happened?"
Ning Yan shook her head, her chest heaving with anger, and glared at the man: "You surnamed Zhu, don't be ridiculous! What tricks are you trying to pull this time!"
The man had a lewd look on his face. He glanced at me twice and suddenly said, "It's simple! This kid touched my wife, how are we going to settle this score! Damn it, I can't just be a cuckold for nothing, can I?"
Upon hearing this, Ning Yan nearly fainted from anger. She swayed, her finger trembling as she pointed at the man: "You...you are shameless!"
The man patted his clothes and stared at me: "You! When did you get involved with Ning Yan? Don't you know she's married?! Damn it, don't think you can bully me! You drive a BMW, right? Just because you're rich doesn't mean you can seduce other men's wives! If you don't give me an explanation today, I'm not done with you!"
After hearing all this, I calmed down and stared at the man carefully for several moments.
His eyes flickered, as if he were somewhat timid, but he deliberately put on a nonchalant and indifferent expression, as if he dared not look me in the eye.
"You, surnamed Zhu! Stop this nonsense! He's just my colleague! If you keep this up, I'll call the police!!" Ning Yan was furious. "What else do you want this time? Didn't you promise last time that you wouldn't bother me anymore?!"
"Pah!" the man sneered. "You ate yesterday, are you not going to eat today?!"
Part 1: A Man in the Martial World, Forced to His Own Destiny, Chapter 76: Damn, this is top-notch!
Hearing this, I roughly understood the situation and couldn't help but turn to look at Ning Yan: "...Is he really your husband?"
“…Yes.” Ning Yan’s eyes were filled with sorrow. “But we’re going through a divorce, and he’s made excuses to mess around with me so many times…” After saying that, Ning Yan stared at the man. “You, surnamed Zhu! You just want to extort money, don’t you? Let me tell you, not a single penny! I’ve had enough! Enough!!”
I sighed, pulled Ning Yan behind me, and stared at the man: "What do you want?"
The man hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "You fucking slept with my wife, and you're asking me how it is? If you don't give me an explanation today, I'm not done with you! Damn it, you even dared to hit me just now! There's no law anymore!"
Instead of being angry, I laughed, my face completely devoid of anger, and slowly walked over: "What do you want? Money, is that it? How much?"
I pretended to reach into my pocket, and the man's eyes immediately lit up. His once decent face now looked incredibly lewd: "One...no, one hundred thousand! Damn it, you drive a BMW, so what if you're rich! Just because you're rich doesn't mean you can seduce other people's wives! I'm suing you for adultery, for bigamy!"
"Alright, alright, stop wasting your breath." I curled my lip dismissively and walked over: "You want money, right? Okay... how about a check?"
I pulled out my wallet and walked over. The man, caught off guard, seemed about to nod when I suddenly grabbed his collar. With a slight pull, I lifted him up!
"Money? I'll give you the money!" With that, I opened my palm and slapped him across the face.
*Slap!* Five marks immediately appeared on his face. Half of his face swelled up.
"Do you want more or not?" I glared and shouted, then slapped him again with my backhand.
The man was stunned by my two slaps and struggled desperately. I grabbed him and threw him far away before he could break free. I then kicked him. If Ning Yan hadn't held me back tightly, this guy would probably have ended up in the hospital immediately.
"Chen Yang, no! Stop hitting me!" Ning Yan cried. I let go. I took a breath and glanced back at Ning Yan: "This kind of scum deserves a beating!" Then I pointed at the man on the ground: "Listen up. I'm just Ning Yan's colleague. Your private affairs are none of my business! But I can't stand men who beat their wives! I slapped you twice today, which is too lenient! If I see you behaving like this again, I'll squeeze your balls out, you believe me!"
The man was terrified by my fierce appearance. He covered his face and forgot to scream. He just stared at me with wide eyes, his eyes filled with panic.
"Damn it, he needs a beating." I spat. I pulled Ning Yan into the car and sped away from that man. The car drove onto the highway and onto the overpass. I glanced at Ning Yan; she was wiping away tears with a tissue, her eyes brimming with tears, her shoulders heaving slightly.
"Are you alright?" I asked.
"Mm." Ning Yan nodded without saying anything.
"Sister Ning, you're a few years older than me. If there's anything you need, don't keep it to yourself, just tell me. I'll definitely help without hesitation if I can!" I said very frankly.
This is my principle. I have always despised men who hit women, especially their own wives! I firmly believe that a man's toughness is not for showing off in front of his woman. If you're so capable, stand tall and be tough in society, stand up straight and be tough with outsiders! Don't take it out on your wife at home! Men like that are utterly spineless!
Ning Yan cried for a long time before finally sobbing and saying intermittently, "Thank you, Chen Yang."
I waved my hand and changed to a slightly gentler tone: "Sister Ning, are you really okay? That guy... did he blackmail you? If you have any difficulties, just tell me."
Ning Yan remained silent for a while before letting out a soft sigh. The strong woman demeanor that had been on her face vanished, replaced by a look of worry and vulnerability.
"He is indeed my husband." Ning Yan slowly shook her head, her eyes filled with endless regret: "We've been married for almost four years..."
I remained silent, waiting for her to continue. Ning Yan took a breath before slowly speaking.
Ning Yan isn't a native of Nanjing; she's from the south, specifically Jiangxi province. After studying at university in Nanjing for four years, she didn't return to her hometown after graduation but stayed in Nanjing to work. After all, while Nanjing is only considered a mid-to-upper-tier city nationwide, it's a major city compared to Ning Yan's hometown.
Like countless college students from remote areas, the temptation to settle down and survive in a big city is undoubtedly very strong!
Ning Yan is a very hardworking and capable person. After working in a supermarket for a year, she joined Shenlan Entertainment, run by Fang Nan, and worked her way up from a junior clerk to where she is today… Her entire story can be described as a tale of a rural college student's personal struggle and success in the city. Now, Ning Yan has achieved considerable success; a girl from out of town who has worked her way up to owning a house and a car in this city… such a situation is quite enviable.
Of course, if Ning Yan hadn't ended up with such a scumbag husband, she could be considered happy.
Speaking of Ning Yan's scumbag husband, he's the worst of the worst. He's a grown man who was Ning Yan's college classmate back then. With his silver tongue and sweet talk, he somehow managed to win her heart.
It's said that people change drastically once they leave school and enter society. And it's true! That scumbag husband of mine, while in school, at most had some minor flaws and bad habits—just minor transgressions. But after entering the workforce, he became even worse.
Jobs are hard to find these days, and her husband has been staying home for over half a year. He hasn't been able to find suitable work... He refuses to do anything too hard or tiring. And he's not interested in easy, high-paying jobs either. He's wasted over half a year, and both of them are supported by Ning Yan's income alone.
Hearing this, I couldn't help but feel a deep respect for Ning Yan.
I think if it were the vast majority of female college students today, having a boyfriend who doesn't have a job and having to support him for more than half a year... they would probably have broken up with him long ago.
Ning Yan actually supported that gigolo for over half a year! That gigolo ate her food and drank her water, living a life of blissful luxury, yet Ning Yan remained devoted and didn't even kick him to the curb! It's truly an unbelievable story!
It's worth noting that Ning Yan is quite attractive, a kind of "second-glance beauty." At first glance, she's just slightly pretty. But upon closer inspection, she has a certain charm. Nowadays, girls with even a little bit of good looks are immediately surrounded by successful young men eagerly awaiting them after graduating from school and entering the workforce. With Ning Yan's looks, she certainly wouldn't lack suitors after entering society.
She actually stayed with that scumbag for so long!
Is it possible that she was born with a high IQ, but a correspondingly low EQ?
That man was quite clever; while relying on Ning Yan to support himself, he at least managed to restrain his true nature and temperament. It's said he was also very gentle and kind to Ning Yan, who willingly supported him. Later, he finally got a good job through a successful classmate at a foreign trade company, with a decent income. However, it wasn't long before he became involved with the company's heir apparent.
Hearing this, I made a rough guess... that guy was probably the type who was good at flattering and bootlicking. Most princes and nobles are into all sorts of vices, and this scumbag did quite well by hanging himself around that prince. He just unfortunately got addicted to gambling...
After that, Ning Yan's life became difficult. Gambling is a bottomless abyss once you get hooked! It's a money-sucking pit!
Otherwise, how would the casino Zhou Jing is in charge of make money? Where does all that money come from? Isn't it all "donated" by gamblers? His entire salary is poured in, and he hasn't even seen a glimmer of hope. At that time, Ning Yan was already married to him, and their combined income was nearly ten thousand yuan a month, but they often couldn't make ends meet, and Ning Yan was frequently beaten and scolded at home.