"Is this what...?" I frowned and looked at Yin Tianyu, glancing at the suspicious-looking cup in DIDO's hand.
“Sangria,” DIDO answered for Yin Tianyu. “It’s a red wine drink made from brandy, orange juice, red wine, kiwi, and other things, with some fruit pulp in it. Give it a try.”
I didn't want to show weakness at this moment, so I forced myself to remain calm and took a sip. Hmm, it tastes pretty good. I couldn't help but take another big sip and exclaimed, "It's a bit sour, but the taste is very special. The feeling on the tip of my tongue is wonderful. There are some unexpected peaks in the middle, but it's a bit astringent at the end."
DIDO was overjoyed, as if she had found a kindred spirit: "You have a great palate! I think this drink is like the ups and downs of a relationship, so I named it 'Sangria'."
Men and women experiencing ups and downs in love? I secretly glanced at DIDO and Yin Tianyu sitting in the row. Is this what they look like?
"Hey, wait a minute, haven't you noticed a huge flaw in your grand plan?" Yin Tianyu pulled me back from Sangria's thoughts: "You have severe pollen allergies, and you actually went into this line of work? Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
"Do you know that for Tibetans living on the plateau, walking the path of circumambulation is a happy thing? For me, being able to walk the path of making money is an equally happy thing."
"Ah!" DIDO was startled. Yin Tianyu, used to my nonsense, was not surprised at all and just continued along his own train of thought: "Besides that, there are many specific things involved, such as contacting flower farms, delivery systems, management systems, waste flower disposal, not to mention cost-effectiveness, expense control, and so on. The most crucial thing is that this plan needs huge financial support to be implemented. Have you found it?"
Part Two, Chapter Sixteen
For the first time in my life, I felt a sense of admiration for him for being able to sort out so many issues in such a short time. Actually, I had already contacted a group of people online to work on this together. We had already calculated and planned for all the issues he mentioned, and even contacted the flower market. But the only real problem we're facing now is funding. One of my partners has been applying for venture capital funding in the US, but the situation is still unclear.
I explained it to him with gestures and explanations. Fortunately, Yin Tianyu's sensitivity to numbers was no less than mine, so he understood what I meant as soon as I said those numbers that he knew by heart. Sometimes he could even explain the calculation formula and conversion result before I could. That's the benefit of being with smart people.
After listening, Yin Tianyu's furrowed brows relaxed, and he nodded, saying, "This plan is feasible, but your biggest problem right now is that if you can't find a 'water pipe' (investment), why don't you sell this plan to me?"
"Don't even think about it! My first pot of gold is counting on it, so don't even think about taking it from me." I looked at Yin Tianyu warily.
Yin Tianyu had drunk quite a bit and finally couldn't hold back any longer, rushing to the restroom. Only then did I notice that Dido had been sitting quietly beside me the whole time, showing no signs of impatience. I apologized, "Sorry, were you bored?"
"No, not at all." DIDO smiled slightly. "However, I'm quite interested in your flower delivery project, just like Tianyu. I'd like to put some money into it and give it a try. Do you think an initial investment of 1 million is enough?"
The beer I'd just swallowed suddenly veered off course and was forced into my lungs; I almost choked. DIDO quickly rubbed my back and chest, asking, "Are you alright?"
I coughed, my face flushed, and shook my head, finally managing to exhale before asking, "Is the 1 million you mentioned Japanese yen or Vietnamese dong?"
“Of course, it’s US dollars.” DIDO’s expression was very serious, and there was no sign of him joking.
"Is there anything wrong with where this money came from?" I think I was really scared.
"Of course, my family, like Tianyu's family, are legitimate businessmen."
Ah, a perfect match! It seems like she's more than just a girlfriend; she's probably a marriage partner.
"Well, since this involves equity matters, I need to discuss it with my partner first." I tried to calm my racing heart and regulate my breathing, all the while feigning composure. After so many years in sales, I know all too well the advantages that a high-stakes approach can bring to a transaction. Of course, knowing when to stop is an even more profound art, but God knows, when I smell the scent of money, I'm always the one who loves art the most.
"Okay, call me when you've decided," DIDO said, writing down a phone number on the drink receipt and handing it to me.
“By the way, do you know where there’s a pet shop on this island?” DIDO suddenly asked.
"Huh?" As a young lady from a wealthy family, it's perfectly reasonable for her to be naive and ignorant of the ways of the world. But I'm worried about how to protect her self-esteem. I tried to be tactful and said, "As far as I know, the only place like this is a veterinary station."
"That's troublesome. My cousin Tianyu has been looking for a white mixed-breed cat all day, and only had time to sit here with me after dinner. So I was thinking, why not just buy one from a pet store? It's not like it's a fancy breed; they should sell them everywhere. But that's just how my cousin is; he's always coming up with weird ideas. Once, a whole bunch of us cousins planned a trip to Europe, and he insisted on betting that he could travel all over five European countries by himself with only $100, and he actually did..."
"Wait, wait, Yin Tianyu is your cousin? Isn't he your boyfriend?" I suddenly realized that something was not right.
"What are you talking about? He's my cousin. As for his girlfriend, I've seen her quite a few times before, but I haven't seen her much in the last year. But I'm still very happy to be mistaken for Tianyu's girlfriend by you. At least it means I don't give people a bad impression."
"What about Gao Fei?"
"Do you also know Fei Cousin? He's younger than Tianyu."
Yin Tianyu! I really don't understand how I could have been fooled by this bastard again!
DIDO, completely oblivious to the murderous aura emanating from me, continued, "To be honest, while Tianyu is known for his amazing feats, it's rare to see him value something so much. Today he walked along the beach for four or five hours looking for that cat with distemper. So I'm thinking if there's a pet store, we might as well buy one to make up the difference."
"He's looking for a 'thug'!" The thought sent a shiver down my spine, followed by a warm, watery sensation enveloping me. At that moment, I finally understood why so many girls were so enamored with playing the role of the submissive woman. Occasionally experiencing being meticulously cared for like that is indeed enjoyable and easily leads to ruin. But this kind of enjoyment was completely foreign to me.
When Yin Tianyu returned, Dido and I were having a lively conversation. He was like a wolfhound with a keen sense of smell: "Did something happen while I was away?"
"Oh, it's nothing serious. It's just that besides Gao Fei, I've met another relative of yours," I said with a forced smile.
Yin Tianyu's facial skin must be unusually thick; he didn't even blush slightly. He calmly sat down and said, "If you're so interested in our relatives, I'll introduce you to them one by one another day. Especially my mom, she's always told me to bring at least one girl home for her to see, no matter how good or bad she is. And I think you two, who both love the kitchen, will definitely get along."
Half an hour ago, I might have asked him to take an ice bath to clear his head, but now, I inexplicably sighed and said, "Try bribing me with money. Maybe I'll be blinded by greed and go with you."
"Really?" My answer not only surprised myself but also seemed to surprise Yin Tianyu. "You mean it?" His expression was a mixture of surprise and delight, ignoring DIDO's obvious amusement as he watched.
"Let's pretend I didn't say anything," I quickly changed the subject.
"Hey, do you even know what 'a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold' means?"
"Are you kidding me? Have I uttered a single 'promise' since I sat down?" Playing the rogue is one of my strengths.
"Brother Tianyu, it seems I have a lot to report to Uncle and Aunt on this trip. Sigh, you'd better think of a way to mess with my memory." DIDO had a mischievous look on his face. It seemed that none of his cousins were easy to deal with.
"Ah, it's getting late, I have to go to work tomorrow, I have to go." My actions tonight made me very uneasy, and I didn't want to get involved with those cousins anymore.
"It's still early, it's not even twelve o'clock yet." DIDO wasn't about to let go of the opportunity to watch the show.
"No way! If I don't leave before midnight, my Ferrari will turn into a pumpkin, and I'll turn into a frog." I practically fled in panic.
"Wait, I'll take you." Yin Tian ignored DIDO's winks and gestures and insisted on chasing after him.
"No need, A-Lian's house is only about a 20-minute walk from here." I felt very awkward.
"Why do you always reject me? What's wrong with me? Can I change?" Yin Tianyu stopped and asked me.