Wen Ying thought about it and agreed.
In her previous life, she had stayed in Sichuan Province for university, while Song Shao had been recommended to the capital. Later, Song Shao went abroad for a while and stayed in the capital upon return, whereas Wen Ying had moved from Sichuan to Modu for development.
One in the south, one in the north, separated by such distance, even maintaining friendship was difficult.
In this life, both were attending university in Modu. Meeting for a meal to catch up was quite easy.
Wen Ying happily went to watch the game with Xie Qian.
The “Rukawa Kaede” classmate had indeed reserved excellent seats for them.
Xie Qian’s eight hundred schemes did not affect Song Shao, but they thoroughly provoked “Rukawa Kaede”.
The girl I like is watching my game.
The boy that the girl I like likes… damn, it’s too complicated. It’s my love rival, and he’s also watching my game!
The former made “Rukawa Kaede” boil with passion, the latter kept his blood surging throughout the entire match.
Clearly playing away, “Rukawa Kaede” classmate led his teammates to overwhelm the home team.
So fierce?
The home team’s coach was furious, even wanting to drag the Zhendan players for drug testing.
You lot didn’t collectively take stimulants, did you?
Cheers erupted wave after wave from the stands.
Wen Ying had only general interest in basketball, but immersed in this atmosphere, every time the Zhendan team scored, she became incredibly excited.
“Another score!”
“We’re leading by over ten points!”
Wen Ying exclaimed one after another, fully invested in the game. Seeing her joy, Xie Qian instantly felt coming to watch was very meaningful.
Objectively speaking, “Rukawa Kaede” classmate was indeed very charismatic, especially now.
Sweating profusely on the court.
Scoring shot after shot.
Intercepting opponents, assisting teammates.
Xie Qian could see that “Rukawa Kaede” was the soul of the Zhendan team. The entire team’s morale was driven by him.
With the captain fighting so hard, the teammates were all pumped like they’d been injected with adrenaline.
How wonderful.
Xie Qian sincerely thought: This kid barely qualifies to like Wen Ying!
Someone liking Wen Ying troubled Xie Qian.
If an insufficiently outstanding person clung to Wen Ying, Xie Qian felt an indescribable irritation… as if Wen Ying was being undervalued by others.
When the referee’s whistle blew, the scoreboard announced Zhendan’s victory. Xie Qian generously applauded the person trying to poach his girl.
Urged by his teammates, “Rukawa Kaede” took off his jersey and ran a couple of victory laps around the court. He stopped in front of Wen Ying and solemnly introduced himself, “Junior sister, my name is Liu Zifeng. Will you remember my name?”
Wen Ying feared Liu Zifeng might impulsively stuff his removed jersey into her hands. Without checking Xie Qian’s expression, she quickly nodded, “Senior, I remember. Not just me; many people will remember it today!”
Liu Zifeng smiled, revealing neat white teeth.
“Liu Zifeng!”
“Liu Zifeng!”
“Zhendan! Zhendan!”
His teammates lifted Liu Zifeng and tossed him into the air, celebrating wildly in the away game, infuriating the Jiaotong basketball coach.
This was truly adding insult to injury!
Xie Qian reminded Wen Ying, “Shall we leave? I’m afraid if we stay longer, we’ll get beaten.”
It was indeed too provocative. Wen Ying nodded with a smile, “You’re right. Let’s go first.”
This was Jiaotong’s home court, with more supporters for the Jiaotong team.
There were more games after, but Wen Ying and Xie Qian did not plan to stay. They left early.
There was still over an hour until the agreed time with Song Shao. After discussing, they decided to head to “Xia Wang” early and wait for him.
They were shareholders in Xia Wang after all.
Though they usually did not manage it, when interested, they could check on the business.
Wen Ying had never been to the Jiaotong branch of Xia Wang. Upon arrival, her first impression was positive.
The ground-floor shop had a slight elevation difference from the street. The few steps were easy for ordinary people, but “Xia Wang” had built a barrier-free ramp at the entrance, very convenient for someone like Xie Qian.
“Big Brother Qin Yi is really thoughtful.”
Wen Ying was in a great mood. Xie Qian could not help but nod, “He does know how to do business.”
Qin Yi had graduated university and had no plans for further studies, pouring all his energy into developing “Xia Wang”.
Since the Qin siblings took over “Xia Wang”, they had not yet distributed dividends to shareholders.
But this year was different. A few days ago, during a call with Qin Jiao, she mentioned there would be dividends at year-end.
Xie Qian’s impression of Qin Yi remained average.
The 5% shares in “Xia Wang” were once nothing to Xie Qian, and now even less so.
Xie Qian just disliked anyone bullying Wen Ying for “lacking money”.
But Wen Ying had no money before; now she had plenty!
Dividends or not, additional investment was fine. Wen Ying would not fall into financial distress.
Thinking this, Xie Qian with his eight hundred schemes smiled, “Then let’s wait for the dividends. Regardless of amount, at least it’s on the right track.”
When Wen Ying started the business with her friends, no one imagined “Xia Wang” reaching its current scale.
Qin Yi was ambitious, with the long-term goal of listing “Xia Wang”.
This was not pie in the sky. “Xia Wang” had established its own food company in Rongcheng, initially just for R&D and distribution of base ingredients for its stores, later producing finished seasoning packets.
Wen Ying knew Xie Qian had no time to follow these and explained, “In local Rongcheng supermarkets and grocery stores, ‘Xia Wang’ seasoning packets sell very well. Of course, in other cities in the province too. Jiao Jie said they’re actively expanding channels outside the province.”
In cities with “Xia Wang” physical stores, the namesake seasoning packets opened markets more easily, with taste spreading by word of mouth. Housewives had many options on shelves; gaining their recognition was not easy.
Xie Qian nodded, “Qin Jiao truly has ability.”
Wen Ying pushed Xie Qian into the store.
They had come simply as customers, but unexpectedly, Yang Xi was at the Jiaotong branch today.
Yang Xi was stunned seeing Xie Qian in a wheelchair, taking a moment to greet them.
“You… why are you here?”
Wen Ying smiled and countered, “I was going to ask you. You came to Modu without a word. How long are you staying?”
“Not many days.”
Qin Yi had invited Yang Xi to Modu multiple times, but Yang Xi could not leave the elders at home and stuck firmly to the Rongcheng base.
Seeing Wen Ying, Yang Xi wanted to chat, “Remember the friends I mentioned before? The ones who splashed paint at Little Sister’s house during Spring Festival for the act. Now they’re all working at ‘Xia Wang’. Some in Rongcheng, others I sent to Modu.”
Wen Ying certainly remembered.
When Yang Xi called them out, Wen Ying recalled even more vividly.
The young man in “Xia Wang” uniform was Xiao Liang, the thug who had splashed paint and ruined Wen Ying’s new down jacket.
Oh, no longer Thug Xiao Liang. Now Kitchen Xiao Liang.
The uniform was a bit large on Xiao Liang; he was still skinny.
Skinny, but Xiao Liang looked spirited. Seeing Wen Ying, he even bowed politely.
Wen Ying waved hurriedly, “Hey, no need for that. What are you doing!”
Xiao Liang adjusted his chef’s hat, “Sister Xi, no, Manager Yang told us it was because you approved that we could join ‘Xia Wang’. I’m especially grateful to you.”
Wen Ying’s memory resurfaced.
She had not actually approved; she just had not opposed.
These people joining “Xia Wang” was likely Yang Xi persuading the Qin siblings.
But Wen Ying did not expose Yang Xi’s white lie. Yang Xi must have had reasons. If these people knew Yang Xi’s words carried such weight at “Xia Wang”, relying on old ties, they might not respect other managers.
By attributing it to Wen Ying, they would feel pressure, knowing they had to perform well to stay and to repay Sister Xi for lowering her head to plead on their behalf!
Wen Ying had a good memory and recalled Yang Xi mentioning Xiao Liang’s girlfriend was pregnant, prompting his desire to “turn over a new leaf”.
“How are you and your girlfriend?”
Mentioning his girlfriend lit up Xiao Liang’s face, “We’re great. Our child is born, though we’re not old enough to register marriage yet. I want to save money and have a banquet when we can. When we do, could you come for the wedding drink?”
Xiao Liang was a bit intimidated by Xie Qian.
Though Xie Qian was in a wheelchair and not fierce-looking, Xiao Liang instinctively felt Xie Qian was formidable.
Formidable to the point of being in a different world.
Xiao Liang thought, if he were still in the underworld, this wheelchair guy probably would not even glance at him.
Wen Ying agreed readily, “Sure. When you marry, have Sister Xi tell me. If I’m free, I’ll definitely come personally. If not, I’ll have Sister Xi bring a red envelope for me!”
Mentioning a red envelope embarrassed Xiao Liang.
Hey, he really was not after one!
He was genuinely grateful.
Kindness had been rare in Xiao Liang’s past life; he cherished every bit.
Moreover, working at “Xia Wang” had given him his current happy life.
“Xia Wang” was not just a job to Xiao Liang; it was new hope for his life.
As dinner hour approached, the kitchen grew busy. Hearing his name called, Xiao Liang could not say more and trotted back.
After Xiao Liang left, Yang Xi handed them menus while updating on his situation.
Yang Xi had suggested Xiao Liang and others join “Xia Wang” after this year’s Spring Festival, when Xiao Liang’s girlfriend was already pregnant. Neither was old enough to marry, but Xiao Liang did not want her to abort and harm her health. The young couple wanted to have the child.
Raising a child costs money.
Xiao Liang could not find proper work and was in pain.
“His first gift visit to her family nearly got his legs broken by his future father-in-law. Later, I got him into ‘Xia Wang’. We buy social insurance for employees, right? His father-in-law heard it was a proper company with insurance and felt it legitimate. Xiao Liang faced his father-in-law’s scowl daily, taking scoldings and beatings without leaving, rolling up sleeves to help with chores. Now the father-in-law still scowls at him, but the mother-in-law has slowly accepted him. They’re not old enough to register, but his girlfriend has given birth. Currently, her family helps care for the baby. Xiao Liang came to Modu for higher wages here. He eats and lives at the store to save money, sending wages straight to his girlfriend.”
