Chapter 121: Happiness

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At the music bar, Fan Yunting, like a gracious hostess, led me directly into a private room and asked the waiter to bring a bottle of red wine she had stored there.

We each had our glasses filled. After the waiter left, Fan Yunting raised her glass with a smile and said, “Here’s to Tang Qian, to the founding of our new company, to the fresh start of our entrepreneurial journey—let’s drink to that!” I lifted my glass as well and responded, “Alright! To our impending success, cheers!”

We clinked glasses. She tilted her head back and drained her glass in one gulp. Seeing that she had finished, I steeled myself and took three sips to finish mine.

Fan Yunting was visibly excited. She set down her glass and said, “Tang Qian, with the new company about to launch, there’s a lot to do. You can’t afford to be idle. Let’s divide the tasks. You’re already vice president, so other matters should be set aside for now. Your full support is crucial.”

I nodded. “Since I’m already on this ship, I might as well do the dirty work. What tasks are you assigning me?”

Fan Yunting smiled sweetly. “First, starting a company requires registration, business licenses, tax licenses, and a series of formalities. I’ll handle those. Your main responsibilities are: one, refurbishing the office building and procuring all necessary equipment; two, recruiting new employees, especially for the R&D department, where you’re the expert—I need top-tier talent to assist you; three, drafting and purchasing the instruments and equipment for the R&D and production departments. I want the best. I’ll handle the finances!”

I felt overwhelmed; these chores basically all fell to me. She just had to run to the business and tax offices and provide the funds—not too difficult. I smiled wryly, “I’m fine with the refurbishing and equipment purchase, but recruiting new staff is a big responsibility. Without your direct supervision, if anything goes wrong, I won’t take the blame.”

Fan Yunting tilted her head in thought. “Alright! Then recruit first, and I’ll have the final say. Don’t hire too many office staff at first—mainly financial and planning personnel. Marketing staff can wait since we don’t have products yet.”

Her competence was undeniable. She carefully explained the essential steps to establish the company, highlighting key points. I realized starting a business truly wasn’t simple!

Time flew by, and before we knew it, it was past midnight. Fan Yunting had covered everything we needed to discuss, though only in broad strokes; we’d still have to learn as we went.

Looking tired, she stretched with childlike charm and said, “So exhausting, but thinking about our company starting soon, I feel more energized than ever!”

I suddenly noticed this strong woman possessed a beauty and elegance rivaling Hua Jingjing’s, perhaps even surpassing her in grace. Truly, working women are the most beautiful.

Immediately, I scolded myself inwardly—having resolved not to get involved with any woman again, why was I still daydreaming? I composed myself and smiled, “By the way, Ms. Hua, we’ve discussed company formation all evening, but I still don’t know what our company will be called. Have you decided?”

Fan Yunting laughed. “That’s the toughest part. The name must be catchy, easy to pronounce, innovative, meaningful. It’s been driving me crazy for days, and I still haven’t come up with a good one. Any suggestions?”

I thought for a moment. “Sometimes the simplest is best. Since our flagship product will be Ye Jianxiang Tea Beverage, why not name the company Ye Jianxiang Tea Beverage Co., Ltd.? What do you think?”

Fan Yunting pondered, murmuring, “Ye Jianxiang… Ye Jianxiang Company…” Then she smiled brightly. “The name is a bit plain, but I like it! Let’s settle on that!” She poured the last of the wine into our glasses and toasted, “To the birth of Ye Jianxiang Company, cheers!”

I raised my glass, “Today’s Christmas, and also the birthday of Ye Jianxiang Tea. A fine day! Cheers!”

We drank down the wine together. Fan Yunting set down her glass, flushed from the alcohol, her face charmingly rosy. Her sparkling eyes and radiant smile, paired with her well-fitted attire, marked her as a top-tier white-collar beauty! No, from now on, she was no longer just a white-collar worker—she was the boss, a golden collar, a future business titan!

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A strong and beautiful woman!

As we left the bar, the snow was falling harder; the ground was nearly a foot deep in snow, making walking difficult. Fan Yunting exhaled a cloud of cold breath and said, “Tang Qian, let me take you home. I’ll call you tomorrow, and we’ll go check out the new company’s location together.”

I thought that sounded good. Tomorrow, I would resign from the bookstore—strictly speaking, today. Fan Yunting walked through the snow-covered ground toward a car now silver with snow, her mood joyful and excited.

Suddenly, feeling playful, she bent down, scooped up a handful of snow, formed a snowball, and threw it at me. Caught off-guard, I got hit squarely in the face.

From afar, Fan Yunting laughed brightly. “Tang Qian! Merry Christmas and happy birthday to Ye Jianxiang Company!”

Wiping snow from my face, I was touched by her genuine happiness. In our few interactions, she had always seemed mature and confident, somewhat serious. Now, she revealed a lively, youthful side, showing just how joyful she felt. Her laughter filled me with hope and confidence for the future!

Life is so beautiful! Even without love, one can live happily.

I smiled as I walked into the snow. In a daze, it felt as if I had stepped into a brand-new world…

At dawn, I opened the bookstore and called the owner to tell her I wanted to quit. Soon she hurried over, scolding me for not informing her sooner so she could have prepared. I apologized sincerely. After several rounds of explanations and reflections, I refused any salary, settled accounts, counted the cash, and returned the keys. Then I bowed and left, having tidied everything up.

I felt good. The snow had stopped, and few pedestrians were on the street. I wandered aimlessly along the sidewalk, sinking and stepping lightly in the snow. I was waiting for Fan Yunting’s call, ready to start the new job.

At noon, I casually ate a bowl of dumplings at a shop. Fan Yunting hadn’t called yet. Halfway through, someone behind me called out, “Tang Qian! Is that you?”

I turned to see a petite, delicate woman sitting at a nearby table who had finished her dumplings. I exclaimed with joy, “Qian Xiaolei? What a coincidence! Didn’t expect to run into an old classmate here!”

This charming young woman was my high school classmate, Qian Xiaolei, the close friend of Qiu Jieqin.

Qian Xiaolei smiled brightly. “It’s really you, Tang Qian! Long time no see. How have you been?” I happily moved my bowl of dumplings to her table and said with a grin, “So-so. It’s been a long time since we met. I haven’t seen you since your wedding. How’s married life? Any kids yet?”

Qian Xiaolei laughed. “My daughter can already talk—she’s adorable! Oh, I heard from Jieqin that after eight years of effort, she finally got you! You rascal! I thought you were made of stone, but you finally softened? So all those years weren’t wasted? You dummy!”

My smile froze, my eyes dimmed, and I sighed, burying my head in my dumplings. Qian Xiaolei noticed my change and asked, “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

I hesitated before saying, “Jieqin and I still didn’t end up together. We broke up recently.”

Qian Xiaolei was shocked. “Really? That can’t be. I talked to her on the phone just yesterday. She didn’t mention anything.”

I paused. “Maybe she doesn’t want to talk about it.”

Qian Xiaolei grew angry. “What kind of game are you playing? You finally got together, you should cherish it. Why break up now?”

I lowered my head. After a long pause, I said, “It’s past now. I don’t want to talk about it. I wronged Jieqin. I’m not worthy of her.”

Qian Xiaolei looked at me with clear reproach in her eyes: You heartless man!

I could only smile bitterly. To change the subject, I asked, “Do you work nearby? I didn’t know where you worked.”

Qian Xiaolei’s eyes darkened with frustration. “Don’t ask. That lousy company went bankrupt, and a bunch of us lost our jobs. I’ve been job hunting every day. I just had an interview at a company near here. Not sure if I’ll get it.”

I felt a pang and asked, “Isn’t your husband a government official? A sought-after job. Can’t he support you?”

“Him? Hmph! He’s been a low-level clerk for years, making barely two thousand yuan a month. With a kid and mortgage, it’s not nearly enough. If I don’t work, we’ll starve!”

I thought for a moment. “What did you do before the company went under?”

Qian Xiaolei smiled. “Why? Are you going to recommend me a job?”

I smiled back. “Why not?”

“Come on! Jieqin said you don’t even have a job yourself. How can you recommend me? You must be joking.”

“Joking or not depends. I need to know what you can do so I can help.”

Qian Xiaolei looked skeptical but replied, “I don’t have special skills. After high school, I didn’t get into college, so I self-funded two years at an accounting school. I’ve worked in finance ever since. If anything, I’m good at accounting.”

I grinned broadly. “If I hired you, would you be willing to help me? Just do what you know—financial work.”

Qian Xiaolei could hardly believe her ears and exclaimed, “You? You’d hire me?”