sbdcsierra Chapter 280: Only by following you can I have no worries about food and clothing
Chapter 280: Only by following you can I have no worries about food and clothing
On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Huang Xiaochuan had just returned from attending his elder sister Zeng Hong's wedding.
Huang Xiaochuan came back alone. His maternal grandmother, uncle and aunt, Lao Huang and Zeng Lijuan stayed in their hometown. Because the eighth day of the lunar new year was the wedding day of his second sister Zeng Xia, they didn't want to travel back and forth. Besides, someone had to take care of the banquet and other arrangements. Huang Xiaochuan had four wheels, so he could come whenever they needed him.
The elderly mother, Zeng Lijuan, was afraid of dogs, and it was inconvenient to bring the large and small sticks back to her hometown. There was no one to feed them if they were left in the old house, so Huang Xiaochuan had to run back and forth to them.
Yu Xiang went to Lu Xun's hometown with her parents and family and won't be back until tomorrow.
Now Huang Xiaochuan was all alone in Shanghai, so he decided to go to the old man's house and eat with him. He could cook a few meals for the old man and also mooch a few meals from him, as eating alone was always a bit boring.
On the afternoon of the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Huang Xiaochuan received another call from Nan Hui. This woman was quite persistent.
Most businesses were closed during the Spring Festival, so Nan Hui invited Huang Xiaochuan to a coffee shop run by a foreigner not far from the Bund.
The clientele inside was mostly foreigners. Nan Hui arrived early, and her winter clothes did not hide her graceful figure and beautiful face. Several foreigners tried to chat with her while she sat alone in a booth, but Nan Hui turned them away.
Huang Xiaochuan arrived at the coffee shop five minutes before the agreed time. Huang Xiaochuan always values time and is never late or breaks a promise unless there is a special reason.
When Huang Xiaochuan arrived, he happened to see a foreigner trying to flirt with Nan Hui. Nan Hui was getting annoyed, but when she saw Huang Xiaochuan, her eyes lit up and she immediately stood up and waved to him.
Huang Xiaochuan walked over, and the foreigner had no choice but to leave dejectedly when he saw that Nan Huiyue's people had arrived.
"Mr. Huang, what would you like to drink?"
Huang Xiaochuan originally wanted to order tea, but then thought it wouldn't be appropriate, so he ordered a cup of coffee instead!
"Pure Americano, please! No sugar, no milk!"
Nan Hui couldn't help but glance at Huang Xiaochuan again. People in China almost never choose Americano coffee, let alone Huang Xiaochuan's way of drinking it without sugar and with milk. Nan Hui had tried it once out of curiosity, and it was no different from drinking medicine, it was terribly bitter!
Before long, a steaming cup of Americano was placed in front of Huang Xiaochuan.
"Your way of drinking is really rare; most people wouldn't be used to it!"
Huang Xiaochuan smiled, took a sip of coffee, and said, "Just drink it like tea; tea is bitter too."
Seeing that Nan Hui was still a little confused, Huang Xiaochuan explained it to her.
"From a professional perspective, tea and coffee have a stimulating effect. Studies have found that certain components in bitter drinks can stimulate the nervous system, increase brain excitability, and help to refresh the mind and enhance concentration. This is very beneficial for people who need to concentrate on work or study."
"Moreover, bitter drinks also have great health benefits. For example, green tea and coffee contain a variety of beneficial components. The catechins in green tea have antiviral and immune-boosting effects; the theaflavins in black tea have even stronger antiviral capabilities; and the caffeine and other components in coffee can enhance metabolism, fight fatigue, and slow down aging."
Nan Hui laughed and said, "I've been drinking tea for so many years without knowing how good it is, even though it's bitter. I never knew there was so much to learn about it."
Huang Xiaochuan smiled and continued, "Sister Nan, have you ever thought about this? Why is it that even though we clearly prefer sweet things, the world's three major beverages—tea, coffee, and cocoa—are all based on bitterness? Could it be that we humans have a gene that craves bitterness, or that some acquired reason has reversed our nature and made us fond of bitter drinks?"
"Actually, what we like is not the bitterness, but the aroma and benefits that these drinks bring us, mainly the benefits of drinking coffee and tea that I just mentioned."
Nan Hui was sincerely convinced: "I have truly learned a lot today."
Huang Xiaochuan quickly waved his hand: "I'm just showing off my limited skills before an expert; please forgive me, Sister Nan!"
Now, let's get down to business.
Nan Hui brought up the same old topic again, which concerned whether she could live in the luxury mansion in Mid-Levels, Hong Kong that Huang Boyi had mentioned in the future. Back when she was speculating on stamps, Nan Hui had wanted to partner with the young man in front of her. However, as the profits grew, and Huang Xiaochuan showed no interest, the idea of cooperation was forgotten by Nan Hui. But as it turned out, if she had partnered with this young man back then, she wouldn't have had to leave her hometown.
So this time, she was determined to get on Huang Xiaochuan's good side no matter what.
"Mr. Huang, I'm taking the liberty of inviting you out during the New Year, still because of that matter from last time."
Seeing that Huang Xiaochuan was about to refuse, Nan Hui quickly spoke up first, "Mr. Huang, please let me say a few words first, please!"
Since she had already asked, Huang Xiaochuan temporarily abandoned the idea of refusing her and decided to listen to what she had to say.
"I've spoken with Chairman Huang. Here's what we'll do: Chairman Huang and I will each contribute capital and personnel, holding 15% of the shares. Mr. Huang, you will also contribute a symbolic sum, holding 70% of the shares. This way, we can ensure that the company is under your control. Mr. Huang, just tell me what to do, and Chairman Huang and I will handle the rest."
Huang Xiaochuan was shocked by Nan Hui's words. This woman was something else! She could be so ruthless. You know, this kind of equity distribution would give Huang Xiaochuan absolute power in this company.
Is this about finding a business partner or finding a boss for yourself?
Seeing that Huang Xiaochuan did not object, Nan Hui was overjoyed and then said, "To be honest, I've been out in the world for so many years, and I know my own limitations. With my abilities, I can only guarantee myself a comfortable life."
"But who doesn't want to live a life of luxury? I'm no exception. To be honest, I've suffered and endured hardship, and I know what it's like to be broke. That's why I've always been desperately trying to make money."
"After all these years, I've realized that even with all my hard work, one wrong step could lead to utter ruin. But ever since I met you, I've had this feeling that only by following you can I truly live a life free from financial worries."
Huang Xiaochuan smacked his lips. Why did this sound so awkward? What did he mean by saying that following me would guarantee a life of comfort and security?
Nan Hui, however, was already caught up in her emotions and didn't realize this, continuing to speak.
"I've met many people in my life, but Mr. Huang, you're different from them all. You seem to possess a kind of magic, a Midas touch. Please forgive me for saying this, but I really don't know how to describe how important you are to me!"
Huang Xiaochuan was both amused and exasperated. This wasn't an invitation to start a company together; it was more like a woman confessing her love to a man!
Huang Xiaochuan quickly interrupted Nan Hui, "Sister Nan, I understand your general meaning, but you overestimate me. I'm not as capable as you think. I've only made a little money through good luck and boldness. Luck is unpredictable; it comes and goes. And boldness diminishes with age. So, it's better to rely on yourself than on others. Sister Nan, you've already done very well. Experiencing a setback isn't necessarily a bad thing; things will go smoothly in the future!"
As expected, Nan Hui's persuasion failed again, but she felt no frustration. With her woman's intuition, she felt that Huang Xiaochuan seemed to be somewhat tempted this time.