"Jessica, TOM Media is hosting a cocktail party tonight for their new publication launch. They've invited our company's marketing department to attend. Here's the invitation." The department assistant came in, handing an invitation to Zhao Nian.
Zhao Nian took it and glanced at it. The sight of TOM Media's name made her heart skip a beat. Outwardly calm, she casually put the invitation aside and nodded, "I see."
After the assistant left, Zhao Nian picked up the invitation again, staring blankly at TOM Media's logo. But what she saw in her mind was Murong Feng's smile.
This party... she would see him, wouldn't she?...
Shortly after returning from training at Lanc么me's French headquarters, Zhao Nian was promoted to Marketing Director, becoming the youngest mid-level manager in Lanc么me China. Her status in the company suddenly rose, and she even got her own office.
Lanc么me was a famous international cosmetics brand and a major advertiser in fashion media. As Marketing Director, she controlled promotional plans and advertising placements, naturally making her a key figure that account managers from various fashion magazines needed to maintain a good relationship with. However, because Zhao Nian had only recently been promoted, the account manager responsible for cosmetics at TOM Media hadn't had the chance to establish direct contact with her. They took the opportunity of this new publication launch to send her an invitation.
Zhao Nian was usually a very decisive person, but now, looking at the invitation, she found herself unusually hesitant and uncertain.
To go, or not to go?
...
Murong Feng and Zhou Haitao were seeing guests out of the company's main entrance, exchanging views as they walked back side by side.
"Murong, I think the health industry is a sunrise industry. The international management and chain operation concepts they just proposed have successful cases, but the management team doesn't have experience in operating a health business. If they really start rapid expansion, this seems like it'll be a weak point.... What do you think?" Zhou Haitao casually flipped through the last few pages of the project plan in his hand, looking at the relevant data on growth estimates. He suddenly smiled and said, "Looking at the numbers, if we invest to rapidly scale, the market potential is still quite large."
Murong Feng nodded, recalling the words and expressions of the other party during the project meeting earlier. He said, "You can see they've done thorough market research before. The overall market analysis is very clear, and the business model is a mature model from abroad. Although there are some differences between domestic and foreign market environments, the market environment in big cities is still quite suitable. As for the management team experience issue you mentioned, I actually don't think it's a big deal."
Murong Feng's smile carried a confident expression: "The management team is actually what I value most in this project! Haitao, look at the CEO of this company, Fan Hai. He used to be a senior executive in a foreign company operating chain supermarkets. After his first entrepreneurial company failed, his later established company succeeded, and now his assets can reach tens of millions. This says a lot. I think an entrepreneur who has failed before is more likely to succeed because he knows where the pitfalls are in the growth process of an enterprise and how to proceed safely!"
Zhou Haitao looked at Murong Feng in surprise and smiled, "I get your point...., well, the company's early development has been smooth so far, the three stores they've opened are profitable. Fan Hai hopes to accelerate the pace of market growth, staying ahead of competitors, which is why he hopes to obtain funds for rapid expansion through financing. Murong, I think this case is worth following up on!"
Murong Feng nodded with a smile in agreement.
The phone rang, and Murong Feng saw it was Ouyang Lanruo. He smiled as he answered, "Sister Lan, hello!"
"Murong, don't forget the new publication launch cocktail party tonight!"
Murong Feng was stunned for a moment, then said with a wry smile, "Thanks for calling, I almost forgot." Ouyang Lanruo said in surprise over the phone, "I even specifically called Lily to remind you." Murong Feng explained, "I've been in meetings with clients all day, I guess she hasn't had the chance to remind me yet."
Ouyang Lanruo said helplessly, "How did you, a leisurely rich man, unknowingly turn into a workaholic? Remember, 8 pm tonight, at the 1949 Club in North Road of Workers' Stadium, No. 4 Courtyard."
Murong Feng repeatedly agreed with a laugh before hanging up the phone.
He turned to Zhou Haitao, who was standing beside him smiling, and said, "Haitao, TOM has a new publication launch cocktail party tonight. Want to come and relax a bit?"
Zhou Haitao shook his head, "No, thanks. My wife just arrived in Beijing from Hong Kong, I'm going back to accompany her tonight." His career focus was now in Beijing, and he had just purchased a new house here. His wife had come to Beijing a few days ago.
Murong Feng smiled, "Alright then, you and your wife are like newlyweds after a short separation, you should naturally spend more time with her!" Zhou Haitao was unfazed by his teasing, just chuckled, and they each returned to their offices.
The English name of the 1949 Club was "The Hidden City," meant to provide a secluded spot in the bustling city for those too lazy to leave the downtown area. It was one of the most stunning yet low-key venues in Beijing recently. The entire courtyard covered an area of 6,000 square meters, with restaurants, bars, cafes, and the "49" private high-end clubs inside. The entire building was designed by an American Chinese designer. The open-air rooftop and the lush lawns between the various restaurants complement each other, creating a beautiful environment.
TOM Media's new fashion magazine "Style" launch party was being held here.
At this time, the floodlights on the lawn in front of the club were bright, and the atmosphere was lively. Many media outlets had already set up their cameras, pointing their lenses at the red carpet where many dazzling stars and famous models invited to the event were arriving.
A Maserati pulled up in front of the club, and camera flashes immediately lit up. Everyone knew this was Murong Feng's ride. As someone who had frequently made headlines recently, his popularity was no less than those A-list celebrities. Of course, if you look at identity and status, it's not even on the same level. He was a new generation of business celebrity, a multimillionaire, naturally holding a revered position in this money-oriented society.
Murong Feng had gradually gotten used to such scenes over the years. He maintained a smile, protected by Guo Yong as he walked into the "1949" club. Although he didn't answer any questions, his smiling and polite demeanor didn't offend these reporters either.
Just as he walked through the club's main entrance, Ouyang Lanruo came to greet him. Murong Feng saw that her smiling face seemed to carry a slightly strange expression.
Walking up to him, Ouyang Lanruo said in a low voice, "Murong, there's something I need to tell you.... Zhao Nian is here today too."
She had known Zhao Nian before, but since Murong Feng and Zhao Nian had broken up, she had rarely encountered Zhao Nian since. She had hurried to wait for Murong Feng at the entrance, worried that he run into Zhao Nian unaware and be caught of guard.
Murong Feng was stunned. Zhao Nian?...
Suddenly hearing this name made him lose his train of thought. Ouyang Lanruo continued to whisper beside him, "Usually, clients invited to such parties are at the director level. Originally, Lanc么me's marketing director was Linda Shen Lin, but I didn't expect that recently Linda was transferred to Taiwan, and Zhao Nian was promoted to Marketing Director, so the invitation was sent to her..." She only found out later. As the editor-in-chief, she had too many things to consider, and inviting guests was the responsibility of her subordinates.
Murong Feng quickly regained his composure. He smiled and said, "It's fine if she's here. Our affair is long over anyway. Come on, let's go in." He took a light breath and walked forward.
Ouyang Lanruo knew him too well. Despite his outwardly calm demeanor, she could still sense some unease, and sighed inwardly. But these two were both in the fashion circle, they would meet sooner or later anyway. Thinking of this, she felt a bit more at ease. She accompanied him inside, greeting some guests along the way with a glamorous and friendly manner, occasionally helping to introduce Murong Feng to some more important clients.
Walking in from the club entrance, there was first an art gallery. Paintings hung on both sides of the corridor, along with potted plants placed here and there, making the overall environment elegant and full of artistic atmosphere. Fashion-conscious people in fancy attire chatted and smiled, holding wine glasses in twos and threes, but Murong Feng seemed oblivious to this atmosphere.
Past the gallery was the club's open-air courtyard. The lawn courtyard was already crowded with guests, facing a simple stage set up at the gallery entrance. The backdrop was the cover of the newly launched "Style" magazine and the logos of the event's sponsoring brands. The entire venue was decorated with taste, very much in line with the East-meets-West architectural style of the "1949" club. Murong Feng also secretly praised it, thinking that Ouyang Lanruo, Doris, and the TOM Media team were indeed industry elites, handling such a fashion cocktail party with ease.
He spotted Bao Zixian, Doris, and Tang Qing standing in the courtyard chatting, so he and Ouyang Lanruo walked over.
"Zixian, when did you arrive?" Murong Feng first shook hands with Bao Zixian, smiling. After all, Bao Zixian was considered the real big boss of TOM Media. Bao Zixian was very happy to see Murong Feng, not only shaking his hand but even opening his arms to hug him, laughing, "Murong, you're here! Busy man, huh! I just arrived on the afternoon flight."
He continued with a smile, "How's the progress on that plan you mentioned on the phone last time, about setting up a new joint-stock company with Fengxing and Ayu? Murong, I knew you were extraordinary, this move is beautiful, I'm very optimistic about the prospects of the new company!"
What he appreciated about Murong Feng was that he seemed to be constantly growing. Hong Kong people's view on career was not fearing poverty, but fearing not daring to take risks, so he very much approved of Murong Feng's plan!
Murong Feng discussed with him for a bit, then exchanged a glance with Tang Qing, greeting her with a smile: "Janney." Their eyes met, carrying a different kind of moving flavor.
Seeing that Murong Feng had arrived, Doris and Ouyang Lanruo no longer accompanied Bao Zixian. The two of them were the main organizers of this cocktail party and had many other things to attend to.
Murong Feng, Tang Qing, and Bao Zixian chatted casually. Tang Qing and Bao Zixian were already good friends, so they talked about the recent situations of Huo Siqi and Liu Zekai, and discussed Bao Zixian's next step of planning to acquire some media outlets and merge them into TOM Media.
What had the three of them particularly happy to talk about was Murong Feng's horse "Night Wind". Bao Zixian was also a horse lover and a member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. When talking about horses, he immediately became animated, repeatedly saying that he must go see Night Wind tomorrow.
As they were talking, Murong Feng suddenly felt vaguely that someone was watching him from afar. He unconsciously looked up...
Their eyes met, and time seemed to stop instantly, flowing backward.
Back to that year, Christmas Eve, the moment he first saw Zhao Nian.