After the meeting ended, it was nearly noon. Ding Yuanying, considering the lunchtime rush at the Venus Hotel that needed Ouyang Xue's attention, and his own need to draft the company's articles of association, decided to leave Wangmiao Village with her.
As they drove out of the village, Ouyang Xue asked, "Brother Ding, if we let them buy equipment, won't the funds get out of control?"
Ding Yuanying replied, "Equipment isn't cash. Farmers produce, the company sells, and profits are transparently shared. It's not in anyone's interest to squander funds or incur excessive debt. Ye Xiaoming and Feng Shijie will be more concerned about this than you."
Ouyang Xue, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, "I can only run a restaurant; I don't understand other businesses."
Ding Yuanying cracked the window, lit a cigarette, and said, "Keep the meeting minutes safe; they'll be useful. Prepare the loan documents for collateral, leaving spaces for the guarantor and creditor signatures. With this meeting, the farmers will soon start planning their equipment needs, leading to a peak demand for funds."
Ouyang Xue noted, "Feng Shijie and the others have 200,000 yuan combined, which can be used initially."
Ding Yuanying laughed, "Without your money leading the way, not a single cent will follow."
Ouyang Xue understood and nodded, "People need to test the waters. Makes sense."
After this, they drove in silence for a while, with Ouyang Xue focusing on the road and Ding Yuanying quietly smoking. The silence didn't bother them until Ding Yuanying, finishing his cigarette, noticed it and asked, "Why so quiet?"
Ouyang Xue replied, "Waiting for your advice. Brother Ding, Xiaodan isn't around for lunch today. Why don't you eat at the hotel? Order whatever you like, and I'll take you home afterward."
Ding Yuanying said, "No need. I'd just be in your way at the hotel. Drop me off at the food street; I'll have some Shanxi noodles. It's more relaxing than a big meal at your place."
Ouyang Xue smiled, not insisting, and said, "Brother Ding, we're just chatting. If you don't mind me being chatty, I'd like to tell you about Xiaodan and me."
Ding Yuanying responded, "Feel free to share what you can."
Ouyang Xue began, "Xiaodan and I were neighbors, both only children from divorced families. But... my parents both saw me as a burden. I have no idea where my mother went, and my father remarried. I became the stereotypical stepchild in nursery rhymes: feared a stepmother, had a stronger brother, he ate noodles while I drank soup..." She laughed, as if telling a story about someone else, but there was a hint of sadness in her laughter.
Ding Yuanying didn't laugh, continuing to smoke quietly.
Ouyang Xue continued, "I loved visiting Xiaodan's house because her mother always gave me treats. Later, they moved abroad. At twelve, I dropped out and left home. I worked at a small restaurant on Madao Street, begging the owner's wife for a job, even knocking my head on the ground until it bled. She finally gave me a job picking vegetables and sweeping, sleeping on makeshift beds of benches at night. I then ran a wonton stall and later a snack shop, working tirelessly to earn a living."
Ding Yuanying nodded, "That's quite an achievement."
Ouyang Xue said, "I reconnected with Xiaodan when she returned to the ancient city for high school instead of going to Shanghai. She attended a boarding school near my snack shop. One day, some students came in, and I overheard them calling Xiaodan's name. It was really her. She was living alone in the city, so I often visited her and brought her food."
Ding Yuanying commented, "So there's a history between you two."
Ouyang Xue overtook a farm vehicle and asked, "Brother Ding, do you know how the Venus Hotel was established?"
Ding Yuanying replied, "I only know part of the investment came from a loan secured against a property in Rose Garden, but I don't know the details. Xiaodan's mother must have approved since the loan required the property owner's consent."
Ouyang Xue explained, "I had an opportunity to open a hotel in a prime location but lacked funds. Desperate, I went to Beijing to seek Xiaodan's help. She persuaded her mother to secure the loan against their house. Though initially meant as a loan, I pulled her into the partnership fearing I couldn't repay it if the venture failed. Xiaodan was in university then and had no interest in business. I convinced her with grand promises, but I had no real confidence. Xiaodan understood everything but never revealed it, always giving me face. I can't forget her kindness."
Ding Yuanying said, "Xiaodan and her mother did that because they believed in you."
Ouyang Xue said, "What I can't forget is not just her help, but her respect. She made me feel dignified. I work so hard because I know I lack that dignity. I have no family and little education. Whether Xiaodan studies abroad or becomes a lawyer, I hope she stays involved with the hotel. Having something in common makes me feel connected and gives me someone to discuss matters with."
Ouyang Xue's calm narration was deeply moving. Ding Yuanying finally understood her sensitivity regarding Xiaodan's involvement. It went beyond friendship—it was a profound emotional and spiritual need.
Ouyang Xue added, "I admire Xiaodan. She's not spoiled, is courageous, and makes decisive choices. You wouldn't guess she's a girl from her actions. If she were vain, she wouldn't live like this given her family's means."
Ding Yuanying said, "Her courage and decisiveness mean her future isn't for me to decide."
Ouyang Xue nodded, understanding the depth of his words. The drive continued in thoughtful silence.