Ouyang Xue had rarely ventured far from her ancient city, with her furthest trip being to Beijing to study unique restaurant management models. This trip to Shenzhen marked several firsts: her first time traveling a long distance, her first time on a plane, and her first stay in a star-rated hotel. Despite having the financial means for such experiences, she had never before considered indulging in them.
In this city, renowned for its gold rush, dreams, and modernity, she felt that everyone was in a hurry, each pair of eyes filled with a searching urgency. It was hard to distinguish whether this was a confident vitality or a survival anxiety. She felt fortunate to have a familiar livelihood, allowing her to enjoy a luxurious tranquility.
After completing preliminary negotiations with Le Sheng Company, they scheduled a formal meeting at 9 AM the next day at Le Sheng's headquarters. Ouyang Xue and Ye Xiaoming took a taxi back to the Yuexiu Garden Hotel, a three-star establishment in the commercial district. Ye Xiaoming's room was on the 6th floor, while Ouyang Xue's was on the 12th.
Upon arriving at the hotel, Ouyang Xue didn't immediately enter. Glancing at her watch, she asked, "Mr. Ye, it's almost dinner time. What's your plan?"
This clearly implied she had her own plans. Understanding, Ye Xiaoming replied, "I'll grab a quick bite. If you have other plans, go ahead. I need to prepare for tomorrow's negotiations."
Ouyang Xue said, "I know nothing about negotiations and can't help much. Since I'm here in Shenzhen, I checked out a few unique restaurants online and want to explore them."
Ye Xiaoming nodded, "Alright, you go ahead. I'll head up."
After Ye Xiaoming returned to the hotel, Ouyang Xue hailed another taxi at the entrance.
As the taxi started, the driver asked, "Miss, where to?"
Ouyang Xue replied, "Gan Cuisine Restaurant."
The ride took less than 20 minutes. The restaurant's entrance was lined with three large, over-two-meter-high clay pots, clearly showcasing their signature Jiangxi-style clay pot soups. The restaurant's decor, from the facade to the tables and utensils, embodied authentic Jiangxi folk customs. Online reviews mentioned that all ingredients were flown in daily from Jiangxi to ensure authentic flavors.
Ouyang Xue chose a seat, ordered a clay pot soup, a Gan Nan lotus leaf braised pork, and Nanchang fried rice noodles. She wasn't there for the food but to observe the restaurant's business model and service details. She paid close attention to everything from the dining environment's creativity to the waitstaff's actions. Having worked her way up from selling wontons at a street stall to running a noodle shop and then a hotel, she had a special affinity for the restaurant industry. This sector allowed her to start from a low entry point and gradually grow.
She took a sip of the clay pot soup. The rich and savory flavor was indeed excellent, far surpassing the so-called clay pot soups in her ancient city. She slowly ate while meticulously observing her surroundings. After over 20 minutes, she had barely touched her food, keeping her stomach ready for a few more restaurants.
However, her thoughts drifted. After all, she was the chairman of Ge Lü Shi Company, facing a significant issue and negotiating with Le Sheng. While she wasn't particularly concerned about the success or failure of the negotiations—a matter beyond her control—the implications of the outcome weighed on her mind. A vague premonition surfaced, telling her that Ding Yuan Ying and the other three shareholders were nearing a breaking point. An obvious sign was their complete exclusion of Ding Yuan Ying, her proxy. This meant that her relationship with the three shareholders was also doomed, as Ding Yuan Ying represented her shares. Consequently, Ye Xiaoming neither notified Ding Yuan Ying nor her immediately upon receiving the lawsuit but first consulted with Feng Shijie and Liu Bing before informing her, the so-called chairman.
She pondered that, according to the logic of Ye, Feng, and Liu, the lawsuit would be disastrous whether they won or lost, and the only solution was to avoid litigation. But what if the reconciliation failed?
She could already foresee the impending events.