As night fell, the bustling city settled into a sea of lights.
The persistent lady finally bought the audio system, leaving an empty space where it had been. Xiao Yawen, after careful consideration and discussion with Liu Bing and Xiao Yang, rearranged the store to make the layout more coordinated and balanced.
By 8 PM, Yawen washed the mop and cloth in the storage room next to the front hall, washed her face at the faucet, and dried her hands and face with a paper towel. She picked up her bag from the cashier's counter and took one last look at the newly arranged store before telling Liu Bing and Xiao Yang, "Okay, that's it for today."
Liu Bing, wanting to ask Yawen about the Marquis acquisition letter, hesitated. Realizing he was no longer a shareholder and it wasn't his place to inquire, he instead said, "President Xiao, we're short-staffed."
Yawen replied, "Let's maintain as we are until the lawsuit concludes. Hiring now could lead to immediate layoffs if we lose, which wouldn't be fair. Lock up and go eat. Rest early."
Yawen stepped outside, got into the new white Audi, and rolled down the windows for ventilation. The car was stuffy from sitting in the sun all day, and the interior had that new car smell. As she started the car, she saw Xiao Yang locking the iron gate outside the store, while Liu Bing stood in the doorway, staring dejectedly, as if something had been taken from him.
Liu Bing's expression evoked an inexplicable sense of pity in Yawen, as if she were the one who had wronged him. She backed the car out, adjusted the direction, and drove onto the road. She understood Liu Bing's feelings and knew what he was going through. After all, she had worked in Beijing for six years after graduating from the Police Academy, gaining social experience. She knew that once people escaped danger, they no longer focused on the risk but on the benefits, as was human nature.
The summer evening breeze through the window was refreshing, but her mind was preoccupied with the lawsuit, constantly hypothesizing and deducing potential outcomes. Since taking over the case, she hadn't had a good night's sleep. In the few days since assuming control of the company, she had lost weight, and her eyes were bloodshot.
But she was happy.
She noticed her transformation—she hadn't worn professional attire for days and no longer considered the company's image standards for professional women. She could wear what she liked: simple, tasteful, and casual clothes that suited her personality. This realization brought her a sense of freedom: women didn't always have to wear professional attire.
As she approached her neighborhood, she had no appetite and no interest in cooking. She wanted to find a quiet, elegant place to relax and clear her mind, though she was reluctant to spend money on such luxuries. After a moment of hesitation, she decided to treat herself. She turned the car towards a famous bar street in Beijing.
Handling a lawsuit was stressful enough, and now the acquisition letter from Marquis added another layer of complexity. Marquis and Greystone had no conflicts of interest or business dealings. Did this have any connection to the lawsuit? What was Marquis's intention? These were mysteries that needed clear answers. She could call Ding Yuanying for advice, but only after exhausting her own thoughts. She valued the privilege of seeking his guidance and wanted to earn his confidence.
Yawen parked outside a place called "Nostalgia Café."
Nostalgia Café was a small, uniquely decorated establishment with a nostalgic theme. The decor wasn't luxurious but had a distinct cultural charm, with old records, red armbands, and vintage military hats evoking past eras. The clientele was mostly middle-aged, around 40, with some younger patrons who appreciated the ambiance. They sipped coffee and conversed in low voices against a backdrop of soft music and dim lighting.
Yawen chose a table by the window, offering a view of the street outside like a silent movie. She enjoyed the café's simple, dedicated cultural atmosphere and observing the steady demeanor of experienced individuals engaged in conversation.
Ordering a coffee, she took out the acquisition letter and reviewed it again, examining the content, Marquis's board signatures, and seals.
A man in his 30s sat across from her, holding a glass of red wine. With the oldest pickup line, he asked, "Miss, may I buy you a coffee?"
Yawen, typically repelled by such advances, responded curtly, "No, thank you."
The man, unfazed by her refusal, continued, "Being turned down by someone as beautiful as you makes it a pleasure, as it shows your inner refinement."
Yawen, recognizing him as a seasoned flirt, decided to play along to teach him a lesson. "Having a coffee is fine. Then what?"
He said, "Then we chat."
"And then?"
He hesitated, "Then… nothing more."
Yawen pressed, "Why offer coffee only to women, not men? You're not honest. And don't say 'eye candy,' or you can just sit and savor it alone, saving the coffee money."
He awkwardly replied, "Then we get to know each other and maybe become friends."
"And then?"
"Then… truly, nothing more."
Yawen smiled and said, "Then it's about getting into bed. You should target more accurately. Goodbye."
The man, embarrassed, asked, "Why are you here then?"
Yawen replied, "That's a question for the owner. Either Nostalgia Café misunderstood you, or you misunderstood it."
The man walked away.
Yawen resumed pondering the Marquis acquisition letter. She sat there for three hours, finally concluding that Greystone's production costs might threaten Marquis, and Marquis's move was likely a feint to gather information rather than a genuine acquisition.
She felt Marquis had taught her a lesson titled: "Forewarned is Forearmed."