As evening fell in late autumn, the streetlights flickered to life, illuminating the streets.
After leaving the Mingzhu Hotel, Liu Bing didn't head straight home to fetch the envelope. Instead, he walked along the moat, lost in thought. The evening autumn breeze carried a biting chill, and the willows along the riverbank, now bereft of their summer grace, displayed bare branches with a few scattered yellow leaves, swaying forlornly in the cold wind.
Liu Bing felt a mix of tension and a tragic sense of destiny as he strolled along the embankment. Although Yu Zhiwei's conservative estimate wasn't his ideal outcome, it was an acceptable one, far better than working a nameless, faceless job. Moreover, next up was Ouyang Xue's turn to make an offer.
Liu Bing understood that although Xiao Yawen was the controlling shareholder and served as the chairwoman and general manager, her position and status were bolstered by Ouyang Xue's support. At least until Xiao Yawen firmly established herself, Ouyang Xue's opinion would be crucial. And since both he and Ouyang Xue hailed from the ancient city, they shared a hometown bond, making communication easier.
He couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Ding Yuanying, even you can miscalculate sometimes!"
Lost in his thoughts, Liu Bing found himself at a small bridge. Next to it was an open space with a row of food stalls offering hotpot noodles, dumplings, wontons, various side dishes, stir-fries, and beer. Each stall emitted tantalizing aromas from steaming pots.
Realizing it was dinnertime and feeling a bit hungry, he paused at one of the stalls, eventually taking a seat on a small stool. He ordered a mixed hotpot, a fried egg pancake, and a bottle of beer. Knowing what awaited him that evening, he decided against indulging in the banquet fare at the signing ceremony.
As he sipped his beer, he contemplated the terms he would present to Ouyang Xue. Based on Gelüshi's valuation of 6.5 million yuan, he outlined three conditions: first, a 20% equity stake in Gelüshi free of any investment debt; second, the position of general manager at Gelüshi; and third, a car worth at least 250,000 yuan.
He leisurely finished his meal, killing time until his watch read 7:20 PM. With only 40 minutes left until the signing ceremony, he flagged down a taxi to head home and retrieve the envelope.
Back in his audio enthusiast's den, Liu Bing folded the envelope and slipped it into his briefcase. Standing by the window, he smoked a cigarette to steady his nerves. No matter how much he analyzed and reassured himself, he couldn't shake the underlying anxiety. He thought, "Anyone undertaking a significant endeavor must go through this, right?"
Outside, the mahjong game continued. Two more lights had been strung up in the trees, illuminating three tables where the game was in full swing. One of the tables included Liu Bing's father and several retired neighbors, engaged in heated arguments and boisterous banter. The participants argued over misplaced tiles, while the spectators mocked each other's poor hands. Liu Bing disliked mahjong—it was too noisy and lacked sophistication. He especially couldn't stand the dramatic tile slamming, which seemed more about showing off than playing the game.
He both envied and pitied them—envied their carefree, unpretentious lives and pitied their hard-earned existence that only provided basic comforts. They seemed unaware of the colorful, refined world beyond their reach, a world of elegance and honor.
Liu Bing believed that among the myriad stars in the sky, one was destined to be his.
As he prepared to leave, his thoughts were filled with anticipation and determination. The time had come to take control of his destiny.