The investment opportunity from Su Jing had also vanished like a burst bubble.
Jiang Jinyue spent two days categorizing the investment firms in Longcheng, eventually selecting a few with strong track records for a detailed investigation. She finally set her sights on Shuotong Investment, a firm that happened to be in direct competition with the Ye family, and decided to make one final, concerted effort.
When Ding Ning brought coffee into her office, she saw the desk buried under a sea of densely packed papers. Just as she was about to say something, Jiang Jinyue looked up and asked, "Is Meng Zanchen back yet?"
Meng Zanchen had taken yesterday off without explaining where he was going.
"Not yet," Ding Ning said, setting down the coffee. "Is there really no hope for our second round of financing?"
Jiang Jinyue tapped the top document and smiled. "As long as we still have time, there is still hope."
Ding Ning squeezed the bank card she had tucked in her pocket and smiled back. "I ordered dinner from Bailiuji. It’ll be here soon. They have that kung fu fish you love."
"Keep the receipt. Once the financing is settled, you can get reimbursed by accounting."
Ding Ning came from a modest background and had worked many part-time jobs throughout college. She and Jiang Jinyue had met and become friends through club activities. When Qingci Technology was first founded, it consisted of only the four of them. It wasn't just unprofitable; at times, they had to dip into their own pockets just to keep it running.
Ding Ning and Yan Bocong were poor students who relied on part-time jobs to support themselves, yet they always did everything in their power to contribute to the company. The three of them—Jiang Jinyue, Meng Zanchen, and Yan Bocong—were computer science students who often coded until dawn. Ding Ning would stay with them the whole time, buying them food and drinks and handling everything that wasn't related to the code.
The companionship shared in times of hardship far outweighed the reunions of easier days. Later, when Jiang Jinyue and Meng Zanchen discussed giving Ding Ning some equity, she refused.
"I’m a special assistant, at the very least. I can still afford to treat you to a meal," Ding Ning said, gesturing toward the coffee on the desk. "It’s a new technique I learned. Try it and see what you think."
Jiang Jinyue set down her pen, lifted the blue porcelain cup, and took a whiff. "It smells better than the coffee shops."
In the end, Ding Ning didn't take out the card in her pocket. If she had, she likely would have been scolded for it.
Since Meng Zanchen hadn't returned and she couldn't reach him by phone, Jiang Jinyue contacted the secretary at Shuotong Investment herself. The response was prompt, and they arranged for a dinner meeting that evening to discuss the details. At least they were willing to meet.
With Meng Zanchen still absent, Jiang Jinyue asked Ding Ning to accompany her. Jiang Jinyue had chosen the restaurant, and to show they meant business, she and Ding Ning arrived half an hour early.
To their dismay, the other party arrived half an hour late.
"My apologies, Miss Jiang. Have you been waiting long?"
The man who arrived was Manager Shi, a man in his forties who oversaw the investment division at Shuotong. He was short, and his hairline was already well on its way to a full-blown "Mediterranean" style.
"It’s quite alright. Please, have a seat."
The man took the head of the table and handed his suit jacket to the young woman in a blue skirt who had accompanied him.
"Miss Jiang, you truly are young and accomplished to be starting your own business at such an age," Manager Shi said, rolling up his shirt sleeves to reveal a gold watch strap on his wrist. "Though, a young and beautiful girl like you would probably be valued in the nine-figure range on the marriage market. Unlike us rough-around-the-edges guys, who don't have any shortcuts."
The smile in Jiang Jinyue’s eyes faded slightly, though she maintained a polite expression. "Manager Shi, do try the milt. I hear it’s excellent for vitality."
Manager Shi scooped a spoonful, then suddenly leaned in toward Jiang Jinyue. "Miss Jiang, do you realize how brutal this capital winter is? Just last week, a female CEO stood outside my hotel until two in the morning, begging for investment."
Ding Ning’s soup spoon clattered loudly against the rim of her bowl.
Jiang Jinyue replied, "Coincidentally, we recently designed a smart temperature control system specifically to combat such 'winters'."
Manager Shi glanced at the two of them and swallowed the milt. "I heard you graduated from the computer science program at Jing University?"
"That’s right."
Manager Shi wiped his hands with a wet towel and continued, "My son has his college entrance exams next year. His math scores haven't been improving, and I’ve been looking for a top student like you to tutor him."
Jiang Jinyue said, "Our company has plans for an AI education module. If you invest, I’m sure your son will be able to use the software soon. It would definitely be more cost-effective than hiring a private tutor."
Manager Shi dropped his chopsticks onto the table, leaned back into his chair, crossed his legs, and looked at Jiang Jinyue. "Miss Jiang, you certainly have a way with words. I won’t lie to you—many people want my investment, including many established firms. It’s quite a dilemma deciding who gets it and who doesn’t."
Manager Shi stared at her, nudging his leg forward so the toe of his leather shoe pressed firmly against the heel of Jiang Jinyue’s high heel.
"Miss Jiang, it’s a call from President Meng."
Ding Ning suddenly held up her phone.
Jiang Jinyue took the phone and, as she stood up, seemingly by accident, stepped down hard on the toe of Manager Shi’s shoe.
"My apologies, Manager Shi, I must take this call."
There was no call. Jiang Jinyue took the phone into the restroom, where she scrubbed her hands twice while cursing under her breath, especially her left hand, which had been near that man. The mere thought of being tainted by his presence made her feel sick.
Jiang Jinyue had accompanied Meng Zanchen to dinners like this before, but she had never encountered anyone quite this revolting.
After venting her anger and composing herself, she emerged from the restroom.
"Miss Jiang, are you dining here too?"
Fang Zhi was holding a shopping bag containing clothes. There was no need to guess—they were undoubtedly for Lu Chenhuai.
Jiang Jinyue sneered to herself. Changing outfits just to have dinner? How pretentious.
She gave a curt acknowledgment. Having nothing else to say to Fang Zhi, she headed back toward their private room.
"Miss Jiang," Fang Zhi called out.
"Does Assistant Fang have anything else to say?"
Just as Fang Zhi began to speak, a woman stepped out of the room ahead. "Assistant Fang, did you bring Chenhuai’s clothes?"
Fang Zhi turned to the woman and said, "I have."
Jiang Jinyue glanced at the woman briefly before continuing on her way. Back in New York, she had never pried into his personal life, and she certainly wouldn’t do so now. Whether it was a "white moonlight" or a marriage arrangement, it had nothing to do with her.
As she neared her private room, the sound of a plate shattering echoed from within.
Jiang Jinyue’s expression shifted, and she hurried toward her room. The private rooms on this floor were in the VIP section, and the hallway was so quiet that the noise from their room sounded exceptionally sharp.
The woman lingered, watching Jiang Jinyue’s retreating back, and said to Fang Zhi, "Give the clothes to me."
Fang Zhi withdrew his gaze from Jiang Jinyue and bypassed the woman’s outstretched hand. "President Lu doesn't like others handling his personal belongings," he said politely. "I’ll take them in myself."