Chapter 657: Ouyang's Hidden Worries

Zhongshu Group Headquarters Building, 17th Floor.

"Mr. Xie, please this way."

"Thank you."

Led by a female assistant, Xie Shu Yu walked into the conference room on the inner side.

After the female assistant poured her a cup of hot water, she bowed and retreated, gently closing the door.

Xie Shu Yu didn't sit down but stepped to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

Overlooking the prosperous yet unfamiliar city beneath her feet, her gaze was full of gloom.

Just a moment ago, she had already met with the Operations Director of 【Shu Shu Xian】.

The result was very unsatisfactory.

The other party neither admitted that there were any problems with the delivery nor mentioned anything about termination compensation.

They just kept playing tai chi, pushing all responsibility away cleanly.

Xie Shu Yu had seen many such old workplace hands and had dealt with many of them.

If it were a normal commercial cooperation, she could have fully initiated legal proceedings, forced a termination, and paid a not-so-large breach of contract fee to end it.

But behind 【Shu Shu Xian】 was 【Zhongshu Group】.

This enterprise with a deep state-owned background was the logistics and catering leader in the entire Southwest region and was a true "local snake."

All of 【Glimmer Coffee】's stores currently in the Southwest region, besides cold chain transportation, had other core materials being used whose suppliers more or less had the shadow of 【Zhongshu Group】 behind them.

Glimmer Coffee had just entered the Southwest market.

She was also unwilling to have legal disputes with the other party, which would drag down the subsequent expansion plan.

Stalemated to the end.

That Operations Director had someone bring her here to wait for 【Shu Shu Xian】's person in charge, General Chen Zong Hao.

According to the news provided by Meng Ran, this second-generation heir was not a character easy to deal with.

He was quite conceited and eager to make achievements to inherit the family business, so he attached extreme importance to the 【Shu Shu Xian】 business.

"Knock, knock, knock—" A knock on the door suddenly sounded.

Xie Shu Yu immediately turned around and looked toward the door.

Immediately following, the conference room door was pushed open.

A man in his early thirties walked in, accompanied by an assistant.

He was wearing a meticulously tailored Zegna suit and rimless glasses, and his appearance was quite handsome.

It was just that those eyes, which were always slightly narrowed, ruined the overall impression.

Xie Shu Yu had read countless people, and with just one glance, she had a rough impression of the other party in her heart.

A second-generation heir who was overly conceited from being fed by family background and power.

As soon as he entered, his gaze fell on Xie Shu Yu without any avoidance.

Looking at that dignified, bright, and tall figure, a flash of undisguised amazement passed through his eyes.

At 175 cm, Xie Shu Yu had fair skin and a curvy figure; no matter where she was placed, she was a true great beauty.

She had long been accustomed to similar gazes, and no strange expression appeared on her face.

"This must be the famous Mr. Xie, right? I am Chen Hao, very happy to meet you. I didn't expect Mr. Xie to be so beautiful." Chen Hao walked a few quick steps and came before her.

His words carried a hint of frivolity.

Xie Shu Yu seemed not to have noticed and said with a smile, "Hello, Mr. Chen, I've long admired your name."

After some polite pleasantries, Chen Hao sat in the main seat.

Looking at her, he said, "Mr. Xie, regarding some small problems that appeared in the previous cooperation, I have already severely criticized the people below. Please rest assured, I guarantee that it will never happen again in the future."

These words made Xie Shu Yu slightly stunned.

She didn't expect the other party's stance to be so low and that he would directly admit his mistake.

It was completely different from the attitude of the previous Director Wang.

After pondering for a moment, she still followed the original plan and said politely, "Mr. Chen, you are too serious. Actually, it is mainly our 【Glimmer Coffee】's own strategic development. We want to upgrade the national supply chain system, so we have to pause the current cooperation with some regional suppliers. I hope you can understand."

"Oh?" A smile remained on Chen Hao's face, and he seemed not at all surprised by her decision. "Is it convenient for Mr. Xie to talk about your company's development plan? Let's just treat it as a casual chat between friends; I'll learn a thing or two as well."

Xie Shu Yu's eyebrows raised imperceptibly, and she took a light breath.

She began to clearly and logically describe Glimmer Coffee's future national layout and higher requirements for the supply chain in a low voice.

In any case, she didn't want to offend the other party and hoped to solve the problem smoothly.

Inside the conference room, her intellectual and magnetic mature woman's voice rang out.

Chen Hao's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

After Xie Shu Yu finished speaking, he even took the initiative to clap his hands, a sincere smile appearing on his face as he exclaimed, "Mr. Xie is truly amazing! Far-sighted and full of courage! And I heard that your company has also reached a deep strategic cooperation with 【Yuntong Zhi Cui】, which is truly admirable."

"Thank you for the recognition, Mr. Chen." Xie Shu Yu responded modestly, "I just went to Yunnan last week to meet with Mr. Zhao of 【Yuntong Zhi Cui】, and both sides talked very happily."

Chen Hao's body leaned forward slightly, his gaze looking straight at her.

He finally threw out his true intention: "To be honest, Mr. Xie. I am very optimistic about 【Glimmer Coffee】's future, or rather—I am very optimistic about you, Mr. Xie. I hope that our cooperation can be deeper."

Xie Shu Yu's brow furrowed, but her face still maintained a professional smile: "Oh? I wonder what high opinion Mr. Chen has?"

"It's very simple." Chen Hao's smile became one of certainty. "First, we can immediately optimize the supply chain, provide Glimmer with the highest priority delivery level, and help you complete cold chain transportation nationwide. Regarding the price, I will lower it by another five points for you."

"Second, you might not know that under our 【Zhongshu Group】, there is also a chain coffee brand called 【Coffee Time】, which owns 21 direct-operated stores in the entire Southwest region. We can merge this brand directly into 【Glimmer Coffee】 through cross-shareholding, saving you the huge effort of finding stores and expanding in the new market."

"Third, and most importantly, regarding Glimmer's future Series B financing, I, as well as the 【Zhongshu Group】 behind me, can also participate. How about it, Mr. Xie, are you satisfied with this cooperation plan?"

He believed that no entrepreneur could refuse such a "big gift package" full of temptation.

This meeting was originally carefully planned by him.

The reason he let the Operations Director go first to wear down Xie Shu Yu's patience for an hour before he himself appeared late was a negotiation strategy in itself, to make the subsequent cooperation smoother.

He wanted to make achievements to increase his bargaining chips for inheriting the entire 【Zhongshu Group】 in the future; the 【Shu Shu Xian】 business was far from enough.

And if he could facilitate a deep cooperation with 【Glimmer Coffee】, an emerging potential brand, and revitalize the half-dead coffee brand under the group, or even enter the national market through this, it would undoubtedly make his achievements even brighter.

It was just that what he didn't expect was that Xie Shu Yu herself was so beautiful.

Especially that dignified and intellectual temperament of a strong woman, which made him full of a strong desire for conquest.

He didn't mind having some more "in-depth" cooperation with the other party.

This was where the investment temptation of the third point came from.

Xie Shu Yu's hand holding the water cup paused, and a flash of movement passed through her eyes.

She was an extremely rational businesswoman and could naturally calculate clearly the huge value contained behind Chen Hao's words.

Directly swallowing a mature brand with 21 stores meant that 【Glimmer Coffee】 could instantly take the bridgehead of the entire Southwest market at the lowest cost and fastest speed.

And 【Zhongshu Group】's capital investment meant that she would gain a powerful ally with a deep state-owned background and local resources.

This temptation was truly too great.

However, having mixed in the business world for many years, she naturally also saw Chen Hao's hidden greed.

【Zhongshu Group】 was a true behemoth and the absolute leader in the entire Southwest catering field. Once they were allowed to enter as shareholders, they could easily dilute and cannibalize the entire 【Glimmer Coffee】 step by step through capital operation and unequal resource advantages, eventually swallowing it completely.

She had seen too many of these "seeking skin from a tiger" transactions.

Most importantly, Chen Hao's gaze had carried a kind of sticky stickiness that made her extremely uncomfortable from beginning to end.

Now that she had gotten together with Tang Song, she naturally wouldn't have any unnecessary entanglements with other men for the sake of her career.

Tang Song had already paid enough for her, and she couldn't bring him any more trouble.

Thinking of this, all the greed in Xie Shu Yu's heart was instantly extinguished.

"Mr. Chen, this cooperation plan of yours is very sincere and also very forward-looking. Thank you for your high regard for our Glimmer Coffee.

However, our 【Glimmer Coffee】's Series A investor is an independent investor who acts very low-key.

He has his own clear and strong planning for the company's equity structure and future development rhythm.

So—I might have to disappoint you."

She cleverly shaped Tang Song into a "mysterious and domineering" behind-the-scenes big shot, hoping to make the other party have some scruples. "Oh? Independent investor? Sounds like he's very awesome." Chen Hao leaned back in his chair and took off his glasses unhurriedly, "Why don't you invite him out, Mr. Xie, and let's talk face-to-face? I believe that the strength of our 【Zhongshu Group】 can definitely be recognized by any top investor."

The atmosphere in the meeting room gradually became condensed.

Xie Shu Yu looked at him and said, "I think—there is no need for that."

"Hehe." Chen Hao crossed his hands in front of his chest and leaned back, "Mr. Xie doesn't need to be in such a hurry to refuse. Glimmer's business in the Southwest has only just begun, and the road ahead is still long; you can take your time to consider it."

Xie Shu Yu's expression paused slightly; she naturally heard the subtext in the other party's words.

She also understood that it was impossible to cancel the logistics cooperation smoothly today.

She took a deep breath, put the polite smile back on her face, "Okay, thank you for the reminder, Mr. Chen. I have other arrangements here, so I'll take my leave first."

Chen Hao stood up, his eyes narrowed as he looked at her, "Go ahead, Mr. Xie, I'll see you out."

The afternoon sun in Rongcheng shone on her body, but Xie Shu Yu didn't feel a trace of warmth; she only felt it was incomparably dazzling.

"Ding-a-ling—"

Her phone rang suddenly.

【Meng Ran】

Xie Shu Yu answered the phone, "Hello, Ranran."

"Xiaoyu, are you done talking? How was it?"

"It didn't work out." Xie Shu Yu pursed her dry lips, her voice carrying a hint of exhaustion, "And—there are new problems."

She briefly recounted the conversation she just had with Chen Hao.

Meng Ran was silent for a long time, then sighed, "In the final analysis, it's because 【Glimmer Coffee】 is too valuable now and has been targeted. The upstream supply chain has 【Yuntong Zhi Cui】, and the downstream marketing has 【Star Cloud International Group】. Especially Star Cloud International,

You might not have understood it recently; it has received support from large funds and has been expanding crazily recently—"

Listening to her words, Xie Shu Yu quickly understood.

With Wen Ruan's strong support, the cooperation between 【Glimmer Coffee】 and 【Star Cloud International】 was a comprehensive deep binding.

It was even frequently reported as a typical case of "empowering new consumer brands," appearing on Star Cloud's important external cooperation list.

This was also an important reason why Glimmer had developed so smoothly in the past few months.

In the eyes of those with ulterior motives, it was a fat sheep about to take off.

Entering the game at a low price through "cross-shareholding" would bring amazing returns in the future.

After hanging up the phone, she got into a taxi.

Xie Shu Yu looked through the car window at the Zhongshu Group headquarters building, which was like a behemoth, and a deep sense of wariness and fear surged in her heart.

【Zhongshu Group】 was a true Southwest giant and a Fortune China 500 enterprise with an annual revenue of tens of billions.

Behind it, not only was there support from deep local industrial funds, but it also bore the employment of tens of thousands of people, and its relationship with the local government was intertwined and deeply rooted.

She couldn't afford to provoke it at all.

But she had to face it.

It seems that when Tang Song comes to Rongcheng, she must have a good talk with him no matter what.

Hopefully, they can find a compromise solution.

The taxi drove on the bustling streets.

Xie Shu Yu leaned against the car window, and a deep sense of powerlessness surged into her heart.

At the same time.

By the Huanhuaxixi, an independent Chinese-style courtyard hidden among century-old ginkgo and nanmu forests.

Inside the study, on a huge rosewood desk,

Fine Anhui Xuan paper was spread out.

In the air, there was a faint fragrance of ink and wood precipitated by time.

Ouyang Xianyue held a purple-tipped brush, focused and calm, her brush moving like a dragon or snake.

She was wearing a modified cheongsam made of top-grade Song brocade, perfectly outlining her mature and slender figure, graceful and luxurious.

Opposite her was an old woman nearing sixty, but well-maintained, sitting quietly.

Watching her daughter's flowing movements, her eyes were full of maternal love, but also hid a hint of imperceptible worry.

"Xiaoxiong, stay at home for a few more days this time you're back. No matter how busy the company is, you must pay attention to your health."

Ouyang Xianyue stopped the brush in her hand and carefully examined the "Quiet" character on the Xuan paper that had natural wind and bone.

She said calmly: "Don't worry, Mom, I will stay in Rongcheng for a period of time this time; there are very important things to handle."

"Xiaoxiong" was her childhood name, also given to her by her academician grandfather, who was known as a "national scholar."

He hoped she would be healthy and strong like a little bear.

But at this age and status, privately, only her mother would still call her that.

"That's good." A hint of joy rose in her mother's eyes.

Seeing that her daughter was no longer writing, she began to care about her health and work.

Ouyang Xianyue answered while walking to the tea table by the window.

She skillfully brewed a pot of Ganlu tea produced from Mengding Mountain for the two of them.

The tea fragrance curled, refreshing the heart and spleen.

Her mother took a sip of tea, looked at her daughter's face, which appeared increasingly beautiful in the misty steam, and spoke slowly:

"This tea-pointing skill of yours is increasingly having the style of your grandfather back then. Seeing that Tang Yi is now in your hands with such a magnificent scene, he must be proud of you in heaven."

She paused, changed the subject, her tone gentle but pointing to something, "It's just, Xiaoxiong, a big tree, no matter how lush its branches and leaves grow and how solid its roots are, if it wants to truly inherit for a hundred years, there must always be new branches growing out to better resist the wind and rain, right?"

Ouyang Xianyue put down the teacup, looked up at her mother, and said with a half-smile: "What? Is it my dad who asked you to 'point' at me again?"

The expression on her mother's face was slightly awkward, then turned into a light sigh: "Some things are also time to plan for the long term; your grandfather is likely not going to make it through this winter."

Ouyang Xianyue's movements paused, and a hint of dimness flashed in her eyes.

That towering giant tree that sheltered her from the wind and rain was ultimately going to fall after all.

Her mother looked at her expression and couldn't help but continue to persuade: "Also, Qiming has been gone for so many years, you are alone—Mom feels really heartbroken looking at you. Now that Tang Yi Precision is so huge, you should also consider your own problems."

Hearing the name of her late husband.

Ouyang Xianyue was silent for a moment before slowly shaking her head.

"I have my own plans for my own affairs; it's not the time yet."

Now, the huge power behind her that seemed solid was nothing more than an extremely subtle balance between two major pillars.

On one side was her own Ouyang family, as well as the intertwined domestic political and commercial resources inherited from that short marriage; this was her "root."

On the other side was the 【Tang Jin Family Office】, representing international top financial capital; that was her "wing."

If the roots are deep, one can stand in an invincible position; if the wings are strong, one can soar above the nine heavens.

But once she chose to remarry, or even had offspring, this fragile balance would be instantly and completely broken.

And now, it was far from the time to show her cards.

"Jin Meixiao—" Ouyang Xianyue whispered to herself in her heart, her eyes deep.

Jin Meixiao and Annie Kate represented international consortiums full of uncertainty and danger.

She needed to slowly change and influence, using the family's resources to provide a bottom line for Tang Song, preventing him from being swallowed by those greedy capitals.

You must know that Jin Meixiao controlled the daily operations of the entire Tang Jin system.

And all these years, Tang Song had been "invisible."

Once Tang Song really "disappeared," then she would be the rightful actual controller.

In her view, the affection between Tang Song and Jin Meixiao, besides the grace of meeting, was probably the "love" cultivated over these years.

Jin Meixiao loved Tang Song; this was beyond doubt.

But how deep this affection was, who could guarantee it?

It's ridiculous to say, but what she is most afraid of every day now is actually that Jin Meixiao will have murderous intent because of Tang Song's promiscuity.

This temptation was truly too great.

If it were her, facing a "partner" whose loyalty was in doubt and who possessed countless confidantes.

When holding the absolute power to replace him, perhaps—she would be a little tempted.

Even if not now, what about later?

When Tang Song has offspring with others—this is also the fundamental reason why she was forced to be involved in the "harem" struggle.

She must foster another force within the family office capable of contending with Jin Meixiao for Tang Song.

Forming an internal, healthy power balance to ensure Tang Song's safety and the stability of the entire "Tang Jin" system.

It's just that, currently, whether it's Su Yu or Liu Qingning, they are not mature enough and each has their own fatal flaws.

Su Yu possesses top-tier beauty, the halo of a national goddess, hundreds of millions of fans, and unparalleled social influence.

But her core is too fragile and too unstable.

Ouyang Xianyue knows very clearly that Su Yu's feelings for Tang Song have reached a near-pathological, paranoid degree.

This affection is both her strongest weapon and her most fatal weakness.

Liu Qingning is the exact opposite.

The deep bond between her and Tang Song that has lasted for more than ten years is unmatched by anyone.

She herself is even more intelligent and rational, a top student who graduated from Imperial University.

But her pattern and wrist are still far from enough.

Just as her thoughts were surging.

"Ding-dong—"

The phone placed on the tea table suddenly lit up.

Ouyang Xianyue glanced at it and sat up straight instantly; in those eyes that were always calm, a strong brilliance erupted.

【Tang Song: "Long time no see, Ouyang."】 ===== CHAPTER 658 =====