National Tide 1980.

Yao Peifang accepted Ning Weimin's offer of employment.

She couldn't refuse, and she believed that no one else could either.

Because Ning Weimin offered such good terms.

It's good enough that anyone would forget all the downsides and be willing to follow in its footsteps, like moths to a flame.

After seeing Ning Weimin off and returning to her room upstairs, Yao Peifang, succumbing to temptation, still didn't eat anything. In her excitement, she didn't even feel hungry.

The only thing she wanted to do at that moment was to quickly take out her notebook from her luggage, carefully recall and record the important matters she had just discussed with Ning Weimin, so as not to forget them.

She understood the principle that a bad pen is worse than a good memory.

But to be honest, even she didn't expect to get into character so quickly, and she was eager to discuss the work content after taking office with Ning Weimin for so long.

First, register DaChuan Entertainment Company in Hainan and set up an office in Beijing. Then, recruit DaChuan Entertainment staff in Beijing.

Secondly, we collaborated with Taurus Palace to provide resource support for Cui Jianxin's new album, as well as logistical support for performance rehearsals.

Third, we will try to expand into artist management, scouting for promising and talented young actors and singers, and attempting to sign them.

Fourth, following the format of the national television program "Zhengda Variety Show", we will leverage the resources of Matsumoto Studio and Yamato Tourism to focus on the real lives of overseas Chinese, produce documentaries, and utilize the film library owned by Wu Studio as film resources. We will also collaborate with Shanghai Dubbing Studio to attempt to launch "Oofune Variety Show" for broadcast in Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai.

Fifth, contact the "King of Fairy Tales" magazine and Zheng Yuanjie to purchase the commercial rights to his works. After obtaining the rights, contact Shanghai Animation Studio to discuss collaborative animated film projects.

Sixth, contact the National Television Drama Production Center to discuss investing in the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" television drama project.

Seventh, contact the director, cinematographer, and key technical staff of the film "The Lonely Soul of the Black Building" to explore the possibility of producing a horror film and distributing it overseas.

Eighth, we contacted the leaders of the Film Bureau and the Bank of China to negotiate the introduction of the film "Taken," invested and produced by the Fog Studio...

After finishing writing, looking at the items and tasks on the paper, Yao Peifang suddenly felt very tired, as if she had just come down from a battlefield.

It seems that only when she lost the sense of urgency that made her afraid of forgetting did she have enough focus to recall the cause and effect of what happened today.

Why did I agree to that?
Was it just because she saw a rare career opportunity and was persuaded by Ning Weimin?

Or is it because I'm actually following my emotional instincts and can't bear to leave him?
Why am I doing this? Am I infatuated with this opportunity, or with him?
Today's incident made her feel like a greedy, petty person, and she seemed even more inferior in front of Ning Weimin.

I was initially quite confident, thinking I could keep my composure.

But her persistence proved as fragile as paper; Ning Weimin didn't give her a proper choice at all.

It wasn't her who was sifting through others; it was others who were sifting through her.

Even so, she couldn't bring herself to feel resentful about it.

It's never wrong for someone to treat you well. If they're willing to use you and give you opportunities, it's because they think highly of you. It's entirely her blind confidence that led to her being ruined. You can only say that she brought it on herself.

After thinking for a long time, Yao Peifang still couldn't figure out what was going on, and just stared blankly at her own handwriting.

She couldn't accurately define her motivations, she couldn't even accurately define her emotions, let alone try to overcome psychological barriers.

She was certain of one thing: even if a woman finds a married man special, she really shouldn't have feelings for him.

Because once you have that kind of thought, you've opened the gates of hell.

Of course, she admitted that Ning Weimin's points were very profound—only by standing tall can one see far.

This applies not only to career but also to personal relationships.

She was grateful to Ning Weimin for entrusting her with these important matters without hesitation.

If she moves up the social ladder and elevates her social standing, she will certainly be able to use these opportunities to meet more important figures.

How could you not find a high-quality bachelor?
However, to her, Ning Weimin's excellence was deeply ingrained and deeply rooted.

With this preconceived notion, how could she possibly fall in love with someone else?

…………

Ning Weimin had no idea what Yao Peifang was thinking, nor did he know that she was troubled by love.

However, in terms of the complexity and heaviness of his feelings, he was not much lighter.

Because there are many things in life that are beyond our control and full of regrets.

Moreover, when God wants to make people feel suffocated, no matter what power you have or how much wealth you possess, it's useless.

Compared to things like life and death, love and affection are actually nothing.

No one can escape these things; they're not far from anyone. Sometimes they happen unexpectedly, even if you're not prepared.

Take Yin Yue for example, she's finally getting married to Su Jin, the factory manager of the Meishi Street Garment Factory.

This should have been a good thing, since even Ning Weimin now knows that Su Jin has secretly liked Yin Yue for many years.

Moreover, he is good-looking, skilled, and of good character. He is a professional technician and complements Yin Yue perfectly in their careers.

Aside from being a bit older, the two are a perfect match, fulfilling many people's ideal of a handsome man and a beautiful woman. However, because the marriage was arranged rather hastily, it carries a strong connotation of bringing good luck.

Even though Ning Weimin, as Yin Yue's superior and elder brother, arranged everything for her at Yun Garden, and the wedding was as grand as his own wedding, it still couldn't make anyone happy.

It turns out that it was all because Yin Yue's grandmother had recently fallen seriously ill and was now unable to get out of bed.

The old lady lay in bed, not wanting to eat or drink, with no desire whatsoever, only thinking about her grandchildren.

The old man was particularly concerned about Yin Yue's marriage; he dreamed of seeing his granddaughter get married, which is why this wedding took place.

Ning Weimin visited the old man at home. Although he was still mentally sharp, his appearance had aged dramatically.

It was quite different from the image of the spirited and shrewd old man he had in mind.

Remembering how the old man had suffered his whole life to barely raise his grandchildren, only to have his good days last for a few years before he passed away.

Not only was Yin Yue depressed and devoid of any newfound joy, but Ning Weimin's mood was equally heavy.

It was an innate compassion.

What's more, this isn't the only such incident around him. Song Huagui has been immersed in this pain since last year and hasn't been able to return to a normal life until now.

It turns out that last summer, Song Huagui's husband, Bulgarian artist Vanman, slipped off a ladder while hanging an artwork at his research institute in Hangzhou.

An X-ray revealed a shadow on the lung, suspected to be a tumor, so the patient was admitted to the Hangzhou Military Hospital for diagnosis and treatment, and later transferred to the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing.

However, after being diagnosed, it was discovered that the disease was already in its late stages, and just a few months later, Wanman passed away at Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing.

Now that the deceased are gone, the living must endure endless torment.

For Song Huagui, her husband's unexpected death shattered her confidence in life.

This incident deprived her of a major element of her most basic living needs, and from then on, she stayed at home and even abandoned her company.

Last year, due to the special circumstances in China, Ning Weimin only learned of this devastating news at the end of the year.

By the time I returned to Beijing for the Spring Festival after the New Year, Wanman's funeral had already been held.

He only met Song Huagui once, and then hurriedly visited the Babaoshan People's Cemetery to pay his respects before returning to Tokyo.

He always believed that with Song Huagui's open-mindedness and resilience, she would gradually adjust her mindset.

Unexpectedly, even today, this older woman is still hiding in her home, escaping her pain.

That's life. At any time, living takes more courage than dying.

This situation even made it difficult for Pierre Cardin's merger efforts between its Chinese and Japanese branches to make substantial progress.

Because of this trip back, Ning Weimin was not allowed to see Song Huagui even once.

So when the time dragged on until mid-June, even Ning Weimin was getting a little anxious and had to first reach a consensus with Zou Guodong. In the end, Zou Guodong used his status as a relative to get a word from Song Huagui that the two of them should discuss the matter. Only then was there a preliminary solution, and at least the matter could be moved forward.

Even so, Ning Weimin still couldn't help but worry about Song Huagui's mental state and living conditions.

“You’re related to President Song, you should try to persuade her. If this continues, I’m worried she’ll really break down; her health can’t take it…”

Zou Guodong responded with a wronged expression.

"Do you even need to tell me? Not only me, but all the relatives who have the authority to speak up have tried to persuade us, even Xiaosong and Xiaohong, our own children, couldn't do anything about it. You have to get through this kind of thing yourself."

"How about we send President Song abroad for a trip? France or Japan, either is fine. I think a change of environment might help. Let's find some alternative ways to distract him. Like attending a fashion week or something. President Song is very concerned about his personal image, so he'll start paying attention to his health."

"I can only try. But I doubt she'll be interested."

Zou Guodong spoke frankly, "Let's skip the formalities between us. To be honest, for President Song, your words usually carry more weight than mine. It's just a pity that people get stuck in their own ideas and aren't so easy to get out of them. President Song didn't even ask a single question about the Oriental Splendor Model Competition this time. What do you think the success rate of your idea is?"

Ning Weimin sighed helplessly, "This is probably the suffering of the mortal world. Even the most carefree person has people they can't let go of and things they can't see through. To be honest, I knew that President Song and his wife had a good relationship, but I never expected it to be this good."

Zou Guodong echoed the sentiment, "Indeed, as the first specially approved international marriage, they overcame countless difficulties and obstacles to become husband and wife. Looking back now, if they hadn't loved each other to the core, this marriage wouldn't have happened. Their union was something most people would find difficult, and that's precisely why it's so unforgettable. I've come to understand that people are actually quite fragile. No matter how strong or carefree they appear on the outside, they all have their weaknesses. The most important thing in life is to know how to cherish what you have."

Ning Weimin remained silent for a long time, his gaze drifting into the distance, and his eyes even became a little moist.

For no other reason than that, although he was an orphan in two lifetimes, he now had a close relative in this life, and he couldn't help but be moved by the scene and think of himself.

Yes, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and life is a series of comings and goings.

Everyone is just a fleeting passerby in life, coming without a trace and leaving without a trace. Some are destined to stay together, while others are not!
If I had to pick the person I care about most besides my wife and children, it would be my mentor.

The old man is seventy-two this year, and next year will be a critical year for him.

Even if they manage to get through this safely, they can't live like this forever.

The day that was destined to end was precisely the day he least dared to imagine and least wanted to see.

When that time really comes, how could I bear to part with it? What kind of state of mind would I be in? (End of Chapter)