Since we are both reborn, of course I would choose the rich woman!

Chapter 359 Liu Mulin's Hospitality (6k views, please subscribe)

Rong Nianqing does smoke, but she rarely does.

Lu Yao's words today deeply moved Rong Nianqing, and she felt a surge of emotions welling up inside her. She desperately needed a cigarette to calm her turbulent thoughts.

For a moment, the not-so-spacious restaurant in Yuzhuang was filled with smoke. The smoke, exhaled in varying speeds, resembled arabesque patterns, condensing briefly before gradually dissipating, making the restaurant hazy and misty.

After about the time it takes to smoke a cigarette, Jian Xiaojie and Rong Nianqing calmed down.

The three sat silently in the restaurant, saying nothing to each other.

After a long while, Lü Yao finally spoke again, saying, "President Rong, the next few years are likely to be particularly difficult. Are you prepared?"

Rong Nianqing frowned slightly, her tone carrying a hint of determination: "What kind of preparations?"

Lu Yao said, "You may need to step out from behind the scenes. Your new identity can pave the way for the upcoming plans and make it easier to build cohesion. But on the other hand, you will also face much greater pressure than before."

Rong Nianqing smiled and said, "My family always says that you can't truly stand on your own without being tested by pressure. Don't worry, I'm always prepared for this kind of thing, even if it requires me to personally step in."

Lu Yao poured the wine again: "As expected of President Rong!"

Rong Nianqing took the wine glass from Lü Yao's hand: "So what do you need me to do?"

Without saying anything, Lü Yao raised his hand and clinked his wine glass against Rong Nianqing's. With a crisp clinking of ceramics, Lü Yao smiled and said, "Let me keep you in suspense for now. I'll discuss this matter with you in detail after I return from Mr. Liu's place."

Rong Nianqing then downed her drink in one gulp: "Okay, I'll wait for you to come back and tell me."

Then she asked, "By the way, since you told us you want to persuade Mr. Liu to surrender, are you confident? Is there anything you need us to do?"

Lu Yao laughed and said, "You don't need to do anything, just wait for my news."

Lu Yao had actually considered and pondered the matter of persuading Mr. Liu to surrender for a long time. At Mr. Liu's level, ordinary offers wouldn't work, but Lu Yao happened to know some intelligence about the future, so this time Lu Yao planned to take advantage of the situation, and to use an even greater force.

That would be best if it could be accomplished.

If it can't be done, then it's because Mr. Liu is being unreasonable. Naturally, Rong Nianqing and Jian Xiaojie will step in and show Mr. Liu what they're capable of.

Anyway, there's nothing particularly "expensive" about this; it's completely cost-effective and worth a try.

But Lü Yao's confident and assertive demeanor made Jian Xiaojie feel uneasy. She asked in bewilderment, "It seems we still haven't figured out what President Lü is capable of. To be honest, I don't know what Lü Yao is really capable of."

Lü Yao laughed and said, "What do you mean by background information? Just fool Mr. Liu. Anyway, that's all the tricks I have."

Jian Xiaojie raised an eyebrow and said, "Okay, if you can really scare Mr. Liu with nothing, I can grant you one request, anything is fine."

As she spoke, Jian Xiaojie's eyebrows and eyes moved like flowing water, and even a woman like Rong Nianqing could understand the meaning behind her words.

Rong Nianqing didn't get involved in the matter between Jian Xiaojie and Lü Yao. She said to Lü Yao, "Mr. Liu is in Dahai City right now, and Mu Lin is there too. I'll have her entertain you when you get there. Don't rush, you can stay in Dahai City for a couple more days."

Lü Yao was amused.

What's so fun about Dahai City?

People from other places may have a special fondness for City A in the novel, thinking that City A is particularly impressive, but Lü Yao never felt that way. When he was studying abroad, he didn't really like Dahai City, especially after he spent two years there shortly after graduation.

Those two years were also the time when Lü Yao underwent the fastest and most significant transformations, and it was there that he earned his first pot of gold.

It's no exaggeration to say that 90% of the people living in Dahai City have never seen or experienced the things that Lü Yao has eaten and enjoyed, but that still doesn't stop Lü Yao from feeling disgusted by that place.

After returning from his studies abroad and experiencing even better things, Lü Yao looked down on Dahai City even less.

In reality, the things they can do in their circle are pretty much the same, so the difference lies in the culture. Lü Yao, who is quite sensitive to excessive trends and so-called "emphasis", really doesn't think much of the culture of Dahai City.

Fortunately, things were slightly better in 2016.

Ten years from now, Dahai City will be completely demonized. Whether it's the "Shanghai dollar exchange rate" or the "manager culture," it will make the "petty bourgeoisie" in Dahai City who try to imitate the rich a laughing stock on the internet.

So Lü Yao laughed and said, "No, I'll finish my work as soon as possible and come back quickly. We need to catch up on the deadline."

Rong Nianqing smiled and said, "Then it's up to you. I'll send all the information to Mu Lin later, and Mu Lin will cooperate fully with you."

Lü Yao nodded: "Okay, I'll set off tomorrow."

After making general arrangements with Rong Nianqing and Jian Xiaojie, Lü Yao drank tea with them for a while. When it was almost time, he went back to the villa with Jian Xiaojie.

When they returned to the villa, Wang Shu greeted them at home. Looking at Lü Yao and Jian Xiaojie returning together, Wang Shu said with a hint of envy, "I really envy you guys who can travel around. Unlike me, I can only stay at home all day long."

Jian Xiaojie, reeking of alcohol, approached Wang Shu and said with a smile, "Judging by the days, you're due soon, right? Oh dear~ After the baby is born, we can continue to live a carefree life~ Don't worry, I'll definitely make up for all the happiness you've missed during this time."

Wang Shu touched her increasingly round belly and smiled, "Yes, I'm about to give birth."

"But even if I give birth, I can't play around with you anymore, I'll be a mother now."

Jian Xiaojie immediately covered her head and rolled around on the sofa in the villa's living room: "Ah!! I don't want to hear it! This kind of mentality won't work. You need to be young again. You need to be the hottest mom! Understand? Please, you have to promise me, okay?"

Wang Shu laughed irritably, "Alright, alright, I promise you."

While they were chatting, Lü Yao went to the kitchen and cooked a pot of hangover soup using Wang Shu's recipe. At the same time, he also stewed some nutritious tonics for Wang Shu.

After preparing the food, Lü Yao began packing his luggage.

Seeing this, Wang Shu asked, "Are you going out?"

Lü Yao laughed and said, "Yes, we'll go to Dahai City tomorrow."

Wang Shu was eager to help, but Jian Xiaojie stopped him, and Lü Yao also advised him against it, so in the end he couldn't get help.

After finishing tidying up, Lü Yao said to the two people downstairs, "You two chat first. I'm done tidying up. I'm going to rest now. I need to get up early tomorrow."

Jian Xiaojie waved upstairs: "OK, go ahead."

After Lü Yao went to rest, Wang Shu suddenly sighed, "I suddenly feel like I can't do anything right now, I can't help you, and I can't help Lü Yao with anything either."

Wang Shu touched her stomach, feeling somewhat frustrated by her own powerlessness.

Seeing this, Jian Xiaojie rolled her eyes. Instead of comforting Wang Shu like an ordinary person would, she casually said, "Now you know why pregnancy is a major taboo in the workplace, right?"

Aside from those who treat maternity leave as a perk or even resign immediately after returning from maternity leave, true career women are very resistant to sudden pregnancy because it means you'll be absent for at least three months. During those three months, those who are trying every means to take your place can do just about it.

When you come back after your maternity leave, you'll be eating meat before, but now you'll only be able to lick bones.

In this matter, the senior executives of JD.com who appeared on the show demonstrated the impact of pregnancy on career development to netizens in front of the camera. However, when that episode first aired, not many people understood it. It was also on that episode that JD.com's CEO, Dong Ge, taught countless netizens and even entrepreneurs a lesson.

How to say the cruelest things in the most dignified way

In that episode, as soon as Dong Ge finished speaking, the pregnant female executive's expression changed instantly.

Wang Shu lowered her head after being told off by Jian Xiaojie. As a career woman just a few months ago, Wang Shu was certainly aware of the issues Jian Xiaojie was talking about. But another question was—would she be willing to give up the opportunity to have a child for the sake of her job, fame, and future?

She's not short of money, so she definitely wouldn't agree.

Therefore, she had no regrets about getting pregnant.

However, Wang Shu had previously planned to retire with her child after giving birth and raise the child peacefully... But now it seems that it is not the time for her to withdraw.

So Wang Shu smiled and said, "I understand. Once I've recovered from giving birth, I'll go back to help you."

Hearing Wang Shu say this, Jian Xiaojie was immediately happy. She leaned close to Wang Shu and said with a smile, "It's good that you can understand. Don't worry, all the positions on Nianqing's side have been reserved for you. We will all support you with our full support."

"It is said that power is the elixir of youth for men, but the same is true for women."

Jian Xiaojie's hands began to wander restlessly over Wang Shu's body: "Isn't it fun to fight with someone?"

Wang Shu has been a vegetarian for so long since becoming pregnant, and with the accumulation of hormones during pregnancy, she is now completely different. The accumulated hormones have acted on her body, making her seem to be aging in reverse. Her condition is much better than before she was pregnant, and her skin is so tender that it looks like you could squeeze water out of it.

Moreover, because a professional medical team was constantly monitoring and maintaining her health, Wang Shu did not develop any stretch marks except for her belly getting bigger, which actually boosted her beauty and charm.

Jian Xiaojie leaned on Wang Shu's shoulder, her fingertips gently sliding down Wang Shu's cheek and neck. Looking at Wang Shu's flawless skin, she said with some envy, "I remember Lu Yao saying that creating life is a power that only gods possess, so my mother is comparable to a god."

"The wonders of creation are truly amazing."

"Your skin looks amazing, and you radiate an almost divine maternal glow. After you give birth, with the help of a professional medical team, even if you can't completely maintain your pregnancy condition, just keeping about 50-60% of it will be far better than any anti-aging drugs or cosmetic skin rejuvenation treatments."

Wang Shu grabbed Jian Xiaojie's hand and said reproachfully, "Ouch, it tickles."

That slightly reproachful tone was like a pebble thrown into a pond, creating ripples in Jian Xiaojie's heart.

Jian Xiaojie hadn't been close to Wang Shu for far too long, and at this moment, a wild beast was roaring inside her, but she forced herself to hold it in.

Wang Shu is now in her late pregnancy, so she can't afford to do anything reckless.

"Hiss—" Jian Xiaojie gasped for breath, reluctantly moving a little further away from Wang Shu: "I'm going to wash up and go to bed."

Actually?

After the villa quieted down, Jian Xiaojie, still seething with anger, sneaked into Lü Yao's room...

……

The next day, Lü Yao got up feeling a bit listless.

He got up early in the morning, took out the milk from the refrigerator, heated it, and gulped down two large glasses.

He didn't understand what Jian Xiaojie was thinking last night. He was asleep when Jian Xiaojie sneaked into his room and woke him up.

He clearly locked the door!
But who could have predicted that Jian Xiaojie would secretly make a copy of the key for herself!
Can't we even have some privacy?

And that guy was really stubborn last night. Even though she was completely defeated, she still wouldn't give up until she exhausted Lü Yao before finally stopping.

So Lu Yao was very listless when he woke up this morning.

Because he was leaving for Dahai City today, and there were still many things to take care of at Shangnan Company, he needed to go to the company early to arrange things, and then leave for Dahai City around noon or in the afternoon.

Jian Xiaojie had too much fun last night and didn't have anything to do today, so she hadn't gotten up yet.

Wang Shu usually doesn't get up until after nine o'clock.

At this time, only the servants and medical team members were up inside and outside the villa, carrying out their usual preparatory work.

After quickly preparing a simple meal for himself, Lü Yao went to the company. By the time he finished, it was already lunchtime. Fortunately, he had finished all his work, so Lü Yao happily ate lunch. While he was eating, Liu Mulin sent him a timely message: "Mr. Lü, when will you be arriving?"

Lu Yao replied: "I'll leave after lunch and arrive around this afternoon by high-speed train."

Shangnan is not far from Dahai City. Taking the high-speed train there takes a little over an hour if you're fast, and at most two hours if you're slow. It's more convenient than going to the airport, and it's also more punctual and comfortable.

This is also why high-speed rail is so developed in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Many people have a misconception that the development of a region has led to the existence of so many high-speed railways; or that high-speed railways can drive local economic development... In fact, this is not the case. Fast and convenient transportation is essentially the same as the Internet, accelerating the interaction and integration of resources.

Therefore, the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed ​​Railway was later also known as the "High-Class Ox-Horse Special Line," running from Dahai City to Beijing, a distance of more than 1300 kilometers, which could be completed in four hours.

If you make a mistake in the accounts in Dahai City in the morning, you can be scolded by the headquarters in Beijing in the afternoon. Therefore, this high-speed rail line is also known as the "800-li express ox-horse special line". On this train, you will see that all the business class and first class seats are sold out. At the same time, you can also see the spectacular scene of almost everyone holding a computer on this high-speed rail train.

If you happen to pass through an area with poor signal, you might even witness the hilarious scene of hundreds of people saying "hello, hello, hello" together.

Thankfully, going from Shangnan to Dahai City isn't so troublesome. The high-speed rail from here to there is like a shuttle bus, so you can go anytime you want and have a ticket anytime.

Liu Mulin: "[Laughing] I'm all ready, I'm available anytime."

Lu Yao simply replied with an "OK" and continued eating.

After dinner, Lü Yao even took a nap in his office for an afternoon to recover the energy he hadn't had to replenish after being disturbed by Jian Xiaojie the night before.

Around 4 PM, Lü Yao set off for the high-speed rail South Station, and after boarding the train, he sped towards Dahai City.

In just over an hour, Lü Yao arrived at the high-speed rail station in Dahai City. As soon as he came out of the station, he saw Liu Mulin, who was tall and graceful, waiting for him at the exit.

Liu Mulin didn't hold up any eye-catching welcome sign; she herself was the most dazzling and prominent figure in the crowd.

Everyone who comes out of the station exit, regardless of age or gender, will stop and look at Liu Mulin for a moment.

Lu Yao, carrying a small suitcase for his business trip, came over to Liu Mulin and said with a smile, "You've become even more beautiful since I last saw you."

As he spoke, Lü Yao leaned back and carefully examined Liu Mulin, commenting, "Your demeanor is different now; you're more capable and sharper, you've got the air of a strong woman."

Liu Mulin, who came to greet Lü Yao, was wearing a back-slit bodycon business skirt and a close-fitting, stretchy light brown undershirt. There were no other superfluous decorations, but with Liu Mulin's black-rimmed glasses and her hair tied up, she gave people the feeling of "Team Leader Jin Meiting".

It has a strong professional vibe and is pleasing to the eye.

So after appraising the suit, Lu Yao said, "I think a more stylish casual suit jacket would suit you better, and make you look more like President Liu."

Liu Mulin could tell that Lü Yao was teaching her how to act more like a female CEO, and the first step was that she shouldn't wear clothes that showed off her figure too much.

Lu Yao subtly conveyed his preaching through a series of words, and Liu Mulin naturally sensed his goodwill. However, she also had her own reasons for dressing up today.

So Liu Mulin took the suitcase and coat from Lü Yao and said as she walked, "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Lü, but I dressed up specially to see you today."

Lu Yao's heart skipped a beat. As a seasoned womanizer, he naturally understood why Liu Mulin said those words.

But he didn't understand why Liu Mulin did this.

With a bit of patience, Lü Yao followed Liu Mulin into an MPV. After settling into a hotel by the river in Dahai City, Liu Mulin said to Lü Yao, "Mr. Lü, would you like to rest a bit before having a meal, or would you like to go now?"

Her humble and reserved demeanor made it seem as if she were not a rising financial tycoon who had dominated the financial world, but still the secretary who had followed Lu Yao before.

Seeing this, Lü Yao laughed and said, "Mu Lin, you don't need to do this. You're no longer my secretary."

But Liu Mulin said earnestly and firmly, "I am a management trainee trained by President Rong, and I learned from you. I will always remember that."

That was such a beautifully crafted remark that Lu Yao couldn't help but ask, "Mu Lin, is your hometown Luzhou?"

Liu Mulin paused for a moment, but still said, "My great-grandfather was from Luzhou, but my grandfather's generation moved to Yangzhou."

Lu Yao shook his head and chuckled. No wonder Liu Mulin is so tall.

As he spoke, Lü Yao walked toward the bathroom in the suite: "I'll take a shower and get ready, then I'll meet you later."

Liu Mulin smiled and said, "No need, I'll just wait for you here."

Now Lü Yao was even more convinced of Liu Mulin's idea.

He really couldn't understand why Liu Mulin had done that.

After Lü Yao finished getting ready, Liu Mulin personally drove him to a private restaurant on Hengshan Road in Dahai City. Private kitchens were a popular concept around 2016, followed by Michelin-starred restaurants and chef-run restaurants.

While the first two are flashy and impractical, their quality is still quite good.

But the owner's restaurant is just a simple operation.

After all, ten years later, the roujiamo (meat sandwich) of Jinzhou Province could be called "smoked pakkapanini" in Dahai City, the spicy soup of Yuzhou could be called "Angus tender beef tofu skin mushroom white pepper soup", and the pig's feet rice of Yuezhou could be transformed into "Longjiang pig's feet tamago donburi".

Various "fusion cuisines" are becoming increasingly popular in Dahai City...

So when Lü Yao arrived in Shanghai, looking at the dazzling cityscape, he thought to himself, "Let's cherish this moment."

The private restaurant that Liu Mulin took to Lü Yao was quite remarkable. It was called "Young Master Kuang." Although the restaurant's name contained "Young Master," the owner of this private restaurant was not a wealthy and unrestrained young master, but a graceful and elegant classical beauty.

According to Liu Mulin, this person is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. The restaurant is not only very stylish, but also has very high standards for its dishes.

This private restaurant is located in the city center of Dahai City, but it is situated at the very end of Hengshan Road, in a villa next to a garden villa. The dining space has two floors, with only one private room on each floor. There is also a separate staircase on the second floor leading to the outside, so you don't need to go through the first floor to get in and out, making it very private.

This is also why Liu Mulin chose this place.

Upon arriving at the destination, Lü Yao glanced at the restaurant's exterior decorations from inside the car. The facade, constructed of real stone and featuring meticulously designed restaurant lettering, exuded a restrained yet luxurious style.

Once they reached the private room on the second floor, Lü Yao picked up the menu and took a look.

There are indeed some nuances to it.

The restaurant owner brings the finest ingredients from around the world to the table according to the season. Meanwhile, the private rooms on the second floor with terraces are stylishly designed, seamlessly blending food, wine, floral arrangements, and other elements to create an atmosphere of sophistication without feeling ostentatious or overly ostentatious.

The menu features a variety of high-quality ingredients, including 5J grade Spanish ham, as well as scallops, sea urchins, Wagyu beef, peony shrimp, black truffles, and Iberico pork.

When it comes to food, the ingredients are indeed of paramount importance.

The fact that all these ingredients need to be air-freighted in shows that this place is indeed excellent.

After casually ordering some dishes, Lü Yao sat down next to Liu Mulin and asked, "Have you read all the information that President Rong sent you?"

Liu Mulin nodded: "Yes, I've already found out exactly where Mr. Liu is. Would you like me to make an appointment for you?"

Lü Yao laughed and said, "No need."

After saying that, Lü Yao smiled brightly and said, "Make the arrangements, we'll ambush him tomorrow."

This is also a way to demonstrate strength.

(End of this chapter)