I met my whole family through Baidu Tieba.

After Shen Kang left, You Junjie and the others watched at Philip Oral-Bee for a while longer. Seeing that a fight was unlikely, they felt deeply disappointed and went back to the rest area on the third floor to sit down and rest.

During the break, Zhang Yu kept her head down and talked about her encounter with Shen Kang in the high school class group.

This group was quite lively during the summer vacation, but as everyone went to university and made different friends, it became increasingly deserted.

However, as soon as they heard about Shen Kang, many people who had been lying in wait immediately came to the fore.

The main reason is that their high school classmate is somewhat legendary: he was an orphan from a welfare home, and suddenly became a "young master" out of nowhere, and even started a business. It really felt like "a hidden dragon king in our class", which made everyone very happy and has become a symbol of their high school memories.

Even when chatting with classmates from the North Lu University City, they would casually ask, "By the way, isn't Shen Kang there too? What's he doing now?"

So, bits and pieces of new information also emerged, like Shen Kang opening a few campus stores or launching a website. This information would then be passed on to the class group chat. Whenever this happened, the group would briefly become lively.

Now, seeing the new news about Shen Kang, and seeing Zhang Yu recount Shen Kang's "buying computer parts like they were cabbages," "paying an extra thousand for something worth a hundred," and "the big boss Philip taking the initiative to greet him," the group chat briefly became lively again.

The discussion centered around Shen Kang. Some people exclaimed, "The rich are really different; they even use snakeskin bags to buy things." Others said, "Shen Kang knows a senior executive at Philips? If I buy a Philips refrigerator, can I get a discount from him?" Still others said, "Does he need any winter break jobs? My mom complains about me every day at home; I might as well go out and work during winter break to earn some money."

As they chatted, the conversation turned to what Shen Kang had gone to do.

"have no idea."

Zhang Yu typed on her phone, "He answered a call and left. I heard him call the person on the other end of the line 'boss.'"

"He has a boss? Isn't he the boss himself?"

"I don't know, but he called the other party's boss."...

Wan Zihao sat to one side, also looking at the messages in the class group on his phone, but didn't say anything. If it weren't for Shen Kang's incident, he would definitely be talking about his "career" in the group right now. But now that Shen Kang has been involved, it's pretty pointless for him to say anything like that.

This made Wan Zihao quite depressed, but now, seeing the topic in the group chat had reached this point, he suddenly had an idea and started typing on his phone's keyboard.

"I heard it too, and it wasn't someone like Boss Li or Boss Wang. It was just someone simply calling him 'Boss,' like they were talking to a superior."

As soon as Wan Zihao took the lead, others immediately typed to follow suit.

"A superior? Could it be that Shen Kang is just someone who appears on the front stage, but actually has someone behind him?"

"That makes more sense now."

"Is Shen Kang either the boss or someone in charge?"...

Wan Zihao felt a little better after looking at the messages in the group. The more he thought about it, the more he realized it made sense: How could a promising young man from an orphanage suddenly degenerate into a villainous representative of capitalism and a rich young master?

The billionaire's parents suddenly showed up at the door?

That's ridiculous.

Compared to that, it seems more reasonable that things are as they are now, with Shen Kang merely becoming a tool needed by some powerful figure due to certain coincidences. Yes, reasonable.

:

Although Shen Kang wasn't completely "brought down from his pedestal," he's certainly not as high-ranking as before.

The emergence of this new "possibility" has made the group even more lively. After all, they had already assumed that Shen Kang had become a rich young master and that Anjia was founded by Shen Kang. But now, it seems that there is a reversal.

Everyone started discussing it.

Some people think this possibility makes a lot of sense; otherwise, why would Shen Kang, an orphan from a welfare home, suddenly become so successful? Others think it's just a title, and wonder if you're overthinking it.

Everyone was talking about their own things, and then someone suddenly said, "Isn't Yin Mingyang the closest to Shen Kang? Ask Yin Mingyang."

So everyone started messaging Yin Mingyang privately, asking him to come to the group chat and say something.

Then Yin Mingyang actually came.

He first sent a pained emoji.

Then he sent a bloody knife emoji.

Then he sent another angry emoji.

address:\\\\\\\\\\\\.\\\\\\

I typed it last.

"That boss must be Fang Shiqi's father."

Yin Mingyang sat in the internet cafe, feeling genuinely frustrated.

He had originally planned to have dinner with Huang Jing today, then watch a movie, and finally find a place to "rest".

Unexpectedly, Fang Shiqi made a last-minute phone call and summoned Huang Jing away.

Yin Mingyang was in a real bind and wanted Huang Jing to decline, but Huang Jing said she couldn't decline because Fang Shiqi was in a bad mood and she needed to keep her company.

Yin Mingyang was still a little unwilling. After all, he had already bought the kit and memorized the "Memorial on Dispatching the Troops". He was just about to put the precious manual taught by Shen Kang into practice. How could it just disappear like that?

So he continued to pester Huang Jing, trying to get her to decline Fang Shiqi's offer.

Huang Jing then explained the whole story to him: It turned out that Fang Shiqi's family was going to invite Shen Kang to dinner tonight, and Fang Shiqi had originally agreed to eat with them. Fang Shiqi was very excited and looking forward to it, but Fang Shiqi's father suddenly changed his mind and asked Fang Shiqi to eat out tonight.

Fang Shiqi was naturally unwilling, but her father was usually very gentle with her. However, when it came to a crucial moment, he became serious, and Fang Shiqi dared not say anything. In the end, she had no choice but to agree.

Then, she came out in a huff and called Huang Jing to come and keep her company.

Huang Jing felt very sorry, but she had to go and keep Fang Shiqi company.

After hearing this, Yin Mingyang was at a loss, so he could only come online alone, feeling frustrated, but his depression didn't dissipate. That's why he sent several emojis in a row when he heard people talking about this before typing in the group.

Yin Mingyang's answer left everyone even more confused—who is Fang Shiqi?

:

Someone asked.

Yin Mingyang continued to type an explanation in the group chat.

"Fang Shiqi is a friend we met last year. Her father is the deputy director of the Provincial Department of Commerce."

"Deputy Director-General?!"

"Holy crap! Really?!"

"I thought he was just doing business, how come he's now involved with the deputy director of the Commerce Department?"

"Wouldn't this be considered collusion between officials and businessmen?"...

Yin Mingyang's "insider information" was indeed explosive, causing an uproar in the group. Even some lurkers who hadn't shown up before couldn't help but come forward now.

After all, they usually only see these "big leaders" on TV, and they never expected that one day they would be involved with someone they know.

After everyone was shocked, some naturally doubted whether what Yin Mingyang said was true. So Yin Mingyang briefly explained how they met Fang Shiqi and the others.

The message delivery speed in the group has also increased significantly compared to before.

"Now it makes sense to call him 'boss'. I've heard my dad talk about this kind of thing before. If you answer a call from your boss and call him 'boss' directly, that's really stupid, so a lot of people call him 'boss' instead."

"Why didn't you say so before?"

"I hadn't thought of that."

"Wow, the deputy director is treating Shen Kang to dinner?"

"No, Zhang Yu, I remember you saying before that when Shen Kang answered the phone, he seemed a little reluctant to go?"

"The deputy director invited him to dinner, and he didn't really want to go? Good heavens!"

Zhang Yu kept her head down, engrossed in typing on her phone.

Wan Zihao stared at his phone screen, his mood, which had just improved slightly, turning increasingly depressed.

……

The other end

Fang Tianming's family

Fang Tianming's house wasn't large, but the living room was clean and tidy. The sofa was made of brown leather, and a mahogany tea table stood by the window, with a set of dark teacups on it. In the corner was a potted plant with glossy leaves.

The TV was on, the volume was very low, and it was showing the news.

There were three people sitting in the living room: Fang Tianming, Liang Siyuan, and Gu Jinhua.

:

Liang Siyuan sat in the middle of the sofa, leaning back slightly. He was wearing a navy blue suit today, his tie was loose, and his collar was undone, making him look more distinguished.

Gu Jinhua sat to his right, sitting upright with her bag at her feet.

Fang Tianming sat on the single sofa diagonally opposite, dressed in pajamas and a dark gray cardigan, holding a white porcelain cup lid in his hand, idly stirring the tea leaves in the cup.

Luo Liqing brought over a fruit platter, said "You guys chat," and then prepared to go to the kitchen to get busy.

She had only taken one step when she stopped, turned around, and asked Fang Tianming, "Old Fang, does he eat spicy food?"

Liang Siyuan was somewhat surprised, then smiled gently, "Sister-in-law, you're too kind. I can handle a bit of spicy food. We're here as guests today, so please make yourselves at home."

Fang Tianming's expression didn't change; he just smiled and said, "A guest came to my house for dinner today, and my wife asked about him."

He then said to Luo Liqing, "He's a local from Yangcheng, so he probably eats spicy food."

Luo Liqing nodded, "Okay, then I'll cook it as usual." After saying that, he left and went to the kitchen.

"..."

Liang Siyuan felt somewhat embarrassed.

However, he had seen his share of ups and downs, and he quickly let it go, changing the subject: "Director Fang, I should have invited you to sit outside. But Manager Gu said that Director Fang is busy before the New Year and it would be more convenient for you to stay at home, so I shamelessly came to your place." He spoke in a relaxed tone, as if he were talking about something that had already been arranged.

Fang Tianming smiled: "It's nice at home, it's quiet here. How many days has Director Liang been in Yangcheng? Are you getting used to your place?"

Liang Siyuan said, "Regarding accommodation and transportation, I'm not used to the fact that it's colder inside than outside in the south during winter. But it's about the same at headquarters; my feet get cold after sitting for a long time in meetings."

As he spoke, he reached for his teacup, his movements steady. He took a sip, then put it down. "I'm the kind of person who likes efficiency. I'm here for two reasons: first, to check out the Spring Festival market here, and second, to meet with Director Fang. There are some plans for the southwestern provinces later, and I need to keep them informed."

Fang Tianming nodded: "Philips is a large company, and we certainly welcome them to develop more business in Qianlin. If there's anything the department needs to cooperate with, Manager Gu can directly contact our business department."

Liang Siyuan smiled and said, "Director Fang, you're too kind. We have people handling the procedures. I'm not here to cause you any trouble, Director Fang. I just want to understand Qianlin's general thoughts on the 'Consumption Upgrade Pilot Program.' Philips has been operating overseas for decades, with a complete product line ranging from large appliances to personal care. If the province wants to establish benchmark enterprises and promote pilot product categories, Philips can certainly take on a part of that. This is also what headquarters would like to see."

Gu Jinhua added from the side, "Director Liang means that Philip can do more practical things at Qianlin. For example, we have already launched activities in several stores in Yangcheng for the Spring Festival promotion. If the province has a unified promotion for consumption upgrade, Philip is willing to cooperate and participate."

After listening, Fang Tianming slowly hummed in agreement.

He picked up the cup, blew on it as if waiting for the tea to cool down a bit, and then said, "Regarding the issue of consumption upgrading, the higher authorities have the intention, but the lower levels are still exploring it. The province is indeed studying it; the general direction is to promote consumption and encourage people to spend money, but how exactly to do it is still being discussed. Philip has a mature plan, which we can take a look at."

He paused and looked at Liang Siyuan. "However, this pilot project is not just a commercial activity. The province will consider more factors, such as whether it can boost local employment, whether some supporting facilities can be implemented locally, and whether it can create synergy with local enterprises. I believe Director Liang understands this as well."

Liang Siyuan nodded, his expression unchanged: "I understand. Philips doesn't just do sales in China; we have bases in South China and East China. If Qianlin offers good terms, some supporting services are worth discussing."

When he said "it's not that we can't talk," his voice wasn't loud, but he deliberately emphasized the word "talk," as if to tell Fang Tianming: wherever Philip goes, he's someone the locals are trying to win over.

Fang Tianming seemed oblivious to the underlying meaning, simply smiling and saying, "That's great. We welcome such a large company's willingness. I'll have the business department keep the materials for now, and we'll hold a special meeting after the New Year to discuss it together. Manager Gu, you should also sort out what Philips can and wants to do. Especially local procurement and local employment—write the facts where possible, and the abstract where appropriate. That way, it'll be easier for the department to report to."

Gu Jinhua nodded quickly: "Okay, I'll organize it tomorrow and try to send a copy to Director Fang before the New Year."

:

Liang Siyuan glanced at Gu Jinhua but didn't reply.

He knew Fang Tianming's rhetoric. Local procurement, local employment—it was just the local practice of "foreign companies needing to pledge allegiance before they can establish themselves." He neither agreed nor refused, implying that he was both a guest and a variable. Liang Siyuan knew in his heart that with Fang Tianming, he wasn't the only option.

But he felt that with Philips' brand name, even if Fang Tianming wanted to support local businesses, when it came time to raise the table, Philips would still be there to give them a place. Because for a place like Qianlin, it wouldn't look good to have a foreign brand supporting it if it wanted to promote "consumption upgrade."

: