Chapter 395 Regret

Chapter 395: Full of Regret

Hao Yanyan grasped the boss's perspective after hearing his response.

But she wasn’t aiming for small-scale ventures—she wanted to make her fortune in this era.

In her previous life, she’d seen many seize opportunities to become industry leaders.

And now, with memories of an extra lifetime, couldn’t she ride the wave and succeed?

Hao Yanyan decided to try her luck with major factories in the capital. If she could secure a collaboration with a brand, profits would be guaranteed.

She assumed it would be easy, but when she confidently reached out to those big brands, no one was willing to partner with her.

Some even openly dismissed her.

Hao Yanyan had no business experience to speak of, but she thought herself a cut above the rest.

Only after repeated setbacks did she realize business wasn’t as simple as she’d imagined.

In the end, only one company was left standing.

Ningyuan Company.

Given its portfolio of brands, she was excited for the meeting the next day.

Early the following morning, Hao Yanyan arrived at Ningyuan Company’s office building, but without a badge, she couldn’t get past the front door.

"I’d like to speak with your sales manager."

The security guard didn’t hassle her, only asking for her name and if she was expected.

Hao Yanyan awkwardly replied, "I don’t."

The guard replied, "Then I’ll have to call and check if the manager has time to see you. Which firm are you with?"

Hao Yanyan turned red. "...I’m not with any company."

The guard paused. "Then why are you here—"

"My name is Hao Yanyan. I’m here to discuss a potential collaboration. Please let me speak directly with the manager once the call goes through."

Her tone was firm.

The guard, noting her polished look and that she didn’t seem to be here for personal matters, decided to bend the rules.

He dialed the manager’s office and explained that someone was requesting a meeting.

The manager confirmed he’d never heard of Hao Yanyan.

But since Ningyuan Company was growing fast, she might be a potential partner.

He agreed to speak with her, but after hearing her proposal over the phone, he flat-out refused.

"Ms. Hao, I’m sorry, but our company isn’t considering partnerships with individuals. The sales volume you could offer isn’t worth our while."

Hao Yanyan saw this coming. At least getting to speak with Ningyuan’s manager was better than the cold shoulders she’d gotten elsewhere.

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The failed deal left her deeply disappointed.

Hao Yanyan realized the phone call wasn't getting through—she had to meet in person.

So Hao Yanyan crouched by the roadside, keeping watch on the entrance of Ningyuan Company.

You could easily spot the executives here because they had chauffeur-driven cars.

When a luxury car pulled up at the company entrance, Hao Yanyan saw a man in a business suit step out.

She was just about to approach him when she suddenly spotted a familiar face.

Ye Changning!

What's he doing here!

Hao Yanyan immediately ran closer for a better look.

But by the time she reached the entrance, he'd already vanished.

"Miss? You're still here? You can't go in," the security guard said.

Hao Yanyan blurted out, "Who was that man who just went in?"

"Ah!" The guard glanced inside. "That would be President Ye."

"Is he the manager here?"

"No, he owns the place."

The guard spoke with great respect for President Ye. He had been a laid-off factory worker, and if not for President Ye, he wouldn't have found such a good job.

Hao Yanyan was so shocked by this news that she nearly lost her balance.

This revelation stunned her.

How could Ye Changning be the owner of Ningyuan Company?

Even if he was somewhat clever, where did he get the capital?

In her past life... in her past life, he had just been a small factory owner, barely scraping by, and met a tragic end.

What had gone differently in this life?

Hao Yanyan stood frozen in shock.

The guard told her to move along so she wouldn't hold up people coming in.

Hao Yanyan waited until noon, and when Ye Changning came out again, she stepped in front of the car.

Fortunately, the driver was just leaving the gate and was going slow.

The driver was startled, and Jiang Nan in the passenger seat saw the unfamiliar woman come running out.

Ye Changning looked up. "What's she doing here?"

Jiang Nan: "You know this woman?" Ye Changning: "Some messy family stuff."

Ye Changning lowered the car window.

Hao Yanyan ran over and said bluntly, "I need to talk to you."

Ye Changning raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone carrying a hint of roguishness. "If it isn’t the precious daughter of the Hao family," he scoffed. "What brings you to my neck of the woods?"

"Third Brother..." she protested weakly, but words failed her.

Ye Changning cut in, "Don’t call me Third Brother. Have you forgotten what you said to Father and Mother the last time you came to see them?"

Hao Yanyan, of course, remembered—he'd walked in on her during that very moment.

Her face flushed with shame, but she refused to let this opportunity slip away.

Ye Changning wasn't having it. He reminded her coldly, "You told Father and Mother and the Ye family to stay out of your life. So, may I ask, what are you doing here now?"

Ye Changning motioned for Hao Yanyan to step aside and instructed the driver indifferently to keep driving.

Hao Yanyan's arms fell limp at her sides.

It was the first time she began to doubt whether she had made a mistake.

If she hadn’t left the Ye family back then, she would have had an elder brother who was now a successful businessman.

No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than she forcefully suppressed it.

If she had stayed with the Ye family, she might have ended up married to a good-for-nothing husband. At least now, she still had a good family.

Now that she knew Ye Changning was the boss of Ningyuan, she refused to believe he could be so heartless. If she kept trying, surely he would forgive her.

Meanwhile, inside the car, Ye Changning had already spoken to Jiang Nan.

"Later, inform the company’s security and office staff—if someone named Hao Yanyan shows up, don’t let her in."

Jiang Nan nodded. Though curious about who Hao Yanyan was, with the driver present, it wasn’t his place to ask. His job was to follow the boss’s orders.

With Ye Changning’s precautions in place, it became even harder for Hao Yanyan to contact Ningyuan.

...

On Ye Xiaoxiao’s side, she'd been tagging along with her grandparents to meet many relatives from their hometown.

Though she didn’t recognize most of them, the interactions went smoothly enough.

Mainly because Ye Xiaoxiao couldn’t understand much of what the local women were saying.

Today, a bunch of aunties had stopped by, all dropping by to see Ye Xiaoxiao.

"We’ve long heard that Xiao Chuan got married, but this is the first time we’re meeting the new wife," one of them said kindly, looking at Ye Xiaoxiao.