Chapter 66

Chapter 66

After Jiang Yicen joined Nanyuan, he'd tried quite a few drinks from the vending machines—some from Nanyuan, some from other brands. He had sampled many and gotten a bit addicted, didn't want water anymore. If it weren't for Nan Shuyi controlling how many he could drink, he could easily drink two or more bottles a day. Modern drinks are just that good.

After tasting three lines of drinks, Jiang Yicen found that the flavors were more or less the same as those produced by their Jiang family in the past, and in some cases, even worse than other brands. There was nothing particularly special about them.

Having accepted Lu Xiao's invitation, they decided not to join the main group for the banquet arranged by Jiangda. Assistant An and President Hu from Nanyuan would handle that.

On the way to the restaurant, Jiang Yicen brought up a question he hadn’t raised during the tasting session.

"Shuyi, don’t you think these drinks taste a bit ordinary?" Jiang Yicen asked.

"I thought I was the only one who felt that way," Nan Shuyi replied.

"With all that investment upfront, Nanyuan invested quite a bit. There’s no way they’d only come up with products like these. Didn’t you say their R&D team was pretty strong?" Jiang Yicen said.

"They're pretty average. They’ll probably be just average when they hit the market too," Nan Shuyi agreed.

"What should we do then?" Jiang Yicen asked.

"We could delay the launch if necessary. But... do you suspect something?" Nan Shuyi said.

"I just think the flavors are too bland. I didn’t think much else. Which series is Nanyuan actually focusing on?" Jiang Yicen admitted he simply found all three drinks unpleasant, feeling kind of greasy after each one.

Actually, after bringing it up, he began to wonder if there was a management issue within the project. Jiangda wasn't involved early on, and it wasn't impossible to fake the project funding reports. Jiang Yiting wouldn't go that far, right?

But if something went wrong, Jiang Yiting would bear full responsibility.

Nan Shuyi took the matter seriously. "They really shouldn't have come up with such mediocre stuff. I could easily replace them with old formulas from before."

By then, they had arrived at the restaurant and put the topic aside for now.

Jiang Yicen hadn’t dined out much lately, nor had he and Nan Shuyi gone to check out new restaurants or sample cuisines from different countries.

They went to a Spanish restaurant with an exotic vibe, specializing in traditional dishes like roast suckling pig and roast lamb.

It was a different kind of barbecue, not like Chinese skewers at all.

As soon as Jiang Yicen entered, he was greeted by the fragrant aroma of roast suckling pig.

They'd been standing all afternoon and were starving.

"Good evening, gentlemen. Do you have a reservation?" the receptionist asked.

"Under the name Lu," Nan Shuyi replied.

"Right this way, please."

To Jiang Yicen, the restaurant’s decor was beautifully exotic and worth checking out for ideas.

When they pushed the door open, Lu Xiao and Chen Zhicheng had already arrived. They were seated on opposite sides, not speaking, with an awkward atmosphere.

Chen Zhicheng had changed out of his work uniform and was staring down at the tea leaves floating in his cup.

"Here already? Hope the traffic wasn't bad," Lu Xiao said.

The table was spacious, but there was no need for four people to sit too far apart. Jiang Yicen sat next to Chen Zhicheng, leaving Nan Shuyi to sit across from him.

Nan Shuyi looked displeased but said nothing.

"Not bad. Our Consultant Jiang rarely gets off work early, so of course we left early," Nan Shuyi replied.

"Let’s order. You two can eat lamb and pork, right? Those two roasts are their signature dishes," Lu Xiao asked.

Nan Shuyi made the decision for Jiang Yicen, as he was the one who usually planned their meals. "No problem."

After Jiang Yicen sat beside Chen Zhicheng, Chen Zhicheng snapped out of his daze and poured tea for them.

He must've figured out the relationship between Nan Shuyi and Jiang Yicen before coming.

"Mr. Jiang, this is green tea. Can you have this?" Chen Zhicheng asked softly.

"Yes, I can. Sorry I keep making you pour water," Jiang Yicen replied.

"My pleasure," Chen Zhicheng said.

The atmosphere among the four was a little awkward. Suddenly, Jiang Yicen’s phone, which was resting by his hand, started vibrating incessantly.

He glanced at it and saw, to his surprise, Zhong Zixing calling.

Nan Shuyi noticed. "Not going to answer?"

Jiang Yicen answered the call. Before he could even leave the table, a super loud shout came from the phone.

"Mr. Jiang! We won! We won!"

"Ahhh, we won!"

"Our Chinese team took first place!"

"Won what?" It took Jiang Yicen a second to get it. "Really? We won?"

Zhong Zixing had been abroad recently, and since Jiang Yicen hadn’t received his daily messages, he hadn’t been following closely.

"Yes, yes! We won!"

Jiang Yicen could feel how excited he was. "Congratulations! When you come back, should we throw a celebration party?"

"It’s a thank-you dinner! We have to thank you for your support, Mr. Jiang! You must come then!"

"Sounds good. Are you still at the venue?" Jiang Yicen asked.

"Yes, yes. We're about to go on stage to get the award and popping champagne to celebrate!"

"Alright, go ahead. Congratulations again."

By the time he finished the call, Nan Shuyi already knew the deal.

"Zhong Zixing called to tell you he won?" Nan Shuyi asked.

"You knew that fast?" Jiang Yicen said.

"It's going viral. We saw it on our phones just now," Chen Zhicheng explained.

"News travels that fast here?" Jiang Yicen remarked casually.

"Who’s Zhong Zixing?" Lu Xiao asked. "How do you all know him? What's his deal? I've never heard of 'Twin Stars'."

Nan Shuyi took the opportunity to hype Jiang Yicen up. "Our consultant Jiang has great taste. He slapped our company's brand on the car. Next time there's a good investment opportunity, you in?"

Lu Xiao: "Never thought I'd see the day you'd help me make a fortune."

Nan Shuyi: "Our Consultant Jiang has a Midas touch."

Jiang Yicen: "President Lu, don't listen to his nonsense. It's just luck."

Lu Xiao: "You're into cars too? I thought it was Nan Shuyi who's into cars."

Jiang Yicen remembered the incident and thought it was quite a coincidence.

He said, "Actually, that day during the race, Zhong Zixing was looking for Jiang Yifeng to invest, but Jiang Yifeng backed out at the last minute. I saw Zhong Zixing sitting on the ground crying. So I went to visit their workshop. Shuyi's friends all said his car was good, so we thought of a marketing plan to sponsor the team. It was really just a coincidence."

Lu Xiao snorted and laughed: "That Jiang Yifeng really let such a great opportunity slip away. I'll have a good talk with Jiang Yiting about this tomorrow."

"Can I still buy this car? I want to order one too."

Jiang Yicen: "I'll ask Zhong Zixing if they still have any left."

Nan Shuyi said with a hint of pride: "Did you see the trending topic? You can't buy it anymore. As soon as it went viral, people started snatching them up. Orders are probably backed up for a year. By the way, Zhou Yi, Cheng Chen, and I each bought one."

Lu Xiao: "Look at you showing off."

Jiang Yicen smiled: "Just the time of one phone call. That can't be right, can it?"

The company's operations department also saw the news of Zhong Zixing's championship win online and immediately arranged follow-ups, leveraging this buzz to push the Nanyuan beverage brand to new heights.

Chen Zhicheng was a man of few words, but he could still join the conversation: "Most people like to follow the crowd and join in on the excitement. But Zhong Zixing really lived up to expectations, especially since our country had a blank slate in this area. And he looks very young."

Jiang Yicen: "His future is limitless, and so is yours."

He felt that Chen Zhicheng seemed to need encouragement. When they first met in the afternoon, he looked particularly dejected and lifeless.

Chen Zhicheng had indeed seen the vitality of someone his own age in Zhong Zixing and the confidence in Jiang Yicen. He knew Jiang Yicen's status in the Jiang family, and that he had even married Nan Shuyi for the sake of the family. But now, it seemed different from what he had imagined.

"Okay, I will."

Jiang Yicen took the initiative to say, "Let's add each other on WeChat."

He hoped that every young person could be their true selves, with confidence and pride, and not let this beautiful new world go to waste.

Chen Zhicheng: "Okay."

Nan Shuyi, sitting across from them, kicked Lu Xiao hard, and the latter gave him a glare.

Lu Xiao: What's the matter?

Nan Shuyi: They're too close.

Lu Xiao pretended not to see. If someone could help Chen Zhicheng get back on his feet, he would be grateful, very grateful.

The four of them chatted while eating roasted pork and lamb. The lamb chops were also delicious and fragrant. They also ordered four beers.

Lu Xiao sighed contentedly: "This is what true happiness is: eating and drinking like this."

Jiang Yicen had never drunk beer like this before and found it novel. He had only seen his Sanda master and his disciples drink and eat heartily; it probably felt the same.

Jiang Yicen hadn't eaten so much meat in one meal for a long time.

After leaving the restaurant, he sat in the car, covered his mouth, and let out a soft burp. He looked left and right, relieved that no one else was around.

Both of them had been drinking, so they called a designated driver.

Nan Shuyi placed his hand on Jiang Yicen's knee: "You have so many spoiled habits and little quirks. Even burping makes you check if anyone's watching. What, are you that conscious of your image?"

Jiang Yicen didn't quite understand what an idol complex was, but after thinking about it, he grasped the meaning.

His mannerisms were too concerned with etiquette, making him seem out of place with modern people. But this was how his family had raised him since childhood. He often stood out too much here, and even Nan Shuyi always teased him about it.

"It's not an idol complex. It's etiquette."

Jiang Yicen pressed down on Nan Shuyi's mischievous hand on his knee and pressed on his fingertip. Nan Shuyi felt a tingling sensation throughout his body.

"Got it, etiquette teacher. Press a bit more. It feels great."

Jiang Yicen massaged his fingers for free, starting from the first knuckle of his thumb, pressing each knuckle one by one. His fingers were a bit soft, never having done manual work, and had no calluses. His fingers pressing on Nan Shuyi's felt soft, but unlike a woman's, his fingers had more strength.

Nan Shuyi felt half his body go numb. Just having his fingers massaged was enough to make him feel light as a feather and utterly intoxicated. His gaze at Jiang Yicen grew hotter, and he almost had a physical reaction.

If it weren't for the driver upfront, he would have pulled the car over and kissed him right then.

Nan Shuyi calmed himself down and talked with Jiang Yicen about sponsoring the Twin Stars team, whether they could use this to steer the conversation toward the Nanyuan brand.

Nan Shuyi: "Of course, if the operations department doesn't leverage this buzz for promotion now, then they might as well quit."

He thought for a moment and smiled again: "You're really my lucky charm."

Jiang Yicen: "It's just luck."

Nan Shuyi asked him: "Do you want to switch positions?" This was something he had been mulling over recently.

Jiang Yicen's success wasn't just luck; he had the ability himself.

He believed that Jiang Yicen had truly studied hard in the United States, otherwise, he wouldn't have such boldness and foresight. He could see what others couldn't.

Jiang Yicen: "What position do you want me to take?"

Nan Shuyi: "Being just a consultant is too low for you. I can't bear to see you waste your talent here."

Jiang Yicen's heart skipped a beat: "But my starting point is already very high."

He didn't know what position Nan Shuyi wanted to give him next.

Nan Shuyi: "You know I have a lot of things to handle. How about you take charge of the Jiangda and Nanyuan projects? I chatted briefly with Assistant An this afternoon, and he said we could let you give it a try."

Jiang Yicen hadn't expected Nan Shuyi to entrust him with such an important responsibility so soon: "I don't think that's a good idea. First, I don't have the seniority. Second, I'm too young. People might not accept it."

Nan Shuyi chuckled lightly. He hadn't expected Jiang Yicen to refuse: "You think Nanyuan is a state-owned enterprise? In a private company like ours, we only care about strength. You already have two successful marketing cases, generating hundreds of times more profit for Nanyuan than an employee who's been here a lifetime. Positions should be held by those with ability. You know that," he wondered if Jiang Yicen had another reason to refuse, "Or are you just not willing to face Jiang Yiting?"

Jiang Yicen shook his head again: "That's not it. I'm just afraid I won't do a good job. You know, a sudden promotion might not be accepted by everyone."

"What's there to be afraid of? It's not like you're fighting alone. I'll be right there backing you up. If anyone gives you trouble, come to me, or to Dad." Nan Shuyi spoke from the heart: "Although the company belongs to the Nan family, there are still many veterans here. Everyone has their own camp. I've just started taking over the company's affairs, and I face many difficulties and resistance. Few people recognize me or help me. You're the person I trust most in the company, and you know more about food than I do. I can't find anyone more trustworthy than you. Dear Mr. Jiang, please help me out." He humbled himself and almost begged, knowing that Jiang Yicen would give in.

"Well... okay then." Jiang Yicen found that he was indeed susceptible to his persuasion. He was too soft-hearted, especially with Nan Shuyi; he couldn't refuse.

He figured that he had now started to understand how a modern company operates. It was different from before, but he did know something about food. Many things were interconnected. He could learn slowly and eventually buy back the remaining Jiang family properties bit by bit.

Work hard, make money, buy back the Jiang family properties.

He said, "I have one condition."

Nan Shuyi was thrilled: "Go on."

Jiang Yicen looked up at him and said, "Then you need to give me a raise."

Nan Shuyi's heart melted at his pitiful expression: "Okay, name your price."

The first thing Nan Shuyi did when they got home was to head to the walk-in closet, find the safe he hadn't opened in ages, and take out a bank card.

Before bed, Jiang Yicen had just finished his shower when he heard a knock at the door.

He said to the person outside, "I didn't lock the door."

Nan Shuyi unlocked the door and pushed it open, the faint scent of soap and steam wafting toward him. The person, still flushed from the hot shower, looked soft and pink.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly: "Done with your shower?"

Jiang Yicen was drying his hair and didn't notice the predatory gleam in Nan Shuyi's eyes: "Yeah, I'm sleepy. I want to sleep early tonight."

Nan Shuyi handed him a card: "Here, this is for you."

Jiang Yicen didn't take it: "What is it?"

Nan Shuyi: "It's some spending money I've earned from investments over the years. I add money to it regularly."

Jiang Yicen was a bit surprised: "Giving it to me? Aren't you afraid I'll waste it?"

Nan Shuyi said confidently: "What's there to be afraid of? Your husband here can still earn money."

After a moment's hesitation, Jiang Yicen took it with a bright smile: "Thank you, husband." He appreciated how his husband always came through for him in times of need.

Nan Shuyi was captivated by his smile. He had already been staring at him for a long time. As Jiang Yicen's hand took the card, he seized his wrist, pulled him close, leaned in, and bit his lip.

Jiang Yicen no longer resisted him, letting him kiss and even responding slightly.

Just as Nan Shuyi was getting carried away, trying to deepen the kiss, he suddenly felt a force shoving him away. By the time he came to his senses, he was already outside the door.

He heard the person behind the door say, "Husband, I'm still not over it. Good night."

Nan Shuyi could only chuckle softly outside the door. He persisted, asking, "Then when will you get over it?"

It seemed that a salary card wasn't enough to patch things up.

Leaning against the door, Jiang Yicen's eyes were slightly teary from the kiss, with a hint of seduction in his eyes.

He pressed a hand to his pounding heart and said with a slightly hoarse voice, "That depends on your performance."