The two of them ate their food cautiously, or one could say

– in a manner that was flattering to both of them.

Y

in Ting tried very hard to solve the lamb problem. She watched Zhengqing

take two spoons of the soup; she really wanted to tell him not to force himself.

But she thought that would be rude, so she sped up her eating, taking more from the soup bowl between them.

After eating so much, she became somewhat embarra.s.sed, ‘Oh

dear, I eat too much,’ There goes her lady like image. ‘The food here tastes really

good ah.’ Honestly, it was just average.

 Qiu Zhengqing replied, ‘I'm not really a big eater

myself, but I do not like picky eaters.’ It was against his principles; picky

eaters were his pet peeve.

Yin Ting nodded in agreement, ‘Neither do I,’ she just liked

her food tasty, she was not a picky eater.

‘This tastes good, we can come back another time,’ he said

testing the waters.

‘Sounds good,’ she said without hesitation, then a thought,

‘Can you cook?’

Zhengqing hesitated wondering whether to tell the truth,

‘I…can’t,’ he didn't want to make any claims that could be disputed later.

‘I can’t either,’ this could be considered something in

common; point to Mr Qiu. Although it was a bit embarra.s.sing, two blind persons

can’t cook a romantic dinner in his house. It might be necessary to go to

a cooking cla.s.s, Yin Ting thought. He was busy with work and usually worked

over time. If they really end up together, she should learn how to cook so he

can eat healthy. Having take-away all the time was not good for one.

Zhengqing decided to check for recipes on the internet to

learn. She likes to eat, so he should be able to cook some nice dishes.

As the two of them lost themselves in their cooking fantasy,

Zhengqing’s phone rang; it was Mao Huizhu.

Mao Huizhu told him that she was near Zhengqing’s place and

would he like to have a meal together?

‘Hmm, I’m having lunch with a friend right now.’ He said

‘Zoe?’ Tin Ting asked. Zhengqing nodded.

‘Invite her over. More people can eat more!’ And the mutton

soup, the pot was so big, it would be hard for her to eat alone. In addition,

she can make Mao Huizhu a friend, there by becoming a common friend of both of

them, a step in the right direction.

(Zuben: I must not be in a lovey-dovey mood; all I can see

is how this all falls apart. I should do some s.m.u.t before I do this, that gets

me out of the sarcastic mood quick sharpis.h.!.+)

So Zhengqing invited Huizhu to the restaurant and told her

he was eating with Yin Ting,

‘Is it convenient?’ Huizhu asked when she heard Yin Ting was

there.

‘It’s fine, she said you should come, she ordered too much

food.’ Zhengqing said helplessly watching Yin Ting laugh.

Mao Huizhu arrived shortly after.

‘Zhu Zhu Jie!’ Ying Ting called sweetly.

‘What is this about too much food? Let me tell you, my

battle efficiency is very ordinary.’ Huizhu said jokingly to Yin Ting.

 Zhengqing rubbed at

his forehead, feeling that the two were more familiar with each other that with

him. The wind was not the same, ah.

‘I also bought a bike.’ Huizhu said to Yin Tin, as Yin Ting

handed her the menu. She wanted to pick a few dishes that she might like,

‘If you have time, let’s go for a ride together,’ Yin Ting

said.

Huizhi smiled and said, ‘Okay.’

‘It is cold,’ Zhengqing said drily, pouring cold water on

their enthusiasm, they both stared at him, 

‘It’s really cold.’

Huizhi pointed at the food between them and asked, ‘Are you two on a date?’

Zhengqing and Yin Ting shared a look, both look seriously

thoughtful. Zhenqing remained silent, hence, letting Yin Ting decide what they

were doing,

‘Qiu Zhenqing adopted a stray cat I couldn’t care for, and

in turn today I helped him by a new camera, so just having lunch.’

‘Oh.’ Huizhui drawled, and looked at Zhengqing. To her, they

should just say ‘Yes ah,’ such a long story…

Zhengqing cleared his throat and changed the subject, ‘How

are preparations for your company going?’

Huizhu gave a pained expression, ‘It’s been more trouble

than I imagined it to be, it seems that I have to wait to register after the

New Year festival.’

Zhengqing frowned. ‘After the New Year Festival? What about

that contract that you were aiming for in March?’

‘If I can only register after the New Year festival, I would

not be able to catch up,’ Huizhu and Zhengqing started chatting about her

business plan; her American friends were launching a business in March, the

contract would help her start up. She would like to fight to get her company

registered in December, then it would take a month to finalise all the

procedures. Nothing can really be done in February because of the New Year

festival, but fine details could be set up and March she could go ahead.

‘How come you can’t register? Is there a problem? Is the

capital not enough?’ Zhengqing said.

‘I was planning on using a paid service for the procedures,

but it is rather expensive.. And then the need for office address, the agency

can provide, or pay service fees, but I really need an office. I've been to a

lot of places; they want half a year’s rent paid up front. Their rent is too

high and I would also like get an interior decorator in, but it is now the end of

the year, getting people would be hard, and there is the New Year festival. I'm

having a hard time with recruitment because I am new; experienced people think

I am not a good move. I had a friend who was going to start with me, but she

says her company are reluctant to let her go and she eventually decided to stay

there. I would like to recruit at least an a.s.sistant, but I still need an

office. But I can’t justify resting an office in vain. The final a.n.a.lysis was

underestimating. It is so tiring.’

‘I do not have much money but I can borrow you to tide you

over.’ Zhengqing said.

Mao Huizhu shook her head, ‘Thank you but I don’t want to

throw money down the drain just to rent an office for the registration. I don’t

think I should force myself to beat the March deadline. I want to recruit good

people, and that would be hard to do. I should just wait till after New Year,

it won’t be a terrible loss. This is a long game, I can’t be anxious, and with

this I gain more understanding, and will be ready to be better. So after the

New Year Festival, I will rent an office, and the charge d’affaires service fee

can be less, I can used the money saved on something else’

She sighed tiredly, ‘One really doesn’t have to think about

these things as an employee of a company. One doesn’t have to worry, just think

about making money for the company. Now I'm on my own, I am finding out how

hard it is; how much I have to calculate…’

Yin Ting who had been listening quietly, asked, ‘What is

your company specialising in?’ Though last time they rode together, Huizu gave

her a rough outline but Yin Ting didn't pay very much attention therefore, did

not remember.  Huizhu explained it to her

again.

‘That sounds very good, ah,’ Yin Tin said after the

explanation, ‘Will it make lots of money?’

Huizhu choked out a laugh, ‘I will try,’ Once upon a time,

she would have thought she was being despised. But she knows Yin Ting well, she

was easy going and did not care.

Yin Ting asked Zhengqing, ‘Is her business promising?’

Zhengqing regarded Yin Ting for a moment, then answered,

‘The direction is good. Zoe’s resources are also good, but the first year at

least would be hard.’ There is also a relatively large compet.i.tion in the

market and acquiring funds would be difficult.

Yin Ting nodded and asked, ‘Can I buy in?’

Huizhu and Zhengqing stared at her, dumbfounded.

Yin Ting Ting sat up right, ‘I’m not joking. I really do

have money. Of course, I do not have such a long term development, but the initial

income does not matter. You are an elite and intelligent lady, Zhengqing is

optimistic about your prospects, so there is no problem.’

Zhengqing had a sceptical expression on his face, when he

said optimistic he meant if there was a large enough capital; optimistic.

‘I do not know the intricacies of business, so I cannot

help. But I have bought into stocks, regardless of the type of business, and

have gotten good returns. So I can invest in your business.’

Huizhu’s expression was more excited than Zhengqing. This

girl and her broken bike is claiming to be rich and would invest in her

company?

Huizhu looked to Zhengqing, who shrugged, he was clueless,

‘I don’t know how much money she has,’ or how much her dad owned. He knew her

dad ran a printing plant, but he didn’t know the scale. He brother ran a bar,

which he had been to, it look like it was successful but he didn’t know her

brother’s wealth either.

‘How large is the office you need and how many people are

going to be enough?’ Yin Ting asked eagerly.

‘One hundred and twenty square metres,’ Huizhu said, still

mildly flabbergasted, ‘This is a small company, please don’t be impulsive and

consider it clearly’

‘So you need a general manager's office, but also a

financial room, but also a meeting room.’ Yin Ting said thoughtfully, ‘The

façade is also very important,’ she picked up her phone, as she dialled, she

asked Huizhu, ‘Where would you like it to be located?’

Huizhu and Zhengqing’s mouths hung open. She was now asking

about selecting locations. It must be a cheap area, most likely.

Yin Ting’s called was picked up by the other party, they

exchanged pleasantries, and she asked, ‘Du jingli, which one of my office

buildings is empty?’

Huizhu looked at Zhengqing; he shook his head. He really

didn’t know about all this. He did not believe this girl has an office

building.

‘Hmm, okay,’ Yin Ting looked to Huizhu and said, ‘Willow

Street, which is three-fifty square metres or so, the lease expires in

December. There is another on Jinsha Road that is five hundred which is empty

and you can move in next week.’

Huizhu’s eyes widened, ‘Not the five hundred.’

Yin Ting looked at her, ‘Du jingli, help me hold on to the

Willow Street office and do not rent the other one. I will come and see you

about them later.’

She rang off and looked to see Huizhu and Zhengqing staring

at her. Yin Ting was somewhat embarra.s.sed, ‘I have lots of stock. I have the

offices and and a few houses. I have ready-made resources, they can’t exist in

vain right. And the rent would be cheap and we can add it to the shares. I need

to speak to my lawyers and accountants; we can come to a deal and save money. See

how we can deal with the cash flow situation and calculation of the budget.

What do you think?’

Huizhu was undecided; out of the blue this pie dropped out

of the sky. She did not know what to do, so she turned to Zhengqing.

Zhengqing comes to a rational point, ‘Don’t you need to talk

to your dad or brother?’

‘No need. My dad has stopped involving himself, once my mom left us. Before, he had several companies, he sold them all. There were two he

sold to Qin Shu; the shoes and leather goods ones.’

 Zhengqing was

surprised, those two were their key business arms; he did not know that they

had been bought from Yin Ting’s father.

‘My dad kept only the printing plant. At the beginning, the

printing plant did very well; the machines and other technology are introduced

from abroad and there was a lot of business specifically looking up. Things

went well, so he expanded to other businesses. My mother ran the printing factory

and my dad was free to develop new businesses and they were also successful. He

and Qin Shu were entrepreneurial partners. But sadly my mother left us, and my

dad was very depressed.  He decided to

sell all his companies, leaving the printing factory. He wanted my brother to

succeed it, but my brother refused. He was fine with that and divided the

a.s.sets between my brother and I. My brother took his and tried to start a

business. I was small and told my dad I did not know what to do with the money

so he helped me invest it.’

‘So your dad helped you invest in property.’ Zhengqing said.

‘He bought a house for me, I went to look at it and liked it

so I decided to keep it. So I used the rest of the money to buy other houses, a

few office building and shops. I hired an agency to help me look after thinks,

as well as the accounting company and my legal team. The building my brother’s

bar is located is mine. He lost a lot of money in is enterprises, so I helped

him and finally things are going well. I also invested in my friends fas.h.i.+on

design company, and she’s also doing well. Lots of gains!’

She turned to Huizhu and said, ‘You see, I am very lucky so

let me invest and get some shares in your company and you will make money.’

Huizhu did not know what to say. Was it okay for things to

be this easy?

‘Business is business, you can’t use superst.i.tion and luck.’

Zhengqing said sternly (Zuben: Zhengqing, everything is luck my dear)

‘Oh,’ Yin Ting replied, ‘Anyway, I have the resources to

help Huizhu. My dad said too much money can cause depression, and suicide among

the rich is high and I should look after myself and live fulfilling life. He is

right. When I was in younger in high school, I was scolded by a cla.s.s mate of

mine, she said I am not great, and all I had was my parent’s money, I do not

work hard or contribute to the community. All I do is buy houses. At that time,

I think she was lovelorn, and the mood is not good.’ (Zuben: What societal

contribution is an average teenager in China doing, I would like to know.)

Zhengqing was silent; she was such a weird girl, she was

scolded yet she found an excuse for the person’s behaviour. And what is young,

how old is she now? (Zuben: Zhengqing, you want to tap that. Stop being a

judgemental so and so.)

‘But I was very said, and I didn’t buy the house. I went

home and cried and my father asked is what was wrong. I told him about what she

said, and my father told me not to let it get me down. Why should I feel

inferior, everyone has their own situation; we are all different. Although I

was not an outstanding student, I was not stupid, I studied hard and graduated

smoothly. I work at the printing factory everyday, I accompany my father so

he’s no lonely.  I love small animals,

care for children, I earn money also help others. I am not a criminal or a bad

person. I like to exude positive energy and I do contribute to the society. I

would like to meet that girl again and show her that she can’t look down on me.’

(Zuben: what an advert.)

Zhengqing and Huizhu did not say anything, in truth; they

were rather prejudiced towards rich kids, due to their struggle filled

backgrounds.

‘So please don’t think I would be trouble, ah,’ she

continued, ‘I am serious and I don’t invest randomly. I think Zhu Zhu jie can

do well, and you helped others who lost their jobs. My mother said that good people

will have a good report, just a good time to report, do not see, do not miss

this is not a chance now. I can help the busy, I will do my best. And when the

company is set up, we can work together. Isn’t there Zhengqing with his ability

as Yongkai's money tree he can also help us out with ideas. For now, we should

get the company registered, and recruit people. I can find someone to help.

With the funds, we can set up the offices and attract people, and hopefully

with luck, things would be ready for March!’

Huizhu laughed and looked to Zhengqing, and back to Yin

Ting, ‘Someone once told me that there are people who can easily persuade

others with their line of thinking, you are like this.’

‘I thank you for your kind praise,’ Yin Ting said very

proudly

‘So what you are saying is that we can get things sorted for

a start in March.’

‘Of course, I’m not just bragging, I am really a lucky star,’

Yin Tin boasted.

Just then, Huizhu’s phone rang, she looked at it to see it

was her old colleague, Wu Fei.

‘Zoe jie, I heard you were starting your own company.’

‘Yes,’ Huizhu replied, her heart was a bit tickled.

‘I want to volunteer my ability and att.i.tude. You know my

strengths. I also know that the initial start of a business is not easy, so I

can take a lower salary. I just want the opportunity to continue to learn from

you.’

Huizhu was surprised. Is today her lucky day? She had just

been in the area, and thought of having a meal with Zhengqing, only intending on

borrowing his ear to unburden her start up woes. She did not expect before she’s

finished her rice, she had funds and business partners.

Yin Tin smiled happily and glanced at Zhengqing. Zhengqing was

also looking at her. Yin Ting got somewhat shy. Truthfully, her reasons for

helping Huizhu were not hundred percent altruistic. It was so she could shorten

the distance between her and Zhengqing and get an entry into his friends circle.

(Zuben: That is why we had a three page advert of your strengths and

weaknesses, eh?) She did not want to be seen as the rich princess, who liked to

play and despised work. She also had her own personal matters that she wanted

to pursue. Although her goals may not be lofty or n.o.ble, the world was big, and

we are not all the same.

What she wants right now, her ideal was to find love with a

proper gentleman. Yes, ah, and her hope is that after the success of love she

can happily get married.

Right now, she felt life was good and she was full of

energy.

Zuben: If y'all read ahead with the raws, you would notice a few differences and omissions. That is because I take out sentences that I don't feel are relevant, I re-word, revise and summarise. This is the way of the G.o.d; me!

There would be more Easy Marriage, just as soon as I get over the muddled hurdle that is Leandroth's POV, I can't let it beat me!

Peace x