「About half an hour later.」
The person scheduled for the phone call arrived—a middle-aged man and an exquisitely beautiful woman. No, a girl...!
Starbucks was quite busy at this hour. But her visitors scanned the room, and their gazes landed directly on her. The man approached politely. "Miss Ye?"
"Hello, that’s me!" Ye Yuning replied, standing up.
Upon hearing her response, the man’s expression became one of utmost respect. "Hello," he said calmly. "I am Jiang Ye from the Mengxi Group, and this is our young chairwoman, Gui Xingli."
Jiang Ye! Gui Xingli! Ye Yuning was shocked, her pupils involuntarily contracting.
Jiang Ye was the Mengxi Group chairman’s most capable assistant, renowned in Luozhou for his formidability. The name Gui Xingli had only recently emerged in the public eye. She was Old Master Gui’s granddaughter, his handpicked successor for the Mengxi Group. She had just taken over the entire company. It was well known that Old Master Gui had many children, yet Mengxi hadn’t been passed down to any of his sons or daughters.
Ye Yuning hadn’t expected to meet two such prominent figures from Luozhou today. Her gaze towards Gui Xingli held a measure of respect. She doesn’t look that old, perhaps twenty-five or twenty-six. Yet, at such a young age, she commands the entire Mengxi Group.
Ye Yuning extended her hand. "Hello, Miss Gui."
Gui Xingli seemed lost in thought. The moment their eyes met, Ye Yuning instantly perceived the depth in hers. Beneath that depth, she sensed a suffocating heaviness.
Ye Yuning hesitated. "Miss Gui?"
Gui Xingli regained her composure, averting her gaze slightly. "Old Jiang, get me a coffee. No sugar, no milk."
Jiang Ye nodded and left. When Gui Xingli looked at Ye Yuning again, her eyes were calm once more. But her gaze still carried a deep scrutiny.
"I apologize for disturbing you so late, Miss Ye."
"Not at all. Please, have a seat," Ye Yuning said, shaking her head and gesturing for her to sit.
Gui Xingli nodded and sat down.
Jiang Ye returned with the coffee, respectfully placing it before her. Gui Xingli gave him a look, and Jiang Ye nodded. "I’ll wait for you outside."
As he spoke, he glanced around warily. His vigilance was tinged with a distinct nervousness.
Ye Yuning frowned, looking at Gui Xingli opposite her, who seemed to read her thoughts. Gui Xingli took a sip of her coffee. "My apologies. I’m sure you’ve heard about the situation in Luozhou. This is a private trip for me."
Ye Yuning understood immediately. The Gui family of Luozhou... Just hearing the name is enough to make one feel a sense of awe and pressure. There’s a reason for that! Gui Xingli had surpassed all of Old Master Gui’s children to take control of the entire Mengxi Group. She faced immense challenges in her position.
"It’s no problem," Ye Yuning said. "So, Miss Gui, what brings you to me?"
"Have you heard of Yunmen Mountain in Luozhou?" Gui Xingli asked.
Yunmen Mountain... Luozhou’s most beautiful place. Ye Yuning didn’t know exactly how beautiful it was, only that many people visited. It wasn’t an official tourist area, but it had attracted a considerable number of visitors in recent years.
"Are you thinking of investing there?" Ye Yuning asked.
"Yes!" Gui Xingli affirmed with a nod.
Ye Yuning replied, "It is indeed a remarkable place. However, from what I understand, its geographical location is very complex, and the terrain is quite treacherous. There are reasons why no one has developed it yet." The sheer volume of visitors indicates the scale of initial investment such a place would require. Ye Yuning had already grasped these basic considerations.
Gui Xingli set down her coffee cup. "No one has pursued it because they’re unsure if they can recoup their investment. However, if you were to handle this project, it would absolutely be possible."
As their gazes met, Ye Yuning clearly saw the trust Gui Xingli had in her reflected in those deep eyes.
"You... you trust me that much?" Ye Yuning exclaimed, shocked.
Gui Xingli nodded. "Before coming, I reviewed all the projects you’ve undertaken."
So that’s why! Ye Yuning took a deep breath.
Before she could speak, Gui Xingli continued, "Old Jiang will discuss the specific details with you. That shouldn’t be a problem, right?"
Yunmen Mountain... That’s a massive project, even larger than the Xiao family’s three Nanjia Peaks. However, Ye Yuning wasn’t one to accept just any offer or partner with just anyone. Especially after her unsettling experience with the Xiao family, she had become even more cautious about her collaborations.
"Let’s not rush into the details of our cooperation. Within a week, I’ll provide you with a preliminary plan for a small section. If you find it satisfactory, we can then discuss further," Ye Yuning stated, her voice calm and fearless. This caused Gui Xingli, seated opposite her, to start slightly.
I’ve reviewed all her projects. I know a project like Yunmen Mountain could sustain her for three years. Yet, she isn’t eagerly accepting it. Gui Xingli was somewhat surprised. She was unaware that this was Ye Yuning’s way of testing her. She nodded. "Alright, that’s fine."
The two talked for about five more minutes.
When they parted, Gui Xingli gave her another deep look. That profound gaze seemed to penetrate Ye Yuning’s facade, looking straight into her soul. It was as if Gui Xingli had much to say but was hesitating, unsure where to begin.
Long after they had parted, that gaze lingered in Ye Yuning’s mind, unforgettable.