The sky was clear, the sun bright, and the previously overcast weather had been swept away. After several days of cloudy skies, Zhonghai's weather had completely improved.
Xu Ruolan massaged the center of her brows as she sat in the living room, in front of her was a business plan, available in both Chinese and English.
To discuss this business plan, Xu Corporation had held a lengthy meeting today. It had started at one in the afternoon and had lasted until after five.
Within Zhonghai and even nationally, Xu Corporation had grown into a colossal entity. To many, this was already an unattainable achievement, but for Ruolan, it was merely a starting point.
In Ruolan's view, the stage for Xu Corporation was not limited to just the lands of Huaxia; it was destined to reach the entire world.
When Ning Fan returned, he saw Ruolan gazing intently at the business plan and realized she was almost back to her workaholic CEO self.
Shaking his head, Ning Fan decided not to disturb Ruolan and quietly headed towards the stairs.
"Ning Fan, is that you..."
However, Ruolan easily noticed Ning Fan and called out to him.
Standing on the stairs, Ning Fan looked at Ruolan with a puzzled face, waiting for her to continue.
"I have something I want to tell you."
Something to discuss?
Shrugging, Ning Fan planned to wait for Ruolan to finish her news as he also had to mention his upcoming trip to Europe.
"Tomorrow, I will be going to Europe with some colleagues from the company, and I might be away for about a week."
After Ruolan had finished speaking, she saw Ning Fan's face gradually fill with astonishment, wondering what was going on with him.
The reason Ning Fan was so surprised was purely because it was such a coincidence—he too was going to Europe!
Originally, Ning Fan had planned to discuss this with Ruolan later, but he hadn't expected such a coincidence.
Ning Fan smiled bitterly, sighing inwardly.
"What are you doing in Europe, is it for work?"
"Sort of, the company is transforming to focus on online luxury goods, and Europe is our next market."
So that was it. It seemed Xu Corporation was aiming to expand its business horizons, hence focusing its strategic vision on Europe.
"If you're planning to enter the European luxury goods market, you might face some resistance."
It wasn't simple for Xu Corporation to transform and penetrate the European market, especially in the luxury goods sector. The established European brands would not idly watch newcomers carve up their market share.
Ruolan blinked, seemingly surprised that Ning Fan had quickly pinpointed one of the major challenges they would face.
She hesitated for a moment, then explained, "But not everyone is so xenophobic. Times have changed, without fresh blood, industries will eventually be eliminated by the market. There's a major player in Europe who is very interested in our plan, and I'm going to Europe to convince that person."
Ning Fan nodded, understanding, and then smiled, "Since you are also going to Europe, let's travel together."
"You're going to Europe too?!"
Ruolan slightly furrowed her brow, looking at Ning Fan in surprise.
"What are you going to do in Europe?"
At that moment, Ruolan's gaze turned scrutinizing, a hint of worry flickering in her eyes as if she sensed something amiss.
Seeing her so anxious, Ning Fan was left with no choice. After thinking, he replied, "I need to build up a friendship in Europe."
What exactly he planned to do, Ning Fan had not intended to actually tell Ruolan. It was probably better she didn't know.
Learning that Ning Fan was going to Europe to meet a friend didn't reassure Ruolan—instead, it made her more suspicious, her doubtful gaze tightly locked on him.
"Why are you looking at me with those eyes? It makes me feel like a criminal..." Ning Fan tugged at the corner of his mouth, his smile somewhat stiff, as he helplessly spread his hands.
Seeing that Ning Fan wasn't willing to tell the truth, Ruolan's expression became somewhat rigid, a trace of hurt flickered across her beautiful eyes, but resignation dominated.
"Then, where exactly are you going? I'm going to Paris this time. Our destinations might not be the same, right?"
Ning Fan almost blurted out his destination instinctively, but fortunately, he caught himself in time and did not reveal where he was headed.
"It's not too far from Paris, just a few hours' drive," he said.
Seeing how cautious Ning Fan was, Ruolan completely gave up on questioning further. After looking back and forth at Ning Fan's expression and finding no giveaways, she soon dropped the idea of prodding further.
"We might as well go together."
Having Ruolan accompany him on his trip to Europe was something Ning Fan hadn't expected; it might be considered a pleasant surprise.
Although they were only fiancées and not yet married, Ning Fan felt that if they were willing, they could indeed treat this trip to Europe as a honeymoon.
However, the pity was that Ning Fan was going to Europe to commit a murder. If it were a honeymoon, it shouldn't involve any bloodshed; otherwise, Ning Fan would definitely be teasing Ruolan with these thoughts now.
After Xu Xiaoqing's return, Ruolan and Ning Fan alternately shared the news with the young girl.
The result was that the young girl was quite unhappy, throwing a tantrum. The two of them were going to Europe together and leaving her alone in the country. Xu Xiaoqing exclaimed how unfair it was, questioning why they didn't take her with them.
"Xiaoqing, this trip to Europe isn't for leisure; it's for business negotiations. Whether Xu Corporation can successfully expand into Europe depends on whether we can secure this business deal,"
Ruolan explained earnestly to Xu Xiaoqing. Her trip to Europe wasn't for fun but for serious business, crucial for Xu Corporation.
As for Ning Fan, why he too needed to go, Ruolan could only tell Xu Xiaoqing it was coincidental. Their trips merely coincided.
"Looking at me with such grievance won't help; I'm going to meet a friend, and it just so happens I'm going with your sister. Once we arrive in Paris, we're supposed to separate."
Seeing Xu Xiaoqing's grievous eyes turn towards him, Ning Fan quickly began to explain. He dared not lobby Ruolan to take her with them, knowing that both he and Ruolan were going to Europe for serious matters, not for a holiday.
Especially Ning Fan, for he was going to Europe to confront the new leader of the Fang Guild, Apollo. He would not have time to look after Xu Xiaoqing, and Ruolan even less so.
"Unfair! Unfair!" Xu Xiaoqing discontentedly puffed up her cheeks, huffing loudly at them both.
Ning Fan and Ruolan exchanged a look, seeing in each other's eyes a trace of helplessness.