Chapter 23: Preparing for Product Launch (Continued Update)
When Lu Yu opened his eyes again, it was already noon the next day.
He had slept for over twenty hours straight. Twisting his neck and stretching his limbs, he did a few chest-expanding exercises to loosen up, then went to wash up.
Back when he had gone shopping with the two women, they'd bought him plenty of clothes, which had now been moved from the hotel to this place. After showering, Lu Yu casually picked an outfit and went downstairs to the living room.
The air conditioning was on, but it wasn’t too cold. At that moment, Qin Xiaomian was curled up on the sofa in an oversized pale yellow bathrobe, playing a mobile game.
Lu Yu walked over and wrapped his arm around her slender waist, resting his chin on her shoulder as he watched her play.
She wore a light green perfume, fresh and elegant, evoking the scent of early spring meadows—perfectly suited to her.
Leaning in, Lu Yu took a deep breath beside her cheek. “It suits you well. I like this scent.”
Qin Xiaomian grinned. “Then, from now on, whenever you catch this scent, you have to think of me.”
Shi Zixuan, having heard them, also emerged from her room, her hair done up in a playful bun that made her look even more adorable. Dressed in a pure black bathrobe, she strolled over and lounged on the sofa, leaning against Lu Yu as she played on her tablet.
...
During lunch, Qin Xiaomian’s phone chimed several times, new messages popping up on her chat app.
She glanced at the screen, then looked at Lu Yu with pleading eyes. “Uncle, can you do me a favor?”
Lu Yu was puzzled. “What is it?”
Qin Xiaomian pouted, clearly frustrated. “There’s this guy at our school—he’s so annoying!”
She began to recount, “After you left a few days ago, I went back to school. After class, some girls in the dorm invited me out to dinner. Only when I arrived did I realize there were also several guys there.”
“Later, one of them joined us to play games as a team. After two days, he added me on chat and has been messaging me nonstop.”
“He keeps saying he likes me and wants to pursue me. I told him I have a boyfriend, but he doesn’t believe me. He says my roommate told him I don’t have a boyfriend and that I’m lying to him!”
“He even claims that I don’t know him well enough, and once I do, I’ll see how great he is. He often attends the classes I chose, brings gifts for my roommates to give me! I’ve told him so many times that I have a boyfriend, but he just won’t listen!”
She rolled her eyes as she spoke, making both Lu Yu and Shi Zixuan chuckle helplessly.
...
Once upon a time, Lu Yu had been just like that bothersome boy Qin Xiaomian described.
He, too, didn’t know how to pursue girls, stubbornly believing he was the best and most suitable for them.
It was his first year at university when Chen Xiaofei egged him on to chase after a senior.
Two clueless young men, inspired by novels and comics, launched a campaign to win her over with a flurry of overzealous efforts.
Looking back, he was sure they must have been a major annoyance to that senior.
But in hindsight, those days were filled with youthful joy.
Except, that joy belonged to youth, to him and Chen Xiaofei—it had little to do with the senior.
...
With these thoughts, Lu Yu asked, “So, what exactly do you want me to do? Go back to your school and put on a show?”
Qin Xiaomian protested, “It’s not about putting on a show! I’m not that childish! I just want to prove to him—and everyone else—that I really do have a boyfriend!”
“And besides, I don’t like younger guys. I like someone mature, like you.”
Lu Yu laughed as he ate, “So, how do you plan to do that? Parade me around campus a few times?”
Qin Xiaomian giggled, “No need for that. Just treat everyone to a meal sometime—I’ll invite them. Please, Uncle, it’s just a tiny favor!”
She pressed her thumb and pinky together to show how tiny the favor was.
Lu Yu relented, “Alright, you arrange it. Just let me know in advance—if you spring it on me last minute and I’m busy, don’t blame me.”
Qin Xiaomian cheered and threw herself at him—whereupon Lu Yu stuffed a chicken drumstick into her mouth.
...
After finishing the meal, Lu Yu cleaned up the boxes, took out the trash to the bin by the stairwell, then returned to rest on the sofa.
Shi Zixuan brewed a cup of hot tea and set it before him. Lu Yu wrapped an arm around her slim waist as he checked his phone.
Chen Xiaofei had sent him many messages, mostly asking him out. Lu Yu replied simply: “Your emperor has returned, prepare to receive me.”
...
He then checked Liu Shichang’s messages—they were all about the company, mostly minor matters, except for the acquisition of that cosmetics company.
Noting the time, Lu Yu called Liu Shichang and instructed him to contact the owner of the cosmetics company—the contract could be signed as early as tomorrow, all procedures handled promptly, and payment ready at any time.
Liu Shichang agreed, saying he’d have Zhou Jing make preparations immediately.
After the call, Lu Yu checked other messages. One was from the interior design company, reporting on the renovation progress at Shuyin University and sending a few photos from the site.
Other than that, there wasn’t much of importance.
Making sure nothing was left undone, Lu Yu grabbed his laptop and sat at his desk to continue refining his compression algorithm.
Two computers side by side—one for coding, one for testing.
...
By ten o’clock, Lu Yu put away his computer and prepared to wash up for bed.
He had an agreement signing in the morning and a site visit in the afternoon to inspect the facilities and production lines. Only then could he formulate plans for scaling up production, sourcing raw materials and herbs, and all the preparations needed for launching the new product.
As for how to launch and promote it, that would be Deng Qiang’s responsibility. Otherwise, what was he being paid for? His looks?
Besides, with a product boasting such miraculous effects by this world’s standards, no competitors could even come close!
If Deng Qiang couldn’t manage that, it would undoubtedly be a reflection of his own incompetence.
And if he was incompetent? Simple—replace him with someone capable.
Seeing Lu Yu getting ready for bed, Shi Zixuan and Qin Xiaomian also began their nighttime routines.
One had to admit, their sense of discipline was admirable—they seemed perfectly accustomed to this pampered lifestyle.
The three of them lay side by side. For once, they simply slept, with Lu Yu holding Shi Zixuan in his arms, and Qin Xiaomian embracing him from behind.
...
Early the next morning, as Lu Yu was about to leave, he noticed Shi Zixuan and Qin Xiaomian doing their makeup in their respective rooms. He couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Why are you putting on makeup? Going out somewhere?”
Shi Zixuan paused, eyebrow pencil in hand. “Didn’t you say yesterday you’d be going to the cosmetics company today?”
Lu Yu nodded. “Yes, so you two plan to come along?”
Shi Zixuan shot him a look. “Of course! Did you really expect me to just stay home all the time? I haven’t been out properly in over ten days! If I stay in any longer, I’ll turn into a couch potato—you’d get tired of me for sure!”
Lu Yu couldn’t argue. Clearly, the two of them had taken his words to heart and were prepared to start working at the cosmetics company. He said no more and, seeing there was still time, sat on the sofa to wait.
...
Soon, the two finished their makeup. Shi Zixuan, as always, wore a traditional-style dress—blue with black patterns, the hem dark as ink, lending her a certain solemnity.
Her hair and accessories suited the formal occasion, and with her delicate makeup, crimson lips, pearly teeth, and bright eyes, she seemed even more elegant than usual.
Qin Xiaomian, meanwhile, opted for a fresh, youthful look—just as a college girl of eighteen or nineteen should. An indigo loose sports hoodie accentuated her curves, while black leggings showed off her long, shapely legs. White high-top sneakers, a playful bun, and barely-there makeup completed the look—radiating youthful energy from head to toe.
She bounced over to Lu Yu and called out sweetly, “Uncle~”
Lu Yu glanced left and right, almost hesitant to leave, but finally coughed, took both their hands, and said, “Let’s get going, or we’ll be late.”
...
Once out of the elevator, Lu Yu let go of their hands.
Shi Zixuan was unbothered—she’d always been reserved in public.
Qin Xiaomian, however, was different. As soon as Lu Yu released her hand, she clung to his arm, letting out a little huff to show her displeasure.
Lu Yu let her be.
It was rush hour, and the subway was packed. Qin Xiaomian took the opportunity to nestle in Lu Yu’s embrace, giving Shi Zixuan plenty of space to avoid being crowded.
Lu Yu braced himself on the handrail near Shi Zixuan, shielding her from the throng.
Qin Xiaomian, nestled against Lu Yu, shot Shi Zixuan a smug wink, her smile bright as a flower.
Shi Zixuan rolled her eyes repeatedly, thinking, “Who hasn’t had their turn hugging him?”
They received their fair share of attention, envy, and admiration on the way—no further comment needed.
...
At Tianfu Square station, the three exited the subway and walked to the company.
When they stepped out of the elevator at the company, the receptionist saw President Lu flanked by two stunning beauties and greeted him with a smile.
Only then did Qin Xiaomian release Lu Yu’s arm and follow Shi Zixuan, curiously taking in her surroundings.
Some employees greeted Lu Yu, “Good morning, President Lu.”
He nodded in acknowledgment.
Many employees cast surreptitious glances at the two women following behind him, sighing inwardly: “Is this really how the rich live—so simple and unadorned?”
Lu Yu led the two women to the lounge, telling them they were free to do as they liked, and that the drinks area was staffed—they could just ask for anything they wanted.
Then he headed to the office Liu Shichang had reserved for him. Passing Liu’s office, he knocked and said, “Bring Zhou Jing to my office.”
Liu Shichang called Zhou Jing, who arrived carrying the cosmetics company’s files. Both entered Lu Yu’s office.
They greeted him, and Lu Yu nodded. “Sit.”
Glancing at the file in Zhou Jing’s hands, he asked, “Is that the cosmetics company dossier?”
She nodded and handed it over. “Yes, everything’s here, including both the consulting firm’s and our own evaluations.”
Lu Yu took the dossier and leafed through it page by page.
...
The cosmetics company was located in the industrial park of the Longquanyi Economic and Technological Development Zone, quite remote—a suburban area. The company itself was small, its products aimed at the low-end market.
There were currently three production lines—two for facial masks and one for face creams—all fully automated.
The machinery had been in use for over two years but was still serviceable. The only other assets of value were various certifications.
Lu Yu checked and found everything in order. When his own products were ready for production, he’d only need to send the whitening items for inspection at the Quality Management Bureau to confirm the absence of harmful substances before launching them on the market.
The consulting firm’s valuation was a bit high, while the price suggested by Liu Shichang’s team was somewhat lower—but the difference wasn’t significant.
After reading, Lu Yu asked, “Have you settled on a price with them?”
Zhou Jing replied, “We negotiated once. Their asking price is quite reasonable—they probably want a quick sale since the market prospects aren’t great. If we pushed, we might get it lower.”
Lu Yu said, “No need; time is more valuable. What’s their price?”
“Twenty-four million,” Zhou Jing replied.
Lu Yu nodded. “That’s fine. No need to haggle—just have them cooperate to complete all the formalities swiftly. Did you notify them to come today?”
Liu Shichang answered, “Yes, the meeting is set for ten o’clock.”
Lu Yu checked the time—it was half past nine. “Alright, prepare the contract. By the way, Liu, do we have in-house legal staff?”
“Only two at present,” Liu replied.
“Not enough,” Lu Yu said. “Keep hiring. The legal department is crucial and will be frequently needed—make sure their professional standards are high. You handle it.”
Liu Shichang agreed.
“Alright, get to it. Also, send Deng Qiang over.”
After Liu and Zhou left, Deng Qiang soon knocked and entered. Lu Yu had him sit and asked, “Have you visited the cosmetics company’s site?”
“Yes, President Lu.”
“What are your thoughts? What should we do after taking over?”
Deng Qiang thought for a moment. “May I ask what specific products the company will be making?”
Lu Yu replied, “Hydrating facial masks, hydrating creams, hydrating body washes, whitening masks, whitening body washes… Those are what I have in mind for now.”
...