Chapter 83: Preliminary Arrangement for the Sea Voyage

Shi Zixuan and Qin Xiaomian had been studying at the University of Finance and Economics lately. Occasionally, they would join in some campus club activities, mingle with their peers, attend dinners and gatherings. Thanks to their striking looks, they were popular, especially among the male students, who were particularly attentive to them. Yet, the two women always kept a suitable distance from others, spending most of their time in the library or classrooms.

Qin Xiaomian, apart from her initial registration visit to the technical college, had not attended any classes there since, devoting herself wholeheartedly to her studies at the University of Finance and Economics. Having worked for a period at Pink, White, Black Company, she had witnessed the inner workings and collaborative structure of a formal company. Now, as she learned the principles of business management, she found herself gaining new insights. Both women gradually realized the thoughtful intention behind Lu Yu’s arrangements for them; even the spirited Qin Xiaomian reined in her impulsive nature and settled down to study in earnest.

Most young people, before entering university or the workforce, are lost and uncertain. Their career paths seem unclear, their futures unplanned, leaving them bewildered and at a loss.

Shi Zixuan and Qin Xiaomian, however, were undeniably fortunate. At the height of their confusion, they happened to meet Lu Yu. Without him, they would still be living difficult lives, directionless and unsure of the road ahead. Perhaps, like so many others, they would have drifted on in a daze until life forced them to make reasonable choices—marriage, children, the struggles of daily living.

Now, with their horizons broadened and their knowledge deepened, having met many outstanding and hardworking individuals, they began to develop aspirations of their own, constructing visions of the lives they yearned for. As Lu Yu had once teased, right now they were young and beautiful, free to be carefree ornaments. But what about the future? What would happen when youth and beauty faded? Conscious of their previously limited knowledge, they strove all the harder at their studies, eagerly absorbing all they could in the library and classroom, nourishing and improving themselves. They knew that one day, this effort would bring about their transformation.

As has been said, environment truly can change a person. Surrounded by excellence, one cannot help but strive to become excellent as well. Even if one cannot quite catch up, the effort expended will at least yield rewards that may benefit one’s future self. Realizing this, the two women felt even more grateful to Lu Yu.

Their feelings for Lu Yu were, by now, rather complicated. Perhaps there was a little affection, but nothing earth-shattering or overwhelming. It was more the natural attraction and fondness that developed over time through close companionship. Yet above all, there was gratitude. Lu Yu’s initial involvement with them may have been a simple arrangement for his own needs, but he had genuinely rescued them from wretched circumstances. Later, he had arranged for their employment at his company, placed them in their current school, and helped them discover their own goals and ambitions. To say that he had changed their lives would not be an exaggeration. Any reasonable person would be deeply moved by such kindness.

That evening, Shi Zixuan and Qin Xiaomian emerged from the library, arms full of books. It was late autumn, almost winter; the air had turned chilly. Shi Zixuan was dressed in a traditional, elegantly warm winter gown, graceful and composed. Qin Xiaomian wore a thick, oversized hoodie and sneakers, her athletic ensemble making her look both adorable and lively. Walking side by side toward the cafeteria, they drew many admiring glances from passing students.

Qin Xiaomian’s eyes darted mischievously as she spotted several couples cuddling in the distance. Suddenly, she asked Shi Zixuan, “Zixuan, what would you do if Uncle found himself a girlfriend?”

Shi Zixuan gave her a puzzled look, then followed her gaze to the couples ahead. After a moment’s thought, she replied, “I don’t know. I haven’t considered it. What about you? What would you do?”

Qin Xiaomian pondered for a moment, then bared her teeth in mock ferocity. “If he dares, I’ll bite him to death.”

Shi Zixuan chuckled softly, knowing it was just bravado. “But eventually, it will happen.”

Qin Xiaomian sobered, kicking at the fallen leaves at her feet, a little downcast. “Yes, it will.”

Shi Zixuan felt the same, her mood dampened by Qin Xiaomian’s melancholy. Silence settled between them, broken only by the distant chatter of other students. The golden rays of the setting sun filtered through the trees, dappled across the ground.

With her head lowered, Qin Xiaomian kicked at the leaves for a long while before whispering, “Zixuan, I think I might be sick. I know nothing will come of it, but I still miss him so much…”

Shi Zixuan understood her completely, for she felt much the same—perhaps not as intensely as Qin Xiaomian, but with gratitude tinged by a subtle affection. After a moment, she simply murmured, “Mm.”

Qin Xiaomian tilted her head, gazing at Shi Zixuan intently. “Don’t you miss him?”

Though Shi Zixuan was adept at hiding her feelings, under Qin Xiaomian’s searching stare, she wavered. “A little.”

Qin Xiaomian, knowing Shi Zixuan well, believed her and returned to kicking at the leaves. Both women, lost in their thoughts, strolled toward the cafeteria, half speaking, half silent.

Lu Yu, of course, was unaware of the girls’ emotions. Even if he had been, he would only have smiled calmly. That is how people are—where there is meeting, there will be parting. At that moment, he was paging through a report: Deng Qiang had come to visit him at Yunhan Technology that day. Besides reporting on the company’s October performance, Deng also covered the investment and construction progress of the plantation and processing center, as well as the projected overseas launch plan for the end of December.

Leaning back in his chair, Lu Yu flipped through the report page by page, focusing on the overseas rollout plan. He had to admit, Deng Qiang was truly talented. He knew how to use incentives to win over the enemy of his enemy, skillfully navigating alliances. The initial publicity plan was comprehensive, with negotiations ongoing with top international advertising agencies. Without foreign channels and connections, Pink, White, Black Company alone would struggle to achieve the desired impact. Foreign testers had already begun sampling various products, and quite a few at that. Detailed documentary videos were being filmed, and with some effort, would surely deliver a huge surprise to international consumers.

Especially for female consumers, these products would be the most wonderful, heartwarming, and festive gifts imaginable—practically heaven-sent! Oh my God, praise be!

After reviewing the entire report, Lu Yu nodded in approval. “Very good. Let’s proceed as planned. We can increase the promotional budget a bit more, but be cautious in choosing foreign ad agencies. I’m confident you’ll give overseas consumers an unforgettable holiday.”

Deng Qiang grinned. “We’ll make it unforgettable, all right. We’re going to flood every major social platform and video site with ads. Just like at home, we’ve lined up a bunch of online influencers to spread the word. During Christmas, anyone online will see our product. Of course, promotion costs abroad are much higher than at home—it pains me a little.”

Lu Yu laughed at Deng Qiang’s penny-pinching. “Why not mention that your prices are so much higher too? Add in local tariffs, and not every consumer will be willing to buy.”

Deng replied, “We never intended to allocate a lot of our production to the overseas market—at most, it’ll be on par with the domestic market. But with so many countries abroad, the share for each market is small, so we have to go high-end. Those who can afford our products won’t mind spending extra. Besides, Lu, never underestimate women’s passion for beauty. Our products—hydration, whitening, most importantly anti-wrinkle and wrinkle removal—provide a full suite of services, from teenagers to women in their forties and fifties. As long as they care about their appearance, they’ll be powerless to resist our products’ magic.”

Lu Yu knew Deng Qiang was right, but Deng’s eagerness to fleece foreign consumers left him speechless. Smiling and shaking his head, he asked about the plantation and processing center.

Deng answered his questions and said they could start expanding the production line in mid-November, as raw materials were stockpiled in sufficient quantities to handle the expansion. They also needed to build up some finished inventory before the end of December. After some more discussion, Deng Qiang turned and left Lu Yu’s office.

After Deng left, Lu Yu stared at the report, his eyes lingering on the prices for a long time. The prices were unchanged from domestic rates—the only difference was the currency, switched from yuan to dollars, multiplying the price more than sixfold, nearly seven. The product quality and cost were identical to those sold at home, with just slightly more refined packaging—the extra cost negligible compared to the sales price. The cheapest face mask was $99, and the most expensive anti-wrinkle serum, Wuqi Liquid, was $1,699—a price rivaling flagship smartphones.

No wonder every manufacturer wants to position their brand in the high-end market—it’s just so profitable. The production cost for Pink, White, Black Company’s products was at most five or six dollars. The selling price—well, “profiteering” hardly seems an exaggeration.

Looking at these prices, Lu Yu recalled the warnings from Liu Shichang and Deng Qiang: bolster security and avoid traveling abroad. He had no desire to wander overseas anyway—there was still so much of his own country left unexplored: its rivers, mountains, and storied heritage. Each landscape bore the weight of history: a pass that once deterred the armies of the Six Kingdoms, a road once trodden by Confucius, a waterfall celebrated by the poet Li Bai, the Yangtze River itself lamented by Su Shi. Such a vast and beautiful land—how could anywhere else compare?

Still, even if he didn’t plan to travel abroad, Lu Yu considered it wise to enhance security measures. He never overestimated the scruples of capital. If things got dire, even staying at home wouldn’t guarantee safety. As the saying goes, a wealthy man’s son should not sit under the eaves. Lu Yu didn’t consider himself wealthy, but he had no desire to court danger. Prudence was nothing to be ashamed of.

He needed to guard against external threats and also be wary of those at home jealous of Pink, White, Black Company’s high profits. The principle that “an innocent man gets into trouble for holding a treasure” was not lost on him. Fortunately, from the beginning, everything had been aboveboard, leaving no openings for attack. Every dividend transferred from the company to his personal account had been taxed at the full 20% rate, never a penny short. The company’s accounts were transparent, every transaction properly taxed, leaving no room for scrutiny. With so much investment in underdeveloped areas—boosting local economies, creating jobs, and supporting schools—there was even less opportunity for criticism.

Lu Yu reviewed everything carefully, finding nothing amiss. Everything was rational and legal. All that remained was to leave things to time; when new challenges arose, he would find a way to meet them.