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After hanging up the phone, Yu Qing gently poked the forehead of the Maneki-neko (beckoning cat).
Footsteps passed by the door. Yu Qing glanced over and smiled to greet the person. “Attorney Qin, you’re back just in time. I was hoping to discuss something with you.”
Qin Yu entered and nodded toward the Maneki-neko. “Isn’t this kind of cat usually placed in shops for good luck? Why do you have it in your office?”
It was a small golden Maneki-neko.
Its hand continuously waved back and forth.
Yu Qing smiled. “My lucky cat.”
She explained, “To bring us good fortune for next year’s revenue.”
It was December now, and Qin Yu’s team had already exceeded their revenue targets for the year.
Next year’s tasks would be heavier, and the pressure greater.
“What’s the matter?” Qin Yu pulled his chair back and sat down.
Yu Qing handed him the materials she had painstakingly analyzed over late nights these past few days. “The few target companies of Fu Group are just so-so. And that’s me being generous with my evaluation.”
Qin Yu flipped through the documents. How had she managed to analyze all the data in such a short time, doing the work of an entire team on her own?
Brokerage firms loved employees like her.
She handled the work of analysts, accountants, and lawyers all by herself.
“Even if they’re mediocre, they were still selected by Fu Group. Our job is to find the best one among them for Fu Group.”
Yu Qing fiddled with the waving hand of the lucky cat. “Have you heard of New Tech?”
“I’ve heard of it, but I don’t know much about it.” Qin Yu looked up. “You worked overtime to produce such a comprehensive and perfect report. Are you suggesting that Fu Group invest in New Tech? What’s your connection to New Tech? If Fu Group’s top management didn’t consider New Tech, there must be a reason.”
His words were sharp, cutting directly to the heart of the issue.
Yu Qing: “I do want to suggest that Fu Group invest in New Tech. Fu Jichen is the hidden boss behind New Tech. When Fu Group initially planned to invest in this field, Fu Jichen made sure New Tech didn’t appear on the list.”
Qin Yu instantly understood. He closed the documents.
“No matter which tech company Fu Group invests in, as the president of Fu Group, Fu Jichen’s personally controlled New Tech will become a competitor to the invested company. This touches on non-compete clauses.”
“Yes, it’s troublesome,” Yu Qing admitted bluntly. “So I want to resolve this thorny issue in advance—within the legal framework.”
Qin Yu thoughtfully paused.
The office fell silent.
Only the faint mist from the humidifier could be heard.
Qin Yu looked at Yu Qing and deduced, “Fu Jichen is a hidden shareholder without any formal investment agreement?”
Yu Qing nodded.
“It’s a potential risk.” Qin Yu half-joked. “This is using your position for personal gain.”
“For me personally, yes, I have some selfish motives. But regardless of whether it benefits the brokerage or our law firm, it means extra income. The more complex the case, the higher the stakes, and the more money we make.” Yu Qing smiled and countered, “What do you think, Attorney Qin?”
Qin Yu had no rebuttal.
Yu Qing: “When the time comes, I’ll personally negotiate the fees with Fu Jichen. If I can resolve his problem, he’ll pay us an additional fee. Don’t worry—I’ll do my best to squeeze every penny out of Fu Jichen for the firm.”
Qin Yu glanced at his watch. “Let’s go. I’ll treat you to hot pot for lunch. A favor for a favor.”
“Is Qin Moling treating?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Qin Moling was Qin Yu’s cousin from his uncle’s side.
Yu Qing had known this since her second day at the law firm.
“What benefit did Qin Moling give you?”
Qin Yu answered honestly. “He didn’t say, but there should be something. I’ll split it with you later.”
“That sounds fair.” Yu Qing turned off her computer and the humidifier as well.
She picked up her bag and slipped her phone inside.
Qin Yu stood up, his gaze inadvertently sweeping across the corner of her desk. Just moments ago, it had been blocked by her bag, so he hadn’t noticed—there were two identical Maneki-nekos sitting there. However, those two weren’t powered, remaining stationary.
“Why do you buy so many Maneki-nekos?”
Yu Qing pointed to the one that was currently waving. “This one handles odd-numbered days, that one handles even-numbered days, and the other works weekends.”
Qin Yu: “...”
Anyone living with her might need to consider installing a pacemaker.
Previously, his father had mentioned chatting with Yu Qing early in the morning and having breakfast together, only to feel uncomfortable in his chest for the rest of the morning.
Now, encountering Yu Qing at the firm gave him an inexplicable sense of unease.
The two took the elevator directly to the underground parking lot.
Qin Yu told Yu Qing the address of the hot pot restaurant, and they each headed to their respective cars.
Yu Qing rarely ate hot pot for lunch—it left the lingering smell of spices on her clothes and even her hair, affecting her mood for work.
Once in the car, she sent a message to Fu Jichen: [Just letting you know, I’m having hot pot with Qin Moling for lunch.]
At that moment, Fu Jichen was waiting in the open-air parking lot in front of Shuo Yu Law Firm, planning to take Yu Qing out to eat after work.
He watched as the car Yu Qing was driving emerged from the underground parking lot and drove onto the main road.
He sat quietly in the car for a while.
Fu Jichen instructed the driver to find a random hot pot restaurant nearby.
Yu Qing and Qin Yu arrived at the hot pot restaurant around the same time, and Qin Moling was already waiting.
He had reserved two tables, pointing to the adjacent one and telling Qin Yu, “This one’s specially reserved for you. Whether you want a spicy or non-spicy broth, it’s entirely up to you. Enjoy the VIP treatment.”
Qin Yu: “...”
Though it suited him just fine—it saved him from being the third wheel.
Yu Qing sat across from Qin Moling. She wasn’t very familiar with him—they’d met three or four times before. Aside from encounters in the club courtyard and at social gatherings, they had briefly seen each other at family banquets.
But they had never interacted beyond exchanging glances.
This was the first time they were sharing a meal at the same table.
Qin Moling removed his watch and placed it aside. “I originally wanted to invite you for dinner, but then I thought about how you’d be meeting with Fu Jichen in the evening. I wouldn’t want to intrude, so I settled for lunch.”
“Thank you for being so thoughtful, Mr. Qin.”
“No need to be polite. It’s what I should do.”
Yu Qing didn’t respond further.
She wiped her hands with a damp towel and nibbled on a piece of cucumber dipped in sauce.
She turned her face toward the window.
From the second floor of the hot pot restaurant, all she could see were cars.
There was nothing interesting to look at, so she turned back.
The server approached, and Qin Moling began ordering. “Yu Qing, what would you like to eat?”
He didn’t call her “Attorney Yu” or “Miss Yu.”
Without false modesty, Yu Qing listed what she wanted. “One portion of shrimp paste, one portion of fish paste, one portion of greens, one portion of mushrooms, a mushroom soup base, and a yogurt ice cream for dessert. Thank you.”
After placing the order, the server moved to Qin Yu’s table.
Qin Moling asked her, “When do you plan to break things off with Fu Jichen?”
Yu Qing rested her chin on her hand, leisurely munching on her cucumber. “You’ll have to ask Fu Jichen about that—the decision rests with him. So next time, you should invite him to dinner. At least you’ll get some useful information out of it. Then the meal won’t be wasted.”
She pointed to herself, then to Qin Yu at the neighboring table. “We’re just eating machines with no feelings. Wherever there’s food, we eat.”
Qin Moling: “...”
He gave a faint smile. “That’s not a bad idea. I was planning to have a drink with President Fu anyway.”
He didn’t continue arguing.
Her attendance today was giving face to Qin Yu—but this was a courtesy she’d extend only once.
There was no need to upset her during the meal.
The hot pot broth was served.
As steam rose between them, a layer of mist separated the two. Neither spoke.
Qin Moling handed Yu Qing a strainer. Throughout the meal, he didn’t serve her any dishes or engage in unnecessary conversation, occasionally asking if she needed more condiments.
When they were almost done eating, Qin Moling personally went to fetch a plate of fruit.
Yu Qing usually ate fruit before meals and rarely after. She symbolically took a grape and popped it into her mouth.
The fire was turned off, and the hot pot gradually cooled down, losing its steam.
Everything became clear again.
Yu Qing looked at Qin Moling. “Thank you, Mr. Qin, for today’s generous hospitality.”
“You’re welcome.” Qin Moling wasn’t as arrogant as he had been during their first phone call; now, his demeanor felt warm and pleasant. “Your presence today is already giving me enough face. I should be the one thanking you.”
Yu Qing followed up on his words: “I came here today hoping to have a calm conversation with you, Mr. Qin.”
Qin Moling knew what she was about to say, so he took the initiative. “I also have something to discuss with you—regarding the engagement. I’ll find a way to get both families to give it up. If you don’t want to get married, I won’t force you.”
Yu Qing was momentarily stunned.
His sudden cooperativeness caught her completely off guard.
After a brief pause, Qin Moling clarified his stance: “I hope that one day, if we do end up together, it will be because you’ve developed feelings for me and feel secure with me—not because of family pressure. If I can’t convince the elders, I’ll bear all the pressure myself. You don’t need to worry.”
Yu Qing simply said, “Thank you, Mr. Qin, for your trouble.”
“It’s nothing. I handled things poorly before.”
Meanwhile, Qin Yu had also finished eating, and Qin Moling paid the bill.
They left first, while Yu Qing went to the restroom.
Outside the restaurant, Qin Yu and Qin Moling stood by the roadside waiting for Yu Qing.
The cold wind stung their faces.
Qin Yu turned his back to the wind. Feeling satisfied with the hot pot, he reminded Qin Moling, “Don’t expect Yu Qing to fall into your arms just because you’ve canceled the engagement.”
Qin Moling: “I’m aware of that. But small favors accumulate into big ones, right?”
He tossed a pack of cigarettes to Qin Yu. “Your reward.”
“Tell Yu Qing I’ve returned to the company.”
Yu Qing came downstairs from the second floor. On the first floor dining area, a server pushed a cart full of dishes toward her. The aisle was narrow, so she moved aside to make room.
Glancing up absentmindedly, she spotted the man quietly eating hot pot alone in a secluded corner.
Fu Jichen hadn’t noticed her; he was busy pouring vegetables into his pot.
Yu Qing wanted to laugh but found him pitifully awkward.
She strode out, only to find Qin Yu waiting for her at the entrance.
Qin Yu asked, “Are you going back to the firm this afternoon?”
Yu Qing planned to go home to shower and change clothes, unable to stand the lingering smell. “No, I’ll work on materials at home. You go ahead—I ran into a friend.”
Qin Yu didn’t ask who the friend was and left first.
Yu Qing turned back into the restaurant and headed straight to Fu Jichen’s table.
“Hi.”
Yu Qing sat down in the empty seat across from Fu Jichen.
Fu Jichen looked up abruptly, slightly startled. “Did you see my car?”
Yu Qing pointed upstairs. “I’m also at this hot pot place—on the second floor.”
Fu Jichen was now extremely concerned: “Did Qin Moling see me too?” He hadn’t known they were at this restaurant.
It made him feel like he was being stalked.
And rather pathetically so.
“Only I saw you. They’ve already left.” Yu Qing picked up a chopstick, dipped it in his sauce dish, and sucked on it.
Fu Jichen watched her. “Did you come to talk to me about something?”
“No. I just saw you and came over to say hello.”
Fu Jichen gestured to her: “If there’s nothing else, could you move? Someone is sitting in that spot.”
Yu Qing rested her chin on her hands. “Who?” She said, “I’ll leave when they arrive.”
Fu Jichen put down his chopsticks and took his coat out of the odor-proof bag.
Yu Qing didn’t understand why—he thought he was done eating and leaving.
To her surprise, he pulled something out of his coat pocket and placed it in front of her.
It was the bag of spicy dried fish she had given him.
Fu Jichen: “Can you move now?”
Calling her over just to hand her a bag of dried fish.
Yu Qing pressed her forehead, laughing out loud.
He was avenging that Maneki-neko replacement.
After laughing enough, Yu Qing picked up the bag of dried fish and inspected it.
“You still carry it around with you?”
“I forgot to take it out of my pocket.”
Fu Jichen glanced at the dried fish again. “Eat it. It’s bothering me to look at it.” He handed her half a glass of drink. “If it’s too spicy, drink some cold beverage.”
After finishing the glass, Yu Qing had eaten the entire bag of dried fish.
Her mouth and tongue were burning.
“President Fu, if you’re in the mood, I’d like to discuss New Tech with you.”
“Go ahead.”
“I suggest letting Fu Group invest in New Tech.”
Fu Jichen let her continue.
“One, your proposed investment target companies lack the core competitiveness of New Tech. Why settle for less when there’s a better option?”
“Two, New Tech’s management is currently chaotic, filled with nepotism and varying levels of managerial competence. It may not be obvious now, but in a few years, it will drag New Tech down.”
“Three, New Tech’s R&D funds are being misused. Even if you have people there, many things can bypass them. Since New Tech isn’t a publicly listed company, it doesn’t need to disclose financial reports or operational status. The lack of transparency creates too much room for manipulation.”
Fu Jichen scooped up the cooked vegetables, eating them one by one while listening to Yu Qing’s analysis.
Yu Qing stole a piece of his greens and continued.
“Four, under Qiao Weiming’s leadership, New Tech stayed on course. Now, control is mostly in his son’s hands—it’s no longer the same company. Qiao Weiming, like you, wanted to expand New Tech and keep its core business competitive in the industry.”
“But the current management team might be thinking about how to profit during their tenure.”
Fu Jichen paused briefly with his chopsticks. “Where did you get these internal details?”
Yu Qing answered honestly, “From Secretary Pan. He only provided me with basic information; I analyzed the rest myself. If I had access to their real financial reports, I’d expose everything.”
“You’ve invested so much effort into developing New Tech. Can you really bear to watch it crumble bit by bit?”
She continued analyzing.
“Five, use this opportunity to gain absolute control over New Tech and legally secure your rights as an anonymous investor.”
“If you haven’t decided whether Fu Group should invest in New Tech, test how much control you still have. Prepare to be disappointed.”
“I’ve even thought of a reason for you.”
Fu Jichen: “Oh? What reason?”
Yu Qing: “Just say you’re considering taking New Tech public. A full corporate audit will follow. Then observe how the Qiao family reacts.”
She talked, and Fu Jichen listened while eating.
Half a plate of greens disappeared.
He drank some warm water and wiped his lips with a napkin.
“Do you know how difficult and complex it would be to have Fu Group invest in New Tech?”
Yu Qing nodded. She pinched three fingers together, mimicking counting money quickly. “As long as you offer me a sufficiently tempting fee, I’ll handle everything smoothly.”
Fu Jichen crossed his legs naturally, leaning back on the sofa.
He smiled.
“Are you this concerned about my affairs?”
Yu Qing appeared serious. “What can I do? Your car consumes too much fuel. I need to find ways to earn money to maintain it.”
She tried her best to persuade him. “I know you have your own methods and means, and you’ll eventually regain control of New Tech. But the cost will be extraordinary. If we can achieve the power transfer within the legal framework at the lowest cost, why not?”
Fu Jichen stared at her but said, “Have you lost weight?”
Yu Qing: “...”
She instinctively touched her cheeks. “Is it that obvious?”
But she really had lost two pounds.
These days, she hadn’t eaten well and had been staying up late.
“There’s nothing good to eat at Yu Jingze’s place. I’ve been eating bread and drinking milk every day.”
“The food at Shuo Yu Law Firm isn’t good either.”
Shuo Yu only had one cafeteria, serving three dishes and a soup daily. Unlike Fu Group, which had multiple cafeterias offering a variety of choices.
Fu Jichen considered for a moment. “I’ll have the chef prepare breakfast for you, and I’ll order takeout for lunch.”
Yu Qing declined. “Takeout is fine, but everyone else eats in the cafeteria. I don’t want to be special—it seems pretentious.”
She took out a business card and handed it to him. “If you decide and are willing to cooperate with me, call this number. We’ll discuss fees later.”
Fu Jichen settled the bill, and they left together.
Outside, Fu Jichen stopped and faced her. “Have you thought about how to apologize? Once you apologize, we’ll go home.”
Yu Qing asked, “What did I do wrong?”
Fu Jichen felt deeply powerless.
This seemed to be their deadlock.
She didn’t want to settle down, and he wanted her to be serious.
He didn’t want to compromise.
Neither did she.
“Drive carefully.”
Yu Qing waved. “Looking forward to our cooperation.”
Fu Jichen watched her retreating figure. “Even if the lunch at Shuo Yu isn’t good, eat a little more. Hear me?”
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