"Tongtong is truly brilliant. Yes, this is precisely the point I've been grappling with, the bottleneck of my startup. Your purchase of that model spaceship, worth two hundred thousand, was an immense help to my venture. That's why I sincerely wanted to invite you here."
Manager Wu's eyes were filled with anticipation. Liu Yifeng understood that look; one shouldn't offer unsolicited advice without having experienced another's hardship. But he understood.
"What made me even more excited was learning it was you who bought the model spaceship. I've wanted to meet you ever since. You're famously self-made, so I hoped to glean some advice from you."
Liu Yifeng nodded. What interested Tongtong also interested him, so he was rather inclined towards model toys.
"How about this: you draft a proposal. I'll review it, and if I find it feasible, investing will be no problem. First and foremost, you must show me the return on investment I can expect from investing in you. I presume you've already devised a strategy, given you arranged for us to meet here based on a child's interest."
No wonder Liu Yifeng felt the visit to the factory wasn't just a simple tour from the moment he entered. It seemed the real purpose was waiting for him.
"As expected of President Liu. To be honest, my intentions for inviting you here today weren't entirely pure. But since President Liu has seen through it, there's no need for me to conceal anything. Rest assured, I will present a satisfactory plan. Regardless of whether you're pleased with today's visit, I hope you'll offer a serious evaluation."
Manager Wu was also a straightforward person. They were of similar age, and conversations flowed easily, so there was no need to beat around the bush.
Liu Yifeng nodded, glancing at the time. It was getting late.
"President Liu, this way. The hotel for the evening has been arranged. Please follow me." Xiao Li, sensing Liu Yifeng's change in demeanor, addressed his unspoken question before he could voice it.
One had to admit, Xiao Li was exceptionally skilled at reading people.
"Dad, is this Uncle Wu asking you to invest in model toys?" Tongtong trailed behind his father, having grasped some of the situation. This tour was essentially an attempt to solicit investment.
Liu Yifeng didn't speak, only nodded.
"I think it's worth investing. I learned about Wu Houyu before we came. He's around your age, actually. A true second-generation heir, but he's very driven. He's achieved all this without a penny from his family, so he likely truly doesn't want to rely on them, which is why he's seeking your investment."
Liu Yifeng was surprised. "It seems you knew this wasn't a simple tour before we arrived. You're quite something, daring to keep secrets from your dad."
He then playfully tickled Tongtong's sides, eliciting peals of laughter. Xiao Li, leading the way, didn't think much of it, mistaking it for father-son banter.
"Dad, I surrender, I surrender! I was just curious who created such a large model spaceship, so I did a simple search."
Tongtong conveyed his thoughts to Liu Yifeng. He was indeed considering it. Since his son liked it, and someone was actively seeking investment, he was already a little moved.
"Mr. Liu, please bear with us tonight. You'll be staying at a nearby guesthouse. The hotel is quite far, and considering there's a child, we've arranged a guesthouse close by. The area has been surveyed and is very safe. Please rest assured."
Liu Yifeng nodded. Xiao Li then excused herself, admitting that the arrangements were thoughtful.
"Dad, when the sister saw you today, her face turned a little red," Tongtong remarked with a hint of teasing in his voice. It was evident he was in a good mood that day.
Liu Yifeng chuckled. "What does that tell you? It only shows that your dad is still in his prime, still capable of attracting young ladies."
He continued along the lines of Tongtong's observation, a proud expression on his face.
"Dad, you won't abandon me, will you?"
Upon hearing Liu Yifeng's words, Tongtong's expression instantly turned wistful. His large, grape-like eyes began to glisten, sending a tremor through Liu Yifeng's heart.
He immediately embraced his son. "No, Dad was just kidding. How could Dad ever abandon you? Even if I gave up on women for the rest of my life, I would never give up on you."
Only then did Tongtong feel at ease, slowly falling asleep in Liu Yifeng's arms. After all, he was a child, and he had walked so much today; he must be tired.
Liu Yifeng was also weary, but he still recounted the day's events to Lu Fei, hoping he would take it seriously and also investigate the situation in Pengzhou. Lu Fei's expression wasn't good, suggesting there had been further complications there.
It seemed Pengzhou was indeed cunning. If he couldn't succeed in a business, neither should they.
The next day, as dawn was just breaking, Tongtong woke up, perhaps due to being in an unfamiliar bed.
However, even earlier than them, Xiao Li was already waiting outside. It seemed they had gone to great lengths to secure them.
"Sister Xiao Li, you're up so early. I'll let you in on a little secret: my dad will cooperate with you, so don't worry."
Mid-sentence, he glanced at Liu Yifeng. Seeing that his father wasn't looking, he discreetly spilled the beans.
Hearing Tongtong's words, Xiao Li's cheeks flushed again. She could only nod demurely.
"So early? What did Manager Wu say? Has the document been drafted? If it's ready, you can bring it back for me to discuss with my colleagues. However, if I'm taking it back, it means I have something in mind, and I'll give you a definitive answer." Liu Yifeng had pondered all night. Since Tongtong liked it, and this large model toy was novel, it was indeed a good idea.
Xiao Li's eyes lit up. She had initially thought the child was just joking, but she hadn't expected President Liu to ask for the contract right away. She was both surprised and delighted.
"I'll call our Manager Wu right now. Please wait a moment." She then hurried off to the side with her phone, appearing more excited than if she had won the lottery. Liu Yifeng seemed to understand something.
It was good for a woman to be proactive at work, but coming so early to curry favor for her boss might not be solely for professional reasons.
A faint smile played on Liu Yifeng's lips. Such a young girl, willing to give so much for love.
More importantly, there were new complications in Pengzhou. Wu Houyu's appearance now represented a turning point. He wanted to see if this contract would make him anxious.