A whirlwind marriage with a high-ranking official: Lights out, don't force me to take the initi

Ding Jiahe was a little confused by what Ye Wenxi said.

In her view, companies like Gangcheng are strong in every aspect, including high-end design, financial support, and operational experience.

If you're doing it in mainland China, you either need to use low-cost resources and manpower to avoid competing for market share, or you should opt for contract manufacturing.

If you're going to compete for market share, you'll definitely have a forward-thinking approach and aim to capture the high-end market.

In Ding Jiahe's view, this matter might not be a good thing.

But she also understood that Yeh Wen-hsi was referring to a "good overall environment," yet listening to Yeh Wen-hsi's words, she always felt that Yeh Wen-hsi was worried about a different aspect of the problem.

"By the way, when you met Liu Jianguo, how did he suddenly bring this up with you?" Ye Wenxi asked.

Ding Jiahe rolled her eyes, trying hard to recall the scene.

Ding Jiahe: "Well... when I went to see him, he seemed to be looking at a document. After we finished talking about the loan, he asked me a few questions."

Ye Wenxi: "What's the problem?"

Ding Jiahe: "First, he asked about the intended use of the loan, the general plan and strategy. I told him we would release a detailed plan later, but he seemed impatient and immediately asked for preliminary ideas."

Yeh Wen-hsi: "What did you tell him?"

Ding Jiahe: "I told him we had plans to expand our physical presence and also intended to go nationwide. Then I asked him why he suddenly asked this."

Ye Wenxi: "What did he say?"

Ding Jiahe: "He told me about what happened in Gangcheng."

Ye Wenxi pondered for a moment.

"It seems... not only did the port city express their interest, but they've also submitted a detailed cooperation plan."

Ye Wenxi: "I guess Liu Jianguo is weighing whether Gangcheng Company's plan and our plan will overlap."

"What do you mean?"

"When they're weighing things up, they'll also consider the survival space for mainland companies. If the expansion from Hong Kong is too aggressive, will our expansion here be squeezed out?" Ye Wenxi raised his head, his eyes darkening slightly.

"After all, they have a British group behind them, with supply chain, design, and export channels all in place. The implementation plan has already been submitted to the Foreign Trade Liaison Office. Even Liu Jianguo's side is unsure whether this kind of strength is good or bad."

Ding Jiahe frowned: "Then what should we do?"

"Let's get to know them first." Ye Wenxi put down his teacup. "When we contact Liu Jianguo later, we need to make sure he understands that our plans remain unchanged."

"When you go to Harbin again, see if you can establish an information channel with the Foreign Trade Liaison Office. I'm afraid relying solely on feedback from the Light Industry Bureau won't be enough."

"We need to keep a close eye on this company in Gangcheng."

Ding Jiahe nodded: "Okay, I'll go talk to their manager later."

After finishing her sentence, Ye Wenxi glanced at her watch; it was already past ten in the morning. She got up and walked towards the kitchen: "Prepare lunch."

Ding Jiahe stood up, and the two of them took the vegetables out of the bag one by one. Ye Wenxi carried a bag of green beans and an enamel basin, placing them in front of Lu Weidong and Wang Hao.

"You two, pick some green beans for me."

"Yes, sir!" Wang Hao stood up, saluted, and grinned.

Lu Weidong also got up and walked back to the kitchen with Ye Wenxi to look at the groceries they had bought that day.

"I'll cook fish in a bit," Lu Weidong said, rolling up his sleeves.

Ye Wenxi smiled at him and said, "Alright, I'll give you, the chef, a chance to shine today."

Ding Jiahe sat on a small stool peeling potatoes, while Ye Wenxi chopped meat on the cutting board, the kitchen filled with the sounds of chopping and slicing.

"By the way, about the physical store, when do you plan to officially open for rent?" Ding Jiahe asked without looking up, peeling potatoes in her hand.

"Based on the estimated timeline, the loan should be approved in about two weeks. We can start preparing for the physical store now." Ye Wenxi paused after slicing a piece of meat. "Xiaoxue took a lot of photos and structural diagrams, so we can make preliminary plans based on those."

Ye Wenxi put the chopped meat into a bowl.

"I'll go to Harbin with you later to submit the materials and take a look at the site in person."

"When are we going?" Ding Jiahe picked up a few peeled potatoes.

"Let's wait for Sister Yunxia to come back."

"OK."

"Hey, has your date been set?" Ye Wenxi looked up at Ding Jiahe with a smile on her lips.

"August 30th," Ding Jiahe said, then lowered her head shyly.

Ye Wenxi smiled broadly: "Is August 30th for registering the marriage or for the wedding?"

"Hold a wedding."

"This month..." Ye Wenxi counted on her fingers, "Wow, you've been pretty busy this month, with wedding preparations to make."

"I thought it would be simple, just inviting some acquaintances over for a meal," Ding Jiahe said. "Wang Hao told me that's what you two did."

"We did that in Harbin." Ye Wenxi took the potatoes and placed them in the sink.

"You two are different. We should have a proper celebration, a real grand affair," Ye Wenxi said while washing potatoes. "Hey? What kind of wedding dress do you want to wear?"

"I've got the wedding dress, Wang Hao can just wear his military uniform." Ding Jiahe washed her hands under the tap.

"You're pregnant? Which one do you want to wear?" Ye Wenxi looked up at her.

"The one you designed for me," Ding Jiahe said with a smile, "the one you gave me in Yunnan."

Ye Wenxi suddenly remembered.

That was a dress she made especially for Ding Jiahe—shaped like a kapok flower, and red in a color extremely similar to that of a kapok flower. It was a unique piece, the only one of its kind.

"Which one are you going to wear?"

"Yes, that dress is beautiful, and I really like it."

"Okay, whatever you like."

Ye Wenxi and Ding Jiahe served two quick and easy dishes, then vacated the kitchen for Lu Weidong to cook his specialty dishes.

Ding Jiahe began to carefully observe the room's structure and household items, taking notes one by one in a small notebook as she looked.

"I need to buy one of your full-length display mirrors too," Ding Jiahe said, making two notes in her notebook.

She walked to the wall and looked up at the painting: "This painting is also beautiful. Can you paint a few for me when I get married?"

"Okay, I'll draw whatever you want."

"Hey, this floor lamp is good too, can you make one for me?"

Ye Wenxi: "..."

Ding Jiahe pushed open the bathroom door again, peeked inside, and her gaze fell on the large bathtub.

She looked at it for a while, then shook her head: "I'll pass on the bathtub."

Wang Hao peeked inside, then turned and walked back to the kitchen. He nudged Lu Weidong with his elbow and asked, "Hey? Where did you buy that bathtub?"

Lu Weidong was frying fish, not even looking up: "What, you want some too?"

"I think it's great!" Wang Hao said with a grin.

"Cough...go to the mutual aid society to have it custom-made," Lu Weidong said, still with his head down.

"Oh my, such clear requirements? And it's custom-made!" Wang Hao poked Lu Weidong twice with his elbow with a mischievous grin.

"I'll order one too."