Chapter 24

The owner of the voice was someone Meng Yuange had spoken with for three hours that very afternoon.

How could she not recognize him?

Rong Qi.

“What’s going on?” Meng Yuange looked at Cheng Li in shock.

Thus, Cheng Li had no choice but to recount everything that had happened recently, leaving no detail out.

When she finished, Meng Yuange stayed silent for a long time, prompting Cheng Li to glance at her cautiously, preparing to explain why she had kept things hidden.

“So, what you’re saying is: after breaking up with Xu Jiheng, you happened to run into Rong Qi, who had moved into a garden house near your neighborhood. The two of you reconnected, and since you were feeling upset after Xu Jiheng’s betrayal, you decided to explore a possible relationship with Rong Qi. Then, his grandmother fell ill, and he proposed marriage, leading to you two unexpectedly getting married?”

Cheng Li sighed in admiration. “As expected of a journalist.”

Her ability to summarize the key points was truly remarkable.

“You-didn’t-tell-me!” Meng Yuange enunciated each word as she glared at Cheng Li accusingly.

“I wanted to tell you right away, but I couldn’t find the right moment,” Cheng Li explained.

Suddenly, Meng Yuange seemed to recall something. “So, when you mentioned someone planning a flash wedding, you were referring to yourself?”

“…”

Cheng Li was speechless. All she could say was, “Your memory is unnecessarily sharp.”

“No wonder one should always be cautious about casually creating fictional friends,” Meng Yuange muttered before erupting again. “Do you realize how many chances to curse out that scumbag Xu Jiheng you robbed me of?”

Cheng Li chuckled.

Especially after describing how Rong Qi’s driver had picked her up in front of Xu Jiheng.

“I can’t believe this kind of man exists. He used to tell you to be realistic, but now that you’ve found someone who completely outshines him, he’s upset? When he was cheating with that wealthy woman, did he ever think about how wronged and miserable you felt?”

Hearing the familiar and cutting remarks from Journalist Meng, Cheng Li couldn’t help laughing.

Suddenly, Meng Yuange looked at her and asked, “Do you think Rong Qi thinks I’m an idiot for asking why he chose me to interview him?”

Cheng Li stayed silent.

“No, I need a drink. Otherwise, I might stop breathing.”

Meng Yuange called over a waiter. Since this dinner was to celebrate her successful interview, she had chosen a fancy French restaurant with a great atmosphere—and a high price tag.

The waiter handed over the wine list. After scanning it, Meng Yuange ordered a bottle of champagne.

When she was done, she tilted her chin toward Cheng Li. “This champagne is on you.”

“Why?” Cheng Li was puzzled.

“Why?” Meng Yuange exploded. “How can you even ask why? You managed to snag Rong Qi—that Rong Qi! I’m asking you to pay for a bottle of champagne, and you have the audacity to ask why?”

Cheng Li raised an eyebrow. “But I haven’t come into any fortune.”

“Don’t tell me he doesn’t have a black card or something?” Meng Yuange was incredulous.

Cheng Li reminded her, “We got married suddenly. It’s not the same situation.”

Meng Yuange suddenly leaned in and whispered, “How far have you two gone?”

“What?” Cheng Li blinked.

“Oh, come on, we’re both adults. Why act shy around me?” Just then, the waiter arrived with the champagne, popping it open in front of them. The golden liquid fizzed gently as it was poured into slender glasses.

The waiter placed the glasses before them.

Raising her glass, Meng Yuange said, “To my best friend—thank you for truly remembering me even after you’ve risen to wealth and status.”

Cheng Li laughed and clinked her glass with hers.

“Seriously, Cheng Li, I’m really touched,” Meng Yuange said, her voice sincere. She knew Cheng Li’s personality—she wasn’t someone who easily asked for help.

Especially since her relationship with Rong Qi wasn’t the usual kind of romantic involvement.

For a couple who had suddenly married, asking for favors would be even harder.

Cheng Li interrupted, “Stop with the sentimentality. Just be your usual self—I’m more comfortable with that.”

Their bond was so strong that they had long gotten used to being completely unfiltered with each other.

Formalities felt out of place between them.

Meng Yuange laughed. “Fair enough.”

Soon, she remembered an important question. “Does Teacher Ling know about this?”

“What do you think?” Cheng Li countered.

A horrified expression crossed Meng Yuange’s face. After a long pause, she said, “You’re so bold.”

Cheng Li asked seriously, “If Teacher Ling found out, what do you think would happen?”

With equal seriousness, Meng Yuange replied, “Just make sure to call me in advance when it happens.”

Cheng Li raised an eyebrow.

“So I can help collect your remains.”

“…”

“Never mind, let’s not think about something so scary. You still haven’t told me—how far have you two gone?”

“How far could we possibly go?” Cheng Li thought for a moment and said casually, “Aside from having a marriage certificate, we’re basically just regular friends.”

“Regular friends? Who are you trying to fool?”

Meng Yuange’s face screamed disbelief.

“He’s already calling you ‘wife,’ and you’re still pretending you’re not close?”

That comment made Cheng Li fall silent.

After dinner, the two called for separate rides and headed home.

In the taxi, Cheng Li put on her wireless earphones and opened her WeChat. She pulled up her chat with Rong Qi and played the voice message he had sent.

“Cheng Li is Rong Qi’s wife.”

His voice was low and relaxed, as though he had said those words countless times before.

The word “wife” rolled off his tongue so naturally.

*

Over the next two weeks, the entire Fanhai Group was busy working on the collaboration proposal with Jiangchi Automobile.

As promised, Dong Xin had secured a chance for Fanhai to bid competitively.

Of course, whether they will ultimately be selected depends on the efforts of the entire Fanhai team.

Cheng Li was so busy that every day felt like her feet never touched the ground.

As for Rong Qi, after his grandmother was discharged from the hospital, he returned to Beijing. Though he didn’t say it explicitly, Cheng Li had a good idea of why.

Qiyu Technology was preparing to venture into car manufacturing. Although Qiyu had its own internal autonomous driving division, it was still in its early stages. To fast-track progress, the current strategy was to invest in or acquire a capable autonomous driving company.

Thus, despite the confidential nature of their negotiations with Pegasus Navigation, there were still whispers in the industry.

Since Cheng Li was also in the autonomous driving field, she had heard some of the rumors.

However, given the sensitive nature of corporate trade secrets, Cheng Li never discussed this matter.

Meanwhile, Fanhai’s financing had reached a critical juncture.

Zhuo Lian Capital, where Xu Jiheng worked, increased their overall offer by 20 million yuan. Yet, rather than satisfying Ren Kuang, it only made him more frustrated.

They were also seeking new investors to avoid relying solely on Zhuo Lian Capital.

As a result, the collaboration with Jiangchi Automobile became a contract they absolutely needed to secure.

Becoming a software supplier for a leading car manufacturer would significantly strengthen their negotiating position during financing talks.

On Monday, they arrived at Jiangchi Automobile as scheduled.

This time, waiting for them were not just Dong Xin but also Jiangchi Automobile’s general manager and the procurement committee.

Jiangchi had already conducted a preliminary evaluation of Fanhai Intelligent Systems and given it an A- rating—a competitive assessment.

Thus, Ren Kuang was full of confidence going into the roundtable meeting.

During the meeting, Fanhai was given an opportunity to present, with Cheng Li, the company’s chief architect, as the lead speaker.

Once everyone was seated, Jiangchi’s general manager, sitting at the head of the table, got straight to the point: “Alright, let’s get to the subject at hand.”

Cheng Li stood up and began, “Hello, everyone. I’m Cheng Li, the chief architect of Fanhai Intelligent Systems. Today, I’ll introduce you to Fanhai’s autonomous parking system.”

She walked to the front, where the projector was already set up.

As the images appeared on the screen, her voice rang out: “The Fanhai autonomous parking system integrates visual algorithms with radar sensors, significantly enhancing its ability to detect obstacles. It can identify obstructions along the parking route and adjust its path in real time.”

“Currently, our parking system is equipped with 24 sensors, 4 cameras, and 10 ultrasonic radar systems, forming a comprehensive visual and tactile network.”

“Our team has conducted tens of thousands of tests and analyses on the autonomous parking system. We’ve extensively tested complex terrains such as uneven surfaces, open parking lots, irregularly shaped spaces, and steps, accumulating a wealth of experimental data.”

Here, Cheng Li paused and gestured toward the documents in their hands.

“The materials you have contain a wealth of real-world data from our experiments. These data not only support the reliability of our system but also drive continuous performance optimization.”

Cheng Li, dressed in a white blouse paired with black wide-leg trousers, exuded a commanding presence.

Her appearance was both elegant and striking.

Standing there as if illuminated by a spotlight, she exuded confidence and poise.

Everyone was captivated by her, listening intently to every word.

When she finished, a gentle round of applause filled the room.

The general manager of Jiangchi Automobile chuckled lightly and remarked, “It’s evident that Fanhai Intelligent Systems, though a young startup, is a technically robust team.”

Cheng Li smiled and replied, “Thank you for the compliment.”

As she returned to her seat, Ren Kuang leaned over slightly and whispered, “That was excellent.”

Cheng Li’s heart was still pounding, but she held her head high. No matter the outcome today, she felt like a winner.

Perhaps even fate believes in rewarding those who work diligently and tirelessly.

After the meeting concluded, they signed a letter of intent for collaboration with Jiangchi Automobile on the spot.

Meanwhile, in Beijing—

Rong Qi, still in Beijing, was negotiating the investment with Pegasus Navigation.

Pegasus Navigation was currently the leading company in autonomous driving, founded by a well-known technology genius. Since its inception, it had attracted investments from several prominent domestic venture capital firms.

However, Pegasus Navigation’s asking price was exorbitant. After nearly six months of back-and-forth, no agreement had been reached.

“I think it’s necessary to reevaluate our plans to invest in Pegasus Navigation,” Rong Qi said calmly, his gaze steady.

Jiang Zhe agreed. “I’ve said the same to Xinyang, but you know how he is—a technology fanatic who’s always admired Pegasus Navigation’s tech.”

Junyue Capital, represented by Jiang Zhe, was also involved in the negotiations as a co-investor.

But the talks weren’t going well.

“No matter how good the technology is, if the price loses its competitiveness, we have to reassess,” Rong Qi stated, his tone composed and logical, showing no signs of frustration from the negotiation setback.

Jiang Zhe shrugged. He had always admired Rong Qi’s sharp instincts.

Though both Rong Qi and his co-founder Fang Xinyang came from technical backgrounds, Rong Qi’s business acumen was equally impressive. The strategic direction of Qiyu Technology had always been under his control.

Before long, the team convened for another meeting.

While they had been negotiating with Pegasus Navigation, they had also prepared alternative options.

The investment team had already shortlisted several promising startups.

In the meeting room, everyone listened to the pros and cons of these companies.

Until a familiar name came up.

“Fanhai Intelligent Systems, established three years ago, stands out for its robust technology in autonomous parking systems. I’ve reviewed their previous showcase at a tech exhibition. Their parking system is remarkably stable and capable of handling all-scenario parking.”

Rong Qi lowered his head, looking at the documents in his hand, but couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

The next moment, however, the technical director spoke up: “But Fanhai Zhxing has a significant issue—its personnel changes. The former chief architect, Yu Cheng, has left. Yu Cheng had an extensive career background and was an expert in stereo vision and data mining. After his departure, his position was taken over by Cheng Li.”

Rong Qi raised his head and looked toward the projector screen in front of him.

Displayed on the screen was an official photo of Cheng Li, presumably from Fanhai Zhixing’s website.

“This new chief architect graduated from J University’s Computer Science department. We don’t have much information about her, but as of now, the main concern is that she’s only twenty-eight. As a chief architect, she is exceedingly young, both in terms of experience and age.”

Investing isn’t a game; every company’s strengths and weaknesses must be repeatedly compared, including the research backgrounds of the management team.

Suddenly, the light tapping of Rong Qi’s fingers on the folder came to a stop.

He slowly raised his eyelids. The technical director across from him noticed the shift in his expression and paused mid-sentence.

“Young age has never been a problem,” Rong Qi said, his gaze sweeping the room. He let out a quiet chuckle and raised his voice: “The average age of Qiyu’s management team is thirty-three. I myself became the CEO of Qiyu at just twenty-two.”

His expression was calm as he added in a low voice, “Youth is not a liability; it is an asset.”

The technical director seemed ready to offer an explanation, but Rong Qi cut him off: “The investment department should evaluate these companies and provide a proposal, whether for investment or acquisition, as quickly as possible.”

Everyone promptly agreed.

“Then let’s proceed,” Rong Qi concluded. Just as he finished speaking, his phone vibrated twice.

It was a message from Cheng Li.

Cheng Li: [Although I can’t share the details yet, today marks the beginning of my new journey.]

Cheng Li herself wasn’t sure what she was feeling.

But when something good happened, the first person she thought to share it with was him.

Even though he wasn’t physically present, she wanted him to feel her happiness.

Rong Qi: [Though I don’t know what happened, I want to say one thing to you.]

Rong Qi: [Congratulations.]

Rong Qi smiled faintly as he looked at the message. After a while, he glanced up and noticed that many people in the meeting room hadn’t left.

They were looking at him.

“What is it?” he asked, collecting himself and speaking calmly.

The group shook their heads.

“Then let’s adjourn.” Rong Qi pocketed his phone and stood up with composure.

As he left the meeting room, he turned to his assistant, He Zhuoyuan, and said, “Book me a flight. I’m heading back to Shanghai.”

“Now?” He Zhuoyuan was stunned and began to check Rong Qi’s schedule.

But Rong Qi’s tone left no room for discussion. “Now.”

At 7 p.m., Cheng Li went to a team dinner with her colleagues. In celebration of signing the letter of intent, Ren Kuang treated the entire team to dinner at an upscale buffet restaurant.

Everyone indulged and ate to their heart’s content.

Shortly after Cheng Li sat down, she received a message from Rong Qi.

Rong Qi: [What time does the dinner end? I’ll send a driver to pick you up.]

Cheng Li: [No need. It’s just colleagues this time, very safe, and drinking is optional.]

Rong Qi: [The location.]

Fine.

Cheng Li sent him her location.

Around 8 p.m., she went to the restroom. As she came out, she glanced out the window and noticed the cars parked along the roadside.

For some reason, her eyes were immediately drawn to a Porsche.

In a city like Shanghai, luxury cars like Porsches were everywhere.

But as she stared at the car, something about it seemed familiar.

Suddenly, she bolted downstairs.

When she reached the car, she peered through the windshield and saw a man in the driver’s seat, dressed in a black jacket, looking down at his phone. The glow from the screen illuminated his face, making his features clearly visible.

Cheng Li hurried over and knocked on the window.

Rong Qi, bored, had been scrolling through emails on his phone.

Hearing the knock, he thought someone might be complaining about his car blocking the road. But when he looked up, he saw the person standing outside.

As he stepped out of the car, Cheng Li stared at him, seemingly in disbelief.

He had just appeared out of nowhere, standing before her.

“You…” She wanted to ask why he had suddenly returned, but the words caught in her throat for reasons she couldn’t explain.

Rong Qi’s dark eyes studied her intently before he suddenly chuckled softly.

“I just thought,” he said in his usual unhurried tone, his voice ringing in her ears, “that on such an important day for you, I should be part of it.”