Chapter 393: Chapter 238: Meeting Her

Leaving the activity center and on his way back to the vehicle, Chen Cheng kept pondering one question.

People like Cao Yue and Chen Jin, the so-called “second generation,” seem to have their lives planned and arranged from birth.

They enjoy the conveniences their status brings, easily accessing resources and opportunities beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Yet because of this, deep down, do they also doubt whether their own efforts truly matter?

Whether it’s Chen Jin relying on the Linkedin Fund built by his father’s influence, or Cao Yue advancing rapidly thanks to his family’s connections, they have compromises as well as their own forms of “rebellion.”

The identity of the second generation may be a label they were born with, but their lives can still be written by themselves.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had such a good conversation with someone.”

Standing by their respective cars, Cao Yue said to Chen Cheng: “Xiao Chen, had you come a day earlier, maybe we could have communicated even further.”

Chen Cheng smiled and said: “There’s still a long road ahead in life, getting to know my senior now shouldn’t be considered late, right?”

“Ha ha ha, clever.”

Chen Cheng continued: “Do you have time tonight, senior? I’m thinking of preparing a simple meal and we can continue our conversation. What do you think?”

Cao Yue checked the time on his wrist, “Not possible today, I still have a session with the county’s investment promotion department.”

“Let’s meet again on Monday,” he said.

Hearing Cao Yue’s arrangement, Chen Cheng nodded, “Alright, then I’ll pay a visit to you on Monday, senior.”

“It’s a good time for you to check out the vicinity these next two days. Although Kaiyang is underdeveloped, the natural landscape is beautiful,” Cao Yue continued:

“The Monkey Ear Sinkhole, Nanjiang Grand Canyon and such, take a visit, the rapeseed flowers are in bloom, really pretty.”

Chen Cheng nodded in agreement, Cao Yue patted his shoulder, “See you Monday.”

“Take care, senior.”

Chen Cheng watched as Cao Yue got into his car and only after the Passat had left did the smile on his face gradually fade.

He thought to himself: “Give the money on Monday, secure the project, then after discussing for three to five more days, would I be able to go back?”

Thinking of this, Chen Cheng tightened the collar of his coat, saying: “The weather’s really cold.”

Once in the car, Chen Cheng said to Xu Qiu, who was in the passenger seat: “Manager Xu, we should probably leave Kaiyang the day after tomorrow.”

“Are we heading back to Beijing?” Xu Qiu turned around.

Chen Cheng shook his head, “Plans have changed, to another place. But, I think we’ll still spend a few days in Qianzhou.”

Xu Qiu nodded, “Okay.”

“Shall we find a place to eat?” Chen Cheng suggested: “Let’s eat before heading back to the city.”

Immediately, Xu Qiu took out her iPad, “Mr. Chen, where would you like to go?”

Chen Cheng flipped through it a few times and asked: “Any recommendations near Nanjiang Grand Canyon?”

Xu Qiu was at a loss, her prep work had only covered the county area, “No, mostly there are family-run restaurants.”

Chen Cheng handed the iPad back, “Then let’s head that way, pick a popular place to grab a bite.”

He was also thinking since Cao Yue had mentioned these two places, he might as well take a look. Otherwise, when asked about it on Monday, it wouldn’t be right to just make things up.

Chen Donghai searched on the navigation for a while, then finally started the car, driving toward the direction of the Grand Canyon.

The car drove for about an hour, and the scenery on both sides of the road gradually changed.

The grey, squat houses were gone, replaced by vast fields of rapeseed flowers, glowing gold in the twilight sun.

“This scenery, is quite nice,” Chen Cheng rolled down the window, taking a deep breath.

“Yes, the air here is so fresh, much better than in Beijing.”

Xu Qiu also expressed her amazement, having lived in the city for a long time, she had almost forgotten the taste of nature.

She smiled and said: “Mr. Chen, you really know how to pick a place.”

“Consider it a break as well, I see that our group of ladies are quite stressed, aren’t they?” Chen Cheng curiously asked.

Xu Qiu’s smile faded a bit, but she still spoke in a light tone: “Isn’t that the truth? In our line of work, we live off our youth, how could there not be pressure?”

“However, those of us in this profession also know what we want; work hard, earn good money, then in a few more years, once we’ve saved enough capital, return to our hometown, marry a good person, and live a down-to-earth life.”

Chen Cheng smiled and did not respond.

Xu Qiu sounded casual, but reality was harsher than the imagination.

Though they were the backbone of CGG’s public relations department, the industry never lacks rising stars. The new replaces the old at an astonishing speed.

Those “veterans,” barely in their twenties, were already feeling the pressure and crisis.

“In a few more years, once we’ve saved enough capital…”

Chen Cheng repeated Xu Qiu’s words in his mind, knowing that for these girls from humble backgrounds, this might be the best choice.

But how long would it take to “save enough capital”? Three years? Five years? Or even longer?

By then, will they still be able to find that “good person” to “live a down-to-earth life” with?

Chen Cheng didn’t know the answer, nor did he want to delve deeper.

He just suddenly felt a bit contemplative, life’s encounters are indeed mysterious.

Some are born with a silver spoon and struggle with all their might to escape the shadow of their parents, to prove their own worth;

While others, born humble, have to struggle in a harsh reality for survival, for dreams.

“Everyone has their own path to walk…” Chen Cheng looked out the window at the gradually darkening scenery, thinking quietly to himself.

The car then entered the gate of the Nanjiang Grand Canyon area, and drove some more distance, Xu Qiu said: “Mr. Chen, the family-run restaurant up ahead seems to be doing good business.”