Chen Lishu turned her head to look at Elder Master He with some confusion, unsure of what he meant.
"Because you are a girl, the path in the workplace is more difficult. If you were a boy, perhaps Shu Se Group's reputation today would be no less than He Corporation's. In more than a decade, your products might even surpass He Corporation's! Lishu, you are a dark horse in the workplace. No one expected such an outcome, that a market would be dominated by a woman!" Elder Master He looked at Chen Lishu with admiration as he spoke.
Chen Lishu's lips curved upwards slightly. "Whether men or women, opportunities are for those who are prepared. I am fortunate to live in an open era. If it were a few decades earlier, a woman working outside would be considered shameful and met with widespread opposition. Having achieved this today is a benefit provided by the nation!
I can't possibly take benefits from one country and repay another. I wouldn't be able to live with myself, even if it meant earning less. I hope more people will venture into entrepreneurship boldly and contribute to the nation's economy."
"Your foresight is extraordinary. However, have you considered that if you don't accept foreign investment, your company..."
...
At night, Gu Xingdong pushed open the door and came to Chen Lishu's side. After hesitating for a long time, he asked with a worried expression, "Lishu, do you think I'm selfish for affecting your future?"
Chen Lishu turned around and asked meaningfully, "What future?"
"A better future."
"A future without you? If that's the case, then don't overthink it. You are the most important people in my life. If your existence hadn't supported me in becoming strong, then Shu Se Group, and even my presence in this world, would be nothing but a dream.
I hope my designs can be seen in every corner of the world. I will seize the opportunity in Country M, but I don't plan to go myself. I will send a trustworthy person." After speaking, Chen Lishu's lips curved upwards slightly, and she suddenly moved closer to Gu Xingdong.
"You're not still reluctant to part with me, are you? We've been together for so many years, we can be called old married couple, yet you're still clinging like newlyweds?"
Facing Chen Lishu's teasing, Gu Xingdong said nonchalantly and sincerely, "No matter how many years we're together, I only want to be with you."
Feeling Gu Xingdong's gaze sweeping over her, Chen Lishu's face instantly flushed crimson. "After all these years, you still have no self-control. I already have Xiaobai and the others. I really don't want another child on the way!"
Gu Xingdong, however, was unfazed. "What if there's one more? We can afford to raise them anyway!"
With that, Gu Xingdong's gaze gradually deepened, and like a wolf, he pounced on Chen Lishu onto the bed.
----
The next day, Chen Lishu arrived at the company with a sore back. Before she could even settle into her seat, Su Nian burst through the door in distress, exclaiming, "Madam, it's bad! Our business has been snatched away!"
Before Chen Lishu could ask what was going on, Su Nian, panting, said impatiently, "We were all tricked by that woman Alice! Just two days ago she said we should form an alliance and become good friends, but the next day she rented a shop right opposite our door and started selling clothes!
She's even lured away our regular customers. I strongly suspect Alice's offer to reconcile and become allies was just a ploy to make us lower our guard, all for this very day!"
Facing Su Nian's accusations, Chen Lishu pursed her lips, her expression somewhat helpless. "Alright, alright. It's not that big of a deal. Your shouting almost made the entire company hear about this. Do you want to cause panic among the staff again?"
"Madam!"
Seeing Su Nian's murderous glare, Chen Lishu quickly interrupted, "Tell me, what is the style of clothes Alice designs?"
Su Nian frowned. "The 'noblewoman' style. Once this style was launched, it immediately became the trend in the market. On my way to the shop, I saw quite a few people wearing these clothes. Will our clothes become unsellable because of this? Damn Alice!"