"Got it when I was little." Shen Duoyi recalled, "My grandfather had a small tricycle then. I was riding it in the alley, couldn't control it well and crashed into a wall. When I fell, I landed right on a broken brick."

Qi Shi'an drew in a sharp breath: "Quite the mischievous one."

Shen Duoyi suddenly grinned: "My childhood friend's mom was so worried, she made chicken legs for me for several days. Back then, I could collect a pile of food walking from one end of the alley to the other - all from the neighbors."

Qi Shi'an listened, fascinated, as if the Shen Duoyi before him had transformed into a tiny version of himself. He asked: "Has the alley been demolished? Are the neighbors still there?"

"Yes, they're still there, just north of Qiuye Street." Shen Duoyi reached for the thermos on the bedside table. "I go visit the uncles and aunties, and all the neighbors during holidays."

Qi Shi'an said: "For future holidays, add me to your visitation list too."

After leaving the hospital to return to their respective homes, Shen Duoyi, who had left home late last night and hadn't returned in the morning, wondered how much his grandfather would lecture him. He parked his car and went upstairs, encountering a delivery person just as he opened the door.

Grandpa Shen opened the door for the delivery, saw him standing outside too, and immediately snorted: "I didn't order anything for you."

Shen Duoyi smiled as he closed the door: "You can't just keep eating takeout now that you've learned how to order it."

"I order different things every time." Grandpa Shen couldn't be bothered with him, walking to the dining table and sitting down, showing only his back. "Looking at what you're wearing, you weren't pulling an all-nighter at the company, were you?"

Shen Duoyi went to wash his hands, then grabbed chopsticks hoping to mooch some food: "Last night a friend was hospitalized, I went to check on him. He had no one with him, so I stayed at the hospital overnight."

Grandpa Shen's attitude changed: "Was it Meng Liang? Is he doing better?"

Since Shen Duoyi didn't have many friends, it was no wonder Grandpa Shen guessed wrong. He confessed: "It wasn't Meng Liang, it was a colleague from my current company. We both fell asleep, so I didn't go in this morning, but I'll work normally this afternoon."

"Next time say something before you go out, or leave a note, don't rush off in such a hurry." Grandpa Shen stopped questioning. "Get an empty bowl, I'll pour you some porridge."

After eating, Shen Duoyi changed clothes to prepare for work. Having missed the whole morning, he couldn't afford to take a lunch break now - he needed to make up for lost time. Before leaving, he glanced at the calendar hanging behind the door; this weekend would be the twentieth, it was time for Grandpa's physical examination.

"Grandpa, don't make plans to go fishing or anything this weekend - it's time for your check-up," he called into the house.

Grandpa Shen called back: "Time for the check-up already? Alright, what a bother." Then he added, "Drive carefully, take it slow on the road."

Even the fastest regular car has its limitations, but sports cars are different - the sound of their engine alone shows their superiority. Qi Shi'an's new car had arrived. After going home to shower and change clothes, he drove the new car directly to the company in the afternoon.

"Mr. Qi, are you feeling better?" Annie followed him into his office. "Since all meetings follow the planned schedule, we could only postpone them, not reschedule."

"I understand, move them up to 2:20." Qi Shi'an opened his drawer and found a portable medicine box. "Did you put this here? Thank you."

Annie said: "You're welcome, I'll head out now."

The meeting started at 2:20, and the consulting department's meeting began as well. Shen Duoyi sat upright at the conference table, holding the black pen with white patterns between his fingers, with a mechanical pencil placed beside his notebook.

Using that fountain pen for drawing seemed quite wasteful - he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"For first-time clients, they definitely have strong risk-aversion psychology, so even if we're completely confident about the trends, we shouldn't rush. Follow the client's thinking process, start with a break-even price point first. Once they feel secure, the momentum will naturally build up."

The manager checked his watch, and soon Zhang Yiming walked in with his hands in his pockets. Everyone greeted him, and Zhang Yiming sat down at the conference table, saying: "I'm joining in. Actually, according to the plan, we haven't reached the point of having meetings with you yet, but special circumstances call for special treatment."

He began immediately: "You all paid attention to that methanol incident recently, right?"

Shen Duoyi's heart skipped a beat - he'd done more than pay attention, he'd experienced it firsthand.

"After this incident, small investors and small-to-medium enterprises are all nervous, but major clients are getting interested." Zhang Yiming was very casual in meetings, like having an after-dinner chat. "The capital game is about big fish eating small fish, and big fish aren't afraid of getting full. After this wave, they want to get in and grab a piece of the pie, so we need to seize the opportunity. The important part of this traffic plan - the high-end platform - is a strategy specifically designed for major clients."

Shen Duoyi felt bitter inside; small investors could only stand aside, unloved and unwanted.

Just then, Qi Shi'an appeared at the meeting room door, without his suit jacket, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows - clearly just finished with another meeting.

He'd heard that the consulting department had started their departmental meeting, so he came to observe and inspect the situation. He sat at the end of the conference table of his own accord, arms crossed, listening to Zhang Yiming speak, his gaze casually falling on the fountain pen in Shen Duoyi's hand.

Zhang Yiming finally finished: "Alright, I have nothing more to say. See if Mr. Qi has any instructions. Everyone's been working hard during this busy period - you can look forward to your year-end bonuses."

The atmosphere immediately lightened, and the manager looked toward Qi Shi'an: "Mr. Qi, do you have anything to add?"

Qi Shi'an said: "No, this is your Director Zhang's plan. This is my first time properly hearing it too."

He stayed until the meeting ended. As everyone packed up to return to work, Shen Duoyi glanced at him once, then deliberately slowed down his packing.

"Team Leader Shen, you're waiting for me too obviously." Qi Shi'an sat with his legs crossed, completely at ease.

Shen Duoyi nervously glanced outside and picked up his things to leave: "Then never mind, I'll head back to my office."

"Hey, I'm just teasing." Qi Shi'an stood up and walked over. "The high-end platform targets high-end clients, but there are relatively more small investors and medium-sized enterprises. I just suddenly thought of creating a 'public platform,' and we could even cooperate with internet companies to promote online consulting."

Shen Duoyi said happily: "I think that's great. In the future, small investors like me can seek help too."

Hearing this, Qi Shi'an deliberately said: "Then let's not do it. I want you to only be able to seek help from me."

The plan began as a random inspiration in his mind and would need long-term consideration and continuous planning. They weren't prepared to chat more, especially since work hours weren't over. Just as they were about to leave together, Qi Shi'an's phone rang - it was his father, Qi Jingtang.

"Dad, back from the inspection?"

"Been back for two or three days." Qi Jingtang's voice carried an air of refinement. "It's your mother's birthday this weekend, don't forget to have a meal with her."

Qi Shi'an said: "When have I ever forgotten Mom's birthday? I've already booked the restaurant."

After a few more words, Qi Shi'an hung up: "Let's go, I need to get back to the thirtieth floor to continue working."

Shen Duoyi said: "It's Auntie's birthday this weekend? Please wish her happy birthday for me."

"Not the mom from the retirement home." Qi Shi'an smiled mischievously. "My birth mother."