57: Chapter 57 Delivery and Return

The rain had gradually stopped, but the sky remained overcast.

Qiao Yichen turned off the engine, picked up the box of pastries bought from the new store from the back seat of the passenger side, and pushed the door open to get out.

The lobby was still quiet, with a faint scent of sandalwood.

He stated his purpose to the receptionist. The young woman nodded with a smile and immediately dialed the internal extension.

In just under two minutes, Xu Wenyuan hurried out from the inner room, his face showing just the right amount of enthusiasm: "Mr. Qiao, you've arrived! Please—"

He led Qiao Yichen into a small office, the layout similar to the private room where they had discussed the contract last time.

Xu Wenyuan picked up a folder that had already been prepared from the desk and handed it over with both hands: "Mr. Qiao, these are the follow-up handover documents for your review."

Qiao Yichen first took the documents, then picked up the paper bag containing the pastries in his hand and offered it to him.

"Manager Xu, just a small token of my appreciation. I happened to be conducting market research nearby and bought pastries from this place. It's a thirty-year-old established brand with excellent craftsmanship. I hope you don't mind."

Xu Wenyuan accepted the bag, and his smile immediately deepened. He repeatedly said, "Not at all, Mr. Qiao, you are too polite! How could I accept this..." As he spoke, he deftly poured a cup of hot tea for Qiao Yichen. "Please look over the documents first, there's no rush."

Qiao Yichen said no more and lowered his head to quickly scan the documents. The clauses were clear, identical to the letter of intent.

He picked up a pen and signed his name on the last page, then transferred the remaining balance of 182,000 yuan in one lump sum via mobile banking.

The mobile phone notification sound rang almost simultaneously on Xu Wenyuan's end.

He glanced at it, and his smile became even more genuine: "Received, Mr. Qiao. Now, regarding the shipping address..."

"The address is: (Liu Yanran's home address). Recipient: Liu Yanran, Phone: (Her number)." Qiao Yichen stated clearly and steadily.

Xu Wenyuan recorded it on the shipping form. After finishing, he naturally looked up to confirm once more: "This is the correct address, right?"

"Correct." Qiao Yichen picked up his teacup, took a sip, and added, "My girlfriend's home."

Xu Wenyuan's pen paused. He looked up at Qiao Yichen, his gaze quickly sweeping over his crisp dark blue suit. A hint of realization flashed in his eyes, which then transformed into a deeper smile.

"I can see that," he said with a smile. "Mr. Qiao, your clothes... you haven't changed. I suppose you stayed at your girlfriend's place last night because it got too late to go back?"

Qiao Yichen also smiled and did not deny it: "Yes, I was busy until very late, so I didn't bother going back."

The two shared a knowing understanding.

Xu Wenyuan asked no further questions and carefully put away all the documents: "Mr. Qiao, rest assured. We will arrange the most professional team for logistics, packaging, transportation, and door-to-door service. We will follow up throughout the entire process and contact Ms. Liu in advance."

"I appreciate your trouble, Manager Xu."

"It's my duty."

Xu Wenyuan escorted Qiao Yichen all the way outside the main entrance of the Auction House, politely waving goodbye only after watching him get into the white Audi.

The car pulled away from the Auction House and merged into the sparse traffic flow in the western part of the city.

Qiao Yichen glanced at the copy of the signed handover documents on the passenger seat, then looked at the box of old shop pastries in the back seat.

...

On the other side, Shen Bowen took the subway and returned to the company around four o'clock.

He was carrying the pastries he bought from the second new store and walked straight to the Planning Department, giving Li Yong and Meng Zhi a meaningful look.

The three tacitly picked up their notebooks and walked into the small conference room.

As soon as the door closed, Shen Bowen recounted everything he had witnessed that afternoon.

He opened his phone album and showed them the pictures one by one: the yellowed wooden plaque of the old shop, the Master Craftsman's practiced movements wrapping goods in oil paper, and photos of the new store's exquisite decoration displayed side-by-side with transparent plastic boxes.

"The problem is very clear," Shen Bowen said, pointing to the most contrasting picture. "The new store has a fancy exterior due to the upscale renovation, but the substance is lacking."

Meng Zhi looked at the photos and nodded thoughtfully: "Indeed... this sense of disparity might be a turn-off for young people who come for the ambiance."

"Brother Qiao meant the same thing," Shen Blog pushed the pastry box to the center of the table. "Before he left, he specifically instructed us to unwrap the packaging, examine it closely, and then taste it. The quality of the product itself will determine the subsequent strategy."

Li Yong couldn't wait any longer. He rubbed his hands and laughed, "Then what are we waiting for? Consider it a belated afternoon tea!"

The three began to unwrap the packaging.

The clasp on the plastic box was a bit tight. After opening it, there were four types of shortbread arranged in separate compartments.

They each took one piece and began to sample them.

The texture was solid, the flaky crust had distinct layers, and the filling was moderately sweet, allowing the natural flavor of the ingredients to come through.

"It's delicious," Meng Zhi commented objectively. "You can tell it's made with old-fashioned skill."

Li Yong finished one piece in two bites, smacked his lips: "It is quite fragrant. But this packaging... it really doesn't match the taste. If I were eating it myself, it would be fine, but I wouldn't feel comfortable giving it as a gift."

Shen Bowen noted down their feedback: "So our primary task is to help upgrade its packaging."

The three then discussed the preliminary competitor information they had gathered and social media trends over the pastries.

In the conference room, the sound of discussion gradually grew animated.

...

About forty minutes later.

Qiao Yichen also returned to the company.

He didn't go to the Planning Department first. Instead, carrying the pastries carefully wrapped in oil paper that he brought from the old shop, he arrived at the door of the Director's office.

"Knock, knock—"

"Come in."

He pushed the door open. Liu Yanran was reviewing a document on the computer screen.

Qiao Yichen walked to her desk and gently placed the oil paper package on the corner of the desk, then carefully untied the string binding it.

The oil paper unfolded, revealing several pieces of traditional dim sum with a warm, gentle color. That simple, sweet fragrance slowly diffused.

"Bought from the old shop, the most authentic selections. Try some." He picked up a piece of walnut crisp and naturally offered it toward her lips.

Liu Yanran looked up at him, then at the pastry just inches away. She tilted her head slightly and took a small bite right from his hand. Crumbs gently fell onto the tissue paper in front of her.

"I gave the new store's packaging to Manager Xu at the Auction House as a favor," Qiao Yichen explained.

Liu Yanran chewed slowly, nodded, and only spoke after swallowing: "The taste is very good, and the ingredients are substantial."

Only then did Qiao Yichen take a piece for himself, then turned around, got warm water in her cup, and handed it to her: "With a thirty-year foundation, the product itself is genuinely good. It's just that the 'box' holding it is too old."

"After looking at it, do you have a direction?" Liu Yanran took the water cup and took a sip.

"Yes, I've grasped the core issue. I'll work overtime tonight to outline the overall strategy framework and creative direction first, and show it to you tomorrow," Qiao Yichen said with certainty.

Liu Yanran looked at him and nodded gently: "Okay."

Qiao Yichen rewrapped the remaining pastries in oil paper and left them on her desk, then turned to leave.

When he reached the door, he seemed to suddenly remember something and turned back, taking the Audi car key from his pocket and placing it lightly on her desk.

"I almost forgot this."

Liu Yanran's gaze fell on the key, then she looked up at him.

"Go ahead," she said.

Qiao Yichen smiled faintly, and only then did he truly open the door and walk out.