58: Chapter 59 Shen Nian Comes Knocking

"Chairman Yu, you're here!" Su Xiaoxiao was the most excited, her eyes sparkling. "President Shen has already sent over the invitation and a detailed schedule. She even gave us a list of key suppliers attending the conference and things to watch out for—it's so detailed! We're currently adjusting our presentation materials and list of questions based on her suggestions."

Zhou Ming also pushed up his glasses and said seriously, "President Shen's experience is indeed invaluable. She pointed out several risk factors regarding mass production details that we hadn't considered at all. If we can take this opportunity to connect with core suppliers, it will be a huge help for our product iterations."

Lin Yuan showed the product exterior model they had optimized based on Shen Nian's suggestions, which indeed showed improvements in wearing comfort and manufacturing feasibility.

Yu Bo listened to their reports, seeing the radiance and confidence on their faces from receiving guidance from an "expert." His mood was complex. Shen Nian's approach of "seeing the favor through to the end" was impeccable, completely seizing the moral and value high ground. Even if he remained wary, he couldn't deny the genuine value of this "help."

"Good job," Yu Bo nodded in affirmation. "President Shen's resources and connections are indeed rare; you must make the most of this opportunity. However, remember," he changed his tone, his gaze sweeping over the three of them, "cooperation is a two-way street. It's equally important to demonstrate your own value and technical uniqueness. Don't just go there to 'seek advice'; you must let them see the prospects of collaborating with you. The core competitiveness of 'Bright Path' will always be your technology and team, not anyone's introduction."

His words were both encouraging and a warning, reminding them to maintain their independence and agency. Hearing this, the three of them looked more solemn and nodded repeatedly.

"Also," Yu Bo looked at Zhou Ming, "in Deep City, I will also have 'Listening to the Waves' use its local resources to assist you. I've arranged meetings with several potential investment institutions and industry partners. Manage your own time well and balance the 'Wing Flight' line with other opportunities."

"Understood, thank you, Chairman Yu!" Zhou Ming said gratefully. Yu Bo's words were equivalent to opening another window for them, so they wouldn't have to rely entirely on Shen Nian's lead.

Leaving "Bright Path," Yu Bo sat in his car without starting it immediately. He sent a message to his assistant, asking him to compile a list of hardware supply chain companies and investment institutions in Deep City that had existing or potential cooperation with "Listening to the Waves," and to arrange introductions.

He couldn't stop Shen Nian's "help," but he could give "Bright Path" more options and dilute her influence. At the same time, he needed to accelerate "Listening to the Waves'" own layout in the hard tech ecosystem; he couldn't always be reactive.

After handling these matters, it was nearly dusk. Yu Bo remembered promising Yin Tianxue that morning that he would return early. He instructed the driver to go to the supermarket and personally picked out some fresh ingredients, intending to cook a few of Yin Tianxue's favorite dishes tonight as an apology for his "excessive demands" last night and to make up for the regret of not being able to spend the whole day with her.

However, when he returned to the apartment carrying bags of groceries and opened the door, he was surprised to find that Yin Tianxue was not alone in the living room.

On the sofa, besides Yin Tianxue, who was wearing loungewear and looking much better, sat another woman.

Shen Nian.

She wasn't wearing professional attire today, but a beige knitted long dress with a light gray cardigan. Her long hair draped softly over her shoulders, and her makeup was light. She looked gentle and quiet, a stark contrast to her usual image as a capable career woman. She was leaning over, talking to Yin Tianxue with a faint, polite smile on her lips.

Hearing the door open, both of them turned their heads at the same time.

"Yu Bo, you're back?" Yin Tianxue stood up with a smile, but there was an imperceptible nuance in her eyes. "President Shen happened to be nearby on business and stopped by for a visit."

Shen Nian also stood up and gave Yu Bo a slight, graceful smile. "Chairman Yu, sorry for the intrusion. I happened to be meeting a friend nearby today and remembered Tianxue mentioning her interest in smart homes, so I brought a little gadget for her to play with. I didn't expect to run into you just as you returned."

Her explanation was reasonable and her posture natural, as if this were truly just a normal, friendly visit.

At that moment, however, Yu Bo's heart sank.

Carrying the shopping bags, Yu Bo stood in the entryway, his gaze calmly sweeping over the two women in the living room. Yin Tianxue's smile held a trace of natural closeness, while beneath Shen Nian's composure was a "coincidence" calculated with precision.

"President Shen, what a rare guest." Yu Bo changed his shoes and placed the ingredients on the kitchen island by the door. His tone was his usual polite self, betraying no emotion. "Tianxue, why didn't you tell me in advance?" He directed this at Yin Tianxue, but his gaze drifted almost imperceptibly over Shen Nian.

Yin Tianxue walked over, took the coat he had removed, and explained in a low voice, "President Shen's visit was also a spur-of-the-moment idea. Since I was home, I invited her up to sit for a while. She brought a very interesting Smart Aromatherapy Machine that can connect to the internet and automatically adjust the scent based on mood and weather."

Shen Nian also stepped forward a few paces, her posture elegant. "Chairman Yu, don't blame Tianxue; it was my presumption. I was originally just going to drop it off downstairs, but Tianxue was too polite and insisted I come up for a cup of tea." She spoke of "presumption" and "politeness" so frankly that it instead made her seem very mindful of boundaries.

Yu Bo nodded, no longer dwelling on it, and said to Yin Tianxue, "I bought groceries; we're eating at home tonight. If President Shen doesn't mind a simple meal, why not stay and join us?" He extended the invitation, his tone lacking much sincerity, sounding more like a courtesy based on etiquette.

Shen Nian, however, seemed not to notice the distance in his voice, her smile brightening a bit. "Then how could I be so bold as to disturb your time together? I just came to deliver something and will leave after sitting for a bit. Tianxue, if you have any questions during the trial, feel free to ask me anytime." As she spoke, she made a move to pick up her handbag.

"Since President Shen is already here, why not stay for dinner?" Yin Tianxue spoke to urge her to stay. Although she had an instinctive wariness toward Shen Nian, the woman had made a special trip to deliver something and was acting so properly that it wouldn't be right to drive her away immediately. Moreover, she also wanted to see how Yu Bo and Shen Nian would interact in a private setting. "Yu Bo's cooking is quite good; President Shen should try it."

Shen Nian glanced at Yu Bo, her eyes questioning, her smile flawless. "This... would it be too much trouble for Chairman Yu?"

Since things had reached this point, it would seem petty for Yu Bo to refuse again. He twitched the corner of his mouth. "It's no trouble, just an extra pair of chopsticks. Please make yourself at home, President Shen; I'll go prepare." With that, he carried the ingredients straight into the kitchen, leaving the living room to the two women.

He closed the frosted glass kitchen door, cutting off the view and sound from outside. Yu Bo leaned his back against the cool door panel, his eyes instantly turning cold.

Shen Nian's move of "entering the inner sanctum" was played beautifully. Using the irreproachable reason of "delivering a trial product," she had naturally entered his and Yin Tianxue's private space. She was no longer just a business partner or a "suitor" who needed to be kept at a distance, but had become a "friend" who could visit their home. The subtle shift in this identity brought a huge potential impact.

She was testing, and she was infiltrating. In the most harmless and natural way possible.

Yu Bo took a deep breath, suppressing the annoyance and wariness in his heart. Since she was here, he might as well deal with it. He wanted to see what kind of tricks Shen Nian could pull off during this meal.

He put on an apron and began to deftly process the ingredients. The rhythmic sound of chopping rang out, like his heart rate which he was forcing to calm down.

From the living room, the faint sound of the two women talking could be heard. Yin Tianxue was describing her experience using the Smart Aromatherapy Machine in a relaxed tone. Shen Nian provided timely professional supplements in a gentle voice, her sense of propriety handled perfectly—not showing off, but just enough to demonstrate her professionalism and "care" for Yin Tianxue's preferences.