Just a handful of people sat in a circle, filling the table perfectly.
It’s a family dinner, after all. It only feels lively when everyone’s gathered together.
Although tonight’s family dinner seems to have lost some of its original flavor.
Mrs. Jiang seemed quite pleased with Yvonne Ye, thinking that Yvonne Ye and Eric Jiang looked more and more like a perfect match as they sat together.
Cecilia Gu, on the other hand, found Molly Yun’s calm and composed demeanor increasingly appealing and pleasant to look at.
In terms of looks, Molly Yun wasn’t as stunning as Yvonne Ye.
Yvonne Ye’s features were deep-set, with a hint of northwestern ancestry.
Molly Yun, meanwhile, was the epitome of southern delicacy and elegance.
The two were completely different types, so it was hard to make a direct comparison.
The head chef soon brought out the food, and Cecilia Gu, feeling a bit hungry, got ready to dig in.
Before Cecilia could reach for the meat, Yun Morong had already pushed a warm glass of milk to her side.
Cecilia gave a wry smile, put down her chopsticks, and took a sip of milk to warm her stomach before eating.
Charles Yin nodded approvingly.
Even though Molly Yun was seated next to Eric Jiang, all her attention was focused on Cecilia, watching her every move.
Maybe because Molly Yun wasn’t interacting with Eric Jiang, Mrs. Jiang couldn’t help but glance at Molly Yun again.
At first, Mrs. Jiang really thought Molly Yun was the type of girl who wanted to use her family connections to climb the social ladder.
After all, this really was a family dinner!
Yet Cecilia had invited Molly Yun to the table, clearly wanting to honor her.
This girl is quite impressive.
She carries herself well and speaks eloquently.
She speaks when she should and never interrupts unnecessarily.
This girl must have been raised very well.
Instead of getting carried away by Cecilia’s praise, she kept her focus on Cecilia.
This is exactly how family should behave.
Coincidentally, both Cecilia and Yun Morong don’t eat radishes.
Yvonne Ye secretly glanced at Eric Jiang, only to find his gaze fixed on Molly Yun, which made Yvonne Ye’s eyes dim.
Jiang Yihai had been watching them and couldn’t help but say, “You two are picky in exactly the same way! If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were sisters.”
Yun Morong nearly dropped her chopsticks in surprise.
She tightened her grip, steadied herself, and replied softly, “It’s just a coincidence.”
Cecilia turned to Yun Morong with a smile, saying, “Ever since I got pregnant, I stopped eating radishes. Didn’t expect you to avoid them too.”
Yun Morong chuckled and replied, “Yes, I don’t eat them either. But the soup you drink every day still has a bit of radish in it. Radish is often called ‘little ginseng’ and is good for your health. The amount is small, and with other ingredients, you can’t really taste it.”
Now only Yvonne Ye and Molly Yun were left, awkwardly enjoying the scenery together.
Mrs. Jiang couldn’t help but ask, “I heard from the housekeeper that you’re very knowledgeable, and now I can see it’s true! Miss Yun, where did you study?”
Yun Morong froze.
How should she answer this question?
The real Yun Morong hadn’t even attended university!
How could she explain this?
Cecilia was curious too, looking at Yun Morong.
"You little rascal." Mrs. Jiang gave Cecilia a look. "Then let me ask you, did you have a special reason for bringing Molly Yun here?"
Cecilia quickly said, “I heard you’ve always been self-taught? To reach this level by self-study is really impressive.”
Molly Yun hadn’t expected Cecilia to help her out and quickly followed her lead: “Yes, I’ve always been self-taught. My family’s situation wasn’t great, so…”
Mrs. Jiang smiled and didn’t press further, but gave Jiang Yihai a meaningful look.
The meaning behind her look was clear.
Molly Yun hadn’t even attended a third-rate university, while Yvonne Ye had studied abroad.
The difference in status was obvious at a glance.
But if Molly Yun were actually Yun Nuo…
But if Yun Morong were actually Yun Nuo…
Heh.
Is there any woman in this world whose talent and knowledge could compare to hers?
Mr. Jiang changed the subject and asked Charles Yin, “I heard the Shang family is getting into the cosmetics business lately?”
Cecilia immediately perked up her ears.
Hmm, maybe Uncle has some inside information.
Cecilia nodded in satisfaction, “Exactly, that’s what Ruona and I think too. Danni is just getting started, so going straight for top-tier brands isn’t realistic. That’s why we’re taking the popular route. Now that our brand is recognized nationwide, the next step is mass production and distribution. The formulas we submitted were developed by Hirayama Jiro and his team over several months. I believe they’ll be a hit.”
But if it’s me fighting Shang Ke, that’s a different story!
He actually acquired a second-tier brand and returned to compete with Danni Company using other subsidiary lines?
To Charles Yin, Danni’s business was just a game.
Cecilia couldn’t help but pinch him, and Charles Yin immediately straightened up, saying, “Every business starts as play! If you play well, you succeed! Isn’t that right, honey?”
Everyone at the table couldn’t help but laugh at his words.
Yvonne Ye was also someone who rarely spoke.
Cecilia and Charles Yin both nodded.
“Cecilia’s company and the one Shang Ke acquired are bound to face off.” Mr. Jiang smiled at Cecilia. “Cecilia, fair competition between companies is normal. As long as things don’t get ugly, everyone saves face.”
Cecilia nodded and said, “I understand what you mean. I won’t go after him personally. The competition will just be between Danni and Jolene. It won’t escalate to a fight between families or corporations.”
“Glad you understand.” Mr. Jiang nodded in satisfaction. “Let me give you some insider info.”
Cecilia’s eyes lit up, “Is it about Jolene Cosmetics?”
“Jolene Cosmetics is coming on strong this time,” Mr. Jiang continued. “I heard the Shang family invested a billion dollars. For third- and fourth-tier brands, that’s devastating! Now, only your Danni has the resources to compete.”
Cecilia nodded, “Yes, I saw this coming. The Shang family has plenty of money, so it’s no surprise they’re throwing cash at it. But if they can invest, so can I.”
This chapter isn’t finished yet~.~ Please click next page to continue reading!
This business belongs to Cecilia and Mu Ruona, and she won’t let anyone destroy it so easily!
“So how much do you plan to invest?” Mr. Jiang asked.
Cecilia hesitated for a moment and looked over at Yun Morong.
Yun Morong immediately put down her chopsticks and answered for Cecilia, “I’ve done precise calculations on the investment amount. Given the current gap between Danni and Jolene, to match Jolene we’d need about 500 million more, mainly to expand production and product development. But to surpass Jolene, we’d need about 1.5 billion. The difference is because of our local advantage and our early endorsement boost.”
Jolene may be a second-tier, internationally renowned brand, but it doesn’t have much of a local advantage in China. First, Jolene can’t compete with top brands like Estée Lauder, and second, its popularity among the general public is lower than Danni’s. In the recent selection contest, Danni secured all the endorsements and expanded its national reputation. So, with a 500 million investment, we can catch up to Jolene, but to ensure victory, we’d need to add 1.5 billion.
Yun Morong showcased her talent, calmly and clearly explaining everything.
Even Mr. Jiang couldn’t help but look at Yun Morong with newfound respect.
“This time, the contest is about appealing to the masses. On this front, we have the upper hand over Jolene. So, I personally don’t think we’ll lose,” Yun Morong concluded. “If it were a battle of high-end products, we might lose. But for affordable bestsellers, we still have room to grow.”
Cecilia nodded in satisfaction, “Exactly, that’s what Ruona and I think too. Danni is just getting started, so going straight for top-tier brands isn’t realistic. That’s why we’re taking the popular route. Now that our brand is recognized nationwide, the next step is mass production and distribution. The formulas we submitted were developed by Hirayama Jiro and his team over several months. I believe they’ll be a hit.”
“Seeing that you’re both clear on this, I’m relieved.” Mr. Jiang smiled and nodded, then turned to Charles Yin, “Seeing your wife so capable, what do you think?”
Charles Yin had barely spoken the whole time, but when Mr. Jiang asked him, he smiled and said, “As long as she’s having fun, that’s all that matters.”
To Charles Yin, Danni’s business was just a game.
Cecilia couldn’t help but pinch him, and Charles Yin immediately straightened up, saying, “Every business starts as play! If you play well, you succeed! Isn’t that right, honey?”
Everyone at the table couldn’t help but laugh at his words.
Yehe was also someone who rarely spoke.
She looked at Cecilia and Charles Yin with envy.
She wished she could have a relationship like that too!
The two of them were so blissfully happy, it was enough to make anyone jealous.
Yehe secretly glanced at Jiang Yihai, only to find his gaze fixed on Yun Morong, which made Yehe’s eyes dim.
Had she come too late?
But she just couldn’t accept it.
After the meal, everyone went off to do their own thing.
Mr. Jiang pulled his son and Charles Yin into the study to talk business.
Mrs. Jiang took Cecilia to feed the fish.
Now only Yehe and Yun Morong were left, awkwardly enjoying the scenery together.
Mrs. Jiang handed Cecilia the fish food and asked directly, “Cecilia, tell me, what do you think of Yehe as a girl?”
Cecilia leisurely scattered the fish food.
The Jiang family was wealthy enough to keep an indoor tropical fish pond the size of a swimming pool.
Cecilia could keep feeding the fish for ages and still not run out.
“Why do you ask, Aunt?” Cecilia smiled at Mrs. Jiang. “Are you worried about my cousin, or about that girl?”
Mrs. Jiang burst out laughing.
“You little rascal.” Mrs. Jiang gave Cecilia a look. “Then let me ask you, did you have a special reason for bringing Yun Morong here?”