Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: A Chance Encounter at the Café

Since the coordination meeting on Monday, Su Wan had thrown herself wholeheartedly into revising the Stellar Center project proposal. She carefully sorted through the issues Lu Chengyu had raised, conducted in-depth re-research on the surrounding consumer groups, and collected a wealth of market data and consumer feedback. Every day, she was the first to arrive at the company and the last to leave. Sometimes, she even worked overtime until the early hours of the morning, crashing on the office sofa for a few hours before starting again the next day.It was nearly 11 p.m. on Wednesday, and Su Wan was still staring at her computer screen, revising the proposal. Her eyes felt dry and sore from hours of focusing, so she rubbed them and stretched, feeling her body on the verge of exhaustion. She stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the quiet street outside, where only a few scattered streetlights remained lit. Her stomach rumbled unapologetically—she'd completely forgotten to eat dinner."I'll go downstairs to grab something to eat first, and pick up a coffee to stay awake," Su Wan muttered to herself, grabbing her phone and wallet before walking out of the company building.Not far from the office was a 24-hour café, a place Su Wan frequented during late-night overtime sessions. As she stepped inside, warm air mixed with the rich aroma of coffee washed over her, easing her tense nerves slightly.The café was sparsely populated, with only a few other people—all rushing about their lives—sitting in corners, busy with their laptops. Su Wan approached the counter and ordered a black coffee and a sandwich."Just a moment, please. Your coffee and sandwich will be ready soon," the barista said with a smile.Su Wan nodded, finding a window seat and taking out her phone to review the market research data she'd collected. As she read, she brainstormed revision ideas for the proposal, jotting down key thoughts in her phone's notes app from time to time.Just then, a familiar figure walked into the café. Su Wan looked up, and their eyes met. She froze—she never expected to run into Lu Chengyu here.Lu Chengyu was equally surprised. Clearly, he hadn't anticipated encountering Su Wan in a café late at night. Dressed in a casual black sweatshirt and jeans, he lacked the formality and distance he carried in the workplace, exuding a more approachable and relaxed vibe. He held a laptop in his hand, seemingly fresh from work as well."Designer Su, still up so late?" Lu Chengyu spoke first, walking over to sit across from her, his tone much warmer than during the coordination meeting.Su Wan put away her phone and smiled awkwardly: "Mr. Lu, same to you. I'm revising the Stellar Center proposal—I'm a bit tired, so I came down for some coffee and food to recharge.""How's the revision coming along?" Lu Chengyu asked, his eyes carrying a hint of concern.At the mention of the proposal, Su Wan perked up instantly: "Based on the issues you raised in the meeting, I've done new market research and adjusted the commercial format distribution and spatial circulation design. I'm now refining the details, hoping to present you with a satisfactory proposal by next Wednesday."Lu Chengyu nodded, refraining from his usual direct criticism. Instead, he said: "Actually, my tone might have been too harsh during the meeting the other day—I hope you didn't mind. I just want this project to be the best it can be; after all, it's important for both of us."Su Wan looked at Lu Chengyu in surprise—she hadn't expected an apology from him. "Mr. Lu, there's no need to apologize," she hurried to say. "Your points were completely valid, and they helped me see the flaws in my proposal. I should be thanking you. If you hadn't pointed out the issues in time, I might have kept going down the wrong path.""Recognizing your shortcomings and being willing to improve—that's commendable," a faint smile tugged at Lu Chengyu's lips. "Your design philosophy is actually very creative. It's just that in practical application, you need to consider more realistic factors. A commercial project isn't just a work of art; it also needs to meet consumer needs and realize commercial value. Only by perfectly integrating artistry and commercial viability can we create a truly successful commercial project.""I understand," Su Wan said earnestly. "I've been thinking about this a lot these past few days. I believe artistry can add unique charm and appeal to a commercial project, while commercial viability provides a better platform and living space for artistry. They aren't opposing forces—they can complement each other. I'll pay more attention to balancing the two when revising the proposal."The barista approached with Su Wan's coffee and sandwich, interrupting their conversation. "Your coffee and sandwich—enjoy!""Thank you," Su Wan said, smiling as she took them.Lu Chengyu ordered a latte, then continued: "Actually, when I was young, I was just like you—very persistent in my own ideas, even stubborn. Back then, I'd just entered the investment industry. I believed in a project so much that I insisted on investing in it despite everyone's objections. In the end, because I didn't fully consider market risks, the project failed, and I paid a heavy price for it."Su Wan stared at Lu Chengyu in astonishment. She never imagined he would share his past experiences with her. It made him feel less like an aloof, unapproachable investment president and more like a flesh-and-blood person who'd had his share of failures."After that, I learned an important lesson," Lu Chengyu went on, his eyes filled with a hint of nostalgia and reflection. "No matter what you do, you can't rely solely on your own preferences and ideas. You also need to listen to others' opinions and consider all realistic factors. Sometimes, appropriate compromise and adjustment aren't about abandoning your principles—they're about better achieving your goals."Su Wan nodded thoughtfully. Lu Chengyu's words had given her much food for thought. She realized she'd been too fixated on her own design philosophy, ignoring others' suggestions and market demands. Perhaps appropriate adjustments and optimizations could truly make the proposal better."Thank you for sharing this with me, Mr. Lu. I've gained a lot," Su Wan said sincerely.Lu Chengyu smiled: "You're welcome. I hope my words help. Well, I won't disturb you while you eat—I need to head back to the company to keep working." With that, he stood up and picked up his laptop."Mr. Lu, your latte isn't ready yet," Su Wan reminded him."It's okay—I asked the barista to send it to the company later," Lu Chengyu said, nodding at her before turning and walking out of the café.Su Wan watched his departing figure, a strange flutter in her heart. She picked up her coffee and took a sip—the rich aroma spread across her taste buds, refreshing her mind. She felt that after tonight's chance encounter and conversation, she had a new understanding of Lu Chengyu, and a clearer direction for revising the Stellar Center proposal.After finishing her sandwich, Su Wan cleaned up and left the café. The night breeze brushed against her face, carrying a faint chill that sharpened her focus. She looked up at the sky—there were no stars, but the city's lights still shone brightly. Taking a deep breath, she quickened her pace toward the company. She knew she had a lot of work ahead in the coming days, but she was filled with confidence.