Xu Ye didn't go out again that weekend. In the morning he tricked Chen Qingqing and the others into coming over to the hotel for a few rounds of Fight the Landlord, and once they had worn themselves out the four girls sprawled across his bed and took it over completely. After they checked out at midday the whole group had rice bowls somewhere nearby, and Xu Ye drove back to school at half past one.

There was still nobody at all in the dorm. Li Tongwen was at the fruit shop, Yang Fei had gone to the office, and Zhang Xinzhou had gone to see Yan Qing. Once he was back, Xu Ye shut the door and started a video call with Pei Youwei.

Xu Ye had taken a stake in the factory too.

Like Pei Youwei, he wanted the store to sell better and better — ideally to build Youwei into the top brand in the lingerie trade.

Pei Youwei had not long been up, and was eating breakfast alone at home.

She looked rather worn out, her hair loose and untidy over her shoulders. Once the call connected she found a stand and propped the phone up beside her.

One long leg was up on the chair. Spooning up oatmeal as she talked, she said, "I was working too late yesterday. I'm still at home."

Xu Ye laughed. "Boss, your health is the capital of the revolution."

Pei Youwei laughed too. "I was too excited last night. I couldn't get to sleep for ages after I got home, and in the end I had a drink before I could."

Xu Ye: "That means you need a man."

Pei Youwei shot him a look and swore at him irritably. "Get lost. Talk about business. Sales are up now — what's the next step?"

Xu Ye: "Strike while the iron's hot. New products."

Pei Youwei stopped what she was doing and looked at Xu Ye on the screen. She nodded. "That's what I was thinking too."

Xu Ye: "Leave the lingerie side alone for now — I think the…