Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 1068: Wishing for a Pleasant Cooperation

Chapter 1068: Chapter 1068: Wishing for a Pleasant Cooperation

Li Shi scoffed, "I think you’re using the first goal as a cover, when what you really want to achieve is the second. You guys are really sinister."

Gu Fan was displeased, "What do you mean sinister? I’m creating a beautiful match here. I simply gave Guo Ye a chance to pursue her. Whether he can win her over or not is still up to him."

"Oh, you make it sound so genuine; who knows if you’re helping Guo Ye or just amusing yourself." After saying this, Li Shi stepped forward, then turned back to smile at Gu Fan, "How about it? We’re still on the same path, right?"

"Barely on the same path." After saying that, Gu Fan also smiled and then followed her.

The two walked side by side, chatting and laughing along the way, their genuine smiles seemed to tell everyone around them that they were the real couple.

Li Shi teased him, "You’re always the same, using the same old tricks. Can’t you try something new for a change?"

Gu Fan spread his hands, "If it works, it’s good enough. We’re all classmates here, and it’s best to keep things within our circle. I believe Guo Ye is a good person, so I helped him pursue the girl he likes."

"I hope you’re not wrong about him; I wish it too." After saying that, Li Shi laughed with interest, "Did you teach Guo Ye how to steal her first kiss?"

At this, Gu Fan felt a bit awkward and shook his head, "My failed case? Why would I pass that on to Guo Ye."

Li Shi retorted without missing a beat, "Thinking back to when you tried to lean in, I’m glad I dodged. Otherwise, I’d definitely have slapped you."

Upon hearing this, Gu Fan felt slightly embarrassed, "Then I really appreciate your restraint. Otherwise, in front of so many people on the subway, I would have been utterly humiliated."

"You really are clueless," she said. Following that, Li Shi walked ahead, deliberately turning her back on Gu Fan, refusing to let him see the delight in her smile.

Watching Li Shi’s brisk steps and graceful back, Gu Fan’s mind wandered. If Lin Xi hadn’t dodged that kiss back then, she would have been his first love. Even if Lin Xi had transferred schools suddenly, that connection might have meant they never lost touch, which means many things that happened afterward might not have occurred at all.

Lin Xi was great and had been through a lot with Gu Fan. Their relationship had withstood many tests; Gu Fan had never wavered, but Li Shi remained a perpetual regret in his heart.

Along the way, Gu Fan and Li Shi chatted about casual topics. Gu Fan was involved in finance and investment, while Li Shi was a financial journalist, giving them plenty of common ground.

Gu Fan also discussed the current state of his company, which wasn’t doing well, constantly losing money, and was nearly at the point of shutting down. Gu Fan wanted to save it but felt powerless.

Li Shi didn’t think much of it, being a financial journalist who had seen many such cases, she comforted Gu Fan, "Just do your best and leave the rest to fate. If it doesn’t work, you can join my company. I’ll help you get a good position."

Gu Fan expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, but you know I like to rely on my own efforts."

"You’re still the same old you," Li Shi said with a delighted expression. "Since you’re not appreciative, how about I give you some advice? I’ve been a finance journalist for a while now, and I’ve seen both well-run and poorly-run companies. I’ve noticed that successful ones share similarities, whereas unsuccessful ones each have their own issues."

"Oh, really?" Gu Fan became interested and listened intently.

Li Shi continued, "I once interviewed a self-made business owner who had only one rule in doing business: go with the flow and leverage existing forces. When e-commerce was booming, he didn’t go into e-commerce to compete but got into logistics instead—you always need logistics for e-commerce, right?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Fan had an epiphany and couldn’t help but exclaim, "That’s right! Rather than fighting tooth and claw, it’s safer to just pick up the scraps left behind."

Li Shi almost rolled her eyes, "Don’t make it sound so bad—building wealth is all about finding opportunities. Unfortunately, most people lack the vision to spot these opportunities."

Gu Fan thought for a moment, then asked another question, "What if others also want to enter logistics and there is competition? What should I do then?"

"The biggest fear in logistics is delivery difficulties, so someone insightful set up a temporary storage facility. You just deliver the goods to me, and then notify the customer to pick them up," Li Shi explained, helping Gu Fan understand once more that opportunities are always there if you can spot them.

Gu Fan couldn’t help but admire, "You’re worthy of being a financial journalist, dealing with so many companies and outstanding entrepreneurs, the perspective is completely different."

"Even if you have the business acumen and capabilities, if you don’t have the startup capital, you can only watch helplessly as opportunities slip through your fingers," Li Shi said with a sigh. "If I had the startup capital, I’d have started my own business long ago."

"What if I could secure an investment for you?" Gu Fan said earnestly, catching Li Shi off-guard, "I was just speaking hypothetically. I really don’t have the capacity to start a business. Don’t put your hopes on me, especially with your company’s current situation. You can’t afford any more losses."

"Yes, if there’s no improvement, the company can only last for another three months." Gu Fan also felt that placing his hopes on Li Shi was indeed like giving a last ditch effort.

Li Shi added, "Gu Fan, I completely understand your desire to change the company’s situation. However, the last time I visited your company for an interview, from our conversation, it felt like your investment direction was right, but the timing was wrong. For instance, you invested in a chain of small supermarkets, which are indeed very popular, especially next to subway stations. I know a business owner who also invests in these, but he never enters the market during the fiercest competition, because he believes that blindly expanding to take market share does not mean you’ll succeed in the end. The smaller the ship, the easier it is to turn around, but the bigger the ship, the scarier it is when the financial chain breaks. Others fall or are exhausted after intense competition, while he learns from all his competitors’ lessons, improves business models and customer demands, and gradually eats into the market step by step."

Listening to this, Gu Fan felt it made sense. No wonder some companies rise quickly but shut down just as fast.

Li Shi then said, "Want me to introduce you? Maybe you can partner up. This business owner’s model is established, but he’s short on funds to expand, and you could just be what he needs to bridge that gap."

"Yes, I’d really have to thank you, my old classmate, if things work out. I might even let the company give you a share of the profits," Gu Fan couldn’t help laughing, and Li Shi laughed too.

"Then it’s settled, let’s make a pinky promise, just like old times," Li Shi extended her hand, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Sure, let’s make a pinky promise. I’m not afraid," Gu Fan chuckled lightly and stretched out his hand too.

The moment they made the pinky promise, looking into each other’s eyes, they suddenly felt an illusion, as if they were back at the best moment of high school.