“Dai Chenglan!”
Sara Zhuo muttered a curse under her breath and immediately called Dai Chenglan. “Your son has been making quite a splash in business lately. Is this what you meant by him starting his own company just to spite the family? Chenglan, you haven’t forgotten that 40% of Silan’s shares are yours, have you? If Silan’s performance drops, it will hit your income too.”
Dai Chenglan wailed in complaint. “I thought if He Zhen failed outside, he would come home, lower his head, and admit he was wrong. Who knew he would actually achieve something. Naturally I would rather Silan made money. After all, if He Zhen earns it, he will listen to us even less. Children these days are truly hard to manage.”
Dai Chenglan brought up Zhuo Chen and Zhuo Yue, praising the siblings for their deep bond with Sara Zhuo and for being willing to heed her words, unlike He Zhen, who now completely ignored Dai Chenglan.
When faced with disobedient children, the most effective punishment is to cut off their financial supply. Once children become financially independent, that tactic no longer works.
Dai Chenglan told Sara Zhuo that ever since He Zhen returned to the country to start his business, everything had been clearly separated from the family. He did not even live at home most of the time. If Dai Chenglan wanted to discipline her son, she could not even find him.
“Without your support, where would He Zhen have got the startup capital?”
Sara Zhuo was furious that Dai Chenglan was not being honest.
Dai Chenglan remained utterly calm. “I want to know even more than you where he got the startup funds.”
Sara Zhuo felt Dai Chenglan was putting on an act.
“Chenglan, you used to speak to me far more politely than this. Do you think that because I have fallen out with Xie Jinghu and can no longer help the He family’s business, you should join the others in kicking me while I am down?”
Dai Chenglan swore oaths, insisting she harboured no such thought. “Our friendship began when we were young. I could never kick you when you are down. You will always be my good friend.”
“Is that so? Then that is for the best. Though I have fallen out with Xie Jinghu, Zhuo Chen is still his own son. As for the future… you can weigh that for yourself.”
Sara Zhuo left her words half-spoken, yet Dai Chenglan felt a chill in her heart.
Did that mean Zhuo Chen might inherit the Jinhu Group after all?
In the past, Dai Chenglan would have believed it without question. With Sara Zhuo’s methods, she could sooner or later push Zhuo Chen into the position of Jinhu heir.
Yet in recent months too much had happened. Xie Jinghu and Sara Zhuo had turned from loving partners to bitter enemies in court. Would Xie Jinghu still leave the Jinhu Group to Zhuo Chen?
In age, Zhuo Chen was older than Xie Qian.
In ability, Xie Qian already owned a film company and a logistics company, managing both thriving businesses while still studying.
Zhuo Chen was a shareholder in Silan and had been involved in its day-to-day management for the past few months. People said the young man learned quickly. In just a short time at Silan he had made Zhao Dong wary, who now guarded against him deliberately or not. Yet that was all.
Zhuo Chen’s abilities had to be measured against someone.
Being better than the average person was useless. He had to be compared to Xie Qian.
He could not match Xie Qian, and without Sara Zhuo whispering in Xie Jinghu’s ear, Zhuo Chen’s chances of inheriting Jinhu were minuscule.
Unless Xie Qian suffered some unfortunate accident before inheriting Jinhu, leaving Xie Jinghu no choice but to hand Jinhu to Zhuo Chen.
Dai Chenglan knew of Xie Jinghu and Zou Weijun’s divorce, but the four additional clauses signed at the time were not engraved on Xie Jinghu’s forehead. Neither Xie Qian nor Zou Weijun would broadcast them. Dai Chenglan was unaware that Xie Qian had roughly ten years of “accident protection” and could not help taking Sara Zhuo’s warning somewhat seriously.
“I will have a proper talk with He Zhen.”
Dai Chenglan promised Sara Zhuo. Sara Zhuo gave a cold laugh. “You certainly should. Chenglan, I know your temperament. When you set your mind on something, you always succeed, do you not?”
This was a hint that if persuasion failed, Dai Chenglan should use other means to halt the growth of He Zhen’s company.
Dai Chenglan forced a smile, made a few perfunctory remarks, and hung up.
She is insane.
Dai Chenglan slammed the phone down hard.
“My son is succeeding. I am delighted. Why on earth would I hold him back?”
Dai Chenglan certainly had conflicts with her son He Zhen. Mother and son had quarrelled fiercely and had not yet reconciled, but that did not mean she would sabotage him.
He Zhen’s company truly had strong momentum.
Small scale, but solid products.
To have such a son made Dai Chenglan and He Zhinian the envy of everyone wherever they went.
Especially He Zhinian. In public he would be modest, but in private with his wife he had said more than once that He Zhen would “surpass the master”.
He Zhinian’s pride was evident.
In a person’s lifetime, one fears achieving nothing oneself. Once one has succeeded, one fears having no worthy successor. He Zhinian was fortunate to have both.
No, He Zhinian had a third piece of luck: marrying the right wife.
Though Dai Chenglan was worldly, she was devoted to her husband He Zhinian. She immediately shared her concerns with him.
He Zhinian laughed. “Let me ask you. How old is Mr Xie this year?”
Dai Chenglan pondered. “In his forties, I think.”
“Exactly. Mr Xie is only in his forties, in the prime of life for a man. Have you ever seen a domestic boss retire early? Mr Xie will not retire for at least another twenty years. By then our son will be middle-aged. Do you think he will still need anyone’s help?”
He Zhinian was full of confidence in He Zhen’s future.
He Zhinian needed help from Jinhu, but that did not mean He Zhen would.
No one could predict what the He family or Jinhu would look like in twenty or thirty years.
He Zhinian took investments from Xie Jinghu. Did that mean He Zhen would have to take investments from Xie Qian or Zhuo Chen?
No need.
So what did it matter who inherited Jinhu?
If one did not wish to accept favours, there was no need to pick sides early or be threatened by Sara Zhuo.
He Zhinian would not only refuse to hinder his son, but would do everything possible to help him.
Though Dai Chenglan held 40% of Silan, for the sake of He Zhen’s company thriving, He Zhinian advised his wife to accept some loss of profit.
What is lost in the east is gained in the west.
“We will not get involved in the Xie family disputes.”
He Zhinian smiled gently. “He Zhen has been busy since returning to the country. He has not stopped to rest for months. How about this? You cook a few dishes yourself. I will call He Zhen and ask him to come home. We can have a proper family meal.”
He Zhinian added that they should invite Pang Jinglong too.
Over these months, Pang Jinglong had started the business with He Zhen. Both young men had worked hard.
Moreover, with Pang Jinglong as an outsider present, it would act as a buffer. Dai Chenglan and He Zhen would not end up quarrelling on the spot.
Dai Chenglan agreed reluctantly.
“Fine. I will make a few dishes then.”
…
With He Zhinian offering the olive branch, Dai Chenglan wanted to take the chance to reconcile with He Zhen.
He Zhinian called his son. He Zhen pushed back the time for coming home to dinner.
“I already have plans with a friend.”
“Jinglong? You can bring him along.”
“It is not Jinglong. Friends you do not know.”
With the company products successfully opening the market after launch, He Zhen needed to update the shareholders on progress. He had arranged dinner with Wen Ying long ago. Pang Jinglong would indeed have to join them.
