Zhao Dong wanted Zhao Qian to build a relationship with Sara Zhuo’s son, but Zhao Qian didn’t appreciate his efforts. At first, she found the U.S. exciting, but later she complained that Sara Zhuo’s son was a “fake.”
He wasn’t like Xie Qian at all.
Not as good-looking as Xie Qian.
Not as smart as Xie Qian.
And nowhere near as refined as Xie Qian.
Zhao Qian grew up abroad, as did Sara Zhuo’s son, so they should have had plenty in common. But while Zhao Qian was outgoing, she was drawn to aloof, refined types like Xie Qian, and had no interest in Sara Zhuo’s son, driving Zhao Dong mad.
He Zizhen’s type didn’t work.
Sara Zhuo’s son didn’t work either.
Yet Zhao Qian remained fixated on Xie Qian. Was she under his spell?
Zhao Dong couldn’t be bothered with Zhao Qian’s preferences and, despite her protests, insisted she stay in the U.S.
If they couldn’t build a bond, at least they’d build familiarity.
Due to Zhao Qian’s unreliability, Zhao Dong didn’t take Wen Ying’s writing achievements seriously. Wen Ying was cunning, latching onto Xie Qian early, using his connections to tie herself to Zou Weijun and board Jiang Xuekun’s ship.
With Jiang Xuekun, the general manager of Rongcheng Publishing Group, backing her, it was easy to launch a bestselling author.
So, Zhao Dong judged Wen Ying as cunning but incapable of being the mastermind behind Zou Weijun and Xie Qian’s turnaround.
Her age and background limited her ability; she couldn’t possibly pull off such a feat.
For a moment, Zhao Dong was so close to the truth but skipped over the right answer, confidently choosing the wrong one. “If someone in Rongcheng is helping them, it’s definitely Jiang Xuekun. No one else has that capability.”
Sara Zhuo asked Zhao Dong to detail Jiang Xuekun’s situation. Hearing that Jiang Xuekun’s wife, Guo Xia, was the vice-principal of a key provincial school in Rongcheng, Sara Zhuo largely agreed with Zhao Dong’s judgment.
Xie Qian studies at that key school, and Zou Weijun works at Rongcheng Publishing Group. Their close ties to the Jiang family make it natural for them to be influenced by Jiang Xuekun.
“With this person strategizing, it’s a problem for us. This thorn must be removed,” Sara Zhuo said.
She wanted to ensure Jiang Xuekun could no longer meddle.
When it came to scheming and fighting, Sara Zhuo’s approach differed from Zhao Dong’s. After her guidance, Zhao Dong had a moment of clarity. “Everyone has weaknesses. If Jiang Xuekun has none, his family might. Stir up trouble in the Jiang family, and Jiang Xuekun will be too busy to interfere.”
Sara Zhuo smiled without responding.
Zhao Dong gritted his teeth. “The Jiang family member I know best is Jiang Xuekun’s son, Jiang Youjia.”
Jiang Youjia had refused to help Zhao Dong several times and even punched him once. Zhao Dong held a grudge but was too busy to retaliate. Now that Sara Zhuo wanted to target Jiang Xuekun, Zhao Dong was eager to assist.
Of course, every help Zhao Dong offered Sara Zhuo required her reciprocation.
Talk of friendship was laughable; their partnership was purely for mutual benefit.
As for how to deal with Jiang Youjia, Zhao Dong was quite confident.
Though Jiang Youjia studied abroad, he hadn’t seen much of society’s darker side. He was naive and impulsive, making him an easy target. Setting a trap for him would be simple.
…
“Ah—”
His nose itched, but the sneeze didn’t come, leaving Jiang Youjia teary-eyed.
Lowering the car window, he yawned and looked outside, spotting a familiar figure with a backpack. Jiang Youjia quickly got out.
“Xie Qian!”
He hurried to take Xie Qian’s bag.
“Brother-in-law, I can manage. Have you been waiting long?” Xie Qian asked, not letting Jiang Youjia take the bag.
Jiang Youjia grinned. “Just got here. You asked me to pick you up before you boarded, so I had to be prompt.”
Xie Qian rarely troubled others, so this was a first for Jiang Youjia, who wondered if Xie Qian needed something.
Sure enough, Xie Qian got straight to the point in the car.
He mentioned he’d just taken over a film company. Jiang Youjia’s eyes nearly popped out. “When did this happen?”
“Not long ago. I’ve only just figured out the company’s situation these past few days.”
Jiang Youjia was speechless.
He knew about Xie Qian’s logistics company.
And the land worth nearly two hundred million under his name.
He didn’t know that land was set for demolition. Just the logistics company and the land made Jiang Youjia more polite when speaking to Xie Qian.
The Jiang family was thrilled for Xie Qian.
They were related to Zou Weijun and Xie Qian, not the rest of the Xie family, and didn’t want to see Zou Weijun and her son disadvantaged.
But Xie Qian now owning a film company… that was sudden. Forget whether Xie Qian could manage it—why would Xie Jinghu agree to give him a film company?
“I signed a betting agreement,” Xie Qian said lightly, explaining the situation.
Jiang Youjia’s brows twitched. “If you don’t meet the profit targets within the agreed time, you’ll—”
“I’ll lose,” Xie Qian said calmly, as if it didn’t concern him. “I won’t lose my current group shares outright, but I’ll lose shareholder rights, only getting dividends. He’s afraid I’ll seize power.”
What a scumbag!
Jiang Youjia had no words.
Thinking of Xie Jinghu’s precautions and restrictions on Xie Qian, Jiang Youjia felt he’d jump off a building if he were Xie Jinghu’s son.
Thankfully, his dad, Jiang Xuekun, was different.
As Jiang Youjia vowed to be more filial to his father, Xie Qian asked if he wanted to buy shares.
“I fired two managers, and the minority shareholders are upset. I’ve asked Gong Sheng to stall them, but if some can’t hold back, I need trusted people to take some shares to stabilise the company.”
If all the minority shareholders banded together to cause trouble, it would disrupt operations. Though Xie Qian wasn’t afraid, it was annoying.
Jiang Youjia was someone Xie Qian trusted.
After returning from studying abroad, Jiang Youjia started a cultural company dealing in cultural products. With Jiang Xuekun’s connections, he didn’t lack business, but every cent he earned seemed tied to his father’s influence, which frustrated him.
Hearing Xie Qian needed new shareholders, Jiang Youjia’s interest piqued.
Wasn’t this an opportunity?
“How much money are we talking?” he asked.
“Prepare five million for now.”
“…”
Jiang Youjia’s heart sank.
What made Xie Qian so bold, tossing out “five million” like it was five hundred?
Five million wasn’t something Jiang Youjia had, and even his family might not have that much cash. His wife, Lin Lin, had a dowry, though. Jiang Youjia confirmed with Xie Qian, “Are you confident in the film company? If I lose everything, I’ll never live it down.”
A man who loses his wife’s dowry is doomed to be henpecked forever, so Jiang Youjia had to be cautious.
He knew the question was improper. No business is a sure win, and he couldn’t expect Xie Qian to guarantee anything just because they were relatives. Yet Xie Qian replied simply, “Yes.”
Huh?
So confident?
Xie Qian said nothing more.
If brother-in-law Jiang Youjia loses his investment and ends up henpecked, Xie Qian’s losses would be even greater.
After all, being henpecked requires a wife, and Xie Qian doesn’t even have a girlfriend yet.
