“I should’ve known pies don’t just fall from the sky.”
This wasn’t Xie Qian speaking, but Jiang Youjia himself.
That weekend, Xie Qian met Jiang Youjia, who hadn’t rested properly for days. His beard was unkempt, and he reeked of not having bathed, forcing Xie Qian to step back twice from the stench.
Born into wealth, studying abroad young, starting a business back home, and marrying a lovely wife, Jiang Youjia’s life had been smooth sailing.
With family connections, he barely needed effort to keep his company running. Having had it too easy, this sudden setback hit him hard.
“I was too clever for my own good!”
Jiang Youjia muttered, “I wanted to land a big order without relying on my dad’s influence, to prove my ability, to scrape together 5 million for the shares. I rushed in headfirst and fell into their trap. I deserve this! Not only did I lose money, but I messed up your plans, Xie Qian. I’m utterly useless!”
Jiang Youjia needed to vent, and Xie Qian listened patiently until he finished, then offered his view, “It’s happened, now we need to fix it.”
The best approach was to recover the losses.
This suspiciously timed big order was clearly a trap for Jiang Youjia. Xie Qian’s first suspect was Zhao Dong!
Zhao Dong was petty and had wanted revenge on Jiang Youjia before. Xie Qian had even had him watched for a while. Zhao Dong left Rongcheng abruptly, and the revenge seemed to fizzle out—or so it seemed. He’d just switched from physical harm to financial ruin.
Could it be tied to Xie Qian asking Jiang Youjia to fund Jiaxin Film?
Probably somewhat related.
Since Zhao Dong had sided with that foreign woman, he wouldn’t want Xie Qian to succeed with Jiaxin.
In a way, Jiang Youjia was caught in Xie Qian’s mess.
Xie Qian thought recovering losses was unlikely but still asked Zheng Zhihe to review the contract Jiang Youjia signed. Xie Qian arrived first, Zheng Zhihe later, diving into the contract without even a sip of water.
Jiang Youjia felt a flicker of hope.
Zheng Zhihe read carefully, then shook his head, “This contract was drafted by an expert, I can’t find any loopholes. Per the terms, you can only pay the penalty. But these lawsuits drag on, so you have time to gather funds. You could consult other lawyers, my skills might not be enough, others might find a way.”
Zheng Zhihe saw it clearly, Jiang Youjia’s greed led him into the trap. The other side wouldn’t let him escape easily.
Zheng Zhihe didn’t overpromise, suggesting Xie Qian and Jiang Youjia consult more lawyers.
Jiang Youjia’s brief hope crumbled, his shoulders slumped, looking drained.
Xie Qian trusted Zheng Zhihe’s expertise and didn’t plan to seek other lawyers. With recovery off the table, he turned to the next best option.
Damage control.
“Pay what you must. Whoever’s behind this, they’re playing openly, cousin-in-law, you’ll have to eat this loss. But how much and how to pay shouldn’t be entirely up to them. I think Zheng can help with that.”
Paying nothing was impossible, but the amount and method could be negotiated.
Xie Qian meant legal negotiation, bargaining was a lawyer’s job!
Zheng Zhihe nodded confidently, “I’ll do my best to minimise Mr. Jiang’s losses.”
Xie Qian told Jiang Youjia not to worry about raising funds for Jiaxin shares, as he’d found another source. Jiang Youjia’s company still needed to operate, and though he’d eventually have to pay, Xie Qian could cover the funding gap.
Xie Qian was only temporarily short on cash. Once the Hongqiao land was developed, money wouldn’t be an issue, and he could even support Jiang Youjia.
Xie Qian was confident, but Jiang Youjia felt little relief. This was too humiliating. He meant to help Xie Qian, but now Xie Qian was helping him. Ashamed and disheartened, he said, “I’m not cut out for business. Without my dad’s influence, I—”
Bang.
The office door was flung open. Xie Qian’s cousin, Lin Lin, stood there with her bag, unknown how long she’d been there or what she’d heard.
“Wife…”
Jiang Youjia stood, avoiding Lin Lin’s gaze, trying to smooth things over. But he wasn’t good at lying, choking on his words like a dumpling stuck in his throat.
Lin Lin set her bag on the table, “Enough, don’t feed me nonsense. You can’t hide anything! I knew something was off. Pay what we owe. I’ve got some money for you to use. Business must go on. Who ever heard of a business that only profits and never loses? Learn from this, we can handle the lesson.”
Lin Lin pulled out a bank card.
It held her dowry savings and the household money Jiang Youjia had given her over time.
When Jiang Youjia was earning, he was generous with Lin Lin. Living with his parents, the couple had few big expenses. Lin Lin’s job covered daily costs, so they’d saved a lot since marrying.
Lin Lin’s stance was clear, Jiang Youjia’s misjudgment caused the crisis, and as a couple, they’d solve it themselves without involving their parents.
The Jiang family could cover the loss easily, but Jiang Youjia wouldn’t learn if it was too easy!
Only by solving it themselves, stressing over money, and paying it back together would Jiang Youjia learn. When Lin Lin offered the card, she was ready to endure hardship with her husband, cutting costs, skipping luxury clothes, cancelling beauty treatments, and trimming every small expense.
Lin Lin felt no grievance.
A couple should share joys and sorrows. If they couldn’t handle this, how would they face decades together?
Jiang Youjia, a grown man, choked up. The small card felt like a thousand pounds, weighing heavily on him.
Lin Lin’s trust and support meant he couldn’t give up!
Single dog Zheng Zhihe was green with envy, “Mr. Jiang married a fine wife.”
Zheng wasn’t seeking Xie Qian’s agreement, just speaking from the heart. As a lawyer, he’d seen too many relationships crumble over money, especially in divorces, where couples tore into each other.
Xie Qian felt for his cousin Lin Lin but knew Jiang Youjia needed this growth. This crisis would strengthen their marriage.
But Xie Qian wasn’t jealous. He had no wife or girlfriend, but he had Wen Ying.
—Wen Ying, who’d also give him all her savings.
