Chapter 274: A Powerful Backer
Chapter 274: A Powerful Backer
When Lu Jiaxin returned to the Gu residence, it was already 10 p.m. She tiptoed upstairs, took a shower, and then went to bed. The next day, she woke up at 6:30 a.m. and didn't laze around in bed this time.
After freshening up, she called for Qian Xiao Xiao, and the two of them went out for a run. The area they were in was inhabited by the wealthy, so security was not a concern. Even if the He family wanted to harm her, they wouldn't dare to do it here, as it would incur the wrath of many.
After their run, Lu Jiaxin's clothes were drenched in sweat, so she went back to her room for another shower. This was one downside of summer—one started sweating with the slightest movement, which could be quite unbearable.
After her shower, Lu Jiaxin wrapped up her hair and called Feng Lihua: "I'm sorry, I was out having fun yesterday and didn't get home until 10 p.m. I assumed you and the baby were already asleep, so I didn't call."
Feng Lihua politely waved off her apology: "It's alright. My friend's younger brother took leave, so they're all at the hospital taking care of the child. If you want to see them, you can meet anytime, but it'll have to be somewhere near the hospital."
"Then I'll treat him to lunch, somewhere near the hospital," Lu Jiaxin suggested.
"Alright, I'll take you there," Feng Lihua agreed.
"Sure," Lu Jiaxin replied.
At noon, Lu Jiaxin met Zong Jinghua, a tall and well-built man who resembled the actors she'd seen portraying the Flying Tigers in Hong Kong dramas. Well, perhaps he wasn't quite as handsome.
As the four of them sat down, Zong Jinghua asked, "Miss Lu, I assume Miss Feng has already briefed you about my situation. I urgently need money for my daughter's surgery, so if you hire me, I'll need to receive an advance payment of a year's salary. Once my daughter's surgery is done, I can start work immediately."
Those who made it into the Flying Tigers didn't just have their capabilities beyond doubt, but their backgrounds were also unquestionably clean. Moreover, there was an additional advantage—having connections in the police force would make it easier to gather information in the future.
Lu Jiaxin nodded, "An advance payment of a year's salary is fine, but have you fully understood my situation?"
Zong Jinghua nodded, "Miss Feng has filled me in. You're dating the third young master of the Nie family, so the He family won't dare to touch you. They might try some petty schemes at most."
This was the second time Lu Jiaxin had heard something like this, and she couldn't help but ask curiously, "Does the Nie family also have connections with the underworld? Why haven't I heard about this?"
If they did, it would have been whispered about in the media or within their social circles, but she hadn't heard a word about it since she came to Hong Kong.
Zong Jinghua, with his years of experience in the police force, knew more than most, "Old Master Nie only associated with a former underworld boss, but he passed away unexpectedly six years ago."
"Unexpectedly"? It was most likely an accident manufactured by someone. Very few underworld bosses met a peaceful end, and those who did usually withdrew from the scene long before.
Noticing Lu Jiaxin's puzzled expression, Zong Jinghua looked slightly surprised, "Miss Lu, don't tell me you don't know what business Master Nie's father is in?"
"Oh, didn't the media say that his father passed away a long time ago?" Lu Jiaxin asked.
Zong Jinghua let out a laugh, "The media just spouts nonsense. Mr. Nie's father is still alive and well."
Lu Jiaxin was astonished, "He's still alive? Then why didn't the Nie family refute the media's claims?"
Zong Jinghua shook his head, "The third young master's father comes from a prominent background, and his family's history far surpasses that of the Nie family. The upper echelons of society are well aware of the third young master's background, which is why he's so well-regarded."
She had only intended to hire a bodyguard, yet she had inadvertently uncovered the secret that Nie Zhan's father was still alive. Perhaps it wasn't much of a secret, and she just hadn't learned about it yet because she hadn't entered that circle. Lu Jiaxin decided not to press the issue further and wait until she had the opportunity to ask Nie Zhan himself.
After lunch, Lu Jiaxin wrote a check and handed it to Zong Jinghua, saying, "My lawyer will find you this afternoon to draw up a contract.
Zong Jinghua bid them farewell, his thoughts already turning to his daughter in the hospital.
Watching his retreating figure, Lu Jiaxin remarked, "It's a blessing for that little girl to have such a wonderful father."
The thought of her own father crossed her mind. She knew he must be heartbroken after her departure, but thankfully, he still had her two brothers, and she hoped he would find solace in their company.
As Lu Jiaxin and Feng Lihua got into the car, Lu Jiaxin asked, "Sister Feng, do you know what Mr. Nie does for a living?"
"I know that Young Master Nie's father is a scientist, but I'm not sure about the specifics. I assumed you knew, so I didn't mention it," Feng Lihua replied.
"I had no idea," Lu Jiaxin said with a hint of frustration. "I always thought his father was dead, and that his family background wasn't particularly impressive."
"Why would you think that?" Feng Lihua inquired.
Lu Jiaxin explained, "In the mainland, unless it's a prestigious or accomplished family, even an ordinary man wouldn't typically allow his son to take his mother's surname. When a son takes the mother's surname, it usually implies that the father is incompetent and incapable of finding a wife."
Indeed, preconceived notions could be misleading. Lu Jiaxin had assumed that because Nie Zhan had the surname Nie, his biological father must be from an ordinary family. And due to the media's misinformation, she had believed he had passed away prematurely. But now, it seemed her assumptions were entirely incorrect.
"Do you think this will affect your relationship with Young Master Nie?" Feng Lihua asked.
"The fact that Young Master Nie's father comes from a powerful family is definitely a good thing. It means I'll have a strong backer," Lu Jiaxin replied.
Feng Lihua smiled and said, "But it could also mean that they might oppose your relationship with Young Master Nie."
"If Nie Zhan is that spineless, then there's no point in being with him anyway," Lu Jiaxin said. "Actually, we're not even dating yet. We're still in the getting-to-know-each-other phase."
Before committing to a relationship, she wanted to be sure about his family background, which seemed quite impressive from what she had heard.
Upon returning home, before she even had a chance to sit down, Amy informed her, "Miss, Mr. Su called just now. He said to give him a call back when you return."
Lu Jiaxin went upstairs and called Su Heyuan. He told her that the goods had already arrived in Pengcheng and would be transported over tomorrow, asking her to make the necessary arrangements.
Lu Jiaxin was surprised at the speed; she had expected to wait a few more days. "I've already discussed this with Nie Zhan. This batch will be stored in the Nie family's bank."
As for how much money it could be mortgaged for, they would need to find experts for appraisal and valuation. She estimated it to be worth twenty to thirty million, hoping her expectations would be met.
Su Heyuan teased, "So, have the two of you taken your relationship to the next level?"
"No," Lu Jiaxin replied. "But I've accepted his pursuit, and if his sincerity continues to impress me, I'll consider dating him."
Hearing the subtle joy in her voice, Su Heyuan smiled and said, "Indeed, if something comes too easily, one tends to take it for granted. However, these young masters are used to having many suitors, so you must be cautious and not blindly fall head over heels, offering your all."
The more one invested in a relationship, the more painful it would be if it ended. It wasn't a curse, but a reality—breakups were common among young couples in Hong Kong, and with Nie Zhan being such a desirable bachelor, temptations would abound.
Lu Jiaxin laughed, "Rest assured, I won't be giving my all for anyone. If I don't receive an equal response, I'll walk away."
She loved herself the most, and everyone else came second. Speaking of which, she couldn't understand those love-struck individuals who valued men more than themselves! And as for her, she always kept a safe distance from such infatuations.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
