https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-357-Let-Achievements-Speak-for-Themselves/12576743/
Chapter 358: Lantern Festival
Chapter 358: Lantern Festival
Lu Jiaxin arrived at the Gu residence shortly after ten in the morning. As soon as she stepped out of the car, Aunt Mei came forward to greet her and informed her that He Mingzhu and He Yanyan had come to visit and were currently in the backyard with Gu Xiuxiu.
Lowering her voice, Aunt Mei said, "The eldest young miss and the second young miss arrived earlier, around nine. They said it's been a while since they visited and wanted to spend some time with the old madam."
It was normal for He Mingzhu to visit, but it was quite surprising that He Yanyan had come along. Lu Jiaxin didn't inquire further, simply nodding to indicate that she understood.
Aunt Mei asked, "Miss Lu, is Young Master Nie coming later?"
"Yes, he will be here, but a little later," Lu Jiaxin replied.
Upon entering the living room, Lu Jiaxin handed her handbag to Qian Xiao Xiao and made her way to the backyard. She was slightly taken aback to see He Mingzhu, who usually dressed professionally, now wearing an olive green dress with a black overcoat. As for He Yanyan, she was clad in a red, figure-hugging dress with a slit, showcasing her alluring figure.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and greeted He Mingzhu, "Sister Mingzhu, you're here."
After He Mingzhu returned the greeting, she nudged He Yanyan, who hesitantly said, "Lu Jiaxin, I'm sorry for my previous mistakes. I hope you can forgive me."
Without even sparing her a glance, Lu Jiaxin walked over to Gu Xiuxiu and asked with concern, "Aunt, how have you been feeling these past few days?"
Gu Xiuxiu was lucid today and replied with a smile, "I've been well these days. Jiaxin, you look lovely today."
Lu Jiaxin was dressed casually in a yellow sweater and jeans, paired with a pair of canvas sneakers. Her usual style was comfortable and natural.
He Yanyan's face turned sour, but a sharp glare from He Mingzhu kept her from voicing her displeasure.
After Gu Xiuxiu invited Lu Jiaxin to sit down, she asked with a beaming smile, "Jiaxin, you mentioned last time that Nie Zhan would be spending the Lantern Festival with you. Is he coming?"
"He's on his way," Lu Jiaxin replied.
Gu Xiuxiu sighed and said, "Mingzhu just mentioned that the company is facing some financial difficulties and wants to take out a loan from Wansheng Bank. But the bank has refused. I was wondering if you could ask Nie Zhan to speak to the eldest young master of the Nie family and see if they could be more accommodating."
No wonder He Yanyan had come to apologize earlier—they were waiting for her here.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and asked, "Banks will provide loans to companies with good development prospects or valuable assets because they also want to make a profit. Wansheng Bank must have its reasons for refusing the loan. Although Nie Zhan and I are dating, I never get involved in his business matters."
"Jiaxin, I don't understand business matters," Gu Xiuxiu said. "But the company was your grandfather's life's work. When Nie Zhan arrives, could you please ask him about it? If it's not possible, we won't force the issue."
Lu Jiaxin had no intention of asking, but she knew that the sisters were here to stay until they achieved their purpose. She thought for a moment and said, "Sister Mingzhu, I never interfere in his business affairs. You can ask him yourself later!"
He Mingzhu's heart sank. Even with the fourth wife's intervention, Lu Jiaxin remained unmoved. She feared that this matter was doomed to fail.
When Nie Zhan arrived at the Gu residence, he was unconcerned about the presence of the He sisters. He presented Lu Jiaxin with a large bouquet of fiery red roses and said with a smile, "Xin Xin, happy Lantern Festival."
Lu Jiaxin took the flowers and inhaled their sweet fragrance. "They smell wonderful. I love them."
Nie Zhan indulged her, saying, "I'm glad you like them."
Although he knew his girlfriend preferred green roses, he liked to surprise her with different colors. Next time, he decided, he would send her blue roses.
He Mingzhu took the initiative to greet him, "Mr. Nie, nice to see you."
He Yanyan quickly followed suit.
Nie Zhan nodded coldly and then took a bouquet of carnations from his bodyguard, handing them to Gu Xiuxiu. "Aunt, happy Lantern Festival."
Gu Xiuxiu beamed as she accepted the flowers, her face lighting up with joy. "Ah Zhan, you're so thoughtful."
She adored vibrant, lush flowers, which was why the garden was filled with roses.
As the wind picked up, Lu Jiaxin helped Gu Xiuxiu back to the living room. Once they were seated, Gu Xiuxiu brought up the topic of He Jewelry wanting to take out a loan from Wansheng Bank.
Nie Zhan shook his head and explained, "Since my older brother refused, it's clear that He Jewelry doesn't meet the loan requirements. Aunt, the bank doesn't just belong to the Nie family—we also have a responsibility to our shareholders. We need to be accountable to them."
He Mingzhu forced a smile and said, "Young Master Nie, He Jewelry is only facing temporary difficulties. If your bank could lend us the money, we would definitely be able to overcome this challenge."
Nie Zhan's expression remained cool as he replied, "Miss He, forgive me for being blunt, but He Jewelry's sales have been declining year after year, and last year, you suffered losses. If Mr. He hadn't been involved in that incident, you might have been able to hold on for a few more years. But with him awaiting sentencing, no bank will dare to lend you money at this critical juncture. They all have to answer to their shareholders."
He Mingzhu's inquiry had been a long shot, and she gracefully accepted his refusal, thanking him for his time. She then bid farewell to Gu Xiuxiu.
However, He Yanyan turned to Lu Jiaxin and said, "I know you hold a grudge against me for what happened before. Tell me, what can I do to make it up to you? If you help us, no matter what you ask of me, I will agree to it."
Lu Jiaxin looked at her as if she were looking at an idiot. But seeing her endure such humiliation, she figured that the He family probably wouldn't last much longer. She decided to add fuel to the fire and hasten their downfall. Without money, He Zhuliang's days in prison would be less comfortable, and he might even decide to name his accomplices.
"Yanyan, apologize to Miss Lu!" He Mingzhu scolded.
Hearing this, He Yanyan grabbed her bag from the sofa and stormed out. She regretted listening to her mother and sister and coming here only to be humiliated.
After He Mingzhu and He Yanyan apologized to Lu Jiaxin and Nie Zhan, they quickly left to chase after He Yanyan.
Gu Xiuxiu sighed, "That child is already an adult, but she's still so impulsive."
Lu Jiaxin, on the other hand, was in a great mood. She declared that she was hungry and asked Qian Xiao Xiao to check on the lunch preparations in the kitchen.
Gu Xiuxiu observed the expression on Lu Jiaxin's face and secretly thought that it was a good thing she hadn't been in Harbor City during that period. Otherwise, a single probe from Mingzhu or Li Xuanqi would have exposed her. But then she realized that it was precisely because Lu Jiaxin had been abroad that she had dared to make her move.
After lunch, Lu Jiaxin suggested that everyone make tangyuan (sweet rice balls) together. She asked Hong Gu to prepare four types of fillings: peanut, sesame, red bean paste, and meat.
As Nie Zhan watched Lu Jiaxin skillfully select the fillings, he asked, "Did you often make tangyuan before?"
Lu Jiaxin shook her head. "No, I rarely ate tangyuan when I was young. But I love dumplings, so my family often made them. My mother wanted to cultivate my hands-on skills, so she started teaching me how to make dumplings and buns when I was four years old. Next time I'll make dumplings for you when you have time."
Nie Zhan immediately expressed his availability for the following week. "Then we can make dumplings together."
"Okay," Lu Jiaxin agreed.
(End of Chapter)
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