Chapter 380: Deception and Artifice
Chapter 380: Deception and Artifice
Lu Jiaxin was aware of Nie Manlin's obsession with romance, but she didn't know that her relationship with Elder Nie was also strained. "I thought she was supposed to be resting in the hospital. How did she end up angering your grandfather?"
Nie Zhan fell silent for a moment before replying, "My mother is the type of person who lives for love. Once her health improves, she'll quickly immerse herself in a new relationship. As for my grandfather, he's more traditional in his ways..."
Such a clash of ideologies was bound to lead to conflict, and Elder Nie's frail health couldn't withstand such agitation.
Lu Jiaxin understood that people with such personalities often lacked love and a sense of security due to the absence of parental affection. As adults, they sought to fulfill their emotional needs through their partners.
Nie Manli was a very traditional woman, while Nie Manlin couldn't live without love.
Intrigued, Lu Jiaxin asked, "Azhan, your aunt seems like a woman from the feudal era. Why is your mother so...extraordinary in comparison?"
Nie Zhan gave a bitter smile. "My aunt was raised by my great-grandmother and educated in the old ways. As for my mother, she was brought up by my grandmother, but after her birth, my grandmother's health deteriorated, and she was mostly cared for by nannies."
Before Lu Jiaxin could ask another question, he continued, "At that time, in addition to my aunt and mother, my grandfather had two sons outside the family. So, when they turned out unsuccessful, he didn't pay much mind to it. However, one of them drowned, and the other succumbed to a rare incurable illness. Then, on one of his outings, he was involved in a car accident. Although he miraculously survived, he lost his fertility. By then, my aunt was already seventeen, and my mother was fifteen. He realized that neither of them was cut out for business, so he had no choice but to arrange a marriage for my aunt and then focus on cultivating my older cousin."
Lu Jiaxin felt that Nie Manli and Nie Manlin were somewhat lucky. At least their father had taken care of them; otherwise, their temperaments would have been taken advantage of by others. Now that Elder Nie was advanced in years and in poor health, their respective sons were already capable of standing on their own.
"The weather is nice today. Let's go for a walk!"
Lu Jiaxin occasionally went jogging, so she knew that a particular path offered the best scenery. Once they were outside, Nie Zhan naturally took her hand.
As they strolled along the tree-lined path, they chatted. Nie Zhan said, "Su Heyuan is planning to acquire a listed real estate company. Are you aware of this?"
Lu Jiaxin smiled. "Yes, he invited me to partner with him, but I declined. I might consider investing in the future, but not as a partner. Partnerships can easily lead to conflicts."
Nie Zhan stopped walking and looked at her, asking, "I recall you mentioning that you also wanted to venture into the real estate business? It's true that the industry is lucrative, but it's also treacherous. If you're truly interested, you could become a shareholder of Wansheng."
Lu Jiaxin raised her head to look at him, a smile playing on her lips. "What makes you think I'd want to become a shareholder of Wansheng?"
Nie Zhan was candid in his response. "I know that you're primarily interested in the fashion industry and not particularly keen on other businesses. By becoming the second largest shareholder of my company, you can still achieve the same outcome as I work to expand the company."
Lu Jiaxin tilted her head to face him, a smile still on her face. "Do you know what outcome I desire?"
Nie Zhan answered without hesitation, "You want to make a lot of money, an enormous amount, so that you can do as you please. Jiaxin, let's work together to make money so that you won't have to exert yourself so much."
Lu Jiaxin readily agreed, "Alright, once my money is released from foreign exchange, I'll purchase the scattered shares of your company."
Nie Zhan suggested, "I can also sell you five percent of the shares."
He didn't offer to give them to her, knowing that Lu Jiaxin wouldn't accept them as a gift.
Lu Jiaxin's heart warmed at the offer, but she refused, "No need, I'll buy them when a shareholder wants to sell."
There was no rush to buy now; with the impending stock market crash next year, she could make a substantial profit and then purchase the shares. However, becoming a shareholder of Wansheng wouldn't conflict with her plans to start her own real estate company in the future. The most pressing issue at hand was to increase their manpower.
"Alright," Nie Zhan agreed.
The two of them lingered together until nightfall, when Lu Jiaxin eventually said, "You should head back now."
Nie Zhan was feeling a bit tired, and he hugged her, indicating that he wanted to stay the night.
Lu Jiaxin's heart began to race, but her rationality prevailed, and she pushed him away, saying, "You should get going. I still have classes tomorrow morning!"
Nie Zhan looked at her flushed face, startled for a moment before realizing what she was implying. Suppressing a laugh, he explained, "Where's your mind wandering? I'm just really tired and want to get some rest."
As a normal man, he couldn't help but have certain thoughts when holding his girlfriend, but he had always restrained himself, feeling that Lu Jiaxin wasn't ready yet. However, after today's long flight and the visit to his old home, he truly didn't have those intentions.
Embarrassed and angry, Lu Jiaxin insisted, "I don't have any extra rooms here, so you should head back."
After saying this, she turned and stomped upstairs, leaving Nie Zhan in fits of laughter. Even in her room, Lu Jiaxin still felt her face burning, and she buried her face in her pillow, bemoaning the fact that she had broken her resolve not to take the initiative today.
The next morning, as Lu Jiaxin was about to get up, her phone rang. Her room had a separate line, and only those closest to her knew the number.
As soon as she answered, she heard Nie Zhan's deep voice, "Jiaxin, are you up?"
"I was just about to get up. Why are you calling so early?"
Nie Zhan chuckled, "I dreamt about you last night and couldn't fall back asleep. I'll pick you up after work, and we can go to Feng Qinglei's place for dinner."
Lu Jiaxin suspected that it wasn't a regular dream for him to be unable to sleep, "I have plans for tonight, but I'm free after school on Friday."
"Then let's play golf on Saturday, and I'll invite a few friends to join us."
Lu Jiaxin didn't bother to retort. She had often been stood up by him due to sudden changes in plans: "You should confirm if you're available that day before making any plans!"
As soon as school ended that afternoon, Gu Wenfeng approached her and said, "Boss, there's been an issue with a customer who bought a gold bracelet from He's Jewelry. It turned out to be fake, just gold-plated. The customer went to He's Jewelry for an explanation, but they denied any responsibility, and the media has already exposed the incident."
Lu Jiaxin was surprised, "We had someone investigate, but we didn't find anything."
She had expected that He Zhuliang wouldn't be conducting his business honestly, which was why she had hired a private detective to look into him. However, the detective hadn't discovered anything.
Gu Wenfeng said, "The private detective we hired is very capable, which is why he was able to find out about Ye Xin's issues so quickly."
Lu Jiaxin understood the implication in his words. Smiling, she said, "Whether the private detective didn't find any evidence or He's Jewelry was framed, He's Jewelry won't be able to escape this scandal."
Given what He Zhuliang had done, no one would step forward to help him. He's Jewelry would go bankrupt, and the He family would lose their luxurious lifestyle. He Zhuliang would also be left without any hope, which was exactly what she wanted.
(End of Chapter)
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