Chapter 587: Persuasion Under the Influence
Chapter 587: Persuasion Under the Influence
Before the stock market crash, Nie Zan joined forces with Xin Xin Property to secure the 'Garden Road' site in Central at auction. This plot of land was prime real estate, spanning an impressive 92,000 square feet and being the last valuable piece of land in Central. As such, eight consortiums participated in the bidding process, including Wansheng Real Estate with Xin Xin Property, Cheung Sach, Sun Hung Kai, New World with Hang Kei, Chang Rong, and Nam Fung, among others.
The auction was highly competitive, but Lu Jiaxin had just sold a large number of properties and stocks, providing ample funds for Nie Zan to eventually secure the land. According to his plan, two financial towers would be built on the site—one for Wansheng Bank as their headquarters, a landmark for them, and the other for Lu Jiaxin, where several of her companies could relocate.
The funds used to secure the Central site came from Lu Jiaxin's small days. The accounts of Xin Xin Property remained untouched, solely used for purchasing office buildings and residential apartments, followed by bulk acquisitions of industrial buildings, old building mergers, and equity swaps.
Hu Zhifeng organized a gathering and invited the top rich second-generation heirs in Hong Kong, including the eldest son of the Zheng family and the third son of the Guo family, to play a round of golf. Of course, Nie Zan, his good brother, was included in this exclusive gathering.
The eldest son of the Zheng family, holding a golf club, remarked, "Ah Zan, your Wansheng Real Estate and Xin Xin Property have been raking in the profits lately."
Lu Jiaxin had sold properties like Greenwood Manor at the peak of the market, and after a month and a half, when the market took a downturn, she bought a large number of quality properties at a 30% discount. With this strategic move of buying low and selling high, she not only doubled her profits but also made a notable splash in the industry. Despite Lu Jiaxin's low-key nature, people attributed these successes to Nie Zan's acumen, and recently, financial and entertainment magazines alike had been praising his unique insights.
Hu Zhifeng smiled and said, "I asked him to bring his younger sister-in-law along today so that you all could get to know her. But she's a shy person and felt uncomfortable being the only woman among us men."
The third son of the Guo family had met Lu Jiaxin before, and she didn't strike him as a shy or timid person. However, she had indeed kept a low profile over the past two years, with rumors circulating that the young lady disliked social interactions. But that wasn't important; what mattered was that she was capable of making money and was a wise helpmate. Nie Zan had done well for himself by finding a wife who could support him so reliably.
He smiled and said, "Ah Zan, you and Miss Lu have been dating for several years now. When are we going to drink to your wedding?"
Nie Zan took the opportunity to announce his engagement to Lu Jiaxin and invited them all to attend. Of course, this was just a verbal invitation for now; formal invitations would be delivered to their homes in due course.
Hu Zhifeng steered the conversation back to business matters. With Miss Lu and Nie Zan's engagement imminent, they would soon be husband and wife, and it wouldn't do to make light of that.
After finishing lunch, they parted ways, and Hu Zhifeng saw a tipsy Nie Zan, knowing his happiness was genuine. Indeed, with his career soaring in recent years and his impending engagement to Miss Lu, how could he not be overjoyed?
Hu Zhifeng said, "Ah Zan, congratulations!"
Nie Zan was actually sober and understood that his friend was congratulating him on his upcoming engagement. He deliberately slurred his words and said, "Thank you, Brother Feng. Brother Feng, I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should."
Hu Zhifeng pretended to be angry and said, "Ah Zan, we've known each other for over twenty years. By saying that, you're clearly treating me like an outsider."
He and Nie Zan had known each other since childhood. Being three years older, he had often looked after Nie Zan, and as their interactions increased, their bond strengthened. Even his own younger brother couldn't compare to Nie Zan's place in his heart.
Leaning back in his chair, Nie Zan said, "Half of my success in business is thanks to Jiaxin. She's the type of person who can't tolerate any sand in her eyes, and she believes that as a man, I should be loyal to our family."
When Jiaxin found out about Hu Zhifeng's mistress, she didn't object, understanding that in Hong Kong, it was common for wealthy men to have women on the side as long as their wives didn't mind. However, after Hu Zhifeng asked her for the doctor's address, Nie Zan sensed that whenever he mentioned Brother Feng, Jiaxin would frown.
Hu Zhifeng's expression changed subtly.
Nie Zan, feigning ignorance of his friend's discomfort, continued, "There's a saying in the mainland that goes, 'Close to vermilion, you're stained red; close to ink, you're stained black.' Jiaxin sees that you have two mistresses outside, and she even asked for the doctor's address for them. She's worried that it might influence me. Also, she believes that a man who doesn't treat his wife well can't be sincere to his friends."
"Brother Feng, it's fine to have some fun with women on the side, but don't let it turn into genuine emotions. Otherwise, it will inevitably lead to a rift between husband and wife. When a couple is not in harmony, their endeavors will also be affected."
Seeing Nie Zan's eyes narrow to a slit as he spoke, Hu Zhifeng said, "Rest assured, I know where to draw the line."
In response, he heard only a faint snore.
Hu Zhifeng sent Nie Zan home to the Lu residence and then called Lu Jiaxin, "Ah Zan is drunk. Yes, they discussed another project today, and he was too happy, so he drank a few extra cups."
Lu Jiaxin, who was at the Green Forest, couldn't sit still upon hearing that Nie Zan was drunk. She sincerely said, "I understand. Thank you, Brother-in-law."
After hanging up, Hu Zhifeng fell into deep thought.
When Lu Jiaxin returned home, she found Nie Zan on the phone, showing no signs of drunkenness. Confused, she asked, "Hu Zhifeng said you were drunk. What happened?"
Nie Zan pulled her close and said, "When we were playing golf earlier, Brother Feng received a call from his mistress, and the way he spoke to her was so doting and gentle. I had a few extra drinks during lunch, so I took the opportunity to advise him while I was drunk."
Upon hearing this, Lu Jiaxin immediately understood, her face darkening as she said, "You mean he has genuine feelings for that woman outside?"
Nie Zan had also sensed this, which was why he took the opportunity to advise his brother-in-law while pretending to be drunk. His sister-in-law was an intelligent woman who could tell the difference between him having fun and developing genuine feelings. She wouldn't mind if he was just playing around, but if he had fallen for the other woman, there might be trouble: "Not yet, but there are signs. I hope that my words today will make him come to his senses and break things off with her."
When a man dallied outside or had a casual fling, his wife would usually turn a blind eye, given the prevailing social norms. However, if he developed genuine feelings and had a secret love child, the couple's relationship would inevitably sour. If his wife and children weren't on his side, how could he focus on his career? Nie Zan truly considered Hu Zhifeng a friend, which was why he had spoken those words of advice.
Frowning, Lu Jiaxin said, "I just hope he'll take your words to heart..."
Sister Shi Meng had just given birth not long ago. If she found out that her husband had genuine feelings for another woman, she would be devastated. Lu Jiaxin hoped that Hu Zhifeng would quickly break things off with the other woman; otherwise, their supposedly loving marriage would become a joke.
Lu Jiaxin looked at Nie Zan and said, "If you ever stop loving me, just tell me, and we can part ways amicably. But if you dare to cheat on me behind my back, even if it means mutual destruction, I won't let you off easy."
If their love faded, they could part ways, but the idea of him seeking another woman was repulsive.
"That day will never come," Nie Zan assured her.
(End of Chapter)
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