https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-587-Persuasion-Under-the-Influence/12580406/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-589-Informing-of-the-Engagement-Date/12580410/
Chapter 588: Reaping Profits
Chapter 588: Reaping Profits
Lu Jiaxin had only invested in the Hong Kong real estate market and refrained from dabbling in stocks. She believed that with such a significant drop, the stock market would not rebound to its previous index anytime soon.
Nie Zhan asked, "Jiaxin, can we visit the old mansion this weekend?"
"Why? Did your grandfather mention it?" Jiaxin inquired.
Nie Zhan nodded. "Grandfather is delighted that we secured the Central District land king together. He wants you to join us for lunch at the old mansion."
Jiaxin didn't respond to that and instead asked, "When is your aunt and her three children returning to Hong Kong?"
Nie Zhan understood her concern and replied, "I've already discussed this with Grandfather, and he doesn't agree with the children returning to Hong Kong for their studies either. Let's wait for Nie Jingshu's case to be judged. By then, we'll see if Aunt wants to stay in America or take the children to study in Australia."
He paused before adding, "Knowing Aunt, she'll probably stay in America. It'll be more convenient for her to visit Nie Jingshu that way."
Jiaxin felt that as long as it didn't affect her, Nie Manli could go wherever she wanted.
Nie Zhan brought up Nie Jingwen, saying, "I've hinted to my eldest brother about it without directly addressing the issue. After what happened a couple of years ago, he's not taking any chances, so our losses are relatively lighter compared to other banks."
Jiaxin was speechless. While she had been certain about the stock market crash two years ago, this time it was a combination of superstition and caution. Ironically, she had ignored his advice then but heeded it now. However, after the previous lesson, if Nie Zhan had warned her and she still hadn't acted, she would have been beyond help.
Nie Zhan shared another piece of news with Jiaxin: "I now own 18% of the stock in the Peninsula Hotel. At next month's shareholder meeting, I plan to propose expanding the hotel."
Jiaxin thought it was a good idea, but the Kadoorie family might not agree. However, if the company didn't expand, they would eventually be overtaken by other hotels.
After some thought, Jiaxin suggested, "If the shareholders don't agree to the expansion, we can try a different approach. I'm sure they'll consent to that."
If the Kadoorie family and the shareholders disagreed with expanding the Peninsula Hotel, they could consider franchising. Franchising involved the commercial brand's agency and franchise. This entailed a continuous contractual relationship between the franchise headquarters and the franchised stores.
According to this contract, the franchise headquarters must provide unique commercial privileges to the franchised stores and offer unconditional assistance in areas such as personnel training, organizational structure, management, and merchandise supply. In return, the franchised stores would pay corresponding fees to the headquarters.
There were several forms of franchise licensing, including voluntary franchising, entrusted franchising, and licensed franchising.
Nie Zhan thought her suggestion was excellent. "I plan to build a Peninsula Hotel in each of the three future super first-tier cities: Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. If they disagree, we'll go the franchising route."
Indeed, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou were destined to become China's future super first-tier cities, and Nie Zhan's foresight was remarkable.
Recalling how lukewarm his performance had been when he first took over Wansheng Real Estate, Jiaxin remarked, "Fortunately, I pushed you to take action. Otherwise, your talents would have gone to waste."
During this period, the outside world had been singing his praises, but he didn't feel much about it as he knew those accolades were superficial. However, Jiaxin's compliments always came from the heart.
On Saturday, Jiaxin visited the Nie family's old mansion. Although the conditions at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital were better, Old Man Nie preferred staying at home. They had purchased rehabilitation equipment for his comfort and hired two doctors to take care of him in the mornings and afternoons.
After over a month of recuperation, Old Man Nie's speech had returned to normal, but he still needed assistance walking as his legs lacked strength.
Lu Jiaxin entered Old Man Nie's room and was met with a peculiar scent that older folks tended to have. Her aunt carried a similar fragrance, and it was something unavoidable with age.
Old Man Nie beamed at the sight of Lu Jiaxin, his eyes crinkling with joy. "Jiaxin, come, take a seat."
After she sat down, the elderly man inquired about her well-being before bringing up the topic of the engagement banquet. He envisioned a grand celebration, inviting all the prominent figures of Hong Kong City. However, Nie Zhan had mentioned that Lu Jiaxin preferred a more intimate gathering with only close friends and family, opting to save the grand celebration for their wedding.
Lu Jiaxin genuinely disliked the idea of a lavish engagement banquet, as hosting a large number of guests would only exhaust her. While she could endure it for the wedding, she saw no need to exert herself to that extent for the engagement.
Old Man Nie smiled and expressed his respect for her wishes. "Your future mother-in-law is not a capable woman, so we'll have your future sister-in-law help with the arrangements for your engagement banquet. What do you think?"
Lu Jiaxin had no objections. While Nie Manli and Nie Manlin were unreliable, Nie Zhan's grandmother was a different story. Moreover, she had always treated Lu Jiaxin with kindness, and it was only due to various circumstances that Lu Jiaxin chose to maintain a certain distance from the Nie family.
Nie Zhan's grandmother, clearly relieved by Lu Jiaxin's agreement, took her hand and said with a warm smile, "Sister-in-law, there's much to prepare for the engagement. Let's discuss the details outside."
Lu Jiaxin glanced at Old Man Nie, and upon receiving his nod, she smiled and followed Zhang Lanlan out of the room.
In the living room, Zhang Lanlan asked about the number of guests Lu Jiaxin was expecting. "How many people will be coming from your family? Which friends from Hong Kong City do you plan to invite?"
Lu Jiaxin didn't have many close friends, and to avoid an embarrassing disparity between the two sides, she intended to enlist a few high-ranking company executives to fill the numbers. "From my family, it will be just my father and my nephew for now. My uncle and aunt are elderly and in poor health, so I'm not sure if they can handle the long journey."
Zhang Lanlan was aware that Lu Jiaxin was an only child. "What about your godparents and cousins?"
Lu Jiaxin smiled. "My godparents have special identities, and they won't be able to come to Hong Kong City before the handover. As for my cousins, my eldest brother is a government official, so he has to be mindful of his influence. My sister-in-law is also uncertain. The others are not worth mentioning, but Yuan's family will definitely be attending."
When Lu Jiaxin calculated the number of relatives on her side, it barely filled two tables, while the Nie family and their friends would easily fill twenty. Sighing, she decided not to invite distant relatives to avoid an even more glaring disparity in the number of guests.
Nie Zhan's grandmother inquired about Lu Jiaxin's preferences and requirements for the engagement banquet so that she could make appropriate arrangements.
Lu Jiaxin knew she couldn't leave everything to her future in-laws. "Sister-in-law, I plan to engage a wedding planning company for the wedding ceremony."
"Do you have any particular company in mind?"
Lu Jiaxin hadn't given it much thought before, so she certainly didn't have a preferred choice. However, she couldn't very well say that, as it would make her seem indifferent. "I've selected one, but I haven't made a final decision yet."
She would ask her secretary to look into it and make a choice later.
"Where do you plan to hold the engagement banquet?"
Without hesitation, Lu Jiaxin replied, "The Peninsula Hotel. Ah Zhan has already made a reservation there."
For significant events like weddings or celebrations, the wealthy of Hong Kong City typically opted for luxurious five-star hotels. Without a prior reservation, they might not be able to secure a suitable venue.
(End of Chapter)
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