Chapter 86: Secretary Wang
Chapter 86: Secretary Wang
The Swan Hotel stood tall on a stretch of shoreline, with a bustling dock lying just across the river. After a hearty breakfast, Lu Jiaxin stepped out and was greeted by a sight of numerous wooden boats docked on the river, while the lively pier bustled with vendors selling early morning snacks, fresh fruits, and seafood.
Gufen Feng gazed at the old boats on the river and the bustling pier that resembled a village market. Turning back to the grand hotel, he felt a mix of emotions.
Lu Jiaxin, curious, asked, "Brother Gu, why aren't the boats going out to sea? Why are they all docked at the pier?"
Fishermen relied on fishing for their livelihood, and not venturing out meant no income. Without money, their families might go hungry.
Gufen Feng explained, "It seems there's a typhoon approaching, so they dare not venture out. It's too dangerous. Miss Lu, are you heading to the pier across the river?"
Lu Jiaxin shook her head. "I just wanted to take a walk and digest my food."
Gufen Feng was perplexed. The scenery here paled in comparison to the beauty the hotel offered. But he didn't realize that in Lu Jiaxin's eyes, the deep blue sky and emerald sea were far more captivating than any man-made landscape.
After walking for over ten minutes, with fewer people around, Lu Jiaxin asked, "Brother Gu, who do you plan to approach as the middleman?"
Gufen Feng hesitated before answering, "The hotel manager, Chen, is the cousin of my comrade's brother-in-law. I learned about Comrade Nie Zhan through him."
Lu Jiaxin thought he had an impressive network of connections. It was a pity he wasn't interested in diving into business; otherwise, they could have been great partners. "Brother Gu, I don't know how to repay you for all the favors you've done for me regarding this matter."
Gufen Feng was blunt. "Miss Lu, I don't need your repayment. I just hope we can return to Si Jiucheng after selling the paintings."
Lu Jiaxin remained silent, her silence a form of refusal.
Gufen Feng knew that a few words wouldn't change her mind, so he changed the subject. "Manager Chen agreed to pass on a message. If this secretary isn't interested in our paintings, we'll have to find another target."
Lu Jiaxin smiled confidently. "Rest assured, he will be interested."
Holding a position of power, the secretary would naturally want to assist her superior, Nie Zhan. Being Nie Zhan's secretary, it was likely her duty to help him with his personal matters. With Nie Zhan's advanced age, his subordinates would surely prepare gifts for his birthday to please him. As the head of the Nie family, Nie Zhan's happiness was of utmost importance, and they would spare no effort in finding the perfect present.
Gufen Feng didn't understand the source of her confidence. "I hope so."
As they strolled back, Manager Chen approached Gufen Feng and whispered, "I spoke to Secretary Wang about the paintings, and she's very interested. She wants to set a time to meet with you."
Gufen Feng felt that any time would be convenient.
Seeing that Lu Jiaxin had no objections, Manager Chen added, "Secretary Wang is currently out with Mr. Nie. I'll ask her about the timing once she's back."
With the arrangements made, Lu Jiaxin went upstairs to get her bag before heading out. Walking along the clean and tidy road, she gazed at the old houses lining the street, feeling a sense of emotion. In a few years, these houses would disappear, replaced by towering skyscrapers.
Gufen Feng followed her for a while before asking curiously, "Aren't you going to visit your aunt?"
Lu Jiaxin understood that, according to current societal norms, the grudges of elders shouldn't involve the younger generation. The conflict between her mother and aunt was their issue, and in the eyes of others, she, as the original body, should still respect her aunt.
After some thought, she briefly explained what her aunt had done. "She doesn't respect my mother, so I don't acknowledge her as my aunt."
Gufen Feng was surprised that Lu Jiaxin had helped Ding Jing oppress him, and he wondered what was going on in her head. No wonder this girl was so distant and cold.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and asked, "Brother Gu, I haven't heard you mention your family before?"
Gufen Feng hadn't intentionally hidden this information from her; he just didn't see the need to bring it up. Now that she asked, he told her about his family. He had gotten married three years ago and welcomed a pair of twin sons into the world last year.
Seeing his serious expression, Lu Jiaxin covered her mouth and smiled. "You're so fierce and not gentle at all. What did your wife see in you?"
Gufen Feng spoke with a sense of maturity, "Sweet nothings won't fill your stomach. The most important qualities a man can have are responsibility and dependability. Miss Lu, when you look for a partner, make sure he's like me in that regard."
Lu Jiaxin couldn't hold back her laughter and exclaimed, "Brother Gu, I never knew you were so full of yourself!"
Gufen Feng didn't see himself as being self-absorbed. He believed that responsibility and dependability were the bare minimum for any man, and without these qualities, one didn't deserve to be called a man.
After Lu Jiaxin's laughter subsided, she nodded in agreement. "Brother Gu, what you said is only half true. While it's important to have responsibility and dependability, it's also crucial to know how to sweet-talk and make your partner happy. Otherwise, I won't be getting married."
"By the way, just call me by my name directly from now on. It feels awkward to be addressed as 'Miss Lu' all the time."
As the two chatted and strolled along, they eventually grew hungry and decided to step into a roadside snack bar. To their surprise, the rice noodle rolls they ordered were incredibly smooth, tender, and chewy.
Lu Jiaxin wiped her mouth and commented, "No wonder food connoisseurs say that masters are hidden among the common folk. I've eaten rice noodle rolls countless times, but this is the first time I've tasted the most authentic version."
"Do they sell rice noodle rolls in the Ninth City?"
Lu Jiaxin's reaction was swift. "I've stayed in Pengcheng a few times before. During those visits, I would alternate between eating wonton noodles, rice noodle rolls, rice congee with side dishes, and shrimp dumplings every day. Because of all these delicious foods, I gained six pounds during my half-month stay."
Gufen Feng looked at her slender frame and said, "Then you should eat more this time too, and try to gain another six pounds before returning."
Lu Jiaxin knew he was concerned about her health. "Once we're done here, I'll follow the doctor's instructions back in the Ninth City. I won't travel far until my body is fully recovered."
"You said it yourself."
"A gentleman's word is his bond."
Gufen Feng recalled Chen, the manager's words, and wanted to head back sooner, but Lu Jiaxin didn't seem to share his urgency. "Right now, the most important task for all departments is to attract investment. For a major investor like Nie Zhan, the relevant departments will definitely entertain him properly. I estimate that they won't be returning to the hotel until very late."
However, Lu Jiaxin's prediction turned out to be wrong this time. Nie Zhan returned in the afternoon. Secretary Wang had originally planned to view the paintings in the afternoon but changed her plans when she learned that the two had gone out. She rescheduled the meeting for 9 p.m.
Chen, the manager, advised, "Make sure you don't go out again in the evening. Otherwise, Secretary Wang will think you're unreliable and won't buy your paintings."
Gufen Feng immediately assured him that he would stay put in the room.
At 8:50 p.m., Lu Jiaxin brought the paintings to Gufen Feng's room. At 8:59 p.m., Chen, the manager, arrived with Secretary Wang. Lu Jiaxin was somewhat surprised by the appearance of the secretary; from the name, she had expected a man, but it turned out to be a woman.
Secretary Wang was dressed in a deep white business suit, exuding an air of shrewdness and capability. Lu Jiaxin recalled the gossip she had heard about Hong Kong City's wealthy individuals preferring to hire beautiful female secretaries. While this Secretary Wang's facial features were not exceptionally striking, and she even had a few freckles on her face, her figure was very alluring, with captivating curves.
(End of Chapter)
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