Just yesterday, Xia Xiaolan had taught Little You that 99% of pies falling from heaven were poisoned. She wasn’t confident that Zhu Suizhou’s free shares would be that non-toxic 1%.

“President Xia, you’re a straightforward person, so I’ll be frank as well. I’m willing to give you these 2% shares as a show of sincerity. Firstly, to resolve the friction between you and my wife – if you show mercy, I guarantee she won’t trouble you again. Secondly, I’ve noticed Cheng Rong Plaza’s innovative model – that’s your handiwork, right? I see future commonalities between Asia Mall and Cheng Rong Plaza’s operational models, and I hope you’ll participate more in the mall’s daily operations.”

Xia Xiaolan was surprised.

This time, she didn’t pretend there was no friction with Sheng Xuan. Zhu Suizhou’s first request was within her expectations – he had hinted at this during his wedding to Sheng Xuan.

But the second point… Shouldn’t Zhu Suizhou be the one most wary of her involvement in Asia Mall’s daily operations? Yet he was actively inviting her!

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t foolish enough to believe her intimidating presence had completely subdued Zhu Suizhou – impossible, that level of intimidation might work on Du Zhaohui at most.

Anything unusual must have hidden motives.

Xia Xiaolan smiled, “Since Mr. Zhu is showing such sincerity, I’ll be honest too. I was very unhappy about Director Sheng actively lending to Ms. Ji Ya. Now Director Sheng wants to leave Peng Cheng – it’s not me stopping her, but the consequences of her actions. If she just recalls the loan and follows regulations, no one can stop her, right? I can overlook our friction, but she offended others back then… Out of respect for you, Mr. Zhu, I can arrange a dinner meeting to clear the air and see if we can let bygones be bygones.”

Xia Xiaolan agreed readily enough.

But did she guarantee anything?

No!

She made her position clear to Zhu Suizhou: if Sheng Xuan wanted to transfer out of Peng Cheng, recalling Ji Ya’s loan was the only way.

It was both Pan Yijun pressuring Sheng Xuan and Xia Xiaolan’s intention.

They should have anticipated this when forcing Qi Hang to repay early.

Sheng Xuan started this trouble, and no matter which member of the Song family she approached, Xia Xiaolan had grounds to reason with them.

Zhu Suizhou understood clearly.

Truthfully, while Sheng Xuan was Song Zhicheng’s wife’s cousin, Xia Xiaolan was Tang Hongen’s stepdaughter – in terms of backing, Xia Xiaolan wasn’t intimidated by Sheng Xuan.

Moreover, Sheng Xuan had indeed broken the rules first. Now that others had the upper hand, being willing to let her off lightly showed magnanimity. If not, Sheng Xuan would have to bow her head.

Given how things stood, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t investigate why the loan was given to Ji Ya originally.

Now she just wanted Sheng Xuan to recall the loan!

“I understand this. Xuan also feels the same way. She and Pan Xing are from the same system – it’s better to resolve grudges than maintain them. It would be best if everyone could clear the air, so we need President Xia to mediate and help Xuan reconcile with Pan Xing. The loan will be recalled – Xuan has already given Ji Ya a final repayment deadline. If Ji Ya can’t repay by the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the bank will step in directly.”

How would the bank handle it?

The process was somewhat different from later times. In the future, when borrowers defaulted, banks would first make collection calls, then impose penalty interest and record poor credit after continued non-payment.

The bank representatives would make personal visits.

If borrowers still didn’t repay after personal visits, banks would take legal action to protect their interests, directly suing defaulting borrowers and auctioning collateral to recover the loan.

In the 1980s, systems across industries weren’t as sophisticated as they would become. Regulations were constantly evolving with the times.

Bank management wasn’t as strict as it would be 30 years later. In cases like Ji Ya’s, they usually offered some buffer, seeing if the debt could be settled through installment payments rather than writing it off as bad debt.

However, with Sheng Xuan eager to transfer, she wouldn’t allow Ji Ya to repay in installments – because Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t allow it!

Installment payments would give Ji Ya breathing room.

Communicating with clever people wasn’t tiring at all – Zhu Suizhou’s meaning was very clear.

“It’s great that we can reach a consensus on the first point. This is my small gesture of sincerity for the trouble my wife caused you. I hope President Xia will also consider the second matter.”

Zhu Suizhou pushed the share transfer agreement closer to Xia Xiaolan.

Xia Xiaolan naturally refused: “Mr. Zhu, let’s see how the first matter resolves – reconciliation depends on Director Sheng’s actions. As for your second point, I lack the energy and must regretfully decline.”

More involvement in Asia Mall’s management?

No way!

While Zhu Suizhou could be warm and gracious in social interactions, in business management, he would only be more dictatorial than Xia Xiaolan.

Regardless of whether Zhu Suizhou was sincere, if Xia Xiaolan got involved in Asia Mall’s management, they would have severe conflicts, ultimately ending in chaos… Perhaps this life’s Asia Mall wouldn’t even maintain its glory as long as in her previous life.

Xia Xiaolan had no interest in wrestling management rights from Zhu Suizhou. With that energy, she’d rather focus on Qi Hang’s projects.

There were plenty of profitable projects – she needed to know when to let go. She would sell her 18% stake in Asia Mall at the most opportune time!

Zhu Suizhou was polite, but Xia Xiaolan was even more so.

She repeatedly refused and ultimately didn’t accept the 2% shares.

She truly didn’t dare accept them…

After seeing Zhu Suizhou off, Xia Xiaolan was sweating. She told Little You:

“See that? That’s a pie falling from heaven.”

“President Xia, only you could refuse so decisively. Those 2% shares must be worth at least 200,000 US dollars, right?”

“Mr. Zhu had nice ideas though – giving you 2% shares freely but wanting you to agree to two conditions. Taking those shares would make everything an obligation… That’s why you weren’t interested in the 2% shares. Whatever his intentions, he couldn’t find an opening.”

Xia Xiaolan stretched: “You think that money comes easily? I’d rather not have it than wade into those murky waters.”

Zhu Suizhou was dreaming.

He knew Xia Xiaolan had helped shape Cheng Rong Plaza.

But he didn’t consider how much Du Zhaohui had paid for Xia Xiaolan’s help.

Back then, Xia Xiaolan was planning to go abroad and needed that money, plus Du Zhaohui promised other benefits, so she agreed.

Times were different now. Xia Xiaolan wasn’t so desperate for money anymore. The same price wouldn’t be enough to get her efforts now, let alone 2% of Asia Mall shares, which were worth less than what Du Zhaohui had paid.

Most importantly, while Du Zhaohui might have a hundred flaws, he had one virtue – he would follow Xia Xiaolan’s instructions. He might not make decisions, but at least he would execute.

With Zhu Suizhou, he’d probably listen to Xia Xiaolan’s ideas, and consider them, but still do things his own way!