Zhu Suizhou and the Asia Department Store had always been closely connected. Without Zhu Suizhou, why would Xia Xiaolan have bought shares in Asia?
Zhu Suizhou could have led Asia to glory… but that was in the previous life without Xia Xiaolan’s intervention! Even she hadn’t anticipated the current situation. Her investment had brought changes to “Asia,” or rather, had changed Zhu Suizhou. In her previous life, she hadn’t invested in Asia, nor had Du Zhaoji’s investment occurred, so Asia wouldn’t have been suspended due to Du Zhaoji’s involvement.
Everything had gone smoothly then – Zhu Suizhou had built Asia without a hitch. It had opened successfully, becoming extremely prosperous, even engaging in fierce competition with several existing department stores in Shangdu, eventually winning their respect and becoming Yunan Province’s premier department store!
Why had it been so smooth? Zhu Suizhou was indeed capable, and he had devoted all his energy to Asia, which was why the store had flourished.
Xia Xiaolan asked herself honestly: without twenty years of business experience from her previous life, could she have achieved Zhu Suizhou’s level of success right from the start?
No, she couldn’t.
But in this life, things had changed. Zhu Suizhou, who should have been focused on building Asia, had suddenly noticed Qiong Island’s real estate potential.
Zhu Suizhou’s attention was divided!
As a businessperson, Xia Xiaolan completely understood Zhu Suizhou’s mindset. After working hard to manage a department store with annual revenue in the hundreds of millions, how much was profit? Moreover, as Asia’s third-largest shareholder, his share of the profits was the smallest.
But speculating on land in Qiong Island was different!
Before Xia Xiaolan went to America, residential land in Ye City averaged 90,000 yuan per mu. After returning from her month-long stay in America, the average price had broken 100,000 yuan per mu and was approaching 110,000.
It was like when Xia Xiaolan had made money during the Hong Kong stock market crash. Once Zhu Suizhou realized he was making easy money, how could he stop?
Originally focused on Asia, his attention was now primarily on Qiong Island… What could Xia Xiaolan say? Qiong Island had been a trap she’d set for Xia Ziyu, but Xia Ziyu had been too greedy and lost everything in the Hong Kong stock market crash before Qiong Island’s opportunity matured. Now, while Xia Ziyu hadn’t taken advantage, Zhu Suizhou had jumped in.
As for why Shao Limin wanted her explanation, Xia Xiaolan understood that too. This wasn’t Shao Limin making things difficult for her. Just as Hong En would question why Du Zhaohui’s ‘Cheng Rong Plaza’ had stopped construction midway… Shao Limin was asking from an official standpoint – he had to ask!
Furthermore, with neither Xia Xiaolan nor Zhu Suizhou managing Asia, the Second Madam was likely panicking and might have approached the government as a Hong Kong merchant.
After all, the Du family’s second branch only had this promising project left. How could Second Madam not be anxious?
Xia Xiaolan could only assure Shao Limin: “Asia will have its next move, Uncle Shao. Please don’t worry. Since you’ve brought this up, I’ll handle it quickly. I was in America earlier and couldn’t attend to matters here.”
Shao Limin naturally shifted topics, “You went to America for medical treatment for a relative, right? I heard the condition has improved significantly.”
So his sister-in-law had been too hasty – the condition was treatable.
Xia Xiaolan nodded with a smile, “Yes, she’s regained consciousness and can communicate normally. We’re continuing treatment. The family’s position is not to spare any expense – illness isn’t scary, what’s scary is family giving up first.”
Tang Youru’s paralysis wasn’t so easily treated.
However, in front of the Shao family, Xia Xiaolan deliberately displayed complete confidence. Her words to Shao Limin would quickly reach other Shao family members’ ears – that was exactly her intention.
Even if she could be cured, so what?
Even after recovery, they would never become in-laws with the Shao family.
Xia Xiaolan thought for a moment and added: “My young cousin dropped out of school early, which our family greatly regrets. This medical trip to America is a perfect opportunity for her to earn a degree before returning to China.”
Shao Limin immediately understood.
Earning a degree would take several years. The girl wasn’t even twenty yet, and she would still be young when she returned after completing her studies.
His nephew Shao Guangrong was already twenty-six. Even if reconciliation were possible, would he wait until he was over thirty?
Xia Xiaolan’s meaning was clear to Shao Limin – Tang Hongen’s side was worried their newly found niece might make an emotional mistake, so they sent her abroad to study, eliminating any chance for Shao Guangrong.
So Shao Limin couldn’t say anything more about salvaging the situation.
After Xia Xiaolan left, Shao Limin’s secretary watched his leader’s expression.
This Xia Xiaolan, who just a few years ago had run a clothing store in Shangdu, relying on his consideration for Young Master Shao… How dare she speak to the leader like this now?
But since the leader said nothing, the secretary dared not interfere.
Even if the secretary wanted to create trouble for Xia Xiaolan, there was no opportunity.
…
Though Xia Xiaolan disliked the Shao family, she took Shao Limin’s words seriously.
Asia couldn’t remain idle. If Zhu Suizhou couldn’t manage it, Xia Xiaolan thought she would step up.
She immediately arranged to meet Second Madam.
Second Madam, still resentful about Xia Xiaolan’s refusal to sell shares, came to the meeting but didn’t look friendly.
Xia Xiaolan was exasperated: “Second Madam, it’s better to keep personal feelings out of business matters. What’s wrong with me not selling my shares? If I had sold them, Asia would have nothing to do with me now. With Zhu Suizhou abandoning it and Asia in limbo, I would have no obligation to manage it, don’t you agree?”
Second Madam understood the logic.
She was just unhappy.
As a pampered noblelady who had never managed business affairs, she had originally just provided money while Zhu Suizhou provided the work. Now with Zhu Suizhou in Qiong Island, showing signs of putting down roots there, Second Madam was getting nervous.
The department store needed to open – didn’t it need merchandise?
What to sell, where to source goods – Zhu Suizhou had managed all of this!
Second Madam was recently overwhelmed.
She had hired a manager from Hong Kong to oversee things, but the manager didn’t understand mainland conditions and couldn’t perform as well as Zhu Suizhou.
Second Madam didn’t fully trust this newly hired person either, fearing they might have been bought by Du Zhaohui.
With Zhu Suizhou dropping the ball and Xia Xiaolan finally returning from America, the Second Madam was relieved, though she refused to admit defeat.
Xia Xiaolan intended to take over if Zhu Suizhou wouldn’t manage it.
With no support, Second Madam could only voice token opposition.
Xia Xiaolan suggested calling Zhu Suizhou back for a meeting, intending to force him to resign as Asia’s general manager!
But Zhu Suizhou didn’t appear – instead, Sheng Xuan, with her pregnant belly, represented him.
“Suizhou will return to Shangdu soon.”
Xia Xiaolan knocked on the table, “Director Sheng, Asia has three shareholders – it’s not your couple’s private property. Why did your husband become general manager? Because the other two shareholders believed in his management ability. Now he’s neglecting Asia’s affairs – does he think Asia can’t function without him? Does he expect us to bow our heads, speak nicely, and send a sedan chair to carry him back?”