Jinsha Pool was about to launch!

Tang Yuanyue realized this and understood Xia Xiaolan’s intention in inviting a feng shui master.

He couldn’t help but laugh, suspecting Xia Xiaolan didn’t believe a word about feng shui, being an atheist raised under the red flag.

So why invite a famous feng shui master?

Naturally to convince Hong Kong people to buy Jinsha Pool units!

If one truly believed in feng shui, one would consult a master before breaking ground, carefully considering pond placement, building location, and housing orientation.

Xia Xiaolan had ignored all that, completing construction before inviting a master—what could the master do now? Would she follow their advice to demolish and rebuild? Most likely, the master’s visit was merely ceremonial, allowing her to leverage their reputation to market Jinsha Pool.

“Isn’t she interesting? While the neighboring golf course hires Hong Kong actresses for advertisements, she invites feng shui masters for promotion…”

Tang Yuanyue seemed to be talking to himself, but his assistant played along: “Ms. Xia is forging her path. She transformed a sewage pond completely—no wonder you’re taken with her.”

Tang had surely seen many beautiful women, but those as beautiful as Ms. Xia were rare.

Add intelligence to that beauty, and you have an exceptionally rare combination.

Tang Yuanyue suppressed a smile, “For property developers, their first project holds special meaning. Jinsha Pool has a nice environment, worth keeping for appreciation. When Qihang launches, go see if you like any units and buy one.”

Was this instruction for him to buy, or to buy for Tang?

The clever assistant wouldn’t probe. If Tang told him to buy a unit, there must be a reason.

Ms. Xia was different from Hong Kong actresses—she wouldn’t appreciate gifts of houses or cars. Though Tang could afford to buy an entire building, such a gesture would likely backfire.

She wanted to succeed in business on her own merit; such gifts would lower the tone, which nobody would appreciate!

“Projects you favor won’t lose money. When Jinsha Pool launches, if prices are reasonable, I might even get loans to buy two units.”

Tang Yuanyue remained silent; these were minor matters.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t easily impressed, making her quite challenging.

Small gestures to gain attention wouldn’t interest her.

Only genuine business collaboration as partners would change her attitude and create more opportunities for interaction.

After selling Jinsha Pool units, how much capital would Xia Xiaolan have?

Tang Yuanyue considered Meihua’s upcoming investment plans—should he deliberately choose a small multi-million project?

After some thought, Tang Yuanyue specifically instructed his assistant, “Keep the feng shui master matter private. I don’t want tonight’s events known to others tomorrow, understand?”

The assistant understood perfectly, “Rest assured.”

Who shouldn’t know? Obviously Young Master Du.

The assistant knew Young Master Du and their boss weren’t getting along lately, shifting from seeking Tang’s favor to opposing him.

Why? Had their companies’ interests clashed?

The assistant suddenly considered a possibility, though hardly believing it.

—If true, wasn’t this trouble caused by beauty?

…

Sheng Xuan.

Living up to her name like a blooming flower, even bank uniforms couldn’t diminish her beauty.

A striking appearance that would be even more stunning with careful grooming… Yet she hadn’t won over Comrade Tang, whose resistance to such temptation was truly remarkable!

“Director Sheng, I’ve long admired you and wanted to meet, but never found the right opportunity.”

Xia Xiaolan observed Sheng Xuan, who likewise studied her.

Xia Xiaolan somewhat resembled Liu Fen’s features, though younger, and despite her delicate appearance, moved like the wind, handling matters energetically.

This was Liu Fen’s daughter.

Sheng Xuan thought, when divorced women formed new families with children, those children were often called “burdens.”

But with a daughter as capable as Xia Xiaolan, how could anyone consider her a burden?

Regardless of whom Liu Fen remarried, a daughter like Xia Xiaolan wasn’t a liability but an asset.

“Should I call you Director Xia, Comrade Xia, or Student Xia? Your reputation precedes you. You’re here about Qihang’s mortgage loans, right? Let’s sit and talk.”

Xia Xiaolan smiled brightly, “Director Sheng, please call me Little Xia. I just want to know what qualifications Qihang lacks? Please advise, we’ll certainly meet your requirements.”

In later years, banks had strict regulations about mortgaging land and offering housing loans.

But this was 1985—loan management was chaotic, especially for commercial housing mortgages, which were rare with few hard rules.

Xia Xiaolan watched Sheng Xuan.

She could seek loans elsewhere, but if Sheng Xuan had transferred to Pengcheng specifically to pressure her, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t be a pushover.

Was having the Song family’s backing so impressive?

Even if Sheng wasn’t named Song, even if she were, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t back down.

This threatened her livelihood—of course she would fight back!

Only after arriving in Pengcheng and taking over Director Pan’s work did Sheng Xuan learn that Xia Xiaolan had borrowed over ten million from the bank, mortgaging Jinsha Pool’s land—technically not illegal.

But Sheng Xuan wouldn’t believe Xia Xiaolan obtained the land without Tang Hongen’s help.

Among so many connected units, why did only Xia Xiaolan succeed?

Tang Hongen even let her do business with Song Nanzhen’s son… Such favoritism toward this mother-daughter pair!

Sheng Xuan had met Liu Fen but not Xia Xiaolan.

Liu Fen was gentle and low-key, while Xia Xiaolan seemed more aggressive.

Well, she was young and clever, believing she could control the world.

“I’m older than you, so I’ll take the liberty of calling you Little Xia. I bear you no ill will. You may or may not know who I am. I can explain why I’m here. I know Mayor Tang and greatly admire him, but previously he hadn’t moved past his last marriage, so I kept my distance… Later I heard about him and your mother. Your mother is very fortunate; I’ve met her and admire her business achievements. I’ll be honest—my transfer to Pengcheng has personal motives, but I’m not here to make things difficult. You needn’t be so guarded. Everyone has the right to pursue happiness as long as we don’t harm others, don’t you agree, Little Xia?”

The logic was sound.

But Xia Xiaolan felt emotionally wounded being summoned through official channels for a lecture on “freedom of love”!