Her birth mother was an obsessive person – deeply emotional yet extremely unreliable. Her birth father had a clear mind and was thoughtful in his actions, yet ironically maintained a distant relationship with his son. What began as mere distance appeared to be shifting as Tang Hongen, after a series of friendly gestures, seemed to be changing tactics – perhaps planning to use more extreme methods to make Ji Jiangyuan mature.
Caught in the middle, Ji Jiangyuan wasn’t like Xia Xiaolan, who was experienced at adapting with a mature mindset. Ji Jiangyuan must be truly suffering. Even Xia Xiaolan felt that she and her mother resembled villainous antagonists from a melodrama, with Ji Jiangyuan as the pitiful victim.
“What a coincidence, Classmate Ji, would you like to sit here?” Xia Xiaolan tried hard to conceal her sympathy. Ji Jiangyuan pointed to a seat on the other side, “I’ll sit over there, by the window. By the way, Jinsha Pool goes on sale tomorrow – here’s hoping for great sales!”
Where did this joy come from? Ying Jinchuan still hadn’t provided a clear response. Xia Xiaolan hoped there would be a pleasant surprise waiting for her in Pengcheng!
With Tang Hongen returning to Pengcheng, didn’t that suggest the issues were resolved? Was Director Pan cleared? Sheng Xuan’s schemes must have failed – Tang Hongen had been in Beijing these past two days, with no opportunity to meet Sheng Xuan. Once one disciplinary issue was resolved, many problems would naturally follow suit.
Thinking of it this way, it did seem worth celebrating. Xia Xiaolan relaxed her posture: “Thank you, I appreciate your kind words. I hope Jinsha Pool sells well too.”
During the flight from Beijing to Yangcheng, Tang Hongen managed to resist speaking to Ji Jiangyuan. Ji Jiangyuan showed even more restraint – after their initial greeting, father and son didn’t exchange another word.
After deplaning, Ji Jiangyuan called for a car. Xia Xiaolan stuck out her tongue, “Uncle Tang, you’re too-“
Liu Fen also felt uncomfortable, “You’re being too strict with him.”
“Hesitation leads to chaos. He’s the same age as Xiaolan – look how decisive she is in her actions. Is he less clear-headed than Xiaolan?”
Tang Hongen referred to how Xia Xiaolan decisively cut ties with the troublesome Xia family. Without these people holding her back and causing trouble, Xia Xiaolan could work freely on bigger things.
Xia Xiaolan opened her mouth – her situation was completely different. She had a different mindset and could be decisive because she lacked emotional attachment to the Xia family. Ji Jiangyuan was raised by Ji Ya, and even knowing Ji Ya was unreliable, it would be difficult enough for Ji Jiangyuan to separate from her financially, let alone emotionally… how could that be possible? If Ji Jiangyuan did that, he would seem like an ungrateful child.
Strange – Tang Hongen must have realized this, so why was he pushing Ji Jiangyuan this way? What was he trying to achieve?
Xia Xiaolan could only point this out briefly – this was between father and son, and no matter how close she was to Tang Hongen, she couldn’t interfere in their affairs.
The people from Mao Kangshan all questioned Xia Xiaolan’s high pricing for Jinsha Pool’s properties. Even Tang Hongen had his doubts. Only Liu Fen showed no opposition, supporting whatever Xia Xiaolan wanted to do.
It was the same when using houses, cars, and the clothing store as collateral for a loan of several hundred thousand.
When using Jinsha Pool’s land as collateral for a 16 million bank loan, Liu Fen would only worry silently at night, never showing concern in front of Xia Xiaolan.
What if the business failed?
Even if it did, there was nothing to be done – she wouldn’t scold or hit her daughter.
The fifth ‘Blue Phoenix’ was about to open in Beijing. To Liu Fen, 16 million in loans was an astronomical figure – paying back several hundred thousand each year meant she would need to work for at least another 20 years to fill this hole.
Liu Fen never complained. As a mother, any sacrifice for her child was worthwhile.
But in this situation, it seemed inappropriate to involve others, like Tang Hongen… not agreeing to marriage was right – they shouldn’t drag Tang Hongen under their family’s financial pressure. Tang Hongen hadn’t spent any of the mother-daughter pair’s money, yet would have to share the risks. That wouldn’t be right.
If Xia Xiaolan knew her mother’s thoughts, she would feel both touched and helpless.
Why did everyone assume she would lose money?
Were all her previous profits fake? Jinsha Pool would be profitable – Xia Xiaolan was certain of this.
From Yangcheng to Pengcheng, Jinsha Pool’s sales office had been newly decorated, and the hired real estate agents were receiving their final pre-opening training.
“Director Xia.”
“Hello, Director Xia.”
“Director Xia, after the newspaper advertisements went out, many people have been calling to inquire about the properties. I think our buildings will sell well!”
“Director Xia…”
A chorus of voices surrounded Xia Xiaolan.
Tang Hongen, not suitable to appear, said he would take Liu Fen to get settled at the guesthouse first. Only Xia Xiaolan came to Jinsha Pool, and she was surrounded as soon as she got out of the car.
The news was generally good.
Xia Xiaolan nodded to each person, raising her hand for silence:
“Where’s Manager Ying?”
Wang Houlin pointed upstairs, “Manager Ying is upstairs with someone, waiting for you, Director Xia.”
The first floor was the sales office, and the second floor was Qihang’s office area.
Hearing that Ying Jinchuan had finally appeared, Xia Xiaolan hurried upstairs.
In the conference room, Ying Jinchuan faced the door, while another person sat with their back turned. Seeing Xia Xiaolan enter, Ying Jinchuan stood up: “Director Xia, mission accomplished – the bank matter is resolved. Director Pan insisted on meeting you in person to express his gratitude.”
The person with their back to the door was indeed Director Pan, who had been suspended pending investigation.
In just a few days, Director Pan’s temples had gained numerous white hairs, showing the psychological torment he had endured.
Though twice Xia Xiaolan’s age, Director Pan held her hand with tears in his eyes, completely disregarding his image:
“Director Xia, if not for your efforts to save me, I would have been finished by others’ schemes. Consider how many years I’ve worked diligently to become a director. In this position, I never dared relax, having to withstand pressure from all sides, never daring to approve loans that shouldn’t be approved, reducing bad debts for the bank – I’ve contributed so much! They talk about transferring my position – I’d accept organizational arrangements, but some people went too far, slandering me… I, Pan Yijun, will remember Director Xia’s kindness!”
Xia Xiaolan blinked.
She had done nothing deserving of Pan’s gratitude.
Director Pan was likely just an unfortunate victim of circumstance.
However, since Director Pan appeared here, the crisis must truly be resolved. Ying Jinchuan had managed to resolve the bank troubles and rescue Director Pan. Whatever was said, Director Pan attributed this favor to Xia Xiaolan.
Why would Xia Xiaolan deliberately clarify such a good thing?
“It’s good that you’re alright. From my uncle’s time until now, we’ve known each other so long, that I understand your character perfectly. Even if we hadn’t stepped in, you would have passed any investigation…”
Ying Jinchuan, having witnessed Xia Xiaolan’s shamelessness before, wasn’t surprised by her going along with it.
But Pan Yijun didn’t know.
Pass investigation?
He truly didn’t dare touch money.
But he had accepted some “local specialties.”
When no one was watching, it was normal social interaction, but under strict investigation, even a few bottles of wine and cartons of cigarettes could destroy Pan Yijun.
This time he had escaped death, though Pan Yijun didn’t understand the background events. He only knew of one Sheng Xuan… both were beautiful women, but Xia Xiaolan was his savior while Sheng Xuan tried to destroy him. Pan Yijun felt as much gratitude toward Xia Xiaolan as he did hatred toward Sheng Xuan.