When Xu Changle walked in, he wasn’t surprised to see Zhou Cheng there.

Young Yu, as an increasingly competent secretary, always gave visitors some hints.

“Mr. Zhou, I hear congratulations are on your successful proposal!”

The two men shook hands.

“Thank you. Xiaolan and I were just discussing how to decorate our future home in Peng City. If you have business with Xiaolan, let’s get to it.”

The matter could be discussed, but whether it would be handled depended on specific analysis.

After all, Xu Changle never came without a reason.

“Brother Xu, please say what you need to say.”

Xia Xiaolan invited him to sit.

How could Xu Changle not understand Zhou Cheng’s subtext?

The engaged couple was happily discussing their future home – if Xu Changle had something unpleasant to discuss, he’d better think twice. People who spoiled the mood were unwelcome everywhere!

Xu Changle was decisive, “I’m here for two matters. I could have called, but it might not have been clear enough over the phone. First, it’s my father’s concern – Zhu Suizhou found a loophole, making Du Zhaoji, the second young master of the Du family from Hong Kong, the indirect majority shareholder of the Shangdu Asia Mall. Xiaolan, do you have any thoughts on this?”

What thoughts could she have?

She had already told Young Yu that business changes rapidly, and one must be prepared for changes before investing.

At worst, she’d become partners with Du Zhaoji.

It wasn’t a long-term investment anyway. When the Asia Mall reached its peak value, she’d sell her shares, and Du Zhaoji would likely be the first to buy at the high price.

But Xu Zhongyi and Xu Changle didn’t understand her thinking.

Because they didn’t have foreknowledge.

Zhou Cheng understood.

Zhou Cheng didn’t have foreknowledge, but he only needed to understand his wife.

His wife had never made a losing deal. If Du Zhaoji wanted in, he’d better manage the Asia Mall properly, or he’d be losing his own money-

Zhou Cheng not only understood Xiaolan, but he’d also been dealing with Xu Zhongyi since the latter was known as “Master Qiu,” giving him some insight:

“Does Uncle Xu want to help force Du Zhaoji out of the Asia Mall for Xiaolan?”

Zhou Cheng immediately grasped the point, and Xia Xiaolan remained silent, letting him continue.

Xu Changle nodded, “If Xiaolan needs it. My father says the Du family’s business practices are irregular, and Du Zhaoji takes after them. Now that he’s the majority indirect shareholder, if Xiaolan doesn’t force him out, once the Asia Mall starts profiting, he’ll force Xiaolan out.”

Xia Xiaolan had many advantages on the mainland.

However, in Shangdu, Zhu Suizhou managed all relationships well, diminishing Xia Xiaolan’s advantages.

She also had one disadvantage compared to Du Zhaoji – capital.

Without help, how could her available capital compare to Du Zhaoji’s?

Du Zhaoji was from the Du family, while Xia Xiaolan, despite her business talent, was just starting. With both fishing in the same pond, if Du Zhaoji wanted to expand it, Xiaolan would either have to increase investment or watch as Du Zhaoji diluted her 18% shareholding.

For increased investment – where was the limit?

Eventually, Xia Xiaolan would still need to borrow funds.

So Xu Zhongyi thought, that rather than letting others make the first move, they should act first and kick Du Zhaoji out.

They could keep Zhu Suizhou if possible, or remove him too if necessary, giving the project entirely to Xia Xiaolan to operate… after all, the Asia Mall had taken the land of Building 45.

Zhou Cheng glanced at his wife, and seeing no objection, continued with his thoughts:

“We understand your and Uncle Xu’s meaning, but I think it’s unrealistic. If Xiaolan wanted to do this herself, she wouldn’t have settled for 18% of the shares. She never intended to take over the Asia Mall project; she wanted Zhu Suizhou to make money for her. She cares not about who invests in Asia Mall, but who operates it.”

Without foreknowledge, Zhou Cheng spoke with certainty.

This was his understanding of Xiaolan.

Interested in the project?

No way – Xiaolan often said there were many profitable projects, even taking him to see Pudong in Shanghai.

Qihang was about to sell buildings.

Xiaolan also wanted to build a building materials mall.

Du Zhaohui bought the promising “Chengrong Plaza” project idea for 10 million Hong Kong dollars. Was Xiaolan too naive to know the project could be profitable? No, no, no – she simply had no shortage of projects, so sharing one with Du Zhaohui didn’t hurt.

Having the Asia Mall or not made no difference to Xiaolan.

Why did she agree to invest? It was more Xu Zhongyi’s idea – he wanted to repay kindness. External forces worked step by step, leading to the investment.

Another reason was faith in Zhu Suizhou, the current leader of the Asia Mall project. Zhou Cheng believed his wife only had optimistic estimates for the mall’s future profits because Zhu Suizhou was building it.

If not for Zhu Suizhou, Xiaolan wouldn’t have wanted these 18% shares.

His wife didn’t lack projects – she lacked capable, trustworthy managers… one person’s energy was limited; they couldn’t split Xiaolan into several people!

Though Zhou Cheng spoke with certainty, Xu Changle still wanted to hear Xia Xiaolan’s thoughts.

Xia Xiaolan smiled and nodded, “What Zhou Cheng said represents my opinion.”

This wasn’t a woman’s submissiveness, nor just saving face for her man in front of others – Zhou Cheng had hit the nail on the head. Even if the explanation wasn’t completely clear, it was enough to represent her thoughts.

Honestly, she had never discussed these things in detail with Zhou Cheng and didn’t know how he had summarized them so well.

But he was right, very right!

Xu Changle was somewhat frustrated.

After talking with his father, they made a different judgment.

Not interested in the project, but valuing Zhu Suizhou? As long as Zhu Suizhou remained in charge of the Asia Mall, Xia Xiaolan didn’t care who the shareholders were – this mindset was indeed broad, while he and his father had thought too narrowly.

Xu Changle smiled bitterly:

“If Xiaolan doesn’t feel this way, my second matter becomes harder to discuss.”

Zhou Cheng changed his sitting position, “Uncle Xu and you are principled people. You like to pay first, then state conditions, right? I think this approach is good, but sometimes it’s a bit too cold… Xiaolan can certainly be moved by benefits, but once the money reaches a certain amount, a bit more or less doesn’t make much difference. If you need Xiaolan’s help, be straightforward about it. If we can help, we definitely will, but we’ll do it for the relationship.”

Relationship with whom?

Not with the Xu father and son, but with Grandmother Yu.

Relationships were consumable – use a bit, lose a bit. Zhou Cheng hoped Xu Changle wouldn’t make excessive demands that would exhaust the relationship between Xiaolan and Grandmother Yu.

Xu Changle showed an apologetic expression at Zhou Cheng’s words:

“Mr. Zhou is right. I shouldn’t have played these little tricks. Let me be direct! On New Year’s Eve, my grandmother made a request – she can accept Tina back home and is willing to actively improve relations with her, but Tina must do another DNA paternity test with my father. She doesn’t trust us father and son, and insists Xiaolan must be present for the paternity test.”