Chapter 53

Zhou Sujin’s gift of Kunchen sharing with her was something Wei Lai had never even considered.

Even if it was just a tiny portion of shares, it represented a substantial wealth, not to mention, a considerable amount.

Normally, any movement by the major shareholders of Kunchen would attract attention. This time, involving a change in share ownership, particularly Zhou Sujin’s gifting of shares to her, his so-called “wife of mutual benefit,” would surely stir up considerable debate.

Wei Lai reached for her water glass, took a few large sips, finding it hard to digest this shocking news. Zhou Sujin sat across from her, and she looked at him and asked, “How much are you planning to give me?”

Zhou Sujin replied, “Not much.” Then he added, “But enough to let everyone know that everything I do is to make you happy.”

Wei Lai handed him the glass, thinking to herself, there was one thing he didn’t go along with me on, nor did it make me happy.

But with Lawyer Xing present, she kept her silent grievances to herself.

Zhou Sujin checked his watch; five minutes had passed. He asked her, “Can you sign now? The procedures are quite complicated, and once you’ve signed, Lawyer Xing needs to rush back to handle them.”

Wei Lai nodded and moved to the other side of the sofa.

Lawyer Xing, being concise, handed her a stack of documents requiring her signature.

Wei Lai first examined the share transfer agreement. Worried she might be mistaken, she meticulously counted each zero, realizing she was being given thirty-six million shares, representing a 0.31% stake.

His gift had been carefully considered to not affect his control over the group under any circumstances, not to harm the interests of other major shareholders, nor to cause any fluctuations in the stock price.

As they were husband and wife, all major shareholders unanimously approved his transfer plan.

She had been busy after the New Year and hadn’t paid attention to Kunchen for a long time.

Wei Lai tried to remember the last time she checked Kunchen’s stock price. It seemed like the price per share was over two hundred on that day, but she couldn’t recall the exact figure.

Zhou Sujin took a sip of water, then gestured to Lawyer Xing, “Tell her the exact stock price of Kunchen.”

Wei Lai hesitated.

Lawyer Xing silently smiled and took out his phone.

Wei Lai earnestly calculated her current net worth. According to yesterday’s stock price, her net worth was almost catching up to that of Mu Di’s father.

Of course, in other aspects of power and comprehensive financial strength, she couldn’t compete with them, but in terms of pure numbers, she was almost there, which was enough.

She signed all the documents and handed them to Lawyer Xing. “Thank you for your hard work.”

Lawyer Xing replied, “It’s my duty.”

His return flight was in the evening, so he hastily gathered all the signed documents and hurried to the airport.

Wei Lai closed the pen and stood by the window, opening it to let in some fresh air.

It felt like a dream. She wouldn’t have dared to dream that she suddenly became so wealthy.

She turned to Zhou Sujin and said, “Husband, when the supermarket expands, and I become rich, I’ll give you a gift. It might take a few more years.”

Zhou Sujin asked her to close the window, replying, “No rush, I’ll wait.”

Following his request, Wei Lai closed the window but wanted to prepare him mentally, “However, that gift might be a bit light for you, but for me, it’s quite precious, and its significance is different.”

Zhou Sujin said, “It’s precious to me too.”

A warm feeling spread in Wei Lai’s heart. She returned to her desk, pushing her chair closer to him.

Zhou Sujin told her not to bother pushing the chair, saying, “I’ll come over.” He dragged his chair over to her side, leaving an appropriate distance between them, not interfering with her work.

Wei Lai hadn’t planned on working; these past few days, her mind was overly fatigued, making her efficiency low and prone to mistakes.

She informed Zhou Sujin about the progress of finding the supermarket mole. Initially, they suspected Chen Qi, but it turned out to be arranged by He Wancheng to help his mother.

Zhou Sujin wasn’t surprised that He Wancheng had arranged for someone to go into the supermarket. During lunch yesterday, He Wancheng was surprised that Zhou Sujin hadn’t paid attention to Wei Lei’s supermarket and hadn’t arranged for anyone to help her.

Mentioning He Wancheng, he had a favor to ask, “He Dong intends to pursue my mother. What are your thoughts?”

Wei Lai was absentmindedly writing the name “Chen Qi” on a piece of paper. Her pen paused abruptly as she looked at him. He never took the initiative to ask about others, even family.

“Is He Dong unsure of my attitude towards him?”

“Yeah,” Zhou Sujin replied frankly, “I’ll ask for him.”

“Tell He Dong that as long as my mom likes him, I have no objection.” Wei Lai added ‘Deputy General Manager’ after ‘Chen Qi’ on the paper.

Zhou Sujin took the paper from her desk, “Self-doubt?”

Wei Lai smiled, “Maybe because Lu Manyi sent two people before and after, I’ve developed paranoia.” She added a sentence after ‘Deputy General Manager Chen Qi’, stating that he was responsible for screening upstream suppliers.

In mid-April, the information disclosed by Kunchen Group showed a decrease in Zhou Sujin’s shareholding percentage, and a new name appeared in the list of individual shareholders.

This news sent shockwaves through the social circles in Jiangcheng.

Lu Manyi called her niece and asked her to have lunch together at noon.

Mu Di wasn’t in the mood for lunch, but she agreed nonetheless.

Lu Manyi also didn’t feel like eating and found a restaurant near her niece’s company.

Zhou Sujin gifting shares of Kunchen to Wei Lai implied something obvious.

“The person I planted in Wei Lai’s supermarket had a change of heart midway. He refunded the money to me, saying that Wei Lai had suspected him back in February. He didn’t dare to contact me at that time, so he waited until a few days ago.”

When Yu Younian refunded the money, he said: Wei Lai already suspected me, and I didn’t dare to offend Zhou Sujin. I tried to make amends, so let’s just pretend this never happened.

With Zhou Sujin pressuring him, he could only suffer in silence.

Lu Manyi was puzzled, “How did Wei Lai suspect that I planted someone?”

Mu Di misdirected her uncle, “Maybe Wei Lai didn’t actually find out. It’s possible that the person got scared and didn’t want to be a mole anymore. He was afraid of offending you and being threatened by you, so he made up this excuse.”

Lu Manyi suddenly saw the light and said, “Your explanation makes sense.”

He rubbed his temples. Zhou Sujin’s gifting of shares had thrown him off, and his mind wasn’t as sharp as before. However, with Zhou Sujin backing Wei Lai, he could only pretend that Yu Younian’s matter never happened.

Mu Di silently ate her food without saying much more.

The person she had planted had also been suspected by Wei Lai, but it was easy for him to shake off the suspicion, ensuring his safety from then on.

—

In late April, Zhou Sujin had a series of meetings and negotiations, leaving him with no time to visit Jiangcheng.

He apologized to Wei Lai, promising to spend more time with her in May.

Wei Lai didn’t want him to feel guilty. She smiled and said, “Even if you come over, I won’t have time. Although our supermarket isn’t big, I’m even busier than you.”

Zhou Sujin heard the sound of her shutting down her computer and instinctively checked his watch. It was nearly ten o’clock. “Are you heading home this late?”

Since he wasn’t at home, whether she returned a little earlier or later didn’t matter; it was all overtime work.

Wei Lai put on her coat, locked the door, and descended the stairs. His voice came from the other end, “Be careful on the stairs.”

“It’s fine, the lights are on.”

Wei Lai descended the steps, recalling the first time he visited her office. It was on these very stairs. She lagged behind him by two steps, and he suddenly turned around to find her.

The supermarket downstairs was still open. On Fridays to Sundays, it closed at ten o’clock, usually at half past nine.

“Husband, I’m in the car now.”

After bidding goodnight, Wei Lai hung up the phone and started the car.

As she fastened her seatbelt, she glanced at the second-floor office area. All the office lights were off.

Just as she was about to step on the gas, two people emerged from the entrance of the stairs, chatting as they walked. It was Yu Younian and Chen Qi.

Wei Lai rolled down the car window and greeted them as they approached, “Why are you both out so late?”

Yu Younian replied, “Mr. Chen asked me about the shares of Baijia and Baiduo Industries. He wants to be more cautious in his selection.”

Seeking financing from upstream suppliers was also part of selecting strategic partners. The other party intended to hold shares of Wei Lai’s supermarket, which was crucial for its long-term development. Being cautious was essential.

Initially, they planned to collaborate with two companies. Lemon Food had been finalized, but Chen Qi was hesitating between Baijia and Baiduo Industries. These two companies had similar names but no direct connection.

Chen Qi told Wei Lai, “I’ve dealt with both companies before, but I’ve only interacted with the vice presidents in charge. I don’t know anyone higher up.”

He was conflicted, “It’s a bit difficult to choose.”

Wei Lai asked him, “Which one do you lean towards?”

Chen Qi honestly replied, “Baiduo Industries.”

Wei Lai said, “I lean towards Baiduo too.”

Yu Younian had a good impression of both companies, “With such impressions, there’s no need for further hesitation. Let’s go with Baiduo.”

As he spoke, he smiled and said, “We’ll hold our meeting in the parking lot.”

Since it was Saturday tomorrow, Wei Lai asked them to rest at home. The partners had been decided, and they would move forward next Monday.

Back in her apartment, she stood at the entrance for a while, then took out her phone and booked the earliest high-speed train ticket to Beijing for tomorrow.

The next day, she informed her mother that she would take a two-day break from work over the weekend.

Cheng Minzhi: [Take a good rest.]

Wei Lai also reported the progress of financing to her mother, confirming the selection of Lemon Food and Baiduo Industries. She personally supervised it, so there would be no problems.

As the broadcast announced the second to last station, she felt a strange nervousness.

[Uncle Yan, I’m here to see Zhou Sujin today. There’s no access control at the villa, and I don’t know the contact information for the butler. Could you please give me the butler’s business card? By the way, I didn’t tell Zhou Sujin I was coming.]

She asked Uncle Yan to keep it confidential.

Uncle Yan was driving and couldn’t check his messages.

At noon, Zhou Sujin had an engagement, and they were currently on their way to the hotel.

In the back seat of the car, Zhou Sujin was adjusting his schedule while looking down. He tried to schedule everything for the afternoon, as he had instructed Yang Ze, who was sitting in the passenger seat, “I’ll be flying to Jiangcheng at eleven tonight and returning tomorrow morning. I’ll be at the company before two o’clock. Coordinate your schedule accordingly.”

Yang Ze replied, “Okay.”

Having been working non-stop recently, flying back and forth like this was exhausting.

Zhou Sujin turned his head and added, “Mr. Zhou, can you handle it?”

“It’s okay.” Zhou Sujin exited the schedule app, having promised her that he would visit her today. He knew she had been looking forward to it, so he would try his best not to break his promise.

When the car reached the hotel basement, Uncle Yan stopped the car and waited for Zhou Sujin to get out before picking up his phone.

After reading the message, he hurriedly opened the car door. “Mr. Zhou.”

Zhou Sujin turned around, and Uncle Yan unbuckled his seatbelt and handed him the phone. Zhou Sujin would be flying to Jiangcheng at night, possibly heading straight to the airport from the company. He couldn’t keep Wei Lai’s visit a secret anymore, so he passed the phone to Zhou Sujin.

After reading the message, Zhou Sujin’s throat moved slightly, and he handed the phone back to Uncle Yan.

Wei Lai had only visited once after their marriage and had forgotten to provide her information to the property management. Previously, she always entered and exited in his car. This time, without a car, she wouldn’t be able to enter the villa.

Once in the elevator, he called the butler to arrange for her pickup.

The elevator arrived quickly, and when they reached the floor of his engagement, he didn’t enter the private room, gesturing for Yang Ze to go ahead.

Wei Lai hadn’t received a reply from Uncle Yan, but she received a call from Zhou Sujin.

Zhou Sujin rarely explained himself. After the call connected, he explained on Uncle Yan’s behalf, “It’s not that Uncle Yan won’t keep it a secret for you. I’m going to see you tonight, and he’s worried that I won’t go home and will go straight to the airport.”

“Are you flying to Jiangcheng again at midnight?”

Zhou Sujin answered evasively, “It’s nothing. I travel globally all year round. A thousand kilometers away is nothing to me.” Then he asked, “Where are you now?”

Wei Lai told him the approximate time of arrival at the station. “You’re busy, I’ll go home by myself.”

Everyone in the private room was waiting for him, so Zhou Sujin quickly said, “The butler will come to pick you up. You’ll have to arrange your own schedule for the afternoon.”

Wei Lai returned home, put down her luggage, and changed into her home clothes.

On the way to pick her up, the butler also bought fresh cherries and green grapes, as those were her favorite fruits. With nothing else to do, she made cherry sauce.

After the sauce cooled, it was already dark outside.

A car entered the courtyard.

Wei Lai practically dashed out of the kitchen, eagerly awaiting his arrival after two weeks.

“There could have been more surprises.” She threw herself into his arms as soon as she saw him.

Zhou Sujin replied, “There were plenty. I received the message from Uncle Yan.”

He kissed her deeply, right there in the yard.

Wei Lai wasn’t fully focused on the kiss, always worried that Auntie or the butler would suddenly come out of the villa.

After leaving her lips, Zhou Sujin took her hand and led her inside.

After dinner, Zhou Sujin worked for an extra two hours, freeing up the next morning to spend with her.

In the bathroom, Wei Lai washed her hair and started filling the bathtub with water. Before getting in, she searched for the wall-mounted lamp remote.

Not being familiar with this place, she took a while to find it.

After turning off the lights, she leaned against the bath pillow and had a clearer view of the backyard through the French windows.

After three months, the backyard, once covered in silver, was now full of spring colors. She remembered the first time she came to the villa, it was in late autumn, and the backyard resembled an oil painting, vibrant and colorful.

After soaking for a while, she remembered she forgot to add essential oil. Wei Lai picked up a bottle of jasmine-scented oil from the shelf and dripped it into the water.

The master bathroom was exceptionally spacious, with the shower area behind the bathtub at an angle. She stood with her back to it, listening to the sound of the shower, not turning her head.

With the wall lamp turned off, only the light in front of the vanity mirror was on, casting a dim light that was just right.

This was the first time she had shared a bathroom with Zhou Sujin.

Wei Lai kept turning her head to look out the window, but after a while, her neck started to ache. She turned her gaze away and massaged her neck. She hadn’t brought her phone, so she could only pass the time by admiring the bathroom’s design.

This bathroom was different from the one in her home in Jiangcheng. The style at Jiang’an Yunchen was warmer, while the style here matched his personality perfectly simple, understated, and luxurious.

“Upon closer inspection, everywhere exudes a chilly luxury.

After some time had passed, the shower turned off, and the sound of water abruptly ceased.

Before leaving, Zhou Sujin reminded her, ‘Wei Lai? Don’t fall asleep.’

Only then did Wei Lai turn her head. He had already put on his bathrobe and tied the belt. She said, ‘I’m not sleeping.’

As he walked towards the door, tying the sleeves of his bathrobe, she called out, ‘Husband.’

Zhou Sujin turned around. ‘Do you want me to blow-dry your hair or fetch you some clothes?’

‘Neither,’ she replied. She was accustomed to blow-drying her own hair, and she had already prepared her clothes before taking a bath. ‘I’m a little thirsty.’

Zhou Sujin said, ‘I’ll go get some.’

‘Just put it on my bedside.’

As the bathroom door closed, Wei Lai stepped out of the bathtub.

She had just put on her slip dress, and the hem of the dress hadn’t been properly pulled down yet when Zhou Sujin entered with a cup of water.

Wei Lai roughly adjusted her dress and took the cup from him, drinking most of it in one gulp. As she drank, she grabbed onto his bathrobe, preventing him from leaving.

Zhou Sujin held her in his arms, pulling down the hem of her nightgown on the other side. Seeing her drink so much water, he said, ‘Don’t soak for so long next time.’

The water from his hair dripped onto his neck. Wei Lai reached out to help him wipe it off, and Zhou Sujin reflexively grasped her fingers, mistaking her intention for touching his Adam’s apple.

‘I’m just helping you wipe off the water,’ Wei Lai said, handing him the cup and snuggling in his arms. ‘You don’t always make me happy, nor do you always go along with what I say. You won’t even let me touch your Adam’s apple.’

Zhou Sujin looked at her. ‘Do you want to try again? This time, I’ll go along with you.'”