Chapter 28.2

Liu Xiangnian, long met with rejection, was finally moved. He nodded. “Go. Speak to them with sincerity. Invite them to Hong Kong to talk.”

He believed that if his son saw the prosperity of Hong Kong and understood the scale of the Liu family’s business empire, he might not accept it all at once—but with patience, reason, emotion, and incentive, he would come around.

The assistant nodded. “Understood.”

“Also, have you looked into Zhiqian’s company?” Liu Xiangnian asked.

“I received the report late last night. I didn’t want to disturb you. I was going to go over it with you at the office.”

“Give me the gist now.”

The assistant nodded and began explaining. From the time Chen Zhiqian arrived in Hong Kong, he started working part-time after classes. Eventually, he became a distributor for Japanese video game consoles. Though it was a new industry, his peers in university—being young and receptive—quickly embraced it, and he managed to carve out a niche. On top of that, it was his field of study, so he and his classmates started developing related games together.

Six months ago, he decided to start a company. Setting up the company was easy, but getting products to market was much harder. With no capital to build his own factory, he had to find a manufacturing partner.

There are electronics manufacturers in Hong Kong that do OEM work for Japanese companies—but who would want to work with a fresh graduate running a tiny startup? So he found Ailai Electronics, a company suffering years of financial losses.

The owner of Ailai had invested heavily in machinery to win a long-term contract with Japan’s GT Corporation. But they never signed an official agreement—just devoted themselves to prototype development and small-batch trial production.

When it came time for mass production, GT accused Ailai of overpricing and repeatedly pushed them to lower their quotes.

Having invested heavily in equipment and R&D, Ailai couldn’t afford to drop their prices any further. GT only gave them a third of the original order and moved the rest to a new supplier.

Producing that third was a guaranteed loss—but not producing would waste the equipment anyway. So they kept producing at a loss, year after year, until the company was in dire straits.

When Chen Zhiqian approached them to manufacture a similar product, the Ailai boss—once bitten, twice shy—was extremely cautious. Seeing that Tianyao was a newly formed company run by a young mainlander with barely any staff, the boss demanded strict payment terms and was difficult in every way.

Even when Tianyao paid promptly, if GT placed a rush order, Tianyao’s production had to take a backseat.

“That’s why Young Master Zhiqian’s product has constant supply issues,” the assistant reported.

When they arrived at the office building, Liu Xiangnian got out and asked, “So he still can’t ramp up production?”

“Yes. But with Linlong investing in him, the situation should improve.”

“That’ll take time too. Even if they build him a factory from scratch, the fastest timeline for equipment would be, what, six months?” Liu Xiangnian calculated aloud.

“Possibly even longer.”

“So the current factory still prioritizes Japanese orders over his?” Liu Xiangnian thought for a moment. “If Linlong is funding him, they should focus on development and market growth. As for manufacturing, I’ll handle that. Get someone to gather detailed information on Ailai Electronics.”

“Understood,” the assistant said, then continued with his report. “Also, you have a 10 a.m. appointment with Mr. Xu Xia, to discuss Young Master Xueming and Miss Xu’s engagement.”

The two stepped into the elevator. Liu Xiangnian looked a little weary. “Xueming’s in the office, right?”

“Yes. I’ve already notified him.”

“Have him come to my office first.”

“Yes, sir.”

Once inside, Liu Xiangnian sat down heavily. The past few days had been overwhelming. He hadn’t rested properly and felt exhausted.

After Feng Shichang took his son to speak with Mr. Xu yesterday, the man was furious but didn’t agree to anything. He insisted Liu Xiangnian speak with him personally.

Mrs. Xu then called Mrs. Feng. Previously, Mrs. Feng was already panicking when she learned her son might lose his inheritance. Now that the Xu family might also break off the engagement, she was close to losing her mind.

Liu Xiangnian could understand. His daughter couldn’t accept this, and she had her reasons. Without Xu Miao’er, which other respectable family would agree to marry off their daughter to Xueming? What was he going to do—let him marry a small-time actress?

Later that afternoon, Xu Miao’er stormed into Yaohua, just in time to run into Zhiqian. Right there, Zhiqian told Xueming he had no plans to return and that he should go through with the engagement. But the problem now was that Xueming had fallen for Zhiqian’s wife—that stubborn and hard-to-deal-with girl.

Liu Xiangnian had a headache.

There was a knock on the office door. He rubbed his temples and said, “Come in.”

Feng Xueming walked in and greeted him, “Grandpa.”

“Sit down,” Liu Xiangnian said.

Usually poised and well-spirited, Feng Xueming looked visibly worn out. But it wasn’t the broken engagement with Xu Miao’er that troubled him—it was seeing Chen Zhiqian with Rong Yuan yesterday. Later, he returned to Changxing with Xu Xia and heard what Xu Xia had to say about Xu Miao’er. The fact that Rong Yuan vouched for Chen Zhiqian only underscored the latter’s capabilities. Now that his grandfather, already keen to welcome his biological grandson back into the family, had seen this, he was likely even more tempted.

It was just like his own feelings for Fan Qi—the more she ignored him, the more obsessed he became. He simply couldn’t let go.

He’d never seriously considered giving up Tianhe before, but now, if Chen Zhiqian did return, even if their capabilities were evenly matched, it was obvious who Grandpa would choose to inherit the company.

Truthfully, Liu Xiangnian understood all of this. But since he’d already spoken his intentions publicly, how could he take them back now? Continuing down this path at least preserved some dignity—and he still had Fan Qi.

“Grandpa, Xu Miao’er and I truly aren’t compatible. The way she made a scene at Yaohua yesterday—completely lacking the poise of a lady from a respectable family—I just can’t continue this engagement,” said Feng Xueming.

Liu Xiangnian looked at him silently. He thought of Chen Wanyin back in the day—how she would get upset over the smallest things. At the time, he wondered who could ever tolerate such a temper. But when her father got into trouble and they argued fiercely about whether she should go back, it was the worst fight they ever had.

Still, he hadn’t thought much of it. After all, she had written to him from Chongqing to let him know she was safe. He replied, urging her to take care. Oddly, the distance seemed to soften the rift between them. Later, she gave birth to their son and named him Chen Sinian. In that moment, he felt a sense of pride—she still hadn’t truly let go of him.

He had always believed she would understand that while she was gone, he had taken a second wife. As a man, he still needed companionship.

Years later, when he finally learned that she was safe and coming back, he personally went to the airport to welcome her and their son, feeling overjoyed at the thought of reuniting as a family.

But when they arrived at the gate of Fanyuan, she saw the young girl on the swing and then saw Wu Meiyun. Wu Meiyun timidly stepped forward and greeted her, “Big Sister, you’re back.”

He beckoned his daughter over and placed her hand into his son’s: “Qiaoyan, come say hi to your brother.”

Wanyin pulled her son behind her and said, “Mr. Liu, please take your wife and daughter and leave the Chen household immediately.”

Yes, he felt guilty. But surely, she didn’t have to go that far, disregarding his dignity entirely?

He tried to reason with her, but she turned and left. The next day, she showed up with a lawyer and had him thrown out of Fanyuan. That last sentence had been the final words they exchanged alone.

From then on, it was all legal terms and negotiations. Within three months, she had liquidated all her assets in Port City and left with their child.

Thinking back, Liu Xiangnian said to his grandson, “When a woman is still willing to argue with you, it’s because she still holds out hope.”

“If you understand that, Grandpa, then why didn’t you treasure Grandma?” Feng Xueming asked. “Her yelling and fighting—wasn’t that because she still had hope for you? If she meant nothing to you, why would you care whether she had hope or not? It’s like those actresses I date—our relationship is nothing more than a trade: jewelry or a handbag. But what Grandma wanted, you couldn’t give her. And what Xu Miao’er wants, I can’t give either.”

Just then, the secretary called to say that Xu Xia had arrived.

Liu Xiangnian stood up. “I respect your decision.”

The office door opened, and Xu Xia walked in. Feng Xueming greeted him first, “Uncle Xu.”

Xu Xia gave a slight nod in response.

Knowing full well that his grandson was at fault in this matter, Liu Xiangnian stepped forward—it was his relationship with the Xu family that had originally cemented the engagement.

“Xu Xia, I’m terribly sorry about all this.”

“Mr. Liu, don’t say that. It’s just a matter between the young ones—what does it have to do with you?”

His tone was surprisingly cordial, catching Liu Xiangnian off guard. He guided Xu Xia to the sofa, where the secretary brought over some tea.

Liu Xiangnian knew Xu Xia was waiting for him to take a stance. He looked toward Feng Xueming. “Yesterday, Shichang took Xueming to your place without informing me—I was very upset when I heard.”

If Liu Xiangnian hadn’t given his tacit approval, neither Feng Shichang nor Feng Xueming would’ve dared. Xu Xia knew this, but said nothing. He took a sip of tea and said, “I was furious too. The wedding date was set, the dress was already on the way—and now they want to break it off? What kind of behavior is that?”

Liu Xiangnian nodded. “Exactly. At this point, calling off the engagement disgraces both families.”

“But then I saw the scene Miao’er made, and I realized it’s because Xueming has his eye on that actress from those risqué films—and wants to break the engagement for her.” Xu Xia set down his teacup and looked directly at Feng Xueming.

Feng Xueming clenched his jaw but said nothing. He knew he was at fault. Since Xu Miao’er had already exposed the truth, there was no point denying it. And he would never be willing to give up Fan Qi.

“Yesterday, Rong Yuan brought Chen Zhiqian to me to discuss Tianyao’s future. They want Changxing to assist with the IPO and underwriting,” Xu Xia said, throwing a cold glance at Feng Xueming.

Feng Xueming knew Xu Xia was still angry over him handing over WO to Yaohua.

Liu Xiangnian had already advised him before—he should have considered Xu Xia’s position. Now, he could only go along with it. “Indeed. The Xu family has deep roots, and both Changxing and Xu Hui’s Fangxin Financial have stellar reputations in the market. Each has their own strengths.”

Xu Xia maintained his aloof demeanor. “Rong Yuan said yesterday that my seventh aunt and Zhiqian’s grandmother were close friends, and he and Zhiqian hit it off at once. The bond between our families runs deep. I imagine you only have one grandson, Mr. Liu, and Zhiqian will eventually return to the Liu family. Having some actress as the Liu family’s future madam wouldn’t be appropriate. So how about we leave the marriage agreement between our two families intact—but let the engagement between Miao’er and Xueming end here?”

The Xu family was vast and influential. The Nanyang branch had the closest ties with Rong Yuan and his wife. Xu Xia’s presence in Port City was due to his cousin Xu Hui expanding operations there. With family in the same industry, things were bound to intertwine, and Xu Hui had even brought Rong Yuan along into the fold.

However, he had established his connections through Xu Hui and Rong Yuan. This time, seeing Rong Yuan personally bring Chen Zhiqian over and referring to him as a confidant, he started to entertain the idea.

When he heard Xu Xia express his admiration for Chen Zhiqian and consider him as a potential son-in-law, it made Feng Xueming’s blood boil with anger.

From the very beginning, Liu Xiangnian had a slight fondness for Fan Qi, but he despised the fact that she had once acted in romantic films. Later, when she became sharp-tongued and even vulgar, he found her more and more unbearable. He wanted a grandson, but he couldn’t tolerate the thought of this granddaughter-in-law.

Xu Xia’s words, however, seemed to align with his thoughts. He said, “If we can continue the bond between our families, it would be the best outcome.”

Xu Xia glanced at Feng Xueming and turned to Liu Xiangnian, “Allow me to say something offensive. It seems that the oil barrel still contains oil; it’s really quite fitting for Xueming to be with that actress.”

Feng Xueming’s face turned crimson from the humiliation.