Wen Yaozu’s words caused Su Guilan’s face to visibly darken. The wrinkles on her face deepened as she clenched her teeth and asked, “Where is Wen Ci?”
“She went south.”
No sooner had the words been spoken than Jiang Chen started chattering incessantly, “She was brought back to take care of Huo Jingyuan. What’s the meaning of running off to the south without a word?”
Yu Qing had heard enough. “Are you a woman? Why are you so gossipy? How do you know Huo Jingyuan didn’t agree to Wen Ci going south?”
…
Meanwhile.
It took Wen Ci’s group just three hours to travel from the capital to Shencheng.
As they landed, the sunset glow painted the sky with fiery clouds. Xiao Chuan tilted his head back to look at the sky, paused, and said, “The sky is so beautiful.”
Wen Ci followed his gaze and smiled. “It really is.”
Xu Jinghe glanced at Wen Ci and said, “Let’s head home first. We can go check the goods at the factory early tomorrow morning. My factory is in the suburbs. If we wait for a ride now, it’ll be dark by the time we get there.”
After hearing his explanation, Wen Ci nodded.
The Xu family ancestral home was located in HP District, the most bustling area of Shencheng. There were several department stores alone here, representing the vision of the entire southern region.
“President Xu, you’re back.”
Xu Jinghe nodded in acknowledgment. There were only so many businesspeople in HP District; almost everyone knew each other, and exchanging greetings was customary.
“President Xu, and this is…?”
“My sister-in-law.”
Xu Jinghe openly explained Wen Ci’s identity.
Suddenly, Wen Ci remembered that staying at the Xu family home would mean interacting with Xu Jinghe’s parents. Being introverted, she really didn’t want to cause extra trouble.
She spoke up, “How about I stay at a hotel instead?”
Shencheng was a big city and had hotels.
The difference between a hotel and a guesthouse was that a hotel didn’t require a work unit introduction letter, but it was more expensive—around twenty yuan per night.
For this trip, Wen Ci had brought her bank passbook.
She planned to withdraw some money from the bank to pay Xu Jinghe for the goods; it didn’t feel right to owe him.
Xu Jinghe asked, “What’s wrong?”
Wen Ci told him the truth, “I’m not good at dealing with elders. Once Jingyuan’s injuries are healed, I’ll accompany him to visit your parents then.”
Xu Jinghe considered it.
Since Wen Ci wasn’t comfortable socializing with elders, he let it go.
“Then I’ll get you a room at the Peace Hotel.”
Wen Ci’s eyes widened, and she quickly objected, “No, no, no, not the Peace Hotel! We’re out here to make money, not spend it.”
In the 1980s, the Peace Hotel was a famously prestigious place. A single night in a standard room cost around five hundred yuan, with the top-tier suites being even more expensive.
Wen Ci asked curiously, “May I ask, how much are you worth?”
Xu Jinghe did a quick mental calculation. The garment factory was a business he had started recently. The millions worth of inventory in the factory was just the tip of the iceberg of his assets.
But he had always been one to achieve high returns with low costs.
“Tens of millions, probably.”
Wen Ci was stunned.
So a mere million was just pocket change to him?!
Wen Ci suddenly felt her mouth go dry. She raised her hand and gave Xu Jinghe a thumbs-up, praising sincerely, “You’re really amazing! To think you’re worth tens of millions!”
“What’s so amazing about me?”
Huo Jingyuan’s aunt was even richer.
Compared to her, his wealth was truly a drop in the bucket.
“How about experiencing it, just once?”
Wen Ci felt conflicted. She wanted to experience the Peace Hotel in the 80s, but she couldn’t bear to spend the money. “A regular hotel is just fine.”
Xu Jinghe didn’t press further and joked with a smile, “Then, after you make money on this trip, you and Huo Jingyuan can stay at the Peace Hotel together next time. It’ll be the same.”
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