Chapter 30: Huang Yanzi, Don’t Talk Nonsense
Meanwhile, Cheng Yuan and Lin Ruoxi were still sitting on the sofa in the living room.
"Ruoxi, I don’t know much about business, but if you run into any trouble, just tell me. I’ll support you no matter what you decide to do."
Lin Ruoxi gave a slight nod, her mind racing as she weighed her options.
Normally, as the general manager of a jewelry company and a highly skilled jewelry designer, she would have started something in the jewelry industry.
However, the jewelry business was one of the pillars of the Huanyu Group. If she started a jewelry company, wouldn’t that be going head-to-head with them?
In the end, Lin Ruoxi decided against creating internal conflict with the Huanyu Group.
"Cheng Yuan, what do you think about us starting an auction house?"
An auction house?
That was a business that could turn a huge profit on a small investment. The only major costs would be rent and staff salaries.
Plus, they wouldn’t have to be in the office every day. Holding two or three auctions a month would be plenty.
"You have my unconditional support!"
Lin Ruoxi frowned, looking troubled. "If we want the auction house to be a success, the inaugural auction has to make a huge splash! We need a true showstopper! That piece of high ice-variety jade Dad brought back doesn’t quite have enough impact."
Cheng Yuan smiled. "That’s simple. We’ll go treasure hunting at the antique market one of these days. I guarantee I’ll find you a few blockbuster items."
She couldn’t help but laugh. "Cheng Yuan, do you think finding hidden gems is that easy? Ninety-nine percent of the ’antiques’ on the market are artificially aged fakes. Even the experts get fooled all the time! Stone gambling is a more reliable bet. If we could find a piece of glass-variety jadeite at the raw stone convention in the Provincial City at the end of the month, our inaugural auction would be a guaranteed sensation!"
"If I find one, I’ll be sure to bring it back for you."
Lin Ruoxi rolled her eyes in exasperation. "You make it sound like you have X-ray Vision or something. Could you not be so confident? There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance!"
Cheng Yuan made a mental note. ’She’s right, I have been a bit too reckless.’
’Hitting green on every single stone last time did look suspicious, but I couldn’t help it. I only had about two million to work with back then.’
’But now, I have over twenty million.’
’I’ll have to be more careful at the Provincial City’s convention at the end of the month. I should probably buy half Waste Stones.’
’Otherwise, it’ll draw too much attention!’
’It’d be bad if I ended up on the radar of some special government department.’
As they were talking, Cheng Yuan’s phone rang. It was a call from his mom.
"Xiaoyuan, it’s the weekend tomorrow, and Qianqian is coming home tonight. You should come home for dinner, too. It would be great if you could bring Ruoxi. Qianqian has been clamoring to meet her sister-in-law."
"My sister is coming home tonight? That’s great! I can definitely make it, but I’m not sure if Ruoxi is free."
Wu Xiuli’s disappointment was obvious in her voice. "Oh, Ruoxi isn’t free? Then never mind."
Lin Ruoxi quickly chimed in, "Auntie, I’m free! I’d love to meet his sister!"
Wu Xiuli instantly brightened. "Ruoxi, you’re free? That’s wonderful! I’ll be waiting for you!"
"Okay, Auntie. See you tonight."
After Lin Ruoxi hung up, Cheng Yuan looked at her, slightly annoyed. "Ruoxi, I’ve already started calling your parents ’Mom’ and ’Dad.’ Why are you still calling my mom ’Auntie’?"
Lin Ruoxi gave him a sly smile. "I asked Manwen about it. Apparently, here in Luocheng, there’s a tradition of giving a gift for changing how you address your in-laws. It’s not so easy to get me to change my tune, you know!~"
Of course, Cheng Yuan knew very well that Lin Ruoxi wasn’t actually after the gift money. She was worried their relationship wouldn’t last, and that his parents would be heartbroken if they divorced.
Cheng Yuan looked at Lin Ruoxi intently, his tone dead serious. "Ruoxi, do you think the Huanyu Group would be a big enough gift?"
Lin Ruoxi laughed. "Don’t be ridiculous. Even if I were made of solid gold, I wouldn’t be worth that much."
"Ruoxi, to me, you’re priceless. A mere company like the Huanyu Group can’t even compare to you!"
Lin Ruoxi’s heart began to pound in her chest. THUMP-THUMP-THUMP. ’Is this what it feels like to be in love?’
’It’s a wonderful feeling!’
Lin Ruoxi didn’t want to fall too deeply for him, but she felt she was already in over her head.
Lin Ruoxi didn’t dare let Cheng Yuan continue with his sweet talk, afraid she’d only fall harder for him. She quickly changed the subject. "Come on, let’s go buy a gift for your sister. What does she like?"
"My sister is a total brainiac, always in the top three of her grade. Her favorite thing is studying. How about we get her some practice exams?"
Lin Ruoxi was speechless.
"Are you trying to buy your sister a gift or a punishment?"
"Uh, well, what do you think we should get her?"
"Girls like pretty clothes and phones. Why don’t we get her a couple of new outfits? And maybe a new phone?"
"Alright, you’re the boss."
The two of them went to Hisense Mall, where they bought a couple of trendy, youthful outfits and the latest model of a Huawei phone.
Then they drove straight to Huijing Garden.
Before Cheng Yuan brought Lin Ruoxi home, Wu Xiuli hated hanging out with the other women in the neighborhood. She couldn’t stand being the target of Huang Yanzi’s snide remarks every day.
But now, Wu Xiuli loved gathering with the neighborhood ladies.
Instead, it was Huang Yanzi who now hid in her apartment, refusing to come out. She couldn’t bear the humiliation. Plus, she was afraid that if Wu Xiuli saw her, she’d complain about Huang Yanzi’s daughter in front of her new, impressive daughter-in-law.
Now, Wu Xiuli sat holding court, surrounded by a crowd of other women.
Even though Wu Xiuli was dressed simply, none of the women dared to look down on her.
"Look how modest Sister Wu is. She has such an accomplished daughter-in-law, yet she’s dressed so simply. She’s not decked out in gold and silver. Then look at Huang Yanzi, always showing off."
"That’s the difference in class! True aristocrats don’t need to show off their status with material things! Who knows, maybe Sister Wu’s ancestors were nobles!"
"Sister Wu, it’s the weekend tomorrow, so Qianqian should be home, right? That girl is so lucky to have such an amazing sister-in-law. She won’t have to worry about finding a job."
Wu Xiuli basked in the flattery. ’No wonder Huang Yanzi loves gossiping out here so much!’
"Qianqian does have a good sister-in-law, but she needs to have the skills to back it up. Otherwise, it’s not easy for her sister-in-law to help her out."
"Sister Wu, my Qianqian and your Qianqian grew up together. When my Qianqian graduates, could you ask your daughter-in-law to give her a little help too?"
"Of course, of course. Just have Qianqian study hard and try to get into a top-tier university. When the time comes, I’ll have Ruoxi look out for her."
"Thank you, Sister Wu!"
Just then, Huang Yanzi came storming out, looking down her nose at Wu Xiuli with an air of arrogance.
"Old Wu, stop bragging! I bet you don’t even know, do you? Your precious daughter-in-law has been fired by the Huanyu Group! What’s more, the chairman of the Huanyu Group has taken back all of her family’s shares! She can’t even save herself right now, and you’re talking about her helping others? That’s hilarious!"
Wu Xiuli flew into a rage. "Huang Yanzi, you’re talking nonsense! Believe it or not, I can have my Ruoxi fire Jiang Nuo!"
"Me, talking nonsense? The news is all over the Huanyu Group! If you don’t believe me, just wait for your daughter-in-law to get here and ask her yourself! The Huanyu Group has seized all her assets and shares. She’s a pauper now! And it’s all because your Cheng Yuan dating Lin Ruoxi angered the chairman!"
Instantly, all the women around them turned to look at Wu Xiuli with strange expressions.
’So much for the Wu family climbing the social ladder to become Phoenixes. Turns out they were looked down on, and even dragged that poor girl down with them.’
Just then, a brand-new Audi A8L pulled up and stopped in front of the crowd.
The women’s eyes widened in awe. ’That car must be worth over a million! Which family’s kid is so successful?’
With a soft click, the car door opened. Lin Ruoxi stepped out and looked at Wu Xiuli with a warm smile. "Auntie, Cheng Yuan and I are here to see you."