Near the center playground, there was an octagonal pavilion.
Because it was adjacent to Tangsun Lake, students called it the Lake View Pavilion.
The lake breeze was strong tonight.
The water’s surface rippled and surged.
But the bright moon hung high in the sky.
Therefore, one could witness the spectacular scene of the waves reflecting the moon and the tide bringing the stars.
Facing the lake, Jiang Chen felt the headlights from behind and turned his head to see an Aston Martin approaching at a leisurely pace.
"Seeing you is no easy feat."
The car door slammed shut.
Miss Shi, whom he hadn’t seen for a while, approached with a smile that was not quite a smile.
She was dressed somewhat differently today, her hair pinned up neatly, wearing a plain ladies’ suit. If it were the first time seeing her, Jiang Chen might really think she was a career woman.
"What brings you here?"
"Your school invited me to attend your New Year’s gala."
Miss Shi answered matter-of-factly, walking into the octagonal pavilion and gazing at the moonlight over the lake.
"Nice place. Do you often bring girls here for dates?"
Jiang Chen didn’t bite.
"Best performance, was that your doing?"
Shi Qianxi unabashedly nodded, frank to a fault.
"No need for thanks, we’re so familiar with each other, it was a trivial matter, not worth mentioning."
Although her attire seemed to have changed a bit, her inner nature hadn’t changed at all.
"Isn’t this a bit frivolous?"
"How am I being frivolous?"
Shi Qianxi turned her head, "I think her singing was quite good. The never happening that one dreads, how nice, best of the evening, she truly deserved the title."
"Hey, don’t be so concerned just because she’s your ex-girlfriend. The school leaders didn’t say anything, so why should you worry?"
What’s done is done, continuing the discussion was indeed futile.
"You’re now the vice president of Jin Hai?"
Jiang Chen changed the subject.
"Yeah, impressive, right?"
Shi Qianxi lifted her neck, her pretty oval face beaming with pride.
"Then shouldn’t you pay back my money?"
At this, Shi Qianxi immediately looked away.
"What’s the rush, I’ll naturally repay you when I have money."
"You’re now the vice president of Jin Hai, and you don’t have money?"
"I have only a nominal position. Besides, my dad won’t pay me a salary. He just treats me like free labor, locking me up in the company and forcing me to look at this and that.
Jiang Chen, do you know how I’ve been living these days? It’s almost like being in prison. I barely had a chance to get out and get some air, and here you are, asking me for money. Do you have any humanity?"
Sure enough, old habits die hard.
Jiang Chen didn’t respond, instead looking out at the vast expanse of the lake.
"So, it was that girl who dumped you? She looks alright, but she’s not stunningly beautiful."
Shi Qianxi stood beside him, murmuring softly.
"Miss Shi, now that you have status, could you not be so gossipy? What you should be considering now is how to grow and expand Jin Hai Industries."
"My dad hasn’t retired yet. The company’s business doesn’t need me to worry about it."
Shi Qianxi said carelessly.
Not to mention whether she was interested or not, even if she were, she likely wouldn’t have the power just yet.
Although she was indeed the second-largest shareholder of Jin Hai, she couldn’t really go competing with her father for power.
"Miss Shi, even though you disrupted the charity auction last time, that doesn’t mean Director Shi will give up. I can help you once, but I can’t help you every time."
Jiang Chen hinted obliquely.
While waiting for the lady in the pavilion earlier, a daring idea had suddenly popped into his mind.
Although it seemed a bit far-fetched, it wasn’t without feasibility.
"What are you trying to say?"
Shi Qianxi frowned slightly and turned towards him.
"I have a piece of information, do you want to hear it?"
"Pei Yunxi’s contract with her original management company is about to expire. You know her previous boss was Yang Ni. Although they were superior and subordinate, they were actually as close as sisters, so Yang Ni has always taken good care of her, shielding her from a lot of external pressure. But if she switches companies, will others do the same?"
Jiang Chen paused, then went further.
"Or rather, if Director Shi knew about this news, do you think he would take action? With Director Shi’s capabilities, even if he doesn’t personally step in, by simply borrowing a shell company, he can bring Miss Pei into his fold. Once that happens, the outcome might be out of your control."
Shi Qianxi’s eyebrows furrowed tighter, clearly realizing the severity of the issue.
"Is what you’re saying true?"
"The source of the information is absolutely reliable. Pei Yunxi is hesitating, and I think it’s very likely she won’t renew the contract."
she couldn’t deny the vixen’s fame.
The matter of her contract was strictly business secrets; ordinary people definitely couldn’t know.
But Miss Shi had no doubts about Jiang Chen’s abilities.
After all, how many people could casually come up with three hundred million to lend someone?
And without asking for any promissory notes or contracts, after lending the money, he was completely out of touch, so unless she took the initiative, this guy would probably never contact her in his lifetime.
"Then what should I do?"
Miss Shi felt completely helpless, at a loss.
Jiang Chen feigned deep thought.
"...I do have a method."
Shi Qianxi asked subconsciously.
Jiang Chen looked into her eyes.
"If you don’t want Director Shi to get her, the most effective way is for you to sign her yourself."
Shi Qianxi’s pupils dilated, and for a moment, her mind was a bit muddled.
"You sign Pei Yunxi, and then every move she makes will be under your control. Even if Director Shi has any ideas, he won’t be able to bypass you and thus can’t succeed."
Shi Qianxi’s face looked dazed, and her pupils trembled continuously, her eyes growing brighter.
"But... the vixen’s worth is not low, I don’t have that much money..."
Jiang Chen pretended not to hear that term.
"I can lend it to you."
Shi Qianxi stared at him, stunned.
She hadn’t even repaid her own three hundred million yet.
And he was willing to lend her more money?
Why was he so good to her?
"Of course, I have my conditions."
Jiang Chen cleared his throat lightly.
"This time, I want to be a stakeholder."
Shi Qianxi composed herself; she obviously didn’t care about that issue at all, hesitatingly saying, "But would the vixen agree? I have insulted her, and she probably doesn’t like me much..."
Jiang Chen almost laughed, fortunately holding it back in time.
Using "doesn’t like me much" was quite an understatement.
If he dared to propose this idea, he naturally had a certain level of confidence.
If Pei Yunxi truly did not want to be a canary locked in a cage, she would most likely agree.
"If you agree to this plan, then authorize me, and I will talk to her."
Jiang Chen seemed to exhale a heavy breath.
"But afterwards, you’ll need to be a bit nicer to people."
"I certainly understand that."
Shi Qianxi looked at him, "Do you really think you can persuade her?"