Lu Jiaxin calculated when she returned home that the investments managed by Mo Libin, Sang Wen, and Deng Weihai only left a little more than forty million greenbacks on the books, but that money was reserved for emergencies and couldn’t be touched. Meanwhile, there were over two hundred million greenbacks with Nie Zhan, which Lu Jiaxin had set aside for the purchase of premium properties.
However, after going over the accounts, Lu Jiaxin felt that the money shouldn’t just sit there; it needed to be put to use. Of course, the intended use was to continue speculating on the Nikkei Index.
That evening, when Nie Zhan returned, Lu Jiaxin discussed this matter with him:
Nie Zhan had already known she would use the funds and, knowing it was futile to try to dissuade her, he didn’t waste his breath, "Okay, but the remaining funds cannot be touched. Jiaxin, the relocation of the company to Bermuda will involve the progressive sell-off of their premium properties. If we don’t have the capital, we’ll miss out on this opportunity, and once it’s gone, it’s gone."
The three buildings purchased by Lu Jiaxin included two that were released by the property company. Given the current situation, it was certain that many more properties would be put on the market in succession.
"I’ll listen to you; the remaining funds won’t be touched and will be reserved for the purchase of premium properties. Oh, by the way, Ah Zhan, haven’t you always been engaging in short-term investments with your private funds? It’s a real loss for my hundred million to just sit in the account; I should also invest it short-term!"
Nie Zhan said with a smile, "Didn’t you say you were afraid of losses the last time?"
"No one can guarantee a hundred percent profit in investments. But with short-term investments, losses are limited, unless something like last October happens," Lu Jiaxin said.
She had disagreed with short-term investments at the beginning of the year because she wanted to continue speculating on foreign currencies and the Nikkei Index. It was a stalemate because Nie Zhan had not agreed, but now she had calmed down and felt that she had been a bit too eager at the time. If Nie Zhan hadn’t held her back, she might have taken out a large sum of money to continue speculating. It just goes to show that human desires are indeed limitless.
Nie Zhan naturally had no objections now, "Next month there is a charity event, let’s attend it then!"
Having previously declined due to academic obligations, now that she was in charge of the company there was no reason to decline any longer. Su Heyuan’s engagement had been a sort of limited public debut, and attending the charity gala would give her the chance to meet various social elites.
Lu Jiaxin confirmed it was the Donghua Sanatorium charity gala. The Donghua Sanatorium had a big reputation and had always been dedicated to providing diversified services for the public in education and healthcare. However, they also raised funds for relief efforts in case of earthquakes or floods in the Mainland.
Nie Zhan said, "Each invited guest can Find your next favorite novel on NovelHub today! I’ve prepared a limited edition watch, so you don’t need to pick anything else."
Lu Jiaxin shook her head, "We’re not married yet, and this is my first public appearance; not having any contribution will make the media label me as stingy."
"What do you plan to Find your next favorite novel on NovelHub today! After some thought, she said, "I have a pair of Jade Ruyi, how about donating them for the fundraising?"
Nie Zhan remembered her mentioning this, "Those Jade Ruyi, weren’t they supposed to be a wedding gift for Su Heyuan’s marriage?"
Lu Jiaxin indicated she had changed her mind, "Brother Yuan asked me to design wedding clothes for him and sister-in-law; consider that their wedding gift. Let’s use the Jade Ruyi for the charity fundraiser!"
The pair of Jade Ruyi that He Bin had acquired was a dowry from one of Emperor Guangxu’s concubines during the Qing Dynasty. It was a nice piece, but for Lu Jiaxin, who had many such treasures, it was worth parting with for the sake of charity.
"If you’ve decided, then it’s settled."
After dinner, Nie Zhan coaxed Lu Jiaxin upstairs, and once in the room, he asked her to close her eyes.
Lu Jiaxin knew at once it was a gift for her; despite the technique being rather old-fashioned, she respected the gesture and obligingly closed her eyes.
Lu Jiaxin opened her eyes and saw Nie Zhan holding a jewelry box with a ruby and diamond necklace inside. The ruby in the center was as big as a pigeon’s egg, dazzlingly brilliant and blinding to the eyes.
At just one glance, she knew it was an antique necklace. Jiaxin asked with a smile, "Did you get it from Sotheby’s? How much did it cost?"
Nie Zhan knew she would ask about the price and said with a laugh, "You don’t have many pieces of jewelry, and I thought this one would look good on you. Come on, try it on."
Lu Jiaxin did not agree, saying, "I’m in casual wear right now, it doesn’t match the necklace. Wait until my charity gala dress is ready, then I’ll wear it for you to see."
Since it was a charity gala, formal evening wear was certainly required. Whether in her past life or now, she never liked wearing evening gowns. They are beautiful, but the requirements are really high. You dare not eat too much, as a protruding stomach would look ugly.
Nie Zhan, however, indulged her preference.
As the two of them went to bed, Lu Jiaxin was still asking, "Ah Zhan, how much did this necklace cost?"
Nie Zhan found it both funny and embarrassing. How could he admit that he liked Western antiques? When he bought top-quality jade, he simply enjoyed admiring it without ever asking about the price. Yet here he was, being grilled for the price of an antique piece of jewelry.
"This is a belated gift for your 20th birthday. Jiaxin, as long as you like it, the money is well spent."
Seeing that he didn’t mention the price, Lu Jiaxin knew it must have been very high. She said, "No matter what you give me, I’ll like it. But money doesn’t grow on trees. We’re quite poor right now, so let’s not waste money on these things anymore."
Upon hearing this, Nie Zhan burst into laughter, "Hong Kong’s top female tycoon claiming to be poor — aren’t you afraid someone will bag you up for that?"
Lu Jiaxin earnestly expressed that she was telling the truth, "If I had the money, I would directly acquire a world-famous fashion brand, not starting with establishing a women’s clothing brand."
Nie Zhan was somewhat surprised, "You want to acquire a major fashion brand?"
Lu Jiaxin clarified, "I want to acquire a globally renowned brand with exquisite production techniques. But that would require a lot of money, which I don’t have right now."
Nie Zhan wrapped her in his arms, saying, "Such a big move, why haven’t you discussed it with me?"
Jiaxin felt he was already very busy and didn’t need to worry about her matters, "It’s just a thought for now. Acquiring a famous brand requires not only money but also the right timing, place, and people."
For instance, Hong Kong’s famous clothing brand, Crocodile Shirt, was willing to sell only after the previous year’s massive wave of emigration and when the Chen Family lost confidence in Hong Kong’s future. Now the Lin Family has bought it, and they are doing well, so it’s not likely they would sell. Likewise, other well-known brands would not sell unless there were special reasons.
Nie Zhan said with a laugh, "What are the right timing, place, and people? As long as the money is enough, if there are no suitable conditions, we’ll create them."
Lu Jiaxin disagreed with his approach and was unwilling to do so, "Each famous brand has been built up through the hard work of several generations. We cannot maliciously acquire them for our own desires. I’d rather not have them at all."
Nie Zhan knew her temperament; sometimes she would stubbornly adhere to certain principles, "Alright, then we’ll look for those poorly managed brands to acquire."
This time, Lu Jiaxin did not object. Poor management would either lead to an acquisition or to bankruptcy. Rather than disappearing in the torrents of time, it was better to be bought and restructured to breathe new life.