Chapter 695: Chapter 708: Proposal by the Sea
Until the plane took off, Lu Jiaxin finally let out a sigh of relief: “I thought this trip to the Maldives was going to be canceled again!”
Nie Zhan held her hand and laughed: “No, unless it’s a matter of life and death, otherwise I won’t leave you hanging again.”
If it involves life and death, Lu Jiaxin wouldn’t be traveling alone anyway.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said: “I’ve been eating delicious food every day lately, and gained quite a bit of weight. This time in the Maldives, I’m going to swim for two hours every day and see if I can lose five pounds.”
Nie Zhan chuckled: “You need high-intensity training to lose weight, our regular swimming won’t help. Besides, you were too skinny before, now you’re just right!”
Lu Jiaxin laughed and said: “I’m not falling for that, this time I’ll definitely lose five pounds.”
She was not used to Western food and preferred the French cuisine at Feng Qinglei’s place, where the chef made slight adjustments to cater to the taste of Hong Kong people.
After chatting for a while, Lu Jiaxin yawned: “I’ll take a nap.”
Nie Zhan knew this habit of hers and found it quite good, as traveling can be dull, and sleeping keeps spirits high and boredom at bay.
Old Master Nie called Nie Zhan on the phone, unable to reach him, then turned to Wang Shi. Upon hearing that he went abroad for vacation with Lu Jiaxin, he was very upset. No time to handle his mother’s trouble, but plenty to holiday with his fiancée. Still, no matter how angry he was, he couldn’t see them, so he called Nie Jingwen, hoping he’d take a trip.
Nie Jingwen didn’t want to go and didn’t bother making excuses: “Grandpa, she’s the one who didn’t listen when we told her not to marry, when we told her not to have kids. Grandpa, Auntie is fifty-three this year, not a three-year-old child. She should deal with her own choices.”
If even Ah Zhan won’t handle matters, why should her nephew? Besides, if there were real danger, wouldn’t she return to Hong Kong? Honestly, it’s because Grandpa spoiled her; she acts recklessly, knowing someone will clean up her messes. But we all have work, wives, kids to care for. There’s not that much time and energy to handle these troublesome affairs.
Elder Mr. Nie said: “Her passport was confiscated, she can’t come back.”
Nie Jingwen thought it was easy to sort out, just hire a lawyer to visit. Nowadays, it’s a society governed by law; detaining her would be illegal.
Old Master Nie could only relent: “Then find two skilled female bodyguards to closely protect your aunt.”
This was a minor task, and Nie Jingwen immediately agreed.
Nie Family Old Mansion had three residences. Because children might disturb Old Master’s rest, Nie Jingwen and his wife lived in the third house.
Zhang Lalan saw his weary expression and asked: “What’s wrong? Are those shareholders giving you trouble again?”
Always comparing her husband to Nie Zhan, when there’s nothing to compare. Back then, Nie Zhan made bold moves in buying land, they thought it was too aggressive, feeling relieved her husband managed the bank. Later, Nie Zhan made profits, and Wansheng Real Estate grew, then they criticized Jingwen for not being bold, unable to take the bank further. These people, are all opportunistic fence-sitters.
Nie Jingwen shook his head and said: “No, Auntie wants a divorce, the man won’t agree and said he confiscated her passport so she can’t return to Hong Kong. Grandpa asked me to go to Switzerland to bring Auntie and the child back, and I refused.”
Zhang Lalan thought it was strange, this should be Nie Zhan’s responsibility, he’s the real son, while her husband is one step removed: “Why ask you? What about the third brother? Isn’t he handling it?”
Nie Jingwen said: “Back then, during childbirth when Auntie had complications, Ah Zhan rushed over, and once the child was born, Ah Zhan was busy with everything. Yet Auntie claimed Ah Zhan did not even hold the baby, showing no feelings at all. Before Ah Zhan returned, he told her he wouldn’t meddle in her affairs anymore.”
“Actually, when Mina was diagnosed with leukemia, Ah Zhan was already deeply affected. And yet she dared say that… Ah Zhan didn’t threaten Auntie lightly but indeed decided not to handle her matters anymore. So this time, with another divorce drama, Ah Zhan ignored it and went on vacation abroad with Miss Lu.”
Zhang Lalan thought it should have been this way a long time ago: “Auntie’s state is all because Grandpa coddled her. Now that he can’t manage her, and you all don’t bother, after suffering once, she won’t dare cause chaos again.”
Flying seven to eight hours is tiring, but youth recovers quickly; after a night’s sleep, they’re full of energy again. Lu Jiaxin saw Nie Zhan sleeping soundly, not wanting to wake him, she walked out quietly to wash up.
Their villa was by the sea, open the window and you could see the beautiful ocean view. After freshening up, she called Qian Xiaoxiao to go for a walk outside.
Stepping on the delicate sand, Lu Jiaxin laughed and asked: “Xiaoxiao, when you went home, did your grandpa or parents urge you to get married?”
Qian Xiaoxiao replied with a chuckle: “When I was younger, my parents feared I wouldn’t marry, now their nightmare has come true. But Grandpa spoke, saying my brother should adopt a child to support me in my old age, which I immediately refused.”
After speaking, she explained: “If I need support, I can adopt from an orphanage, why adopt my brother’s child? Unaware, people might think I’m trying to steal my brother and sister-in-law’s child!”
She’s genuinely never considered marriage. When she was young, she was naive, found marriage terrifying; now she sees it as uninteresting.
After contemplating, Qian Xiaoxiao suggested: “Boss, when I reach the age where I can’t closely protect you anymore, I’ll train new recruits and then take vacations to places I like.”
Apart from the two years of training abroad, she spent most of her time with Lu Jiaxin, traveling to many places. Until now, her favorites were Mount Tai and the Great Barrier Reef.
Lu Jiaxin appreciated the clarity of her goals; it was quite awesome.
They walked by the sea for half an hour before heading back. Midway back, they spotted Nie Zhan. She laughed and said: “Rarely taking a break, why not sleep a bit longer?”
“I woke at the time and couldn’t sleep afterwards.”
After breakfast, they went fishing by the sea; after fishing for about an hour, she went swimming. Nie Zhan followed suit, and the two swam for almost two hours before coming ashore.
Lu Jiaxin got used to taking afternoon naps, waking around three o’clock. Seeing Nie Zhan busy, she took Qian Xiaoxiao shopping, returning after six in the evening.
After dinner, Lu Jiaxin wanted to stroll by the sea, but Nie Zhan pulled her to chat in the villa backyard. They talked about his childhood, his college years, his experiences dealing with quirky customers at Goldman Sachs. Things he hadn’t shared with Jiaxin before, she listened avidly.
They chatted for over an hour, and Nie Zhan suddenly said: “Jiaxin, I’m taking you somewhere, but you have to close your eyes.”
Lu Jiaxin chuckled inwardly but complied.
Outside the villa, she closed her eyes, led by Nie Zhan to the sea. After walking for five to six minutes, they stopped at a spot, and Nie Zhan said: “Alright, you can open your eyes now.”
Opening her eyes, Lu Jiaxin found herself standing in a heart-shaped circle made of rose flowers, surrounded by multi-colored twinkling little lights. Hmm, not candles, points deducted.
At this moment, bang, bang, bang, fireworks bloomed in the sky, illuminating the sea like it was daytime.
Nie Zhan held the ring box with both hands, kneeled on one knee, affectionately gazing at Jiaxin said: “Jiaxin, marry me.”
Seeing the massive diamond ring in his hand, Lu Jiaxin laughed, stretching out her right hand.
With trembling hands, Nie Zhan slid the ring onto Lu Jiaxin’s finger, then embraced her in a spinning hug: “Jia— no, from now on it’s Madam Nie.”
She actually suspected that Nie Zhan might propose during their Maldives vacation, but didn’t expect it to happen at night.