But she heard Jiang Li say, "Mom, you don’t need to be anxious, I’m just sharing this idea with you for now, I haven’t finalized anything, nor do I know how feasible it is, so let’s take it one step at a time."
Lin Manru exhaled, "You really scared me. Your grandfather and your father worked their entire lives just to get two companies listed, what merits or abilities do I have?"
As she spoke, she picked up a piece of fabric from beside her, "As for me, I’m happy just making a modest earnings to support you and your brother."
Jiang Li looked at the fabric in her hand and then picked up a piece of indigo fabric next to it.
"This color suits Grandpa better, it’s dignified and makes him look younger."
Lin Manru nodded, "The color is indeed nice, but it’s a pity, this fabric... it’s mediocre. If it were mixed with some brocade, it would look much more luxurious."
As they were discussing, a male voice suddenly sounded from nearby.
"Oh, isn’t this Miss Jiang? What a pleasure, what brings Miss Jiang to my place?"
Jiang Li instinctively turned her head towards the man who spoke.
She had always had a good memory, remembering almost everyone she had come across.
But this particular man...
Jiang Li politely smiled, "Sir, I don’t believe I know you?"
The middle-aged man chuckled as he walked over, holding his plump belly.
"Miss Jiang might not know me, but I have long heard of Miss Jiang’s various exploits. You recently invested a hundred million into Director Shao’s film. I happened to be having dinner with President Hu that night and caught wind of it. When it comes to investments, you are really something."
As he spoke, he raised his thumb.
Jiang Li maintained her smile, but her gaze swept subtly over every detail of his face.
And every microexpression of the man screamed one word—"fake."
Jiang Li was not oblivious to the underlying mockery in his words; he simply thought of her as a lucky girl who didn’t know where else to spend her money.
"It sounds like you’re friends with Director Shao?" she asked.
Qin Tianxiang chuckled twice, "Hardly friends. Director Shao had approached me before filming began, but I was tied up financially, so I didn’t invest."
At this point, Jiang Li finally recalled the man in front of her.
She had encountered Shao Changqing at a coffee shop on the day this man mockingly declined him and threw out his entire script.
Thinking of this, a trace of indifference crossed her eyes.
"So that’s how it is. Thank you for your high regard, Mr. Qin, but I’m here to help my mother choose fabrics and don’t have time for a leisurely chat."
Qin Tianxiang glanced at Lin Manru standing beside him, his smile widening.
"So this is Mrs. Jiang. No secret really, this entire floor of fabric stores belongs to me. I deal in fabrics. Anything you need, just let me know and I’ll have the staff deliver it directly to your home."
Jiang Li diplomatically refused, "We are just browsing."
As they were about to leave, Qin Tianxiang blocked their path with an outstretched hand.
"Why the rush, Miss Jiang? Sit down and have some tea."
He signaled a shop assistant with a twinkle of his eye and promptly had her bring over two cups of steaming tea.
"This is the freshly delivered Da Hong Pao Tea. Please have a seat and try some."
Realizing that Boss Qin wouldn’t simply give up, Jiang Li decisively chose to sit down on the couch, her hands resting on her overlapped knees.
"Let’s hear it then, Boss Qin, what do you want?"
Qin Tianxiang was somewhat taken aback, but he sat down opposite her.
"It’s nice dealing with smart people. I hear you’re now the producer of Shao Changqing’s film, and you’re in charge of the investments, right?"
"I’ll be blunt then," Qin Tianxiang coughed, "I think Shao Changqing’s film has great potential, and I’d like to invest a portion."
As he spoke, he held up his fingers.
Lin Manru’s eyes widened in surprise.
This Boss Qin was no small player, opening his bids at thirty million.
Jiang Li still kept her smile, "I’m sorry, Boss Qin, but I’m not considering external investments anymore."
Qin Tianxiang did not expect Jiang Li to outright reject him so forcefully, his smile instantly stiffening.
"Won’t Miss Jiang reconsider? Forgive my bluntness, but even investing all that five hundred million might not suffice; my offer of thirty million is just the initial amount. When my next batch of factory funds arrive, I could at least double that."
"Cough, cough," Lin Manru almost choked on her tea.
What? Was Lili planning to invest all those five hundred million in the film?
And Boss Qin was willing to invest an additional sixty million?
Was the money they were talking about even real?
Jiang Li remained composed, "Boss Qin, I’ve already made myself quite clear."
Qin Tianxiang’s demeanor finally cooled, "What, Miss Jiang? Are you planning to swallow this opportunity all by yourself?"
Jiang Li chuckled, placing her tea cup down on the table, "Has Boss Qin come to see it as an opportunity now? Weren’t you discarding it like an old shoe before?"
Qin Tianxiang’s expression turned awkward.
"Whether I can handle it or not, this film is my creation, from the director to the actors, I handpicked them all. I’m a person who keeps close what’s mine, and I won’t easily hand over anything, even a crumb."
With that, she took Lin Manru’s hand, making a motion to leave.
Qin Tianxiang’s voice coldly followed her, "Jiang Li, I advise you not to narrow your paths. Isn’t it better to make money together? Why force us to become adversaries?"
Jiang Li didn’t look back as she walked out of the store.
Qin Tianxiang, having played both good cop and bad cop to no avail, swore loudly in the store.
"Damn it, having a few billion doesn’t make her anything special! Even if the king of heaven came, he’d have to give me some face. What’s this little girl acting all high and mighty about?!"
"Well, if you’re going to be like that, don’t blame me for not showing any mercy!"
Once outside the building, Lin Manru was still apprehensive.
"Lili, are we really okay just walking away ? That Boss Qin doesn’t seem like someone we can easily provoke!"
The fabric merchants in the Capital were no ordinary people.
Their Jiang Family might not really afford to offend him.
Jiang Li reassured her, patting the back of her hand.
"Mom, don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. Qin Tianxiang’s face alone shows he’s no good. If I partnered with him, it would only bring more trouble."
But he indeed was the type to bear grudges.
She should probably alert Shao Changqing to be extra cautious these coming days on set.