Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem
“Hello, am I speaking to Miss Qiao Anhao?” a woman said quickly over the phone.
It was someone Qiao Anhao didn’t recognize. She hesitated for a moment, but still retained her manners. “Uh huh, that’s me. May I ask, you are…”
Before she could finish speaking, the woman on the phone rushed to get the first word in. “Miss Qiao Anhao, I am a reporter for HF. I’m calling to interview you for a moment…”
The reporter didn’t ask for Qiao Anhao’s opinion, but continued with another question. “Is it true that you and the current CEO of Xu Enterprise Xu Jiamu were once married?”
As Qiao Anhao held the phone and heard those sudden words, she couldn’t quite register what the woman had just said.
Very few people knew that she and Xu Jiamu were married, so how would a reporter suddenly bring this up to her?
In the midst of Qiao Anhao’s suspicions, the reporter asked a series of questions over the phone. “Miss Qiao Anhao, for what reason did you and Mr. Xu Jiamu get a divorce? Did it have something to do with Lu Jinnian? Did you really have an affair with him while being married? Did you really, as the online news says, fool around with both brothers at the same time? Miss Qiao Anhao, why are you so silent? Does your silence suggest you admit to the claims?”
Towards the end, the reporter’s tone of voice had clearly become pressing and demanding.
At that very moment, Qiao Anhao finally understood what was happening. She used her most composed tone of voice and hastily told the reporter on the phone, “Apologies, I don’t accept interviews.”
Then she didn’t wait for the reporter to ask any more penetrating questions and hung up.
Qiao Anhao completely forgot that she had picked up her phone to call Lu Jinnian before. She rushed over in front of the computer and opened Weibo. As expected, her name was in the headlines.
She clicked onto it and saw the wedding photo of her and Lu Jinnian as Xu Jiamu at a small wedding venue. Then there was another photo of her walking with linked arms with ‘Xu Jiamu’, and other photos from the reception.
Later, there were a few photos of her and Lu Jinnian having a meal together. Lu Jinnian was on the phone as she fed him a shrimp.
Qiao Anhao remembered… those photos were taken by who knows who not long after Xu Jiamu woke up but before they had gotten a divorce. At the time, those photos were sent to Han Ruchu. Because of them, that woman even went and caused a scene at the Qiao family estate.
The final photo was a relationship chart which read that Lu Jinnian was Xu Jiamu’s step brother from a different mother, and Qiao Anhao was the latter’s ex-wife and the former’s current wife. There was also a note that said that before she and Xu Jiamu got divorced, she was already fooling around with Lu Jinnian…
Just as Qiao Anhao read the news about this, the doorbell suddenly rang on the first floor.
She hurriedly let go of the mouse and rushed downstairs. Before she opened the door, she raised her head to look over at the surveillance cameras on the wall out of habit. It was hard to say when they came, but now there were several parked cars and a flurry of reporters gathered outside the door. Everyone carried their own cameras and microphones, some of which flashed endlessly. There were even some reporters who had already started explaining into their cameras that this was her and Lu Jinnian’s home.
Translator: Paperplane Editor: DarkGem
So it turned out to be reporters barricading the door…
Qiao Anhao immediately pulled her raised hand back.
She was the only one in Mian Xiu Garden. If she opened the door, she would definitely be surrounded to death by those savage reporters!
The doorbell rang incessantly. It went to the point that the reporters started to shake the iron gate of the courtyard. The sound of banging from the surveillance monitor traveled through Qiao Anhao’s ears, scaring her witless. She instinctively took a step back, then ran upstairs.
She pushed open the study room door, and heard her phone ring. From the ringtone, she recognized that it was Lu Jinnian calling.
–
Today, the person Lu Jinnian had a meeting with was Chief Wei of Wei Enterprise, who was mainly responsible for precious gems and pearls and jewelry. Lu Jinnian and Chief Wei had only met once at a dinner party, over twenty days ago. At the time, Huan Ying Entertainment was making preparations for a new TV drama. The drama required a few gems, and so Chief Wei gave him his business card in hopes of a cooperation.
For the past few years, Huan Ying Entertainment’s productions have had a set of brands in charge of the accessories and clothes, so at first Lu Jinnian didn’t think too much about his words. After he got into the car, he threw his business card into a box and didn’t bother with it.
Actually, Chief Wei didn’t think he had a shot at working with Huan Ying Entertainment, when suddenly Lu Jinnian personally called him one night last week to invite him for tea.
At the time, Chief Wei was in Africa, so the two of them scheduled a meeting a week later.
Chief Wei had already caught wind of how swift and decisive Lu Jinnian was and how he never acted unprofessionally. So Chief Wei expected that when he met Lu Jinnian, he would go straight to the fun and breakdown their collaboration without waiting for him to reply, and put a contract in front of him. He would give Chief Wei three days to consider the offer, and if he agreed then he’d go and find Lu Jinnian with signed contract.
However, Chief Wei never imagined that Lu Jinnian would meet him to leisurely drink tea for two hours, and chat a few words about their private lives and history, but not about a collaboration. Then, in the afternoon, Lu Jinnian would treat him to dinner in good spirits and invite him for a round of golf.
Chief Wei was a golf enthusiast who was quite the professional. They even played a friendly match. In the end, Chief Wei won, but he knew that Lu Jinnian had deliberately let him win. Otherwise, he believed that he would have wiped the floor with him.
When the competition ended, Lu Jinnian and Chief Wei sat in the break room.
The winter sunshine in the afternoon shone brightly through the glass and onto the table, giving people an everlasting feeling of tranquility.
The waiter served them two cups of coffee, then smiled, hugged the tray, gave a bow, and left.
Lu Jinnian slowly raised his coffee and took a sip. Then, he lifted his wrist and glanced over at the time. It was already two in the afternoon, and so he finally started the topic Chief Wei had waited half a day for.
“Huan Ying Entertainment’s latest drama on production is about a story surrounding the launch of a jewelry company. I believe Mr. Wei is already aware about it, right?”
Lu Jinnian paused for a moment, then said, “Regarding our partnership, I’ve thought of a great proposal. Would Mr. Wei be interested in hearing it?”
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
Mr. Wei nodded. “Mr Lu, please.”
Lu Jinnian took a sip of his coffee, and leisurely, he placed the cup back down on the plate with a soft crisp sound . In the quiet lounge area, the sound was unusually sharp. “I would like the main lead’s company to be called Wei Enterprise.”
Mr. Wei’s eyes brightened instantly.
Wei Enterprise… That would be an enticing advertisement for his company.
Lu Jinnian continued, “I would also change the main lead’s surname to Wei.”
Mr. Wei became visibly excited.
With such a background, Wei Enterprise’s name would have a stronger influence on the audience’s mind, and this would definitely be beneficial to Wei Enterprise’s jewelry.
This was definitely an enticing condition.
But what was the price…
“I have no complaints about the conditions you are offering, but I would like to know, what’s the minimum price you’re asking for? If it’s within the capability of the company, we can sign the contract now, if not, I would have to discuss this with the board.”
Lu Jinnian remained silent, raising one finger up.
“One billion?” Mr. Wei asked in astonishment, one billion wasn’t a small sum but the conditions that he was offering were indeed enticing… but no one could predict the popularity of the drama, hence this advertisement fee was too much. “Mr. Lu, I understand that Huan Ying Entertainment’s production would definitely garner a large following but we haven’t seen the drama yet so I would only be able to offer fifty million right now. After we have signed the contract, we can add on a clause stating that Wei Enterprise would be liable for the additional fifty million if there is a visible increase in the sales. If we both were to work at it, I’m sure the profits would be more than fifty million…”
“Mr. Wei, you’re mistaken, I’m not talking about one billion but ten billion,” Lu Jinnian interrupted faintly.
Mr. Wei trembled, clearly shaken by his words. “Ten billion? How is that possible? I’m afraid…”
“I’ll give you ten billion,” Lu Jinnian added.
Mr. Wei froze, staring at Lu Jinnian incredulously. The coffee in his hands shook, sending burning droplets onto his fingers.
The heat from the coffee seemed to have snapped him back to senses, and he smiled. “Mr. Lu, are you kidding?”
Lu Jinnian shook his head, staring straight into his eyes. “I’m serious.”
Mr. Wei froze, staring at Lu Jinnian for a long while before realizing that he was indeed being serious. Confused, he asked, ” Mr. Lu, why are you giving me money when you’re already helping me advertise? Won’t this be a disadvantages business on your part?”
Lu Jinnian remained impassive. Silently, he retrieved a check from his pocket and pushed it over.
Mr. Wei stared at the long string of zeros on the check, he counted carefully and realized that it was indeed ten billion.
As a businessman, he knew that there was definitely something up. He hesitated slightly. “Mr. Lu, do you plan on taking over Wei Enterprise?”
“No.” Lu Jinnian shook his head. He picked up his coffee and took another sip before continuing, “But for such an enticing condition, I’m indeed looking for a return.”
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
Mr. Wei remained silent, waiting patiently for Lu Jinnian to continue.
“The return I am looking for is something that Mr. Wei has.”
Mr. Wei seemed to have thought of something. “Mr. Lu, you mean…”
Without waiting for him to finish his sentence, Lu Jinnian nodded. “You’re right, I want Eternal Heart.”
Eternal Heart is one of the ten top diamonds in the world. Thirty years ago, Mr. Wei’s grandfather bought it for one billion RMB in an auction in England. Ever since, it has been placed in Wei Enterprise.
During the years, many people have come forward to ask for the Eternal Heart but not one of them had offered such an astonishing sum as he had.
Mr. Wei smiled. ” Mr. Lu, you seem like you want it at any cost?”
Lu Jinnian remained calm, a decisive glint flashing in his distant eyes. “Yea, at any cost!”
Regardless of what conditions the other wanted, he was determined to get the Eternal Heart!
“Mr. Lu, I’m sure you know that Eternal Heart is not for sale.”
“If you think the conditions aren’t enough, then let me add on something else.” Lu Jinnian retrieved a contract from the folder he carried around and pushed it over.
Mr. Wei opened the contract and realized that it was blank, with only Lu Jinnian’s signature at the bottom of the page.
Startled, he exclaimed, “Mr. Lu, you’re giving me an empty contract? Which means I can add on my own conditions?”
Lu Jinnian nodded, continuing without hesitation, “Mr. Wei, I’m sure this contract will be enough to move you so why don’t we just come to a conclusion, and as for the conditions, you can take your time to think and I’ll try my best to fulfill them.”
Mr. Wei stilled, he knew that Lu Jinnian was determined to get the Eternal Heart, but he never expected him to go so far.
He sunk into silence for a moment. “Mr. Lu, can you tell me the reasons behind your desire?”
Lu Jinnian didn’t try to beat about the bush, in a faint tone that was filled with emotion, he said, “Because my wife likes it.”
Yes, Qiao Anhao liked it.
It was high school when he found out that she liked the Eternal Heart.
At that time, the school had organized a dinner, and Qiao Anhao, Qiao Anxia and Xu Jiamu had planned an event, but they were missing an actor hence they approached him.
He had never been into these activities, but through it he would be able to practice with her so he agreed.
Qiao Anhao was the scriptwriter for the event and she named it “Eternal Heart”.
In the script, she acted alongside Lu Jinnian. That night, after they had practiced their lines, it started to rain heavily. They both waited inside the classroom since they didn’t bring their umbrellas.
Lu Jinnian was always a person with few words, especially now that he was with someone who he had loved for so long.
She sat at the desk in front of him with a crayon in her hands, doodling.
He stared at her back. She had a slender waist that fit perfectly in her uniform, her hair was tied into a high ponytail, the ends lightly brushing against her graceful neck. As she doodled, the sound of the crayon merged with the rain, bringing about a calming atmosphere.
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
Lu Jinnian thought for a topic to talk to her. “Eternal heart” was one of the top ten diamonds in the world but it wasn’t the best or the most expensive. At that time, he asked her why she didn’t choose a more well known one such as “Ocean’s Heart” or “Africa’s Heart”.
She seemed nervous when she heard his voice, and after hesitating for about half a minute, she turned. She didn’t respond immediately, instead, her lips curled into a tender smile that made her look adorable. He had even blushed, hurriedly turning away, only allowing her to see half his face. That’s when he heard her say ” I like ‘Eternal Heart’.”
She then added that it was too expensive so it was just a fantasy.
At that time, he was still a poor student, but since he knew that she liked it, he went online to search it up. He then soon found out that the sum was too much for him.
Now he had married her in a rush, without confessing, dating, proposing, an engagement ceremony, or even a wedding.
Even though she had never mentioned anything to him, but how could he allow her to be deprived off something so essential?
Besides, after he had contacted Mr. Wei and entered the bedroom, he clearly saw envy and a slight dim in her eyes when she saw a scene where a main lead proposed to a female lead.
–
“Because my wife likes it.”
Mr. Wei was left speechless by Lu Jinnian’s simple answer.
Because my wife likes it… That meant that he can just spend such a large sum for a diamond?
This was indeed a rich man’s world…
Mr. Wei flipped the empty document before pushing it back to Lu Jinnian. Lu Jinnian frowned. “You are not satisfied?”
“No.” Mr. Wei picked the check from the table. “I think this is enough, as for the additional conditions, I don’t need them.”
Lu Jinnian indeed had a talent for negotiation, even though he always kept a low profile, Mr. Wei was aware that he had close ties with people from Hollywood.
Rather than ending their ties on a deal, Mr. Wei would much rather have a friend like Lu Jinnian by his side which could be useful in sending Wei Enterprise to a global scale.
A good businessman would always think further.
Mr. Wei glanced at Lu Jinnian, who was sitting gracefully in front or him. “I’ll sell the “Eternal Heart” to you, if you’re free now, you can head over to Wei mansion with me to get it.”
The unexpected compliance seemed to have caught Lu Jinnian off guard, but he quickly understood Mr. Wei’s intentions. He was clearly trying to sell a favor to deepen their cooperation.
Lu Jinnian never liked taking favors but he agreed, signaling to a waiter for the bill.
After they left the golf course and prepared to enter the car, Lu Jinnian’s phone rang, it was a call from his assistant. He excused himself before walking a distance to answer.
“Mr. Lu, there’s trouble! Miss Qiao’s past marriage with Mr. Xu has been exposed, the entire web is in a frenzy. Someone has even exposed the location of your house, Mian Xiu Garden is now flooded with reporters.”
