“Xu Mianchuan is in charge of PT? Has she already signed the contract with President Zhou?” Pei Lingna abruptly looked up at Xu Anguo.
The movement was too sudden, causing her hand to tremble. The maid smudged the polish, staining the skin with plum-colored nail polish.
Pei Lingna had no time to scold or complain, urgently asking: “If Xu Mianchuan is managing PT, who will be responsible for Xuri?”
Xia Helu was also anxious: “Yes, Dad, all my schedules need to be approved by Big Sister. Will she still have time for that?”
Xu Anguo sat behind the massive root carving tea table, his teacup suspended mid-air upon hearing this. “She definitely won’t have time for Xuri anymore. Xu Mianchuan will appoint someone else to be promoted as president. Lulu, your schedules will be coordinated between your agent and the new superior from now on.”
New superior?
When Xia Helu joined Xuri, the biggest advantage was having her elder sister as president. To make up for all these years of neglect, Xu Mianchuan would prioritize giving her all suitable resources. If Big Sister left, would she still receive the same resources? Xia Helu felt uneasy.
Except for the incident last time, Xu Mianchuan had always been easy to talk to. In less than a month since returning to the Xu Family, she had grown accustomed to getting whatever she wanted – even resources allocated to others had to go through her selection first. If someone else became president, it would be fine if they were sensible, but if they couldn’t read the situation, she didn’t want to return to her previous lifestyle.
“Lulu, since you’ve returned to the Xu Family, you can’t just be an actress forever. You need to start paying attention to family matters too.” Noticing his daughter’s displeased expression, Xu Anguo deliberately remarked.
Xia Helu was taken aback: “Dad?”
“I plan to hand Xuri over to you,” Xu Anguo said.
The core business of Changxu would be reserved for Xu Longchuan, but other sectors still needed family members to take over. With Xu Mianchuan no longer managing Xuri, another Xu family member needed to step up.
The impact of this surprise was too great. After the initial shock, Xia Helu became completely energized.
Xuri Media would belong to her? Wouldn’t she call the shots on whatever resources she wanted from now on?! Film and television roles, endorsements – forget “Ru Hua,” even other top-tier resources would be within easy reach.
Indeed, her parents still doted on her.
Pei Lingna said: “In that case, why not give Lulu a position now?”
Xia Helu’s eyes lit up, growing somewhat impatient.
Xu Anguo responded: “Xuri isn’t some small workshop. Lulu hasn’t learned anything about management – how could she run such a large company? First, let Big Sister teach you properly. After you’re familiar with the capital operation rules in the industry, I’ll introduce you to some connections and resources at next week’s banquet. Anyway, take it slow, no need to rush.”
Hearing Xu Anguo’s explanation, Pei Lingna also found it reasonable.
Xia Helu had always enjoyed the feeling of being pampered as a celebrity. It might be better to take over Xuri later – since Dad said he would give Xuri to her, why rush?
“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll definitely perform well at the banquet and won’t bring shame to the Xu Family.”
After the conversation, Xia Helu hurriedly left. She needed to share the news with Wang Yujiang as soon as possible. He was upset about losing PT, and this news might help mitigate some of the losses.
After the maid finished the manicure and withdrew, only the couple remained in the tea room. Pei Lingna brought the topic back to their eldest daughter: “Old Xu, I don’t object to you removing Xu Mianchuan from Xuri, but what about Chairman Zheng?”
Xu Anguo set down his teacup with a sigh: “That’s exactly what I’m worried about too.”
“Zheng Enhong values Mianchuan’s ability to maneuver capital in the entertainment industry. Even if she leaves Xuri, she can still be useful after becoming a member of the Zheng family. Now you’re having her manage PT—do you think Zheng Enhong would be happy? He’s always seen Mianchuan as a future daughter-in-law, and I’ve already accepted Zheng Jingyuan as my son-in-law. Don’t mess this up in the end.”
Xu Anguo glanced sideways at Pei Lingna. “You’ve accepted Zheng Jingyuan as your son-in-law? Even if we’re willing, Young Master Zheng might not be.”
“Whether he’s willing or not is just a matter of his father’s word,” Pei Lingna reminded him. “Although Xuri isn’t the core business of the Xu family, it has developed well over the years. In a couple of years, its market value will definitely double. If we can collaborate with Bo Ya Film and Television, the Xu family will firmly establish itself in Shen Shi’s elite circles. Don’t tell me you don’t care about that.”
Xu Anguo fell silent. Of course he cared. Establishing themselves in these circles not only meant access to more resources but also becoming a resource others would seek.
“Then what do you suggest? It was Second Young Master Zhou who decided to put Mianchuan in charge of PT. What can I do about it?”
The Zheng family couldn’t be offended, and the Zhou family was even more untouchable.
Pei Lingna also fell silent at this.
After a long pause, she suddenly stood up and walked out of the tea room.
Xu Anguo: “What are you doing?”
Pei Lingna turned back: “I’m going to tell Mianchuan not to invest too much effort in PT. The marriage alliance between the Zheng and Xu families is a done deal. If she ruins this, where will the Xu family find a son-in-law better than Zheng Jingyuan?”
…
In the second-floor bedroom, Chuan Jin was curled up on the sofa with a book. Hearing her sister’s words, she looked up, somewhat surprised. “Dad wants Third Sister to manage Xuri?”
Xu Mianchuan sat across from her, holding detailed project documents for PT. She turned a page without looking up and replied, “He mentioned it at the company yesterday. Xuri should still be managed by our own family.”
“How interesting.” Chuan Jin chuckled softly after hearing this and buried her head back in her book.
“Aren’t you concerned?” Xu Mianchuan looked at her sister.
“Why should I be? She’s Dad’s daughter, a precious daughter of the Xu family. She ought to have her own share of the family business.”
It might even be better if Xia Helu managed Xuri. Once she gained power and influence, the likelihood of her being led around by Wang Yujiang would decrease. After all, she had played a part in the Xu family’s decline.
Chuan Jin was worried about something else.
Wang Yujiang would surely be unwilling to lose PT. With his immense ambition, he might not be interested in other projects. If Xia Helu took over Xuri Media, Wang Yujiang might change his strategy and target Xuri instead. After all, money in the entertainment industry was easier to manipulate than in PT.
This would just give him a shortcut. Chuan Jin frowned and asked, “Did Dad say anything else?”
Xu Mianchuan: “Dad said that Lulu is still young and should continue acting while learning the ropes, getting familiar with the industry. Isn’t there a banquet next week anyway?”
Banquet?
Right, in the original storyline, the Xu family held a banquet under the pretext of celebrating their biological daughter’s return. Officially, it was to mark her homecoming, but in reality, it was a strategic move to network, build relationships, and publicly showcase the Xu family’s long-lost parental affection and their reputation for doting on their daughter. After the banquet, Changxu’s stock soared.
Chuan Jin remembered that many influential figures attended that day. Wang Yujiang used the opportunity to accumulate numerous connections and resources, which later propelled his career. Within just a few years, Wang Yujiang succeeded in his investments, vastly increasing his wealth and becoming a genuine rising star in the business world.
If PT was the starting point for Wang Yujiang’s climb upward, then this banquet was the stepping stone. With Chuan Jin’s intervention, the starting point had already been pushed back dozens of steps. If he didn’t secure this stepping stone firmly, Wang Yujiang would have been the male lead of the original novel for nothing.
However, if he had his eyes on the banquet, so did Chuan Jin. Such a good opportunity couldn’t be handed solely to Wang Yujiang.
Lost in thought, Chuan Jin pondered the banquet, her book remaining on the same page for a long time.
The room was quiet. Xu Mianchuan glanced subtly at her younger sister, thinking to herself that Xiao Jin was indeed still bothered. She shouldn’t have mentioned Lulu taking over Xuri—it had only upset her for no reason.
Feeling she had spoken out of turn, Xu Mianchuan resolved to make it up to her sister. After much consideration, she too set her sights on the banquet.
As soon as Pei Lingna entered the room, she saw the two sisters each occupying a sofa, heads bowed as they focused on what they held.
“Busy, are you?”
Xu Mianchuan set aside her documents and stood up. “Mom? I thought you had an appointment with Mrs. Chen to see the exhibition. You haven’t left yet?”
Chuan Jin called out “Mom” but didn’t move an inch. Pei Lingna grew irritated at the sight of her and sat down beside Xu Mianchuan. Chuan Jin couldn’t be bothered to engage with her either, lowering her head to read her book.
“I’m about to leave, but I remembered something and came to tell you.”
Xu Mianchuan was puzzled. “What is it?”
Pei Lingna straightened up, looked at her stunningly beautiful eldest daughter, and smiled. “Sometime over the weekend, find an opportunity to invite Zheng Jingyuan to dinner. Make sure he attends next week’s banquet.”
“The banquet invitation has already been sent to Chairman Zheng. There’s no need to invite him separately,” Xu Mianchuan frowned.
Pei Lingna retorted, “What does it matter? You don’t need a reason to meet him anyway. If we don’t confirm again, what if he doesn’t come?”
Chuan Jin looked up and asked bluntly, “Why doesn’t she need a reason?”
Pei Lingna ignored her, so Chuan Jin repeated the question twice more.
“What reason do an engaged couple need to meet?” Pei Lingna snapped impatiently.
“Engaged couple?” Chuan Jin threw her book aside, stood up, and stared at Xu Mianchuan in astonishment. “Sis, you’re engaged?”
Xu Mianchuan sighed helplessly at her mother. “Mom, stop talking nonsense.”
“Nonsense?” Pei Lingna put on a stern face and glared. “Chairman Zheng has taken a liking to you. An alliance between the Zheng and Xu families is inevitable—haven’t we discussed this before? Did I say something wrong?”
Pei Lingna laid it out plainly: “What status does Boya hold? What position does Zheng Jingyuan occupy? This marriage would only benefit the Xu Family. As a daughter of the Xu Family, it’s your duty to take on this responsibility. Stop dwelling on other things. Zheng Jingyuan isn’t easy to handle—your priority should be finding a way to make him settle down. Your father and I will contact Chairman Zheng to finalize things as soon as possible.”
Xu Mianchuan’s brow furrowed slightly.
Chuan Jin frowned as well.
Pei Lingna rambled on a bit more before hurrying off to the exhibition.
“Sis, are you really going to marry Zheng Jingyuan?”
Xu Mianchuan’s expression remained calm, showing no reaction to either Chuan Jin’s or Pei Lingna’s words, as if she had already tacitly accepted the marriage alliance with the Zheng Family.
“Judging by Mom and Dad’s intentions, it seems so.”
“What about your intentions?” Chuan Jin moved closer to her sister. “You can’t just go along with whatever they say. If someone has to bear responsibility, why doesn’t Xu Longchuan do it? Are daughters just meant to be sold off to other families as laborers?”
Xu Mianchuan chuckled softly. “Xiao Jin, you’re getting too worked up.”
Chuan Jin pursed her lips. How could she not be agitated? In the novel, Xu Mianchuan had only one arranged marriage candidate—wasn’t it Zheng Jingyuan? She thought this abusive man wouldn’t appear until much later, at least not until Wang Yujiang started targeting the Xu Family. By then, she’d have plenty of time to find her sister a new husband. Who knew the two families were already planning the marriage alliance this early? How could this be allowed?
“Mom said she mentioned it to you. You didn’t actually fail to refuse, did you?” Chuan Jin asked anxiously.
Xu Mianchuan sat on the sofa. “I originally intended to agree.”
“Originally intended? Meaning you’ve changed your mind now?” Chuan Jin’s eyes lit up as she crouched before her sister.
Seeing her younger sister gazing at her like an eager puppy, Xu Mianchuan smiled and explained, “Business marriages are an unspoken rule in our circle. I was prepared. Half a year ago at a business banquet, Chairman Zheng spoke with Dad and said he held me in high regard. I knew then it would likely be the Zheng family. After that, I started paying attention to Zheng Jingyuan.”
Chuan Jin had a sudden insight, guessing that Xu Mianchuan had realized this man was unsuitable.
Sure enough, Xu Mianchuan said, “Chairman Zheng is shrewd and sophisticated, with a sharp eye. He’s managed BoYa’s industries exceptionally well—few in the entertainment industry dare to oppose him. But—” She paused. “Zheng Jingyuan has a fiery temper and always insists on having his way. Those who cross him rarely end well. You know how our circle is—for someone of his status to remain chaste is difficult. He’s publicly acknowledged seventeen girlfriends, let alone those who didn’t care about titles.”
Xu Mianchuan smiled wryly. “Xiao Jin, I don’t mind an arranged marriage. It doesn’t need to bring me happiness, but it must carry responsibility. However, Zheng Jingyuan can fulfill neither.”
Chuan Jin’s heart ached. If Xu Mianchuan married Zheng Jingyuan, she would lose far more than just those two things. Domestic violence, miscarriage, mental instability—merely thinking about these terms made Chuan Jin feel suffocated.
Why should someone as wonderful as Xu Mianchuan, the newly appointed CEO of PT, be trapped in Zheng Jingyuan’s filthy cage?
With this thought, Chuan Jin abruptly stood up, fuming. “Do they think they can marry you off to anyone they want? Sis, you’re too obedient. The wealthy circle has more men than just Zheng Jingyuan. Why can’t we find someone who’s both responsible and can make you happy?”
Xu Mianchuan was bewildered. “Xiao Jin, what are you talking about?”
Chuan Jin grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door.
“Come on, I’m taking you to find a man.”