Chapter 70

Jian Qiu linked arms with An Jing and whispered through gritted teeth, “Do you want to die?”

“Isn’t what I said true?” An Jing suddenly shouted, turning Jian Qiu’s face pale; just as Jian Qiu reached to clamp her hand over the woman’s mouth, An Jing spoke again.

“Then count me in—I’ll hop on your ride and earn some pocket money with you.”

Zhou Andong’s eyes lit up, then he heard Jian Qiu reject without hesitation: “No, we don’t need money.”

“Sigh,” Zhou Andong sighed silently—this woman usually seemed sharp, why was she being foolish now, acting like she had too much money?

An Jing smiled; when she smiled, she was truly beautiful—Guan Shengjie stared blankly until Gu Bing jabbed him, snapping him back. Then he saw Gu Bing winking at him.

“Tonight, I’m going to have a long talk with your aunt.”

Jian Qiu asked warily, “What do you want to talk about?”

An Jing leaned close to Jian Qiu’s ear: “About Zhou Andong.”

Jian Qiu’s eyes narrowed: “You little brat, you really don’t want to live.”

An Jing smirked triumphantly: “If I die, I’m taking you with me.”

Jian Qiu had no answer for this woman—she felt a wave of helplessness: “If you want to invest, I can’t decide.”

An Jing turned to Zhou Andong and smiled sweetly: “Zhou Andong, how about I invest?”

“Not a chance!” Zhou Andong refused without a second thought—he wasn’t stupid; if Jian Director had said no, why would he say yes and invite trouble?

“We really don’t need money.”

An Jing rolled her eyes at Zhou Andong, grabbed Jian Qiu’s arm: “Come on, walk me to the restroom.”

Jian Qiu was dragged to the restroom; An Jing washed her face at the sink: “So cold.”

Jian Qiu hugged her shoulders: “Spit it out—what’s this about?”

An Jing pulled a tissue from her pocket and wiped her face: “Is Zhou Andong quitting his job?”

Jian Qiu laughed: “How did you guess that?”

An Jing said: “When he exposed the heads of the factory security and equipment departments in front of Dai Hongwei, I knew he was quitting.”

Jian Qiu asked: “What exactly are you trying to say?”

An Jing looked at Jian Qiu, her expression serious: “Like you, I’ve always scoffed at the idea of ‘equal social standing,’ but we can’t deny it’s a barrier we can’t easily cross.

I admit Zhou Andong is a talented, charismatic man—if I’d met him first, I’d have fallen for him without hesitation. But given his current situation, choosing to be with him would bring unimaginable pressure from his family.”

Jian Qiu fell silent; An Jing continued: “I believe if he wanted to make money, he’d do it easily. In the future, even if he doesn’t make history books, he’ll leave a bold mark on China’s commercial history.

But that takes time to prove—can you wait that long? Will your family give you time? Also, I heard news: Tong Huaiyu is coming back.”

At the name Tong Huaiyu, Jian Qiu frowned: “Who told you?”

“Tong Xiao,” An Jing said: “I had dinner with her before coming to see you.”

Jian Qiu turned on the faucet, splashed water on her face, then exhaled slowly.

An Jing said: “For all these years, no one forced you to marry because they were waiting for Tong Huaiyu to return. Your family’s alliance with the Tong family maximizes benefits in every way.”

Jian Qiu looked at her reflection in the mirror, watching water droplets slide down her delicate cheeks, then suddenly smiled: “No one can force me to do something I don’t want to do—especially in love. Not my grandfather, not my mother, not even my father.”

An Jing sighed: “No one can force you to do what you don’t want, but what about Zhou Andong? If they move against him, can you stop them?”

“They dare!” Jian Qiu’s aura shifted—her entire being radiated a chilling, intimidating presence.

“If they plan to do something to Zhou Andong, do you think they’d let you know? You can’t guard him day and night, can you?”

An Jing’s eyes gleamed with wisdom: “So you need to help him grow fast—and the fastest way is to keep him at the distillery. With his ability, reviving the distillery won’t be hard.

Then, using the distillery as a springboard, with Dai Hongwei’s approval, he can enter a higher tier. Even if that still won’t impress your family, it’ll let them see Zhou Andong’s potential—giving you real leverage to fight back.”

Jian Qiu thought for a moment, then smiled at An Jing: “You made that sound so noble, but why do I see a little tail sticking out behind you?”

“You know I hate the backstabbing politics of government offices—I turned down every job my family arranged, but I can’t just drift forever. I’m already twenty-six, twenty-seven—an old woman—and if I keep doing nothing, I’ll never marry. So I came here to discuss with you: let’s do something together.”

Saying this, An Jing grinned, spreading her hands: “It’s perfect—Zhou Andong can’t leave the distillery, you have no interest in business, and I want to do something. See? A three-way win. Perfect.”

Jian Qiu gave An Jing a sharp glare: “Total investment is one hundred thousand. Zhou Andong and I each put in four ten-thousands, and one ten-thousand is reserved for someone else. How much do you want to invest?”

An Jing said: “Whatever you’re willing to give up—I just want something to do.”

“Fine,” Jian Qiu turned back: “Ask Zhou Andong.”

In the office, Zhou Andong handed Gu Bing’s video tape to Guan Shengjie: “Everything I said is on here. Later, I’ll take you around to see it yourself.”

Guan Shengjie said: “Play it now—I’ll take it tonight. Let’s go check it out right away.”

Just as they were about to leave, Jian Qiu and An Jing returned.

“Where are you two going?” Jian Qiu asked.

Zhou Andong said: “To the arcade.”

Jian Qiu said: “An Jing wants to invest.”

Zhou Andong glanced at Jian Qiu in surprise—this woman’s stance was so weak; just moments ago she was shaking her head no, and now she’d changed her mind?

“No problem. Sixty thousand—we each put in ten percent.”

“You’re a ruthless merchant!” An Jing fumed: “Total investment is one hundred thousand—I put in sixty thousand and get only twenty percent?”

“We’re original investors; you’re adding capital later—you have to pay more,” Zhou Andong replied indifferently. “If you don’t like it, forget it.”

An Jing clenched her teeth, glaring: “Fine. Sixty thousand it is.”

Zhou Andong chuckled, waving his hand: “Come on—I’ll show you the shop. You handle the lease contract—you must sign at least a three-year term.”