Chapter 970

“Gek gek gek…”

The little one paused, then giggled and lunged at Zhou Andong: “Baba!”

Zhou Andong glanced at Jian Qiu and smiled smugly.

“My dear daughter, Daddy missed you so much.” Zhou Andong picked up the little girl and gave her cheek a loud kiss.

Jian Qiu kept a stern face: “Su Su, don’t you miss Mommy?”

The little girl turned to look at Jian Qiu, her big eyes blinking, as if sensing her mother was upset, and she stretched out her tiny arms.

“Miss-Mommy!”

“Pfft!” Jian Qiu laughed, scooping the girl up and planting a kiss on her cheek: “You little rascal, you can read faces now?”

Gu Minglan said: “This girl’s got plenty of petty tricks.”

The group entered the room; the little girl squirmed down and scampered toward the old man, cooing: “Tai Nao Ye!”

The old man hurriedly caught the rushing girl in his arms: “Did you have fun playing with Grandpa and Grandma?”

“Fun!” the girl said one word, then turned to Jian Qiu, grinning mischievously.

“See?” Gu Minglan chuckled. “She knows Grandpa can keep you in check—soon she’ll learn to tattle.”

Jian Qiu sighed helplessly, then checked the time: “Let’s go. Su Su hasn’t seen Grandpa and Grandma for over a month.”

“Stay and eat first,” the old man refused to let go of the girl. “I’ve got nothing else to do today—let me play with the child.”

“Fine,” Zhou Andong said. “We’ll eat first, then leave.”

………………

Meanwhile, 8 p.m. Geneva time, in the banquet hall of a famous five-star hotel.

Guo Qizheng was exchanging drinks with several global heavyweights, constantly probing the market situation.

He had invested five million, buying sugar futures through London, but entered late and still hadn’t completed his operation.

Moreover, due to Zhou Andong’s massive capital injection, the sugar futures market had slightly risen, drawing significant attention—so his moves grew even more cautious.

What worried him was that his team was still negotiating with the Brazilian government, with zero progress.

Meanwhile, Jin Hui and Sun Zhinong, under his name, were secretly purchasing raw sugar spot in Australia, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, and other countries.

At that moment, a blond, blue-eyed foreigner—whose age was hard to guess but seemed young—walked over with a glass of red wine and sat beside Guo Qizheng.

“Guo, did you know? Brazil’s acting strange lately. Two or three never-before-seen, very young Japanese keep coming and going in the sugar zones—something big’s about to happen.”

Guo Qizheng’s heart jolted violently, but he quickly steadied his expression, feigning deep concern.

“Really? Any other news or market intel—tell me immediately.”

Anyone who rose to become a business magnate had their own sources—this news genuinely startled him, drenching him in cold sweat.

The foreigner smiled faintly: “If you weren’t here, I’d suspect it was you.”

Guo Qizheng exhaled inwardly, smiling: “I haven’t paid attention to Brazil—I’ve been focused on futures. The rise in raw sugar prices must mean someone’s scooping up the bottom.”

The foreigner nodded: “Raw sugar prices are at historic lows—someone scooping the bottom is normal. I’m watching too.”

Guo Qizheng raised his glass, clinking it against the foreigner’s with a crisp “ding”: “Interested in joining?”

The foreigner pondered: “Based on current trends, it’s not yet time to enter. But I have a feeling something big’s coming—I’m still hesitating.”

Guo Qizheng lifted his glass, sipping lightly: “I feel the same—now’s not the time to enter. I’m just watching.”

Another fat foreigner approached with a plate of cake: “Guo, Gus—what are you two talking about?”

Gus said: “Futures. Raw sugar prices are fluctuating—someone’s scooping the bottom.”

The fat foreigner sat down, forked a piece of cake, and bit into it: “I noticed too, but it’s not yet time to enter—wait a bit.”

“Also, in Brazil, some Japanese are negotiating for raw sugar—keep an eye on them.”

Guo Qizheng was startled again, but his expression didn’t change: “Gus just told me—I think Japan’s buying raw sugar, but not in large volume.”

Guo Qizheng chatted with the two foreigners, carefully steering their focus away from Brazil.

He was also grateful he’d stayed here, drawing everyone’s attention.

Otherwise, this acquisition mission would’ve been truly dangerous.

After the banquet ended, Guo Qizheng returned to his room and called the Brazil team.

“Any progress?”

The other side replied: “A little progress.”

“Listen,” Guo Qizheng said seriously. “You don’t just need progress—you need speed. The futures market is stirring. I’m still operating on futures and haven’t finished. If this leaks, we’ll be in big trouble.”

The other side immediately assured: “Rest assured, I’ll get it done as fast as possible.”

Guo Qizheng said: “If there’s dispute over price, you can raise it slightly.”

“Understood!” came the reply, then the line went dead.

“Phew!”

Guo Qizheng exhaled—he’d been in business for years, but never had he felt so heart-pounding.

Over the next two days, Guo Qizheng became even more active during the conference, organizing banquets besides attending meetings.

He then contacted Jin Hui and Sun Zhinong—and to his surprise, both had progressed smoothly, having already acquired 210,000 tons of raw sugar, exceeding their target.

Now it all hinged on Brazil—if they signed the contract, the news could be released.

………………

October 3, 1993, Lunar August 18, Sunday!

Zhou Andong, Old Zhou, and Old Yuan; Jian Qiu, Old Jian, and Old Gu; plus Old Si and Su Su sat together in the largest private room at Quanjude.

Aside from Old Si and Su Su, drooling over the feast, the atmosphere was harmonious.

“In-laws!” Jian Zhengxue poured full cups of Imperial Tribute Wine for Old Zhou. “The two kids are deeply in love and already married—no need for bride price.”

“No way!” Old Zhou insisted. “Whether they’ve registered or not, bride price must be paid. Not too much, not too little—never shortchange Qiuqiu.”

“Stop arguing,” Gu Minglan smiled. “Eat while you talk—look how hungry the two little ones are.”

“Hehehe…”

Old Si wiped his mouth with his sleeve and chuckled foolishly, now embarrassed.

Seeing Old Si’s expression, everyone laughed.

Jian Qiu rolled a duck pancake for Old Si: “Eat.”

“Thanks, sister-in-law!” Old Si grabbed the rolled pancake and bit into it with a loud “Ow!”

“Slow down!” Jian Qiu wiped his mouth with a napkin, then said: “Bride price is non-negotiable—I’m not giving away my big daughter for free.”

“Exactly!” Old Zhou roared with laughter. “Our Zhou family married your Jian family’s big daughter—how could we take her for free?”

Gu Minglan tore off a tiny piece of duck meat and placed it in Su Su’s mouth: “Let Dongzi and Qiuqiu decide the bride price themselves—let’s discuss the wedding instead.”

Jian Zhengxue looked at Zhou Andong and Jian Qiu: “My wife and I think it should be simple—just a family meal to celebrate.”

“No!” Zhou Andong grabbed Jian Qiu’s hand, speaking with solemn seriousness.

“When I had nothing, Qiuqiu chose to stand by me. I must give her a grand wedding—make her the happiest bride in the world, leave her with not a single regret.”