Chapter 971: The Date Is Set

“No way!” Before Jian Zhengxue could speak, Gu Minglan objected: “What’s all this about a grand wedding? It’s just a formality. When I got married to your father, the two families just sat at one table and had a meal.”

Jian Zhengxue agreed: “You must understand, your status is different from others’, especially our family—we need to mind our reputation.”

“Do I, Zhou Andong, care what others think when I get married?” Zhou Andong smiled: “Dad, I know you’re worried someone will cause trouble, claiming we’re using the wedding to rake in money.”

Jian Zhengxue nodded: “It’s not just worry—someone definitely will say that. Others will use your wedding as an opportunity to bribe, so your wedding must be low-key.”

“This is easy to solve.” Zhou Andong rolled another duck pancake and placed it in Lao Si’s bowl: “There are two options: don’t accept any gift money, or donate all of it.”

Hm?

Jian Zhengxue and Gu Minglan turned to Zhou Andong, then exchanged a glance.

No matter how the wedding is handled, that’s the Zhou family’s business, not the Jian family’s.

But accepting gift money isn’t just the Zhou family’s affair anymore—after all, the Jian family and those connected to them will attend the wedding.

If they come, they won’t skip giving a gift; once that money is accepted, the Jian family will inevitably face criticism.

If no gift money is accepted, there won’t be any problems—those wanting to stir up trouble won’t find an excuse.

Gu Minglan said: “If you won’t accept gift money, then do whatever you want.”

“Mom!” Jian Qiu said: “I think it’s better to accept the gift money and then donate it.”

Jian Zhengxue smiled: “I also think accepting the gift money and donating it is better than not accepting it at all.”

Gu Minglan glared at Jian Zhengxue: “Fine, you two decide—I’m done. Now let’s discuss the date.”

“Next November!” Jian Qiu looked at Zhou Andong: “What do you think?”

“You decide.” Zhou Andong rolled another duck pancake and took a bite.

Gu Minglan frowned, dissatisfied: “Why push it all the way to next November? Why not New Year’s Day?”

“New Year’s Day is too cold,” Jian Qiu shook her head. “Besides, we’ve just built a new hotel in Jiangzhou—it’ll be ready by August next year. Our wedding will be held there.”

“In-laws!” Gu Minglan turned to Yuan Liying: “What’s your opinion?”

Yuan Liying naturally supported Gu Minglan: “I also think New Year’s Day is perfect.”

Zhou Andong shook his head: “The wedding needs proper preparation—there’s only two months until New Year’s Day. That’s not enough time.”

Yuan Liying snapped: “Two months isn’t enough for you to prepare?”

“Not enough!” Zhou Andong picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Jian Zhengxue and Lao Zhou: “Just consider the custom wedding attire—I and Qiu need half a year to get it made.”

Lao Zhou took a sip of wine and grunted: “What wedding attire needs half a year to make?”

“Chinese-style wedding attire!” Zhou Andong said: “Qiu and I are having a traditional Chinese wedding.”

Wearing a white wedding dress and marrying the man she loves is every girl’s dream—Jian Qiu isn’t immune to that.

Especially in this era, Western-style weddings are experiencing a massive surge in popularity.

So when Zhou Andong previously suggested a Chinese-style wedding, Jian Qiu had opposed it.

But she couldn’t withstand Zhou Andong’s silver tongue—eventually, she was persuaded.

“That’s good!” Jian Zhengxue said: “Chinese people should have Chinese-style weddings. Why force Western ones and end up with something half-Chinese, half-foreign?”

Lao Zhou nodded along: “I say we follow the kids’ plan—hold it next November. Time flies; a year will be here before you know it.”

“I agree,” Jian Zhengxue added: “A year’s not long—what’s the rush?”

“Fine!” Gu Minglan conceded: “Then it’s settled—wedding next November. Let’s eat.”

………………

In Geneva, the Sugar Conference was underway; someone was speaking on the podium.

Guo Qizheng sat in the front row, listening intently.

At that moment, a staff member walked over to him and whispered something in his ear.

Guo Qizheng gave a slight nod, then rose and headed for the conference hall exit.

Outside the hall, he went to the hotel front desk and picked up the phone.

“This is Guo Qizheng!”

“Boss!” A deep male voice came through the receiver: “The contract is signed—six hundred fifty thousand tons.”

“Good!” Guo Qizheng said: “I’ll throw a celebration when you get back. That’s all.”

Guo Qizheng hung up, his face instantly lighting up with a relaxed smile, then strode back into the hall with brisk steps.

“Guo, where did you just go?” Gus whispered beside him.

Guo Qizheng leaned slightly toward Gus: “I just got some major news.”

Gus’s expression turned serious: “What news?”

Guo Qizheng leaned even closer to Gus: “China’s raw sugar is in short supply—desperate for supply.”

Gus perked up: “Is the information reliable?”

“Reliable!” Guo Qizheng said: “That explains the futures market turbulence.”

Gus stood up and walked off; Guo Qizheng’s lips curled into a barely noticeable smile.

Fatty Waiguo ren sat at the outermost seat and, seeing Gus leave, grabbed him.

“Gus, the meeting isn’t over, the speech is still going—you leaving like this is extremely rude.”

Gus whispered something in his ear; Fatty Waiguo ren immediately stood and left.

An elderly British man, with white hair, wrinkled skin, and a hooked nose, sat beside Guo Qizheng.

He had been watching Guo Qizheng and Gus closely, wondering what they’d said that made Gus rush off so abruptly.

This made him immediately suspect something had happened. But since Gus left and Guo Qizheng stayed, he grew confused.

“Guo!” The British man couldn’t hold back any longer and whispered to Guo Qizheng: “What did you tell Gus? Did something happen?”

Guo Qizheng freely shared his exclusive information with the old man.

The British man’s face changed instantly, and he left the hall just as rudely.

The originally three-hour meeting ended half an hour early after Guo Qizheng was “forced” to reveal his secret.

This angered the organizers and embarrassed them—but once they learned the reason, they fell silent.

In the hearts of capitalists, no one’s pride matters more than making money.

After returning home, these bigwigs immediately activated their intelligence networks to confirm China indeed urgently needed massive raw sugar supplies.

This filled everyone with excitement—no matter what China lacked, it meant their own pockets would swell again.

Immediately, these tycoons gathered funds overnight, preparing to buy sugar at rock-bottom prices.

………………

“Ding ling…”

Zhou Andong and Jian Qiu had just returned to the hotel, opened their room door, and heard the phone ring.

Jian Qiu hurried into the room and picked up the phone: “Hello, this is Jian Qiu!”

“Miss Jian, this is Guo Qizheng.”