Lin Jiang thought for a moment. "If I remember correctly, this Huipin Group is a local Zhonghai enterprise, right?"
"Yes. Their growth has been backed by a degree of local protectionism. After all these years, they’ve been developing steadily, and they’ve slowly built a bit of a reputation," He Jing said.
"That bit of reputation is their main bargaining chip. If we can’t attract a top-tier supermarket brand, they’re the best alternative."
"We’re in business to make money; we can’t let them lead us by the nose," Lin Jiang said.
"Just follow the mall’s standard procedure. If they accept the relevant discount terms, we’ll continue our partnership. If not, tell them to move out."
"Understood."
Lin Jiang’s words gave He Jing a great deal of confidence, and she ate with even more gusto.
Over an hour later, He Jing was full, her hunger meter reset to zero.
"President Lin, I’ll arrange for someone to buy the gifts now."
"Okay."
He Jing was highly efficient. She had the items purchased in less than half an hour, and Lin Jiang drove to the Qin family’s home.
As for the Huipin Supermarket matter, Lin Jiang wasn’t too concerned.
At worst, he’d just have to find a new tenant. It would hurt them, but it would also hurt him—a classic lose-lose situation.
Besides, if they really did part ways, their losses would be greater than his. That was all the more reason not to let them lead him by the nose.
While on the road, Qin Youyou called.
"Brother Jiang, where are you? I’ll come get you."
"I’m almost there."
"I’ll wait for you in the underground garage. When you pull in, just tell the security guard you’re with our family."
"Okay."
Following the address from memory, Lin Jiang drove into the underground garage. He spotted Qin Youyou from a distance.
She was wearing a form-fitting short skirt and a snug short-sleeved top. Her fair thighs were on full display, looking soft and full.
"It’s just a casual dinner. Why did you buy so many things?"
"I couldn’t come empty-handed."
Lin Jiang carried the gifts as the two of them walked toward the elevator.
Qin Youyou was ecstatic; it felt like her boyfriend was coming to meet her parents.
When they arrived at Qin Youyou’s home, the food was already on the table.
He could tell the family wasn’t treating him like an outsider. Qin Zhengqing and Jiang Rongmin were both in their house pajamas, giving the whole affair the feeling of a family feast.
Seeing Jiang Rongmin again, Lin Jiang still felt a little awkward.
The last time she’d walked in on them... that feeling was no different from getting caught playing cards by your parents. He still felt a bit guilty.
’In her eyes, we’ve probably already consummated the relationship.’
"Oh, you. Just coming for a meal, what’s the need to buy all these things?"
Jiang Rongmin welcomed Lin Jiang inside, looking for all the world like a mother-in-law appraising her son-in-law. A constant smile was on her face, as if she hadn’t given a second thought to what happened that day.
’Then again, that makes sense. We’re all adults; no one would make a big deal out of it.’
’Otherwise, no one would ever have kids. The human race would go extinct.’
"It’s just a few small things."
After entering, Lin Jiang was led to the sofa. Aunt Chen was still busy in the kitchen, but she didn’t forget to greet him when she saw him.
"Looks like our son-in-law has lost some weight. I made you some delicious food today, so eat up later."
"Thank you, Aunt Chen."
Lin Jiang looked around but didn’t see Qin Yangyang.
’Is she still busy with work?’
After he sat down, they made some small talk, and soon the meal was ready.
"Where’s your sister?" Lin Jiang asked in a low voice.
"She’s working overtime today. We called her, and she said she’s not coming back tonight."
Hmm?
Lin Jiang had a bad feeling.
’Did we get our wires crossed?’
’Qin Yangyang probably thinks I’m at my place and is planning to head over tonight. That must be why she said she wasn’t coming back home.’
’But in reality, I came to her place instead.’
"Come on, don’t worry about her. Try the food and see if you like it."
"Anything Aunt Chen makes is sure to be to my liking," Lin Jiang said, offering a compliment.
The dinner began. After a few sips of red wine, they got down to business.
"Xiaojiang, what’s this about an abandoned residential community? How did you end up taking on a job like that?" Qin Zhengqing asked.
Over the next few minutes, Lin Jiang explained the situation to Qin Zhengqing.
Having navigated the business world for so many years, the latter understood immediately.
"So it’s a condition they tacked on. If this isn’t handled properly, the approval for your land will be indefinitely delayed."
"That’s what I figured. But all related expenses will be covered by Mu Xing, and the finances for it will be handled separately."
"That’s a minor issue; don’t worry about it," Qin Zhengqing said.
"The other day, your Aunt Jiang and I tried the meat you had sent over. It’s truly exceptional. We’ve had 5A Wagyu in Japan when we traveled there, and its quality doesn’t compare to your Mu Xing’s 5A Wagyu."
"You’re too kind, Uncle Qin."
"This isn’t about being kind," Qin Zhengqing said.
"This is a huge opportunity. With Mu Xing’s quality, you have the full potential to become the number one brand in the country. If you manage it well, you could even secure a place on the world stage."
"I’m already working on that. The top priority right now is to expand production. If our capacity can’t keep up, there’s no point in talking about being the number one brand."
"Is your funding sufficient?" Jiang Rongmin asked.
"Your Uncle Qin and I can give you some money from our personal funds. Consider it a loan, not an investment."
Lin Jiang understood what Jiang Rongmin meant.
’She’s offering to lend me the money, so all I’d have to do is pay it back without giving up any company equity.’
’That way, they wouldn’t be taking advantage of me.’
’After all, with the way things are now, if I just put the word out, countless people would be lining up to throw money at me.’
"There’s no need to go to that trouble. Uncle Qin, Aunt Jiang, you can take a stake in the company if you like."
"Whether we invest or just lend it to you, in the end, we can’t take any of it with us. It will all be yours anyway," Jiang Rongmin said with a benevolent smile.
"So we won’t take a stake. But if you need financial support, we can still provide some. You just have to ask."
"Then thank you, Uncle Qin and Aunt Jiang."
"Now that expansion is on the agenda, your operations need to keep up," Jiang Rongmin said.
"And stop using Japan’s standards. Create our own. You’re the only one with beef of this quality. Once you reach a certain scale, the government will even come to endorse you. So, in the future, don’t neglect the operations side of things."
"Understood."
"As for the abandoned community, just let Youyou handle it. You two can figure out the specifics on your own. We won’t get involved."
"Thank you, Aunt Jiang."
Lin Jiang could see it clearly now. After what happened last time, Jiang Rongmin truly saw him as her son-in-law.
’It’s like she’s saying, ’You two kids go ahead and do whatever you want.’’
’Our future assets will all be yours anyway.’
After they finished their business talk, Lin Jiang and Qin Zhengqing started drinking again.
They didn’t stop until after nine at night, at which point they moved to the living room to drink tea.
"Uncle Qin, Aunt Jiang, it’s getting late. I should be heading back."
Lin Jiang had a feeling that Qin Yangyang was about to call him. It was the perfect time to go back.
"Brother Jiang, I’ll see you out."
"It’s so late, don’t go back. It’s not like we don’t have room for you here."
Qin Youyou stood frozen, her heart pounding.
’If Brother Jiang stays, which room will he sleep in?’
’Are they going to make me sleep with Brother Jiang?’
’This is too...’
"Youyou, help your Brother Jiang to a room to rest."
"Oh, okay..."
Jiang Rongmin didn’t specify which room, so Qin Youyou led him to her own.
"Having Xiaojiang stay over already... isn’t it a bit soon?" Qin Zhengqing said.
"I already walked in on the two of them last time. It shows that they’ve been like this for a while."
Jiang Rongmin said, "What’s going to happen has already happened. It’s normal for him to stay over. Besides, it’s so late, we can’t let him go back now."
"I was so worried about Youyou’s future marriage, but I never expected she’d find someone as wonderful as Xiaojiang."
"Now you don’t have to worry."
"No!" Qin Zhengqing said suddenly.
"You have to go remind them to be careful. They’re not married yet, we can’t have them making a baby."
"Don’t worry, I already reminded her."
Jiang Rongmin looked exasperated.
"When I brought it up with her, she played dumb even though she knew exactly what I was talking about. She’s going to be the death of me."
"Even if she’s the death of you, you can’t just ignore it," Qin Zhengqing sighed.
"Tell me about it. I even had my secretary go buy her some ’protection’. For days after, my secretary kept giving me strange looks."

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