Chapter 639: Scammed!

During the hot summer days, activity in the university class group was unusually high, primarily because they hadn’t yet made new friends and their lives hadn’t changed much.

Some complained in the group about their mentors being unreasonable, also needing to pick up kids.

Others lamented being deceived, only realizing the need to play nice in the workforce.

Some showed off their villas when they had nothing else to do.

Moreover, there were rumors of Zhuang Chen’s successful startup based on a photo of an office he shared, showcasing a reflection of someone in a suit in the window.

This guy deliberately chose the last day for his thesis defense and didn’t even show up to his roommates or the graduation ceremony, truly a cold male god.

In short, everyone’s July was filled with unique excitement.

Among the most pitiful was Gao Wenhui, Jiang Qin had her analyzing Xitian’s revenue charts and city managers’ reports daily to get her used to the pace before joining Xitian’s management.

Half a month into this, she was truly overwhelmed.

Truthfully, she preferred being a milk tea sister since it was less stressful.

Now facing a role in management, she feared one wrong decision could affect Xitian’s growth.

However, she was actually overthinking, with Xitian’s leading position in the industry, only a national PR crisis could impact its current state.

But newly graduated college students always held some societal reverence, unaware that the world is a sprawling makeshift stage.

On July 16th, after reviewing the report sent by Fang Xiaoxuan, Gao Wenhui couldn’t help but let out a long scream.

Suddenly, her life wasn’t joyful anymore!

After much pondering, she called Feng Nanshu.

“Nanshu, what are you up to?”

“It’s the weekend, I’m watching TV with my parents.”

“Summer vacation is so boring, I’m coming to Jizhou to see you, okay?”

“Sure.”

“Is your husband home?”

“My husband’s friend has returned to Linchuan, telling me to stay put at home.”

“Okay, I’m on my way!”

True to her decisive nature, Gao Wenhui packed up and headed to Jizhou the next day, hurrying like she was fleeing disaster.

She thought, if they make me review various charts and write reflections again, I’ll just say I’m busy. Then Fang Xiaoxuan will surely report to Jiang Qin, who will then call to scold me.

When that happens, I’ll just say I’m really busy and send a picture with Feng Nanshu, telling Jiang Qin, “I’m busy shopping and having afternoon tea with Mrs. Jiang daily!”

Let’s see what he says then!

By five in the afternoon, Gao Wenhui arrived in Jizhou, looking forward to exploring this city as she left the train station.

This was her first time in Jizhou, a northern small city she’d never heard of if not for Feng Nanshu and Jiang Qin.

Now there, she wondered how this place could produce someone like Jiang Qin.

Soon after, Gao Wenhui took a cab directly to Hongrong Homes, heading straight for building 7, unit 502, without even asking for directions.

She knew this address by heart because whenever Feng Nanshu needed to fill out her home address, this is what she wrote.

When the door opened, the two friends greeted one another warmly.

Then the little rich girl began showing Gao Wenhui around. Jiang’s family had a picture of four on the coffee table and a graduation photo of six people together.

“I can’t tell if this is Jiang Qin’s home or yours!”

“This is my small home with Jiang Qin and our parents.”

Feng Nanshu handed her a glass of water, embodying the lady of the house.

After taking the water, Gao Wenhui looked around. “Jiang is so rich, why doesn’t he buy a villa here in Jizhou?”

Prompted by the question, Feng Nanshu thought for a moment then took her for a walk.

“Nanshu, your parents aren’t home, right? Come over to Grandma’s this afternoon for dumplings.”

“Nanshu, hurry over. Aunt Youqin cooked the rice noodles your Uncle Qing sent.”

“Who is that?”

“She’s from Jiang Qin’s family. Pretty, right? I heard they’ll marry after the New Year.”

Gao Wenhui’s jaw dropped as they strolled. “Wait, you guys are getting married after the New Year?”

Feng Nanshu’s face froze. “I have no idea who started that rumor.”

“？”

Gao Wenhui was doubtful of Feng Nanshu’s explanation.

Jiang Qin had been working away recently and wasn’t the type to spread such rumors.

If it was Jiang Qin’s parents saying it, it wouldn’t be a rumor anymore.

Obviously, it seems evident who would spread it among the four family members.

However, Gao Wenhui could understand why Jiang Qin, despite his wealth, hadn’t bought a villa in Jizhou for them.

Honestly, the community atmosphere here was priceless.

She was also beginning to appreciate why Feng Nanshu considered this place home—it truly felt familial and secure.

That’s the advantage of resettlement housing—everyone used to live in the same village, knowing each other well, unlike newer housing developments where you might not know your neighbors after ten years.

Yet, Feng Nanshu seemed too popular in this community.

“If we weren’t best friends, I’d think you grew up in this neighborhood.”

Feng Nanshu swaying back and forth said, “I feel like I did grow up here.”

Hearing this, Gao Wenhui smiled, drew her close, and they walked on.

Some growths aren’t about aging but about changes of heart…

After leaving Hongrong Homes, Feng Nanshu treated Gao Wenhui to buns at a local shop, where the owner, grateful to Jiang Qin for employing his son at Qin Zi’ang’s construction company, refused to take their money and even offered them drinks.

“Where to next? How about the small goods city?”

“Sounds good.”

Despite never visiting Jizhou before, Gao Wenhui, author of ‘Love you in the Name of Friendship’, already knew about places like the library and the small goods city!

Feng Nanshu hadn’t visited for a long time either, so she took her for a tour.

Due to the e-commerce industry’s growth, the treat shop’s rocking horse had been removed two years prior, replaced by a courier collection point. However, the small goods city had opened a new supermarket that featured a new rocking horse, themed after Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf.

Feng Nanshu spared two bucks for a ride, reminiscing about Jiang Qin causing a stir.

Gao Wenhui, noticing the curious glances around them, couldn’t help but ask, “Did Jiang Qin use this to win you back then?”

Feng Nanshu nodded. At that time, she and the big bear were newly acquainted, still somewhat awkward with one another, not kissing or playful yet.

“That day I wanted to ride the rocking horse. Big brother called me childish but still popped in the coins for me.”

“Indeed a bit childish. Everyone’s watching us. Shall we leave?”

“But it won’t run off…”

“？”

Feng Nanshu gently leaned on Lazy Goat’s head: “Mom took me to the amusement park, warned me not to wander, then didn’t come back all day. Scared, I didn’t dare go anywhere else but just sat on the rocking horse.”

Suddenly Gao Wenhui understood why Feng Nanshu often reassured over the past four years, “I’ll be good, won’t run off.”

“Then let’s go for another two bucks’ ride!”

“Okay!”

By evening, Feng Nanshu took Gao Wenhui back to Hongrong Homes. By then, Yuan Youqin had returned from work and was cooking in the kitchen.

The little rich girl swapped into Jiang Qin’s slippers, leaving hers for Gao Wenhui, and ran over shouting ‘mom’ ecstatically.

Yuan Youqin showered her daughter-in-law-maybe with motherly love, fulfilling all her fantasies of having a daughter.

The two now got along even better than some biological families.

“Where did you go strolling today?”

“Wenhui came over. I took her out for a spin.”

Yuan Youqin was surprised to see Gao Wenhui, knowing she was Feng Nanshu’s best friend, hence warmly welcomed her and suggested Feng Nanshu take her to rest while she finished cooking.

Just then, Gao Wenhui’s phone vibrated—Fang Xiaoxuan had sent another report.

As July marked the mid-year, this report was triple the usual size, overwhelming even by its file size.

Gao Wenhui thought, ‘I’m done. I’m here aiding the boss’s wife, big efforts!’

Then she followed Feng Nanshu into the room, only to find her friend already at the computer, starting to review…reports!

“Why are you looking at this too? And it’s nationwide!”

“I’m Jiang Qin’s wife.”

Feng Nanshu scanned the report, her expression serene and adorable.

Gao Wenhui realized her mistake, thinking using ‘the wife’ as a shield would spare her the mundane task. Yet even the boss’s wife wasn’t exempt—her trip seemed futile!

But soon, a gift box on the table caught Huihui’s attention. “What’s this?”

“A graduation gift from dad…”

“？”

Gao Wenhui assumed the ‘dad’ Feng Nanshu mentioned was Jiang Zhenghong, but on opening, it wasn’t.

Inside was a photo frame with a picture of a tall, handsome man in a suit with a little girl—it was clearly Feng Nanshu as a child.

“From your real dad?”

“Yes.”

Feng Nanshu nodded. “He came to Jizhou a few days back, had dinner at our place.”

Gao Wenhui hummed acknowledgment then shifted the photo frame, uncovering a jewelry box underneath marked GRAFF. Inside was a diamond necklace with a designer’s signed card.

“This person, missing graduation day but shows up now, quite intriguing.”

“He mentioned his brother was ill then.”

Indeed, Feng Shihua had recently been to Jizhou to see Feng Nanshu and had also checked on the merchant gathering at【Joy City】 in Kyoto, having just returned to Linchuan.

Late June, he planned to attend Feng Nanshu’s graduation and meet his son-in-law-to-be.

However, Andy was down with a high fever at the time, showing no signs of recovery.

Typically well-behaved, near Feng Nanshu’s graduation, Andy began insisting on his father staying, becoming inconsolably upset each time leading to a severe cough.

Duan Ying, upset, punished him, leaving him unfed for a day, infuriating Feng Shihua into a hefty argument with her.

Thus, the graduation gift was belated.

That evening, as Feng Shihua returned from the airport to Sheshan Manor, he was welcomed by a table full of dishes prepared by Duan Ying as if they never fought.

“Back?”

“Yes.”

“How was work?”

“The merchant gathering went well, though it fell short of my expectations.”

Duan Ying comforted him not to rush and served him the soup she had prepared, seemingly without a hint of conflict.

However, she was aware Feng Shihua had gone to Jizhou.

The fact that Feng Nanshu’s boyfriend is the CEO of Group-Buy was a big blow for her; she feared all her hard-earned gains might evaporate, hence she did not want Feng Shihua to have a chance to mend things with their daughter, thus igniting Andy’s tantrums.

Yet, unbeknownst to her, Feng Shihua still managed to visit Feng Nanshu in Jizhou.

Frankly, the struggle for inheritance in big families isn’t much different from feudal societies. With no children from the second son and Feng Nanshu being a daughter, Duan Ying had Andy, seemingly securing her place comfortably up till then.

But upon returning to the country, she realized the situation wasn’t as optimistic as she thought.

Currently, the board doubted Feng Shihua’s capabilities, with control over Hurricane Investment held by Cai Ming, previously a direct subordinate of Qin Jingqiu.

Moreover, with Feng Nanshu’s boyfriend being the CEO of Group-Buy, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her secure position as a wealthy lady might not last.

Particularly with Feng Shihua’s discreet trip to Jizhou adding to her unease.

“You said you were meeting brand representatives, but you actually went to Jizhou, right? Why hide it from me, did you think I wouldn’t let you go? Nanshu is my daughter too, I also wanted to wish her a happy graduation.”

Feng Shihua looked up: “Know Xitian?”

Duan Ying paused: “That milk tea brand that was trending recently?”

“True, but calling it ‘very popular’ is the consumers’ take. For us businesspeople, we prefer to describe it as a milk tea brand valued at nearly ten billion. Though this valuation has been wildly inflated, it recently executed a nationwide marketing campaign linked to confessions of love, boosting customer footfall by three to five hundred percent in the business districts.”

“What does this have to do with your trip to Jizhou?”

“For a quality brand like this that knows how to market itself explosively, it’s crucial for the Joy City project. My trip to Jizhou was a fact, but I also indeed met with the brand’s proprietors.”

Feng Shihua laid down his chopsticks: “Xitian is a gift Jiang Qin presented to Nanshu.”

After hearing this, Duan Ying opened her mouth, shocked for a moment, then noticed her palms were sweaty.

After returning from abroad, Feng Nanshu’s identity underwent several changes in her mind.

From a stepdaughter to the girlfriend of a major group-buy CEO, then to a young entrepreneur who, in her words, is Mrs. Jiang, unconcerned with wealth.

But for her, these were merely appended values, just like she became a Mrs. because of a man.

Yet, she found it impossible to accept that Feng Nanshu personally owned a company valued close to ten billion.

“Just a front figure in the legal sense, right?”

“No, Xitian belongs wholly to Nanshu, even Jiang Qin holds no shares.”

(As we move into the later stages, the pace of business aspects will accelerate.)