Chapter 61
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Once He Xiu announced this, He Jing Long actually froze. He Xiu took out the household register and shoved it into He Jing Long’s hands. “Returning the household register to you. Jian Yan and I will go get our own later.”
He Jing Long stared at the household register, still somewhat dumbstruck. “When did you go get registered?”
“Yesterday; the wedding is tentatively set for October. I need to grab my things now and leave.”
He Jing Long’s brows twitched. “You want to move out? Your brand new house is already renovated?”
“Not yet; I’m living at Jian Yan’s place first.”
He Jing Long didn’t know what to say for a moment. He Xiu had gotten a marriage certificate without fanfare and didn’t even speak about it with him. As a father, he felt crushed.
He Xiu stated, “You two continue then; I’ll go up and pack my things.”
He Chen: “…”
Walking away like this was too unloyal and selfish!
He saw He Xiu actually walking away and hurriedly followed. “I’ll go with him and see if he needs help with anything!”
“Stop!” He Jing Long shouted at him, striding forward. “We have not finished discussing your decision. Behave yourself and stay here!”
He Chen: “…”
He Jing Long, once he was done addressing He Chen, moved on to He Xiu. “How about we have Jian Yan move here to live instead? In any case, the mansion is large. When the new house is renovated, you two can move out.”
“No need, her place is also fairly big. In addition, she normally draws and likes peace and quiet.”
Zhao Ying Fang sneered, “If he wants to move out, let him. Didn’t he get married without breathing a word of it? You raised a wolf for so many years, and now he’s already matured; you should stop shoving your hot face up someone’s cold ass.”1
He Jing Long turned his head to glare at her. “Would it kill you not to speak?”
Contrarily, He Xiu chuckled with a careless air. “Her words are correct; all of your lives will be happier after I move out.”
He Chen watched as He Xiu headed upstairs without a second glance once he finished speaking. He thought about it for a moment before following, only to be seized back by He Jing Long. “Where do you think you’re going? How many years have you known Xu Ying? He Xiu is already married, but you, on the other hand, are making trouble and trying to break a marriage; you’re acting increasingly more immature as you age!”
He Chen smirked and tossed back, “I actually think I’m becoming more sensible as I age.”
“So now you have logic? Previously, wasn’t it you who chased Xu Ying, hmm?”
“…” He Chen choked on air for a moment, but he still persevered in arguing, “In any case, I have already decided to terminate this marriage. Furthermore, Xu Ying doesn’t like me at all. Is there any meaning in the two of you forcing marriage?”
“Ah, so it’s us forcing the marriage now?” He Jing Long smiled despite the extreme fury still radiating off him and said, “Fine, I cannot take charge of you youngsters’ matters, do whatever you want to do. The Xu Family and family friends over there, you can personally visit and explain it all to them. I refuse to bring down this old face!”
He Jing Long walked away in fury afterwards. Zhao Ying Fang stood up and sent a reproaching glare at He Chen. “You should think this over carefully; do you think this is playing house?”
“Mom…”
“Don’t talk to me. I am with your father on this.” Zhao Ying Fang left, and He Chen was left alone in the drawing room, ruffling his hair nervously.
He Xiu moved out of the He Mansion that very same day. He didn’t grab all his things, however, since he would only have to move it all again when moving into the new house. He Chen was left alone at the mansion and had to contend with the looks He Jing Long and Zhao Ying Fang gave him every day, but during this critical moment in time, he withstood the pressure and insisted on breaking the engagement with Xu Ying.
Zhao Ying Fang was infuriated and refused to have anything to do with him for a week. He Chen, however, took advantage of his recovery period to pour over Starlight Park. Previously, he had always believed He Jing Long to be biased, setting aside all the good things for He Xiu. He now realized that even though Starlight Park was not as ripe as Starlight General Merchandise, it indeed had a lot of potential for growth. He Jing Long had not cheated him on this point.
He tried talking to He Jing Long once. He Jing Long was pleased with his change and no longer tried to pressure him into his engagement with Xu Ying again. Zhao Ying Fang became even unhappier, though, and deliberately sought out He Chen to discuss his life thoroughly. “Did your brains get addled by the car accident? How about you go back to the hospital for an examination?”
He Chen lifted his head from his reports and gave her an unfathomable look. “What are you suddenly saying?”
“What am I saying?” Zhao Ying Fang sneered, “I heard your father say you intend to keep your focus on Starlight Park? Yes, Starlight Park is indeed a very good project, but don’t you want Starlight General Merchandise?”
He Chen furrowed his brows and replied, “Starlight Park is quite vast. Although not all of it is under my purview, the sections I overlook is already enough to make me busy from dawn to dusk. How can I have further intentions to manage Starlight General Merchandise?”
Zhao Ying Fang, wanting iron to turn into steel at once, accused, “Are you foolish? When you become CEO of He Zhi Corporation, where will you find yourself doing anything personally? Just have your subordinates go and do the work!”
“If all of this is going to be handed to others to do anyway, then why not let He Xiu do it. Besides, he’s doing very well right now.”
“Are you purposely trying to anger me to death?! Yes, He Xiu can do it very well, and when he fights over He Zhi, see if he gives you any food to eat!”
He Chen sighed and countered, “He is not how you think he is. In addition, my father is still alive; it’s not like he would let He Xiu act arbitrarily, right? Moreover, are you that certain that I will lose to him? At the moment, he is in charge of Starlight General Merchandise. I am in charge of Starlight Park. Everyone is in a fair competition; if the CEO is capable, isn’t that quite good?”
“I see that your brains have indeed been addled! Why should the He Family estate be shared with him?! I won’t give Starlight General Merchandise to him!”
He Chen frowned. He knew that in his mother’s heart, Starlight General Merchandise and He Xiu were bound together as one, a union forever indivisible. Anything else he said would also be useless in convincing her otherwise, so he let the matter drop. “My head is aching a bit; I want to sleep awhile.”
Zhao Ying Fang saw that he actually was intending to go to sleep, as he had already covered himself with a blanket. She pursed her lips, her high heels clacking against the floor as she left.
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He Chen’s injuries were improving day by day. Starlight General Merchandise’s silk scarf collaboration with Tang Zhi was also introduced to everyone as promised.
With the female lead of the film 《 Satisfactory 》 being determined previously, the internet was in quite the uproar. He Xiu took advantage of this opportunity and invited Wen Ke to be the specially invited model for the silk scarf promotion.
The runway was set up in front of Fantasy Wardrobe. Apart from Wen Ke, the rest of the fashion show was comprised of professional models. He Xiu also brought the machinery to make silk scarves from A City’s factory and arranged it as an exhibition.
Jian Yan was previously anxious about no one coming to the silk scarf promotion, but it now seemed that she was indeed thinking too much. In the early morning, people had begun lining up outside the entrance of Starlight General Merchandise, with customers even coming from outside the country due to the hype.
He Xiu stood in his office and pointed to the plaza outside the window when addressing Jian Yan. “Look, so many people have lined up. This scene has only happened before at the year-end sale and lucky bag war.”
Jian Yan looked down at the incredibly vast crowd and said, “A lot of them should be Wen Ke’s fans, as she has a couple tens of millions on Weibo. Say, do you think these people really will buy silk scarves? They aren’t here to see what’s all the noise and excitement before leaving, are they?”
He Xiu smirked and replied, “As long as interested customers come, our objective will be achieved. Although today is the silk scarf promotion, do you think we only sell silk scarves? As long as customers come in, they will certainly be tempted by other products. Today, the whole department store has sales going on. Furthermore, won’t customers who buy silk scarves possibly think of buying bags or clothes to match with it?”
Jian Yan couldn’t help but applaud him. “You prove yourself to be a businessman. I really am just a simple manhua artist.”
He Xiu chuckled and ran his fingers through her hair, his eyes filled with love and affection.
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Starlight General Merchandise opened punctually at nine o’clock, but the silk scarf promotion began at ten o’clock. The very first wave of customers surged forth to seize the best seating, and those that came in after could only stroll through the department store to pass the time.
Whenever there was this kind of large-scale event, the security guards would all be highly vigilant, so when a suspicious woman arrived at the main entrance, a security guard blocked her path. Seeing that the security guards wouldn’t allow her to enter, she began shrieking and shouting at the entrance. This person seemed to have come prepared, as she even had reporters by her side to ensure that the security guards would not bar their way. A guard was dispatched to go notify He Xiu.
He Xiu had intended to go downstairs with Jian Yan when a security guard rushed in frantically. “Director He, it’s not good. Downstairs, someone is causing trouble, looks a bit familiar, maybe an employee from the previous Sweetheart House outlet.”
He Xiu frowned slightly. Sweetheart House had, for the past three months, been unable to make their sales quota and had been closed down already this month. Could it be that they had returned to exact revenge? His brows furrowed deeply. Starlight General Merchandise always had this stipulation. Sweetheart House was also not the first to be closed down, but in regards to returning to the department store to exact revenge after being closed down, they were absolutely the first.
“Let’s go down and see.” He walked a few paces alongside the security guard before turning around to say to Jian Yan, “Wait here for me.”
Jian Yan contemplated the situation and responded, “I think I’ll come along with you.”
He Xiu saw her resolute demeanor and did not argue. He simply warned her to be careful. “Oh, that’s right, where is Wen Ke?”
“Miss Wen is in the lounge, so there should be no problems. We have blocked the people causing trouble from entering the department store, but she brought reporters with her.”
He Xiu laughed. “Ah, still came prepared.”
When he went down, it really was chaotic outside. The woman causing trouble saw He Xiu come out and instantly became even more impassioned. “You ruthless capitalists, closing down businesses just because you say so; do you not think about the employees? My family has a son who is still studying and parents with weak health. You must want to hound me to death!”
Jian Yan felt that these words were very moving, deliberately provocative in fact. Starlight General Merchandise was the best department store in A City, and a lot of brands wanted to operate business there as they offered an excellent platform for businesses to flourish. If a business wasn’t doing well, it was shut down, yet they still blamed the department store? This stipulation was indeed a bit unreasonable, but the department store’s main goal, after all, was to gain profit. Since businesses preferred this platform and also wanted to bring in profits, they naturally would also abide by the rules of the other’s game.
A security guard to the side advised, “Even if this job ceased to be, you can still look for another one. It’s not like there aren’t any jobs, right?”
“That’s easy to say. How can it be so easy to find a job right now!”
“Then you making trouble here is also a useless endeavor. Starlight General Merchandise does not owe you wages.”
Even though He Xiu recognized that this person had deliberately come to cause trouble, he still had to issue an explanation first on behalf of the department store. This person was very impassioned, however, and simply wasn’t willing to hear his words, desiring instead to create chaos. He Xiu had yet to finish speaking when the person rushed out of the crowd, throwing the paint in her hands directly at him.
He Xiu subconsciously stood in front of Jian Yan to protect her, but a moment later, he was pushed away by someone, the red paint splashing on the man who pushed him instead.
He Chen glanced at his red-dyed suit and couldn’t help but shout, “Fucking hell, do you know how much my suit costs?!”
Immediately after, the reporters frantically took pictures as the security guards restrained the paint-splattered man. He Xiu didn’t bother with He Chen, instead turning to examine the shocked Jian Yan. “Are you okay?”
Jian Yan’s complexion was poor, but she still shook her head. “I’m all right.”
He Xiu pursed his lips and escorted her back inside. He didn’t forget to throw a line to He Chen though. “I’ll give this to you to deal with.”
He Chen: “…”
At least let him change clothes first!
He Xiu accompanied Jian Yan back to his office and poured her a glass of warm water. Jian Yan drank it readily and smiled at him. “I’m all right. I just suddenly remembered those people splashing red paint on my childhood home’s door.”
He Xiu frowned and lightly drew her into his embrace, silent. He definitely must investigate this matter thoroughly.
Although this episode occurred, it luckily didn’t affect the silk scarf promotion. With the beautiful models and Wen Ke all on stage together, the crowd’s enthusiasm were set aflame. Naturally, each lead on stage wore silk scarves that were all different colors and designs. Each silk scarf was breathtakingly eye-catching, making everyone wish to buy all of them.
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The silk scarf promotion continued through the afternoon. The silk scarves, which weren’t sold cheaply, were entirely sold out; countless customers placed orders as well. The manufacturing equipment at the silk scarf promotion had also attracted a lot of people, and the internet reports about the promotion today were extensive and continuing.
He Xiu originally expected it to be about how Starlight General Merchandise was such a ruthless enterprise. He didn’t expect the news about the early morning disturbance to all uniformly give prominence to—The He Zhi Brothers’ Profound Bond, Deep Brotherly Love!
He quirked his lips slightly. It seemed that He Chen was not as useless as he thought.
He still didn’t intend to tolerate, however, the mastermind behind this.
When He Xiu went to look for Zhao Ying Fang, He Chen was already downstairs waiting for him. Upon seeing him, He Chen barred his way. “I know you are looking for my mom. This matter is indeed my mom’s fault. I am apologizing to you on her behalf. Since I shielded you completely from the red paint, can you give this matter to me to handle? I will have a clear talk with my mom.”
He Xiu smoothed his lips and stared at him for a moment before saying, “This time, I can give it to you to handle, but, nothing should be attempted more than three times.”
He actually turned around and left after he finished speaking. He Chen exhaled and went upstairs to find his mother. Zhao Ying Fang’s mental state had recently not been very stable, so when she saw He Chen come in, she also didn’t speak to him. Since she kept silent, He Chen spoke first. “Was it you who found someone to create trouble at Starlight General Merchandise?”
Zhao Ying Fang replied, “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”
“You don’t need to deceive me. Besides, you didn’t fool anyone.”
Zhao Ying Fang suddenly laughed. “Yes, it was my doing. If I cannot obtain Starlight General Merchandise, then I’ll destroy it. No one should even think about having a good time!”
“Can you not be so childish. He Xiu’s mother already died. Why can’t you let it go after so many years?”
“Let it go? Ah, I don’t have a big heart like you!” Exactly because she already died, Zhao Ying Fang could never beat her.
“I’m not asking you to accept He Xiu or his mother, but I also don’t wish for you to be imprisoned for the rest of your life because of them.”
Zhao Ying Fang stood up and looked at him, an ambiguous smile on her lips. “He Xiu has given you some waters of oblivion,2 hmm? Why are you so helpful to him now?”
He Chen pursed his lips and stared straight at her as he said, “Since I was a kid, it was always you who disliked him, not me.”
“Haha, right, you liked him as a kid, following him and calling him older brother, but what about him? Has he ever spared you a glance? I am not a masochist like you!”
“Then what about you? You doing these things now, aren’t you simply tormenting yourself?!”
His voice rang out loudly, causing the room to suddenly drop into silence. Zhao Ying Fang stared at him as his chest violently rose and fell. He Chen sighed and asked her softly, “If you had known earlier how painful your life would become, would you still choose to be together with He Jing Long back then?”
Once he said this, he turned and left Zhao Ying Fang’s room. Behind him, Zhao Ying Fang broke down, sobbing.
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After the silk scarf promotion ended, Jian Yan received an interview invite from the fashion magazine 《 Tomato 》—and they invited He Xiu at the same time.
After Jian Yan had her portrait taken by the magazine, she sat with He Xiu in the office to be interviewed. “Teacher Tang Zhi, although your main profession is a manhua artist, you have crossed this boundary several times for collaborations. For example, your collaborations with Bunny and that mobile game, as well as your recent silk scarf promotion collaboration with Starlight General Merchandise. So, has Teacher Tang Zhi considered establishing her own brand?”
Jian Yan stated, “Indeed, I had desired to do so when I just graduated, but I have been drawing manhua for so many years. I feel that perhaps this profession is what suits me best. A manhua artist has more freedom than a designer. Whatever I want my characters to wear, I can make them wear it while designers need to consider several different points. The end result will be consequently restricted.”
The interviewer nodded. “So it was like this. Then if there is a day when Teacher Tang Zhi wants to establish her own brand, will Head He support her?”
He Xiu replied, “I naturally will support her with all my power. I hope she can do what she likes to do.”
Smiling, the interviewer exclaimed, “The two of you indeed have loving affection, ne.” Just, have pity on her for conducting an interview and being viciously stuffed with dog food. “I heard Teacher Tang Zhi is currently preparing a new project. When do you reckon everyone will be introduced to the new project?”
“This month, my new project will officially begin being serialized in magazines. When that moment comes, I’m asking everyone to support it.”
“Alright, definitely.”
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When they returned that evening, her manhua manager told her that her official Weibo had already begun publicizing her new project, which prompted her to go on Weibo. Jian Yan always had a good rapport with the good comrades in publicity. Immediately after she opened Weibo, she discovered that she had already been tagged several times in the message’s comments.
Tang Zhi【V】: 「 I have made everyone wait for quite a while. My new project 《 My World Falls into the River of Love 》 will begin serialization in this magazine period!『scatters flowers』The story’s stage is a general merchandise department store, where the tale of a professional fashion buyer and a marketing champion unfolds. I hope everyone will like it.『cute』 Especially expressing gratitude here to Great God @Nan Si; he has given me a lot of inspiration. Expressing thanks ^_^」
Thank you so much for making my desolate world henceforth fall into the river of love.
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Author’s Note:
On this day where we greet the god of wealth, this novel’s main story is complete~! Expressing thanks to all that supported the novel from the very start. Expressing thanks to all that have read up to here. Because the character count is still lacking by a significant amount, I will continue to update side stories 『 smile-cry』 At present, the side stories are as follows: Daily Life After Marriage, Little Bun, Brothers of the He Family, Lin Zhen & Tang Zheng
(^o^)/~
Expressing thanks to sponsors~!
Notes:
1. Eh…Chinese insults are so weird when translated into English. Alright, so the cold ass means someone’s chilliness/indifference as well as the literal meaning. Overall, the phrase means giving such warmth and affection only to be rejected cold-heartedly; aka ZYF is insulting HJL about how he treated HX so well only to get rejected, so he should stop. ?
2. Waters of oblivion = mythological magic potion to bewitch someone ?
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