School Beauty's Invincible Martial Expert-Chapter 460 - 461: The Hatred Within

Chapter 460: Chapter 461: The Hatred Within

“Yes,” Xiao Han nodded and said, “Madam Jiang really has a short memory. We have met before.”

“Oh…” Madam Jiang’s face showed a hint of embarrassment. She smiled faintly and said, “Is that so? What a coincidence.”

Today wasn’t the right time to talk about this, because if it were to come up, she would surely be ridiculed as a petty and spiteful woman, also shrewish and difficult. She was resolute in not letting this incident affect her image.

“Indeed, it’s fate,” Xiao Han said with a slight smile. “Let me introduce myself to everyone. I’m the business consultant for Sifang International and could be considered an advisor to Elder Liu Si. So, you need not wonder why I am here.”

The crowd looked at Xiao Han curiously.

Elder Liu Si nodded slightly, then said, “That’s right.”

...

“Fourth Master, please, this way,” several people said in unison.

Jiang Yicai walked beside Liu Si, treating him with great respect. After all, Liu Si’s status in Linjiang City was extraordinary, wielding influence in both legal and underworld circles. And Jiang Yicai was just an ordinary businessman who needed some underworld power.

Liu Si was the underground emperor of Linjiang City and naturally the person Jiang Yicai most urgently needed to ingratiate himself with.

Xiao Han had already been left aside by the crowd. Chen Zihan quickly walked over to Xiao Han and took his arm, her excitement apparent. She hadn’t expected Xiao Han to actually come, and to do so openly.

“Xiao Han, you… you really surprised me,” Chen Zihan said with astonishment.

“Are you surprised?” Xiao Han chuckled.

“Yes!” Chen Zihan nodded and said, “It’s really surprising. By the way, how did you become the business consultant for Sifang Technology? What… what’s going on?”

“Heh heh!” Xiao Han smiled and replied, “It’s nothing much, just a title. Liu Si saw that I was the top scorer in the college entrance exam, so he let me hang around their company. Once I graduate, he’s going to have me work at Sifang Technology.”

“Really?” Chen Zihan was overjoyed upon hearing this and said, “It seems that being the top scorer in the college entrance exam has brought you quite a few benefits.”

“Yes!” Xiao Han took a deep breath.

Their affectionate demeanor irked Jiang Xiaoliang, who was watching from the side. He hadn’t expected Xiao Han to appear at such a place, which infuriated him. What was more, as the saying goes, ‘a guest is a guest’—he couldn’t very well send the other party away. Besides, as the business consultant for Sifang Technology, Xiao Han was one of Elder Liu Si’s most valued people. Not even his father, Jiang Yicai, would dare send Xiao Han away.

Jiang Xiaoliang was extremely annoyed, watching Xiao Han and Chen Zihan flaunting their affection in front of him nearly drove him to an explosion.

Jiang Xiaoliang’s frustration was all seen by Madam Jiang, who hurriedly walked out from the crowd and came up to him, comforting him, “Xiaoliang, if you like any girl, just go after her with confidence. Our Jiang Family has never lacked money or power. If you like her, pursue her wholeheartedly without any reservations, you understand?”

“Mom, I…” Jiang Xiaoliang gritted his teeth.

“I know you fancy that girl Chen Zihan,” Madam Jiang said with a smile, then continued, “Since you like her, then chase her. If you can’t win her over, use all means to get her. Once you have a woman’s body, it won’t be far to win over her heart. We, the Jiang Family, must get whatever we want, understand?”

“Mom, I understand,” Jiang Xiaoliang immediately nodded.

Madam Jiang patted her son’s shoulder and said, “Do well and bring honor to our Jiang Family.”

With his mother’s support, Jiang Xiaoliang was now unrestrained. He looked at the retreating figures of Xiao Han and Chen Zihan with a cold stare. At that moment, how much he wished to pin Chen Zihan beneath him and ruthlessly discipline her, to make her kneel and beg for mercy.

This wasn’t the first time Jiang Xiaoliang had entertained such thoughts.

This year’s annual event was the most expensive ever hosted by the Jiang Group. Although Meida Group’s profits had hit a record high this year, this achievement was decent within the city but didn’t rank in the province. Within Z province, there were plenty of companies stronger than Meida Group. Hence, Meida Group had decided to expand its business throughout the provincial city after the New Year, aiming to maximize its business scale.

To expand the business, connections and relationships were indispensable. The reason Meida Group spared no expense in hosting the annual event was to foster relationships with local enterprises in Linjiang City, hoping they would help out in the future. Business expansion is when a company is at its most vulnerable. If someone could lend a hand to help overcome the difficulties, it would be the best-case scenario. If not, one could only hope that these partners wouldn’t suppress the company at its weakest moment.

At the annual event, Jiang Yicai loudly announced his plans for the next year, also expressing confidence in advancing into the provincial capital.

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“Heh, hopeless!” Liu Si said with a dismissive smile.

Standing to one side, Xiao Han was indeed listening intently. He promptly said, “Fourth Master, what do you mean by that?”

“Meida Group did indeed earn over a hundred million this year, but,” Liu Si said with a faint smile, “that entire amount was raked in through property speculation. They’re planning to advance into the real estate market in the provincial city next year. Their own industry is a mess—utter chaos. And with such a large setup for next year, if the property market turns sour, they’ll inevitably be in danger.”

“Hmm,” Xiao Han nodded and said, “I have the same premonition.”

“Yes,” Liu Si smiled and continued, “although I’m not a regular businessman, I still understand these principles. As the saying goes, ‘those who have no long-term concerns will soon find trouble at their door.’ Right now, Meida Group is charging into the real estate sector like mad, and it’s only a matter of time before they collapse.”

“From a national perspective, the Jiang Family should feel that housing prices won’t fall,” Xiao Han said.

“Of course, they won’t fall,” Liu Si shook his head and replied, “The country will definitely ensure housing prices are upheld, after all, real estate is now one of the country’s main sources of revenue. As it stands, housing prices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen won’t drop, and will even rise. But as for cities like ours, third or fourth tier, it would be odd if housing prices didn’t fall. Even if they don’t fall, there’s absolutely no room left for them to increase.”

“Hmm,” Xiao Han nodded and said, “Housing in Linjiang City is too expensive, costing more than ten thousand. The average prices are that high. What’s the per capita income in Linjiang City? A month’s income doesn’t even cover half a square meter.”

Liu Si took a drag of his cigarette, then cheerfully added, “Just wait and watch Meida Group’s drama unfold next year.”

“Fourth Master, don’t you want to invest?” Xiao Han asked.

“I’ve invested in a couple of properties in Beijing,” said Liu Si, “and also got a few in Shenzhen. The combined price of these properties has exceeded fifty million. This year, I plan on investing in a few more in Shanghai. It’s good to be prepared. Although investing in property carries risk, at the very least, it can hedge against inflation.”

“Hmm,” Xiao Han nodded.

“Xiao Han, the twenty million I gave you before has been a bit of a disappointment,” Liu Si said with a slight smile. “Even though your Hanmen Restaurant can indeed generate a few million or even tens of millions in profits a year, that’s barely passable. Over the coming year, I’ll be watching the direction in which you develop, and I hope you won’t let me down.”

“Really?” Xiao Han seemed stunned for a moment before saying, “I’m just playing it steady, not wanting to be too rash.”

“A businessman gambles on risk, without risk, where would the profit come from?” Liu Si gave Xiao Han a look and added, “You’re too cautious.”

As he spoke, Liu Si took a drag of his cigarette.

Xiao Han was silent for a moment, for Liu Si’s words were true. How could one be called a businessman if one didn’t gamble amidst risks? Risk and reward are directly proportional. This truth is timeless. Xiao Han cracked a slight smile and then said, “I understand.”

“Work hard next year,” Liu Si patted Xiao Han on the shoulder and continued, “If you need funds, you can come to me.”

“Okay!” Xiao Han nodded.

Liu Si’s investments offered only dividends, not any controlling interest in the company. In other words, Liu Si’s investment in Hanmen Company granted him merely the right to dividends, not a say in the company’s decisions. Xiao Han was the sole shareholder and the only one with a voice. Xiao Han’s decisions steered the company’s direction, which also determined the amount of Liu Si’s annual dividends. This past year, Liu Si had taken nearly eight million from Hanmen Company. Compared to the twenty million he invested, this was an exorbitant return rate, yet, Liu Si was still unsatisfied.

Although Li Dapang had minor complaints afterward, he understood—if it wasn’t for Liu Si’s investment, Hanmen wouldn’t have been able to develop so quickly. Not just Li Dapang, Yang Lu also understood this point.

“Director Jiang, let’s talk it over properly.”

“Right, right, we’re all enterprises in Linjiang City, feel free to speak up if you encounter any difficulties.”

“We naturally support Director Jiang’s business wholeheartedly.”

A group of people spoke up one after another.

Jiang Yicai appeared to be filled with boundless pride, as if the entire aura and focus of Linjiang City were concentrated on him. He watched the crowd with amusement and then said, “Everyone, since you’re all so courteous, I won’t say much. In the future, if any of you need assistance, feel free to come to me.”

Applause filled the air…

Throughout the annual meeting, Xiao Han was seriously contemplating one matter. Meida Group was currently in the limelight. Xiao Han’s mind never forgot one thing—that was the promise he had once made. He had vowed in front of Madam Jiang to bankrupt Meida Group and then make it fall into his own hands, to strip the Jiang Family of everything, leaving them destitute and homeless.