Volume One, Chapter 16: Seizing the Initiative

Because of Ji Jiali's mention, Jiang Wan's attention was uncontrollably diverted.

She followed Ji Jiali’s indication and glanced over.

Through the restaurant's transparent glass wall, Wang Dexing was beckoning Lu Wenzhou and Lin Zhi, and the three of them walked together toward another restaurant.

Wang Dexing’s face was all flattery and ingratiation.

Lu Wenzhou remained expressionless as ever, while Lin Zhi accompanied him the entire time.

The trio, walking together, didn’t notice Jiang Wan and her companion.

“Who is that man? He looks so familiar, but I can’t quite remember where I’ve seen him…”

Ji Jiali didn’t recognize him, and Jiang Wan couldn’t be bothered to explain.

Without another word, she withdrew her gaze and prepared to move on.

“Hey…”

Sensing her determination, Ji Jiali knew their meal together would once again not happen.

There was nothing she could do, so she handed Jiang Wan the small box she’d brought.

“Take this.”

Ji Jiali shoved the velvet box into Jiang Wan’s palm, pressing her fingers closed around it.

“I bought it with money I won playing mahjong—it has nothing to do with the Lin family.”

She emphasized this point.

She knew Jiang Wan refused to accept even a penny from the Lin family.

So she made sure to distance herself completely from any connection.

Jiang Wan lowered her gaze.

The brand printed on the velvet box and the exquisite packaging told her instantly what was inside.

She opened the box.

Inside was a pair of windmill-shaped earrings.

Made of enamel, they were delicate yet whimsical.

“You used to love these when you were little.”

Ji Jiali played the sentimental card, searching for reasons for herself. “Just take it as a little inauguration gift from me. Congratulations on acquiring management rights of the Jiang Corporation.”

With that, she didn’t give Jiang Wan a chance to refuse.

Forgetting about staying for a meal, she turned and headed straight for the private room.

*

On the ride back to the company in a car she’d hailed online, Jiang Wan sat in the back, staring blankly at the windmill earrings in the box.

As her mother had said.

Her childhood was filled with memories of windmills.

It all began with a kindergarten craft project.

Her father had made a windmill for her as required, using a piece of plastic cut at four corners and a chopstick.

She was endlessly fascinated by this little thing that would spin when she ran with it in her hand.

Her father told her,

Big windmills could not only spin, but also generate electricity.

Seeing her interest, the whole family later went for a seaside vacation.

She rode on her father’s shoulders.

It was there she saw a real wind power station for the first time.

Facing the sea breeze, she asked her father, “Dad, why do windmills keep spinning?”

“Because there’s wind.”

“Where is the wind? Why can’t I see it?”

“As long as the windmills begin to turn, you’ll know the wind is here.”

“What if the wind leaves?”

“The wind is always there. Even if it drifts far away, it will come back again.”

At that age, she couldn’t grasp the profundity of those words.

But now…

Jiang Wan’s grip on the jewelry box unconsciously tightened.

“Dad, the wind has risen,” she murmured to the earrings. “Our windmills are turning again.”

She ran her fingertips over the earrings.

As if making a decision, she took them out and put them on.

Just then, the car pulled up in front of the Jiang Corporation building.

When Jiang Wan returned to her office, she hadn’t expected to find Yan Yan there.

Since the wedding,

This was the first time mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had met.

Yan Yan carried an Hermès bag and wore a sharp office suit, exuding the aura of a career woman.

When Jiang Wan opened the door, Yan Yan was surveying the office with a scrutinizing gaze.

“Mom.”

Jiang Wan changed the way she addressed her, closed the door behind her, and made tea herself.

“What brings you here?”

They had already agreed that Yan Yan would hold shares but not interfere in management, leaving Jiang Corporation entirely to Jiang Wan.

So it could only mean there was news about Gu Huaixu.

As Jiang Wan speculated, Yan Yan unexpectedly asked, “You studied translation before—which languages?”

Jiang Wan paused, the tea leaves in her hand.

She looked over. Yan Yan was standing before the office’s wall of honors, casting a proud, assessing glance.

There hung the professional certificates Jiang Corporation’s design firm had earned, as well as some of Jiang Wan’s personal awards.

“Majored in English and French, but I’ve also taken certificates in German, Italian, and Spanish.”

She looked away and continued making tea.

It went far beyond her university years; since her teens, she had studied languages from all over the world.

Over the years, she’d dabbled in many.

“German, you can speak and understand?”

“No problem.”

Jiang Wan carried the freshly brewed tea over to Yan Yan.

“Can you play golf?”

The teacup trembled slightly in Jiang Wan’s hand.

Something flickered deep in her eyes.

But she forced it back down.

“A little.”

Hearing Jiang Wan’s answer, the icy aura around Yan Yan finally softened a bit.

She accepted the tea Jiang Wan had offered.

After a sip, she told her, “This weekend, come out with me.”

*

From Yan Yan, Jiang Wan then learned that Rong City was about to welcome new development.

A foreign investor had set his sights on a plot in the suburbs, planning to build an international resort.

The investment budget was nearly ten billion yuan.

The news hadn’t been officially released yet, but all the major construction firms who’d caught wind of it were already eager to get involved.

Such a lucrative project—no one wanted to miss out.

After making inquiries through various channels,

Yan Yan learned that the foreign investor would soon visit Rong City, and she had managed to secure a meeting.

The investor had the same name as the owner of the newly completed villa she’d recently delivered.

There was a high probability it was the same person.

With this connection, and Jiang Wan’s fluency in German,

Yan Yan decided to invite Jiang Wan along.

First, it was free.

Second, it was reliable.

Jiang Wan agreed without much hesitation.

After all, in this industry, the chance to expand business alongside Gu’s Construction was too good to pass up.

However, when Saturday arrived,

She and Yan Yan, full of anticipation, headed to the golf course.

Before they could even meet the foreign investor, they spotted a few familiar faces from afar.

Lu Wenzhou, Lin Zhi, and Wang Dexing.

They were walking and talking with a group led by two foreigners.

Everyone was dressed in professional attire provided by the course: the men in pale blue, stand-collar polo shirts and beige trousers; the women in matching pale pink tops and beige skirts.

Yet even among the crowd,

One remarkable figure stood out at a glance.

Lu Wenzhou’s innate regal presence, coupled with his imposing six-foot-three frame, made him anything but overshadowed by the foreigners.

His piercing black eyes and sharply defined profile contrasted strikingly with the Westerners’ deep features, creating a unique visual disparity.

“Why are they here too?”

The moment Yan Yan saw them, she muttered in displeasure, sensing both threat and rivalry.

As the two leading construction firms in Rong City,

The Lin and Gu families had always been fierce competitors, their positions evenly matched.

She’d thought this time she’d get ahead,

But once again, it was a draw.

Even as she simmered with frustration, Yan Yan had no choice but to put on a smile and lead Jiang Wan over.

As they drew closer,

Jiang Wan realized—

The day she’d seen the three of them at the restaurant, it must have been in preparation for this very meeting.

Wang Dexing had arranged the introduction to the villa’s owner.

“Aunt Yan, Jiang Wan, you’re here too?”

As they approached, Lin Zhi was the first to greet them.