Chapter 89 Xiaomei's retreat
Fan Shengmei took a fancy to a dilapidated boutique hotel near Ode to Joy.
That area is very interesting, sandwiched between the real rich area and the white-collar community, and it is full of people who are desperately trying to climb up.
As Fan Shengmei, who desperately wanted to marry a rich man, she knew too well how much premium those girls who were squeezed on the periphery of blind dates and those entrepreneurs who were cramped at business banquets were willing to pay for the opportunity to "possibly meet an important person."
As for Fan Shengmei now, she does not have the capital to leverage bigwigs like Andy and Meng Yanchen, but with the existing resources in her hands and the appeal of the circle around Qu Xiaoxiao, she can barely gather together those rich second-generations who love to show off and those startup company bosses who have just made their first pot of gold and still need face-saving projects but are not very strong.
Sure enough, she told Andy and Qu Xiaoxiao her idea. Andy didn't understand at all, but Xiaoqu whistled and said,
“Great!”
When having dinner with Fu Wenying, she lamented that even table manners cost money to learn, Fan Shengmei knew that she was on the right track, and she decided to take a gamble.
Fan Shengmei wanted to take over the hotel and transform it into a high-end long-term rental apartment + shared office model. The initial idea of a membership system would enable her to quickly recover her funds.
So, for several days in a row, she would stay at Andy's house after get off work, and the two of them would work together on plans and feasibility assessments.
During the intermission, Andy turned around to make coffee. Fan Shengmei took the time to look at her phone, her eyebrows slightly frowned.
"What's wrong?" Andy handed her the coffee.
Fan Shengmei turned her phone screen towards Andy.
The message from Meng Yanchen was still on the screen.
How about we take a look at the houses in Ode to Joy tomorrow and buy another one?
Andy chuckled, and his slender fingers slid across the financial statements on the tablet.
"Typical compensatory psychology. That's the only answer I can think of."
"What do you mean?" Fan Shengmei stroked the coffee cup.
Andy took a sip of coffee. "Some people were extremely deprived of something in their childhood, and then they try to make up for it like crazy when they become rich."
"Are you talking about him or me?"
"He is, and he thinks you are too."
Andy smiled. "He's never been in a relationship before. He's using this method to confirm that I can give you the best, everything you want. Think about it, wasn't the house your obsession in the first place?"
She smiled and shook her head, "I didn't expect Meng Yanchen to be so... overly aggressive when it comes to love."
Fan Shengmei looked at her phone, the corners of her mouth raised unconsciously,
"This form of compensation...I can accept it."
Andy looked up at her, "What are your plans for the next step?"
She paused. "I've been abroad for a long time, and I think marriage is a matter between two people. But Meng Yanchen is different. He carries the entire Guokun on his shoulders."
She asked tentatively, "Did he mention taking you to meet his parents?"
Fan Shengmei smiled faintly and said, "He said...but..."
She looked out the window and said, "I want to wait until I have more chips in my hand."
"You're worried he won't be able to convince his parents."
"Isn't it obvious? With a family background like mine."
Fan Shengmei stroked the cup in her hand. Now, when she mentioned her original family, there was no longer any inferiority or heartache in her eyes, but more of a statement of facts.
"Meng Yanchen is very stubborn, sometimes even to the point of paranoia. I know that as long as he insists, his parents will eventually have to compromise. But I don't want to see him argue endlessly with his family over me. Even if he wins in the end, our relationship will be worn out."
She took a sip of coffee and said slowly, "I looked up her mother online, but there's no information about her mother. It's obvious that she and her father protected her very well. But from the interviews Meng Yanchen and his father gave, we can still piece together some information."
She put down her cup and spoke softly, "Meng Yanchen's mother is very traditional and has considerable influence within the Meng family and the group. While father and son are at the helm, she is the anchor behind the scenes."
"She and Meng Huaijin are a typical family marriage,"
Fan Shengmei curled her lips. "You can imagine how much she agrees with this kind of marriage model of equal status. Even a family like Wang Baichuan's would have a headache when they mention our family, let alone a family like the Meng family."
Fan Shengmei looked at Andy calmly and smiled faintly, "This isn't prejudice, it's reality. So I have to work harder to prove my worth. If my worth isn't enough... then I can only make up for it with my attitude."
This was the first time Andy couldn't find any point to refute what Fan Xiaomei said, because, as she said, this was reality.
"If, I mean if,"
Fan Shengmei added, "If he and I really don't have a future together, at least I can still make a dignified exit."
She winked at Andy. "After the cards are reshuffled, it's my turn to be the banker, right? If I can't choose Meng Yanchen, can't I choose someone else?"
She never gave up her retreat.
The living room fell silent.
Andy looked at the girl who used to talk about "picking the best", but now there was a clear-headed gleam in her eyes.
Andy smiled and patted Fan Shengmei's shoulder.
"Don't worry, the sisters on the 22nd floor will help you win this battle."
[Meng Family]
The next morning, when Meng Yanchen came down the stairs, Fu Wenying and Meng Huaijin were already having breakfast in the restaurant.
The sunlight shines through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the exquisite bone china tableware, and Fu Wenying is elegantly adding tea to her husband's cup.
"Yanchen, come here."
Meng Yanchen walked to the dining table listlessly.
"Good morning, Dad and Mom."
Fu Wenying put down the teapot and looked at her son with concern.
"Why are you so low spirits? Didn't you get enough rest last night?"
Meng Yanchen silently pulled out the chair and thought: Can I sleep well?
He still responded politely, "Yeah, I'm a little insomniac."
"Work is important, but health is more important." Fu Wenying pushed a plate of fruit in front of him.
"Got it. Thank you, Mom."
Meng Huaijin suddenly spoke up, "By the way, how is Qinqin doing recently? Is she satisfied with the person you arranged for her to meet?"
Fu Wenying sighed, "The situation now is different from before, so the choices are naturally downgraded."
She shook her head gently, "Qinqin has high standards, it's difficult to deal with."
"No rush, take your time."
Meng Huaijin comforted her, "We, the daughter of the Meng family, cannot allow her to suffer any hardship. If she really doesn't want to marry, then don't marry her."
"Old Meng!"
Fu Wenying suddenly raised her voice, "What are you talking about?"
"Your son said so."
Meng Huaijin immediately looked at Meng Yanchen, "It's not like our family can't afford to support you, right Yanchen?"
Meng Yanchen put down the cup and changed sides.
"I don't think it's right."
He looked his parents straight in the eye. "Now I think Mom was right."
Meng Huaijin paused, his face full of disbelief. When he first knew Qinqin was going on a blind date, he was the one who was most against it.
"Look, my son is more sensible than you." Fu Wenying smiled with satisfaction.
Meng Huaijin immediately changed his tone, "I also think your mother is right. Facts have proven that many of our Ms. Fu's decisions over the years have been correct."
Fu Wenying smiled and took the opportunity to teach Meng Yanchen a lesson, "Our Yanchen has always been the child that Mom and Dad worry about the least, so Mom doesn't object to your free love, but marriage is a big deal after all. Especially since you are responsible for Guokun's future, so you must trust Mom and Dad's vision. I will arrange it for you when Mom is done with this busy period."
Meng Yanchen's Adam's apple rolled, and the fried egg in front of him suddenly became difficult to swallow.
He put down his cutlery, "Mom is right, not only do I have to like you... but you have to like me too. So... what kind of girl do you think is suitable for me?"
He paused for two seconds, and then, with a very quiet voice, he finally threw the bomb out.
"I think Mom really likes that girl named Xiaomei..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
