Chapter 248: Chasing Dreams Like They’re Snacks

Lu Xiaolong had always believed he had a sharp business mind.

Whether it was his earlier investment in the resort or the later venture into motorcycle supermarkets, he’d made a decent profit at the beginning.

It was only later, due to various unforeseen events or uncontrollable factors, that things fell apart.

But Lu Xiaolong didn’t think these failures should be blamed on something as vague and unreliable as luck.

On the contrary, those past ventures only strengthened his confidence in his own abilities.

What he couldn’t understand, though, was why the usually open-minded old man at home had suddenly bought into the gossip.

So much so that he sent his lazy, rusting-away-at-home sister over to “help” as a consultant.

In reality, it was just a sign that he didn’t trust Lu Xiaolong’s judgment.

To Lu Xiaolong, this wasn’t exactly discrimination, but it felt pretty close to an insult.

After all, he firmly believed that his business instincts were just as sharp as his ability to spot beautiful women.

Speaking of beautiful women…

Lu Xiaolong slowed his steps and sidled up next to his sister.

“Hey sis, what did you think of that girl at the entrance just now?”

“Which one?”

“The one who looked a little dazed.”

“Oh, that one? Not bad.”

Getting his sister’s approval, Lu Xiaolong’s face immediately lit up with excitement.

“Right? That girl’s figure, looks, and aura—she’s top-tier among all the girls I’ve met.”

“Just don’t know what her personality’s like.”

“Would be perfect if she’s the warm and outgoing type.”

However…

Just as Lu Xiaolong was lost in his fantasy, his perpetually unmotivated sister yawned and poured a bucket of cold water over his head at just the right moment.

“Forget it.”

“That car belongs to Sanmu Group.”

“She even had a chauffeur. Most likely a direct relative of the company.”

Hiss…

Sanmu Group?

The leading furniture giant in Jiangzhou with a market value close to ten billion?

A heavyweight even recognized at the provincial level?

Meanwhile, their own Huihuang Group only had some name recognition in Ningzhou, with a market value barely over a hundred million.

Putting them next to Sanmu Group was like comparing a life raft to an icebreaker.

Sigh…

Such a stunning beauty from Panxi…

Looks like there’s no hope of bringing her home…

As he sighed, the Lu siblings were led to a temporary dining hall that had been set up for the event.

At that moment, Wang Jianguo was still waiting at the entrance.

The moment she saw the siblings, she greeted them with a bright smile.

“Welcome, welcome!”

“Welcome, President Lu, to Mingsheng Technology’s new product launch.”

As she spoke, Wang Jianguo’s gaze paused on the laid-back young woman beside him.

“And this is…?”

“Oh, my older sister, Lu Huang.”

…

“Lu Huang?”

“Huang as in emperor? Or…?”

“It’s the ‘huang’ from ‘phoenix.’”

Huh?

Wang Jianguo’s answer left Miss Jiang a bit surprised.

“If the family already has a ‘Long’—a dragon—why not just name her ‘Feng’?”

“Apparently, Boss Lu’s wife already has ‘Feng’ in her name.”

Ah, that makes sense then.

But technically speaking, in the phrase ‘Feng Qiu Huang’—‘the phoenix seeks the female phoenix’—‘Feng’ is male, and ‘Huang’ is female.

So naming a girl Lu Huang actually isn’t that strange.

“Wait a second… how do you even know all this?”

At that, Wang Jianguo pouted and pointed toward Yu Lingling, who was chatting with someone nearby.

“Sister Ling didn’t spend that whole month in Ningzhou for nothing, you know~”

So that’s how it is.

Just then, Miss Jiang spotted Ye Na walking toward them from a distance.

She immediately leaned in close to Secretary Wang and whispered a reminder.

“Remember this.”

“We’re open to doing business with Huihuang on anything.”

“But there’s just one condition.”

“On every contract, I don’t want to see the name Lu Xiaolong anywhere!”

“That’s right! I’m just that superstitious!”

…

Watching Wang Jianguo walk away, barely holding back her laughter, Ye Na’s first question upon returning was:

“That woman just now—is she the chief secretary?”

“Why was she being so friendly with you?”

Miss Jiang raised her eyebrows.

“What if I told you she admires me? Would you believe it?”

To which Ye Na simply rolled her eyes.

“If you don’t want to answer, just say so.”

“No need to flatter yourself.”

“You’re a grown woman, have some shame.”

???

Seriously…

This woman’s roasting skills have leveled up.

Even I, her big bro, almost got pissed off.

So, Miss Jiang decided to strike back.

She turned around, picked up a plate from the nearby table, and pointed at the dozen or so reddish snack sticks on it.

“Wanna try one?”

“What is it?”

“Food. A kind of snack.”

As she spoke, Miss Jiang picked one up and handed it over.

But Little Ye didn’t even reach for it.

She stared at Miss Jiang suspiciously.

“Something’s off.”

“We’ve been sitting at the same table for over a month. Since when have you ever offered me food?”

Hearing that, Miss Jiang’s expression froze. Then, slightly annoyed, she put the spicy sticks back on the plate.

“Fine, don’t eat it.”

“Like I’m spoiling you or something!”

But just as she was about to put the plate back, Little Ye stopped her with an “Hey hey!”

“What now?” Miss Jiang glared at her.

Ye Na grinned.

“Here’s the deal. Let’s each take one and eat together.”

Miss Jiang still remembered Ye Na once said she didn’t like spicy food.

So she thought it over.

Gritted her teeth.

And agreed.

The result?

Miss Jiang stared in shock as Little Ye, after finishing one spicy strip, licked the oil off her lips and picked up a second one.

Then a third, a fourth…

In no time at all, a plate stacked with more than a dozen spicy strips was completely wiped clean.

Meanwhile, Miss Jiang had only managed to nibble a tiny bite.

“…Doesn’t it burn your mouth?”

“It does… hiss… hiss… but don’t you think it smells amazing?”

Alright then.

The plan to embarrass her had failed.

The joke was on herself.

Watching Little Ye still licking her fingers, clearly not satisfied, Miss Jiang suddenly had an idea.

Her eyes lit up.

“Little Yezi, how would you like to have spicy strips every day from now on?”

“Are you trying to trick me?”

“………”

………

After a while, the buffet session came to an end.

Then Lin Ke took a microphone and delivered a lengthy speech to the dozens of distributors and employees from various departments of different manufacturers.

After a whole bunch of empty words, at Lin Ke’s signal, the curtain at the front of the temporary dining hall was suddenly drawn back.

Revealing a carpeted walkway.

Next, led by Marketing Director Yu Lingling, the group of distributors stepped onto the red carpet.

Miss Jiang and Ye Na blended in with the crowd.

Because of her stunning face, people—both men and women—kept coming up to strike up conversations.

Trying to probe Miss Jiang’s background in roundabout ways.

Asking which distributor she was with…

How old she was…

If she was willing to share her number, and so on.

Miss Jiang turned them all down with a sweet smile.

Which earned her a jab from Little Ye.

“Why didn’t you say you’re a designer now?”

“Come on, even you didn’t believe me. You think these slick old-timers would?”

Fair point.

But Ye Na couldn’t shake the feeling that Jiang Ning’s words were a subtle insult.

Just as she was about to say something—

Suddenly.

A “beep beep” sound from up ahead caught the attention of Ye Na and many of the distributors.

They looked over.

And saw Yu Lingling standing on the display platform, next to a sleek electric motorcycle.

The “beep beep” sound had clearly come from the vehicle.

“This electric bicycle is the latest product from Mingsheng Technology, the Xiaoning No. 4 electric bike.”

“It’s 1700 millimeters long, 700 millimeters wide, and 1100 millimeters high…”

“It features drum brakes, industrial-grade high-pressure shock-absorbing springs, and more…”

“But the highlight of this model is its one-button wheel lock anti-theft system and impressive battery range…”

………

There were six new models in total.

Numbered from Xiaoning No. 4 to Xiaoning No. 9.

Every single one was designed by Miss Jiang.

From compact folding electric bikes to large electric tricycles.

Covering nearly every type of electric vehicle on the market.

When designing them, Jiang Ning had already taken market demand into account.

After all, each city has different conditions.

And the features people prioritize in electric vehicles vary.

For instance, in Weizhou, a city with a large area, the top priorities are battery range and speed.

Whereas in Ningzhou, where road conditions aren’t great, comfort takes precedence.

So.

Jiang Ning could already foresee what kind of order volume this trade fair would generate.

Yeah.

If all went as expected.

Mingsheng Technology would become the second company under her belt to hit ten million units in sales.

And if she added a few more…

Bundled them together…

Just as she was lost in this pleasant daydream—

Miss Jiang’s phone suddenly buzzed.

She looked down.

It was a message from Lin Ke.

She opened it.

【Boss, President Lu from Huihuang is offering one million for 20% of our shares, and promises not to interfere with operations.】

One million?

For 20%?

【Tell him he can keep dreaming.】

(End of this chapter)