Chapter 469 - The Upper Circle’s Gathering
There's another space in Ni Jingqiu's office. There's a white door beside the bookshelf that should be the changing or resting room.
"How long are you going to stay in Beijing? If you're going to stay here for long, I can introduce you to a few decently priced apartments that I can sell to you at a discount." Ni Jingqiu changed into a blue gown that revealed her shoulders, an expensive-looking necklace hanging on her neck, red heels with diamonds embedded in them and holding onto a red clutch purse. She looked tall and graceful with an elegance beyond any description.
"Why would you ask?" Although Su Tao waited for some time, he found it was worth it. He had to admit that Ni Jingqiu had an outstanding figure, especially the curves on her chest. Wandering his gaze on her chest, he was a little surprised and smiled. "Beijing's cost of housing is high, and just a simple three-room apartment costs nearly ¥10,000,000, right?"
Holding onto a mirror, Ni Jingqiu patched up her makeup and smiled. "With your medical skills, all you have to do is advertise a little, and you won't at all be inferior to the Wang Family. Buying a three-room apartment is just a matter of time for you."
The Wang Family's pharmacy located on General Street was the most reputable in China.
Hearing Ni Jingqiu's real intention, Su Tao smiled. "You feel that I should stay in Beijing and develop?"
Nodding her head, Ni Jingqiu smiled. "I've researched your business. Aside from the Three Flavour International, you also have the Qihuang Charity Funds, which I have also looked into. Although it doesn't have much right now, it has potential in the long-term. If you're willing to develop in Beijing, I can be your investor."
"I'm kind of overwhelmed by the sudden favor." Su Tao smiled.
"Stop acting. I understand you, and with your relationship with the Shui Family, it's not a problem for you to gain a foundation in Beijing. Although you have two pharmacy chains, you still have to lay out a foundation in Beijing if you want it to go on the right track. As long as you create a reputation in the heart of the country, your plans to set up chains around the country will go smoothly." Ni Jingqiu smiled.
Su Tao was surprised by Ni Jingqiu's words and he had, once again, gained a new understanding of her. It's practically impossible for him to fool her, and an intelligent woman like her knows his current situation well.
Perhaps it was due to Huo Kun's betrayal, but Ni Jingqiu has investigated Su Tao. The reason why she still maintained such a close relationship with him despite breaking up with Huo Kun was a result of her investigation.
She's not a fool to be controlled by anyone.
After her investigation, she came to know that their encounter back at the park was a genuine coincidence, and Su Tao wasn't trying to approach her while harboring intentions. This was also the reason why she was still willing to build a friendship with Su Tao.
"Every citizen has a dream to own a house in the Forbidden City, and I'm not an exception to that. But the price is too high, and I can't accept it." Su Tao smiled.
"If you really intend to buy a house in Beijing in the future, you have to let me know. I have a few apartments myself, and I can sell them to you at a discounted price." Ni Jingqiu smiled.
"How much discount are you going to give me?" Su Tao did not expect that Ni Jingqiu would be so direct and that she would start talking about houses.
"How about 20% based on the current market price?" Ni Jingqiu casually suggested.
"Then, you will surely earn quite a bit of profit!" Su Tao pretended to be unhappy. With the Ni Family's finance, those apartments must be something that they've purchased years or even decades ago.
"I'm a merchant, so I naturally have to care about profits. Even relatives have to be clear on that. But if you would like to rent it, I can rent it to you for free. But if you are looking into purchasing one, then I have to earn some profits. This is my rule and principle." Ni Jingqiu smiled.
Taking a sip of the lukewarm water, Su Tao curiously asked, "Why are you tempting me to settle down in Beijing?"
His words left Ni Jingqiu in a brief hesitation, but she did not hide her thoughts from him and confessed, "You're a doctor, and I'm sure you can understand the mindset of a patient… I'm terrified of my condition relapsing, and if you're in Beijing, I can get you to treat me more swiftly. But if you're not in Beijing, then I would have to be tormented by my illness for some time."
Letting out a sigh, Ni Jingqiu really did not consider him to be an outsider to tell him the truth in her heart.
After a brief hesitation, Su Tao smiled. "I've already gotten someone to screen for shops, and I'm prepared to open a branch of the Three Flavour Hall in Beijing."
"You can leave that to me. I can find a shop front for you, and I can also pay for the rental. As for the profits, we'll split it. What do you think?" Ni Jingqiu offered.
"Why do I feel that good news is coming too swiftly? It even feels like dreaming." Su Tao was surprised.
"I just want to repay you." Ni Jingqiu smiled.
Su Tao was impressed by Ni Jingqiu's ability to read a person's heart and manipulate them. She clearly wouldn't be able to gain any profit, but she still threw out a blank check to him. Without him knowing, Su Tao bore goodwill for Ni Jingqiu, and was even more determined to treat her mother.
Compared to Huo Kun, Ni Jingqiu was several levels higher.
But he could tell that Ni Jingqiu still hadn't walked out of Huo Kun's shadow from her words and that she would often gaze into the empty air and even occasionally look depressed.
No matter how strong a human's mind is, there are times that the mind would be weak as well.
While sitting in the vehicle heading for the banquet, Su Tao smiled upon seeing Ni Jingqiu falling into silence. "Are you worried about the banquet tonight?"
"I have thick skin, and it's nothing to me! Reneging on the wedding is a decision that I've come up with, but I'm only worried about my parents. After all, they're influential figures, and they will surely be embarrassed with this sort of issue occurring." Ni Jingqiu smiled.
"Parents are truly admirable. Although you've broken your relationship with Huo Kun, your parents know what kind of man he is. Thus, they will only feel happy for you getting out of it, and even if other people criticise you, they will still stand on your side and support your decision." Su Tao comforted.
Letting out a sigh, Ni Jingqiu pretended to be relaxed as she declared, "Let the storm come even more violently for I will be a sturdy boat!"
The banquet organised by the Ni Family was at a much higher level than Su Tao had imagined. From the carpark alone, it's completely filled with luxurious vehicles. Although they arrived so quickly, they did not immediately get out of the vehicle.
From within the vehicle, Su Tao could see well-dressed people walking out from luxurious cars and took the lift to the banquet.
At this moment, Ni Jingqiu's phone vibrated, which she helplessly sighed, "Dad, I've already arrived at the carpark, I will make my way over shortly."
When she hung up the call, she glanced at Su Tao with grudging gaze and self-mocked, "We have to go now!"
Ni Jingqiu understood this circle. Despite the Ni Family being powerful, it's unavoidable for there to be gossip with how they reneged on the wedding.
The moment Ni Jingqiu stepped out of the vehicle, she instantly attracted everyone's attention and many people smiled warmly despite their harsh comments. As someone who could read lips, Su Tao knew how much pressure Ni Jingqiu was bearing right now.
Gossip and rumors can kill a person, especially for a woman. Although they're in a different generation now, and women no longer had the Confucian moral injunctions forced upon them, it's unavoidable for them to receive criticism.
It was especially so when Ni Jingqiu broke off the engagement when Huo Kun was at his lowest point, since it was against the concept of marriage in China since ancient times.
This was a society where men held power. Although the status of women was also gradually rising, they're still required to follow the rules and regulations in terms of morality.
For example, a man was deemed frivolous when he goes fooling around with other women, but if a woman does that, they would be deemed sluts.
Then again, it was also because the Huo Family has been spreading rumors about Ni Jingqiu on purpose and even slandered her for being incapable of doing the deed between men and women.
There was a robust figure that stood at a corner. When he saw Su Tao standing beside Ni Jingqiu, he was briefly stunned before he sighed with a grave expression.
The Imperial Uncle, Tong Zuoqing gently bumped his glass of wine with the man beside him and exclaimed, "Your opponent seems to be more powerful than you have imagined. It turns out that not only does he have the favor of the Shui Family's princess, but he even has the Ni Family by his side."
That man was Qin Jingyu, who sneered, "He's just a doctor. For him to appear in this sort of venue, has the standard of our circle dropped?"
Tong Zuoqing knew that Qin Jingyu was unhappy with the Ni Family. Mr. Meng of the National Intellectual Property Administration had told Qin Jingyu that the Ni Family made a move to clear up the matter for the Three Flavour International. Hence, the turbulence that has been circulating around them had to be dropped.
"You should let the princess of the Shui Family see this scene, but she doesn't seem to have a habit of appearing in this sort of venue." Tong Zuoqing smiled.
Frowning his brows, Qin Jingyu unhappily said, "Junzhuo is a pure lady; she's a white piece of paper. Furthermore, it's a piece of good news that she's not present. You and I know that Ni Jingqiu and Su Tao are just patient and doctor, so even if Junzhuo witnesses this scene, it can be easily explained."
Hearing his words, Tong Zuoqing was briefly stunned before he raised his thumbs in Qin Jingyu's direction and smiled. "Young Master Qin truly thinks far ahead."
"For Su Tao and Ni Jingqiu to appear in the banquet together, there is bound to be a commotion tomorrow. That brat has done pretty well, too, by using Ni Jingqiu to enter this circle. From this, we can tell that he's a meticulous person, and Junzhuo will only be made use of by following him. I'm just afraid that she will suffer grievance." Qin Jingyu snickered.
"Young Master Qin is truly deeply in love." Tong Zuoqing took a sip of wine as his face scrunched up. Casting his glance into another direction, splendor suddenly dazzled from his eyes as he smiled. "Interesting. I think there will be many interesting events occurring today."
When Qin Jingyu directed his gaze over as well, he saw someone that shouldn't be here and smiled. "It looks like I'm determined to be a minor role today!"