Shen Lu waited a few days, but not hearing from An Changxian, she proactively inquired about the progress of the matter.
By then, An Changxian had been in contact with Quan Jiu for several days, feeling rather pleased with himself, though it was proving to be quite expensive.
"Don't worry, with me on the job, no fish has ever refused the bait."
The initial expenditure was all for future gains. How could there be a harvest without sowing? Especially for a top beauty like Quan Jiu, it was better to cast a long line to catch a big fish. You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing your cubs.
An Changxian consoled himself this way, took a slurp from his instant noodle cup, and then saw a message from Quan Jiu.
"I'm treating you to dinner, Yinshi Roast Meat, coming?"
An Changxian, without finishing his slurp, spat out the noodles again. He wiped his mouth, pulled on his clothes, and dashed into the bathroom. When he emerged, he was a fragrant, muscular handsome man.
Quickly changing and heading out, An Changxian replied as he went downstairs, "A beauty's invitation is always accepted."
...
Arriving at Yinshi Roast Meat, An Changxian spotted Quan Jiu in a most conspicuous spot and walked over with a smile.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"No, I just arrived a moment ago." Quan Jiu put down her phone and signaled a waiter to serve the dishes.
After the waiter left, An Changxian curiously asked, "What were you looking at so intently just now?"
"Investments. I've got my eye on two restaurants I want to invest in. The return rate is 9%, not high, but it's stable."
As she spoke, she handed her phone to An Changxian. "Do you understand investments? Why don't you give me some advice? I'm idle all day anyway, and I just want to do something proper."
An Changxian's heart was filled with joy. It was as if a pillow had been delivered just as he was feeling sleepy.
He quickly put on a surprised expression. "I didn't expect Princess Quan to have such a business acumen for investment. That's good, but investments have risks, so you must be cautious."
"This was introduced by a friend, it's very reliable," Quan Jiu affirmed. "Besides, I tried it out once before and made over a hundred thousand. It's very stable, and I plan to invest more this time."
An Changxian suppressed his impatience and tentatively asked, "How much are you planning to invest?"
"Five million. Calculated this way, I'll net a profit of 450,000 next month."
An Changxian's heart skipped a beat, and the little person in his heart was practically dancing a celebratory jig.
He quickly said, "Don't rush. A 9% return rate isn't that high, and investing five million all at once carries some risk. Why don't you try a few more times?"
Quan Jiu appeared unconcerned. "It's just five million. Investment always involves risk, I know. I'm not doing it for the money; I'm purely doing it to pass the time. Don't you think investing is like guessing a blind box? It's very interesting. You never know if you'll profit or lose until the very last moment."
Fortunately, An Changxian had some understanding of Princess Quan. Otherwise, hearing such words would make him want to curse her for being ostentatious. Only Princess Quan could say such things and still make it sound reasonable.
He continued to earnestly advise, "Hold onto this five million for now, don't be hasty. I'll ask my uncle. Actually, I'm also involved in investments. You might not believe the return rate, it's 20%, and it's a guaranteed profit. But this is a commercial secret, and I've never told anyone. It's only because it's you that I'm telling you."
Quan Jiu looked surprised. "That high? Isn't it fake?"
An Changxian tutted. "I've been investing for several years and have made nearly a hundred million. I plan to invest another hundred million this year. You absolutely must not tell anyone else about this, or you'll attract envy."
Quan Jiu pouted unhappily, sighing. "Who can I tell? I don't have anyone to talk to. I'm confined at home like a canary in a cage. Besides spending money, there's nothing else I can do."
An Changxian said with sincere eyes, "Aren't I your friend? You can tell me anything that's on your mind."
Quan Jiu looked at him with teary eyes, her voice choked. "Thank you, you're really very kind."
Over the course of the meal, An Changxian dissuaded Quan Jiu from investing her five million. He then declared he needed to go back and ask his uncle, promising to give her a reply that evening.
After parting ways with Quan Jiu, he immediately contacted Shen Lu.
"Got it. She's about to invest five million. Let's be clear upfront, I won't handle the profit distribution, I don't have that much money. Also, after this is done, I want forty percent."
Shen Lu, who was applying a face mask in a hotel, was initially delighted upon seeing the message, but then she angrily ripped off the mask. "We agreed on thirty percent, how dare you try to renegotiate!"
An Changxian was prepared. He sent pictures of all his expenses over the past few days. Then he cried, "Look, to reel in this big fish, I've spent a total of 349,748.9 over these days. Did you think it would be this quick otherwise? I've invested heavily!"
Upon seeing this, Shen Lu's anger subsided. The amount of money wasn't the issue; the key was to make that woman, no, more accurately, the sugar daddy behind that bitch, lose big. Only then would she be satisfied.
"Fine, forty percent it is. But if you dare go back on your word again, I can get rid of her, and I can get rid of you."
An Changxian smiled triumphantly. "I'm meeting her tomorrow. Have your people get ready, don't mess this up."
Shen Lu could already picture that bitch kneeling on the ground, weeping, and she was overjoyed. She immediately contacted Wu Yuanping and instructed him to cooperate well with An Changxian.
An Changxian, having received Shen Lu's confirmation, replied to Quan Jiu and arranged to meet at Milei Bar the following afternoon at six o'clock.
Quan Jiu naturally arrived on time. As for Wu Yuanping and An Changxian, they were already waiting in the bar.
After meeting, the three exchanged greetings, made small talk, and then got down to business.
Wu Yuanping patted An Changxian's shoulder. "Miss Quan, if it weren't for my nephew's strong recommendation, I would never have offered this slot. You know, our investment slots are only distributed through internal channels; you can't find them elsewhere. Think about it, a guaranteed 20% return rate. Once this is released, there would be a mad scramble."
An Changxian complained, "Uncle, can you stop talking about that? Everyone invests, and Jiu Jiu and I are family. We don't need to be formal with family."
Wu Yuanping laughed heartily. "Right, right, right. Oh, since you two are close to getting married, consider this an early wedding gift. An Zi mentioned you want to invest five million?"
Quan Jiu gave An Changxian a slightly chiding glance. "Yes, I'll invest five million to start and see. If it really makes money like An Zi said, then I can invest ten times that amount."
Ten times... that would be fifty million. An Changxian's hands trembled with excitement.
Wu Yuanping, being in the financing business, managed to remain composed. He chuckled, "You can invest any amount, it's up to you. I've cleared the slot for you, and you can invest long-term in the future. One yuan, one million, ten million, even a hundred million, whatever you like."
Quan Jiu took out her phone and transferred five million to An Changxian without a second word. "Is this enough?"
An Changxian had never seen anyone so decisive. But then he thought, this was Princess Quan, after all, who spent money like water. The little canary in a cage clearly didn't care about money.
He quickly gave a wry smile. "It's not to me, you have to invest on their investment platform. You can see the investment trends anytime on the platform."
Quan Jiu sounded a bit impatient. "Oh, it's too troublesome. Can you do it for me?"
An Changxian hesitated for a moment, then didn't refuse. "Alright, alright, I know you're a little lazy. Don't worry, just wait to collect your money."
Quan Jiu giggled.
Wu Yuanping appropriately excused himself.
An Changxian and Quan Jiu had another meal. Afterward, An Changxian drove Quan Jiu home. However, he claimed his car had broken down and he needed to take a taxi back. Quan Jiu generously lent him her car.
Women who take the bait are all fools. An Changxian happily drove Quan Jiu's car back, then reported the good news to Shen Lu: "Five million received. Let her make a profit first. Once she tastes the sweetness, she'll invest fifty million next time."
A 20% return rate, totaling one million, made Shen Lu very happy. Without a word, she transferred the money to An Changxian. An Changxian made a series of operations on an investment app and then showed it to Quan Jiu, warning her not to tell anyone.
Quan Jiu naturally promised repeatedly.
...
Back home, Quan Jiu saw her son and daughter waiting for her in the living room, their expressions serious.
Quan Jiu knew what they wanted to ask, so she explained first, "I'm sorry, Mom is late again today. I was discussing business with an uncle."
Tu Tu looked confused. "Discussing every day? Mom, you haven't been home on time for a whole week."
"It will be finalized soon," Quan Jiu pinched Tu Tu's cheek. "Give Mom a little more time."
Mi Mi counted on her fingers. "Mom, have you eaten dinner yet?"
Quan Jiu scooped up Mi Mi and placed her on the dining table, coaxing her in a child-like voice. "Not yet. Let's see what's in today's dinner blind box."
As the lid was lifted, Quan Jiu exclaimed in surprise, "Wow! It's chopped chili fish head! It's very spicy, do you dare to eat it?"
"Grandpa made it especially for you. We're having pickled fish," Mi Mi said.
The spicy and sour chopped chili fish head, with its stimulating aroma, made Quan Jiu thank the grandfather next door as usual before starting to eat. While eating, she said to the two children, "Tomorrow, you'll come with Mom to a party. Find your most beautiful dresses, okay?"
"Okay." The two children were delighted at the mention of a party and scurried off to find their clothes.
Meanwhile, at the Yun family villa in the suburbs of A City, Yun Shu was standing in front of a row of clothes racks, selecting an outfit for the Chu family patriarch's birthday banquet tomorrow.