With the money invested by Su Xiaotian, Chi Yiyuan plunged back into his work with utter devotion.
Hundreds of thousands of yuan was a substantial sum of money in that era.
Chi Yiyuan had a good eye. He first used this money as capital for a short-term investment.
This short-term investment brought Chi Yiyuan considerable income.
Next, Chi Yiyuan turned his attention to the development zone.
His company was registered in Germany, and the development zone offered more favorable terms.
Although Beijing was also booming, he found the development zone to be more suitable for him than Beijing.
Chi Yiyuan, with a large sum of money, went directly to Licheng.
Licheng had been developing well in the past two years. Although Chi Yiyuan's investment was not large, it was enough to start his career.
Chi Yiyuan decided to go into real estate.
Of course, given the current situation, he couldn't afford to buy land for development himself.
However, relying on his exceptional abilities, he quickly assembled a construction team.
Chi Yiyuan possessed advanced concepts and design plans, as well as advanced construction experience.
Soon, his engineering team gained a good reputation in Licheng.
More and more people sought out Chi Yiyuan's company, but Chi Yiyuan still wanted to undertake government projects.
Chi Yiyuan quickly established connections with some local leaders and began his path to contracting government projects.
Even Chen Zi'an noticed Chi Yiyuan's engineering team.
However, Chen Zi'an did not intend to help Chi Yiyuan. He believed that Chi Yiyuan, with his capabilities, would develop quickly as long as he was looked after and not bullied.
He had also not revealed their relationship, so no one in Licheng knew that this young man who worked with his life on the line was actually a close relative of Licheng's top official.
Time flew by.
Time always slipped away inadvertently.
In the blink of an eye, it was autumn of the following year.
By this time, Chi Yiyuan had two engineering teams, each with three to four hundred people.
With these two engineering teams, coupled with Chi Yiyuan's own concepts and designs, Chi Yiyuan took on many excellent projects, and his reputation was thoroughly established.
Some leaders in Licheng also began to notice the promising young man, Chi Yiyuan.
When banquets were held, Chi Yiyuan also received invitations.
However, soon, Chi Yiyuan found that young and beautiful girls would intentionally or unintentionally appear before him at the occasions he attended.
This situation naturally did not escape Chen Zi'an's notice.
Chen Zi'an frowned.
Although Chi Yiyuan and Little Sweetheart had not officially confirmed their relationship, almost all the adults in both families had implicitly accepted that the two would end up together.
This included Su Manxiu.
Chen Zi'an told Su Manxiu about the situation.
Su Manxiu couldn't help but frown.
"How could this happen? Logically speaking, Xiao Yuan shouldn't be so easily caught in the eyes of these people."
Chen Zi'an said with a smile while eating, "You underestimate Xiao Yuan. He's not the same as he was when he first arrived in Licheng over a year ago."
More than a year ago, Chi Yiyuan came alone, practically penniless.
But now, just over a year later, Chi Yiyuan had fully developed.
How could those shrewd people not see Chi Yiyuan's potential?
Families with daughters were naturally willing to marry their daughters to young men like Chi Yiyuan.
Families without daughters had relatives' daughters to introduce.
In short, Chi Yiyuan was considered a promising prospect by everyone.
Many people were willing to bring this promising prospect under their wing.
Even many leaders felt that if Chi Yiyuan were to marry into their family, it would provide greater assistance.
"What should we do about this? Little Sweetheart hasn't visited for so long. If she just showed up, this wouldn't be happening."
On this point, Su Manxiu was very confident. She knew her niece's character and beauty like the back of her hand.
Even the daughters of the visiting families from Hong Kong were not as outstanding and exceptional as Su Xiaotian in Licheng.
As long as Su Xiaotian appeared, those flirtatious young women would naturally withdraw.
Chen Zi'an didn't say much. He couldn't really comment on such matters.
In fact, he had another thought: if Chi Yiyuan couldn't resist temptation and was won over by other women, then he wasn't worth it.
The Su family had only one beloved granddaughter, so she deserved the best person.
At the very least, that person needed to have a firm stance.
"Why don't I call Little Sweetheart over?" Su Manxiu thought this was the best solution.
"No need. Sweetheart will be coming to Licheng in a few days."
After finishing his meal, Chen Zi'an cleared the dishes and answered his wife.
"How do you know?"
"There's a delegation from Country Y. Little Sweetheart is accompanying them as a translator and will be staying in Licheng for about four days. There will be a banquet held in Licheng then."
As Chen Zi'an washed the dishes, he told Su Manxiu about the banquet in the coming days.
"You'll have to attend too. The delegation has brought their families."
Hearing this, Su Manxiu became flustered.
"How can I do that? I don't understand Country Y's language."
"It's alright, there will be translators," Chen Zi'an said with a smile. "You've done very well these past few years, you don't need to worry too much!"
Su Manxiu had indeed grown quickly in the past few years. Because Chen Zi'an was Licheng's top official, she had attended many important banquets.
"But none of those required speaking foreign languages," Su Manxiu was still apprehensive.
"With Little Sweetheart as the translator, what do you have to worry about?" Chen Zi'an couldn't help but chuckle.
In all these years, he had never seen Su Manxiu so lacking in confidence.
In fact, in Chen Zi'an's heart, he had always felt that Su Manxiu's performance was much better than he had expected.
Su Manxiu was just an ordinary country woman back then, and it was only because of her kindness and diligence that he fell in love with her.
However, after a few years, Manxiu's performance had been surprisingly good.
Now, Manxiu's demeanor was completely different from before, as if she were a woman from a scholarly family.
Although there were wrinkles on her face, she became more captivating the more one looked at her.
Su Manxiu's heart settled after hearing Chen Zi'an's words.
Indeed, Little Sweetheart was the accompanying translator, and she would definitely be able to help her then.
"I understand. What should I wear then?"
With her mind at ease, Su Manxiu began to consider what to wear.
"Didn't Sister Taohua send you a few qipaos a while ago? I think they all look very good and suit you."
Thinking of his wife's dignified appearance in a qipao, Chen Zi'an's face was filled with smiles.
"Will it look inappropriate?" Su Manxiu still hesitated.
"No, wear it with confidence. Women in Beijing are starting to wear qipaos now, let alone us in Licheng."
Su Manxiu thought about it and agreed. Taohua Jie's clothing factory produced qipaos, which showed that qipaos were now marketable in Beijing and its surrounding areas.
Licheng, being close to Hong Kong, had a higher acceptance rate, so wearing a qipao should be fine.
As for Chi Yiyuan, he returned to his rented room and lay on the bed, still contemplating these issues.
Recently, more than ten girls had shown him favor.
These girls included daughters of Licheng officials, daughters of Hong Kong businessmen, and daughters and sisters of local families.
If he still couldn't understand their intentions by now, he would be a fool.
But he didn't want to see any of them. How could he resolve these issues once and for all?
Chi Yiyuan fell into deep thought.
After all, he had to deal with these people constantly. Refusing them directly and bluntly would surely affect his future development.
But if he didn't refuse, these people would always find excuses to appear before him, making it impossible to guard against.
Especially the daughters of those Hong Kong businessmen, they were all incredibly open and proactive.
Some had even explicitly or implicitly indicated that polygamy was acceptable in Hong Kong.
Chi Yiyuan understood what they meant perfectly.
But understanding was one thing, and being willing to accept it was another.
What was the point of having multiple wives and concubines? Could they compare to Little Sweetheart?
Thinking of Su Xiaotian, Chi Yiyuan couldn't help but take out a pen he carried with him and caress it.
This pen was given to him by Little Sweetheart when he came to Licheng.
Little Sweetheart had told him to use this pen to write letters to her.
Su Xiaotian, far away in Beijing, had no idea that Chi Yiyuan was now suffering from longing for her and just wished she would come to Licheng quickly.
And Su Xiaotian, at this moment, was walking out of the Su family gate with her suitcase.
As a translator accompanying the delegation from Country Y, she was going to Licheng.
She would be there for four days.
Not only would she see her aunt and uncle and her younger cousin Xiuyuan, but she would also see Chi Yiyuan, which made her incredibly excited and happy.
Grandma Su, carrying a large cloth bag, handed it to Little Sweetheart.
"This is for you to eat on the way, and some is for your aunt and that child Xiao Yuan. Make sure to hold onto it well."
"Be careful on your way, and don't let anyone trick you."
"Little Sweetheart, are you sure you can go by yourself? Won't your brothers send you?"
Grandma Su was chattering endlessly at the door, making Su Xiaotian can't help but smile.
"Grandma, I'm not going alone, there are many people."
When Su Xiaotian said "many people," Grandma Su was still alright. But when Su Xiaotian said "many people," Grandma Su's expression worsened.
"I know there are many people, but they are not from our country. I don't know if there are any bad people." Grandma Su immediately expressed her strong disapproval.
What if someone had malicious intentions towards those people?
Her Little Sweetheart was a beautiful young girl, and if someone targeted her, it would be too late to regret it.
Moreover, it was such a long journey, and she didn't know if there were any people with ulterior motives who wanted to scheme against others.
They had encountered bad people many times when they took the train before.
"Grandma, don't worry, there are quite a few accompanying personnel from our own country."
"Besides, Licheng is where Uncle is in charge. Surely I won't be taken advantage of in Licheng?"
Grandma Su only then remembered that with Chen Zi'an and Su Manxiu in Licheng, Su Xiaotian would not be taken advantage of.
Su Xiaotian looked at her watch: "Grandma, it's getting late, I have to go."
Grandma Su watched Su Xiaotian walk away, pulling her large suitcase and carrying the large cloth bag, feeling reluctant.
It was only after Grandpa Su persuaded her a few words that she felt better.
"Alas! I knew long ago that children grow up and have to fly, but I still can't bear it. Old man, why doesn't that girl Manxiu think of coming to see us."
Grandma Su actually wanted to go with Su Xiaotian.
As she was getting older, she wished her children could be by her side.
However, Su Manxiu had not returned for two years, and she missed her dearly.
"Didn't Zi'an say that he should be transferred back by the end of the year, and then you'll have plenty of time to meet and talk with your daughter."
Grandma Su sighed.
Chen Zi'an only said he would be transferred, and it was possible he would return to Beijing, but what if?
Forget it, the more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt.
When she reached a corner where no one else was around, Su Xiaotian quickly transferred the large cloth bag from Grandma Su into her personal system space.
In fact, Su Xiaotian's large suitcase did not contain much. She had put many of her belongings into the system space when her family wasn't paying attention.
They would be flying, and there should be in-flight meals, so they wouldn't go hungry.
But the food was Grandma's heartfelt gift, and Su Xiaotian intended to take it all back for Chi Yiyuan and her aunt.
When Su Xiaotian and her group arrived in Licheng, it was five o'clock in the afternoon.
Licheng had prepared a welcome banquet for the delegation from Country Y.
The banquet was held at the hotel where the delegation from Country Y was staying, rather than in another location.
Su Xiaotian and the others first settled into their accommodation, and after a brief rest, they attended the welcome banquet.
As the accompanying translator for the delegation, Su Xiaotian, although not required to wear formal attire, wore a very appropriate outfit.
A light blue silk square-necked dress, paired with a pearl brooch, made her look solemn and dignified.
While elegant and generous, it did not in any way overshadow the elegance of the Country Y wives.
This time, Country Y had come with cooperation projects. If the projects could be successfully negotiated, it would bring enormous profit margins for Licheng.
Chen Zi'an spared no expense, arranging a banquet of relatively high standards and inviting many local political and business elites to attend.
These people also brought their families, some with wives, some with children.
Since it was a banquet with families, Su Manxiu, as Chen Zi'an's wife, accompanied him.
Chen Zi'an was dressed in a suit and tie, and his naturally tall and upright figure made the black suit look even more sharp and stylish.
For a moment, it was unclear whether the suit completed Chen Zi'an, or Chen Zi'an completed the suit.
And Su Manxiu beside him, although with faint wrinkles on her face, was like a flower blooming by the water, possessing a unique charm.
It had to be admitted that compared to a few years ago, Su Manxiu now held a significant position among the wives in Licheng.
This was not only because Chen Zi'an's position in Licheng was becoming increasingly stable but also due to Su Manxiu's own efforts.
Su Manxiu did not understand the language of Country Y, but she had still learned simple greetings in just a few days. Su Dan Novel Network
When meeting the delegation from Country Y, Su Manxiu behaved with grace and poise.
Every move she made was so beautiful that the wives from Country Y were greatly impressed.
Su Xiaotian also saw Su Manxiu, but in such an occasion, it was not appropriate to say much. Su Xiaotian simply smiled at Su Manxiu.