Chapter 24: The Gathering

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“Mother, I am no longer the childish, naive Ning Chu I used to be. Remember that. I am not the old Ning Chu anymore. No matter what you say or do, I will never believe you again.”

“Do whatever you want. I’m done getting involved. And don’t ask me to go looking for Tan Tai Chao anymore. I will never go before him again.”

“As for parties, jewelry, handbags, and all that—I don’t care about any of it.” She had possessed plenty of those things long ago, but that did not mean they had made her happy.

Besides, she could afford them herself now. She had money. She was not some helpless person with nothing, someone who could only endure being bullied.

Ning Chu immediately hung up. As for how Zhou Erqin and Ning Xingxian fumed outside, nearly screaming like shrews, she never saw it.

Unable to meet with Ning Chu, the two could only leave. In the car, both of them were furious. Suddenly, Ning Xingxian said, “Since Chu Chu refuses to cooperate, then call An Sheng over!”

Zhou Erqin snapped, “How dare you! I absolutely will not allow that little wretch into our circle!”

Ning Xingxian tugged at his tie. “Then what do you suggest we do? You know perfectly well how the Ning Group has been doing ever since Chu Chu divorced our son-in-law. We can simply say that An Sheng is a relative of the family. Even if she cannot marry our son-in-law, she can still marry someone who can help the group.”

Zhou Erqin’s brows drew tightly together. She was deeply unwilling to let that little wretch enter their social circle. Having to give her money before had already infuriated her. If that girl became their equal, would they not have to buy her all kinds of things as well?

But then...

Seeing the hesitation in her expression, Ning Xingxian continued, “I’ll take care of her expenses. I’ll use my money; yours will remain yours. As long as we make good use of her and take the Ning Group to an even higher level, won’t that benefit us?”

Zhou Erqin gritted her teeth. “Our son-in-law is out of the question. But she can marry some decrepit old man!”

Ning Xingxian put an arm around her shoulders. “No problem! We’ll do as you say. We’ll look around and choose someone suitable. An Sheng is young—old men will adore her.”

A smile curved Zhou Erqin’s lips. If that little wretch could bring her benefits even after marrying some old man, then she found the arrangement acceptable.

Elsewhere, An Sheng had no idea what the couple was planning, and neither did Ning Chu. Even if she had known, she would not have cared. After all, in the original novel, the couple had made the same plan. But the heroine had the aura of destiny around her, and the male lead would come to her aid.

Recently, Ning Chu had been discussing the possibility of starting a company with Zhang Yan. After casually mentioning it to Zhou Ran, she had realized that she could simply invest in and establish a company herself.

The question was what kind of business to pursue. Starting a company was not a simple matter.

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Ning Chu had studied art at university. Although her grades had always been excellent, Zhou Erqin had chosen the field for her. After all, Ning Chu was supposed to become a virtuous, accomplished wife in the future, so studying art had seemed suitable.

Despite majoring in art, Ning Chu’s academic performance had remained outstanding. Whatever she studied, she learned well, and she had graduated from a renowned overseas art university.

“Ning Chu, there are several business proposals here. Take a look. I selected a few investment options for you. The first is in the entertainment industry. If the project performs well after release, it could make a great deal of money. But if it does poorly, the losses could be severe, so I don’t really recommend it.”

“This one is real estate, but it requires a great deal of capital. Given your current assets, I don’t think you can manage it. And the risks are high—it could easily collapse.”

“What about food and dining? Opening a shop? There are many different directions within that field: restaurants, hot-pot establishments, barbecue restaurants, desserts, bubble tea...”

“Clothing, too, is an option. So is opening a hotel. Food, clothing, housing, and transportation—there are plenty of possibilities.”

Ning Chu examined each proposal. They all included detailed industry analyses, and she read through them carefully.

“Which do you think would be best?”

Zhang Yan replied, “Food and dining is relatively easy. As long as you have a storefront and can hire enough people, you can get started.”

Ning Chu, however, picked up the proposal concerning the entertainment industry and looked through it again. “I actually think this one is good. All I have to do is provide the money. Besides... the Ning Group already owns a subsidiary in this field. I can ask them to give it to me.”

Zhang Yan froze for a moment. “You mean your parents?”

Ning Chu nodded.

“But they...” Zhang Yan hesitated. She did not believe Ning Chu’s parents would hand over a company for her to manage.

Ning Chu said, “I can negotiate with them. They’ll agree. But I have a party tonight. Please arrange for a makeup artist to come over first.”

“All right.”

The makeup artist arrived soon. It was Zhang Zisu, who had often done Ning Chu’s makeup in the past.

Zhang Zisu had worked on Ning Chu’s makeup many times, and the two could be considered old acquaintances. “I thought you wouldn’t call me anymore. Madam Chen asked me to do her makeup today, but the moment I received your call, I turned her down. I much prefer doing your makeup.”

Who would not enjoy making up a breathtaking beauty? Zhang Zisu had heard about Ning Chu’s divorce from Tan Tai Chao as well. Some people might take advantage of another’s misfortune, but she had always had an excellent impression of Ning Chu.

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So what if she was divorced? Was Ning Chu not still a wealthy heiress?

Ning Chu smiled. “If Madam Chen finds out, she’ll be furious. But let her be.”

Zhang Zisu stared at her for a moment. She had not expected Ning Chu to say that. In the past, Ning Chu had always spoken gently and thanked her politely. But now she sounded... rather forceful.

The Chen family was also a prominent clan. After Ning Chu had married Tan Tai Chao, the wealthy ladies at their gatherings had generally treated Ning Chu as their leader. Before that, they had followed Madam Chen’s lead. Now that Ning Chu and Tan Tai Chao were divorced, Madam Chen was eager to take back everything Ning Chu had once enjoyed.

She wanted the finest and most skilled makeup artist. She wanted to sit in the very center at the ladies’ gatherings. She wanted everyone to listen respectfully to everything she said, and so on.

After Ning Chu’s divorce, Madam Chen had held several banquets and invited her each time. Ning Chu had never attended. She knew that Madam Chen merely wanted to see her humiliated.

Ning Chu had little interest in such petty struggles. She had other matters to attend to and no particular desire to waste time at those boring gatherings.

The party that evening was a private affair. If Madam Lin had not personally called to invite her, Ning Chu would not have wanted to go.

But when she recalled what had happened to Madam Lin in the novel, Ning Chu decided she should attend after all. Madam Lin was, in truth, a good person. When Ning Chu had divorced, she had even sent her a message saying that she could come to her for help if she ever needed it.

There were not many good people left in that circle. Madam Lin was one of them.

Once her makeup was finished, Ning Chu changed into a purple dress, matched it with a handbag, and set off.

That evening’s gathering was held at Madam Lin’s home. Ruan Shiman came out personally to receive her.

“It’s been a long time.” Ruan Shiman embraced her. “How have you been lately?”

She studied Ning Chu’s expression discreetly, only to find that Ning Chu seemed even more spirited than before.

Ning Chu smiled. “I’ve been very well. Free and happy. I even went abroad for half a month recently. I had a wonderful time.”

“Traveling? Having a wonderful time? Wasn’t it actually an attempt to escape?”

A mocking voice suddenly came from behind her.