Chapter 27: Returning Home to Start a Company

Both Zhou Erqin and Ning Xingxian had, of course, heard the rumors circulating in their social circle, and both found it utterly disgraceful.

Especially when Zhou Erqin attended gatherings, those people would one by one talk about Ning Chu’s shortcomings, their eyes seemingly accusing Zhou Erqin as if to say, “Weren’t you always praising your daughter? How did she end up like this?”

When Ning Xingxian went to negotiate business, those same people would express reservations simply because he was no longer the father-in-law of the Dantai family — something that had never happened before.

All of this was because Ning Chu had divorced! And she was the root cause of it!

“No, this can’t go on. I’ll call An Sheng over—after all, isn’t Sun Hongda a widower? Let her meet him. If Sun Hongda takes a liking to her, our investment project should be secure!”

“Before, you didn’t want An Sheng to meet her prospective son-in-law, but now Sun Hongda is acceptable, right?” Ning Xingxian said to Zhou Erqin.

Zhou Erqin replied, “Fine! Let that little... An Sheng meet Sun Hongda.”

Ning Xingxian said, “I’ll call An Sheng over. Make sure you dress her up nicely this time—no more of that rustic look.”

“I understand.”

Meanwhile, Ning Chu, hoping to persuade Ning Xingxian and Zhou Erqin to hand over the entertainment company under the Ning Group to her, planned to return to the Ning household. She waited until the bodyguards she hired had started their shifts before going back; she was determined not to be beaten again.

Since she paid these bodyguards, they obeyed her. This time, there was no way Ning Xingxian and Zhou Erqin could lock her up.

Ning Chu even pretended to buy some tonic supplements—not expensive, just two hundred yuan—to make a show of it.

What she didn’t expect was to find An Sheng right there at the Ning residence, and her mother sitting calmly in the living room—neither angry nor scolding.

“Why have you come back? Have you come to your senses?” Zhou Erqin slammed her teacup on the table, the loud clatter signaling her fury.

Ning Chu handed the supplements to the butler and instructed the bodyguards to stand guard at the door, allowing entry only if she called out.

“Mother, where is Father?”

Zhou Erqin shot back, “Why are you looking for your father? If you want to apologize, then just go and make amends to your son-in-law.”

Ning Chu knew they were still unwilling to relent. Apologizing was out of the question. “Where is Father? I have some matters to discuss with you. It’s better if he’s here.”

Zhou Erqin snapped, “What matters? Tell me first. By the way, I heard you hit Mrs. Qian?”

Before Ning Chu could respond, An Sheng gasped, “Sister hit someone?”

Zhou Erqin glared at her with disdain. “None of your business. Keep your head up and behave yourself. Don’t forget someone is coming to do your styling.”

Styling? Ning Chu understood this was likely to make An Sheng more marketable. So soon?

Looking at An Sheng, Ning Chu noticed something odd—An Sheng was wearing one of her old dresses, though a bit ill-fitting since Ning Chu was taller. The ankle-length dress now rode up a bit—still passable.

Seeing Ning Chu’s scrutiny, An Sheng straightened her back proudly. She had long heard about Ning Chu’s troubles. If Ning Chu was no longer useful, would Father focus on grooming her? Could she become the lady of the Ning family?

Ning Chu sized up An Sheng but looked away. It wasn’t her concern. An Sheng had a savior in the male lead, and if she didn’t want it, she could resist. In this law-abiding society, who could force her?

At that moment, Ning Xingxian came down the stairs. Seeing Ning Chu, his face darkened with fury as he pointed at her. “You unfilial daughter! How dare you come back!”

Ning Chu replied, “I have matters to discuss with you. I have something to offer in exchange, which is why I returned. Even if I am not your daughter, I am still a shareholder of the Ning Group. What kind of attitude is this toward a shareholder?”

Ning Xingxian was momentarily speechless, stammering, “You… you…”

Ning Chu sat on the sofa. “Enough with the ‘you’ and ‘your.’ Do you want me to be so angry that I can inherit your property intact? I’m very willing.”

Zhou Erqin’s eyes widened. “Everyone was right—you’ve gone mad! How can you say such things!”

Ning Chu poured herself a cup of tea. “Mad or not, I want to exchange one percent of Ning Group’s shares for Aino Yin Company under Ning Group.”

“You’re crazy!” Zhou Erqin stared at her. “Do you have what it takes to manage a company?”

Ning Chu shot back, “If I don’t, then why has Father managed the company for so long without knowing Aino Yin is still losing money? He’s not fit to run a company either. Better to give it to me—I’m at least your daughter by blood.”

Ning Xingxian, initially angry, suddenly considered the proposal. Although it was just one percent of the shares, any recovery was better than none. Ning Chu was right: Aino Yin had been unprofitable. But in such a large company, some losses were to be expected, as long as there were profits elsewhere.

That company was initially slated for closure. Recovering even one percent of the shares wasn’t bad.

Zhou Erqin saw Ning Xingxian’s thoughtful expression. “You haven’t gone mad too, have you?”

Ning Xingxian said, “Quiet!”

Zhou Erqin retorted, “Ning Chu studied art. She’s no one to manage a company.”

Ning Chu remained silent; she had already hired a teacher to train her.

Ning Xingxian looked at her. “Give me two percent, and I’ll hand it over to you.”

Ning Chu rolled her eyes. Somehow, this triggered Zhou Erqin’s temper again. “You dare to roll your eyes? Is that ladylike? Do you know what people say about me lately? That I spoiled you!”

“Everyone used to praise me back then. You’re really… you’re going to drive me crazy! How did you become like this?”

Ning Chu said, “It’s not that I became like this; this is how I was meant to be. And even if I roll my eyes, I still look good. You don’t need to be so angry.”

Zhou Erqin became even more furious, because Ning Chu’s eye-rolling was indeed quite charming!

Ning Chu waved her hand. “I won’t say more. One percent—no more. If not, I’ll start my own company. I’m not short of money.”

Ning Xingxian said, “Fine! The company will be yours. I’ll have the contract prepared.”

Ning Chu stood. “That’s why I came today. I’m leaving now. Call me when it’s ready.”

As Ning Chu was about to leave, Zhou Erqin stood up. “How can you give it to her? She hasn’t even graduated yet—just a good student. Once she graduates, she’ll marry into the Dantai family and be a wife. What does she know?”

Ning Xingxian said, “I’ll talk to you about that later. Has the stylist arrived? I have dinner with Boss Sun at seven tonight.”