Chapter 28: Where Are You Going?

Xu Zhixia realized she was in the wrong and snorted, ignoring me thereafter.

At the next rest stop, I got out of the car to call Zhao Xinze back. This was our first contact since our argument over the phone last time.

"Xinze, what's up?"

"The Xunxing project. The factory has finished the first batch of goods and shipped them to Xunxing. The person in charge said they were very satisfied, and the entire project payment has been wired in advance."

"Once the finance department finishes processing the tax filings, our profit from this project will be over two million."

Hearing that the Xunxing project was finally set in stone, I laughed with a sense of relief I hadn't felt in a long time. Two million—after deducting costs, the factory’s share, project department bonuses, and commissions, plus salaries for the staff at Jianxia, it was a significant expenditure. What would end up in my and Zhao Xinze’s pockets would only be a few hundred thousand. Counting my savings from over the years, as long as the nursing home didn't go bankrupt, it would be enough to support my mother until the end of her days.

"Keep a close watch on the factory. There can't be any mistakes with the subsequent shipments."

"I know that, of course. By the way, I’ve been researching the overseas market; it looks very promising for expansion, but our current contract manufacturer’s capacity can’t quite keep up."

"Didn't we plan to open our own factory last year? Shouldn't we put that on the agenda?"

"Xinze, building our own factory isn't that simple. We’d need to buy land, construct the facility, and purchase equipment and assembly lines. The required capital is at least over twenty million. Jianxia can’t afford such a massive risk right now."

"The current contract factory’s technology is already very mature. I think it’s sufficient."

On the other end of the line, Zhao Xinze became noticeably anxious.

"Jiang Jian, why are you acting like a coward? The domestic market is almost entirely monopolized by the Xu Group. If you don't go out and fight, are you really going to spend your whole life eating the scraps that fall from between their fingers?!"

"We once aspired to be a Fortune 500 company. What are you afraid of? Isn't it just taking out a loan?!"

"If you borrow ten million and I borrow ten million, once the factory is up and running and our capacity increases, won't we pay it off in two years?!"

I rubbed my temples. Ever since college, Zhao Xinze’s temper had been impulsive and explosive, and he still hadn't changed that habit.

"Zhao Xinze, do you not want to leave yourself any way out? Have you never considered what would happen if something goes wrong, if we can't repay the loans, or if the overseas expansion fails and our capital chain breaks?!"

"Do you want to drag the entirety of Jianxia down with you, and then ruin both our lives for the future as well?!"

It was utterly absurd. The current Jianxia was no longer the small venture it had been when we were fresh college graduates fueled purely by passion.

Moreover, I only have three months left. If I really take out that loan, what will happen when I'm gone?

I took a few deep breaths and calmed myself down. "I just left Xiyuan. When I get back to Tianhai, I’ll arrange to meet you and we can talk."

"Fine."

I fished the cigarette pack out of my pocket; there were less than ten left. If I kept smoking at this rate, I’d be out before even getting off the highway. A pack every two days—if Lin Hangfan found out, he’d kill me. Better to just stop. I obediently tucked the pack back away.

Back in the car, I saw Xiao Zhu climbing into the passenger seat, cradling two large bags of KFC and carrying several cups of cola.

"Brother Jiang, do you want some?"

Xiao Zhu handed me an iced cola. The cup was covered in a fine layer of condensation, and the sound of bubbles fizzing inside was audible. It was scorching outside, and an iced drink would have been heavenly, but thinking of my stomach, I resisted the temptation and declined.

"My stomach hasn't been good these past few days. I'll pass on the ice. You go ahead."

Xiao Zhu took it back with a look of regret and handed me a box of roasted chicken wings. "It’s boring on the road. Let’s have some fried chicken and wings to snack on."

Just as we were happily digging in, a voice came from the backseat—Xu Zhixia, sounding uncharacteristically awkward.

"Ahem, Xiao Zhu, give me a box, and a cola too."

Xiao Zhu, with a chicken bone still in his mouth, froze. When he realized what happened, he quickly handed over a box, not forgetting to put a straw in the cola. She must have been starving; chocolate could provide energy, but it wasn't enough to stave off real hunger.

Xu Zhixia sat in the back, looking conflicted for a moment, but her growling stomach won out. She started gnawing on the wings, sipping the cola whenever it got too salty. To keep her figure, Xu Zhixia never touched such "junk food," nor would she allow it in the villa. Whenever I had a craving, I’d sneak off to the office to eat, waiting for the smell of fried chicken to dissipate and brushing my teeth before returning, terrified of upsetting her.

Sure enough, when people are desperate enough, anything tastes like a feast. Even the most pampered and high-status person will treat a humble bun like a treasure when they are starving.

"There are tissues and wet wipes in the door pocket. Don't get grease on my car when you're done; a car wash costs hundreds."

"It’s just a few hundred bucks. Buying this rust bucket of yours would be a matter of one sentence."

"Oh, yes, yes, you're always right."

I couldn't be bothered to argue with her. I threw my disposable gloves into the bag, wiped my hands with a wet wipe, and buckled my seatbelt.

"Let's go."

Because the Xunxing project was secured, it meant Xu Zhixia could no longer use it as leverage against me, which put me in an exceptionally good mood. I turned on the car stereo, picked a playlist at random, and began to hum along with the music. Xiao Zhu, caught up in my mood, joined in, completely disregarding Xu Zhixia in the back.

I turned off the AC and opened the windows and the sunroof. The natural breeze was much better than the air conditioning; the only downside was the noise. I saw Xu Zhixia in the rearview mirror, her mouth moving as if she were saying something, but who cared? I was enjoying myself.

For the sake of driving safety, I closed the windows after about half an hour. Because of the delay at the rest stop, it was already dark by the time we reached Tianhai.

I dropped Xu Zhixia off at the villa area. Xiao Zhu went to get the wheelchair and helped her into it. Xu Zhixia watched me, still sitting in the car with my seatbelt on, and asked in confusion:

"Why are you still sitting there?"

"Going home to rest, of course. Or did you expect me to carry you inside?"

"If you dare leave, have you forgotten what you promised me?!"

"Xu Zhixia, I only promised to return to Tianhai with you. I never said I was coming back to your villa."

Although the Xunxing project was in the bag, it didn't mean Xu Zhixia wouldn't find other ways to suppress Jianxia. Thinking of this, I didn't continue to provoke her.

"Since I promised to make you seafood porridge upon returning to Tianhai, I won't go back on my word. I’ll make it and have Xiao Zhu come pick it up."

"Jiang Jian, where are you going? I order you to come back here!"

I rolled up the window and stepped on the gas, driving away without a backward glance.