At the same time, in Hangzhou, far from Yangshuo, a grand reception was being held at a high-end hotel by West Lake. It was a joint event between the political and business sectors, aimed at entertaining the Chinese investment team from Apollo Management.
The core guests were two individuals: Jared Buckley, head of Apollo Management's China operations, and Lin Su.
As for Leon Black, the CEO of Apollo Management, who many thought was the more important guest, he had already returned to the USA. The so-called investment survey wasn't initially part of Apollo's planned itinerary in China, but things changed after Lin Su appeared alongside a certain someone on a popular news program, one of China's most prestigious shows, featuring the nation's longest-lived and most high-profile guests.
Since this city was Lin Su's hometown, it caught the attention of some local figures. After some investigation, they discovered that Lin Su, the young woman from their community, had quietly risen to prominence. She had become Simon Westeros' assistant for Chinese affairs, with many of Simon's arrangements during his visit to China handled by her, and she had even appeared on TV standing less than two meters away from him.
Given her newfound status, how could her hometown not get involved? Lin Su didn't have much of a choice.
It wasn't just her immediate family; her extended relatives all worked within the system. Ignoring their requests wouldn't cause any real harm, but helping them out would bring immense benefits to an interconnected web of people. After all, the current political climate in China focused heavily on economic development, and securing foreign investment was a tangible political achievement. If the investment came from abroad, it was even more impressive.
After days of phone calls and in-person pleas, Lin Su finally brought the matter up to Simon. He casually handed her a dossier from Cersei Capital's China Economic Research Institute, filled with information on Zhejiang province's companies, and told her to choose. If she could find a company or project that met his expectations, they would invest. Otherwise, it wasn't worth discussing.
The materials from the research institute were detailed and well-prepared, making it relatively easy to identify promising opportunities.
However, it wasn't that simple. While there were plenty of good companies, not all of them needed investment. Both sides had to be interested in cooperating.
This wasn't something that could be resolved in just a day or two. Lin Su still had many responsibilities in Beijing, so she left the Apollo Management team and Chen Qing's gradually forming small group to scout projects in Zhejiang. If they succeeded, it would be a way to give back to her hometown.
As for Lin Su, she had to return to Beijing in the afternoon.
During lunch, which had left her father glowing with pride and slightly drunk, the business and political leaders didn't pressure Lin Su to drink, but she still ended up with a flushed face from the wine. Her father, too intoxicated to continue, had been taken out early to rest.
At around 1 p.m., as the reception was winding down, Lin Su approached Jared Buckley and Ran Yue, who would be responsible for the upcoming negotiations and project assessments.
Holding a glass of wine for show, Lin Su sat beside them and said, "Jared, Sister Ran, I'll leave the next steps to you both. Let's stay in touch, and if you run into any issues, my father can also help."
Both nodded. Ran Yue, always considerate, switched Lin Su's wine for juice and said with a smile, "Xiao Lin, no more wine for you. We don't want anything to happen... Oh, by the way, when are you and Chen Qing heading back to the USA?"
Lin Su, though not drunk, knew that Ran Yue was subtly probing about Simon's departure. She shook her head. "I don't know."
Jared Buckley, speaking in surprisingly fluent Mandarin, added, "Lin, I've reviewed a lot of company profiles. There are indeed many worthy of investment. But we need a clearer direction. Can you tell us if Mr. Westeros has any specific preferences? I wouldn't want to make the wrong choice and leave a bad impression on the boss."
Lin Su felt a twinge of frustration. It would have been nice if Simon had given her clearer instructions. She considered for a moment and said, "Simon has always been interested in China's food and beverage industry. You know that. And there are quite a few companies like that in Zhejiang. Also... he's mentioned automobiles. Simon believes the Chinese auto market has great potential."
Ran Yue, with her round face and mature, charming demeanor, raised an eyebrow when Lin Su mentioned "Simon said."
Jared, on the other hand, caught onto something else. "Geely, Lin—have you looked at that company's profile?"
Lin Su was momentarily surprised, then nodded. She realized why she had suddenly remembered Simon's passing comment. While reviewing information over the past few days, she had come across a Zhejiang-based company called Geely, a motorcycle manufacturer eager to enter the automobile market and seeking partnerships.
This could be an opportunity.
Jared thought quickly and said, "That might be tricky. Chinese automotive companies typically prefer to partner with other automakers because you can't just throw money at car production—it takes expertise…"
But then, as if struck by a revelation, Jared began muttering to himself as much as to Lin Su, "But the big U.S. automakers like GM and Ford are struggling financially right now. They don't have the resources or focus to invest in China, which is why the Chinese joint venture market is dominated by German and Japanese brands. This could be our opportunity—there's plenty of room to maneuver. Worst case, we poach a team from GM or Ford and buy the technology. Plus, Geely is a private company, which makes it much easier to work with than a state-owned enterprise."
Ran Yue watched the tall, broad-shouldered foreigner mumbling to himself, growing increasingly excited, and even pulling out a notebook to jot down ideas. She turned to Lin Su, amused.
"What's gotten into him?"
Lin Su chuckled and whispered, "Foreigners are like that."
In truth, it was more accurate to say that Wall Street had its fair share of crazies.
Over the past two years, Lin Su and Chen Qing had managed several outstanding Chinese projects, but Jared Buckley's China operations team had been just as successful. His fluent Mandarin was testament to how committed he was to the region.
After a few final words, Lin Su stood up to say goodbye to the various political leaders.
Her father was too drunk to move, so her mother, He Ning, and her younger sister, Lin Lan, accompanied her to the airport. In the car, the three women sat in the back while Lin Su's two Westeros bodyguards rode in the front.
After advising her mother to tell her father to drink less in the future, Lin Su held her sister's hand and said, "I might not be able to make it to your wedding next month, but I've picked out a car for you overseas. It's being imported right now and should arrive just in time. Consider it a wedding gift."
Lin Lan snuggled up to her sister affectionately. "Sis, you already gave me an apartment... what kind of car is it?"
Lin Su playfully bumped heads with her sister and replied, "A BMW."
Lin Lan pouted slightly, "I thought it would be a Ferrari, like the one Li Xiaohua drove on Chang'an Avenue."
"That's a sports car, not practical for everyday use. Besides, you and your husband both work for the government. Driving something so flashy wouldn't be appropriate. A BMW is perfect."
"Aren't there BMWs available here?"
"The ones here…" Lin Su hesitated, then simply said, "This model isn't available in China yet."
Their mother, who had been listening to their conversation, finally asked, "Xiao Su, what's going on with you lately? Can you tell me?"
Lin Su sensed that her mother had weighed her words carefully before asking this question. After all, the family wasn't oblivious. For Lin Su to leave China and return just two years later as Simon Westeros' assistant for Chinese affairs, it was too easy to draw certain conclusions about the nature of her relationship with him.
Avoiding eye contact with her mother, Lin Su lowered her head and, after a moment of hesitation, said, "Mom, I'm doing well."
He Ning took her daughter's hand and sighed softly. "If things aren't working out, you can always come home. Don't worry about your father—he's only got two years left before he retires. Even if he doesn't make it to the next level, what difference does it make?"
Lin Su squeezed her mother's hand. "Mom, don't talk like that about Dad. He's worked hard all these years."
"Who hasn't worked hard? We're already doing well enough; we should be content," her mother replied, then turned to Lin Lan. "And you, stop asking your sister for things. You're part of the system now. If you develop bad habits, it could cost you in the future."
Lin Lan protested, "I haven't asked for anything! Sis always offers."
"You think I didn't hear you constantly mentioning how much you wanted a car during New Year's?" He Ning continued, "You'll have to walk your own path. If you stray or stumble, your father and I won't be able to help. And as for the Qin family, don't think just because you married into it, they'll treat you any better. You'll see how things really are soon enough."
Lin Lan, who had been about to retort, giggled and leaned closer to her sister. "They may have looked down on me before, but now that
my sister is doing well, things are different. No matter how powerful the Qin family is, have they ever appeared on the evening news? These days, Qin Yusong's parents are treating me much better. Yesterday, my future mother-in-law even asked me if I needed anything for the new house and offered to go shopping with me. They may have looked down on me before, but who knows what the future holds? Just look at the investment Sis secured. The political achievements might not mean much for Dad, but they'll benefit me. I'll step on Qin Yusong's head first, and once I'm done with him, the old man will have to hand over all his resources, like it or not."
He Ning, much like Lin Su, had a calmer temperament. Hearing her younger daughter's words, she felt both frustrated and helpless. "That's your sister's work, not yours."
"What's hers is mine."
He Ning raised her hand to smack her younger daughter. "Is that any way to talk?"
Lin Lan clutched her head. "I'm your child too!"
When He Ning raised her hand again, Lin Su quickly intervened, changing the subject. "Mom, don't forget to deliver the gifts I brought for Grandpa and Grandma tonight. I didn't have time to visit them this trip, so please apologize on my behalf."
Her mother nodded but grumbled, "You're leaving so soon after arriving. Couldn't you stay the night? It's Saturday, after all."
Lin Lan chimed in, "Mom, Sis is a big shot now."
That earned her another playful smack on the head.
Lin Su smiled and shielded her sister, explaining, "I really don't have the time, Mom. He... well, there's a lot I need to manage."
Lin Lan, always quick on the uptake, teased, "Sis, who's 'he'? Is it Simon Westeros?"
Feeling both her mother's and sister's eyes on her, Lin Su tried to remain calm. "Yes, he's my boss."
Lin Lan giggled and turned to her mother. "Mom, maybe one day you'll have a little mixed-race grandson."
He Ning pretended to hit her again, and Lin Lan quickly ducked.
Lin Su acted as if she hadn't heard her sister's remark. Luckily, her face was already flushed from the wine, so there was no further embarrassment.
He Ning looked at her two daughters but chose not to press the matter further. Instead, she remembered something else. "Xiao Dong called yesterday about studying abroad in the USA. Xiao Su, did you not get the arrangements sorted out?"
Lin Su was momentarily taken aback by the question but nodded. "Mom, I don't really want to send him abroad."
Lin Lan looked puzzled. "Why not? So many people are dying to go to the USA these days. Sis, you know, I think Xiao Dong and Xiao Xing should definitely study abroad. I've got the political side covered for our family, so they should focus on education."
He Ning interrupted her daughter's musings and tightened her grip on Lin Su's hand. "I was going to say, if you don't think it's suitable, then leave it. Don't put yourself out over this. If Xiao Dong really wants to study in the USA, he can apply on his own. After all, he's a graduate student at Peking University. If he can't even handle the process himself, what's the point?"
Lin Lan's eyes gleamed, and she interjected, "He can definitely apply on his own, but I think what he really wants is to go with that girl, Bai Lande, and that's why he's asking Sis for help. She's at Beijing University of Technology—far worse than Peking University."
"Her name is Bai Lan, and I think she's a lovely girl," He Ning said, glaring at her younger daughter. "I know what you're thinking. You look down on her because she comes from a working-class family. How would you feel if the Qin family had treated you the same way?"
"Of course I'd look down on someone like that. If people look down on me, I'll do the same to others. Why should I be the only one to suffer... Ah! Mom, if you hit me again, I'll hit Sis!"
He Ning sighed in frustration. "You're so shallow."
"I'm proud of it," Lin Lan said, leaning back before turning to her sister. "Sis, you don't need to handle Xiao Dong's study abroad thing at all. If he goes, it'll be the perfect chance for him to dump that girl and find someone better."
Lin Su nodded quietly, listening as her mother and sister continued to bicker.
Both of them seemed to have misunderstood or overlooked what she had said earlier. It wasn't that she couldn't help her brother study abroad; it was that she didn't want to.
She really didn't want him to go.
It all came back to that certain someone.
That man seemed to enjoy helping people gain U.S. citizenship. Just like her and Chen Qing. Just like the girls in the National Style Art Troupe. Just like the high-IQ children he had recently scouted from across China.
For many Chinese people, this was a dream come true.
After all, it was America.
In the minds of many, it was heaven on earth.
And yet, just as she couldn't quite grasp the reasons behind his high-profile visit to China, Lin Su couldn't understand why he took such pleasure in doing this either.
But there was one thing she was sure of.
His motives weren't entirely pure. She had once overheard Chen Qing discussing the progress of the National Style Art Troupe girls' immigration process, and as Simon had commented, she had noticed a fleeting hint of sarcasm at the corner of his mouth. That subtle trace of disdain had pierced her heart like a dagger.
He's a jerk.
This was something she had always known. A man like him wasn't capable of doing good deeds out of the kindness of his heart.
She had no way out now.
But, since this was something he seemed to enjoy, she had to resist in her own small way. At least when it came to her family, she couldn't let him get his way.
Still, what should she do?
Her brother Lin Dong was about to graduate with a master's degree from Peking University. With the school's high study-abroad rate, he could easily go abroad without her help. Her sister had guessed correctly—Lin Dong likely wanted her assistance to help his girlfriend, Bai Lan, study abroad as well.
But Lin Su really didn't want to go through with it.
In fact, she was a little envious of Chen Qing.
Chen Qing was far more decisive than she was. When her sister-in-law began causing trouble, trying to ruin her brother's marriage, Chen Qing's father had intervened. But even after her plan was thwarted, Chen Qing had taken matters into her own hands, offering her sister-in-law 100,000 yuan to have a child and turning her into little more than a baby machine.
That woman would probably spend the rest of her life focused on having babies.
There was also the supermarket Chen Qing had set up for her brother, done on a loan basis with clear terms. If the business failed, so be it. But if it succeeded, the profits would be used to repay Chen Qing's initial investment.
Lin Su knew this was how mature adults should handle things. Even with family, keeping things clear ensured that relationships lasted longer.
But she couldn't bring herself to do it.
To help her sister stand strong in her marriage, Lin Su had bought her the best house in Hangzhou as a wedding gift. Now she was giving her a car too. It was as if she were acting as both a mother and a sister.
Even with her brother.
When Lin Dong called home, it was clear he wanted their parents to persuade her to help.
Though her mother hadn't done that and had even advised her not to trouble herself, Lin Su knew that if her brother came to her directly, she wouldn't be able to refuse.
Even though she didn't want that man to get his way, she'd probably end up helping.
The only question was, if he found out about it, would he flash that infuriating, sarcastic smile again?
As she boarded the plane to Beijing, Lin Su was still grappling with the issue.
She was dying to know what he found so amusing.
Was it people like them, leaving their homeland behind?
No, it wasn't that.
She could tell that he didn't look down on them with contempt in his day-to-day interactions.
So, what was it?
She was curious but had no intention of asking him directly.
Because she knew she wouldn't get an answer, or worse, she'd get an answer she didn't want to hear. In the end, this mystery, like so many others surrounding him, would remain unresolved.
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