Age of Legends

Chapter 268 Haze
Although she was pleased with her daughter's growth, pleased that she was becoming more worldly-wise, had someone she liked, and was starting to pursue her own life, Ning Wenjing still felt somewhat resentful. She had actually always thought highly of Pei Yan.

However, Pei Yan's side also has its problems. His family is wealthy, and while people say it's a good match, Ning Wenjing feels her family isn't quite at that level. Pei Yan's parents founded the Taixun Group early on, and by the 1990s, they had become a major taxpayer with profits exceeding 100 million yuan. They were already well-known and prominent entrepreneurs in Rongcheng, and Pei Yan's mother is also very assertive.

Although her husband, Shen Mingbo, was in business, his business was just a small stall in other people's eyes, nothing more. From a social status perspective, they weren't even a good match. At best, they were moderately wealthy; above that, there was great wealth, and above that, the super-rich. They were super-rich.

Moreover, Pei Yan is talented and academically excellent, but his personality is very cold, which is also a problem. If he doesn't particularly like Shen Nuoyi, then it is also a potential problem for the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship. Imagine if he doesn't have a strong personality and his mother is so domineering, how can Pei Yan protect Shen Nuoyi if Shen Nuoyi and his mother clash?

The conflict between Shen Nuoyi and Pei Yan is actually a good time to observe Pei Yan. Zhang Chen's appearance is like a catfish effect, which may make Pei Yan more proactive. If it can help him get rid of his cold personality, that would be a good thing. Moreover, after going through this test, the two will last longer.

However, now Pei Yan is out of the running, and her own daughter has fallen for Zhang Chen!

This incident left Ning Wenjing somewhat bewildered.

To be honest, I have mixed feelings.

She recalled the teasing from her sister and brother-in-law's Qin family members at their gatherings: "If Pei Yan and Shen Nuoyi get together in the future, how much dowry do you think the Pei family will have to offer? Taixun Group made the news this year by giving its employees BMWs as rewards. Will they give you ten cars first in the future?"

"From now on, you and your husband Lao Shen are going to enjoy life! I won't say more, Taixun Group will allocate a few businesses to your brother-in-law, and his business will expand several times over. Becoming a billionaire won't be a problem!"

Although these words were being constantly touted by the Qin family, and she verbally refuted them, she still felt very pleased to hear them.

She wasn't entirely without such thoughts in her heart. Back then, Han Zhouxuan's mother, Qin Chao, was a prominent figure at school. Although she was best friends with her, she could only play a supporting role most of the time, silently envying all the things Han Zhouxuan had and her vibrant personality.

At that time, Ning Wenjing believed that Qin Chao was so fearless and romantic because her family was a high-ranking official and her family had a lot of money to support her.

At that time, as an ordinary person, where would she have the opportunity to try and make mistakes? So she inevitably appeared cautious and timid, just like the general public, only envying Qin Chao like those people.

Qin Chao is now living in the United States, where he reportedly runs several companies, including consulting firms, art auction houses, and financial investment firms. He is quite wealthy and is a legend among his classmates, and even in his high school.

As Qin Chao's best friend in China, not only did Han Zhouxuan and her daughter rekindle the relationship they had when they were young, but Ning Wenjing also considered that Shen Nuoyi might have a very successful future and be able to rival Qin Chao.

Although you are close friends and sisters with revolutionary friendship, you have now started your own families and developed your own careers. But when you are actually in front of someone, don't you lose your confidence because of the huge gap between you and the other person? Even when Lu Xun met the middle-aged Runtu who used to call him "Brother Xun" again, the middle-aged Runtu only dared to call him "Master". This actually speaks to the helplessness of many former friends after experiencing the changes of the world.

"The material base determines the superstructure"—this statement is a seemingly naked yet irrefutable truth.

At least the marriage alliance with the Pei family would genuinely allow Shen Nuoyi to achieve upward social mobility. However, sometimes you have to admit that reality doesn't follow your will.

Ning Wenjing then realized she was overthinking things, even hoping that one day, with the help of Taixun Group, she could have a strong voice in front of her best friend Qin Chao. Now, she felt her thoughts were vulgar and ridiculous, lacking any intellectual awareness, and instead revealing her assimilation into the materialistic reality of society.

Ning Wenjing, you need to reflect on your actions! Your daughter's happiness should be the top priority. Life in a wealthy family isn't necessarily carefree!
Ning Wenjing temporarily put aside her previous fantasies and was now somewhat worried about the realities of life.

In the end, we still have to be down-to-earth and return to reality.

She looked at her husband and asked, "The Pei family has always treated us differently, you should be able to tell that. Have you gotten your export license yet?"

Ning Wenjing's words were quite clear. It now seemed that the Pei family's earliest acquaintance was the Qin family, but ironically, the Pei family had the best relationship with the Shen family, at least in terms of business, and had provided them with a lot of assistance. Now it seemed that there might be other motives behind this.

Ning Wenjing was worried about Shen Mingbo's business.

Shen Mingbo hesitated and said, "I'm already in the process, but it's not easy for a small company like ours. The import quota for the core raw material, glass substrate, is held by large companies like Taixun. They help us import it so that we can produce LCM. We can't get this quota ourselves; we can only find a large company to partner with, and you might not be able to buy it even if you offer more money!"

Ning Wenjing said, "You know Liu Yan. Her husband isn't managing the Taixun Group anymore; she's in charge now. She's very decisive and prioritizes profit. What do you think Liu Yan's reaction will be after what happened with Shen Nuoyi and Pei Yan? Your company's quota was given by the Taixun Group; many people are waiting for it. You didn't bribe any of their executives, so why would they give you the quota? Have you thought about how to deal with any changes that might occur?"

“Actually, I was on a business trip to Shenzhen to handle these matters, and I’m already working on it very hard. When we first started this project, it was Taixun Group that approached us and asked us to do it. They also do procurement, so being part of the procurement chain indirectly reduced their costs. You can’t look at things like that,” Shen Mingbo said, frowning.

"You see it as a cooperative relationship between the two parties. But in reality, from Taixun Group's perspective, you are just a dispensable small supplier. Cutting you off wouldn't be considered a drastic measure, but it's unlikely they'll do it anytime soon. If Liu Yan wants to do it, it will be at least until they establish other suppliers. But this matter can't rely too much on Taixun Group. You need to think about a backup plan as soon as possible."

"I understand, I understand," Shen Mingbo nodded repeatedly.

The couple exchanged another glance, sighed, and Shen Mingbo stepped forward, sitting down on the sofa next to her and taking his wife's hand. Whatever gloom lay ahead, the couple would face it together.

Parents should build a safe haven for their children's happiness in this way.

　Thanks to the patron "Big Hammer Spring" for the encouragement; I still owe two patrons bonus chapters. Remember, the bonus chapters will be long ones.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)