Against the Light - Chapter 116
Chapter 116: The Beautiful Sister
Let's turn our attention to Ming Zhen. After slipping out of the building through a side door, she sat in her car, pondering how to secure a sponsorship.
Getting a sponsorship from her own family was no problem, but jewelry was the Xue family's main business. She had to be careful with this sort of thing, lest she accidentally approach that Auntie Xue.
She had her assistant get her a list of high-end jewelry brands unaffiliated with the Xue family, then began to sift through it carefully.
"This 'Ming Xin' seems to have been developing quite well these past two years."
"Yes, they do high-end custom jewelry. Their main focus is on couples' jewelry, and each piece is one-of-a-kind—a person can only ever buy one. So, many couples, in order to test if their other half is truly faithful, will bring their partner to buy Ming Xin jewelry. If one of them is already on record and barred from purchasing, the scene is quite a spectacle," the assistant said with a laugh.
Ming Zhen nodded. "What's this company's relationship with the Xue family?"
"The owner has a strong backbone. The Xue family has been trying to incorporate it into their own company as a subsidiary brand, but she has never agreed."
"The Xue family is that domineering?" Ming Zhen raised an eyebrow, immediately feeling indignant on the owner's behalf. Why should you have to become a subsidiary just because they've taken a liking to you? Trash!
"Pull up the file on this owner for me," Ming Zhen said. Then she took out her phone and called her mother. She knew her mom was privy to a lot of industry inside information, a skill she herself lacked. So for something like investigating someone, she had to ask her mother.
That afternoon, brimming with confidence, Ming Zhen headed straight for a Ming Xin branch store.
She had already inquired with her mother and learned that the owner of Ming Xin would be stopping by the branch this afternoon. This was a golden opportunity.
The assistant parked the car and pointed toward the storefront.
Ming Zhen had rarely interacted with people from the business world before and felt a little apprehensive. Thankfully, they weren't meeting in a formal, serious place like an office.
Ming Zhen took a deep breath and entered the store. She glanced around. The shop was spacious, with two floors. As soon as a staff member saw her enter, they immediately came over to greet her warmly.
"Is your boss here?" Ming Zhen asked calmly.
"Yes. May I ask who you are?"
"Ming Zhen."
Even if the staff had never seen Ming Zhen, they knew the Ming family had a second daughter. Their attitude immediately became respectful.
"This way, Miss Ming. Our boss is waiting for you in the meeting room."
Ming Zhen nodded slightly. Waiting for me? Did Mom give her a heads-up?
Lost in thought, she arrived outside the meeting room.
The meeting room was a glass partition. Ming Zhen was tall, so she could just see inside over the top of the frosted film on the glass.
Ming Zhen's steps faltered. She found herself staring at the woman sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed, engrossed in a document. Wavy, chestnut-brown hair cascaded down her right side, and a wine-red woolen suit accentuated her curvaceous figure. Even while sitting, her stomach was completely flat without a hint of fat! Her slender ankles revealed her fair skin.
Her hands were absolutely gorgeous—fair and delicate, with long, slender fingers that were currently pinching the edge of a page.
A staff member knocked gently on the door, and the person inside looked up.
The moment their eyes met, Ming Zhen silently took a deep breath. It felt as if that one glance had seen right through her. Those eyes were clear and profound, holding a fatal attraction for her that made it impossible to look away. Her nose was delicate and defined, and her rose-red lips glistened faintly.
!!!
This is killing me!
How could this woman have such a cool and detached aura? It was just too captivating!
"Come in," she said lightly. Her voice was clear, with a faint trace of gentleness that struck Ming Zhen right in the heart.
Ming Zhen took another breath, lifted her foot, and took a step back. "Sorry, I forgot something. Could you wait a moment?" With that, she turned and walked away, constantly telling herself to stay calm and not let anyone see that she was fleeing in a panic!
"Huh? This…" The staff member was stunned and looked back at the person in the room.
The woman watched Ming Zhen's retreating back, an unintentional smile playing on her lips. Even the staff member couldn't help but gasp and dared not look any longer.
Outside the store, Ming Zhen's assistant stared blankly at the entrance, watching as her boss strode out, pulled open the car door, and got in, all in one smooth motion.
"Boss, that was fast. You weren't even in there for two minutes."
"You-you-you, let me see that, that file on the Ming Xin owner again." Ming Zhen unconsciously slurped back some drool, her words stumbling.
The young assistant quickly handed it over.
"Jiang Ming, thirty-four years old. Hmm, no wonder she has the elegant and intellectual charm of a mature woman. Women at this age are the most captivating."
"???" The young assistant listened with a look of utter confusion. Weren't you going in to talk business!?
"Alright, I get it." Ming Zhen closed the file. This time, she was fully prepared!
She straightened her clothes, touched up her makeup, and only then set off again.
After entering the store, Ming Zhen smiled calmly at the same staff member from before, then walked with practiced ease to the meeting room. Ahhh, is this woman a siren? How can she be so enchanting!!
Forcing herself to remain calm, Ming Zhen raised her hand and knocked on the door.
The person inside looked up again and nodded at her.
Ming Zhen smiled slightly and pushed the door open to enter.
"Hello, President Jiang. I'm Ming Zhen." Ming Zhen walked over and proactively extended her hand for a handshake.
The woman paused for a moment, glanced at her hand, but didn't shake it. Instead, she placed the document aside and gestured to the seat opposite her. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Ming Zhen froze, awkwardly retracting her hand. Maintaining a smile, she sat down gracefully.
"I am indeed visiting today because there is a matter I'd like to discuss with you, President Jiang."
"Does President Jiang know of Heart Entertainment?"
"I've heard of it."
Ming Zhen nodded, then explained that Heart Entertainment wanted to produce a cross-industry fashion show program and needed sponsorship.
"The artists participating in this variety show are all accomplished in their respective fields. I don't need to elaborate on their commercial value, do I? They already have huge fan bases, and their influence is not to be underestimated."
"Your idea is not bad."
Hearing this, Ming Zhen's heart leaped with joy, and a faint smile appeared on her face.
"However, why don't you approach the Xue family? Their brands are bigger and more well-known. As you said, the mutual promotion would surely create a win-win situation."
Ming Zhen took a breath, momentarily speechless. She couldn't just tell the truth—that she simply disliked that old auntie from the Xue family…
"You should be aware that the relationship between the Ming and Xue families is… rather delicate." Ming Zhen's mind raced, and she could only use the two families' rivalry as an explanation.
The person opposite her nodded. "Alright, I agree to it."
Ming Zhen was surprised. She hadn't expected it to go so smoothly! This woman was so straightforward; her personality was completely to Ming Zhen's liking!
"In that case, President Jiang, I'd like to make your acquaintance as a friend. Would it be possible to exchange contact information?" Ming Zhen asked with a hint of anticipation.
The other woman hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright."
"Then may I treat you to a meal? To celebrate our successful collaboration?" Ming Zhen immediately seized the opportunity.
"I don't like eating at restaurants. I'm getting older, and my stomach isn't what it used to be."
Ming Zhen froze, then after a moment, gave a relaxed smile. "You're too modest. In that case, how about I cook a meal for you myself someday?"
"Okay."
Looking at the other woman's gentle smile, Ming Zhen's heart pounded. "Great, it's a deal then!"
Now that business was concluded, Ming Zhen felt it would be rude to linger. She couldn't help but steal a few more glances at the beautiful woman. "Well then, President Jiang, I won't keep you. We can discuss the follow-up details over the phone?"
"Alright."
After leaving the shop, Ming Zhen was practically humming a tune. She was overjoyed. Not only had she settled the matter, but she had also scouted out an absolute beauty! Life was as exhilarating as using a cheat code in a game!
Sitting in the car, she called Gu Xinran to inform her that the jewelry sponsorship was secured and told her to start looking into the Ming Xin brand and the subsequent arrangements.
Then, she urged her assistant to drive home quickly.
"Mom! I'm back!" Ming Zhen called out as soon as she entered the house.
The maids heard her and came downstairs, helping her hang up her coat and bag and bringing her some loungewear.
She thanked them and headed straight for her mother's bedroom on the second floor. Just as she was about to enter, she heard her mother on the phone. She only caught a hurried phrase, something like, "Don't play coy after getting what you wanted…"
Ming Zhen knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Mom, who were you on the phone with just now?" Ming Zhen entered the room, scanned it, and fixed her gaze on her mother's face.
Ming Wei chuckled, looking at her precious daughter who was practically her spitting image. "Who else could it be? Your future…"
"Stop. I am, once again, seriously and formally informing you that I will not marry that old woman. Furthermore, I have already found my ideal partner. She's young, beautiful, and has a sweet voice, and she's a good match for our family."
Ming Wei was taken aback. "Huh?"
"Ah," Ming Zhen nodded.
"It's the owner of Ming Xin!"
Ming Wei was stunned again. She pursed her lips. "The owner… of Ming Xin?"
"Yes, her name is Jiang Ming. I just met her, tsk~~~"
"Hey, talk, but don't drool."
"Ahem, this President Jiang is also a capable person. She founded the Ming Xin brand single-handedly. Although the brand isn't as famous as the Xue family's yet, we've already reached a collaboration. I believe that once our show airs, the Ming Xin brand will become a household name!"
Ming Wei frowned deeply, seemingly lost in thought.
"Mom, honestly, without Auntie Qing at the helm, Wei Yi is nothing to be afraid of. Xinran's Heart Entertainment has already declared war on Wei Yi, and I've joined forces with her. As long as we can take down Wei Yi, what's the point of a marriage alliance? Can you really bear to marry your precious daughter off to an old auntie who's about the same age as you!"
"Don't be ridiculous. She's only a dozen or so years older than you."
"?? Can you hear yourself? Is that something a… a mother should say! You're clearly trying to sell your daughter! I won't do it! I refuse!"
"But I've met Jiang Ming. Is she really as good as you say?"
"Good heavens, she's not good enough?! If she's not beautiful, then is Auntie Xue beautiful? You're really getting old. Our aesthetic tastes are no longer on the same level. I can't get through to you. Marriage is a serious matter, and I absolutely cannot listen to you on this."
"Then what if you make your own decision and end up regretting it?"
"I'll swallow my own broken teeth and never blame you!"
"Fine, then I won't interfere anymore. Go ahead and do as you please."
Ming Zhen had been preparing to argue her case, so she was stunned when her mother suddenly relented. A moment later, she excitedly threw herself into her mother's arms, hugging her waist and showering her with affection!
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