Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire
Chapter 239 - Chapter 239 Chapter 228 Vacation

Chapter 239: Chapter 228 Vacation Chapter 239: Chapter 228 Vacation Helping to find buyers wasn’t a big deal, so Su Heyuan naturally wouldn’t refuse. He smiled and said, “I’m going back to the Forty-nine City next Thursday for the New Year’s. I’ll ask around for you when I get back. If Clivia is as popular as you say, those guys will definitely scramble to get their hands on it.”

“You’re going back for the New Year this year?”

Su Heyuan nodded and said, “My grandma and my mom are both there. Last year, we had just reconnected, and my grandpa wanted us to stay in Hong Kong for New Year’s, so we had no choice. But this year, I definitely have to go back. Why, aren’t you going back for the New Year?”

Lu Jiaxin hadn’t even considered going back; she said with a laugh, “There’s nobody there that I’m particularly missing. I’ll go back for Tomb-Sweeping Day to pay my respects at the graves.”

Going back to handle some business was one thing, but going back for New Year’s holiday? Then everyone would start urging her to reconcile with Lu Hongjun–it would be nothing but discomfort for herself.

“Then where are you going for the New Year? Your aunt is definitely going back to the He family old house for the New Year. Don’t tell me you’re planning to spend it with the He family?”

Lu Jiaxin thought his question was rather silly. She replied, “I messed up He Hanxuan’s marriage arrangement with Councilor Chen’s daughter, and He Yanyan despises me. Going to the He family for New Year’s would only make things awkward for me.”

“So you’re going to spend the New Year alone at home?”

Lu Jiaxin thought the question was quite foolish. “Having a holiday and staying at home would be such a waste of good time. I’m planning on Hawaii; I’ll take a flight the day after tomorrow and come back in half a month.”

She had initially wanted to go to Venice, but it was still quite cold there. Her health wasn’t great, and she was very sensitive to the cold. She’d delay the trip to Venice for a couple of years, or until the weather warmed up a bit.

This answer really surprised Su Heyuan: “I thought you would be taking extra classes during the winter break as well. It’s good to balance work and relaxation; you’re doing the right thing.”

During her studies, she indeed planned to vacation abroad during the winter and summer holidays. And once she graduated and found herself with free time or needing relaxation, she would travel. She was determined not to live a life like the one before, with endless work, overtime, and early death due to illness.

The two then talked about some of the development projects in Hong Kong and also discussed the Mainland’s policies. Su Heyuan said, “The Mainland is giving a lot of support to exported goods. The clothes we had manufactured by the processing factory even got some tax rebated last month. Jiaxin, I think the profit from exporting apparel is considerable.”

Contracting Mainland factories to manufacture clothes greatly reduced costs. The brand might not have the reputation of the old garment factories, but the cost-performance ratio of their clothes was the highest, leading to an increase in orders.

Lu Jiaxin nodded and said, “If you think exporting trade is profitable, then go for it.”

Making money from export trade was indeed more lucrative due to cheaper domestic labor and national subsidies for exports. But this path could take a relatively long time, though it was a good way to accumulate capital.

“I thought you would object.”

Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, “Why would I object? Not making money when you can is stupid. But since the company doesn’t need me anymore, I will step down after the exams.”

She had no intention of stepping down at this point. It was thanks to her that Qirui became known among Hong Kong citizens, and later it skyrocketed to success with her designs. If she were to step down, she would have to receive enough benefits first; it would be too much of a loss otherwise. Even with close brothers, accounts should be clear, and even with a good relationship with Su Heyuan, everything needed to be settled.

Su Heyuan was taken aback: “You’re planning to step down after your exams, why?”

Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, “Your goal is to make money, to make more money, while my goal is to establish my own brand. Neither of us is wrong; our goals are just not aligned.”

“We could also set up our own brand.”

Lu Jiaxin didn’t see how it would be possible for her to agree, “You are taking the path of small profits but quick turnover, while my future brand positioning is mid-to-high end. The two approaches don’t match.”

Taking the low-end route focused on cost-effectiveness without caring about the brand. Now, with over four months left until the public exam, she believed Su Heyuan could wait that long but not any longer. After all, she was the majority shareholder and wasn’t contributing new designs. If they didn’t part ways, the conflicts would only escalate, and they wouldn’t even be able to remain friends in the future.

Su Heyuan said with a smile, “There’s no rush on this, let’s sit down and talk after your exams. I’m going back on the 28th of the twelfth lunar month. Is there anything you need me to bring for you?”

Lu Jiaxin seldom contacted people from the Forty-nine City now. She had nothing to say to the Lu Family members, and people like Second Sister-in-law Lu felt that the call charges were too expensive to justify.

After thinking it over, Lu Jiaxin nodded and said, “I’m going to buy some books, you can help me bring them back when the time comes.”

Three days later, Lu Jiaxin and Gu Wenfeng flew to Hawaii. Her English was fluent, and having lived abroad in a previous life for several years, she adapted well to Hawaii. It was Gu Wenfeng who found it inconvenient due to not speaking English. Suddenly, he was inspired to learn English and even asked Lu Jiaxin for her opinion.

Of course, Lu Jiaxin was one-hundred percent supportive and said with a smile, “Just relax and enjoy your vacation this time, don’t worry about learning English. When we get back, you can find an English teacher to instruct you.”

“Alright, I’ll study hard,” Gu Wenfeng said. Considering the tuition fees, he had to study hard, otherwise, it’d be a waste of money!

He Yanyan had been waiting to thoroughly humiliate Lu Jiaxin but seeing only Gu Xiuxiu and Gu Haifan and no sight of Lu Jiaxin, she asked resentfully, “Carrot Head, where is Lu Jiaxin?”

Gu Haifan didn’t like the nickname she gave him, but he had to bow his head under someone else’s roof, “My cousin went to Hawaii for vacation the day before yesterday.”

He Yanyan was furious that her plan to prank Lu Jiaxin fell through and said disparagingly, “After all the Fourth Great Aunt did for her, arranging a school, buying a house, and gifting jewelry, and she doesn’t stay to keep her company during the New Year but runs off abroad with some man to enjoy herself.”

Gu Haifan was angry upon hearing this and retorted, “Don’t talk nonsense. My cousin went to Hawaii on her own, she didn’t go with any man.”

He Yanyan said disdainfully, “Lu Jiaxin went abroad to have fun and didn’t think of taking you with her, yet you still defend her. You really are a fool.”

Lu Jiaxin had previously asked Gu Haifan if he wanted to go to Hawaii for vacation together, but he had painfully declined because he couldn’t bear to leave Gu Xiuxiu alone. As for Gu Xiuxiu, her poor health meant she couldn’t travel anywhere; any mishap on the way and she might not make it.

Just as Gu Haifan was about to argue back, Aunt Mei shook her head at him, and he remembered how bad-tempered He Yanyan was and that arguing with her could lead to a beating. If things got out of hand and she started hitting him, they would be outnumbered and he would surely end up on the losing side.

Thinking Gu Haifan had taken her words to heart because he kept quiet, He Yanyan felt relieved that they wouldn’t have to worry about them taking the Fourth Great Aunt’s money if they started infighting. Hence, during the New Year period, she always spoke in ambiguous terms.

Since Lu Jiaxin had already made her stance clear and stated that she would not want Gu Xiuxiu’s property, Gu Haifan didn’t believe a word she said.

After another one of He Yanyan’s attempts to instigate trouble, Gu Haifan even told Gu Xiuxiu, “Aunt Grandma, she’s really too wicked.”

Gu Xiuxiu affectionately touched his head and said, “Don’t listen to her nonsense. Your cousin is very filial to me and loves you a lot too.”

Gu Haifan acknowledged this but still didn’t want to stay there any longer, “Aunt, when can we go back?”

“We’ll go back after the New Year.”