Chapter 41: Conspiracy

When I heard Luo Dingguo say this, a chill ran through my heart. He explained that someone had already spoken to the Mingzhou foreign trade companies about Jin Yulian’s batch of export goods, so none of them dared to take it. Even if a company was interested, they would drive the price down to the bare minimum.

At this moment, I was certain someone had deliberately set a trap for Jin Yulian, and whoever orchestrated it possessed considerable influence—at least enough to sway all of Mingzhou. Who could it be? My first instinct pointed to the Qian family, especially Qian Duobao. Not only did they covet Jin Yulian herself, but they also had their eyes on the land her family’s company owned.

Unable to hold back, I asked, “President Luo, who told you not to purchase this batch of goods?” Luo Dingguo chuckled, “Young man, all I can tell you is that an old business friend gave me the advice. But my friend was also passing on a favor for someone else, if you get my meaning.”

I nodded, “Understood.” Clearly, Luo Dingguo’s business circle had already spread the word among themselves. Perhaps he didn’t know who was truly behind it, or perhaps he did but would never tell me.

Seeing me fall silent in thought, Luo Dingguo took a sip of tea and said with a smile, “Young man, what’s your relationship with Miss Jin? You’re helping her company move these export goods.”

I thought to myself that Mingzhou’s business world was small. If I told him about my connection to Jin Yulian, soon everyone would know, including Qian Duobao. After all, only she and I knew she was willing to accept me; even her brother was in the dark.

So I replied, “We’re old acquaintances. I was looking for a job and ran into her. She mentioned her company had a large backlog of export products and offered me a generous commission if I could help her sell them.”

Luo Dingguo smiled, “Let me give you some advice: this is money that’s hard to earn, and it’s likely to burn your hands. You might not even get the meat, but you’ll end up covered in trouble.”

I probed, “President Luo, are there really no foreign trade companies in Mingzhou willing to take this batch?”

He laughed, “Mingzhou isn’t that big. A shipment worth ten thousand dollars isn’t small. There aren’t many companies here capable of taking it, and the bosses all know each other. They give each other face. Unless there’s an enormous profit to be made, they won’t risk falling out with one another. If they did, it’d be mutually destructive, and the gain wouldn’t make up for the loss.”

Hearing this, I felt utterly disheartened. There seemed to be no hope in Mingzhou. I couldn’t help but ask, “What about elsewhere, President Luo?”

Luo Dingguo smiled, “The biggest city for foreign trade in China is Shudu, followed by the Northern Capital, then Huadu in the south, and finally Shenshi, also in the south. Mingzhou actually ranks fairly high for exports nationwide, but only Shudu and Huadu have companies big enough to handle a ten-thousand-dollar order.”

As I was unfamiliar with the foreign trade business, I seized the opportunity to ask, “Why not the Northern Capital or Shenshi in the south?”

He grinned, “Simple. Shenshi mainly exports electronics and tech; the Northern Capital is too far away and focuses on machinery. Huadu does export textiles and garments, but it’s also far. The best option is Shudu—close to Mingzhou, just a day’s drive. As the largest export city, Shudu has all kinds of big companies, whether in machinery, electronics, or textiles. But most importantly...”

He didn’t finish, but I understood: whoever could influence Mingzhou’s foreign trade companies couldn’t reach the ones in Shudu. There should be companies there willing to take the goods.

I quickly thanked him, “Thank you, President Luo, your advice has helped me a lot.”

He smiled, “It’s nothing. If you want to try your luck in Shudu, I can introduce you to a company there. I believe they could help.”

Ecstatic, I stood up and bowed deeply. “Thank you, President Luo.”

He gave me a knowing smile. “You must have an unusual relationship with Miss Jin.”

My face flushed slightly. “President Luo, I just think managing such a large business is no easy task for a young woman. Now that she’s in financial trouble, I simply want to help her if I can.”

He laughed, “You’re a thoughtful young man. But I hear she already has a boyfriend, and his family is willing to help her financially. Perhaps you don’t need to worry so much.”

I thought to myself, does he know about Qian Duobao’s intentions to marry Jin Yulian? Feeling awkward, I replied, “President Luo, to be honest, I’m also quite interested in that handsome commission.”

He chuckled, “I know.”

He took out a business card, wrote his name on it, and handed it to me. “If you want to go to Shudu, find my old friend. I’ll give him a discreet heads-up.”

I truly felt Luo Dingguo had been a great help, yet I still lied about my relationship with Jin Yulian. Somewhat ashamed, I said, “President Luo, I’ll always remember your kindness. I’ll take my leave now.”

Seeing that darkness had already fallen, he said, “Would you like to stay for dinner before heading back?”

I smiled, “Your help is more than enough, President Luo. I won’t trouble you further. If I succeed in this venture, I’ll come back to thank you properly.”

He laughed, “Don’t mention it. It was a small favor. Whether you succeed or not depends on your own abilities.”

Seeing how eager I was to leave, he did not press me to stay. He instructed his secretary to see me out. Since it was already late, he told her to drive me to the subway station so I could return to Qingxi County more conveniently.

On the way, I chatted a bit with his secretary and learned her surname was Yang. She looked to be in her thirties, attractive and poised, so I called her Sister Yang. She dropped me off at the subway, and I thanked her before boarding the train back to Qingxi.

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