Chapter 279: Having Selfish Reasons, Too

Shen Nian had initially thought the Zhuo Family might try to negotiate the price down. After all, a forty-percent stake was by no means a small amount.

She never expected Zhuo Jiangtao to say that, which instantly improved her impression of the Zhuo Family and made her even more confident about their partnership.

"You’re right, Uncle Zhuo. But if the factory’s turnaround is successful, I stand to make a killing! Besides, I enjoy a challenge. Otherwise, I could have just chosen to partner with a larger, more stable clothing factory!"

If her trip to the provincial capital hadn’t gone so smoothly, she might have actually sold her designs just to raise the money for the farm as quickly as possible.

But now, without the pressure of needing to fund the farm, she would naturally choose the best form of partnership.

"Good! It’s great to see such drive in a young person. In that case, here’s to a successful partnership! The future belongs to your generation, after all!"

"To a successful partnership! And Uncle Zhuo, you’re still very much in your prime!"

"HAHAHA, well said! This is the contract I brought with me. Please take a look and see if you have any issues with it."

It was clear the Zhuo Family was genuinely committed to this partnership. Besides, the Zhuo Family Clothing Factory’s situation was truly not good—otherwise, how could they part with a forty-percent stake so easily?

"The content of the contract is fine, but regarding the share arrangement, let’s put thirty percent of the forty-percent stake in my name, and the other ten percent in Xinyue’s name."

Lu Xinyue had, of course, come along with Shen Nian. She thought she was just there for moral support and was actually still thinking about studying fashion design in the future.

And then, all of a sudden, she heard Shen Nian say she was going to give her a ten-percent stake!

"Shen Nian, I..."

"Xinyue, we can talk about this after we get back. Uncle Zhuo, let’s go with that. We’ll sign the contract once it’s revised."

"Of course, of course. I’ll arrange for the contract to be revised immediately."

All the Zhuo Family cared about was partnering with Shen Nian. How she wanted to distribute that forty-percent stake was her own prerogative.

Still, seeing Shen Nian be so good to her sister-in-law, giving away a ten-percent stake just like that, they were happy for their daughter’s good friend. She had really found a wonderful sister-in-law!

*

"Shen Nian, why did that ten-percent stake have to be in my name? It’s all yours!"

On the way home, Lu Xinyue couldn’t wait to ask. Even though the Zhuo Family Clothing Factory wasn’t doing well right now, she had understood perfectly: if the factory’s turnaround was successful, those shares would be worth a lot of money! ’How could Shen Nian just give them to me unconditionally?’

"Don’t overthink it, it’s not being given to you unconditionally! I’m waiting for you to master fashion design so you can come work for the company! Besides, if you really feel that awkward about it, just consider it part of the dowry your brother and I are preparing for you!"

As she said the last part, Shen Nian leaned in and whispered it into Lu Xinyue’s ear with a smile.

At the word "dowry," Lu Xinyue’s face instantly flushed red, and she was too flustered to ask any more about the shares.

"Shen Nian, what are you talking about, a dowry? You’re so mean! I’m not talking to you anymore!"

With that, Lu Xinyue ran off toward home, leaving Shen Nian behind. Shen Nian just smiled and hurried to catch up.

"Not talking to me? If you ignore me, that dowry might just disappear, you know?"

After getting home, Shen Nian told Father Lu and Mrs. Lu about her partnership with the Zhuo Family. After all, she and Lu Xinyue had been busy for the past few days, and she figured her in-laws must have had their questions.

And Lu Xinyue quickly chimed in, telling them how Shen Nian had given her a large portion of the shares.

Father Lu and Mrs. Lu were still trying to process the fact that their daughter-in-law had pulled off yet another incredible feat when they were stunned by what their own daughter added.

"Xiao Nian, those shares are rightfully yours. How could you give them to Xinyue?"

Lu Shaoping was the first to react, looking at Shen Nian as he spoke.

Shen Nian smiled. Of course, she had her own reasons for doing it.