Chapter 9
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Li Shanshan did not seek confirmation from Xiang Hui about her suspicions; only one thought occupied her mind: she must keep the secret of her reincarnation well hidden! Fortunately, she was only working as a translator and running a small stall. Her figure and looks had not yet returned to their peak, so she was not too conspicuous and had never expressed any extraordinary opinions.
On the other hand, Xiang Hui was quite eloquent.
Back at the Ronghua Hotel, Li Shanshan and several other translators accompanied the leaders in seeing off Xiang Hui and his entourage as they checked into the presidential suite. They inevitably stayed for a short while, listening to discussions about the current economic situation.
Xiang Hui spoke at length, expressing optimism about the mainland market.
The leaders, having heard Li Shanshan’s translation, were naturally pleased. “Thank you, Mr. Xiang, for your confidence. We sincerely look forward to the arrival of Qilin Technology. Though Fengcheng is not a coastal city and less accessible for trade, it enjoys a superior geographical location, developed transportation, and a population exceeding ten million. Whether it’s land or labor costs, compared to Guangzhou or Shenzhen, it’s much cheaper. These are definite advantages.”
Xiang Hui’s expression was arrogant. “I will consider it carefully.”
He raised his tea cup and brushed his lips against it.
The leaders smiled and stood. “Please, Mr. Xiang and esteemed guests, take some rest. We will hold a banquet here at seven o’clock tonight; all guests are kindly requested to attend.”
Xiang Hui immediately promised punctual attendance. “Miss Shanshan will come too, right?”
The topic suddenly turned to her. Li Shanshan widened her eyes. As an eighteen-year-old girl, she had to play the part of being flattered.
“Of course,” the leader replied with a smile, “Xiao Li’s English skills are excellent, and as a core translator, she naturally cannot be absent.”
Li Shanshan parted her lips, but only managed a modest smile—shy yet excited.
Wu Yue soon received instructions from above. During the break before the banquet, she personally took Li Shanshan to the department store to buy an elegant dress and designer high heels.
Li Shanshan was tall and chose heels no higher than three centimeters—that was sufficient.
Wu Yue picked out a red velvet dress, vivid and bright, but Li Shanshan found it too flashy and instead chose a simple, elegant black dress.
Long sleeves, a small round neck—very conservative.
Paired with matching leather shoes, it enhanced her tall figure and refined aura.
“So beautiful! Shanshan, people from Hong Kong look down on us mainlanders, thinking we’re poor, backward, and ignorant. Tonight, make a good impression and show them that Fengcheng isn’t full of bumpkins; there are shining pearls here too,” Wu Yue stressed the importance of this. Then she asked, “Shanshan, do you know how to ballroom dance?”
She had forgotten to ask earlier.
If not, she would find someone to teach her while there was still time.
Li Shanshan chuckled softly. “Yes, don’t worry.”
It was a piece of cake for her!
Zhou Yuqi loved pulling her onto the dance floor at night. Their home had a ballroom, and naturally, she had practiced until she was skilled. No one failed to praise her at social events.
Wu Yue was reassured and offered her high-end cosmetics. “Let me do your makeup and make you look more mature.”
Li Shanshan smiled and politely declined. “I’m just a translator. I don’t need to be flashy.”
She insisted on attending with a bare face.
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Her features were flawless, but her skin had not fully recovered—it was not quite fair, and she still had baby fat. Moreover, she had cut thick bangs just above her eyebrows and styled two braided pigtails, making her appear particularly young.
Even so, she was stunning enough to captivate everyone’s attention.
Many local political and business elites were invited to the banquet, and soon she was surrounded by suitors vying for her attention.
Upon learning she was a high school student working as a translator to earn tuition, some withdrew, while others became even more eager.
When Xiang Hui entered with his group and saw this scene, his eyes flickered. He lifted his chin and said to the leader in charge of investment promotion, who was proficient in English, “Fengcheng truly is a land of talents. Miss Li Shanshan is both beautiful and talented, unmatched by anyone. May I have the honor of inviting Miss Li to open the dance tonight?”
An aide immediately called Li Shanshan over.
Dancing was a normal part of socializing, and Li Shanshan was prepared for this. She approached Xiang Hui and company, blinked her large eyes, and feigned great excitement. “It’s my honor to dance with Mr. Xiang.”
She wanted to observe closely whether Xiang Hui was also a reincarnated soul.
If so, she would have to be cautious.
As a public figure, Xiang Hui’s behavior was acceptable—no inappropriate touching, and his dancing was standard. However, he talked excessively and abruptly asked, “Miss Shanshan, have you considered developing your career in Hong Kong?”
Li Shanshan was momentarily stunned. “Hong Kong?”
“Yes, Hong Kong is more prosperous and flourishing compared to the mainland, with greater opportunities. If you’re willing, I can make you the most popular female star in all of Hong Kong!” Xiang Hui did not hide his amazement. “At eighteen, you are in your prime. The entertainment industry offers great potential.”
Li Shanshan inwardly scoffed.
He even knew the fake age she had announced in her previous life.
She was certain she had never mentioned her age in front of him since his arrival.
“Mr. Xiang, please don’t joke. I have to take the college entrance exam next year! I’m just working to pay tuition and will return to school soon.” Li Shanshan had never intended to enter the entertainment industry, a cesspool of chaos, based on her looks alone.
There were many ways to earn money. Although running a stall did not bring in much, it was steady and honest.
She knew the world of the wealthy too well.
It was far more chaotic and sordid than outsiders imagined. Most news reports were sanitized.
Xiang Hui was dismissive. “The college entrance exam isn’t important. What matters is seizing the opportunity. You’re so beautiful. If you debuted in Hong Kong, a single commercial shoot could earn you enough to buy a house in Fengcheng. Top stars make tens of millions annually. The mainland’s economy is developing rapidly; housing prices will rise. It’s better to buy early and enjoy the dividends.”
Li Shanshan asked curiously, “Housing prices will rise?”
“Definitely. Hong Kong is an example. Since 1991, prices have tripled or quadrupled. If we trace back to the 1970s and ’80s, the increase was even more dramatic.” Xiang Hui spoke persuasively as he paced. “If you go to Hong Kong, you’ll see that as a star, life will be colorful and you could soon afford a mansion on The Peak!”
“What’s a mansion on The Peak? A house built on the mountaintop?” Li Shanshan played the naïve young girl.
Xiang Hui nodded. “Exactly. The most expensive residential area in Hong Kong is on Victoria Peak.”
“How much does that cost?” she pressed.
“The cheapest is over a hundred million.” Xiang Hui delighted in seeing her eyes widen in shock, sparkling as if they could speak. “But prices will drop next year. The coming years will be a good time to buy.”
Li Shanshan’s heart stirred. “How do you know? The handover is next year—how could prices fall?”
He was too certain, clearly aware of the future trend.
Xiang Hui quickly explained, “What rises must fall. Hong Kong’s housing prices have surged too aggressively in recent years. After years of growth, a correction will occur, followed by a rebound. The mainland is the same; prices won’t only rise forever. But in the long run, buying property is profitable.”
Li Shanshan felt Xiang Hui had revealed another clue.
Hong Kong locals never said “housing prices”; they said “property prices” or “buying flats.”
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Li Shanshan concealed her thoughts and replied with a humble expression, “My family is very poor. We’ve never owned a house, so I didn’t know these rules. Mr. Xiang, your words are worth more than ten years of study. When I earn money, buying a house will be my first priority.”
The first dance ended.
A senior executive from Qilin Technology was waiting to invite Li Shanshan for the second dance, so Xiang Hui had to rest.
This executive was a foreigner—brown hair, blue eyes, fair skin, tall stature. At 1.7 meters with three-centimeter heels, Li Shanshan didn’t seem much shorter than when dancing with Xiang Hui, but next to this man named John, she seemed particularly delicate and graceful.
Compared to Xiang Hui, John gave a gentler impression.
He smiled warmly and reminded Li Shanshan, “Xiang is our chairman’s husband and has a somewhat childish personality. If he says anything inappropriate to you, please forgive him.”
Li Shanshan was innocent. “Mr. Xiang didn’t say anything inappropriate!”
After a brief pause, she continued, “I know Mr. Xiang is Mrs. Yang Hailin’s husband. The information about Qilin Technology mentions they have two sons and two daughters. They must be very happy! I admire Mrs. Yang greatly for managing a big company like a man. It’s a pity she couldn’t come; I missed the chance to meet her.”
John nodded. “Josephine is very capable—sharp-eyed and decisive. None of her investments have failed in recent years.”
His words were full of praise.
“Impressive!” Li Shanshan expressed great admiration.
Yet she did not believe John.
Yang Hailin was indeed capable, but no one wins every battle in business.
She had heard in her previous life that Mrs. Yang had experienced failures—more than once.
No business tycoon, not even the world’s richest, achieves 100% returns. Why would John say otherwise?
Yang Hailin was thirty-six this year. Had she really never lost since entering business?
Was Xiang Hui helping her?
If Xiang Hui was truly a reincarnated soul, he would surely know which industries were good investments and which were not.
Yang Hailin hadn’t dated Mao Yixuan in high school, only getting involved with Xiang Hui in university, then marrying him after graduation. Her high school years were a blank, and Zhou Yuqi had become a mere background figure. This was very strange.
Li Shanshan had many questions yet to be answered.
Fortunately, their circle was far removed from her life and had no impact on her. There was no need to investigate thoroughly.
Five days would pass quickly enough.
Li Shanshan danced attentively all evening until she was nearly exhausted. After the banquet, the first thing she did upon returning to her room was take a shower. To her surprise, upon stepping out, she saw Xiang Hui’s personal assistant speaking with Xu Huihui.
The assistant was a woman surnamed Wang, under thirty, quite pretty.
Dressed in typical Hong Kong style, exuding an elite aura.
She saw Li Shanshan and said, “Miss Li, on behalf of Mr. Xiang, I am delivering a gift and inviting you to join him for morning tea tomorrow. Please do attend.”
She opened a box revealing a deep green jadeite.
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