NOVEL NEXT Chapter 681: Bait
"Xiao Hui, sit down! I'll pour you a glass of water. Stay for lunch today. Your grandma went to buy some groceries and will be back soon, so we can have something nice for lunch. You rarely come by, and we get along so well, let's spend more time together.
When you have time, come by often. Your aunt likes you."
Liu Huili really got up to make tea.
Fang Xiaohui pursed her lips; she came in ages ago, and only now did they think of making tea!
This kind of hospitality is really something, who knows how the parents teach them at home.
"Aunt, don't trouble yourself. How about this, I'll treat you to lunch outside. I didn't come to your wedding, so let this be my celebration for you."
Fang Xiaohui hadn't planned to stay for lunch here. If Fan Jianguo and Old Mrs. Fan saw her, that would be trouble; she likely wouldn't be able to enjoy the meal.
What kind of impression could she possibly leave with Liu Huili?
Liu Huili hesitated because she usually didn't like going out to eat with her pregnancy, yet it's not often she gets the chance.
Despite having money in his hands, Fan Jianguo usually doesn't like going to restaurants, thinking it's wasteful.
And added to that, the older folks are all thrifty as well.
Even if she wanted to eat at a restaurant, she wouldn't have the chance.
"Aunt, don't trouble yourself. Let's go, let's go now, I'll take you to the International Hotel for a meal; the steaks there are particularly delicious."
The mention of the International Hotel immediately moved Liu Huili; what kind of place is the International Hotel!
She often passed by, filled with envy, watching those well-dressed people come and go, complete with bellboys opening doors for them.
"It's not appropriate for just the two of us to go, perhaps we should wait; maybe your uncle will be back soon."
Fang Xiaohui looked pale, "Aunt, to be honest with you, I don't have a good relationship with my uncle. If he sees me, he'll likely kick me out. I took the chance to come see you while he's not home; after all, I'm also a child of the Jiang family, and no matter what, I hope to have some family."
The Fang family is already like that, if I don't have someone from the Jiang family to call family, it would be too pitiful. Just pity me a little and don't tell uncle I came to see you. Otherwise, with his temper, he would likely come to scold me and suspect me of having ulterior motives."
Liu Huili sighed, and honestly, what Fang Xiaohui worried about might really be true; given Fan Jianguo's temper, it's likely what she's worried about.
But looking at Fang Xiaohui now, she's not an unthoughtful child, and regardless, who is right or wrong, she hasn't seen it firsthand, so she can't comment.
But it doesn't prevent her from associating with Fang Xiaohui; Fang Xiaohui is quite capable too.
There's no harm in the two of them having a relationship.
"Alright, the two of us will go and not tell them. Don't worry, your aunt certainly won't tell your uncle. This will be our secret."
Fang Xiaohui immediately beamed with a smile. The two left together.
They enjoyed a lavish meal at the International Hotel.
Fang Xiaohui felt her heart bleeding.
There was no choice but to show generosity by bringing Liu Huili to this International Hotel, where they found a secluded private room, and of course letting her choose the dishes.
The issue was that Liu Huili had no sense of restraint and opted for the expensive choices.
The restaurant offered not just steaks, but also pricier items like lobsters and crabs.
Seafood here has expensive prices without an upper limit.
So, alongside steaks, they ordered a lobster, plus various other dishes.
Fang Xiaohui calculated that the meal would certainly cost her a lot, at least 300 yuan.
But she had to spend the 300 yuan, needing to take a chance despite the risk.
Fang Xiaohui gritted her teeth and smiled welcomingly, pretending to be nonchalant.
Liu Huili was thoroughly enjoying the meal for sure, realizing the uniqueness of the International Hotel.
The service staff's attitude was really gracious, and everyone behaved with genteel manners.
Additionally, she had already looked at the menu earlier, realizing how expensive everything was, with one dish equating to a month's salary of a regular worker.
If it were her paying, she'd be reluctant; secretly calculated that this meal cost at least 300-400 yuan.
But seeing Fang Xiaohui with an unchanged expression, remaining calm as if the dishes don't cost anything, she was still chatting and laughing, showing no concern.
Liu Huili became increasingly certain that Fang Xiaohui definitely had a way to make money.
After finishing their meal, they idly chatted over coffee.
"Xiao Hui, from the moment your aunt met you, it was truly a feeling of familiarity."
Fang Xiaohui smiled slightly; she had become accustomed to Liu Huili's tactics.
"Aunt, I feel the same; seeing you gives me a special, friendly feeling."
"Xiao Hui, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with."
Liu Huili finally couldn't hold back because she couldn't wait any longer; in three months, she would have a child.
Once the child is born, she wouldn't be able to manage the store's affairs, unable to juggle things financially, and the money would inevitably become exposed.
If Fan Jianguo found out, given his temper, who knows what might happen!
She's about to give birth after all.
"Aunt, don't mention it; if I can help, I definitely will. We're family, after all; no matter what, I share the same blood as Uncle."
"Xiao Hui! Your aunt knows you have connections to earn money; can your aunt invest some money there? Help your aunt navigate the opportunities, your aunt wants to earn a little too; speaking from the heart, your family faces difficulties, with elderly and young needing money everywhere, but after marrying your uncle, I can't always depend on your uncle for money.
You know your uncle's temper; talking about money leads us to argue. I've been thinking if I could earn a bit myself to support the family."
Liu Huili looked at Fang Xiaohui expectantly, hoping she would agree.
Hearing this, Fang Xiaohui showed a troubled expression.
"Aunt, it's not that I don't want to help, but it's a bit difficult."
Liu Huili's expression changed, clearly indicating she didn't want to help; wanting to earn alone without assisting relatives.
But she wasn't ready to give up.
"What difficulties are there?"
Fang Xiaohui sighed, "Aunt, my friend specializes in import-export business, making a profit from the middle margin, but you know this kind of business requires significant capital. I invested with him because we have mutual connections.
His investment requires a minimum of 60,000 yuan. The more you invest, the more you earn, and there's a time factor as well, because financial returns only come after goods are imported and sold, the funds circulate back, it takes at least three months to recover costs.
I cobbled together 60,000 yuan with great difficulty to send to him. Aunt, you need to consider carefully such a large amount."