So when she was considering the problem before, she didn't think about anything else. As for what the future would be like, she selectively filtered it out with a princess-like temper. As long as she could leave behind a good memory over the years, why think so much about the rest?
Women can be as capricious as children sometimes, but as her relationship with Chen Xu progressed, she realized that if she did this, what would happen to Chen Xu in the future? Besides, he and Gao Xiaojie... might not be such a bad match.
But should I just give up like this?
She couldn't make this decision. She thought to herself, maybe Chen Xu's hug with Gao Xiaojie was just a friendly hug? She had hugged Chen Xu before, and nothing happened, right?
For the first time, this intelligent woman felt lost.
"That heartless bastard, he didn't even come out to check on things." Guan Yi wiped away her tears outside, feeling sorry for herself for a while. She looked back at the door and saw no movement. She wanted to go back, but she was afraid of seeing something she shouldn't have. After thinking for a moment, she wiped her eyes and walked out of the hospital.
Because he was in a bad mood, Guan Yi walked very fast, wiping away tears as he went, so he wasn't paying much attention to where he was going. When he reached the corner, Guan Yi suddenly felt a pain in his body, as if he had bumped into someone, and then he sat down on the ground with a thud.
Dear reader, this is also because she was in a state of confusion. Otherwise, given this woman's current level and strength, such a sudden collision would not have caused her to lose her balance.
Guan Yi stood up, rubbing her bottom, and then noticed that the woman in front of her was also rubbing her bottom, with tear stains on her face just like her own.
This woman must be in her forties, but she's well-preserved. She looks like she's in her early thirties at most... Of course, women see women differently than men do; no matter how sophisticated a woman's disguise is, she can't fool another woman.
Guan Yi's eyes swept over the woman. Hmm, the woman's top was a new style from last week's Milan Fashion Week, and her skirt was also a recent addition to the Paris Fashion Week collection. The bag she was carrying was a limited edition Brikin, worth three hundred thousand US dollars. Her accessories weren't extravagant; aside from a pair of earrings, she wore almost nothing, appearing elegant and understated. But the watch on her left wrist was definitely no ordinary item… Hmm, a finely crafted Patek Philippe. Guan Yi, with her keen eyesight, noticed the "SK" logo on the watch. A thought flashed through her mind, and her eyes widened immediately. Could it be Sachel Kin? Patek Philippe's top designer; his watches were priceless treasures!
Guan Yi was surprised; how could he have met a rich woman here?
Harmony City isn't a particularly prosperous city; at best, it's a first- or second-tier city in China, far inferior to metropolises like Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen. The wealthy people here aren't considered exceptionally rich by international standards. Some nouveau riche could never afford a top-tier designer watch like a Patek Philippe… because to buy such a watch, besides money, status is even more important.
Guan Yi quickly helped the woman up, mentally prepared to be scolded by the rich woman and then fight back.
But to my surprise, the rich woman got up groaning, muttering, "Ouch, ouch, are you alright, young lady? I'm so sorry, I was thinking about something and wasn't watching where I was going. I hope I didn't hurt you?"
Guan Yi was taken aback. Huh, he didn't lose his temper?
Then she felt relieved. Those who could afford such watches must, in a sense, belong to a "noble" class. Many people misunderstand "nobility," thinking they are rich and heartless, but in reality, many of them are very polite, to the point of being overly courteous.
Of course, there are also scoundrels.
But this woman must be very well-mannered, otherwise, with her dress alone worth $8,888, and the hospital floor so dirty, wouldn't she jump up and start cursing?
But then the rich woman did something that completely baffled Guan Yi. She casually dusted off her bottom and said, "Girl, are you alright?!"
Guan Yi was about to collapse. Would a nobleman say such a thing?!
Chapter 206 The Rich Woman (Part 2)
Guan Yi shook her head, somewhat dazed, and said, "No, it's nothing." Even someone as clever as her was momentarily speechless. Looking at this woman… she didn't seem like a nouveau riche, but her lack of decorum… she wondered where she got that Patek Philippe watch; had she stolen it?
The wealthy woman looked at Guan Yi and noticed two tear tracks on her face. After thinking for a moment, she comforted her, "My dear, please accept my condolences. Some things in life are hard to predict. Try to think positively."
Guan Yi was taken aback, then realized he was in a hospital. Seeing someone crying in a hospital meant that a relative had probably suffered a misfortune. So Guan Yi shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, you misunderstand, I don't have any relatives in the hospital... Uh, you wouldn't happen to be...?" Only then did Guan Yi notice that the rich woman also had two tear streaks on her face, and her makeup was a little smudged.
This wealthy woman was perhaps the type who was particularly gossipy, talkative, and outgoing. Seeing Guan Yi, such a beautiful woman, standing there so gracefully with slightly red eyes, she couldn't help but feel a pang of pity, even though she was a woman herself. So she sighed and said, "I haven't encountered any misfortune. My son is in the hospital, so I came to visit him. But my husband... ugh, daughter, you must remember this: when you're looking for someone to marry, never go for a rich man. Men with money go bad; you must remember this."
Guan Yi looked at her and understood; this wealthy woman was probably experiencing relationship problems. She had no interest in getting involved in such matters, so she smiled, said "I understand," and prepared to leave.
But the rich woman seemed to really like her, saying, "Girl, are you still in college?" When Guan Yi nodded, the rich woman slyly whispered, "Do you have a boyfriend? If not, I can introduce you to my son. He's a very nice guy!"
Guan Yi was both amused and exasperated. Was this aunt a little out of her mind? How could she say something like that on their first meeting?
Seeing the slightly embarrassed expression on Guan Yi's face, the wealthy woman laughed heartily, "It's nothing, it's nothing. You really shouldn't be averse to blind dates. My husband and I met through a blind date. Blind dates are great. You know someone's background, at least it's not like how kids these days meet after a few online chats. Blind dates are safe..."
Guan Yi was really about to faint. Please, Auntie, we've only just met, we've known each other for less than three minutes… no, we don't even know each other yet! You don't even know my name, and you're talking about knowing me inside and out?
If it weren't for the fact that she was wearing designer clothes that ordinary people couldn't even buy, Guan Yi would have thought this woman was the kind of brothel owner who traffics innocent women at train stations.
But seeing how enthusiastic they were, and knowing that you can't hit a smiling face, Guan Yi couldn't just turn around and leave. So he smiled and said, "Thank you, Auntie, but no need. I have a boyfriend."
"You have a boyfriend?" The rich woman looked regretful. "A girl as beautiful as you. I don't know who's lucky enough to have you. Sigh. You have to find the right man. Money isn't important. What's important is that he's reliable, hardworking, and treats you well. That way, he won't go out and find some vixens to make you jealous. And all you ever say is 'socializing'... Does socializing really have to result in lipstick stains on your underwear?!"
Guan Yi chuckled, but quickly stopped herself. She found this wealthy woman incredibly endearing and amusing. This slightly eased her gloomy mood. She couldn't help but say, "Your husband must be in big business. Sometimes men are just caught up in their own lives."
"Oh dear," the wealthy aunt said, "You're so young, you mustn't think like that. If your standards are this low now, what will you do later? Men are the kind of creatures that take an inch and then a mile. If you let him go out drinking with a bunch of shady friends today, he'll be out partying with them at bars and nightclubs that very night. You have to keep a tight rein on men, otherwise they'll just get more and more outrageous!"
Guan Yi smiled. She'd seen plenty of these kinds of social events. When she was little, her father would throw a special birthday banquet for her. There were only two kinds of people there: successful people or their children, and beautiful women. Little Guan Yi didn't understand then. These women were far from meeting her father's standards. How could they be qualified to enter? But later she understood. These women had a name: social butterflies.
Moreover, dealing with these socialites is something almost every man present is bound to do. Some of these men are there out of obligation, while others simply enjoy the social niceties. But such socializing is unavoidable. Of course, no woman likes her man to be unfaithful. But some things are simply unavoidable.
Guan Yi has a very open-minded view on this. It's hard to imagine that a girl who has never had a serious relationship would be so open-minded... But then again, if she hadn't experienced so much, she wouldn't have been so moved by Chen Xu's sincerity.
Remembering Chen Xu's sometimes silly side, a sweet smile appeared on Guan Yi's lips. This smile was noticed by the wealthy woman opposite her, who chuckled and said, "Oh, thinking about your sweetheart?"
Guan Yi blushed but didn't deny it. The rich woman smiled and sighed, "Sigh, I wonder which boy is lucky enough to have you. To be honest, I liked you the moment I saw you. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I had a daughter as beautiful and sensible as you? It would save my little rascal from jumping around and making me angry with his father all day long."
Guan Yi broke out in a cold sweat, thinking to herself, "Your son is a little bastard, so what about you?" Of course, as smart as she was, she would never say that out loud.
The wealthy woman seemed to be enjoying the conversation. She pulled Guan Yi to sit on a bench next to her and said, "You wouldn't believe it, I've always wanted a daughter, so I'd have someone to talk to and chat with. But I never expected to give birth to a little rascal. He was quite cute when he was little, but now that he's grown up, he's always jumping around and running around everywhere. It makes me so angry that I want to put him back in."
Guan Yi couldn't help but smile. She thought this wealthy woman was really nice. Although it was their first chance encounter, she felt very friendly and unpretentious, which suited her taste perfectly. So she wasn't in a hurry to leave and said with a smile, "Auntie, actually, boys have their advantages too. Children are meant to keep their parents worried for a lifetime."
The wealthy woman sat on the bench, sighed, patted her hand, and said, "Girl, I didn't expect you to know so much at such a young age. Your parents must be very happy to have such a sensible daughter."
“I don’t have a mother,” Guan Yi shook her head. “My mother passed away when I was very young. My father was very strict with me from a young age, forcing me to learn this and that, but I really didn’t like it.” After saying this, she was surprised that she would say such a thing to a stranger. Given her personality, she had never even mentioned her family situation to Chen Xu before, but now, facing a woman she had only been chatting with for less than five minutes, she had involuntarily blurted it out?
The wealthy woman paused for a moment, then sighed and said, "Girl, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought up your sad story."
Guan Yi shook his head, wiped his eyes, and forced a smile, saying, "It's nothing, it's been a long time."
Dear reader, Guan Yi was already in a bad mood today. She was upset about Chen Xu and Gao Xiaojie's situation, feeling lost and disheartened by the lack of control over her future and the apparent impossibility of a future in her relationship. Even a strong girl like her shed tears, indicating she was deeply hurt. Therefore, she felt a significant emotional void. Furthermore, the wealthy woman seemed very approachable, so she blurted it out without thinking.
The wealthy woman realized she had misspoke and quickly tried to salvage the situation, saying, "I believe your mother is watching over you from heaven, and she would be very pleased to see how sensible you are. Ah, now that you've found the person you love, I think your mother must be very happy."
These words only made Guan Yi think of Chen Xu, that heartless little rascal, that cruel, short-lived brat now all lovey-dovey with Gao Xiaojie, and a wave of sadness washed over her again. Her eyes immediately welled up with tears. She seemed strong, but she was just an ordinary girl. Her independence from a young age had made her very protective of herself, but once her defenses crumbled, she was just a normal girl, prone to tears… it was a girl's nature.
Seeing that Guan Yi's eyes were red again, the rich woman was taken aback: "Did I say something wrong again?"
Guan Yi felt she had never met anyone before who was so kind and approachable to this wealthy woman, even though it was their first meeting. Her demeanor made Guan Yi feel comfortable and at ease. And at that moment, she really needed someone to confide in.
So she thought for a moment and said, "There is no future between us."
Chapter 207 Mother
"Why? You're so outstanding?" The wealthy woman was puzzled, but after thinking for a moment she understood and said, "Is it because that boy isn't good enough for you?"
Guan Yi hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded and said, "Actually, my life path was already set from the moment I was born. I have no say in my future relationships and marriage... Although I don't know who my fiancé is yet, it was definitely arranged by my father. At most, I can only choose one from the group he has selected, and I have no ability to choose for myself."
"Really?!" the wealthy woman exclaimed in surprise. "In this era of free marriage, you still care about these things? Didn't you try to fight for it?"
Guan Yi shook her head with a bitter smile. She had secured the last four years of her life; how could she possibly fight for anything else? Moreover, as the only daughter of the family patriarch, her entire future was predetermined from birth. She could refuse, even run away from home, but if she did, her father's business would fall into the hands of a few relatives. Although Guan Yi didn't love money, she couldn't betray her father, or the family's centuries of hard work.
The wealthy woman tilted her head and looked at her: "Is your family very rich?"
Guan Yi thought for a moment and finally nodded.
The wealthy woman sighed, "No wonder." She then fell silent, for she was also rich and had naturally encountered this kind of situation. Such arranged marriages weren't limited to women; many men were involved as well. For those from wealthy and powerful families, the primary principle of marriage was… matching social status.
The idea of marrying someone of equal social standing isn't entirely without merit. If there's a significant gap in the economic status of the two families, the education they receive from a young age will be vastly different. Many wealthy families—and by wealthy we mean truly wealthy, with assets in the tens of millions of RMB—aren't really considered rich. These families are what we now call "aristocrats." They place great emphasis on their children's upbringing, incorporating etiquette, musical instruments, high art, golf, equestrianism, and many other things that ordinary people have no access to. They cultivate these skills from a young age using the quickest and most efficient methods to teach their children.
It must be said that children raised under this kind of education, unless they are mentally challenged, will indeed surpass most of their peers from ordinary families in terms of knowledge.
This kind of training isn't for showing off; it's because wealthy people today want to elevate their taste, so they have to learn these things. When these aristocratic children grow up, they'll take over family affairs and interact with people in this circle. Those who are impolite, think they're unique, have countless pierced ears, dress like ghosts and think it's beautiful, or consider swearing beautiful, will absolutely not be liked.
As for the stories of poor young men and rich women, or poor girls climbing the social ladder and becoming phoenixes, as depicted in movies and novels, these are extremely rare. They're practically nonexistent. Even if the woman possesses outstanding beauty, most people who dream of marrying into wealth and strive for it ultimately end up as socialites in brothels.
Unless, in addition to her good looks, she also needs to have a certain status... like those famous actresses in the film and television industry. Or like Guo Jingjing, a world champion.
As for the poor boy wanting to marry the rich girl, and the rich girl enjoying swearing with the poor boy and eating without regard for appearances... the idea of love conquering all... that's even more impossible!
How could a beautiful, wealthy young lady not attract a lot of unwanted attention? Many of them are quite powerful. If an ordinary, poor boy were to actually hook up with a rich young lady, it wouldn't take three days. At best, he'd be bruised and battered, with a few broken bones, forced to leave the city. At worst, he'd simply vanish from the face of the earth.
A very realistic society. Isn't it?
Okay. Even if we take a step back and assume the poor boy and the rich girl overcame countless difficulties and finally got together through the so-called power of love, what happens after that?
The poor boy had no money. He thought spending money on luxury goods was a waste. But the rich girl had been pampered since childhood. She loved fashionable designer clothes and often bought piles to keep at home, though she rarely wore them. To maintain her youth, she went to spas and received treatments… all of which cost a fortune!
Without the support of her family's wealth, how could the rich girl continue to live her previous life?
Poverty-stricken couples face a hundred sorrows!
Furthermore, the rich girl loves opera and stage performances, and often spends money to buy tickets to see shows. But the poor boy still thinks it's not worth the money; he'd rather get a computer at home and download movies to watch...
Differences in personality and interests can lead to the gradual accumulation and escalation of conflicts. Eventually, the rich girl will feel foolish, realizing that her previous perception of the boy as unconventional and using vulgar language was crude, and that continuing the relationship would be meaningless.
This is actually what it means to marry someone of equal social standing.
To put it simply, would a college graduate with a high income marry a country woman who can't speak Mandarin, has never been to school, can't use a computer, and doesn't understand foreign movies? Even if she's good-looking!
Marriage isn't about choosing someone based on looks. It's about choosing a partner, someone you can spend your life with.
The wealthy woman sighed. Some things are very real, so real that they're hard to accept, at least for them at their age. Actually, if it's for their future, a short, sharp pain is worse than a long, drawn-out one. The wealthy woman thought it would be better to break up sooner rather than later, before the relationship deepened. But seeing Guan Yi's heartbroken expression, she couldn't bear it and comforted her, "Girl, don't be completely discouraged. Don't underestimate a young man's potential. If your boyfriend is hardworking and capable, there's still a chance for you to be together in the future."
Guan Yi smiled but didn't say anything.
She had absolute faith in Chen Xu's abilities; for a freshman to achieve such results was truly remarkable. Moreover, many of his achievements were made without family support. No one would believe someone like that lacked talent. But after all, human capabilities are finite! No matter how capable Chen Xu was, he couldn't possibly build a great business empire single-handedly… at least, he absolutely couldn't accomplish this impossible task before she was forced into marriage, even if she devoted her entire life to it.
Because Guan Yi's family had achieved its current status through the hard work and dedication of over two hundred years and more than a dozen generations, experiencing both risks and opportunities along the way, each opportunity bringing the family immense wealth. This method of acquiring wealth was unimaginable in modern times. Therefore, she didn't believe Chen Xu could do it. Otherwise, she would have given Chen Xu even the slightest chance.
How large is Guan Yi's family?
The rabies suppressant has received an excellent response worldwide, and because it's a completely monopolized product—there's only one available—there's no worry about it not selling. Chen Xu's father's assets have now reached nearly two billion US dollars, making him a newly minted well-known tycoon in China. But where does this wealth rank globally?
On this year's Forbes list, Bill Gates continues his reign at number one, though the legendary Microsoft founder is about to retire. His $40 billion net worth is enough to make him a role model for countless people. Following him is Warren Buffett with $0 billion, a difference that exceeds the entire fortune of Chen Xu's father.
While the rabies bust drug holds a near-monopoly, its limited specificity makes it difficult to generate substantial revenue nowadays, unless there's a major rabies outbreak in some area… but that's virtually impossible. Even with three billion dollars earned from rabies patients and prevention agencies worldwide, after taxes and reinvestment in factories and other projects, not much is left.
Therefore, a billion dollars in assets is nothing on the Forbes list, and there's another problem... the Forbes list is actually not accurate at all. Many people don't know this. The Forbes ranking is just a facade, a public comparison of net worth. Many of the world's hidden billionaires and their powerful families operating in the shadows have no chance of making it onto this list.
It's not that their net worth isn't high enough; frankly, compared to them, let alone the Chen Xu family, even Bill Gates's money is insignificant. It's because they are low-key. These families wield considerable influence in the global economy and politics… for example, the Rothschild family. They practically control the Federal Reserve, yet their names are never seen in mainstream media reports.
The Morgan and Rockefeller families, who were propelled to prominence by the Rochester family, also didn't appear on the Forbes list. That kind of wealth competition is, in essence, a farce. Or rather, it's about those who rose to prominence through their own hard work, those who give ordinary people something to look forward to, like protagonists in a novel. Like Gates, like Buffett.
Take, for example, the Saudi royal family and nobility. Their assets, their hidden assets, are simply incalculable, so these people would never appear on the Forbes list.
These families are truly incredibly wealthy!
What is the situation with Guan Yi's family? Are there any Chinese families in the world that powerful?
The answer is yes.
In the 19th century, after the Eight-Nation Alliance used its superior ships and cannons to force open the closed doors of the Qing Dynasty, several far-sighted Chinese officials, such as Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang, and Zuo Zongtang, launched the Self-Strengthening Movement, with the slogan "Learn from the barbarians to control the barbarians." They aimed to learn advanced foreign technologies. During that time, many people moved abroad with their families.
These people were mostly outstanding young talents of the time, exceptionally intelligent, capable, and quick learners. They carried large sums of gold and silver across the ocean to foreign lands, where they learned advanced foreign technologies and knowledge. Some of them were not conservative or stubborn, and later events proved that they fared much better than the conservatives. This was because they were open-minded and embraced the most advanced Western ideas of the time, including the prevailing concepts of equality and freedom.