Zhao Guangyuan paused, listened, and thought it over. Huo Zongzhuo made perfect sense.
Yes, the pigeon is the pigeon, the magpie is the magpie.
Zhao Guangyuan realized that Jiang Luo was truly his son, part of the Zhao bloodline. Such lineage wouldn’t be lacking in capability, which explained why Jiang Luo had managed to turn his life around and run a successful business.
The pigeon occupies the magpie’s nest.
The thought struck him hard, and Zhao Guangyuan increasingly agreed with Huo Zongzhuo.
Back inside, Zhao Guangyuan sat alone on the sofa, thinking carefully.
When Zhao Shuo came downstairs, Zhao Guangyuan said, “Huo Zongzhuo is Huo Zongzhuo—he’s right, and he reminded me of something important.”
“What’s clearly yours, was always Jiang Luo’s.”
“Jiang Luo is truly one of our Zhao family.”
Zhao Guangyuan continued, “You go to Fudan in the next couple of days, find Mingming, and talk to him. Make him clean up his room, free it up, and give it to Jiang Luo.”
“If we want Jiang Luo to come home, we need to show it—both in attitude and action.”
Zhao Shuo was startled. “Huo Zongzhuo said what?”
He quickly protested, “Is that really necessary? Mingming has lived in that room for so many years. Why should he move? There are other rooms. Jiang Luo can just pick an empty one.”
He even said, “If he likes my room, I’ll let him have it.”
“What are you saying?” Zhao Guangyuan said sternly. “Huo Zongzhuo is right—pigeon occupies the magpie’s nest. Even if Mingming isn’t a ‘pigeon,’ he’s taken what should have been Jiang Luo’s all these years.”
“I say move him—he moves. There are plenty of rooms. Let him choose another one. If Mingming wants your room, that’s fine too.”
“Dad!”
Zhao Shuo, who had always been partial to Zhao Ming, immediately argued, “Huo Zongzhuo knows Jiang Luo, of course he speaks for him. You can’t just agree with him and ignore Mingming, can you?”
“Isn’t Mingming also your and Mom’s son?”
Zhao Guangyuan interrupted, “Don’t argue with me! Huo speaks up for Jiang Luo—so what? Shouldn’t he? And you—don’t you side with Mingming? Not just you, your mother too. Do you think I don’t know that?”
“But…” Zhao Shuo started.
“Move—he must move.”
“If you don’t go to Fudan and talk to Mingming, I’ll call his dorm myself.”
“Dad…” Zhao Shuo began.
“If you speak another word, you move too—out, the room’s all for Jiang Luo!”
Anger rising, Zhao Guangyuan continued, “Your municipal business, how much has the family helped you? You know that! What did I do for Jiang Luo? Just return what’s rightfully his—and that’s not enough?”
“I admit I’ve been unfair with my children—all these years, favoring you and Mingming. What have I given Jiang Luo? Nothing. And he never complained. But now you’re arguing with me?”
“Do you have any complaints at home? If you do—get out! The car, the money—everything back to me!”
Zhao Shuo fell silent.
Huo Zongzhuo left the Zhao residence, his mood soured.
He had planned to have lunch there, then head to the new company in Haicheng to handle some affairs. But his mind was full of Jiang Luo and the story of the switched child. He pulled out his phone and called Jiang Luo.
“I’ve got some business. What’s up?” Jiang Luo answered.
One hand on the wheel, one holding the phone, Huo said, “I’m coming to see you. Let’s have lunch together.”
Jiang Luo laughed. “Busy man, big boss—how come you have time today?”
“Sure, lunch it is,” Huo replied.
Coincidentally, Jiang Luo was leaving the bank after seeing Qian Heng. Huo checked the time, got in the car, and drove to the restaurant where they had agreed to meet.
When Huo arrived, Jiang Luo was already seated in the private room, ordering dishes. Seeing Jiang Luo, Huo felt a complex mix of concern and pity.
He had assumed Jiang Luo’s troubles were just family discord and the lack of support from his parents. He hadn’t imagined the depth of Jiang Luo’s background.
Huo knew Jiang Luo’s adoptive parents must have had conflicts and shortcomings too—otherwise Jiang Luo wouldn’t have left home, with his biological parents ignoring him, and adoptive parents refusing him.
It didn’t matter. Huo thought: at least he still has me.
“What’s up? You look like something’s on your mind,” Jiang Luo said, seeing Huo’s serious expression.
Huo smiled gently. “Tell me what you did today. Don’t leave me in the dark.”
Huo’s expression returned to normal. He rotated the teapot toward himself, pouring tea. Jiang Luo flipped through the menu.
“For now, I won’t tell you. When the time is right, I’ll let you know,” Jiang Luo said.
Huo, experienced and quick-thinking, asked, “You’ve opened several counters at Jinling in Haicheng, and business is going well. Anyone jealous?”
“Or did Pacific Department Store give you trouble?”
Jiang Luo chuckled, dragging out his voice, “DadDad, you really are my dad, worrying about everything for me.”
“Don’t worry,” Huo said. “Don’t try to be tough—if there’s trouble, tell me.”
Jiang Luo, still playful, said, “Got it, Boss Huo.”
Neither mentioned Zhao Guangyuan, and Jiang Luo didn’t bring up his bank loan. They ate and chatted naturally, completely relaxed.
Meanwhile, because of them, both the Zhao family and Minhang’s Bank of China quietly began seeing changes:
Su Lan learned Zhao Guangyuan wanted Zhao Ming to move rooms. The couple disagreed and argued.
Zhao Guangyuan didn’t wait for Zhao Shuo to talk to Fudan—he personally called Zhao Ming’s dorm that afternoon.
Zhao Ming trembled with anger at the thought that Jiang Luo was returning home.
He had to do something. He must do something.
At the bank, word of the one-million-yuan loan request prompted a small meeting at the credit department, including Manager Zhou Qian. They wanted to evaluate the capital behind such a bold request.
The assessment revealed that Shengfei Trading had solid foundations. Despite being new, its revenue and cash flow were impressive.
Especially under the company name “Weilannido,” the clothing sold well, with multiple counters.
The bankers split into two camps: one thought one million was impossible but that the company deserved a smaller loan—maybe one hundred thousand, fifty thousand, eighty thousand.
The other suspected the owner might be using the company and brand to borrow money from the bank and run abroad, leaving the country while defaulting.
Qian Heng fought to secure the deal—after all, the business came through him. He believed Shengfei’s situation was sound. One million was too much, but a smaller loan should work.
That afternoon, Qian Heng visited the department stores to inspect the counters selling the clothes.
Over the next few days, Jiang Luo visited several banks. Many expressed shock at his one-million request; some refused outright.
Jiang Luo remained undeterred, meeting branch managers, having meals, discussing factory investments, and negotiating.
Only Qian Heng at Bank of China kept communicating, urging Jiang Luo to consider a smaller loan.
Jiang Luo noticed Qian Heng’s effort and the bank’s reluctance to outright reject a client.
One day, during a meal, Jiang Luo told Qian Heng: “Advanced equipment isn’t available domestically—only abroad. We have to either import it or find a way to make it ourselves. Someone has to be the first to take the plunge. If no one does, the local economy won’t grow. No local growth, no national development. The clothing industry is the same—industrial development not only solves local taxes and employment, but encourages others to upgrade as well. They’ll see my success and want to invest in equipment and factories.”