Secretary Qian didn't give a definite answer.
But Xu Tingyu had already figured it out.
Her father's decision to jump off a building, the constant visits from debt collectors, and the house about to be taken away...
It was all because the money Qi Shifeng promised to lend never arrived.
"I don't know what exactly happened. General Manager Xu was afraid it would be difficult for you, so he didn't tell you. Don't blame yourself," Secretary Qian comforted her.
She slumped onto the nearby sofa.
She was told.
She remembered her father's last phone call, his cautiousness on the phone.
So, was that his last cry for help?
But she was useless and couldn't do anything to help.
She not only failed to help her father but also couldn't even afford to keep the family home.
Zhang Qiu was right to call her an ungrateful daughter...
"Uncle Qian, could you please help handle the company's affairs first? I'll figure out a way about the money," she said, gathering her spirits.
With bad news coming one after another, she didn't even have the right to be sad.
Secretary Qian looked at her, worried. "You want to keep this house? Xu's has too much debt. Even if the mortgage on this house is paid off, other creditors will still come after it."
What he meant was that he also agreed with her earlier suggestion to give up this property and move somewhere else.
This would also be good for Zhang Qiu and her son's personal safety.
But as soon as Zhang Qiu heard this, she got excited again.
Xu Tingyu nodded. "I know. I'll think of another way."
She knew this would happen, which was why she suggested her mother and younger brother move to her house first.
But she had to do something.
Otherwise, the wind blowing through the hole in her heart would almost drown her.
Secretary Qian didn't say anything else.
She settled Zhang Qiu down. "Mom, you should rest well first. I'll figure out a good way. Don't tell Jiajia about these things for now."
Xu Jia was her younger brother. He was sixteen years old and in high school, living on campus.
Because he had a weak heart since childhood, they didn't even dare to tell him about Xu Jianmin's death by jumping.
Hearing her son's name, Zhang Qiu's emotions stabilized a bit.
"Tingyu, you must keep the house. Mom has nothing left. All I have are the memories of this house and Jiajia," she said.
"If the house is gone, we won't even have a home. You're the elder sister. You have to keep the home for Jiajia, okay?"
Xu Tingyu remembered that every time Zhang Qiu wanted to show favoritism to Xu Jia when she was a child, she would say, "You're the elder sister."
As soon as she heard these four words, she knew she had to give up her own interests.
Even though she had a good relationship with Xu Jia, she still resented these four words.
But this time, for the first time, she nodded willingly. "I will, Mom."
She would. She would take on the responsibility of the family for her father.
After leaving the Xu family's old house, she received a call from Chen Chunyao.
"Tingyu, didn't you say you wanted to sell your collection? I've contacted a few big shots. They're at No. 1 Repulse Bay. Come over first to meet them," Chen Chunyao said.
Chen Chunyao was her best friend, a small-time actress in the entertainment industry.
After learning about Xu Jianmin's death, she was filming on a set far away and couldn't come back.
She knew about Xu Tingyu's difficult situation in this wealthy marriage and that what she needed most now was money.
"Okay, I'll go right away," Xu Tingyu replied without hesitation. She went back to get a few calligraphy and paintings, changed her clothes, and rushed to No. 1 Repulse Bay.
This was the favorite club for the rich in the capital. Only those with both wealth and status could get in.
Qi Shifeng also liked to come here.
She had never been here before.
Chen Chunyao was waiting for her at the entrance. Seeing the paintings she was holding, she told her to put them in the car first.
"This time, it's just to meet people. It's not a good place to look at the things, and it will make you seem too eager. You won't be able to sell them at a high price," she said.
Xu Tingyu thought it made sense and went back to put the things in the car.
After entering the club, Chen Chunyao ran into an acquaintance on the way and stopped to chat for a while.
Xu Tingyu took a few steps back and waited for her to finish.
That's when she heard voices coming from a nearby private room with the door not fully closed.
"Have you heard? That Cai Lan guy has made a fortune recently," someone said.
"After taking so much from the Xu family, if he doesn't get rich, who will? I'm so jealous," another person replied.
"Ah, it's really sad. The Xu family, such a big mountain, just collapsed like that. Xu Jianmin was a well-known figure, but he died so pathetically," someone sighed.
"He's dead and free from trouble, but his widow and children will suffer," someone else said.
"Come to think of it, it's strange. With all the commotion in the Xu family, the Qi family didn't offer any help at all," someone wondered.
"Don't you know who's in charge of the Qi family now? That person hates the Xu family to the core and has already made it clear..."
The voices dropped lower, and she couldn't hear the rest.
Just then, Chen Chunyao finished chatting and came over to pull her.
"What are you daydreaming about? Hurry up," she said.
Before she could come to her senses, she was pulled into the next private room.
There were already a few people sitting in the private room. At first glance, they all looked extraordinary.
Chen Chunyao smiled. "I'm quite capable, aren't I? I've managed to get these people here for you."
Among them were a famous director, an actor, and even a big investor.
She quickly adjusted her state and walked over with a smile.
Her father once told her that the more down and out she was, the more beautifully she should smile.
When those people saw her, their eyes were filled with amazement.
She had fair skin. After changing into a new Chinese-style cheongsam with elegant orchid prints, she looked even more radiant.
With red lips, slender eyebrows, her long hair loosely pulled up at the back of her head, and a pair of matching gemstone earrings, she looked like a beauty walking out of a painting, both innocent and charming.
Everyone was stunned for a few seconds before reacting and greeting her one by one.
"I was sitting in the audience when Miss Xu won the gold award back then. It's been years, but Miss Xu is still as beautiful as ever," said the famous director Li Yang, smiling from ear to ear.
To be honest, Xu Tingyu didn't have an impression of him.
But she still smiled gracefully. "Thank you for the compliment. Director Li's variety show is currently number one on the whole network."
Although she had been a full-time wife for three years, she wasn't completely out of touch with the outside world.
Li Yang was flattered by the beautiful woman's direct compliment and even looked a bit embarrassed.
After some pleasantries, she took her seat and they started to toast each other.
"I heard that Miss Xu has a few paintings to sell. But with the current market situation, it's not easy to sell them," said the investor after a few rounds of drinks. His eyes were full of mockery, as if he was looking forward to a good show.
As he spoke, a row of wine glasses were neatly arranged and filled with white wine.
"However, I've seen the pictures and I quite like them," he continued.
"I can even give Miss Xu a favor and buy them at the price you set."
"But Miss Xu has to give me a favor too. Well, for each glass of wine you drink, I'll add 200,000 yuan to the price of each painting!"
There was a haughty mockery in his words, and even Chen Chunyao's face changed.