Empire of Desire: An Alpha’s Financial Reign - Chapter 43

Jiang Nuan’s Pursuit of Success

Inside the sleek senior office of Jiang Group, Jiang Nuan sat quietly with a stack of documents in front of her—guidelines and development plans for the corporation’s various subsidiaries. Her once radiant life on stage as the principal dancer of a renowned troupe seemed like a memory from another lifetime.

She had once been the center of attention under the dazzling lights, every pirouette a mark of grace, every leap a testament to discipline and elegance. Yet, behind the glamour of the stage was an exhausting cycle of tours, rehearsals, and sleepless nights on long-haul flights. Slowly, that life began to wear her down.

There came a point when she yearned not for applause, but for peace, control, and a new kind of fulfillment. That desire drew her back to the Jiang family’s business empire. However, instead of settling for a ceremonial role, Jiang Nuan chose to dive deep into a sector she felt passionately about—hospitality, particularly the intersection of catering and entertainment.

Her starting point was one of Jiang Group’s flagship five-star lounges, a venture she saw not only as a business opportunity but as a platform to prove her capability. It wasn’t just about inheriting the family name; Jiang Nuan was determined to build her own legacy.

From the outset, Jiang Nuan immersed herself in every aspect of the lounge’s management. Whether it was selecting premium wine brands, refining the architectural layout, or approving the smallest details in interior decor, she insisted on being hands-on. Her vision was clear—a successful lounge didn’t just offer luxury drinks; it offered an immersive, high-end experience.

Standing amidst the soft lighting and dark, tasteful tones of the lounge, she admired the elegant aesthetic. It exuded understated luxury. The wine rack, a centerpiece of the bar, displayed rare vintages from around the world—each personally selected by Jiang Nuan herself.

She understood that ambiance went far beyond sight. Music, she believed, was the soul of a lounge. To that end, she partnered with a DJ team capable of tailoring playlists to suit the mood of the evening, ranging from mellow jazz to lively lounge beats. Their job was to create emotion through sound, allowing guests to unwind, connect, and savor every moment.

As dusk settled over the city and the lounge prepared to open its doors, Jiang Nuan stood at the entrance in a simple yet refined black gown. Her long hair was swept up, revealing her delicate neckline. Her poise, confidence, and warm smile made an immediate impression on the arriving guests. She greeted them not just as a manager but as the embodiment of the lounge’s charm.

Throughout the night, Jiang Nuan moved gracefully among the crowd. Her trained dancer’s intuition allowed her to observe subtle details: a guest looking slightly uncomfortable with their seat, a couple hesitant about wine choices. With finesse, she would intervene—offering better options, recommending pairings, or simply sharing a warm conversation. This hands-on approach became her signature.

But Jiang Nuan’s ambitions stretched far beyond the walls of a single lounge. She had a bigger vision—to revitalize Jiang Group’s entire hospitality division. With more than three five-star hotels in the city and hundreds more around the globe, she aspired to unify their bars, lounges, and restaurants under a cohesive brand that screamed excellence.

She wanted every venue to carry the “Jiang Nuan signature”—a mark of refined taste and distinctive luxury.

To achieve this, Jiang Nuan began discussions with international wineries. While many lounges already carried recognizable premium labels, she sought exclusivity—becoming an agent for select boutique brands that would differentiate their offerings from competitors.

Simultaneously, Jiang Nuan worked with the public relations department to draft the new quarterly marketing campaigns. In a planning meeting, she reviewed key themes with her team.

“Do we have any unique angles for this quarter’s promotion?” she asked, flipping through preliminary drafts.

“Our highlights focus on star-rated cuisine, our new French chef Mauby, and the lounge’s upcoming exclusive wine brand,” replied a colleague.

Jiang Nuan nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll handle negotiations on the wine brand. But remember—we can’t promote what isn’t finalized. Wait until contracts are signed, or we might be hearing from lawyers.”

The team chuckled, appreciative of her sharp foresight.

“For Christmas,” another colleague chimed in, “we want to invite a children’s choir to perform carols. It adds warmth, appeals to families, and gives guests a memorable holiday vibe.”

“Great,” Jiang Nuan said. “Let’s align the lounge’s programming too. Theme-based menus, coordinated performances, and cohesive decor—it should all reflect the holiday spirit.”

After the meeting, she asked her assistant to book flights to Germany and France. Her next move was clear: she needed to finalize the import licenses and agency agreements herself. No one would care more about these details than she did.

Later that evening, back at her apartment, Jiang Nuan settled into her nightly ritual—shower, skincare, and a rare moment of quiet. But her thoughts drifted toward someone she hadn’t seen all day—Han Zaijing.

With a mischievous grin, she slipped on a coat and wandered next door to her apartment. Her door was half-open. As she suspected, she was still working, glasses perched on her nose, lit by the glow of her laptop.

“You really are a workaholic,” she teased.

Looking up, Han Zaijing blinked slowly. “You’re mocking me. Go make your brother-in-law some coffee.”

“Don’t order me around, or I’ll tell my sister you bullied me,” she retorted playfully.

She smirked. “Always using that move.”

Without missing a beat, Jiang Nuan leaned against her desk. “I’m working on securing a liquor license with a foreign partner. You’re clever and persuasive—come with me.”

Zaijing raised an eyebrow. “You’re serious?”

“I am. We’ll be in Germany for just a few days. Help me close the deal, and we’ll come back with something big.”

“Show me the materials,” she said. “I’ll run the numbers—market share, profit projections, negotiation strategies. I’ll help you close this one, then you’ll be ready to handle the next.”

Jiang Nuan was stunned by the warmth behind her offer. This was the same man who used to tease her relentlessly, now offering unconditional support. Moved, she asked softly, “Are you doing this for my sister?”

“No,” she replied with a rare tenderness. “I’m doing it for you. Because I can see how much this means to you. And when someone loves something that deeply… I just want to help.”

Overwhelmed, Jiang Nuan flung her arms around her, kissed her on the cheek, and exclaimed, “You’re amazing!”

After she left, Han Zaijing touched her cheek, slightly dazed. “Am I being blessed… or seduced?” she muttered with a small smile.