Chapter 149: I Want to Be the Richest!

Xu Yuexin gently stroked Shen Qingru's back, showing a look of pity.

"Have you eaten? If not, let's eat together."

"Hmm…"

Shen Qingru, eyes brimming with tears, said.

"Wash your face."

After saying that, Xu Yuexin walked toward the bathroom, poured a basin of water for Shen Qingru, and personally tested the temperature.

Shen Qingru silently followed behind him, picked up a face‑washing towel, placed it in the basin, and wiped her eyes and face.

After she drained the water, Xu Yuexin took her out to eat.

"What do you want to eat? Say it."

"I can't eat…"

"How long has it been since you ate?"

"I haven't eaten since yesterday noon…"

"No, even if you can't eat, you must."

"Don't let hunger cause problems."

Xu Yuexin gave Aunt Shen a firm order, and took her to a noodle shop.

Considering Aunt Shen had been starving all day and might not tolerate greasy meat at first, Xu Yuexin ordered her a bowl of plain noodles, two steamed buns, and a plate of boiled tofu.

Soon, the noodles for both of them were placed on the table.

Aunt Shen initially had little appetite and ate in small bites.

"Eat faster, otherwise the noodles will get soggy and taste bad."

"Mm-hmm…"

Only after Xu Yuexin urged her did Aunt Shen eat a bit faster.

The longer a person goes hungry, the easier they lose the sense of hunger.

Aunt Shen didn't feel hungry when she first saw the noodles; as she ate, the feeling of hunger gradually intensified.

After Xu Yuexin finished his own noodles, he sat and waited for Shen Qingru to finish.

Noodles, steamed buns, and finally boiled tofu…

Don't be fooled by Aunt Shen's slow chewing; given enough time, she actually ate everything.

After a full meal, Aunt Shen regained strength, and Xu Yuexin took her for a walk outside.

The two strolled slowly along the road and eventually arrived at a quiet park.

"Thank you for the money you sent."

After entering the deeper part of the park, Shen Qingru stopped, her gaze sorrowful as she stared at the ground and said, "My parents just arrived in the United States, didn't have time to buy insurance, medical expenses cost a lot, and they've accrued a lot of medical debt."

"If it weren't for your money, our house would have been auctioned."

Saying that, Shen Qingru still felt lingering fear.

Once a house enters auction, its price no longer follows normal market rates.

In addition, there are appraisal fees, Lawyer fees… and ultimately the house might still not cover the medical debt after being sold.

"As long as the house is saved, that's fine."

Xu Yuexin comforted Shen Qingru, "Have all the debts been paid off?"

"There's still some left, but it's okay; I can find a way to gather this money."

"Oh, then I'll transfer you another fifty thousand dollars."

"No need… I can mortgage the house for part of the money, and repay slowly after I earn later."

"Why mortgage the house when everything's fine."

Xu Yuexin placed both hands on Shen Qingru's shoulders and said, "Good girl, accept this money."

Shen Qingru quickly averted Xu Yuexin's gaze: being treated like this by a man twelve years younger made her a bit embarrassed.

After finishing their walk in the park, Xu Yuexin and Shen Qingru returned to the small courtyard where she lived, sat on a chair, and discussed her future plans.

"Do you still plan to stay in the United States?"

"... I haven't decided."

Shen Qingru hesitantly shook her head and said.

Since her parents' death, a series of misfortunes have left Shen Qingru directionless, her mind in chaos.

Seeing Shen Qingru's indecision, Xu Yuexin contemplated how to persuade her to return.

"This time my parents' death made me witness the true warmth and coldness of human relations."

At that moment, Shen Qingru spoke on her own.

Xu Yuexin knew Aunt Shen had something to say, so he looked into her eyes: "Go ahead."

"During my parents' serious illness, my eldest and second brothers refused to pay medical expenses, and our family argued a lot over this."

"Later, after finally sharing the medical costs, when the two elders passed away one after another, the family again erupted over inheritance division."

"This time more people got involved, many relatives who rarely interact and never visited the elders when they were ill also joined in."

"Our whole clan has torn off the polite façade over the inheritance."

"I never expected them to be so bottomless…"

Saying that, Aunt Shen silently began to weep again.

Xu Yuexin hurriedly tried to console.

"Throughout history, large families have often ended up like this."

"Hmm… regarding the elders' inheritance, the final resolution was also quite laughable."

The whole family argued for a while, and then Yin Hang staff came to the door to demand repayment.

Everyone then learned that their father had secretly lost a lot of money in investments, and the inheritance wasn't enough to repay the debt.

At that moment, all the relatives vanished.

Aunt Shen, self‑deprecatingly, shook her head and said.

"The remaining debt…"

"When a person dies, the debt disappears. The United States bank took my father's entire inheritance to settle the debt, and the shortfall doesn't need to be dealt with any further."

"That's fine; it saves a lot of disputes."

Xu Yuexin said reassuringly.

"Indeed… after this, the ties among the relatives are completely severed."

Aunt Shen shifted her gaze forward, her eyes rimmed red, let out a long sigh, and said.

"Seeing their true colors early is better than seeing them later."

Xu Yuexin placed his large hand lightly over Aunt Shen's back of the hand and said, "Anyway, you don't have to rely on them for a living; just let the ties be cut."

"Hmm… the only one who has been good to me in the end is still you."

Aunt Shen, overwhelmed with mixed feelings, said, and when she looked back at Xu Yuexin, her eyes were already full of affection, "My house in the United States still has some value; after I sell it, I'll repay what I borrowed from you."

"No rush; I currently have no place where I need money."

Xu Yuexin wrapped his arms around Aunt Shen's delicate shoulder and said, "When I need money, I'll tell you then."

"By the way, I suggest you think carefully about whether to return."

"These past two years have been the biggest incentive period for domestic master's and doctoral students; if you come back to earn a degree and stay here to develop, you will certainly have a promising future."

Aunt Shen is so elegant and beautiful, so of course he must find a way to keep her by his side.

"Alright, I'll think about it seriously."

Aunt Shen leaned into Xu Yuexin's embrace, solemnly nodded, and said.

In terms of income and the absolute level of daily life, United States universities are naturally far ahead at present; otherwise, so many intellectuals wouldn't aspire to study abroad.

The problem is that a Ph. D. in history in the United States takes a long time to complete and has high requirements; if things go wrong, one may end up without a degree, wasting time for nothing.

Moreover, even after graduating, one may still be unable to secure a tenured teaching position…

While Aunt Shen was wavering, Xu Yuexin tightened his hold on her in his arms.

"Aunt Shen, I know what you're thinking."

"It's nothing more than the fact that wages are high and benefits are good over in the United States right now."

"But you need to think clearly: the speed of development at home cannot be matched by the United States."

"Whether in terms of socioeconomic aspects or education."

"Staying here, the gains will certainly be greater than over there."

Aunt Shen was completely shaken.

Aunt Shen knows how strong Xu Yuexin's abilities are.

Three years ago, Xu Yuexin was still an Educated Youth sent to the countryside, and now he has grown into a magnate who can easily pull out $500,000 to support himself.

His foresight inevitably far exceeds that of ordinary people.

"I've spent a lot of effort applying for a doctorate; if I give up now, wouldn't that be…" Aunt Shen, trying to make a final decision, had bewildered eyes.

"The costs already incurred are called sunk costs in economics."

"When making a decision, one should focus on future returns; there's no need to count sunk costs."

Xu Yuexin encouraged, "If you make up your mind now, you still have time to take this year's graduate entrance exam."

"If you hesitate, you'll waste another year."

"Time is so precious."

Hearing this, Aunt Shen's body trembled slightly, and she fell into final contemplation.

Xu Yuexin did not disturb Aunt Shen, but quietly waited for her conclusion.

As time passed, Aunt Shen's previously bewildered gaze gradually became resolute.

"Alright, I won't go back for now; I'll stay here to prepare for the graduate entrance exam."

"When the admission results are out, I'll go to the United States, sell the house, and take care of everything over there."

"Good, that's right."

After speaking, Xu Yuexin extended his other hand and gently pinched Aunt Shen's nose.

"No big deal."

Aunt Shen blushed, said, and rested her face on Xu Yuexin's shoulder.

The two of them quietly leaned on the chairs, watching the clouds roll and drift across the sky.

"How about it, feeling a bit better?"

After a long while, Xu Yuexin spoke and asked.

"Hmm, with you here, it's much better."

Aunt Shen hugged Xu Yuexin's arm and said, her beautiful eyes showing a hint of attachment.

"I'll come often to keep you company."

"No… you have a family, after all."

"Hmm, you're one of my wives."

Xu Yuexin placed a kiss on Aunt Shen's forehead and said.

Aunt Shen's face flushed; she pushed him away and closed her eyes.

She has been too exhausted lately; today's emotional swings were too great, and she no longer has the strength to argue with Xu Yuexin.

"I'm going back to sleep; you should go back too."

"Alright."

Xu Yuexin rose after Aunt Shen and walked with her toward the main courtyard.

Aunt Shen, seeing this, was at a loss, neither laughing nor crying.

"I'm telling you to go back to your own home."

"You are my lady, and this is my home."

"……"

Aunt Shen fell silent for a moment, then had no choice but to follow Xu Yuexin back to the Guogong Mansion Main Hall bedroom, remove her coat, and get into bed to sleep.

When Aunt Shen changed into a silk nightgown and lay beside him, Xu Yuexin could still sense the weakness and helplessness in her movements.

Having just suffered a major blow, even with Xu Yuexin's consolation, Aunt Shen's heart remained very fragile.

"Sleep quickly."

Xu Yuexin tightly pulled Aunt Shen's body, wrapped in a silk nightgown, into his arms and whispered in her ear.

Aunt Shen felt the broad, warm embrace of Xu Yuexin's chest and did not try to push him away as she had before.

"Mm…"

She gently nodded in Xu Yuexin's arms, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.

……

In the time that followed, Xu Yuexin occasionally found free moments to visit Aunt Shen's home, keep her company, and comfort her when she missed her parents.

Soon, the day of the graduate entrance exam arrived.

This summer's graduate exam was scheduled a bit earlier, in mid‑to‑late June.

After the exam, Xu Yuexin went to Shen Qingru and asked how she had performed.

"It felt okay."

Shen Qingru showed a faint smile and said, "I won't leave yet; I'll go to the United States after the results are out."

"No re‑examination needed?"

"Mm, I asked a friend and heard that the Ren Da History Department won't hold a re‑examination this time."

"Then, accompany me to Xiangjiang; I have something to do."

Xu Yuexin said, "It's just right; we can also clear our minds together."

July was approaching, and he would go to Xiangjiang to transfer the containers he held.

"Alright, thank you for thinking of me."

Aunt Shen lifted the corner of her mouth slightly and thanked him gracefully.

After making the appointment with Aunt Shen, Xu Yuexin returned home, where he received a telegram from Lin Qingxia.

The song "The Sea" has been sold to a record company for HK$2,000,000.

That's higher than expected—great.

Seeing the telegram, Xu Yuexin was so delighted his mouth almost couldn't contain his grin.

A few days later, he and Aunt Shen went to Hong Kong; the first thing they did after landing was to thank Lin Qingxia and give her a tea‑money gift of HK$100,000.

Lin Qingxia firmly refused, but in the end she could not resist Xu Yuexin.

After thanking Lin Qingxia, Xu Yuexin deposited HK$1,900,000 into the account that Chen Yixue opened in Xiangjiang, and sent her a telegram to inform her of the news.

Having dealt with all that, Xu Yuexin took Aunt Shen to the shipping company's office at Kwai Chung Terminal.

After taking a taxi, Xu Yuexin explained the purpose of the trip to Aunt Shen.

"At the beginning of the year I spent HK$29,000,000 to book a batch of containers; now I plan to check the prices and transfer them out."

"That means making a profit on the price difference, right?"

"Exactly, that's the principle."

Xu Yuexin said, quickened his pace, entered the office building, and, guided enthusiastically by the reception desk, went upstairs.

The person receiving him today was still the Chief Representative from last time; after meeting, Xu Yuexin asked him about the current market conditions.

"The freight rate from Kwai Chung Terminal to Yantian Port has been rising continuously."

"At the start of the year, Boss Xu, the container price you booked was HK$150 per month; now it has risen to HK$260."

"Boss Xu, you really have foresight."

The Chief Representative beamed, praised him, and gave him a thumbs‑up.

Aunt Shen also cast an admiring glance at him: from HK$150 to HK$260, that's a profit of over seven percent.

Xiao Xu's HK$29,000,000 is set to become HK$50,000,000.

Xiao Xu really has a business mind.

"There should be many people requesting containers right now, right?"

Facing the praise and admiration, Xu Yuexin remained modest and asked lightly.

"Exactly. Trade with the mainland is too hot now; all the containers in Xiangjiang have been booked, Boss Xu, you're planning…"

"Please help me contact people; I want to transfer all these containers."

"The price, slightly above market, is HK$300 per container."

"Since there are no containers for sale in Xiangjiang, raising the price a bit shouldn't be excessive, right? It's only an extra HK$40."

"HK$300 each?"

The Chief Representative was first shocked, then after a moment nodded, "Since Boss Xu wants to transfer, why not transfer them to us?"

"We have the capability to take back all these containers in one go."

"That way you won't have to contact each trader individually, saving a lot of trouble."

The junior receptionist next door heard the quote from their Chief Representative, and her heart jumped: 300 yuan for a container? That's so much higher than the market price of 260 yuan? How on earth is he thinking? Shen Qingru quickly did the math.

From 150 yuan to 300 yuan, the unit price exactly doubled.

Xu Yuexin can make another 29 million from this!

Such earning ability, among the people she knows, no one can surpass it.

Shen Qingru sighed admiringly.

(End of chapter)