Chapter 1005: Starting Over

"I think Qiang Mujie seems very unhappy."

Li Li smiled as she walked upstairs with Wang Yan.

Wang Yan walked with his hands behind his back, strolling along like an old man: "He said to my face that I have no culture and that my fortune depends on luck. I asked him, besides luck, what else do I rely on to get rich? He said I'm ruthless enough. So I followed up by asking him when he thinks it would be appropriate for him to have an accident, and then he got scared. Jingxiu also says he's too good at putting on an act."

Li Li shook her head, amused: "It's not good to threaten and intimidate others just because they say something about you. If this gets out, you'll be inviting trouble even if you've done nothing wrong."

"Do you think I'm afraid of trouble?"

"Yes, yes, yes, you're the most formidable."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

While chatting and laughing, the two arrived at the private room on the top floor and sat down, and the waiter began to serve the dishes.

As soon as he sat down, the mobile phone in Wang Yan's hand rang. He answered a few words and hung up with a chuckle.

Li Li asked: "What's wrong?"

"It was Teacher Ge calling, saying Lingzi is back and asking me to go to Ye Dongjing for a meal tomorrow afternoon."

"Are you going to see Bao Zong first today?"

"Trapped by love, after all."

Li Li looked at Wang Yan suspiciously: "You don't have any ideas about that Lingzi, do you?"

"Not really, it's all just letting things take their natural course; we're all friends," Wang Yan said with a chuckle.

"Bao Zong having a friend like you is truly the worst luck in eight lifetimes." Li Li was silent for a long time before blurting out this sentence.

"What kind of talk is that? It's as if I'm specifically trying to poach his women. Miss Wang and I have normal contact, and Lingzi and I are just friends. It's Bao Zong who had some problems with them; you can't blame that on me."

"I've heard it all. Bao Zong has known them for a long time, but after all these years, he still hasn't made a move. You are the complete opposite of him; you could say you are shameless, provoking women everywhere."

Looking at Li Li's reproachful gaze, Wang Yan nodded with a chuckle: "Thank you."

Li Li shook her head and smiled, then changed the subject: "Jingxiu told you, right? I've been in contact with Bao Zong recently."

"He mentioned it briefly. Is something up?"

"He's paying close attention to people coming from Shenzhen; he might be planning something. He came to me to probe for information. He wants to know the moves of Nanguo Investment; he wants to follow along and make a profit."

"Did you tell him about the past between Qiang Mujie and Lingzi?"

"I did. His reaction wasn't very big, just a bit surprised. However, I know he took it in, but at the same time, I felt he was a bit dismissive, thinking Qiang Mujie wouldn't be that irrational. After several contacts recently, I feel that Bao Zong is not a successful man, nor is he a successful businessman. He isn't as shameless as you, and he certainly doesn't have your boldness."

As a man, he is hesitant and indecisive regarding feelings; as a businessman, he is not pure. Li Li's words are very accurate; this is Boss Abao.

"I thank you." Wang Yan shook his head, amused, "So you're cooperating with Bao Zong?"

"There's an intention, he's still considering it. Do you want to get involved?"

"Tell me about it."

"Qiang Mujie intends to acquire a company, but it's not clear which one yet. You could follow along, buy low and sell high, and make a profit off him."

"If he's just doing it to drive up the stock price to dump it, wouldn't that be a disaster? And this also involves insider trading; if you make money, you might be taken away for investigation."

Li Li frowned and asked: "Do you think they don't really want to acquire it?"

"True or false, who can say for sure?" Wang Yan shook his head, "But regardless, if you follow along and buy, you'll definitely make money."

"You'd make money if you bought too."

"If I enter the market, once Qiang Mujie stops playing, the end result is that I'm making money from the retail investors, or else I end up taking over that company. Neither of these results is of any use to me, and I'm not short of that little bit of money."

"You make me feel embarrassed to buy now." Li Li glared at him, her words somewhat irritable.

"I'm unwilling to make that kind of money, but I can't control you making it. Bao Zong has a friend called Stamp Li, who says everyone does it that way; if you don't make money, blame your own lack of ability, blame your own greed, don't blame others. I believe this is what the vast majority of people think, even the retail investors who go bankrupt and lose their families will only blame their own bad luck until they die."

"But the world shouldn't be like this, and people shouldn't be like this. It's just that I'm not a leader of the CSRC, and certainly not a higher-level leader; I can't control that much. Do you know what Bao Zong said?"

Looking at Li Li's inquisitive gaze, Wang Yan smiled, "He encouraged me to take Hongyun or Cao Cao Logistics public. Since I'm unwilling to make money that way, and I can't stand the big players, can't stand the market makers, and can't stand the behavior of listed companies, then I should do it and let people see."

"So what do you think?"

"In a couple of years, perhaps. Things are developing quite well right now; I'll talk about it if I'm short on money."

Li Li nodded: "Let's eat."

Just like in the days past, the two chatted idly while eating, and afterwards, they went out and returned to Li Li's home. As the saying goes, hunger and cold give rise to thieving hearts, while fullness and warmth lead to thoughts of lust; deepening their feelings was a very necessary thing...

And on the same night, in the quiet Ye Dongjing, Lingzi reached out and took the talisman that Boss Abao had kept in his wallet for many years. They said goodbye to each other, and from then on, the mountains are high and the waters are long; he walks his path, and she crosses her bridge.

No one knew what Lingzi's state of mind was that night. By the next day, she was back to her exquisite appearance and attire. Early in the morning, she took a box of account books, hailed a taxi to the Peace Hotel, left them at the front desk, and only then returned to Ye Dongjing...

"You're up."

Boss Abao came out, dazed. Hearing Master Ye's words, he responded vaguely and drank some plain water to quench his thirst. Seeing the tall stack of books on Master Ye's desk, he asked: "What are you looking at, Master Ye?"

"Ye Dongjing's account books. Lingzi sent them to the lobby downstairs early this morning."

Boss Abao yawned: "She wanted to give them to me yesterday, but I didn't want them. I didn't expect her to send them over herself."

"In the past, your accounts with Lingzi were a muddled mess; now they're clear." Master Ye patted the stack of books and smiled, "She has always kept accounts, and they were settled daily and monthly, perfectly clear. This is 500,000 that Lingzi gave you. Although it's not enough to cover all the money you gave her over the years, after more than three years, it can be considered a bit of money recovered from a debt collector."

Boss Abao, now alert, walked over in a few steps, picked up the bankbook on the table, was silent for a while, and smiled: "Clear is good. Master Ye, deposit this money."

"It should have been like this long ago. Whether being a person or doing business, you either advance or retreat; you just can't stand still. On this point, you should learn from Wang Laoban. Miss Wang, Li Li, Xiao Jiangxi—he turns no one away. You just lack his decisiveness and his courage."

"A while ago, Libaitou called and said Wang Yan dares to bring things directly to the door and dares to talk about other women. If you had one-tenth of his ability, you wouldn't be looking for trouble for yourself like this now."

Master Ye still has some face in relevant circles, and he is an old hand from No. 27. Libaitou is Miss Wang's father, who also worked at No. 27 before, but retired later. Over the years, because of the cooperation between Miss Wang and Boss Abao, Master Ye and Libaitou have become very familiar. Especially the most important point is that Master Ye has two wives, who are sisters. He is old and keeps his mouth shut.

Libaitou couldn't stand having a son-in-law like Wang Yan and always had to vent his worries. Thus, Master Ye, an old hand in the same social circle, was a very good person to confide in.

"Wang Laoban is a god-like man; I can't compare." Boss Abao had already anticipated this result. Even though Miss Wang's willingness to be like this surprised him, he accepted it. Otherwise, what else could he do? It had nothing to do with him anyway...

"I heard Wang Laoban met with that Shenzhen person yesterday?"

"Right there at Jingxiu's phone booth..." Boss Abao recalled the process and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

But after laughing, he had to face the problem squarely, "I thought Qiang Mujie was a real businessman, only out to get rich. I didn't expect him not to be. Li Li told me Qiang Mujie was targeting me because of Lingzi, and I still didn't believe it. But after what happened yesterday, I have to believe it. After all, he even dared to run to Wang Laoban and make threats. This person is overconfident; you could say he's conceited."

"Conceit leads to suffering." Master Ye said blandly, then changed the subject, "Speaking of Wang Laoban, did you talk to him about joining in?"

"I just got back from Hong Kong. When I was at Ye Dongjing, I mentioned it to him. He didn't refuse at the time, but it's hard to say exactly how much money he'll put in. Speaking of which, Master Ye has foresight. If I had borrowed money from Wang Laoban three years ago, it's really hard to say what would be happening now."

Master Ye waved his hand; there was no need to mention such a small matter.

He said: "Bring it up early. He has many industries and uses a lot of money. If he's short on cash when the time comes, I'm afraid you'll be finished this time. I still don't approve of you taking the clothing company public; it hasn't been easy to accumulate this much over so many years."

Boss Abao shook his head: "The opportunity is right before my eyes. If I pull this off, we can become brokers in the future. That's a broader world, a more exciting world. Besides, didn't Master Ye leave a safety channel? It'll be fine. Even if there's a problem, man proposes, God disposes; I'll accept my fate."

"You just won't listen to advice." Master Ye sighed, "Have Xiao Ningbo come over recently; he needs to contact the factories. With the previous success of Sanyang, we still have an advantage in price."

"If this is done, it'll be like a fish leaping over the dragon gate." Boss Abao put down his water cup heavily...

Regarding Boss Abao's statement, Wang Yan was noncommittal. After all, brokers aren't that amazing; if you don't do it well, you'll still be finished. One success doesn't mean eternal success.

Of course, Wang Yan wouldn't refuse Boss Abao's request to borrow money; there was no reason to refuse, either in terms of emotion or reason.

So he took a sip of tea and asked with a smile: "Give me a number."

"Thirty million."

Boss Abao wasn't very sure about Wang Yan's cash strength. After all, Wang Yan's industries were labor-intensive, with a lot of cash but also a lot of expenses. The only high-tech semiconductor factory hadn't made a move yet. Not long ago, he bought an old western-style house on the Bund because Xiao Jiangxi opened a hotel, and he gave Miss Wang a large sum of money to create a high-end brand. It was all high consumption. So although Boss Abao held up three fingers firmly, his tone was not very certain.

He said, "I'll take ten percent of the profit."

The situation now was different from three years ago. Back then, he took forty percent, which was to make money for Wang Yan and also to give Wang Yan a favor. But now, he was the one begging Wang Yan, and Wang Yan actually didn't care about the amount of profit. So borrowing money from him was to repay the money he had made before. Boss Abao understood these principles clearly.

"That's fine. You take twenty percent of the profit; market price is enough. I'm joining in, so I'll bear the gains and losses myself."

Wang Yan put down his teacup with a chuckle, took out his checkbook from his pocket, and started filling in the numbers with a pen.

After writing the check, he pushed it in front of Boss Abao, and Wang Yan continued, "Li Li told me that Nanguo Investment's moves this time are a mix of truth and falsehood. I suggest you be cautious."

"I know. It's not about this round, but the next round with the clothing company. Li Li told me about the matter between Qiang Mujie and Lingzi. I think when the clothing company goes public, that will be the real battle with him."

"Strive to take him down."

"With Wang Laoban's support, I'll definitely take him down." After speaking, Boss Abao leaned in closer and asked, "Wang Laoban, I heard about what happened last night. You aren't really going to take action against him, are you?"

Wang Yan had an expression of looking at a fool: "Although Qiang Mujie really doesn't amount to much, he has Nanguo Investment behind him, and the local government. Intimidating him is one thing, but can I really take action? Besides, I'm a serious businessman, not a desperado, and certainly not a gangster."

Boss Abao chuckled, pulled back his leaning body, took a tactical sip of tea, and changed the subject: "How is Miss Wang doing?"

"Not sure, I didn't ask. She's afraid I'll interfere, so she hasn't told me anything. But it's been a short time, and she doesn't have much experience. I guess she hasn't even sorted out the personnel yet."

"I really admire you, Wang Laoban. You gave Miss Wang so much money, and you don't even ask. Is it the same with Xiao Jiangxi?"

"It's all the same." Wang Yan raised his wrist with a chuckle, checked the time, and said, "Time's about up, let's go."

Boss Abao shook his head: "I'm not included."

"Really broken up?"

"Lingzi got up early today, sent Ye Dongjing's account books to the Peace Hotel, and gave me 500,000." Boss Abao took a sip of tea, let out a long sigh, and then lamented, "It's my fault, too. Back then, to thank her for her help in Japan, I opened this Ye Dongjing for her. I didn't expect so many things to happen."

"Regret opening Ye Dongjing?"

"Giving a sum of money is the most appropriate thing."

Boss Abao's expression was sad, but he still drew a conclusion to his past with Lingzi.

He said, "Wang Laoban, actually, sometimes I envy you."

"What's there to envy about a scumbag?"

Boss Abao was stunned for a moment, surprised by Wang Yan's clear self-awareness. He smiled bitterly and said, "Actually, it's quite good."

Wang Yan smiled and didn't care about the fact that Boss Abao also thought he was a scumbag, just as he disdained Boss Abao and his group of people who made money from retail investors and were full of high spirits.

After drinking the tea in his cup, he stood up and patted Boss Abao on the shoulder: "I'm off."

"See you again."

Boss Abao didn't leave. He drank tea by himself in this teahouse, his gaze deep. He held the teacup in one hand, while the other hand covered the check for thirty million, written in Wang Yan's rarely neat handwriting. He had already made his choice...

Ye Dongjing, as the bell rang, Wang Yan walked in with a chuckle.

"Long time no see, Boss Lady."

"Long time no see, Wang Laoban." Lingzi responded with a smile, "I heard from Tao Tao and the others that Wang Laoban's life these past few months has been very exciting."

"It's all fate." Wang Yan replied casually, then called out, "Little Monk, hurry up and start the fire, I'm hungry."

"Coming, I was just waiting for you." Little Monk responded and ran into the kitchen to get busy.

With Little Monk and the others busy, a group of people sat around the table, waiting to eat.

Wang Yan asked: "Where did you run off to these past few months?"

"Japan."

Before Lingzi could speak, Ling Hong said, "I don't know what Lingzi was thinking. She worked as a waitress in Japan for several years, and then she had to run to Japan and spend all her money."

To this, Wang Yan expressed understanding: "Currently speaking, Japan is indeed much more developed than us. Lingzi suffered there before and didn't enjoy the prosperity there. Now that she has money, going back to spend a lot of money can balance her heart."

"I knew you understood me; they don't understand at all." Lingzi looked at Ling Hong and the others with disgust.

Tao Tao complained: "Wang Laoban is even more extravagant. In front of him, you, Lingzi, are a small witch meeting a big witch, so of course he can understand."

After chatting idly like this, seeing everyone looking at him, Wang Yan asked with a chuckle: "Lingzi, what are your plans for the future?"

"I don't know yet. Originally, I planned to come back, draw a clear line with Bao Zong, and run Ye Dongjing well. But I didn't expect that Ye Dongjing is now yours, Wang Laoban, so I don't know what to do. Maybe I'll look for a new storefront for a while and open another restaurant."

Lingzi's words were very sensible, if not for the fact that she was resting her chin on her hand and staring straight at Wang Yan with her big eyes.

Although everyone had already discussed it yesterday, at this moment, none of Teacher Ge and the others spoke up. The restaurant belonged to Wang Yan, so of course, Wang Yan had the final say on how to arrange it. They understood this principle. Discussion was discussion, but they couldn't talk nonsense at this time.

Wang Yan didn't avoid Lingzi's gaze: "I took over Ye Dongjing from Bao Zong, but the business license is in both of your names. Although the change was carried out smoothly, you were unaware of it. So it's only natural that Lingzi should come to the current Ye Dongjing."

"Originally, I took it over because I've stayed here for a long time, and we're all friends. It wouldn't be good for the shop to close down. Of course, I was also prepared for you not to come back, and we had a place to remember you. Now that you're back and want to run it well, then everything stays the same."

"Bao Zong had a fifty-fifty split with you at the end of the year, and he would cover any losses. Then it will be the same in the future. Tomorrow I'll have someone come over and take you to the industrial and commercial bureau to handle the procedures and add your name."

"This isn't good..."

"It's settled." Wang Yan said firmly, "Originally, Teacher Ge and the others were watching over it. I don't have the time to manage this restaurant. You weren't here, and they were leaderless; they couldn't manage it well. We've all known each other for so many years, who can't trust whom?"

"I'm afraid your money, Wang Laoban, won't be easy to lose..."

"That depends on how you lose it."

The two exchanged glances. Tao Tao and the others looked at this one, then at that one. Obviously, they felt the strangeness of the atmosphere. Even if they couldn't feel it, they could see Lingzi's blushing face. They were all melons eating gossip at close range.

Lingzi, blushing, finally retreated and looked away, taking a sip of the refreshing herbal tea.

She said: "Bao Zong is in the past; let's talk business. Let me tell you my plans first, and then you can decide."

"Go ahead."

"I've thought a lot these past few months, and finally decided to start over. I, Lingzi, want to start over, and Ye Dongjing also wants to start over. So first of all, I have to say goodbye to the past and redecorate Ye Dongjing..."

Lingzi chattered about her plans, and Wang Yan listened with a chuckle, nodding from time to time.

In the original drama, Lingzi was a genius. She was nothing before, but when she came back, her cooking became delicious, and she could innovate dishes. In such a small place, she was going to receive foreign tourists, and later she even opened branches in Hong Kong, Singapore, and other places.

Such a miracle was unfolding before Wang Yan's eyes. Lingzi spoke very logically, with clear organization, and had clear ideas about what level she wanted to reach and how to do it.

Purely in terms of money, Wang Yan taking over Ye Dongjing and then handing it over to Lingzi to run, it might even be profitable...

It wasn't until Little Monk started serving hot dishes that Lingzi took a sip of herbal tea to soothe her dry mouth, blinking her big eyes at Wang Yan, "Wang Laoban, what do you think?"

"Very good, I support you. Ye Dongjing is not this shop, but this shop where everyone is. So no matter what it becomes, it's still the same old thing."

"Right, Wang Laoban said it well."

"That's exactly what I think." Ling Hong nodded repeatedly.

"I don't know why, but what Little Northeast said makes me want to cry." Teacher Ge was the most exaggerated.

The three of them chimed in tacitly, and for a moment, it became lively again.

"Then it's settled. Have someone come over tomorrow." Lingzi nodded, met Wang Yan's eyes, and looked away again...

"Look, I said yesterday that Little Northeast is the best person. If it were someone else with as much money and power as him, they wouldn't even bother with us poor, sour old friends anymore."

Wang Yan waved his hand: "Alright, alright, you've said everything about having a conscience or not."

"It's just that he's not very good when it comes to men and women." Teacher Ge was irritable again.

"It's mutual consent, what's wrong with that? You old guy is just envious, jealous, and hateful." Tao Tao stood up for Wang Yan, although more for himself. He still couldn't let go of the little sister-in-law from before.

"Alright, Lingzi is back, and she's not holding grudges against you. What a good thing. Don't always keep flipping back and forth about my affairs." Wang Yan directly changed the subject, "Lingzi, think about the renovation yourself. I'll leave you a phone number later; it's a renovation team, they can do anything. You can communicate with them when the time comes."

"Okay." Lingzi responded with a smile, then changed the subject, "Let's not talk about this. There's plenty of time in the future. Let's talk about something happy. Tell me, what interesting things happened in the few months I was away?"

There were always plenty of interesting things. Even Tao Tao knew about Wang Yan and Qiang Mujie's meeting on Huanghe Road last night. The topic drifted to Li Li, Wang Yan pointed out Qiang Mujie's identity, and it returned to Lingzi. One said a sentence, the other said a sentence, full of laughter.

Ye Dongjing, which hadn't been lively for a long time, returned to its usual state... ===== CHAPTER 1006 =====