Chapter 1260: There Must Be a Result

Everyone had finally gathered around one table again after a long time, but the atmosphere remained somewhat awkward.

The seating order was Wang Yan in the center, with Xia Lin and Lu Tao on his left, and Yang Zhong Xiaoyun, Mi Lai, Lulu, Hua Zi, and Xiang Nan on his right, forming a complete circle.

Lu Tao and Xia Lin watched Mi Lai, while Mi Lai chatted with Yang Zhong Xiaoyun and Lulu on either side of her...

Everyone present could feel the awkwardness emanating from Lu Tao and Xia Lin.

Hua Zi smiled and said, "Come, come, let's have a drink; Mi Lai has returned to the country, so let's all celebrate."

"Right, right, let's drink, let's drink," Xiang Nan, unable to bear the awkwardness either, echoed while raising his glass.

Mi Lai finally showed some face and joined them in drinking a glass of beer.

After setting down his glass, Lu Tao finally spoke: "Mi Lai, a warm welcome to your return to the country."

"Yes, Mi Lai, welcome back," Xia Lin echoed.

Their words were very official and very polite.

Mi Lai smiled and asked, "Are you really welcoming me?"

"Of course we are welcoming you! I'll have another drink," Lu Tao said, directly lifting the beer bottle to chug from it.

"I'll have one too," Xia Lin said, also lifting her beer bottle, and the two of them gulped down their drinks together.

Mi Lai wore an expression of disgust: "You two should stop; do you think drinking a little alcohol makes you feel better? Is it useful? You've already done the deed, so what's the point of all this nonsense? Is there any meaning in it?"

Xia Lin said, "It is meaningless, but we still want to express our apologies."

"Apologizing after killing someone? The person is already dead; what use is your apology?" Mi Lai waved her hand. "Enough, let's not mention what happened before; it ruins the mood. Just looking at the two of you ruins my mood."

"Mi Lai!" Lu Tao showed some emotion. "I am the one who wronged you, but you don't have to be like this, do you?"

"Like what? Am I not speaking the truth? Before I went abroad, you two hypocritically saw me off, making me feel uncomfortable the entire flight; you two never wanted me to have it easy."

"We were just..."

"Just what?" Mi Lai said. "I told you not to say it, not to say it; why are you so long-winded? Do you two need to hypocritically say 'sorry' while I hypocritically say 'it's okay' for you two to feel comfortable? There's no such thing as bullying people like this, is there? I haven't cursed at you two yet, which is good enough; what more do you want?"

Lu Tao looked as if he wanted to die; he wanted to explain, but he found he didn't know what to say.

The current Mi Lai felt incredibly strange to him, vastly different from the Mi Lai he knew. He couldn't understand how Mi Lai had become like this.

Where had the Mi Lai gone who used to agree with him on everything, think of him everywhere, and have her heart and mind filled only with him?

He ought to be happy that Mi Lai was like this; this was exactly what he had anticipated and what he wanted. But now that Mi Lai was truly like this, speaking to him without any courtesy, looking at him with absolutely no emotion in her eyes, and even with disgust, it still made his heart clench with considerable pain.

Xia Lin's state was not good either; she also opened her mouth wanting to explain, but she likewise didn't know what to say. What Mi Lai said was indeed flawless.

Previously, the two of them might have thought that since Mi Lai had a soft nature and was easy to talk to, they could just muddle through it, and then they would feel comfortable in their own hearts. However, things did not go as wished; Mi Lai had displayed aggressiveness...

Yang Zhong Xiaoyun vigorously kicked Wang Yan under the table, urging him, who had barely spoken, to say something to ease the already frozen atmosphere.

Wang Yan, of course, was not afraid of awkwardness; this awkwardness had been destined the moment Lu Tao and Xia Lin sat at this table. However, since Yang Zhong Xiaoyun's eyes were practically popping out, he naturally had to give some response.

"Lu Tao, how has work been lately? Isn't that Youth Home project of yours already landed? How many stories have been built?"

"Three stories are up. Once the foundation is set, building the floors goes quickly. It is expected to be completed by July next year."

Lu Tao waved his hand, stood up, and said, "Mi Lai, no matter what, I am the one who wronged you. I know that no matter how much I say, it cannot make up for the harm I caused you. Since that's the case, Xia Lin and I won't stay here being an eyesore and affecting everyone. We're leaving now; Brother Yan, Hua Zi..."

Xia Lin also nodded to the few others and left together with Lu Tao.

Watching the two of them leave, Mi Lai let out a long breath: "Finally they're gone. Hua Zi, it was you who tipped them off, wasn't it?"

"I just thought I should tell them; actually, the two of them have always felt quite guilty," Hua Zi said helplessly. "I didn't expect it would turn out like this."

"Who could have expected it?" Xiang Nan said. "Think about how well we all used to get along. But I feel Mi Lai has changed a lot; before she left, she was shedding tears, but now she seems to have no feelings about it?"

Mi Lai shook her head, took a sip of wine on her own, and said, "How could I have no feelings? No matter what, we were together for several years in the past. But my feeling is just anger; whenever I see those two acting as if they are so aggrieved, I get mad. The more I think about it, the angrier I get. The fact that I haven't cursed at them profanely is just because I have class."

"Right, flawless," Wang Yan echoed, raising his glass again. "Come, come, let's drink, let's drink."

After everyone drank a glass of wine together, Mi Lai said, "But I know you all get along well with those two; isn't Zhong Xiaoyun still often going shopping with Xia Lin? I'm not that selfish; you don't need to worry about me; just be as you are. Anyway, I am unwilling to see them."

"See, see how reasonable Mi Lai is. Come, let's have a drink together."

Mi Lai lifted her wine glass and secretly sent a flirtatious glance at Wang Yan: "I heard Brother Yan is doing very big business now."

"Hey, how can I compare with your wealthy family?" Wang Yan waved his hand. "Let's drink; tell us about things abroad; everyone sitting at this table has never been abroad, and we are all curious."

The dog man and woman exchanged glances; Mi Lai pursed her lips, then turned her head to laugh and talk with Hua Zi and the others.

Although the beginning was not very pleasant due to Lu Tao and Xia Lin, the result was still quite good; everyone ate well, drank well, and chatted very happily.

Since everyone had to continue working the next day, they did not drink very late, breaking up a little past eleven o'clock.

"I've agreed with Zhong Xiaoyun to stay at their place tonight; you find a place for yourself," Mi Lai said, hugging Yang Zhong Xiaoyun and proudly tilting her head at Wang Yan.

"We two are going to chat," Yang Zhong Xiaoyun waved her hand at Wang Yan. "We're off; take care of yourself."

Over there, Xiang Nan walked out while on the phone: "Brother Yan, Hua Zi, Lu Tao called me; he said he wants to drink a bit more and talk."

Wang Yan waved his hand: "You two go ahead; they probably just want to vent their bitterness and talk about love. I've been extremely busy these past few days; I can't stay up until the latter half of the night."

"Alright, then Brother Yan, we're leaving," Hua Zi said, then took Lulu and left together with Xiang Nan, hailing a taxi and departing...

Two days ago, when Wang Yan and Hua Zi were eating, they discussed the issue of Lulu; after thinking it over, Hua Zi ultimately did not kick Lulu out. Instead, he paid to rent a house for Lulu's biological mother to live in.

Apart from her bad family background and some burdens, Lulu was actually quite fine in other aspects. Although she lacked competitiveness, she had the advantage of being a decent person.

Of course, this excluded the incident in the original drama where Lulu secretly hooked up with Pig Head; but that was actually because Lulu had become disappointed with Hua Zi and made a clean choice.

Her mistake lay in teaming up with Pig Head to deceive Hua Zi behind his back, treating Hua Zi like a monkey, and then turning around to stage a 'if we can't be lovers, let's be friends' act, insisting that Hua Zi forgive them. It was just like Lu Tao and Xia Lin.

However, the reason Pig Head did this was partly due to emotion, but on the other hand, it was likely due to interests. After all, he was in partnership with Hua Zi; if Hua Zi got angry and withdrew his shares, since the two of them were still in a rising period at that time, Pig Head would have been in deep trouble...

This matter mainly depended on Hua Zi's attitude; Lulu indeed had no say in it at all. From the current situation, things between Hua Zi and Lulu were still acceptable...

Watching the taxi drive away into the distance, Wang Yan also waved his hand to hail a car.

He did not go home but went to the love nest he had previously shared with Mi Lai. This was a house belonging to Mi Lai's family; her family owned quite a few properties in Jingcheng, all waiting to appreciate in value, considered idle investments. Mi Lai was unwilling to live with her parents, so she picked this particular unit and moved out. Or rather, her purpose was clear; she had long ago decided to carry on a secret affair with Wang Yan.

With Wang Yan going there, it was obvious that Mi Lai had already decided to send Yang Zhong Xiaoyun away; the two of them were indeed a dog man and a dog woman, committing adultery and violating morality, which was utterly improper...

Using the key to open the door and enter the house, less than half an hour later, Mi Lai returned.

She closed the door, kicked off her shoes, and rushed into Wang Yan's arms like the wind, saying with a hint of thrilling excitement: "I went to Yang Zhong Xiaoyun's house, sat down, didn't say a few words, and then found an excuse to run back."

"Why do you sound so excited to me?"

"It's so thrilling! I was wondering why Lu Tao didn't lay his cards on the table back then and insisted on waiting until I caught them in the act."

Wang Yan shook his head with amusement, though his hands moved without delay; with a perfectly serious expression, he analyzed, "I think Lu Tao probably still wanted to be good to you back then. After all, Xia Lin was about to go abroad, wasn't she? Once Xia Lin left, Lu Tao would still be with you, wouldn't he? Then you went abroad, you two were separated by two countries, and naturally you broke up; he wouldn't have any burden either."

"Do you have any burden?"

"I'm enjoying myself, feeling comfortable; what burden could there possibly be?"

"Then you truly have no conscience at all; how can you face Yang Zhong Xiaoyun?"

"You always bring up Yang Zhong Xiaoyun at times like this."

"I feel guilty, that's why I'm excited," Mi Lai said with righteous confidence.

Wang Yan smiled slightly, saying nothing more, merely pushing her excitement to its peak, letting her emotions reach their greatest release, bringing relaxation and happiness from the inside out.

After cleaning up, Mi Lai sensibly lit a cigarette for Wang Yan, then nestled into his embrace.

"When do you plan to solve the problem?"

"It's only been a few days; don't rush. Things must be taken slowly. Didn't you say it was quite thrilling?"

"I want it even more thrilling," Mi Lai said. "Since I've already lost all shame, I'm not afraid of losing even more; I've decided on you."

"It has nothing to do with you; ultimately, it's all my fault for being so carefree and indulging in wild fantasies. Whether being good to you or to Yang Zhong Xiaoyun, if we only had to choose one, we would all be much more at ease."

"The way you put it, you may be at ease, but I'm certainly not happy. I dare say you'll definitely choose to be good to Yang Zhong Xiaoyun and kick me to the curb."

"How can you be so certain?"

"Because I'm cheap, because I have no shame."

"How can you talk about yourself like that? Ultimately, it all comes down to me; don't overthink it."

"Let me tell you, today talking about Lu Tao and Xia Lin makes me feel embarrassed just thinking about it..."

"In this matter involving the three of you, you are the victim; right is right, wrong is wrong; what do you have to be embarrassed about? You could curse them until they're covered in blood and it would still be justified."

"What about the three of us?"

Wang Yan smiled and said, "That definitely makes you a victim too; both you and Yang Zhong Xiaoyun are victims; the fault lies with me."

"You only know how to say nice things," Mi Lai snorted, then asked, "I heard from Yang Zhong Xiaoyun that you're planning to buy her a house?"

"Isn't this just to make her happy? When people eat your food, their mouths soften; when they take your money, their hands shorten; perhaps her resistance will be less."

"I knew you had ulterior motives; you're really spending a fortune on this."

"Money is merely external; what matters is making oneself happy. If it truly works out, she'll be happy, I'll be happy, and you can be happy too; that money would be well spent. Besides, with you, my little rich lady, right here, what does that amount of money matter, isn't that right?"

"That depends on my mood," Mi Lai said haughtily, then sighed and added, "I'm really curious; could you give me a hint about how much assets you have?"

"Dongche Wang is valued at two hundred million; I hold forty percent of the shares, which is eighty million. However, that valuation is from before; nowadays Dongche Wang changes every day, and its valuation rises day by day; my shares are worth at least over one hundred million now."

"The car dealership side carries heavy debt, all propped up by loans; if you calculate the net value, there isn't actually much money. I hold fifty percent of the shares, which might be worth around eight or nine hundred thousand. Additionally, I sometimes trade stocks; including cash, stocks, bonds, and the like, it's less than ten million. That's roughly the situation."

"Wait a moment." Mi Lai sat up abruptly. "I heard you haven't received much profit from the car dealership or Dongche Wang, have you? How long have you been working there? The money you've actually gotten your hands on couldn't reach one million, could it? Even if you had money before, you didn't have one million, did you? In less than a year, you now have ten million?"

"Less than ten million."

"Are you a god of stocks? One year? Tenfold increase?"

"Just good luck, that's all."

"Don't think you can fool me because I don't understand; let me tell you, I studied business administration abroad."

Wang Yan shook his head with amusement: "If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have thought of it; I assumed you went abroad to study art; that's quite a leap."

"Don't change the subject; confess honestly, how did you do it?"

Mi Lai's business administration studies were abandoned halfway through; her level of expertise was virtually nonexistent.

However, Wang Yan didn't look down on her; very patiently, he explained the process of stock trading to Mi Lai, emphasizing the analytical procedures, from macro to micro, from fundamentals to technicals, from institutions to retail investors, leaving Mi Lai completely bewildered.

Actually, this track record meant nothing to Wang Yan. He had only played within the domestic market; he hadn't even touched Hong Kong stocks, let alone foreign ones. This was merely the result of him occasionally managing his affairs during his leisure time.

If he truly went all out, one year would be enough for him to turn several hundred thousand into over a hundred million; no one's sickle could reap his head...

It was a new week; on this day, Wang Yan took Yang Zhong Xiaoyun to look at houses.

In the model room, the sales consultant introduced everything with utmost dedication; after such a thorough introduction, Yang Zhong Xiaoyun wandered around on her own for another two laps.

"Brother Yan, what do you think?"

Wang Yan nodded with a smile: "We've been looking for three days; finally, we've found one we're satisfied with. Shall we take this one?"

"It's not me buying it," Yang Zhong Xiaoyun said. "As long as you think it's good, that's fine."

"Then I think it's good. Tell me again, which floor do you think would be best?"

"Oh my~ I really don't want it; can you stop doing this? You're making me scared."

"I'm willing." Wang Yan waved his hand and went with the sales consultant to the sales office to select a floor.

This was a ready-to-move-in property in Xicheng District; at this time, the average price in Xicheng had already reached over fifteen thousand, and this particular house was priced slightly above twenty thousand.

Ultimately, they selected a western-style house of one hundred and thirty square meters, which also included an attic of considerable size; Wang Yan immediately spent three million. This was still a bare shell; renovation would cost several hundred thousand more.

This house was already excellent. Speaking solely of the sincerity demonstrated through spending, Wang Yan was still driving that Santana station wagon; although he drove well and simply didn't wish to change it, in Yang Zhong Xiaoyun's eyes, that meant he was reluctant to spend.

Wang Yan fully demonstrated his generosity by intending to put only Yang Zhong Xiaoyun's name on the property deed; however, Yang Zhong Xiaoyun stubbornly refused, and as a compromise, Wang Yan's name was added instead.

That evening, Yang Zhong Xiaoyun did not agree to go to Sihe Academy; instead, she went with Wang Yan to book a room at a hotel, saying that Sihe Academy was inconvenient and would affect her performance and dampen her surging passion.

And indeed, it surged.

Yang Zhong Xiaoyun was very uninhibited, very wild.

Wang Yan naturally felt very comfortable...

After that, Yang Zhong Xiaoyun began researching renovation; Wang Yan gave her one million, telling her to handle the decoration as she saw fit.

Yang Zhong Xiaoyun was very happy; just like Huazi, she asked Lu Tao to help with the design, while she personally selected materials, hired workers, and supervised the renovation progress, following through from start to finish.

During this process, she still played together with Mi Lai occasionally and also went out with Xia Lin from time to time.

After that unpleasant incident, Mi Lai never saw Lu Tao or Xia Lin again. Although Lu Tao and Xia Lin had separately invited Mi Lai out a few times, Mi Lai ignored them all; this was what Mi Lai told Wang Yan.

Wang Yan paid no heed to these matters; he continued managing the company's business.

His primary task was to spend the investors' money. Of course, it had to be spent wisely: to attract more users, expand influence, capture a broader market, and raise the valuation. This would give investors hope, prompting them to make additional investments or bring in new capital to enlarge the pie so everyone could prosper.

Thus, in less than half a year, Wang Yan had spent all the raised funds and, before the year ended, secured the Series B financing...

In the blink of an eye, another year passed. This year was no different, except that Wang Yan was busier than ever.

He had to handle the company's issues while also soothing the hearts and minds of Yang Zhong Xiaoyun and Mi Lai.

Mi Lai's thirst for the thrill of novelty had faded; she now wanted a result. As for Yang Zhong Xiaoyun, though they had been together for over a year—and despite Wang Yan joking with Hua Zi that Yang Zhong Xiaoyun was his ancestor—the vast disparity between them meant her situation was little better than Lulu's. Compounded by her mother's instigations, her desire to marry grew stronger; she, too, urgently wanted a result.

There simply had to be a result...