Chapter 1389: The Blow

After lunch, everyone sat around chatting to help digest.

Wang Yan seemed to notice he'd neglected Qin Li Chuan, and asked with a smile, "Buddy, where are you headed? Coming out with luggage and all?"

"I was studying abroad in Canada, but something came up at home, so I stopped by the school to see Qiaoqiao on the way. We grew up together."

"Then your childhood friend is quite the loyal one—didn't even go home first, came straight here."

Hearing Wang Yan's words, Xie Da Qiao laughed and said, "That's right, we're the best of buddies."

Qin Li Chuan echoed with a smile, "Yeah, best buddies!"

But his smile was very forced.

"Speaking of Canada, I went there once after graduation." Wang Yan changed the subject.

Xu Lin picked up the thread, "I know, didn't you go there to take photos?"

Wang Yan nodded, then suddenly let out a sigh: "When I was coming back to the country, I ran into a girl, pretty good-looking, also from Jingcheng, also surnamed Qin—you're surnamed Qin too. Who knows, maybe she's got some connection to you."

"I only have one older sister, named Qin Fang Qian. You…"

Qin Li Chuan was just laughing and saying it couldn't be, when Wang Yan interrupted him with a smile and a clap of his hands: "Look at that, isn't it true that you can't write a book without coincidences? Didn't expect to actually run into her. The world really is too small."

"For real?" Qin Li Chuan was a bit dumbfounded.

Xie Da Qiao also widened her eyes in surprise: "No way, Wang Yan, you really met Sister Qianqian?"

"Do I have any reason to lie to you?" Wang Yan clicked his tongue. "But it could also just be the same name. I'll describe her situation and you can see if it matches: twenty years old this year, studying abroad in Vancouver, met a little thug in Jingcheng, got sweet-talked by the little thug until she was head over heels, started acting bad along with the little thug, pretty wild personality.

She ran back from Canada just to chase after that little thug. She should still be in Shanghai by now, supposedly because that little thug is doing business in Shanghai and she believes he's bound to make something of himself."

"Uh…" Xie Da Qiao didn't know what to say. It matched, everything matched.

"That really is my sister, but he's no little thug." Qin Li Chuan still tried to explain. "His name is Tan Hui, he's pretty impressive. All these years he's been making it on his own… Of course he can't compare to you, Wang Laoban, but he's way ahead of most people."

"When you see Qin Fang Qian, give her my regards."

Wang Yan smiled pleasantly, didn't argue, and went on chatting and laughing about idle matters with everyone.

At that moment, Qin Li Chuan's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and instinctively looked toward Wang Yan.

"Qin Fang Qian?" Wang Yan shook his head with amusement. "Look at that, speak of the devil and he appears."

"It really is a coincidence."

Qin Li Chuan sighed, then picked up the phone. "What is it?"

"Hey~ Qin Li Chuan, are you asking for a beating? How dare you talk to me like that? When are you paying back the money you took from Yihui?"

"Oh, sis, look at the way you're talking. What instructions do you have for me?"

Qin Fang Qian snorted, "Where are you? Why is it so noisy?"

"At Beiqing."

"Going to see Qiaoqiao again? Perfect, I'll buy you two tickets, come over this weekend."

"What for?"

"I'm getting married, you two come be the best man and bridesmaid."

"No, come on, think about it. Besides, do you even have a hukou booklet?"

"Marrying is marrying, does it matter whether I have those two certificates? Get on the train first, buy the ticket later." Qin Fang Qian spoke with absolute dominance.

"Think it through carefully. Once the bow is drawn, there's no turning back."

Qin Fang Qian said impatiently, "Do I need you to teach me? It's settled then. Anything else? Nothing, I'm hanging up."

"Uh… hold on a sec."

"Speak. Money's not happening."

Qin Li Chuan glanced at the grinning Wang Yan and said, "Do you know Wang Yan?"

"I don't—" Qin Fang Qian spoke instinctively, but once the name registered, she recalled that unforgettable, detestable little man. "Where'd you hear that? I never said anything. Oh right, you're at Beiqing, he's also from Beiqing. What, from the sound of it, you're together?"

Wang Yan took the phone and switched to speaker: "Miss me, beautiful?"

The moment those words came out, everyone looked at Xiao Qianxi, but Xiao Qianxi showed no reaction, just smiling gently.

"Get lost, little punk, mouth's still as sharp as ever. This auntie's getting married, watch your mouth."

"Your brother's right, you really should think it through carefully. That little thug has no future."

"As if you're the one with a future, as if you're so great. You got something or not? Nothing, I'm hanging up!"

"We're friends at least…"

"Don't, please don't, I can't afford to climb that high." Qin Fang Qian's disdain came through the signal, through the phone.

Wang Yan laughed heartily: "Fine, but no matter what, it's still a bit of fate. If I hadn't known, fine, but now that I do, I have to show some gesture. I'll give you a red envelope, let me feel a little involved."

"Get lost, aren't you disgusting?"

"Look at that, just goes to show you've learned bad habits from the little thug. I meant treating you to a wedding banquet, where did your mind go? Oh right, when Xie Da Qiao and the others come over, have Xie Da Qiao tell you about my legendary deeds, broaden your horizons. Don't treat some little thug like a treasure."

"Drop dead, I'm hanging up!"

Looking at the strange gazes from everyone, Wang Yan shrugged: "You all heard? This is what they mean by 'those near cinnabar turn red, those near ink turn black.' A perfectly good-looking girl, what has she turned into hanging around with a little thug? Really thinks she's some big sister boss."

As he spoke, Wang Yan took out his wallet, counted out a thousand yuan and handed it to Qin Li Chuan. "Find a red envelope and wrap it up for me. The thought is what counts."

"Uh… I'll thank you on my sister's behalf, Wang Laoban."

"You're welcome."

Wang Yan waved his hand. "Alright, time to get to work, friends."

Saying that, he pinched Xiao Qianxi's nose, stood up, and ambled over to the development team…

Qin Li Chuan also told Xie Da Qiao about making her go along as a bridesmaid. Looking at the money in his hand, he suddenly said, "Wait, that's not right. I didn't put my call on speaker earlier, how did Wang Laoban know my sister's getting married?"

"First the hukou booklet, then 'have you thought it through'—if it's not getting married, what else could it be?" Xu Lin was speechless. "Dude, how did you even study abroad?"

Wang Ying answered from the side, "You don't have to be good at grades, you can pay your way in."

"Then why didn't you go?"

"For someone like me, studying abroad or not makes little difference, and I'm not very adapted to life overseas anyway. But maybe I'll go after graduation? I've hardly ever left the country; consider it broadening my horizons."

At this, Qin Li Chuan finally understood: "So you two were just calling me stupid behind my back?"

"We wouldn't say 'stupid,' only 'not very bright,'" Xu Lin chuckled, making a jab, then turned to Xie Da Qiao. "I reckon you won't be working either; just go with your childhood friend. The three of us have business to attend to."

Watching Xiao Qianxi and the other two depart, Qin Li Chuan turned around, pointed at himself, and asked, "Am I really that dull?"

"What do you think? They've already exchanged two full rounds of conversation, and you're only just now reacting by saying they called you stupid. How bright could you possibly be?" Xie Da Qiao couldn't help rolling her eyes.

"Oh, enough, enough; stop worrying about such things. Let's get going first. You sneaked back anyway; let's find you a place to stay. Don't we still have two days before we head over?"

"It's fine; didn't money come in? Consider it the accommodation fee my sister provided for me." Qin Li Chuan waved the thousand yuan Wang Yan had given him, chuckling.

"No way. That money was Wang Yan's gift congratulating Sister Qianxi; what kind of story would it be if you spent it?" Xie Da Qiao glared at him and said, "You came back because of me anyway, which is already awkward enough; I'll cover the expenses these few days."

"Do you even have money?"

"Who are you looking down on? I've got several thousand right now."

"That much? Where did it come from? Oh, I get it; Wang Laoban paid you a salary?"

"No salary." Xie Da Qiao shook her head. "It's just that after the financing round, they issued us a bonus, one thousand yuan per person. Besides, haven't I been helping him all along? Now I'm also studying alongside Qianxi; on lighter days I grab lunch here, and on busier days I even manage a free dinner, so naturally I've saved money."

"Additionally, since Qianxi is Wang Yan's girlfriend, whenever Wang Yan buys fruit or other things for Qianxi, he brings enough for all four of us in the dormitory, saving yet another expense. My family sends me five or six hundred yuan monthly for living expenses; I hardly spend any of it, so I've accumulated this much."

"A rich lady! Please take me under your wing."

Qin Li Chuan shamelessly sidled up, only to be shoved away by a disgusted Xie Da Qiao. "Let's go already; the sooner we finish, the sooner we're done. I still need to inform my family..."

"Don't! Absolutely don't. If you tell your family, that's as good as telling mine. I don't know what will happen to Qin Fang Qian, but I'll definitely be hung up and whipped by my father."

"True enough. Sister Qianxi really is bold..."

Qin Fang Qian said, "It's not about being bold; it's that I believe in Yihui."

She gazed tenderly at Tan Hui beside her.

"Oh, come on, that's enough; people are watching. Have you no shame at all?" Qin Li Chuan spoke up, ruining the mood, and received a sharp kick from an annoyed Qin Fang Qian.

Tan Hui said, "Let's go; we'll head to the hotel first to drop off our luggage, then go eat. We really must properly treat you two. Regarding this matter, I truly owe your family an apology."

"Enough; why say such things? My willingness is worth more than a thousand gold. Let's go."

Qin Fang Qian turned, put her arm around Xie Da Qiao, and walked off, while behind them Tan Hui and Qin Li Chuan dragged suitcases and carried bags, exchanging bitter smiles.

"Brother-in-law, I truly admire you; how can you even tolerate this tigress?"

"I find sweetness in it."

"Alright, now you're using fancy words."

The group of four went to the hotel, afterward proceeding to a mid-to-high-end restaurant blending Chinese and Western cuisines.

Just as Qin Fang Qian finished ordering dishes, Qin Li Chuan let out an "Ai," pulled a red envelope from his pocket, and said, "Sister, this is the red envelope Wang Yan prepared for you; he asked me to bring it over."

Taking it and glancing inside, Qin Fang Qian said in surprise, "Yo, a thousand? Quite generous; did he really strike it rich?"

"Are you kidding, Sister? The man's a multi-millionaire." Qin Li Chuan even spoke up to set the record straight for Wang Yan.

At this, Qin Fang Qian's eyes widened. "For real? That kid? A multi-millionaire?"

Xie Da Qiao, recalling the task Wang Yan had entrusted to her, nodded and said, "It's true, Sister Qianxi; it's just that his net worth is in the millions, but he doesn't have that much liquid cash on hand."

"Oh, right; I remember now. Didn't he ask you to tell me how amazing he is now? Go ahead, speak; I want to see just how amazing he can be. Always calling our Yihui a little hooligan at every turn; so annoying."

Tan Hui smiled from the side. "What he said isn't wrong."

Earlier, when Qin Fang Qian had been on the phone with Qin Li Chuan, and later when Wang Yan appeared, Tan Hui had been listening nearby; subsequently, he had also learned from Qin Fang Qian about the story from their return flight.

Though dissatisfied with Wang Yan's flippant tone while speaking to Qin Fang Qian, he acknowledged Wang Yan's assessment of him, yet did not accept Wang Yan's judgment of him; he believed he could succeed...

"What does a little brat know? Isn't he doing quite well now?" Qin Fang Qian slapped Tan Hui, then turned and said, "Qiaoqiao, explain in detail; let me hear just how amazing he is."

"He majors in photography at the Academy of Fine Arts of Beiqing University. During military training... later, he partnered with a computer shop in Zhongguancun, took a megaphone to the streets to give speeches, and seemingly sold twenty or thirty units, earning enough for a mobile phone in just one day. The second time..."

"After those two speeches, he secured a supply channel for computers and decided to start a business. He wrote a project proposal and approached the relevant person in charge at our university... The person responsible for project review was our university's vice president... At the time, he slammed a newspaper down in front of the leader..."

"Up to now, he directly employs over a hundred people, has more than three hundred part-time agents across schools nationwide, and recently expanded operations, saying they intend to develop local services and e-commerce, combining online and offline models. I don't fully understand it."

"..."

Silence fell over the group; even Qin Li Chuan, who had only a rough idea of the situation, was left speechless. He had already begun apologizing internally for his previous prejudice against Wang Yan; the man truly hadn't been pretending—he was genuinely awesome, lightning-fast impressive...

Qin Fang Qian looked at Xie Da Qiao. "A net worth of fifty-six million?"

"That was his estimated net worth earlier. After some further development time, the company's situation is good, with users growing rapidly. Wang Yan says his shares should now be worth over seventy million."

"Has it been a full four months up to now?"

"Yes." Xie Da Qiao nodded.

"Then him calling me a little hooligan really isn't unjustified." Tan Hui took a tactical sip of water, smiled bitterly, and said, "This is a true dragon; too awesome. It sounds like a legend; even novels wouldn't dare write it this way."

Qin Fang Qian snorted. "What's the big deal? We aren't seeking his help, nor spending his money. No matter how amazing he is, what does it have to do with us?"

"To be honest, Sister, even if you wanted a connection, you couldn't make one. The business you're in doesn't overlap with his; there's no way to leverage it."

Xie Da Qiao wanted to say that connections could be made; she knew local life services could relate to almost anything. However, she didn't speak, noticing that Tan Hui had suffered a heavy blow...

Tan Hui shook his head and smiled. "Truly, same world, different fates. He really built this from nothing with his bare hands."

"You're not bad either; sooner or later you'll surpass him." Qin Fang Qian continued encouraging, soothing Tan Hui's emotions. "Alright, alright; the dishes are arriving. Let's eat quickly. We've been waiting for you two to arrive; we haven't eaten since morning and are already starving. Qiaoqiao, eat more; look how thin you are."

She changed the subject, no longer discussing that little brat; everyone talked about the past and such, which turned out quite pleasant.

Yet Qin Fang Qian still couldn't suppress it; scenes from the airplane kept flashing through her mind.

How could he be so amazing?

Isn't this cheating?

No matter what, she had never expected that someone she met on a plane, destined to be merely a passerby, would reappear in her life, and in such a stunning manner...

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? (End of Chapter)