Chapter 1587: Begging for Mercy

"Good that she knows when to back off, or I really would have cursed her to death. What act is she putting on?"

Nan Xiang had completely dropped the pretense; beneath her ladylike and quiet exterior lay the mind of a little hooligan.

"You didn't say anything too harsh either," Wang Yan said with a chuckle.

"It's because too many people were watching; I didn't want to lose that much face. I've already lost my dignity and become labeled as a vain bitch; losing even more face would make it impossible for me to ever show myself in public again."

Nan Xiang gave Wang Yan a resentful glance. "If I had actually gained something, I would have accepted it, but not only did I get nothing from following you, I'm also being viewed by everyone as a bitch. I can accept being called vain or materialistic, but the key point is that I gained nothing."

"That's not what you said when we were in bed; you said you'd be willing to die for it. Nan Xiang, you can't just pull up your pants and disown me, forgetting the dual satisfaction of body and spirit between us. Isn't that a gain?"

"After all that talk, you still just want to get it for free, don't you?"

Wang Yan shook his head repeatedly. "Don't degrade yourself. Getting it for free isn't just about not paying money; it means caring about nothing and considering nothing. Besides, I rented an apartment for you, gave you some living expenses, and I help you solve problems whenever you encounter them. Nan Xiang, wake up; don't always obsess over money. You have to believe that bread will come."

"Moreover, you still haven't clarified our relationship. We are not in a sugar-daddy and sugar-baby arrangement; rather, you are an investor who believes I have a boundless future, using your youth and body as capital to invest in me, the investee. Speaking truthfully, your investment is still far from sufficient."

"I've already let you sleep with me; what more do you want for it to be enough?"

"There you go again, saying the same thing. Did you suffer a loss? Aren't you clear on how profound my skills are? If I really committed myself to being a male escort, do you know how much I could earn? You should be content."

Nan Xiang pursed her lips. "There are still men who seek out other men."

The two of them strolled through the campus, chatting and laughing just like that, being watched by others as if they were monkeys, yet feeling quite pleasant and completely unaffected...

The previous incident was now thoroughly in the past; Xicheng's case was clear and straightforward, he offered no resistance, confessed everything clearly, and the process of sending the case to the procuratorate had already begun.

Wang Yan heard from the prosecution that the sentence would be seven years; the main reason was that Wang Yan remained completely unharmed, whereas Xicheng had his tendons severed and lost a significant amount of blood, and had it not been for timely rescue, Xicheng might have died from blood loss.

Thus, although there was subjective intent to kill, no serious consequences occurred, which significantly relaxed the circumstances of the case.

Regarding this outcome, although Nan Xiang had complex feelings toward Xicheng, she had no particular thoughts about it. After all, for Xicheng, going to prison was entirely normal; it was merely a matter of the length of time. It was unlike someone dying, which brings the greater shock of separation between the living and the dead.

On the contrary, with Xicheng locked up, Nan Xiang felt even more at ease. After all, if Xicheng had been allowed to remain outside, who knew how much trouble he would cause her in the future. She could not endure his rogue harassment; it was simply too annoying. Now that he was inside, everyone could enjoy peace.

Wang Yan had even less reaction; regarding the length of Xicheng's prison term, he had no opinion either. After all, he simply did not fear Xicheng, nor did he fear the trouble Xicheng could bring; he even treated the trouble brought by Xicheng as entertainment.

If Xicheng knew that Wang Yan, whom he hated to the core, thought this way, Xicheng would probably die of anger, and quite possibly the little hooligan would become depressed.

But Xicheng did not know; if not for Wang Yan's help, he would have died within two years. In the original drama, he was killed by debt collectors, and the reason he incurred that debt was, of course, for Nan Xiang. Now, naturally, none of those events occurred, and Xicheng's life had been saved.

It was just that Wang Yan received no gratitude from Xicheng, but that didn't matter, since Wang Yan always did good deeds without seeking fame...

While things were flourishing for Wang Yan here, Gu Li also encountered good news on the other side.

Gu Yuan appeared before Gu Li after all, and reconciled with her.

"I'm sorry I came to find you so late," Gu Yuan said with deep affection.

"I'm the one who should be sorry; I'm a dirty woman, and I still had to hide it from you," Gu Li said, wiping away tears.

"You are the victim; if anyone is to blame, it's that damned Xicheng. Now he has been arrested for slashing Wang Yan; I asked around, and they say he's to be sentenced to seven years, which counts as retribution. Gu Li, you've suffered so much these past few years..."

The two embraced deeply, apologizing to each other; Gu Li said she shouldn't have hidden things from Gu Yuan and that she should have discussed matters properly with him, while Gu Yuan said he shouldn't have been so distrustful of Gu Li and shouldn't have abandoned her when she was sad and hurting.

It seemed like a truly moving love story...

Once the warmth of the moment passed, Gu Li said hatefully, "It's all because of that surname Wang; if not for him, there wouldn't be so many problems today."

"Yes, it's all him!" Gu Yuan also hated him, saying, "You don't know this yet, but earlier when I was handling company matters, he and Lin Quan were outside watching the spectacle. I went to ask him right then whether the trouble with our family company was his doing, and he admitted it. Then he shamelessly insulted me again, saying he would make my family penniless to see if my mother and I could still act so arrogantly."

"What did you say?" Gu Li asked with concern.

"My mind was in chaos at that time; I was holding back my anger, and without thinking, I threw a punch..."

"Did you injure him?" Gu Li asked, eyes wide with surprise, doubting Gu Yuan's combat prowess.

"How could that be possible?" Gu Yuan said somewhat awkwardly. "He slapped me twice. Originally, I wanted to call the police and settle the score with him, even if it meant being detained together for a few days. But there were too many onlookers, and I didn't want Wang Yan to have people spread the story later just to disgust others, so I just accepted those two slaps. Just you wait; when I get the chance in the future, I will definitely get revenge for those two slaps."

"What, are you also going to chase him with a knife and try to slash him?" Gu Li sighed. "I said long ago that the best way to deal with a madman is to stay away from him, but now the grudge has only grown bigger."

"Do you regret it?"

"Regret? Impossible! It's all because that madman surnamed Wang has a sharp tongue; he jumped out on his own, he started all these troubles, yet it seems as if he is the victim, as if we oppressed and bullied him, talking about everything in exaggerated moral terms. Xicheng really should have slashed him to death; then Xicheng would have been executed, both of them would be dead, and we could have peace, with everything returning to how it was before."

Gu Li then changed the subject, saying, "Tell me, how is your family company doing now?"

"Not very well," Gu Yuan shook his head. "I haven't seen my mother in over a month, and she's even calling me less often. I really can't understand how Wang Yan has such great ability to accomplish all this. No matter how you look at it, our family owns a Shangshi Company with a market value of several billion; how could he possibly sabotage it?"

"Who knows..."

Gu Yuan then said, "Your family should be careful too; Wang Yan holds grudges too deeply. I didn't even gain any advantage, and earlier he had me sent to prison; he was already targeting our family back then. It's been nearly three months now; how can there be such a person..."

"Yes, how can there be such a person..."

The two spoke ill of Wang Yan behind his back, as if they had never separated, as if none of the previous events had ever occurred...

"It's really great that they can reconcile."

At the cold drink shop downstairs from the apartment building, Lin Xiao and Tang Wanru drank fruit tea, feeling happy for Gu Li.

Lin Xiao said, "I knew it; Gu Yuan loves Gu Li the most. As long as Gu Yuan figures things out, he will definitely end up back together with Gu Li."

Tang Wanru nodded repeatedly. "It's admirable that Gu Yuan can tolerate Gu Li. Thinking carefully, actually, ever since the two of them got together, they've always been quarreling. But every single time, isn't it Gu Yuan who softens first and begs Gu Li to reconcile? I felt even earlier than you that Gu Yuan would definitely come back."

"Unlike you and Yang Jian Xi; when you two argue, most of the time it's you who makes up first..."

"I did not?"

Lin Xiao subconsciously denied it, then immediately switched to a giggling tone, saying, "Isn't it just that I make more mistakes? I'm always willful and throwing little tantrums. Anyway, Yang Jian Xi forgives me every time."

Tang Wanru fiddled with her phone, biting on her straw, and asked without looking up, "Hey, Lin Xiao, didn't you go to interview at that what's-it-called SM company? How did it go?"

"It's ME, not SM. Wanru, can you please not be so filthy?"

"No way? You don't call it filthy when you and Yang Jian Xi are going at it like cannon fire, but I mention a company name and it becomes filthy?"

"Alright, alright, I really surrender to you." Lin Xiao's skin was still thin; she brought the conversation back on topic herself, saying, "I've only been interviewing for a few days; such a large company, interviewing so many people, it's bound to take some time. Aiya, who are you chatting with? Why are your fat fingers typing so fast?"

"Ouch, Lin Xiao, could you please look properly? Are these fat fingers? Clearly they are slender, white, tender, and long."

"Yes, yes, yes, your hands are the most beautiful."

The two humored each other, chatting intermittently...

A few days later, Wang Yan bumped into Gu Li and Gu Yuan at school, walking arm in arm and cuddling together; from far away, Wang Yan saw the two of them whispering.

"You two whispering away, cursing your daddy again?" Wang Yan spat out immediately.

"What kind of person are you? Killing someone only requires a nod of the head; will you ever be done?" Gu Li glared at Wang Yan.

Gu Yuan was also filled with resentment: "Exactly, our family's company has been thrown into a heap of trouble by you; what more do you want to do?"

"It's not done; why do you all speak so lightly?" Wang Yan said. "If I had been even slightly softer, how badly would you have bullied me? Now that I've made you uncomfortable for a bit, you're acting as if you're dying? 'Killing someone only requires a nod of the head,' but your heads haven't nodded to the ground yet. Just endure it."

"Don't rush, Young Lady Gu; wait until I have some time in a while, and I'll study your family's company. Hey, don't glare at me; this is what Gu Yuan said. He told me that you caused all the problems and asked me not to let you off."

"Wang Yan! What nonsense are you spouting?" Gu Yuan shouted angrily at Wang Yan, telling Gu Li not to listen to Wang Yan's nonsense.

"Look at you; how could I be making things up? Gu Yuan, I truly admire your deep devotion to Gu Li. I didn't expect you two to make up so quickly."

While speaking, Wang Yan fiddled with his phone and played a recording. "Listen; isn't this your exact words?"

The content of the recording was precisely what Gu Yuan had said about Gu Li on the day his company went belly-up.

Gu Yuan stared wide-eyed at Wang Yan, unable to believe Wang Yan had even recorded this; he hastily looked at Gu Li to explain, "Gu Li, back then I..."

"I know." Gu Li held Gu Yuan's hand and said, "At that time, you were heartbroken and angered by him; it's understandable that you said some things. I understand it all."

"Gu Li~" Gu Yuan looked at Gu Li with deep affection.

"Wow, what a deeply moving love story; I hope you two can remain this touching forever. If you really can't hold it back, the small woods are over there."

Wang Yan waved his hand with a smile, then simply turned and left, not wanting to be an eyesore there.

Watching Wang Yan's figure stroll away into the distance, Gu Li snorted as if victorious and said proudly, "We just had to let him see how good we truly are."

"Right, let him know that his attempt to drive a wedge between our feelings is nothing but wishful thinking and a pipe dream!" Gu Yuan spoke with extreme firmness.

Gu Li glanced at him sideways: "I've remembered every word from that recording just now."

"Didn't you say you understood?"

"Understanding is understanding, but you still shouldn't have spoken about me like that; it hurts my feelings too."

Gu Yuan begged for mercy: "I was wrong, I was wrong; can't I just promise never to speak like that again?"

"What do you mean 'can't I just'? Are you getting impatient now..."

The two bickered noisily, seeming to have truly become happy...

Meanwhile, over at Ye Chuanping's side, the company's situation was far from ideal.

Ever since the initial tax audit and penalties, a series of problems had made the company's condition increasingly dire. The stock market took a hit, business suffered, and with matters being exposed publicly, the stock price was affected even more.

With the company's situation deteriorating, the top shareholders panicked; this sentiment spread downward, affecting management and spreading throughout the entire company. Catalyzed by this atmosphere full of negative energy, the whole company acquired a sense of decline, directly heading toward Mount Riluoxi.

The capital attacking them in the stock market was not small either; all the money they threw in to rescue the market went down the drain. Various rumors caused retail investors to sell off their stocks, leading to limit-downs several times.

At the same time, various accounts payable faced collection efforts; partners and lending banks alike came door-to-door demanding debt repayment. Issues arose in paying employee wages, leading to lawsuits from staff; it was simply a tangled mess.

Having reached such a pass, Ye Chuanping had no choice but to face the root of the problem.

Previously, Gu Yuan had called her to mention these matters, plus she had long suspected it herself. In fact, she had wanted to seek out Wang Yan before, but considering their prior settlement and Wang Yan's various behaviors, she did not believe Wang Yan would stop.

But having reached this stage, even knowing it was futile, she had no choice but to swallow her pride and beg for mercy...

Wang Yan said with a smile: "The wealthy care most about face, yet have the least shame. Look, at a time like this, knowing clearly that I won't stop, you still cast about in desperation for any slight possibility, shamelessly coming over to beg for mercy."

"Wang Yan, you must understand that the company is the company, and the individual is the individual. The company bears limited liability, and I am not the legal representative; even if the company goes bankrupt, it won't affect my family's assets."

"I don't believe all your family's money is clean; the auditors will come for you. And if it doesn't affect your assets, won't it affect your connections? Will you still be able to act arrogantly in the future? Which of your old friends will look up to you? They're all laughing at you, aren't they? A perfectly good company, ruined straight to the ground. Your company's shareholders probably still don't know why things have come to this, do they? Tomorrow, I'll send someone to enlighten them."

"Wang Yan, there's really no need for this; where in this world are there so many deep-seated hatreds?"

"There are far too many."

Wang Yan waved his hand with a smile: "Go back and wait to die, old vegetable skin..."

Ye Chuanping took a deep breath, stared fixedly at Wang Yan, and finally departed with bitter resentment...

?? Daily thanks to the good brothers who generously donate, cast monthly tickets, recommend votes, and silently read the book for their strong support!