Chapter 28: Close Enough

Time passed quickly.

After Wang Manni and Liang Zhengxian finished their nonsense, she returned full of happiness and longing for the future.

Perhaps her only regret was that not all rich men were as skilled as Wang Yan? She didn't dwell on it too much; she felt she had grasped what she had been pursuing for so many years—something she had looked forward to but could never obtain. Rich, handsome, single, and only loving her—Liang Zhengxian perfectly interpreted her dream of Prince Charming.

Zhong Xiaoqin had also had enough of a peaceful, ordinary life and wanted to find some excitement. She successfully divorced Chen Yu and shared the good news with her best friend. Her mother didn't even know the news yet and was still enthusiastically wanting to add her name to the property deed.

Gu Jia habitually left her child with Wang Yan, saying she was going to soak in a hot spring with her best friend.

The three sisters gathered again, soaking comfortably in the hot spring. Wang Manni was surprised when she heard the news, but she didn't say anything to comfort her. Gu Jia and Zhong Xiaoqin had been sisters for many years; hearing the news, they were a bit silent, perhaps feeling sorry for the misfortune of a sister whose marriage failed at thirty?

In any case, Gu Jia and Wang Manni, these two women, just said, "Happy for you," and left it at that. Perhaps this was a special way of comforting? Was it indulgence therapy? We don't know, but they were having a good time regardless.

Shen Jie finally took Wang Yan's words to heart, and the factory didn't explode. Last time, after hearing Wang Yan's reminder, Shen Jie went to his own fireworks factory the next day, specifically conducting a safety inspection and carrying out rectifications.

Xu Huanshan was fine, running back and forth, continuing his ambiguous relationship with Lin Youyou on one side while handling company matters on the other.

This day, at Gu Jia's dessert shop, while the group of wives was gathering, Mrs. Li said there was a tea factory in Western Hunan for sale. Gu Jia kept it in mind after hearing it. When she got home, she was tossing and turning, unable to sleep, and got up overnight to study the feasibility of acquiring this tea factory.

The more she studied, the more excited she became, feeling as if money were falling from the sky, just waiting for her to bend down and pick it up. She called Xu Huanshan overnight, excitedly telling him about this matter, also wanting to seek Xu Huanshan's opinion.

"Honey, do you know? Today Mrs. Li said there's a tea plantation for sale. I just checked, and this tea plantation has complete qualifications and good efficiency."

"If we can take it over, that's at least over a million a year."

Xu Huanshan had always disliked Gu Jia mixing in the wives' circle and didn't look favorably upon that group of people: "Wife, is it reliable? Don't get scammed by them."

Gu Jia had a very clear understanding of the strength of the people in the wives' circle, thinking they didn't care at all, and said: "How could they scam us? Do you know what kind of strength their family has? Let me tell you..." Gu Jia explained Mrs. Li's family's level to Xu Huanshan so he would have some idea.

Xu Huanshan couldn't be the master of the house anyway, and he knew he couldn't change anything Gu Jia decided; she was just symbolically telling him. He immediately said: "Wife, since you want to do it, then do it. That tea factory's efficiency isn't bad, but it must need a lot of money, right? Does our family have enough money now?"

Gu Jia said: "I'll see tomorrow. There will be a way, don't worry, honey."

The two exchanged sweet words and then hung up the phone.

The next day, Gu Jia began to calculate the family's assets.

She had already contacted Mrs. Wang, and the other party asked for three million. After calculating, she was still short of a lot of money.

At this time, Gu Jia didn't think of any installment payment methods like in the original drama. She subconsciously thought of Wang Yan, and she knew Wang Yan would definitely help her. For some reason, she just had this feeling.

With the in-depth contact over this period, Gu Jia felt more and more at ease with Wang Yan, and a feeling of reliance had unconsciously developed in her heart. She no longer deliberately kept her distance from Wang Yan; except for Xu Ziyan, she basically had to chat with Wang Yan every day about something or other.

If there was a day she didn't chat with him, she always felt something was missing, and the day wasn't perfect.

The more they interacted, the more she naturally understood. She had long known that the little bit she had inquired about initially was just the tip of the iceberg of Wang Yan. Sometimes when she was with Wang Yan, she would occasionally hear things Wang Yan said on the phone. None of those were matters under a hundred million; even a hundred million wasn't quite enough.

With such big business, the people he knew could be imagined. Gu Jia sometimes couldn't help but think that when they first met, feeling that he was only a little better than their family was somewhat ridiculous.

As for why she let Wang Yan take the child without feeling embarrassed.

One was because of the affection Wang Yan showed for Xu Ziyan.

Two was that Gu Jia truly subconsciously felt there was no problem at all. This was also because Wang Yan had a high level; he hadn't licked in vain and had truly fooled Gu Jia.

To be honest, Old Wang was a bit of an Old Wang, but Old Wang wasn't a lunatic, nor did he have any special hobbies. Think about it: licking someone during the day, and at night they are having a wonderful night with someone else. He wasn't the type of person who enjoyed seeing the woman he liked being intimate with others, the more intimate they were, the more excited he got.

If it weren't for the mission, he would have had to stir up some trouble to get Xu Huanshan sent away for a life sentence or something the moment he arrived. Not that he'd be picky, but a man's possessiveness is what it is. Not to mention that Wang Yan is the type who has been a supreme gang boss, a ruthless and cold-blooded creature who wouldn't blink at killing.

The third point is what I mentioned before: Wang Yan is too idle. He basically doesn't socialize, so he rarely goes out for business entertainment. He spends his days like an old man—drinking tea, reading books, studying, and taking walks. Plus, the unconscious reliance Gu Jia feels in her heart makes her think she can let Wang Yan watch the child, let Xu Ziyan play with Wang Yan, and so on. She thinks of it as adding some color and flair to Wang Yan's life, believing she is helping him.

This is also the effect Wang Yan wanted; now, Gu Jia and her son have basically been handled by him.

That day, when Gu Jia went upstairs to pick up Xu Ziyan, she took the opportunity to bring this matter up with Wang Yan.

"Wang Yan, I want to borrow some money from you. I wonder if it's convenient for you?" Gu Jia was very direct, getting straight to the point.

Even brothers must settle accounts clearly; even with a friendship, things must be stated plainly. Gu Jia added, "Oh, don't worry, I'll pay you back before long. I need two million, with one point of interest added."

Wang Yan thought for a moment. He knew the reason in his heart, but still asked, "May I ask what you need these two million for?"

Afterward, Gu Jia babbled on about the things she had learned over the past two days.

After listening, Wang Yan said, "The money is no problem. Forget about two million; I'll give you three million directly. Forget about the interest or whatever, and don't worry about paying it back quickly. Just give it to me whenever you have it."

Hearing Wang Yan's such straightforward answer, Gu Jia felt a bit sweet, didn't she? Although she had expected it in her heart, she couldn't help but be moved: "Thank you, Wang Yan. You've really been a huge help. Don't worry, I will definitely pay you back as soon as possible."

"Hey, why be so polite between us?"

Even though it would be more beneficial for him if Gu Jia were to be scammed, he still had to say what needed to be said: "I have to remind you, doing business is not child's play. You should still consider it more and investigate more."

Gu Jia was obsessed now; how could she listen to these things? "Oh, Wang Yan, I've already checked it very clearly. Nothing will happen, so don't overthink it."

Seeing her like this, Wang Yan didn't say anything more. Good words are hard to persuade; let it be whatever it will be.

"Bye-bye, Dad, see you tomorrow." Gu Jia left, satisfied, with Xu Ziyan.

Back home, Gu Jia contacted Mrs. Li to talk to her about the tea factory.

Mrs. Li, that woman, didn't say much either—if you have money, just buy it. Who wouldn't she scam? Especially a player like Gu Jia who has no ability to resist and can only accept her fate.

The two exchanged some words, and Mrs. Li proposed using Gu Jia's dessert shop to hold a charity auction. Gu Jia agreed without even thinking. The two signed a contract right then and there; the remaining paperwork would take a few more days.

With the big matter settled, Gu Jia was full of unfulfilled ambition, wishing she could complete the handover immediately so she could show off her skills. She vowed to make a career, let her family rise to a higher level, and achieve rapid development to realize a class leap.

That night, Gu Jia told Xu Huanshan the news.

Xu Huanshan didn't say much when he heard she had borrowed three million from Wang Yan; he had already drunk more than one glass of wine. Moreover, although Gu Jia didn't talk much about Wang Yan at home, whenever he mentioned Wang Yan, Gu Jia couldn't help but echo a few words, revealing quite a bit. He had a certain understanding of Wang Yan's strength.

In his view, since the two families were on such good terms, helping each other out was no big deal. However, regarding the child, Xu Huanshan still raised some opinions: "Wife, you were already quite busy running a dessert shop. Now you've added a tea factory; what about Ziyan in the future?"

"Although Old Wang takes good care of him, we can't always trouble him. If we are both this busy, where will we have time to care for Ziyan?"

"My fatherly love was already scarce, and if you get busy on top of that, how can we face Ziyan?"

Gu Jia dismissed Xu Huanshan's worries: "It's fine, Wang Yan doesn't have anything to do either, wandering around all day. It's quite good for Ziyan to keep him company."

Toward Wang Yan, Gu Jia was unconsciously not repulsed and not polite from the bottom of her heart.

"During this time, Wang Yan has been taking Ziyan to practice boxing, write, draw, and when there's nothing to do, he drives him around the neighborhood."

"He used to get sick for no reason, but look at him now, jumping around all day. The other day when I gave him a bath, Ziyan's body was even a bit firm. He's so healthy now."

"Not only that, Ziyan doesn't throw tantrums anymore; he's especially sensible."

"Your son is capable of both pen and sword; don't you feel he has improved a lot?"

Gu Jia said as a matter of course: "I was originally going to find a childcare expert, but seeing Ziyan being brought up so well, I might as well just continue letting him help out."

Hearing her say this, Xu Huanshan thought about his son's changes during this period; it was indeed the case. Plus, Gu Jia said she wanted to find a childcare expert? By comparison, he was more inclined toward Wang Yan.

It was just that he felt a bit strange about Gu Jia trusting Wang Yan so much, but he didn't think too much about it: "Alright then, let's do that. When I go back, I'll have a good drink with Old Wang. Between borrowing money and watching the child, I have to thank him properly for helping us so much."

After the two exchanged a few words, they ended the call.

Two days later, early in the morning, Gu Jia sent Wang Yan a message.

Yesterday, Xu Ziyan came back saying there was an arts performance and wanted his parents to attend. But Gu Jia was busy organizing Mrs. Li's charity banquet; how could she have time to attend? She could only tell Xu Ziyan to let his dad go. Xu Ziyan and Wang Yan were quite close, and he was eager for Wang Yan to attend. In his view, his "godfather" was much better than his real mom and dad.

Moreover, under Wang Yan's personal guidance, Xu Ziyan had become much more sensible. Knowing his mom and dad were doing it so he could have a better life, he didn't make a fuss and agreed.

Gu Jia sent the message specifically to have Wang Yan take her to attend this arts performance, and since Xu Huanshan was coming back today, she invited him to have a meal together in the evening.

Wang Yan naturally wouldn't refuse and agreed immediately.

Now that Xu Huanshan and Lin Youyou had already hooked up, and Gu Jia was about to get busy with the tea factory, his "licking" was about done, and he should start too. Being able to look but not touch all day was itchy for him too.

Most of those attending the activity were mothers; men had to earn a living and didn't have much time.

Wang Yan chatted with a bunch of old women at the kindergarten for half the day, which was enough to drive him crazy.

For such a long time, Wang Yan had sometimes come to pick up Xu Ziyan after school, so he had met the other parents to some extent. To say there weren't any gossipy whispers about Wang Yan, this godfather, coming to pick up the child for no reason, would be impossible.

Gu Jia and the others didn't care about these things; they all knew what was going on. Who doesn't like a bit of gossip?

Xu Ziyan had even less trouble; young children don't understand much. It's normal for children to hear the other parents' muttering and then turn around and talk nonsense in front of Xu Ziyan. Xu Ziyan had been brought up by Wang Yan to be quite tough and didn't have a fragile heart.

He would just tell the other children the truth about how Wang Yan played with him, and that was that. The other children might not have bad family backgrounds and had seen quite a bit, but they definitely hadn't experienced as much as Xu Ziyan had during this time. After all, in elite families with elite education, children are actually not relaxed. They were incredibly envious of what Xu Ziyan said and all hoped they could have such a good godfather too. It made Xu Ziyan quite popular among the children; he was almost becoming the kindergarten boss.

Not to mention Wang Yan; he didn't have good intentions to begin with, and he didn't care about the old women's gossiping.

On Gu Jia's side, the charity banquet was held smoothly, and the ladies dispersed happily after showing off.

In the evening, Wang Yan and Gu Jia's family had a meal together.

During this time, Xu Huanshan had been completely bewitched by Lin Youyou, and his whole body exuded a sense of vitality. Perhaps he thought this was the most relaxed and happiest period he had had in so many years?

Seeing Wang Yan, he laughed out loud and came up to give him a hug: "Haha, Old Wang, I've really troubled you during this time, thank you very much."

Wang Yan waved his hand, pretending to be unhappy: "Sigh, saying that again. What kind of relationship do we have? Why are you still being polite with me? You have to punish yourself with a drink; if you're even a drop short, I'll pick on you."

Gu Jia, watching from the side, was also full of smiles, repeatedly urging them to sit down and eat quickly.

During the meal, they also told Wang Yan that they would both be busy in the future, and that they were at ease with Wang Yan taking care of Xu Ziyan, asking him to put in more effort in the future.

Wang Yan agreed and also mentioned that he had met a few new friends over the past two days who had businesses like shopping malls and amusement parks, and that he would introduce them to them.

Having received another wave of gratitude, Xu Huanshan naturally risked his life to accompany Old Wang.

Wang Yan looked at Xu Huanshan's high-spirited appearance and thought, "Just go ahead, I will raise your wife and children?" Would Xu Huanshan be pissed to death?

He shook his head, stopped thinking about it, and continued to pour him drinks.