Chapter 500: Waiting for Your Feast

"Brother Yan? Is that you?"

Jiang Nansun opened the door and saw Wang Yan standing there holding things, a beaming smile on his face. Her voice was much louder than usual due to her surprise.

Relationships aren't built for nothing, and Wang Mou is certainly not a pushover; look at how affectionately she greeted him as "Brother Yan" now. He nodded with a smile: "You seem very surprised? Didn't Uncle Jiang tell you?"

Jiang Nansun figured out what was going on immediately. It was just her father refusing to give up, wanting her to spend more time with Wang Yan. Telling her to come home early was just a made-up excuse to trick her. And saying he wouldn't let Zhu Suosuo come back was even simpler—it was to prevent Zhu Suosuo from ruining things, and also to keep Zhu Suosuo from having any improper thoughts.

"Aren't you going to let me in?"

Seeing Wang Yan lift his foot to enter, Jiang Nansun hurriedly blocked him, leaned in close, and whispered: "You absolutely must not mention that I introduced Suosuo to you, and you absolutely must not mention that I took Zhang Anren to eat with you. Otherwise, I'm dead. Please help me out, Brother Yan~"

"Don't worry."

"Is that Wang Yan?" After waiting a while with no movement, Jiang Pengfei walked to the door and saw Wang Yan being blocked by Jiang Nansun. He exclaimed: "Nansun, what's wrong with you? Why didn't you let him in when Wang Yan arrived? What does it look like to block a guest outside the door? Oh my, come in, come in quickly. Wang Yan, don't take it personally with Nansun. Look at you, why bring things? Nansun, what are you still standing there for? Take the things from him."

Wang Yan laughed and handed the items to Jiang Nansun: "Nansun was just surprised to see me appear; she didn't expect me to come. Uncle Jiang, you aren't trying to trick your precious daughter again, wanting me to be your son-in-law, are you?"

"Of course I want you to be my son-in-law, but this silly girl... she's really going to be the death of me..." Glaring at his daughter, Jiang Pengfei pulled Wang Yan inside: "No need for introductions, right? This is my mother, you've met her."

In the living room, the old lady of the Jiang family sat on a single sofa, still as meticulous as ever, with an aristocratic air. Standing beside her was her daughter-in-law, Dai Yin.

It wasn't that the house had so many rules, but since Wang Yan was a guest, it was only normal for Dai Yin, being of the younger generation, to stand up to show some respect and welcome him. The old lady was over seventy, so it was normal for her to remain seated. Respecting the elderly and caring for the young—it was a traditional virtue, after all.

This old lady was actually quite interesting. She had always counted on Jiang Pengfei to provide for her in her old age, but in the end, her son was useless and committed suicide. She became a burden, and because her daughter-in-law had endured so much of her temper over the years, she wanted to send her to a nursing home. Having no choice, she, who had been sour and mean her whole life due to her preference for sons over daughters, had to bow her head and honestly act like a proper old lady. Did she really change? Obviously not; after all, she had been that way her whole life, and it wasn't something that could be changed in a short time, even with her son's death. She had simply recognized reality, which was why she had become a kind old woman.

Later, living with Jiang Nansun and Zhu Suosuo, she was treated like an Empress Dowager. Everyone had to be filial to her; Xie Hongzu and his friend from the funeral business bought all sorts of things and acted like a good grandson, and Ye Ye Jin Yan, such a big boss, even spent money to have Fan Jingang's nanny come over part-time to do laundry and cooking. Of course, this was all for Zhu Suosuo's sake, but the old lady enjoyed the comfort too.

Moreover, with Jiang Nansun's ability to earn three million to pay off debts in two or three years, and Zhu Suosuo's shares in the company Xie Hongzu owned, under the manipulation of Ye Ye Jin Yan—the highest-ranking person in this drama—her income should be considerable in the future. The old lady would certainly be able to enjoy herself for the rest of her time.

In the whole drama, if you really think about it, the one who suffered the most from the white-haired burying the black-haired was this old lady of the Jiang family, but having lived a life of luxury, never having suffered or endured hardship, with everyone revolving around her mood, she was also the most comfortable one.

"Grandma Jiang, Auntie Dai." Wang Yan nodded to acknowledge them, called out to them, and then casually offered a few compliments and auspicious words.

Although his actual age was enough to be the ancestor of everyone present, it would be meaningless to split hairs over that. Whether they called him father or mother, it didn't matter to him; it was no big deal.

The old lady and Dai Yin nodded together, and then everyone sat down to chat. Jiang Nansun put the things aside, sat down in the living room, and started typing away on her phone.

Wang Yan examined the layout and furnishings of the room, tapped the floor, and nodded: "Uncle Jiang, your house is truly nice. This floor must be quite old, right?"

"It's been decades. I have to find someone to come and maintain it every year; it's quite a hassle." Jiang Pengfei waved his hand with a smile: "Otherwise, why would I have said before that I envied you living in that luxury mansion at Tomson Riviera?"

"This house has history, especially in such a vast city of steel forests. You step out into the prosperity of a modern metropolis, and step in to the profound heritage of a century of history. This collision of time is what's truly precious."

"You really know how to talk. I've lived here my whole life, and only after hearing you say that today do I finally understand a bit of the flavor. It's just like those Sihe Academy in the capital, right?"

"That's the idea." Wang Yan smiled and nodded, then turned to ask: "Uncle Jiang, I see the trend in the stock market has been a bit off lately. Haven't you sold those stocks of yours yet?"

"Hey, market fluctuations are normal, aren't they? It's been up and down all these years. Those experts and such are always shouting about financial crises and singing the blues about economic development. I still have confidence in the stock market, and didn't I get insurance from you? It'll be fine."

Jiang Pengfei shook his head, unwilling to talk about it anymore. He had given up. Since they met, his contact with Wang Yan had never stopped. Even when they weren't eating together, or even if they weren't meeting, he would still send two stocks over to ask about the situation. But after asking so much, he never heard a good word from Wang Yan. It was always "not optimistic" or "high risk." It got to the point where he couldn't even be bothered to ask anymore; he didn't want to discuss the stock market with Wang Yan.

However, he had to admit that Wang Yan was impressive. He had invested five million into Wang Yan's fund, and every week he would receive a report in his email; it was indeed profitable. It was so profitable that it once made him wish he were dead, because he had invested too little and had met Wang Yan too late. But there was nothing he could do; he couldn't control his hands.

But having a lot of capital and having a little capital were different. After all, the man had over three billion, had a certain scale, and could add leverage; it wasn't the same way of playing as a retail investor like him. Therefore, he believed Wang Yan didn't understand him, and thus rejected the professional advice Wang Yan gave.

Looking at Jiang Nansun, who was playing with her phone with her head down, he scolded her irritably: "Nansun, Wang Yan is a guest in our home for the first time. Look at you, clutching your phone, typing away, what does that look like?"

Jiang Nansun raised an eyebrow at Wang Yan, looking helpless, then stood up and placed an orange in front of him: "Brother Yan, have some fruit."

"We're eating soon, I need to save some room to eat more."

"Oh, look at that, I got distracted by the talking." Jiang Pengfei checked the time, looked up, and shouted: "Liu Ayi, is the food ready yet?"

The nanny surnamed Liu appeared in their field of vision at the sound: "Mr. Jiang, it's ready."

"Look at that, it's ready and you didn't even call us."

Wang Yan laughed: "It's just that she saw we were chatting happily and didn't want to disturb us. Uncle Jiang, let's eat? I'm starving, just waiting to have a big meal at your place."

Jiang Pengfei laughed heartily: "Today I specifically instructed Liu Ayi to make quite a bit more, just for a big eater like you. Let me tell you, Wang Yan, Liu Ayi has been with us for three years, and her skills are excellent. Let's go, let's go, time to eat. Come, Mom, let me help you over."

The group walked to the dining room while laughing and talking. The old lady sat alone at the head of the table, Jiang Pengfei and Dai Yin sat on one side, and Wang Yan and Jiang Nansun sat on the other, facing a table full of dishes.

"Whoa, Liu Ayi, you're quite capable. So many dishes, did you make all of these by yourself?"

The nanny, who was about to leave, turned around and looked at Wang Yan, who was giving a thumbs up. She smiled and said: "Mr. Wang, you're too kind. Mr. Jiang and his wife helped prepare some of the dishes, that's how I was able to make them. Mr. Wang, you must eat more; it was all carefully prepared at Mr. Jiang's request."

"Definitely, definitely."

Nanny Liu nodded with a polite smile and turned to leave.

Wang Yan looked at Jiang Pengfei, who was pouring wine opposite him: "Uncle Jiang, this nanny of yours isn't cheap, right?"

"She doesn't live in, it's twelve thousand a month, but this price is fine. We're all satisfied and at ease with Liu Ayi. For a nanny, the most important thing is peace of mind." Jiang Pengfei handed over the decanter and asked: "Your nanny probably costs even more, right?"

"I didn't hire one. I just have a part-time cleaner who comes over once a week to clean the room and send my clothes and shoes to the laundry."

"Then you can't just keep eating out all the time, can you?"

"I can cook, and occasionally I'll fire up the stove and make a little something myself."

Jiang Pengfei looked at him in surprise: "Impressive, I can't do anything."

"No choice, my parents passed away early, and later I was abroad, so I didn't have much sense of security. So I did everything myself, and after so many years, I've practiced it."

"Enough, enough. Come, Wang Yan, it's your first time as a guest in our home, let's have a drink together." Jiang Pengfei glared at his daughter: "Jiang Nansun, playing with your phone again, why are you so impolite? Pick up your glass."

Wang Yan turned his head to glance at Jiang Nansun's phone screen and said with a laugh: "It's fine, Uncle Jiang, we're all our own people, no need for so many formalities. A twisted melon isn't sweet; you should stop thinking about pairing us up."

"One day she'll be the death of me..." Wang Yan saying this once again made Jiang Pengfei feel disappointed, and he sighed sadly: "Forget it, forget it, ignore her. Come, drink, drink."

Wang Yan laughed, raised his small wine cup, drank one, and then began to eat and drink heartily; he wouldn't be polite. The idea of being too embarrassed to eat at the dinner table was impossible for him.

Just now, he had seen who Jiang Nansun was talking to; unsurprisingly, it was Zhu Suosuo.

It probably wasn't anything important, just telling her about him coming to the Jiang house. Jiang Nansun was probably thoughtfully analyzing why her father wouldn't let Zhu Suosuo come back early, and she probably had to send a few short videos over...

At the Jingyan Group sales department, because of the special nature of sales work, especially since they dealt mostly with the wealthy and didn't easily play with ordinary customers with low purchasing power, even if the competition was fierce, even if they were really working overtime, they wouldn't cry in the company, but rather go out to the glitz and glamour.

The lights were mostly off, and only by borrowing the neon from the adjacent buildings outside could one see without lights.

Zhu Suosuo faced the glowing computer screen and looked at her phone. It was her first day, and Yang Ke had assigned her quite a few things; naturally, she had to study and memorize them hard.

On her phone was the image of Wang Yan chatting and laughing at the dinner table. Confident people always had a unique charm, especially when this confident person was also very wealthy, which made it even more heart-stirring.

After thinking for a while while looking at her phone, she let out a long breath and continued to study the information materials Yang Ke had given her. Actually, there was nothing special, just some common real estate information. Things like tower buildings, slab buildings, floor area ratio, greening, etc. —the most basic professional knowledge; she had to understand it.

She studied quite seriously, after all, it was to interact with wealthy people in the future. And she also knew that selling one house could earn a commission of one hundred thousand or eighty thousand; even if she didn't aim for wealthy people, she still had to sell houses. She had calculated it: she didn't need much, just selling one a month would be enough. At that time, she could earn a million before tax.

Time spent investing always passes quickly; before she knew it, it was past seven. She tidied up, slung her small bag over her shoulder, and almost ran in her high heels, went downstairs, and hailed a taxi to go back.

All the way to outside the Jiang house, she watched the four-ring car parked there from afar, confirmed it, and then turned and left. At the entrance of the alley, at the corner, she held her bag with both hands in front of her, tapped her heels on the ground boredly, and occasionally took out her phone to look...

Having eaten a happy meal, Wang Yan lived up to expectations and basically finished the food prepared by the Jiang family. The whole Jiang family was beaming. When entertaining guests, if the guest finishes everything, the host is always happy. They had fulfilled the duties of a host, and both host and guest were happy.

There wasn't anything nutritious at the dinner table, after all, the main point was Jiang Pengfei wanting to pair Wang Yan and Jiang Nansun, but Jiang Nansun didn't have that intention, and Wang Yan didn't appear eager either. Other than that, there was only the stock market, but every time Wang Yan opened his mouth, he was advising Jiang Pengfei to run, which Jiang Pengfei didn't like to hear at all. So it was just casual chatting—interesting things, things they had seen, etc. The atmosphere was still quite good.

After eating, Wang Yan stayed for a while longer, drank two cups of tea, chatted for a moment, and finally proposed to leave.

Jiang Pengfei said: "You've been drinking, should I find you a designated driver, or should you just take a taxi and leave, and I'll have the car sent to you tomorrow?"

Hearing this, one knew that Jiang Pengfei wanted Wang Yan to choose the latter, so Wang Yan nodded very thoughtfully: "Since that's the case, let's take a taxi. It's just as well for me to walk a bit and sober up. No need to trouble you all, I'll leave the keys here, and have someone come to drive it tomorrow."

"No need for such trouble, Nansun can drive, let her drive it over tomorrow morning. She happens to be studying architecture, so she can also go to your luxury mansion to see how it is and gain some experience."

"Dad!" Jiang Nansun was very unhappy.

Wang Yan smiled: "Fine, let's do that. Nansun, here are the car keys, any time after nine tomorrow morning is fine, just come over whenever you have time. It's settled. Uncle Jiang, Auntie Dai, Grandma Jiang, I'll be leaving first. Let's make another appointment sometime, I'll treat you all to a meal."

Jiang Pengfei pushed the glaring Jiang Nansun and walked out: "Good, Wang Yan, I won't go out, let Nansun see you off. You've had quite a bit to drink, pay attention to safety on the road."

Jiang Nansun looked down and kicked the gravel on the road: "Brother Yan, you say my dad is really something, why won't he give up?"

"It's normal, he just wants you to have a better life."

"I think he just looks down on the poor and loves the rich. Seeing that you're rich, he wants me to marry you. Then, he can continue to lose money with a clear conscience. And when there's no money left? He'll make me, his daughter, ask you for money to subsidize him."

"You're wrong about that, he probably won't ask you, but will come directly to me." Wang Yan shook his head and smiled: "Your dad is in great danger now, try to advise him as much as you can."

"If we could advise him, he wouldn't have sold everything until only this house was left." Jiang Nansun looked up at the beaming Wang Yan and asked suspiciously: "I just don't understand, how could a person like you become friends with my dad?"

"Fate, I guess. That day I just happened to go to Fuxing Park to sit for a while, and I ran into your dad taking your grandma for a walk. We chatted quite well, and that's how we got to today. And I also got five million for my fund, and I even made money off you all."

"Stop it, my dad said long ago that the minimum threshold for your place is ten million. Being able to let him invest five million is already you giving him face. But I still want to thank you, at least it's five million less. If the day really comes when he loses everything, at least he won't be unable to survive."

Wang Yan shook his head, patted her arm with a smile: "Alright, no need to see me off, I didn't drink too much. It's still a bit cool at night, and you're not wearing much, go back."

"Alright then, pay attention to safety, Brother Yan, goodbye."

As soon as Jiang Nansun entered the house, Jiang Pengfei looked at her angrily: "Jiang Nansun, Jiang Nansun, I really don't understand, what exactly are you thinking? Wang Yan has such good conditions, such a good person, and you ignore him, but you insist on following that Zhang Anren? Mom, wife, you tell me, isn't Wang Yan good?"

The old lady nodded: "Wang Yan has good conditions, and his words and actions are very appropriate. Girls, sooner or later they have to marry out, only when the families are well-matched can they live a good life. Nansun, Wang Yan is much better than that Zhang Anren, I hope you consider it carefully."

"Did you hear that? Wang Yan is a hundred times better than that little Zhang, why won't you listen to advice? Are you trying to be the death of me?"

Seeing Dai Yin expressionless and not speaking, Jiang Nansun finally felt a little comforted. She let out a long breath, couldn't help but shake her head, and said helplessly: "Dad, didn't you see his attitude? He has no thoughts about me at all. Besides, it's me marrying, not you. I should have my own choices. Whether it's a life of luxury or a life of hardship, I accept it, you don't need to worry about it. Enough, I'm going to sleep."

"Jiang Nansun, you won't be satisfied until you're the death of me."

Jiang Pengfei was furious, sitting there panting to calm his mood. Truly, when children grow up, they don't listen to their fathers...

Jiang Nansun, of course, wasn't that great; she wasn't very sad when her father died, she cried symbolically for a bit, and then went abroad to date Wang Yongzheng. Regardless, Jiang Pengfei had raised her without worry for food or clothing, and he wasn't as heavily biased toward sons as the Jiang family old lady. He was definitely a spendthrift, and definitely unmotivated, but he was still her biological father. In the end, she and her mother Dai Yin both felt a sense of relief and relaxation, as if they had finally gained freedom.

It was also because of this that after Jiang Pengfei was gone, her wanting to provide for the old lady was even more unrealistic. After all, relatively speaking, her feelings for Jiang Pengfei were clearly higher than for this biological grandmother who had never looked favorably upon her since she was a child. As a result, she hadn't even been sad for a few days over her biological father's death, let alone providing for a grandmother who had never said many good words to her since she was a child.

And she also didn't worry at all about losing everything and no longer being able to live a life of luxury like before. She still maintained the appearance of a "white lotus," accepting it very calmly, sunny and upward, independent and strong, and still had the mind to date, which was somewhat unrealistic.

He, Wang Mou, had such good self-cultivation. In the early days of being favored by the "Living Father," the huge gap in status between the film and television world and the real world was also a difficult hurdle. Jiang Nansun, a "white lotus" raised in a greenhouse with double standards, couldn't have passed through it so easily. As a result, she was now talking about losing everything, but there wasn't a trace of worry on her face; it was as if she was even looking forward to it, a bit like she felt that once Jiang Pengfei had tossed the family fortune away, he wouldn't toss anymore.

And in reality, no matter how hard Jiang Pengfei tossed, he never mistreated his mother or his wife and daughter. Although he finally did something big, and everything was gone...

But these things, Wang Yan, of course, wouldn't say out loud...

With one hand in his pocket and a cigarette in the other, Wang Yan strolled out of the Jiang family's alley.

"Brother Yan?" Seeing Wang Yan turn his head, Zhu Suosuo approached him with surprise: "It really is you? How did you get here?"

Not exposing her clumsy acting, Wang Yan replied: "Uncle Jiang invited me to his home for a meal, I just finished eating. What about you? It's so late, why are you still coming here?"

"Ah, I moved here to live with Nansun."

"I remember you were living at your uncle's house before, right? It's only been how long, how did you move to Nansun's house? Did something happen?"

"Nothing, it's just that I'm so old now, it's not good to keep living there. And didn't I tell you before, my aunt married my uncle with a child, and now that cousin of mine who has no blood relation is also quite old, and he has some... um, that toward me? I couldn't stay there anymore, so I ran here and begged Nansun to take me in."

This was the truth, but it also included the fact that she couldn't face her uncle anymore because of the previous Mr. Ma incident; Zhu Suosuo, of course, wouldn't mention that.

She changed the subject, looking excited: "Oh, right, Brother Yan, I have good news to tell you, I found a job."

"Congratulations." Wang Yan smiled and nodded: "Which company? What kind of work?"

"Jingyan Group, in sales." Zhu Suosuo carefully probed: "Brother Yan, although you work in finance, you must also invest in some fixed assets, right? Do you want me to find you a few good houses? It's a great thing to be able to collect rent and invest for appreciation. Or if you have friends who want to buy a house, you can also look for me, I'll definitely find them good houses and won't make you lose face. And our Jingyan Group is about to open a new project called Dongli, which is positioned as high-end residential, specifically built for successful people like you, and the location is in Pudong. The houses are very good, do you want to consider it?"

"Introducing customers to you is fine, as for me, don't bother, let me calculate an account for you..." After roughly explaining how much of a hassle buying a house was, Wang Yan laughed: "And I also know the sales staff at Jingyan, if I bought it from you, how would I explain it to them."

"Ah? You know the sales staff at Jingyan? Who?"

"Jin Ya." Seeing Zhu Suosuo looking blank, Wang Yan explained: "Her English name is Apple, and she also has a nickname, 'Big Waves'."

"Oh, her, I saw her today, she's quite pretty." Zhu Suosuo thought of the woman in big-name brands she saw today, trying her best not to associate those things with Wang Yan, and said: "Alright then, but Brother Yan, you must not forget about introducing customers, if a deal is made, I'll treat you to a big feast."

"It just so happens that one of my fund managers wants to change to a big house, I'll tell him tomorrow, you take him to see it." Wang Yan laughed: "I'll wait for your feast."

"Really? Thank you, Brother Yan. Don't worry, I guarantee you'll be satisfied." Zhu Suosuo was as happy as a little girl, jumping and skipping. She turned her head to look at the side of the road and hurriedly waved her hand: "Brother Yan, you have such a strong smell of alcohol on you, you must have drunk a lot, hurry up and get in the car and go home for a good sleep."

"Alright, goodbye."

Wang Yan nodded, patted her arm, and decisively turned to get into a taxi and leave... ===== CHAPTER 501 =====