Chapter 75: Crab

After returning home and washing up, Wang Yan drove out and happened to see the taillights of Sister Andi's 911.

Upon exiting the basement garage, he saw Fan Shengmei and Guan Ju'er walking forward with hurried steps.

He honked the horn, pulled the car up beside them, and rolled down the window: "Get in."

"Brother Wang? No need, we can just take the subway," Guan Ju'er said politely.

"Get in. I'm heading toward Lujiazui."

Guan Ju'er thanked him: "Oh, alright then, thank you Brother Wang." She pulled Fan Shengmei into the back seat.

The car started and sped away.

Fan Shengmei sat silently in the car, examining the interior. Guan Ju'er leaned over the back of the front seat and asked curiously: "Brother Wang, what are you going over there for?"

Wang Yan looked at the traffic ahead and said: "Isn't there a software park over there? I'm going to rent a place to start a company."

"Is Brother Wang also diving into the internet circle?"

"Just a small venture. I have a little idea recently, so I'm going to build it first and see." Wang Yan glanced at Guan Ju'er in the back through the rearview mirror and said: "If you aren't happy with your current job, you can come to me. The compensation will definitely be excellent."

"Thank you Brother Wang, but I'll pass. I haven't even mastered what I'm doing now, and I know absolutely nothing about the internet."

"Don't be so discouraged, I think you're great. It's not like I'm asking you to write code, what's there to worry about?" Seeing Guan Ju'er about to explain: "Alright, we'll talk about it later. You two should take a nap first, it's still a while away."

Wang Yan drove quietly, watching the buildings on both sides of the road. He had lived in Shanghai during the 1930s, the turn of the century, the current year of 2015, and even three or four years into the future. In his heart, he compared the changes of this international metropolis across different eras.

Soon, they arrived at Fan Shengmei's company. After thanking Wang Yan and saying goodbye to Guan Ju'er, Fan Shengmei stepped out of the car with grace, closed the door, and waved with a smile at Wang Yan in the driver's seat until the car drove away. Fan Shengmei scanned the crowd around her with her peripheral vision, tossed her hair, lifted her chin, swayed her waist, and walked inside with a rhythmic "clack-clack" of her high heels.

"Brother Wang, do you not like Sister Fan?"

Wang Yan said indifferently: "It's not that, I just don't want to invite unnecessary trouble."

Guan Ju'er said anxiously: "Sister Fan is very good. She is much older than Yingying and me, and she helps us a lot."

"Hmm, Xiao Qiu told me that last time we ate together." Wang Yan didn't want to discuss Fan Shengmei's character with Guan Ju'er, so he changed the subject: "Oh, right, Xiao Guan, I've never asked you. I just know you work in an investment bank, but what exactly do you do?"

Guan Ju'er stopped dwelling on the Fan Shengmei issue and said embarrassedly: "Brother Wang... I'm still an intern, just doing some basic auxiliary work..."

"I have a rough idea. So, you still have a long road ahead, keep it up." Wang Yan then changed his tone: "But seriously, Xiao Guan, why don't you come work for me? Experiencing a company from nothing to something, and then from something to nothing, will definitely help you more and help you grow faster than what you learn there. Just what you're doing..."

"Brother Wang~" Although she felt it made sense, Guan Ju'er couldn't stand Wang Yan's persuasive nature. She called out: "Because my educational background is low, my parents worked very hard to get me in there, I don't want to..."

"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore," Wang Yan shook his head and laughed: "But Xiao Guan, educational background is only one aspect, don't mind it. Those colleagues of yours who have been in the industry for many years might not have high educational backgrounds either, but they have excellent professional capabilities. You will have that day too."

"Thank you Brother Wang."

The two chatted and laughed as they drove to the building where Guan Ju'er's company was located.

"Goodbye Brother Wang." Before Wang Yan could answer, Guan Ju'er closed the car door and ran; she was about to be late.

Watching Guan Ju'er run inside, Wang Yan drove away.

Just as he told Guan Ju'er, he had previously contacted a professional agency, a one-stop shop with strong capabilities. TikTok hadn't come out yet, and he thought he'd just copy the homework and do some other business, just to find something to do.

For the next week, Wang Yan was busy preparing for the new company, and he was exhausted. He left the company registration to the agency, but since Wang Yan had no subordinates, he had to do everything himself—renting the venue, purchasing office supplies, contacting headhunters to recruit and interview people, and a series of other tasks.

He didn't need many people in the early stages, so the office space was quite spacious, with one person occupying a large desk. The computers on the desks were all high-end configurations, along with two monitors. Since many practitioners preferred laptops due to the system, Wang Yan didn't skimp; there was an unopened laptop on every desk.

All of the above were secondary; Wang Yan's advantage was the compensation. It was definitely a high salary. Overtime was inevitable, but the corresponding money would be paid. Moreover, the people he found were all veteran developers with many years of experience, rich in expertise, and sufficient in skill. With clear planning, they could basically get off work on time unless there was an emergency.

Ever since he got the system, Wang Yan had always been the boss. It could be said that he was battle-hardened and experienced. With just that little bit of work, with the help of the few people he recruited, he basically set up the company's structure in a week, and the rest just needed to be developed and filled in slowly.

Next was waiting for the agency to finish the paperwork, and for the employees he had lured to arrive one after another, and then he could start.

During this period, Wang Yan would run into Sister Andi every morning when he got up for his morning exercise. As usual, they would eat breakfast at Brother Zhang's place at the entrance, taking turns treating each other. At first, Sister Andi might have been a bit uncomfortable, but after a couple of days, she was fine.

As their interactions increased, it was inevitable that they would exchange views on certain matters. At this point, Sister Andi was still manageable; she wasn't the nagging old woman she would become later. Wang Yan also took this opportunity to slowly guide her toward acting like a normal person.

Now, Sister Andi's morning wake-up time had been moved up, basically following Wang Yan's footsteps. Every day, watching Wang Yan run circles around her and practice boxing in a quiet corner, Sister Andi found it very interesting.

As for the flirtatious Odd Man, Andy didn't tell him about Wang Yan. Although they chatted quite well online, they hadn't reached that stage yet, and Andy still had her guard up.

Guan Ju'er had ridden in Wang Yan's car once, and after that, she refused to do it again. Because her colleagues kept gossiping about her, which made her very uncomfortable, and Wang Yan was indeed a man, so she couldn't explain it clearly even if she wanted to.

Qiu Yingying was still bouncing around every day, sometimes going upstairs with Guan Ju'er, who was borrowing books, to chat with Wang Yan. Her personality was just like that; even with Wang Yan's occasional reminders, it was hard for her to avoid being led around by the nose by that Manager Bai. It was just that Wang Yan's words had an effect after all; Qiu Yingying wasn't as stupid as in the show, and she didn't end up in bed with someone after knowing them for only a few days.

It was just that even with Wang Yan's guidance, it had only been a week, and the effects hadn't become prominent yet; what was meant to happen would still happen.

This Saturday afternoon, Wang Yan was drinking tea at home, thinking about algorithms, when his phone rang.

He took a look; it was Sister Andi. He answered the phone: "Hello, Sister Andi?"

Sister Andi, who was driving on the other end, said: "Old Tan gave me some hairy crabs, do you know how to cook them?" She knew Wang Yan could cook; it had been mentioned in their chats, and even during the noise incident, she had heard their conversation on the monitor.

"Of course, I'm a professional."

"That's great, I'll leave it to you then." Sister Andi smiled: "By the way, I want to invite the other girls on the 22nd floor to eat together, you..."

Before Sister Andi could finish, Wang Yan interrupted: "No problem, I'll go buy some more vegetables in a bit, and we can all have a good meal together."

"Good, then it's settled."

Wang Yan hung up the phone, tidied up the tea set, got up, and drove out.

Sister Andi helping Qu Xiaoxiao with the GI company cooperation, plus Tan Zongming helping Sister Andi like a biological father...

Not wanting to think about those messy things anymore, Wang Yan drove to a bar, had Xiao Li get a bottle of yellow wine and two bottles of white wine, then went to the market to buy some vegetables, and returned to Joyful Song.

During this period, Sister Andi also returned to Joyful Song. Through the monitor, she noticed Fan Shengmei and Qu Xiaoxiao returning from outside, so Sister Andi hurried to open the door: "Sister Fan, Xiao Qu..." She noticed the things Fan Shengmei was carrying: "Oh, what a coincidence, I also brought back some hairy crabs today, and I want to invite you all to eat together."

Qu Xiaoxiao said listlessly: "I don't know how to cook..."

"I know how to..."

Before Fan Shengmei could finish, Sister Andi said: "No need, I've already arranged it with Wang Yan. Let him cook, and we can just help out in a bit."

"Wang Yan? Ask him to cook..." Facing Sister Andi's indifferent gaze, Qu Xiaoxiao, who instantly perked up, wisely shut her mouth. It wasn't that she was afraid of Sister Andi; she had just been crying and begging others for help, and now she was going to smash the pot? Besides, she would still need to beg others in the future.

Fan Shengmei didn't say anything. After Qiu Yingying and Guan Ju'er returned last time, they had highly approved of Wang Yan's culinary skills, and she was curious just hearing about it.

"Call them all over." After saying this to Fan Shengmei, Sister Andi turned and went back into her room.

Qu Xiaoxiao hadn't slept all night and fell asleep on Sister Andi's sofa.

Sister Andi, Fan Shengmei, and Guan Ju'er were talking: "Where's Xiao Qiu?"

"Her? She's dating. She and her boyfriend are buying groceries, saying the food is delicious."

Guan Ju'er, who was about to speak, saw Wang Yan walking in with things at the door. She hurried forward two steps and changed the subject: "Brother Wang, let me help you."

Wang Yan said: "No need, it's just a few steps." As he spoke, he walked two steps and put everything on the table.

Seeing him put the things down, Sister Andi said: "Take a look and see if my kitchen is okay?"

After looking through the pots and pans, Wang Yan said: "It's enough."

Then the three women chatted and laughed while helping Wang Yan pick vegetables, while Wang Yan listened with a smile, cutting vegetables with a "clack-clack-clack." Actually, if you didn't consider other factors, the current atmosphere was quite warm.

Once everything was ready, Wang Yan started swinging the large ladle with a clatter, leaving the three women on the side dumbfounded.

Sister Andi patted Wang Yan and gave him a thumbs up: "You were right, you really are a professional."

Guan Ju'er also nodded repeatedly on the side: "Brother Wang, you're really amazing." She had heard Qiu Yingying talk about it before and thought it was just the usual exaggeration, but she didn't expect it to be so impressive.

Fan Shengmei said in surprise: "I really couldn't tell, a busy person like you has this skill."

"Oh, it's not as exaggerated as you say, there's still a big gap compared to a master chef, just home-cooked food, just home-cooked food." Wang Yan said modestly: "Alright, you just wait to eat. There's a lot of cooking smoke, you'd better go to the side and chat. Oh, Sister Andi, let the wine I brought breathe."

"Okay." After agreeing, Sister Andi took the wine out on the table. Noticing the wine jar on the side, Sister Andi asked: "Wang Yan, is this also wine?" As she spoke, she lifted the wine jar.

After taking a look, Wang Yan said: "That's yellow wine. I figured you wouldn't be used to drinking it, so I brought white wine. It's perfect to pair with crab."

Sister Andi examined the wine jar in her hand: "Then I want to taste this yellow wine in a bit."

Wang Yan glanced at her, shrugged, and turned back to continue swinging the large ladle.

Sister Andi looked at Wang Yan unconvinced and poured the wine into the decanter.

At this moment, Guan Ju'er looked at the computer and called out: "Sister Andy." Seeing Andy, who was pouring wine, look at her, Guan Ju'er continued: "Someone is looking for you on Facebook, someone called Odd Man."

Sister Andi nodded and glanced at Wang Yan, who was swinging the ladle: "Got it." She couldn't help but speed up her movements.

Fan Shengmei, who was on the side, stepped forward eagerly: "Odd Man?" When she helped Andy with the smart lock yesterday, Andy had mentioned this person while thanking her for dinner.

Before she could continue speaking, Andy finished pouring the wine, walked over in a few steps, took the computer, gave the two a sorry smile, and returned to the bedroom to flirt with Odd Man.

Just like in the show, Odd Man wanted to ask Andy out for a meal. Andy refused again. Facing Odd Man's suspicion, Andy said she really had friends over. Odd Man finally said a straightforward, humorous self-justification: "I'm pretending to be very casual, otherwise I'd lose face."

Seeing this sentence, Andy chuckled. But after subconsciously looking up at Wang Yan swinging the ladle outside, Andy put away her smile. Forgetting to reply to Odd Man, she began to examine herself.

If there were still that nagging narrator, it would definitely be: For some reason, looking at the cold words made of electricity on the computer, a warmth rose in Sister Andi's heart, but seeing the back of the busy man outside and feeling the smoke and fire surrounding her, Sister Andi couldn't help but fall into confusion...

Seeing Andy leave with the computer, Guan Ju'er and Fan Shengmei consciously took out bowls and chopsticks and set them on the table, gossiping about Odd Man while chatting and laughing, having a great time.

After a while, as a knock on the door sounded, Wang Yan finished the last dish.

Fan Shengmei walked over to open the door and let the two in. Andy also came out at this time, leaving behind Odd Man, who was waiting anxiously on the other side.

Suppressing the little excitement in her heart, Qiu Yingying happily introduced Manager Bai to everyone. Then she greeted: "Brother Wang." At the same time, she winked at Wang Yan, who was serving the dishes. This feeling... it was like a daughter bringing her boyfriend home to meet her father...

"This is Brother Wang, he's especially good to me and takes great care of me."

Manager Bai bowed slightly to Wang Yan politely: "Hello Brother Wang." Qiu Yingying had talked about Brother Wang so much in front of him that he was annoyed by it. But he also knew that the person was truly impressive. Everyone in this room, except for Qiu Yingying's two roommates, was not simple. And these two roommates were also... hmm, not bad.

He nodded and said: "Hello to you too." He smiled at Qiu Yingying again and turned back to serve the dishes.

Fan Shengmei said in a high-pitched voice: "I heard from Qiu Yingying that you were going to cook." Seeing Manager Bai nod, she continued: "It's so embarrassing to have you cook on our first meeting. But men who can cook are good men. It's just that it's a coincidence today, Yingying probably didn't know, Wang Yan has already cooked everything, so you don't have to bother." As she spoke, Fan Shengmei gestured toward the table full of dishes.

Guan Ju'er said on the side: "Right, don't bother, we'll taste your cooking when we have a chance later."

Manager Bai looked at it, thought for a moment, and said: "How about this, I'll make a cold dish, it'll be ready soon." After saying that, he took his things and went to cook.

Qiu Yingying followed him to help. Looking at them, they seemed like a real couple.

Looking at the two over there, the three looked at each other and walked to the side to whisper.

Wang Yan took off his apron and handed it to Qiu Yingying. After washing his hands, he glanced at the three women whispering on the side, took out his phone, found a place to sit down, and started flipping through it.

The bar was fine, he didn't need to worry about it. The system's arrangement was more like giving him a storefront; the bar was probably a gift because he liked it. Now that he had opened a company, the subordinates might not be familiar with his style in the early stages, and they couldn't handle some things, so they could only keep asking for instructions.

Although Wang Yan said to have a good rest today, he had also said before the interview not to bring work into life as much as possible. But it was inevitable; there were still those who wanted to show off and leave a good impression on this wealthy boss during the company's startup phase. Since they were working for him and didn't even rest on holidays, still thinking about company matters, what else could Wang Yan say? He patiently replied to the messages one by one.

After the three women talked for a while, they woke up Qu Xiaoxiao.

While Qu Xiaoxiao was washing her face, Sister Andi gave two more instructions, telling her not to talk nonsense while eating. Now that Sister Andi understood Qu Xiaoxiao, she was afraid that Qu Xiaoxiao would make trouble for no reason and provoke Wang Yan, or humiliate Qiu Yingying and Manager Bai, which would make things very difficult for her.

Hearing Manager Bai finish the cold dish, Fan Shengmei called everyone to eat. Qu Xiaoxiao responded casually and walked toward the dining table. Sister Andi shook her head helplessly and followed. ===== CHAPTER 76 =====