Chapter 90

Andy had been recently irritable; after Wang Yan left, she poured all her energy into her work.

She could clearly sense Bao Yifan’s hidden motives, but since what he said about Shengxuan and Bao Shi’s mutual benefit was indeed reasonable, as Shengxuan’s CFO she had to be responsible to the company and the board, and couldn’t act on personal preference—thus she was thoroughly annoyed and disgusted.

Fortunately, a few days later, Bao Yifan left Shanghai.

Before she could even breathe a sigh of relief, this day while working late, she received another call from Guan Juer.

Wang Yan had been right: Qu Xiaoxiao had spent these days trying to get close to Zhao Qiping—feigning illness, visiting, showering the “patient” with affection, throwing tantrums, playing the victim—she left no tactic unused. She couldn’t be hit, couldn’t be scolded away; Zhao Qiping was utterly exhausted. He hadn’t planned to tell Guan Juer, intending to endure it himself. But tonight, during their dinner date, Qu Xiaoxiao called again under a new number to invite him out, and Guan Juer heard her voice.

After hearing Zhao Qiping’s account, Guan Juer had no solution; her upbringing ensured she could never reason with Qu Xiaoxiao. She already knew from Qiu Yingying’s experience that reasoning with someone as self-centered as Qu Xiaoxiao was useless. After all, she lacked equal standing; showing up to confront her would only invite humiliation.

After hearing the full story, Andy was furious—she felt deceived by Qu Xiaoxiao and disrespected. Without a word, she called Qu Xiaoxiao, learned she was at home, and drove straight back to Happy Song.

Happy Song, Unit 2203.

Qu Xiaoxiao dragged out her voice, pitifully explaining: “Andy~~ I can’t control myself—it’s truly love at first sight. You don’t know, after meeting Dr. Zhao, I couldn’t stop thinking about him, even dreaming of him at night.”

“He’s Xiao Guan’s boyfriend. Don’t you think this is inappropriate?”

“So what if he has a girlfriend? What’s that got to do with me? I like him, so I can pursue him!” Qu Xiaoxiao shrugged, speaking with unshakable confidence: “Andy, isn’t it fine to chase someone you like? Besides, I’m not even close to Xiao Guan—we’re just neighbors. Xiao Guan is only his girlfriend, not his wife. She just met Dr. Zhao earlier. Isn’t fair competition allowed?”

Andy frowned, pondered a moment, and clarified the logic—she now saw Qu Xiaoxiao clearly: a supremely self-centered, second-generation heir who never considered others.

She had no more patience to waste on Qu Xiaoxiao. Ignoring her feigned resistance, Andy stood up and left.

After closing the door, Qu Xiaoxiao smugly began planning how to study Zhao Qiping.

Use people when you need them, discard them when you don’t. Lately she felt she’d learned plenty from Andy and no longer needed her guidance. Though losing Andy’s connection was regrettable, she’d finally realized: despite her relentless efforts, Andy still held slight prejudice toward her, and with Wang Yan’s involvement, becoming true friends was impossible.

So what’s the big deal about finding a man she’s interested in? After all, Andy and Guan Juer were just ordinary friends—no need to drag Tan Zongming into this petty matter. What did she have to lose?

Andy called Guan Juer, explained what had happened, and told her and Dr. Zhao not to overthink it—just avoid giving Qu Xiaoxiao any opening. After all, the woman had legs; you couldn’t stop her.

Fan Shengmei, who was currently hot and heavy with Qu Lianjie, and Qiu Yingying, who was immersed in work, learned of this and united in outrage, condemning Qu Xiaoxiao’s shameless behavior.

Qiu Yingying’s bond with Guan Juer was stronger than Fan Shengmei’s; recalling the previous incident with the white supervisor, old grudges and new anger surged—she stormed over to confront Qu Xiaoxiao head-on. Fortunately, Guan Juer and Fan Shengmei restrained her: what kind of family was she up against? How could their humble households bear any damage? The confrontation ended in a hasty shouting match.

To Qu Xiaoxiao, all this meant nothing—Andy’s words were wasted, let alone these three nobodies. With no recourse, they could only keep their distance; Qu Xiaoxiao had become a complete stranger to everyone else on the 22nd floor.

A week passed like this, then Wang Yan returned.

“Don’t worry. Qu Xiaoxiao still has a company to run, and she’s fighting for her inheritance—she’ll calm down in a couple of days.” Hearing Andy’s account, Wang Yan hugged the flushed, still-reeling Andy and whispered soothingly.

Andy sighed helplessly: “She’s too self-centered…”

“Let’s not mention her—it’s pointless. Let’s do something real.” As he spoke, Wang Yan’s hands grew restless.

“Huh? Again? Not…”

Before she could finish, Wang Yan pinned her beneath him…

The next day, Wang Yan drove the curious Qiu Yingying to the company and instructed his staff to give her slightly more work.

After listening to the meeting reports, Wang Yan had a clear picture. The team was now well-meshed, progressing steadily—no major issues.

Back in his office, Wang Yan picked up his phone and called: “Hey, convenient?”

“I need to talk to you about something.”

“Alright, fine.”

After hanging up, Wang Yan dressed and drove off to a villa in the suburban outskirts.

Watching the tea brought by the butler, Tan Zongming said: “Come, have some tea—this is still the one you gave me last time.”

After sipping the tea and setting the cup down, Wang Yan leaned back against the sofa: “What do you think of Bao Shi?”

“The Bao Shi in Tongzhou?”

Wang Yan said coolly: “The Bao Shi that came to Andy seeking cooperation.”

Tan Zongming hadn’t expected this—he glanced at Wang Yan in surprise: “What do you mean?”

He knew Bao Yifan had ulterior motives? He did. But he also knew Andy wasn’t a woman to be manipulated—and Bao Yifan knew that too. So whether it was Wang Yan or Bao Yifan, either being with Andy was fine. He chose to ignore Bao Yifan’s harassment. Wang Yan understood his stance; besides, they weren’t friendly.

“Isn’t my meaning obvious enough?”

“It’s obvious. So what do you intend to do?”

“I heard from Andy that you wanted to acquire Hongxing?” Seeing Tan Zongming nod, Wang Yan continued: “Bao Shi wants to partner with your Shengxuan, acquire Hongxing to expand its business scope. But Bao Shi’s core business is also what you need. Your focuses may differ, but both serve Shengxuan’s growth equally. Hongxing’s acquisition is still in its early stages—you can still turn back.”

Here, Wang Yan glanced at Tan Zongming: “What do you think?”

He didn’t care that Andy had leaked the information, nor how Wang Yan knew these details. Tan Zongming said gravely: “As far as I know, your strength isn’t enough to take down Bao Shi. Why should I trust you?”

[Stable-running novel app, preferred by old users for bug-fixing: huanyuanapp.]

Wang Yan waved his hand, sipped tea: “You don’t need to trust me. Just notice when Bao Shi shows signs of trouble and act promptly. It’s for your own good—help you prepare early. After all, there’s still Andy’s connection—I’m just looking out for my own people. That’s all. I’m leaving.”

“Butler, see Mr. Wang out.”

Tan Zongming walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, hands in pockets, silently watching the wind-tossed pines outside…

On the drive back to the company, Wang Yan made a call. He didn’t elaborate—just three words: “Start.”

His wealth wasn’t as simple as it appeared—he was still that Wang Laowu. Besides running a company, he hadn’t been idle: he traded stocks and futures daily, even dipped into crypto—now low-valued, but by 2017, when it exploded, it would be a fortune in USD.

His goal was simple: destroy Bao Shi, shatter Bao Yifan’s absolute confidence, make him know his own surname.

The method was the same as the old Liang family’s: find evidence of violations, leak it online to stir public opinion, then use his massive cash reserves to crush Bao Shi’s stock and sever its cash flow.

Sharing hardship and wealth is fine; sharing hardship, wealth, then hardship again is not. The old comrades who once built businesses with Old Bao would inevitably turn away—this is human nature: self-preservation. With them dragging him down, plus massive accounts payable, huge bank loans, and possible investigations…

Under these conditions, Tan Zongming, seeing the meat, would inevitably strike. Whether aboveboard or underground, Tan Zongming wasn’t weak. Though Bao Shi had deep roots in Tongzhou, a broken drum invites a thousand blows—many others were hungry for meat too. It wouldn’t take long before Bao Shi was torn apart.

The outcome was already sealed—only Tan Zongming’s power would determine how much meat he could devour. But that had nothing to do with Wang Yan.

Meanwhile, a man who looked like a second-generation heir, lavish in spending, approached Qu Lianjie.

A man with glasses, dressed neatly, courteous and refined—like a professional elite—contacted Qu Xiaoxiao’s mother.

News of Qu Lianjie’s new major client reached Qu Yongquan and Qu Xiaoxiao.

That night, at a barbecue joint.

Zhao Qiping raised his glass: “Come on, Boss Wang, have another drink. Long time no see—let me show you how much I’ve missed you.”

They clinked glasses, downed the beer in one gulp, and Wang Yan laughed: “Save it. I’ve got Andy missing me—I don’t need your Dr. Zhao’s concern.”

“Seriously, you know what’s going on, right?” Seeing Wang Yan nod, Zhao Qiping’s face fell, hands clasped and shaking: “I heard from Xiao Guan you can fix Qu Xiaoxiao? Help me—just take her away! I can’t take it anymore!”

“You say that? If even a doctor like you can’t cure her, what am I?” Wang Yan shrugged: “It’s just that you’re too charming.”

“Oh come on, Brother Wang~~” Guan Juer, seeing Wang Yan still talking about charm, tugged Andy’s hand: “Andy, look at him…”

Andy shrugged and smiled: “Wang Yan, stop teasing Dr. Zhao—he’s already frantic.”

Wang Yan chuckled, drank a cup of beer: “Alright, I heard Qu Lianjie’s been meeting a major client. Qu Xiaoxiao’s fighting him for the inheritance, so she won’t have time to bother you for a while.”

“Brother, that’s not a long-term solution—what if she comes back? There’s already gossip in the hospital; even my superiors are giving me side-eyes.”

Guan Juer added: “Yes, Brother Wang—based on Qu Xiaoxiao’s nature, she definitely will.”

“No problem. Maybe she’ll get busy and forget? Or maybe she’ll meet someone even more charming than Dr. Zhao.” Wang Yan raised his glass: “Don’t worry—drink up.”

“Alright, fine. At least some peace for now.”

Zhao Qiping raised his glass helplessly, clinked it with Wang Yan’s, and downed it.

After toasting and drinking, everyone had work the next day—they wrapped up before ten.

Helping Guan Juer get the drowsy Zhao Qiping into the car, Wang Yan watched them drive off, then waved to the group of drivers chatting nearby, signaling for one to come over…

Andy’s unease vanished after Wang Yan’s return, but Fan Shengmei had been having a rough couple of days.

She’d been invited by Andy to a high-society gala, charmed a wealthy man, only to find he didn’t want a relationship—just casual fun—and dragged her around to entertain clients. Her hopes shattered, but since she got to see the world and meet the elite, she gritted her teeth and endured.

Her brother at home was no better: after finally getting her a job through connections, he got into a fight with his boss, sent the man to the hospital, and ended up in police custody. Her parents, biased toward sons, kept calling demanding money. To make matters worse, her rent was being raised.

Drunk and stumbling, Fan Shengmei returned to Happy Song and slumped against the railing of the disabled access by the building entrance.

Scenes flashed through her mind: the rent hike, her parents waiting at home for her money, her entire life’s journey, the bitterness and hardships of coming alone to Shanghai to struggle—how had she become this?

Then she thought of Qiu Yingying, naive enough to believe Wang Yan’s lies, working hard, studying, unfazed by rent hikes; Guan Juer, placed through connections in a Fortune 500 securities firm, found both career and a perfect boyfriend; next door, Qu Xiaoxiao, never worrying about food or money, funded by family to run business, brazenly stealing someone else’s boyfriend; upstairs, Andy, returned from overseas, brilliant, Ivy League graduate, PhD, CFO of a big company, dating a rich but crude boss.

They were all women—she was no less capable than any of them. Why was it so unfair? Why did she get this family, these parents, this brother, this cursed fate?

The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt, until it became unbearable—Fan Shengmei finally broke down.

A cold, misty rain drizzled down from the sky. She curled up alone, crying quietly, eyes red, makeup smeared.

Though it was midnight in Shanghai, a city of glitter and revelry, tomorrow still demanded work and life. This wasn’t a glamorous area—those who needed to go home had already left; few wandered the streets at this hour. No one came to help her, to offer warmth.

Long moments passed. Fan Shengmei came to her senses, felt the chill, wiped her endless tears haphazardly, and forced her weak, aching body to stand. Years of surviving alone had taught her: in the deepest silence, you grit your teeth and endure.

She stepped into the elevator, stared at her reflection: a filthy, worn-out, defeated face. She froze…

Until the elevator chimed, announcing her floor. Looking at the face before her, Fan Shengmei sneered, staggered out of the elevator.

Opened the door, entered her room, tossed her bag aside, left her makeup on, didn’t change her clothes, lay on the bed, hugged the quilt tightly—and fell into a deep sleep.

She dreamed of something—her lips curled upward, and she laughed softly…