Chapter 996: Not Someone Who Takes Advantage

After a long day of work, Ruth and Minmin took a taxi home together.

Including Xiao Jiangxi, the three of them came to Shanghai and arrived at Huanghe Road at different times—Ruth came first, while Minmin and Xiao Jiangxi arrived together to join her, yet all three hailed from the same place. When renting apartments, it was Ruth who helped arrange everything; their residences were all close by, so they usually went home together.

Today, with Xiao Jiangxi absent, Ruth and Minmin didn’t head straight to their own place but took a taxi to near Fuxing Park, getting off in front of an old European-style apartment building.

Ruth pulled out a piece of paper, checked the address number, and with Minmin followed by climbing the stairs to the top floor, knocking on one of the apartment doors.

Soon, the old iron door creaked open, and Xiao Jiangxi answered, wearing a brand-new pajama set.

Xiao Jiangxi smiled brightly and warmly invited: “Come in, see my new home.”

Ruth and Minmin didn’t bother with formalities, walked right in, set down what they’d brought, glanced around, then finally sat down on the living room sofa.

Minmin and Ruth brought takeout meals from the restaurant; Xiao Jiangxi brought beer she’d already bought.

As she opened the beer, Xiao Jiangxi grinned: “How’s it? Not bad, right?”

“The space is big, the location’s good, there’s a private bathroom for showers—of course it’s great,” Ruth agreed, then cut straight to the point: “Minmin said Boss Wang gave you twenty thousand?”

Xiao Jiangxi got up, fetched her mobile phone, and placed it on the coffee table: “Ten thousand for the phone and rent. The other ten thousand is my operating budget—to pick a location and draft a hotel business plan.”

Minmin hesitated and asked: “So Boss Wang wants to…”

“He didn’t say. I didn’t see any bad intent in his eyes—just calm. But I’m willing,” Xiao Jiangxi said firmly, without hesitation.

“People like us find it too hard to make money. Everyone says money’s easy to make now, but no one tells you how. Boss Wang’s giving me a chance—I’ve got to grab it hard. What could he possibly want from me? What do I have? Either way, I’m the one who profits.”

Ruth followed up: “So your boyfriend—”

“I don’t have a boyfriend!” Xiao Jiangxi said decisively.

Minmin asked: “Did you break up?”

“I didn’t want any complications.”

Ruth sighed, took a sip of beer, and said nothing. Everyone had their own path to walk; Xiao Jiangxi was a woman with her own mind, and wouldn’t listen to others’ meddling.

Minmin didn’t know what to say, paused for a long while, then said: “Someone like Boss Wang surely has more than one woman—and he seems interested in our boss’s wife too. You’ve been on Huanghe Road for over two years—you’ve seen plenty of this kind of thing…”

Xiao Jiangxi shook her head: “I’ve seen plenty, but Minmin, have you ever heard of a boss giving a woman twenty thousand all at once? Or of a boss daring to spend money to help a woman start a business? Boss Wang does. He’s different. As long as he lets me make money and succeed, how many women he has is none of my business.”

Her words left Minmin and Ruth silent. Had she given up something… and gained more?

Seeing they had nothing to say, Xiao Jiangxi smiled: “I don’t have any big thoughts myself—don’t worry about me. Boss Wang’s a big man, runs big business—his hotel won’t be just one. He’ll need them in every big city. When that happens, you two come help me—we’ll do it together.”

“We don’t know how to do any of that.”

“Who’s born knowing? Learn slowly. I’m just as clueless right now. You two are both team leaders—you’re way ahead of me.”

“Then get rich fast—we want to be nouveau riche too,” Ruth laughed, playing along.

Xiao Jiangxi smiled and asked: “Minmin, is Boss Wang really interested in your boss’s wife?”

“I think so. Otherwise, with Huanghe Road so big, why has Boss Wang never gone back to any other restaurant except Jin Meilin’s? But he’s been to Zhizhen Garden several times now—always chatting and laughing with our boss’s wife. Besides, our boss’s wife is stunning, clever, skilled, and very attractive.”

Minmin gave Li Li high praise.

Xiao Jiangxi nodded in agreement: “Boss Wang’s rich and unmarried; Li Li’s beautiful and alluring—it’s natural he’s drawn to her. Men all like beauty; what’s too easily won, they tend to ignore.”

Ruth shook her head: “You know that too.”

“But what do I have? I’m not Li Li—I’ve seen little of the world, have no connections, no education, only decent looks. Whether I stick with my chef boyfriend or go with Boss Wang—it’s the same. If I hesitate even a second, I’d be cheating myself.”

Minmin shook her head: “Enough about that. Tell us about your hotel—what’s your plan? Boss Wang can’t really expect you, who knows nothing, to run it alone.”

“He gave me his lawyer’s number and his assistant’s number…”

The three sisters drank beer, ate the now-cold food, and chatted back and forth about the hotel, all full of hope…

The next day, Night Tokyo.

“That’s how it went, Boss Wang. I thought I’d make a fortune, but Ao Bao brought back nothing but counterfeit clothes? Now I’ve got to go door-to-door, paying people to take them back, smiling and apologizing. Oh my, so embarrassing.”

Tao Tao grumbled about the past, gulped down a large mouthful of Maotai, bit into a crab leg, then kept talking.

“I say, since the fakes are so well-made—same durability, no visible flaws—and everyone on the street wears San Yang, who bothers to check? As long as they look the same, that’s enough. Everyone’s just following trends—what others wear, they wear too. I sell them as real, they buy them as real—what’s the difference?”

“Like your Hongyun—everyone on the street wears Hongyun. How could your expensive clothes possibly all be genuine? Even Naike copies Hongyun’s designs—there are countless fakes. Who can catch them all?”

“San Yang is nowhere near Hongyun. This latest wave made it popular, and now other fakes are popping up—can Ao Bao even control it? Besides, San Yang itself is a copy of Montagut—so why can’t others copy Montagut too?”

Before Wang Yan could speak, Lingzi scolded Tao Tao.

“San Yang had fakes the moment it launched—that hurts real sales. How much do you make? How much does Bao Zong lose? If the clothes don’t sell, he doesn’t earn; if he fails to fulfill the contract, he owes Fan Zong money too. I don’t fully understand—do you agree, Boss Wang?”

“When the market is relatively empty, seizing it is easy. But once others have already claimed a share, taking it from established brands becomes extremely difficult. Montagut sells at a high price; San Yang sells cheaply—that’s how it captured the market. But fakes are even cheaper—they’ll take San Yang’s market. Then who’s real and who’s fake becomes unclear.”

“Exactly—the market is key,” Lingzi nodded eagerly. “Selling fakes is so low-class. Once San Yang takes off, we just need a distribution license and sell the real thing. San Yang’s so hot right now—it must be making money.”

At first, Wang Yan thought Lingzi had improved; after hearing the rest, he confirmed she was still the same Lingzi.

“Where’s Bao Zong? Haven’t seen him in days,” Ge Laoshi asked.

“What else could he be doing? Solving the counterfeit problem, of course,” Lingzi waved her hand dismissively.

Ling Hong said: “Oh my, counterfeiters are just trying to make a living. As the saying goes: cutting off someone’s livelihood is like killing their parents. If Bao Zong shows up like this, won’t they think he’s causing trouble? Won’t something happen?”

Lingzi snapped her head toward Wang Yan.

“Bao Zong isn’t without people—there are plenty of hands in Xia Ningbo. If he’d sensed danger from the start, he’d have come to me. No big deal, don’t worry.”

Wang Yan was also eating crab, chewing as he spoke, completely unfazed.

“Really no problem?” Lingzi still wasn’t sure.

“Bao Zong’s a thirty-five-year-old adult, not a five-year-old child. Doesn’t he know how to handle his own affairs?”

Ling Hong nodded vigorously: “Exactly! Bao Zong’s fine—unless he’s stupid, he’s got plans. Besides, counterfeiters just want to make money, not be bandits or desperadoes. Bao Zong’s clever—he’ll find a way.”

Lingzi grunted, fell silent. The cheerful atmosphere at the table cooled slightly.

Tao Tao sighed again: “Boss Wang, you heard the gossip on Huanghe Road lately?”

“I haven’t been there for days—what’s new?”

Seeing Lingzi and the others staring at him strangely, Wang Yan feigned surprise: “Is it about me?”

“Of course it’s about you! I didn’t want to say anything, but now Tao Tao brought it up—I’ve got to scold you. People say money turns men bad—I never believed it. I thought men were just bad to begin with, only lacking money and opportunity.

Look at you, Little Northeast—you were such a good man when you first came to Shanghai. Always saying you couldn’t make money back home, couldn’t even eat, couldn’t find a wife. Now? You’ve made big money, eat nothing but delicacies, yet still don’t marry—instead, you’re keeping mistresses.

Fine, I can sort of understand—you’ve got so much money, you don’t know where to spend it. But couldn’t you at least be discreet? Instead, you’ve made it public knowledge—oh my, so embarrassing! You used to be low-key, quiet. Now? Everyone knows Boss Wang’s keeping a mistress…”

The old man condemned Wang Yan with a look of deep sorrow.

Wang Yan suddenly understood: “You mean Xiao Jiangxi?”

“Who else?!” Tao Tao chuckled. “Boss Wang’s got good taste—I’ve seen her when delivering seafood to Jin Meilin. Oh my, such a pretty girl. Too bad—your reputation’s ruined now. No chance with Li Li at Zhizhen Garden.”

“Hey hey hey, get your facts straight,” Ling Hong tapped the table impatiently. “You’ve got Fang Mei at home, yet you’re still flirting with Xiao Ashao—messy and unclear.”

“Oh my, we’re talking about Boss Wang—why bring me into it?” Tao Tao quickly shifted the blame back to Wang Yan.

Lingzi asked curiously: “Boss Wang, you really are keeping that Xiao Jiangxi?”

“Don’t put it that way. I saw she had ambition, wanted to succeed, so I gave her a chance to do something. If she succeeds, I profit; if she fails, I lose little.”

“Oh my, I’ve got ambition too—I want to succeed! Give me a chance!” Lingzi pressed, sarcastic.

“No problem—warm my bed tonight, and opportunities are endless.”

Lingzi rolled her eyes and punched him, annoyed.

Ling Hong said: “See? No matter how you spin it—it’s still keeping a mistress. Why would you give money to someone with no relation to you?”

Wang Yan shook his head: “It’s still clean.”

“And what about later?” Ling Hong pressed.

“Later? I don’t know what hasn’t happened yet.” Wang Yan shook his head. “Enough, it’s no big deal.”

“Oh my, it’s no big deal? You’re the talk of the town!” Ge Laoshi frowned seriously. “Besides, this is a serious moral issue—ten years ago, you’d have been arrested and shot.”

“Then was then, now is now. If both parties agree, who can interfere?” Wang Yan ate as he spoke. “Simplest case: suppose I married Lingzi—would you trust me with all my money?”

“Of course I’d hold onto your money—so you couldn’t betray me,” Lingzi, still just a waitress, replied naively.

“It’s not that simple,” Wang Yan smiled. “You can only hold what I give you—that’s the law. But some of my companies legally have nothing to do with me—yet the profits still end up in my pocket.”

Lingzi frowned: “So money lets you do whatever you want?”

“So if you marry a wife, can she do whatever she wants? In ordinary hardworking families, it doesn’t matter—no matter how much they fight, nothing big happens, worst case is adultery or murder. But for me or Bao Zong, too many wife-related issues become a huge hassle—more complications, harder to manage.”

“Oh my, are you mocking me?”

“I’m just giving an example—you insist on taking it personally. What can I do? You’re great—you’re Bao Zong’s perfect helpmate.” Wang Yan’s words made Lingzi cover her mouth and smile.

“See? Now you’re happy.”

Lingzi rolled her eyes and stayed silent.

Wang Yan continued: “It’s no big deal. As for my reputation being ruined—who doesn’t gossip behind others’ backs? Who isn’t gossiped about? It’s just temporary. When something new comes along, this will fade. My little affair isn’t worth talking about. Come on, drink up.”

“You really aren’t worried?” Ge Laoshi looked astonished.

“It’s clean now—but maybe not later. Since I’ve done it, I’m not afraid of talk. What’s the big deal? I stand on Huanghe Road—who dares come up and ask me these things? Even whispers stay eight hundred meters away. Relatively speaking, Tao Tao and Xiao Ashao’s affair is more interesting.”

Wang Yan shifted focus. Earlier, when he mentioned ordinary families, the worst outcome was adultery or murder—Tao Tao turned pale, since Fang Mei was truly formidable.

Seeing they couldn’t get through to Wang Yan, Tao Tao naturally became the target. He had no money or power, yet still flirted with Xiao Ashao. The group turned on him, berating him mercilessly.

Of course, everything they said was about Boss Wang—meant to scold him…

Wang Yan was wrong to say no one on Huanghe Road dared ask him about this.

A few days later, he returned to Huanghe Road. Jing Xiu first told him all the gossip; at Zhizhen Garden, Li Li asked him outright what he thought.

“Do you know what Tao Tao said?”

Meeting Li Li’s amused gaze, Wang Yan sipped tea and smiled: “He said it’s a pity—I’ve ruined my reputation, so Li Li at Zhizhen Garden is out of reach.”

Li Li smiled: “I admire your composure.”

“If you’ve done it, don’t fear talk. On the whole of Huanghe Road, only two people dare ask me face-to-face.”

“Jing Xiu? You’ve known each other so long. These past few days, your past on Huanghe Road was dug up again—Jing Xiu worked hard to clear your name. Now it seems his kindness was wasted.”

“No matter how much he clears it, who believes? Since ancient times, these matters between men and women have always been people’s favorite gossip. Whether true or not, they become true. In ancient times, information spread slowly—but rumors spread widely. Even the literati who stirred up storms needed entertainment. Just like you said—it’s vulgar. In life, no one escapes these two words.”

Wang Yan smiled and said, “What I’m curious about now is whether Li Li from Zhizhen Garden still has any hope.”

“None,” Li Li replied, smiling as she met Wang Yan’s piercing, deep eyes.

“Then there is.”

“What if I say there is?”

“Then it’s a lot.”

“You’re funny.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Li Li burst out laughing, unable to stop for a moment.

Seeing Wang Yan’s look of disbelief, she explained, “I was just thinking that Miss Wang must be furious right now.”

Wang Yan shook his head with amusement. “You’re quite vengeful.”

“Generally speaking, women have small hearts—and I’m no exception.”

They were referring to the two times Miss Wang had met Li Li and given her no good face.

Li Li’s words carried a mischievous tone—this “hope” was clearly a great deal.

Wang Yan didn’t dwell on it. He changed the subject: “You’ve never been to Shanghai before, have you?”

“I’ve been twice, but only stayed a few days each time.”

“Now you’re in Shanghai, busy with business every day, returning home late—you must have no time to go out and see anything. That’s not how life should be. Go out. Walk around.”

Li Li smiled. “Are you trying to use me as a shield to bury the Xiao Jiangxi matter?”

“You think too much, always making things complicated. My ‘hope’ in you has nothing to do with Xiao Jiangxi. I simply believe you should walk more, see more, relax, and open your heart. I can feel you’re carrying something inside—something pressing you down. The longer it stays, the more stubborn and trapped you’ll become. One who can’t let go may pretend to have seen through the world and retreat into monastic life. Or worse, find a quiet place and end it all.”

“If I’m not mistaken, whatever’s bothering you has to do with Mr. A. Maybe you two once had something beautiful. But what’s done is done. Dwelling on it endlessly, living in the past—that’s pointless.”

If I’m not mistaken, what’s on your mind has something to do with that Mr. A—perhaps you two had some pleasant memories. What’s past is past; dwelling on it over and over again, living in the past, is pointless.

“The Huangpu River. Feel the breeze, watch the water. Then find a good little eatery, eat, drink, and enjoy.”

Li Li fell silent for a moment, then went upstairs. Soon she came down with a bag, gave instructions to Manager Pan and Minmin, and smiled at Wang Yan: “Let’s go.”

Wang Yan drained his tea in one gulp, stepped outside, and started the car.

It was afternoon, the sun bright, the warm wind blowing through the open windows, the sunlight soothing and pleasant.

Li Li extended her hand, feeling the shape of the wind. “Aren’t we going to the Bund?”

“You’ve seen the Bund already—what’s the point? Let’s go to Baoshan. One side is the Yangtze, the other the Huangpu—that’s where the real charm lies.”

“Your car really has hidden depths. It’s very comfortable.”

They chatted idly, mostly in silence, Li Li staring out the window, lost in thought.

From Huanghe Road to Baoshan was barely twenty kilometers. The road wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t bad either, and they arrived soon.

From Huanghe Road to Baoshan is just over twenty kilometers; the road isn’t great, but it’s not terrible either, and they arrived soon enough.

Wang Yan’s voice pulled Li Li back. She murmured an answer, opened the door, and walked toward the riverbank.

Wang Yan lit a cigarette, stepped out, and followed. They stood by the river, the gentle breeze brushing past them.

He lit a cigarette, got out of the car, and followed after her. The two stood by the river, feeling the gentle breeze.

“Nothing special,” Li Li shook her head.

“You feel something,” Wang Yan smiled. “Since getting in the car, your demeanor has been off. Here, your eyes are filled with memories—and pain. I guess you witnessed Mr. A jump into the river, didn’t you?”

Li Li stared at Wang Yan, as if asking, “How could you know that?”

Wang Yan didn’t need to guess—he knew everything. But he lied with open eyes: “I have to watch you closely if I’m going to hope in you.”

Li Li said nothing, turning back to gaze at the surging river.

After a long while, she spoke: “I suppose I witnessed it. I was already in the car, about to leave, and saw it in the rearview mirror. He just jumped… so easily…”

As she spoke, tears slipped from her eyes, carried away by the river wind.

“I don’t think he was a man of courage. He only allowed himself to win, never to lose. Win, enjoy; lose, die. He didn’t care about what came after. You don’t owe him anything.”

Li Li shook her head. “I just want to give myself closure. Give the past closure.”

“Can it really be past?”

Li Li fell silent again.

Wang Yan smiled. “Looks like the riverside isn’t a good place. The confident boss lady from Huanghe Road comes here and thinks of jumping.”

“Seeing the scene stirs memories,” Li Li said bitterly, shaking her head.

“You met me too late.”

“I don’t think so. Bei Di, Miss Wang, now Xiao Jiangxi…”

“Bei Di wants success. Xiao Jiangxi wants money. Miss Wang wants pure love.”

“And me? What do you think I want?” Li Li turned her head. The setting sun lit her profile; the river wind tangled her hair against her face.

“You want peace. You need someone to lean on. Your strength is a facade—your heart is fragile,” Wang Yan said plainly.

Li Li smiled without answering. “Perhaps… Huh? What are you doing?”

Wang Yan chuckled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. “It’s broad daylight—what do you think I’m doing? I’m not taking advantage of you. Don’t you trust me even this much? It’s just that this moment calls for you to feel what it’s like to have someone to lean on. Come, rest your head a little closer. Savor it.”

At first, Li Li instinctively resisted. But as his words sank in, she couldn’t help smiling, and her resistance faded. Her body remained stiff, but as he held her tighter, she finally relaxed, leaning against his shoulder.

Li Li initially resisted instinctively, but when Wang Yan spoke, she couldn’t help but smile, and her resistance faded; her body, however, remained stiff. As Wang Yan pulled her into his arms, she finally relaxed, leaning against his shoulder.

The sunset painted the sky and dyed the river red. Waves sparkled, dancing with crimson light. The man and woman stood side by side on the shore, the wind brushing them both.

The sunset stained the sky and dyed the river red. The rippling waves danced with crimson clouds, and the wind-blown man and woman leaned together on the shore...