Chapter 51
No matter how hard Fu Yan tried, he couldn’t get the answers he wanted.
The two seemed determined to keep him in the dark, every attempt at satisfying his curiosity was mercilessly rebuffed.
“You two are definitely hiding something from me.” Fu Yan said, frustrated after repeated failures.
“You didn’t call me here just to be your food taster, did you?” Yu Congyan asked, changing the subject to prevent him from dwelling on it.
He had initially assumed Fu Yan had encountered another problem with his latest entrepreneurial venture.
But unexpectedly, compared to his previous failures, this one seemed to be a success.
“This isn’t your usual level, finally decided to listen to your brother’s business advice?” Yu Congyan asked, still skeptical of Fu Yan’s sudden improvement.
The Fu family didn’t have any complicated internal conflicts, so choosing a successor was straightforward. The significant difference in ability between the two brothers didn’t even give their parents a choice.
Inheriting the family business was too difficult a task for Fu Yan.
But this was actually a blessing for him. He was free to study abroad and enjoy a gap year, much simpler than Yu Congyan’s constant struggle to maintain a superficial relationship with his family.
“I told you, I’m very capable, those were just mistakes!” Fu Yan tried to defend his business acumen.
He was unhappy with Yu Congyan’s assumption, what did he mean by “finally listening to his brother’s advice”?
He had simply misjudged the timing! They were all mistakes!
“Mistakes that left you with less than twenty yuan in your pocket, almost coming to my company for a job?” Yu Congyan didn’t give him a chance to argue.
His family, probably afraid he would actually go out and find a job, continued to fund his entrepreneurial pursuits.
Fu Yan, unable to win the argument, returned to the main topic: “I actually have a collaboration opportunity to discuss with you.”
He glanced at Xia Wansheng, “I assume everyone here can be trusted?”
Xia Wansheng hadn’t been paying attention, but judging by his expression, it was probably some kind of business secret.
He thought, the more he knew, the greater the risk of being threatened or kidnapped.
It was better to discreetly leave.
But his intention was misinterpreted. Before he could even stand up, Yu Congyan placed his hand on his shoulder, telling him to ignore Fu Yan’s sudden formality.
“Get to the point.” He urged.
He seemed completely unconcerned about Xia Wansheng’s past betrayal, despite the evidence.
He only believed what he saw.
As for the truth behind those rumors, he would wait until Xia Wansheng was ready to tell him.
“Alright, my family learned about your bankruptcy, although I personally believe you have a backup plan, we still have to take a stance.” Fu Yan carefully prefaced his words.
He personally supported his friend, but the Fu family was a large enterprise with various connections, sometimes requiring them to take sides.
“So, what’s the Fu family’s decision?” Yu Congyan didn’t seem surprised.
The younger generation, standing on the shoulders of their families, couldn’t always do as they pleased.
“Thanks to my persuasion,” Fu Yan seemed proud of his achievement, emphasizing his efforts in mediating,
“You know, this wasn’t easy, especially since my elder brother basically has veto power in the family.”
“So, I’ve decided to invite you to be the general manager of this restaurant.” Fu Yan announced his conclusion.
“???” The two across from him were puzzled.
He had just expressed his confidence in his friend’s comeback, and now the CEO was being demoted to restaurant manager?
“It appears that way on the surface, but this is actually an opportunity to support you, to prevent any…mishaps.” Fu Yan explained vaguely.
He didn’t elaborate, but the recent media speculation and suspicion were starting to escalate.
The media’s previous attempt at creating a heroic image had been successful; now it was time to tear it down.
“You should know there’s no need to take sides at this point.” Yu Congyan said, slightly taken aback.
This didn’t align with maximizing profit, this decision was purely based on trust in his abilities.
He had never experienced this, especially now, in his current predicament, without even a concrete plan.
But Fu Yan, as if anticipating his refusal, waved his hand dismissively, saying he was just informing him,
“This will be announced in the news anyway, and people will naturally associate our families, even if the media emphasizes it’s my personal decision, it will still reassure many investors.”
Xia Wansheng was a bit distracted.
He suddenly realized how enviable it was to have such unwavering support.
As the three parted ways at the entrance, Fu Yan apologized to Xia Wansheng for the earlier question: “Sorry about that, I just asked casually, I didn’t mean to pressure you two.”
“It’s fine, I should probably think about it.” Xia Wansheng said, dismissing his apology.
He couldn’t stay here forever, it wasn’t good for either of them. Yu Congyan had been honest, he was the one constantly lying.
But these weren’t his feelings, he would be exposed eventually.
The villa wasn’t far. As they walked side by side, Xia Wansheng tried to focus on the positive aspects.
Most of his experiences here had been pleasant.
Even…even if he returned alone, these memories would sustain him for a long time.
“Going home now?” Yu Congyan stopped and asked.
Xia Wansheng looked at him, puzzled, weren’t they heading home?
“We can walk a bit longer if you want.”
Meeting Yu Congyan’s concerned gaze, Xia Wansheng realized he was still worried about him after the incident with his parents, wanting to cheer him up.
“It’s fine, I can handle it.” Xia Wansheng shook his head.
The matter with the original owner’s parents was indeed easy to handle. He just had to ask the system to choose an auspicious date for them to go to jail.
What truly bothered Xia Wansheng was something else.
He wasn’t originally from this world, he would have to leave after completing his mission.
He hadn’t cared initially, even looking forward to it, after all, not everyone had the opportunity to earn five million so easily.
But after experiencing so much, he couldn’t help but wonder.
If he really left, who would replace him?
Would the original owner return, or would it be an AI?
Or even worse, would the character “Xia Wansheng” be erased from this book?
He summoned the system in his mind, asking how this would be handled.
The system pulled out the dusty “Employee Handbook” and explained:
[Host, you don’t have to worry about this, this is just a book to you. Although many characters have their own thoughts, their personalities can be replicated, an AI can perfectly simulate them…]
“So after I leave, you’ll create an AI with the same personality to replace me?” Xia Wansheng asked.
He didn’t know whether to be relieved or sad, he couldn’t help but wonder: Would others notice the difference?
Would his friends not react to his sudden departure, just gradually realizing they had nothing in common anymore, then drifting apart…
The person they shared their joys and sorrows with would be long gone.
[If you wish, I can file a request in advance.] The system kindly offered him a choice.
[But based on past data, many don’t choose to leave, and those who do rarely opt for an AI replacement.] It added after some thought.
Xia Wansheng declined, he hadn’t decided yet.
There was no need to plan so far ahead.
After all, before transmigrating, he couldn’t have imagined he would be here, experiencing this, meeting these people, living a life completely different from his original world.
He didn’t have to wake up worrying about his rent or how to commute in the pouring rain…
Now, his biggest problem was being dragged into all-nighters by Lu Mingxi, and most of the work wasn’t even his.
He wondered how things were progressing on Lu Mingxi’s end.
When overwhelmed, Xia Wansheng would clear his mind, postponing difficult tasks and focusing on other matters to avoid a mental breakdown.
Since learning about Xia Wansheng’s poor condition, Lu Mingxi hadn’t asked for his help.
Even when asked directly, he would just tell him to rest and say he could handle it himself.
Xia Wansheng went to deliver the completed drafts on the day he was discharged. Their meeting was like a clandestine exchange. Lu Mingxi, wearing a mask to avoid being photographed, whispered in a secluded corner: “Why are you here? I told you to rest at home!”
He didn’t want to see Xia Wansheng collapse again after another all-nighter and end up visiting him in the hospital.
“Didn’t you say you needed my help with something…” Xia Wansheng looked confused, holding up the documents to jog his memory.
He couldn’t just assign homework and then not collect it.
“How was I supposed to know you were so fragile? You collapsed so easily, don’t worry about the rest, just focus on recovering, I’ve saved you the best seat at the venue!”
Lu Mingxi pushed him outwards, taking the completed drafts.
He wouldn’t refuse his help.
“We’re almost finished, I just need to recuperate for a while.” Lu Mingxi assured him.
Xia Wansheng, looking at his dark circles and thin frame, suspected this “recuperation” would be difficult.
If he wasn’t careful, there might be news about the company and his agent mistreating him. Coupled with his current appearance, it would be a cautionary tale for aspiring artists.
No wonder he was bundled up in a mask, hat, and sunglasses.
“Are you sure you don’t need my help?” Xia Wansheng looked at him worriedly, his condition wasn’t good.
He wanted to offer some advice about work-life balance but thought better of it.
If it weren’t for this opportunity, Lu Mingxi might have had to wait much longer for his big break.
In the end, Xia Wansheng just patted his shoulder, reminding him to get some sleep.
Dying from overwork and transmigrating into a book would be a terrible loss.
The villa wasn’t far from the park. They arrived home shortly after.
Housekeeper Zhang greeted them with his usual demeanor, not surprised or concerned that they had left separately but returned together.
He even seemed pleased.
“An invitation was delivered earlier, regarding the completion and trial operation of the amusement park you invested in.” He handed over the invitation.
The crimson wax seal on the envelope was bright and eye-catching, the amusement park advertised as a romantic destination.
The invitation had arrived this morning, and Housekeeper Zhang deliberately chose a time when they were both home to deliver the news.
This was a perfect opportunity.
His young master could showcase his wealth and status, and the recipients of these invitations weren’t ordinary people. Their appearance together would signal the significant progress in their relationship, dispelling most of the rumors.
Perhaps there would even be a Ferris wheel scene, fireworks exploding at the highest point, forming a pink heart.
Yu Congyan took the invitation, recalling his involvement in this project.
His main objective wasn’t profit, but securing that prime location, and also to spite the Shao family.
He hadn’t expected it to be completed so soon.
He had initially planned to ignore it, having Assistant Zhong send a confirmation email.
But even if he wasn’t interested, he couldn’t prevent Xia Wansheng from going.
“Do you want to go?” He handed the invitation to Xia Wansheng.
This might be a chance to make up for his missed childhood experiences, judging by their appearance, those middle-aged couple weren’t the amusement park type.
Xia Wansheng, who had just been relieved that the earlier incident had ended peacefully, was suddenly handed a beautifully crafted invitation, shimmering with gold foil and holographic patterns.
“Amusement park tickets? For me?” He didn’t know what to say.
This was the first time he had received such a gift.
“I’m not interested in these things.” Yu Congyan said, turning away with his usual aloof demeanor.
Housekeeper Zhang rolled his eyes inwardly, thinking, wasn’t he the one who used to spend entire days at the amusement park when he was little?
Now he was putting on an act.
