Chapter 3: How to Relieve Worry

In Wen Ya’s memory, she and Ji Ming had no interactions, except for seeing each other at a few banquets.

If Gu Chengze was a handsome young man like Pan An, then Ji Ming was an emperor—dignified, calm, and reserved. It was easy to see who was superior.

The reason Ji Ming was considered Gu Chengze’s rival was one-sided. Both were heirs to wealthy families in South City, so comparisons were inevitable. Even Gu Chengze’s elders used Ji Ming to lecture him. No wonder Gu Chengze saw Ji Ming as a rival.

This man, superior to Gu Chengze in every way, hardly appeared in the novel. Wen Ya only knew of him through memory. She racked her brain but could only recall that when the book was two-thirds done, the Gu family had just absorbed the Wen family, and the head of the Ji family died in a plane crash. Gu Chengze took advantage of the chaos to swallow much of the Ji family’s industry, surpassing them to become South City’s richest man.

In other words, Ji Ming was cannon fodder who never even appeared on screen. Compared to him, she at least had three chapters. So, she seemed better off than Ji Ming.

Since Ji Ming wasn’t in the book, she didn’t know his true character or future. If she changed Ji Ming’s path, would it alter the world’s entire trajectory?

This was the second reason Wen Ya sought cooperation with Ji Ming.

“Mr. Ji, I’ve long heard of you,” Wen Ya nodded gracefully and sat across from him.

When the moment came, Wen Ya wasn’t nervous. As long as Wen Group didn’t go bankrupt, the assets under her and her mother’s names would be a fortune. At least her parents’ medical expenses and future would be secure.

“Miss Wen, what business do you want to discuss?” Ji Ming asked directly.

“My father had a car accident. Although I’ve kept it secret, I’m sure you know,” Wen Ya went straight to the point.

Ji Ming didn’t deny it. Wen Qihua was a well-known figure in South City, and the Ji family was aware of the car accident.

“My dad! The doctor said he might never wake up,” Wen Ya choked, biting her lower lip. “I know my limits. I can’t take over Wen’s. It’s better to find a good buyer for it.”

“If I recall correctly, Gu Chengze is your fiancé? Why not seek his help?” Ji Ming clasped his hands, leaning forward slightly, subtly applying pressure.

Wen Ya smiled bitterly, “Gu Chengze? Our marriage is purely business. You must have looked into it, President Ji? I studied abroad. After my sophomore year, my family arranged our engagement. I returned to school the next day and only came back this year after graduating. Do you think Gu Chengze and I have any real connection? Besides, I found out Gu’s and Wen’s shareholders are closely linked. He might be more eager to take over Wen’s than anyone else. Wen’s is my father’s life’s work. I can’t let anyone ruin it.”

Before meeting Ji Ming, Wen Ya had researched him thoroughly. He was a mysterious figure with little public information, but clearly a serious man. She knew she couldn’t deceive him, so honesty was her best approach.

“How many shares do you hold, and how many are you willing to sell?” Ji Ming raised an eyebrow, sitting up straight, intrigued.

From his findings, Wen Ya had been infatuated with Gu Chengze since childhood, even going as far as hiring someone to disfigure a school belle who caught his eye. The incident caused a scandal, and Wen Qihua had to send her abroad to settle the matter. Now, she claims her relationship with Gu Chengze is purely business, showing clear disdain for him. This was interesting.

“I hold 55% of the shares. I want to keep 5%, a gift from my father when I came of age, but I can give you full control. I also want Xiao Ya Women’s Clothing, a subsidiary named after me, which holds my mother’s efforts. As for the rest… Mr. Ji, what’s your offer?” Wen Ya laid out her terms.

Ji Ming tapped his finger on the table, each tap resonating in Wen Ya’s heart.

After her call, he had investigated Wen’s. The company was worth about 7 billion, but with the West City project in collaboration with the government and Gu’s, the value could exceed 10 billion. He doubted Wen Ya didn’t understand the company’s worth, but Ji’s needed Wen’s factories. He wouldn’t let this opportunity slip.

“You should think carefully. Your shares are worth over 4 billion now and could double after the West City project. Selling now would be a significant loss,” Ji Ming said, analyzing the situation. “Once I take over, I’ll make major changes. Wen’s will no longer be the same.”

“I’ve thought it through. So, are you buying?” Wen Ya thought to herself. In a month, Wen’s would go bankrupt. She’d no longer be Miss Wen but perhaps Miss Huanchang, or even Anna or Lina.

“Ms. Wen, you’re straightforward. I’ll have someone assess Wen’s assets immediately. Considering Mr. Wen’s condition will affect the stock market, I’ll have an actuarial calculation done and get back to you,” Ji Ming said, observing her more closely. Her fair skin and charm justified her title as South City’s most beautiful woman.

With the deal almost done and a beautiful woman by his side, Ji Ming felt more relaxed than usual.

“The chef here is a descendant of a royal chef. He rarely cooks, but today he made a few dishes, especially the Jade Hibiscus, his specialty. Try it.”

“Thank you,” Wen Ya replied. Although she had her original body’s memories, they were vague. She wasn’t sure if she’d been here before, so she took Ji Ming’s word for it.

The Jade Hibiscus was a tofu soup, beautifully colored and lightly fragrant. Wen Ya took a sip. It melted in her mouth, the flavor bursting instantly, making her eyes light up.

“Delicious.”

“Then have more,” Ji Ming smiled.

Previously, Ji Ming thought Wen Ya was arrogant and domineering. But after this meal, he found her not as bad as rumors suggested. Was someone deliberately tarnishing her reputation?

After the meal, Wen Ya felt a bit embarrassed. She had eaten too much and now felt slightly ashamed.

“Well, Mr. Ji, please give me an answer soon. I need to visit the hospital this afternoon, so I’ll take my leave.”

Watching Wen Ya leave, Ji Ming smiled slightly, then headed to the backyard.

“Mr. Ji, what do you think of the Wen family’s eldest daughter?” Ji Ming’s assistant asked softly.

“A very smart girl. Knowing she couldn’t save Wen’s, she chose to cut her losses and investigated Gu’s and Gu Chengze. Also, have the share price calculated quickly. She seems anxious.”