Chapter 4: Only Get Rich Quickly

After hearing Wen Ya’s advice, Lin Lin is now cooperating well with her treatment. She has a mental illness, but after letting go, her health has improved. She’s now reading a book on waking vegetative patients.

Wen Ya arrived and saw her mother asking a nurse how to massage a vegetative patient.  

“Xiao Ya is here. Uncle Li said you went out. Where were you? Your dad is like this now. You…” Mother Wen initially wanted to scold her for not being sensible but stopped, realizing Wen Ya had been mature lately. She changed her tone, saying, “Since you’ve graduated, it’s time to help at the company. Your dad’s sudden illness has left things messy.” She sighed, touching Wen Ya’s hair. “I’m sorry you have to work so hard.”  

“I went out today for company-related matters,” Wen Ya smiled, handing her mother a small cake. “Now that I’m grown up, I should share the burden. I bought this on the way, but you can only eat a little.”  

Wen’s mother thought Wen Ya had asked for shares yesterday to take over the company, unaware she had already started selling them. Worried about her mother’s weak heart, Wen Ya decided to keep this information secret for now.  

“Is this from Yuanji?” Mother Wen took the cake, smelling it lovingly. “The people in the company were promoted by your dad. Most are trustworthy. Learn from them when you join. They’ll help you manage well.”  

Wen Ya smiled, not arguing. She knew that with high profits, people often betray trust. But those betrayers would face consequences soon.  

Mother Wen handed Wen Ya a list detailing the directors’ information, hobbies, and weaknesses. It was concise, with only a few senior executives listed at the end.  

Mother Wen had started the business with Wen’s father but stepped back after Wen Ya’s birth. Later, she opened Xiao Ya Clothing Company to pass time. She knew the directors well but was less familiar with newer senior executives.  

Wen Qihua’s condition had improved enough to move him out of intensive care and into the VIP room with Mother Wen. The large bed accommodated both comfortably.  

Seeing her mother carefully tending to her father, Wen Ya’s eyes reddened. Even if her father couldn’t wake up, this moment felt peaceful.  

Dinner was delivered by Uncle Li. As they were about to eat, Gu Chengze arrived with flowers and fruits.  

“Aunt Lin, I was abroad and only learned of Uncle Wen’s accident yesterday. I’m sorry I’m late,” Gu Chengze apologized, his eyes reddening as he looked at Wen Qihua. “Is it serious? What did the doctor say?”  

“Don’t blame yourself. We kept it quiet. Your uncle and I are fine, but Xiao Ya has been working hard. Go talk to her,” Mother Wen said, still hopeful her husband would wake up.  

Wen Ya glanced at Gu Chengze and set down her chopsticks. “Have you eaten? Do you want to join us?”

Before selling the shares, she wouldn’t confront Gu Chengze. She didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention.  

“I’ve eaten. Xiao Ya, you’ve lost weight,” Gu Chengze said softly, glancing at Mother Wen. “Let’s take a walk outside and not disturb Uncle Wen and Aunt Lin.”  

“Okay,” Wen Ya agreed. She didn’t feel the same love for Gu Chengze as her original self did. The family crisis gave her an excuse to act cold without raising suspicions.  

They walked in the hospital park. The early spring wind was chilly. Wen Ya tightened her cardigan and noticed a woman in a white dress on a swing nearby. The breeze revealed part of her face, but Wen Ya couldn’t see her clearly.  

“I’m sorry. I should have come yesterday, but something urgent came up at the company,” Gu Chengze said, his tone cold but not dismissive.  

Looking at his profile, Wen Ya recalled her original self’s joy upon learning she would marry him. After their engagement, she had been insecure, studying hard to impress him. Now, facing her father’s accident and her fiancé’s indifference, she felt nothing.  

Gu Chengze seemed to glance at the woman on the swing. Wen Ya wondered if she was the heroine.  

“It’s okay. I’m glad you came,” Wen Ya said, hugging Gu Chengze tightly. She felt his body stiffen and noticed the woman on the swing freeze. “Aze, I’m so scared. What if my father never wakes up? What will I do?”  

Gu Chengze tried to push her away, but she held on firmly. “Let me go,” he said, softening his tone. “We’re in a hospital. It’s not appropriate.”  

“Why? We’re engaged, almost husband and wife. Or do you not want to be close to me?” Wen Ya saw the woman running away and smirked inwardly. She wouldn’t let Gu Chengze off easily.  

“Of course not. We should keep a low profile. Uncle Wen’s situation is still confidential,” Gu Chengze replied quickly.  

His reaction was quick. Wen Ya let go of his hand as he spoke, but she no longer wanted to hug him. Perhaps he had been close to the heroine the previous night, and she hadn’t yet found him repulsive.

Gu Chengze patiently comforted Wen Ya a few more times before leaving, citing company matters.

Wen Ya watched his hurried steps and smiled slightly. Shouldn’t the hero and heroine have misunderstandings, resolve them, and grow closer? She had played her part. She hoped Gu Chengze and the heroine wouldn’t thank her too much.

She tilted her chin, shook her head, and walked away briskly.

“Mr. Ji, did Miss Wen do it on purpose?” Assistant He, who had read Wen Ya’s file, was skeptical.

“Who knows?” Ji Ming acted indifferent.

He had gone to the hospital to visit an elder but ended up witnessing an interesting scene.

Is love turning into hate? Love is indeed complicated.

“But Mr. Gu has poor taste. He left a beauty like Miss Wen for an ordinary woman,” Xiao He wondered.

“Never having experienced something before, it’s natural to be curious when you finally do,” Ji Ming said, leading Xiao He away.

“Mr. Ji, were you just insulting me?” Xiao He asked, following behind.

Wen Ya, unaware she was being watched, had returned home and was enjoying a relaxing bath.

As an orphan, she had worked part-time and relied on scholarships to finish college. Her income was modest, so she rented a small room in a remote old building. Her daily commute involved a bus and subway, totaling two hours. The shared bathroom in the building was dirty and often had no hot water, forcing her to boil water for a quick wipe-down. Now, she luxuriated in a white bathtub with a massage feature. This was the life.

After her bath, she meticulously cared for her skin. Good skin deserved attention.

She rolled over in bed as Aunt Wang called from outside, “Miss, I’ve prepared bird’s nest. Should I bring it now or later?”

“Later. I just had dinner and I’m not hungry yet,” Wen Ya replied, hearing Aunt Wang’s footsteps fade. She sighed at the indulgent lifestyle.

Another restless night passed. The shares remained unsold, and the money wasn’t in her hands. She felt uneasy. She gave Ji Ming two days. If he didn’t respond, she’d sell to Lin Beitai. Better something than nothing.

Ji Ming responded quickly, scheduling a meeting at his company the next morning.

“Mr. Ji, I think meeting at the villa would be better,” Wen Ya suggested, thinking of Lin as a backup if Ji’s offer was low.

Ji Ming raised an eyebrow. “Alright, if Miss Wen isn’t in a hurry, we’ll meet at noon.”

After hanging up, Wen Ya pouted. Wasn’t Ji more eager to acquire Wen?

She dressed carefully before heading to the villa.

In the same room, besides Ji Ming, there were three others.

“Let me introduce you. This is my assistant, Xiao He. This is Mr. Cai, our investment director, and this is Lawyer Zhang.”

Wen Ya nodded. She hadn’t brought a lawyer, not wanting to seem too eager to sell. If she could get a higher price, why not? More money was always welcome.

Mr. Cai spoke first. He was capable and spoke gently, praising her often, but Wen Ya soon realized his words were traps.

Wen Ya knocked on the table, interrupting Mr. Cai. “Sorry, but I need to interject. I’ve said from the start, I sincerely want to sell my shares to Mr. Ji, but he’s not the only buyer. Skip the details and tell me Wen’s market value and your offer.”