Chapter 56

“It’s already past 10? That fast?!” Tan Qiaoming was momentarily caught off guard.

“Isn’t it? Xiao Guang was almost dying of anxiety, signaling at you for ages, but you didn’t even glance at him! Your eyes were all on Xiao Hai!” Song Xiaoyu complained.

“Hehe, my bad, my bad!” Tan Qiaoming quickly admitted his mistake. “It’s a shame, how did time pass so quickly?”

It was clear that Tan Qiaoming was still reluctant to end the conversation.

“Brother, there’s still plenty of time ahead of us. Let’s take it slow. We’ll have to wrap it up here for today, but I’ll find another opportunity later.”

“Sigh, fine, it’s a pity!” Tan Qiaoming sighed dramatically and then turned to An Xiaohai, saying, “Xiao Hai, stay well here, and strive to get out soon! If you’re willing to come, Qiaoyu will welcome you warmly. When the time comes, I’ll give you shares—if you want to be on equal footing with me, that’s fine!”

“Xiao Guang, make sure to keep an eye on Xiao Hai. Don’t let anyone bully him, okay?”

“Okay, big brother, but we really can’t chat anymore. Let’s talk more about these matters later. I’ll take Xiao Hai back now. You two wait here for me, and I’ll send you out after I return.”

“Alright. Xiao Hai, remember my words. I’ll find ways to keep in touch with you! Don’t think I’m annoying, hehe!”

Tan Qiaoming reluctantly watched as An Xiaohai and Tan Qiaoguang left the reading room. Song Xiaoyu, who had been smiling brightly, suddenly pouted and gently pinched Tan Qiaoming.

“What’s wrong with you? Didn’t we agree not to talk about shares when we left? Why can’t you control your mouth? You even said ‘equal footing’—what will you do if he really wants that?”

“Hehe, wife is right, I was impulsive!” Tan Qiaoming laughed awkwardly. “Talented people are hard to come by, it’s hard to resist, haha!”

Tan Qiaoming admitted that he was a bit impulsive just now, but if given another chance, he might still make the same choice.

Although Tan Qiaoming had a technical background, he wasn’t lacking in business acumen.

Haidong Province, being a coastal area, has been thriving in trade since ancient times. This made many families, including Tan Qiaoming’s, inclined towards business rather than farming.

Although his family originally farmed, it was only after the founding of the country that they switched to farming, while their ancestors were all merchants. Almost every family in their village had a similar background.

So, the business atmosphere in Tan Qiaoming’s family and village was strong. Young people in the area often left home to engage in business instead of continuing agriculture.

Tan Qiaoming’s business sense was embedded in his genes, making it possible for him to make bold choices—such as quitting a stable, well-paying job and borrowing hundreds of thousands to start his own business—something most people couldn’t handle.

Although Qiaoyu’s survival depended largely on Song Xiaoyu’s business skills, Tan Qiaoming played a critical role in stabilizing the company.

Tan Qiaoming held An Xiaohai in high regard, not just because of his technical abilities, but because he sensed a calm strength in him.

Tan Qiaoming was almost certain that if An Xiaohai joined Qiaoyu in the future, even with enough shares and freedom to do his own thing, An Xiaohai would never covet the company, because he simply wouldn’t be interested in it.

Though An Xiaohai appeared to have nothing now, Tan Qiaoming had that feeling.

Moreover, considering An Xiaohai’s potential, if he were to start his own company or be poached by competitors, it would be a significant blow to Qiaoyu.

Therefore, rather than testing each other and pulling in different directions, it was better to be sincere from the start.

After all, Qiaoyu, or any company, was essentially just a shell—what mattered most were the people inside.

Of course, Tan Qiaoming wouldn’t explain all this too clearly to Song Xiaoyu.

They had their own responsibilities and couldn’t burden each other with each other’s troubles. This was their agreement, and one of the reasons their relationship stayed strong.

Did An Xiaohai look down on Qiaoyu? Yes, he did to some extent.

To say “look down” might not be accurate; rather, Qiaoyu wasn’t his main goal for the future—just an additional means of income.

If a reborn person had to struggle step by step in business, that would be a bit tragic!

But if Tan Qiaoming could stay true to his intentions, An Xiaohai wouldn’t mind helping him. He was genuinely moved by Tan Qiaoming’s passion, sincerity, and drive.

On the way back to the dormitory, neither An Xiaohai nor Tan Qiaoguang spoke, both lost in their thoughts.

They were both excited earlier, and when excitement turned to exhaustion, they didn’t feel like talking anymore.

However, their relationship felt closer than before. Tan Qiaoguang’s silence wasn’t because he had nothing to say to An Xiaohai, but because he had dropped the pretenses in front of him.

No need to act overly enthusiastic or put on airs—just be natural.

This change made An Xiaohai feel more at ease.

“Alright, we’ve arrived. You go in yourself. If you need anything, feel free to come to me. My big brother has already spoken, hehe.”

“Thank you, Officer Tan. It’s been great meeting you at First Prison!” An Xiaohai smiled.

“Likewise! You’re really something—able to talk about literature with me and technology with my big brother. Sometimes I really admire and envy you—both in the arts and sciences.”

“Hehe, Officer Tan, you really shouldn’t envy me!”

“Haha, true enough!” Tan Qiaoguang smiled with relief. Indeed, An Xiaohai was still in prison, and Tan Qiaoguang was beginning to forget about that fact.

“You don’t need to thank me. I should thank you! Honestly, my big brother and the others were having a tough time recently. If it weren’t for you, they wouldn’t have been able to make progress so quickly.”

“Alright, no need for this business flattery. I’m going in now. Officer Tan, you’d better go back and accompany my big brother and sister-in-law. Leaving them alone in the reading room is inappropriate.”

“Alright, goodbye!” Tan Qiaoguang stretched out his fist.

An Xiaohai returned the gesture with a fist bump. He walked into the dormitory, while Tan Qiaoguang hurried back to the reading room.

Tan Qiaoguang had delayed returning An Xiaohai to his dormitory, so he would need to write a report for the situation afterward to ensure everything was proper.

The dormitory was quiet. An Xiaohai knew not everyone was asleep. He didn’t turn on the lights but instead walked to his bed, using the moonlight that filtered through the bars.

“Why are you so late? They can’t just use someone useful until they’re drained dry!”

It was Guo Xiangshui’s voice!

“Uncle Shui?” An Xiaohai was surprised. Why was Guo Xiangshui in the bed next to his?

“I requested to change beds a couple of days ago. It got approved today. You know, those guys snore so loudly, it’s painful. Yours is much quieter, haha.”

Guo Xiangshui chuckled.

An Xiaohai didn’t believe a word of this. His guard was up even higher.

Often, enemies who are out in the open can’t deal a fatal blow. To hurt someone quietly, the first step is to get close.

Guo Xiangshui was clearly trying to get close to An Xiaohai.

An Xiaohai settled on his bed, listening to Guo Xiangshui chatter aimlessly. He didn’t dare to let his guard down and cautiously responded.

Just as An Xiaohai was getting impatient with Guo Xiangshui’s pointless rambling, Guo Xiangshui suddenly asked a question that snapped him alert:

“Xiao Hai, how could someone like you have killed someone? Were you framed?”