Chapter 39 — In the future, he will build the largest general merchandise department store in A City.
After He Xiu went upstairs, He Jing Long remained sitting in the drawing room by himself.
He Xiu spoke correctly. What use was there in apologetic words; she had passed away a long time ago… All these years, he had always harbored guilt, so he wanted to make it up to He Xiu when he returned. He Xiu, however, didn’t appreciate the kindness at all.
He Xiu hated him, and yet, he didn’t loathe the him at that time.
When He Xiu’s mother had just become acquainted with him, he had merely been a young carpenter. Under the management of his brethren, he helped people install doors and windows for a living. At that time, although his livelihood wasn’t prosperous, he was only in his twenties, and with He Xiu’s mother by his side accompanying him, he didn’t feel that his days had much hardship.
He Xiu’s mother had always loved to dress up. She didn’t have other interests, but she had not even the slightest resistance to beautiful clothes. There were no large-scale general merchandise department stores at that time. It was already pretty good that there were several stores specialized in selling clothing. He frequently kept her company as she strolled around. The clothes he could afford to buy, he would buy them without hesitation for her.
After he and his brethren’s group scattered and the equipment was divided amongst them, he established his own small private company with him as the chief labor contractor. Because life was better than the years before, he was able to take He Xiu’s mother to stroll through malls of more economically developed cities. To this day, he still remembered her excited appearance when she first entered a department store.
Back then, he had pledged to her that in the future, he would build the largest general merchandise department store in A City so she could stroll through it every day without needing to travel so far.
An opportunity came later. Their company received a government project. Because the government funds were insufficient, land was given to him as compensation for the project.
The first thing he thought of was building a general merchandise department store there, but to develop a general merchandise department store well, the development of a shopping mall nearby was also extremely important. He knew the surrounding land all belonged to the Zhao Family, so he thought of collaborating with them in building this.
At first, the patriarch of the Zhao Family was not very supportive of this project of his, and his willingness to collaborate was not very high. His daughter Zhao Ying Fang, however, was actually very supportive——supportive of He Jing Long.
He appeared young, promising, and handsome. It really was very difficult for a girl at her age to not have her heart moved.
He Jing Long naturally also realized Zhao Ying Fang’s thoughts towards him. If he could get through to Zhao Ying Fang, then he would definitely be able to persuade the Zhao Family. Furthermore, at that time, not only did Zhao Ying Fang say to him that she wanted a plaza built in the surroundings, she even said the plaza would be named after his department store.
He Jing Long was shaken.
His original intention in building the general merchandise department store was for He Xiu’s mother, but now this had become more of a business opportunity to He Jing Long. He knew that building only the store itself was very limiting. If he invested in this business, then he could harvest a greater return in the future.
He was undecided for a very long time, but in the end he still brought up separation with He Xiu’s mother. At that time, she didn’t cry or wail. Her eyes were simply full of such deep despair that he might not be able to forget in this lifetime.
She very quickly disappeared from his world. He had married Zhao Ying Fang. Eight years later, He Xiu was brought right to him.
Thinking of this, a burst of acute pain split through He Jing Long’s head again. At that time, he had truly been completely shocked. If he had known that she had already been pregnant with their child, he definitely wouldn’t have broken up with her.
He closed his eyes and leaned against the sofa, lightly kneading his aching temples. Some undefined time later, Zhao Ying Fang came in from outside and caught sight of He Jing Long in the drawing room. She coldly laughed. “What, thinking of that woman?”
He Jing Long’s complexion shifted. He opened his eyes to look at her. Zhao Ying Fang’s smile became colder as she walked up to him in her high heels. “I still haven’t asked you, what was He Xiu’s intention tonight? Today was Chen’er’s engagement reception, yet they came dressed in splendid clothes and stole the show. What is he plotting?”
He Jing Long’s expression was blank as he said,“Don’t speak such unpleasant words when you talk. You have the clearest understanding on how you have treated him all these years. What can he even be plotting?”
“Ah, he still feels wronged? I helped raise another woman’s son for so many years, and outsiders even call him Eldest Master He. The one who should feel wronged is I!”
He Jing Long’s anger was finally stirred. “Don’t make yourself sound so innocent! That year when you approached me, didn’t you know of his mother’s existence?”
Zhao Ying Fang pursed her lips, her voice inadvertently raising a few notches. “If I knew that you built Starlight General Merchandise for her, I definitely would not have gone to persuade my father! If I had known that earlier, I should have built a dumpster next to your department store!”
They two of them were making so much noise in the drawing room, He Xiu naturally heard them. Starlight General Merchandise was built by He Jing Long for his mom. After he came to the He Family, he had also heard He Jing Long say this. He felt that it was very ironic that this general merchandise department store was built for his mom, yet she had never even stepped inside.
He recalled when she had brought him to Starlight General Merchandise for the first and only time many years ago. She had stood by the doorway for a very long time. At that time, what had she been feeling?
He Xiu couldn’t help but be depressed. He went to the bathroom to run a bath. After emerging, he went to his bedside to dial Jian Yan’s number.
At the moment, Jian Yan was drawing. Hearing her phone ring, she glanced at it out of the corner of her eyes. Seeing that He Xiu was calling, she reached out with her left hand to accept the call while her right hand continued to draw atop the digital tablet. “It’s so late; what’s the matter?”
As always, He Xiu’s lips curved into a slight smile upon hearing her voice. “Nothing. I just wanted to ask what you’re doing.”
“I’m drawing.”
He Xiu lightly furrowed his brows together. “You’re still drawing so late into the night?”
“Yes. After all, I shoulder the responsibility of supporting our family. It’s only natural that I work hard to earn more money.”
He Xiu chuckled and said to her, “Don’t tire yourself too much. Rest earlier.”
“Mn.”
“You must not stay up late.”
Jian Yan also laughed. “Eldest Master He, I haven’t married you yet, and you’re already taking care of me?”
“Can’t I? Is it that you want me to personally come over and supervise you?”
“Okay, okay. I got it.”
He Xiu faintly smiled. He remained silent for a moment before saying, “After we marry, I’ll move out of my home.”
“Marry? You’re already thinking of marriage?”
“What, don’t tell me you are thinking of going back on your word?”
Jian Yan giggled and retorted, “Then when that moment comes, I’ll clear out a room for you.”
“This is how you’re making arrangements for our marriage bedroom?” He Xiu said in discontent, “It’s better if I took care of the preparations for our marriage bedroom.”
“Oh.”
“You should go to sleep early then. Don’t draw anymore.” Once He Xiu finished talking of this business, he began urging her to go to bed.
Jian Yan, without any better option, helplessly said, “Okay, okay. I’ll go to sleep after the call’s over.”
“Good girl; I’ll take you out to eat tomorrow night. What do you want to eat?”
“Anything will be fine. How about I head straight to Starlight General Merchandise to look for you to eat? Haha. There are lot of places to eat there anyway.”
“Well, I’ll wait in my office for you then. Goodnight.”
Jian Yan seemed like she recalled something. She asked him, “Last time when I listened to your concert, everyone wanted you to give a Mai Kiss, but you refused. Can you give one now?”
He Xiu smiled lightly as he said, “What meaning does a Mai Kiss have? How about I come over and personally kiss you?”
“…No, too troublesome.”
He Xiu curved his lips into a smile and lightly kissed into the phone. “Goodnight.”
Jian Ya jolted because of this voice, her heart throbbing as he spoke the phrase ‘goodnight.’ Peng—peng— After the call ended, she used her slightly cold hands to cool her burning face. Saving the rough sketch, she turned off her computer.
Men with pleasant sounding voices really were very criminal. Always so attractive when speaking during a call, so annoying.
The next day, the matter of she and He Xiu attending the engagement reception somehow reached Lin Zhen’s ears, as she had called Jian Yan first thing in the morning, impatiently asking her, “The situation with you and He Xiu wouldn’t happen to be true, right?”
Jian Yan had already gotten out of bed and was cooking congee in the kitchen as she spoke into the phone. “What situation are you talking about?”
“That paparazzi reported earlier, you are his girlfriend!”
“Oh…it’s true.”
Lin Zhen: “…”
She actually found herself a partner first!?!?
She remained dumbfounded for quite a while before asking about the final hope she carried, “He and Tang Zheng aren’t…?”
“…” Only then did Jian Yan o recall that she had kept forgetting to speak of this matter with Lin Zhen. “Oh, before was a misunderstanding of ours.”
Lin Zhen: “…”
In that case, what expression should she use when confronting Tang Zheng? Furthermore, their collaboration…
Recalling that Tang Zheng had also not contacted her for a good while, this was a good coincidence. She also…wouldn’t take the initiative to contact him.
Before she hung up, she asked, “What about your misandry? Aren’t you allergic to men?”
“Mn…this is strange to me as well. I’m actually not allergic to him.”
“…” Lin Zhen was silent for a long time before hatefully saying to her, “Deadline’s approaching. You still haven’t handed over your draft. How are your preparations for your new project?”
Jian Yan curled her lips. “Don’t worry. I will definitely hand over the draft on time. As for the new project, didn’t you previously not want me to overwork myself? I think what you said is right.”
“…Goodbye.” Lin Zhen suddenly hung up.
Why! Why are people younger than me all finding partners! If Jian Yan marries before me, I will break off my friendship with her!
Jian Yan worked until 5:00PM before she began to tidy herself up, preparing to head to Starlight General Merchandise in search of He Xiu. As it so happened, she ran into Xu Ying in the elevator.
Xu Ying also didn’t expect to run into her. With an unsightly complexion, she asked, “What are you doing here?”
Jian Yan smiled at her and answered, “I’m looking for He Xiu.”
Xu Ying scoffed and looked at her, saying, “You only met He Xiu after coming to Starlight General Merchandise, right? I, however, have known him for over twenty years.”
“So what?”
“Do you know what he was like when young? We had a very good relationship as kids. He was also especially fond of me. Whenever I felt sad, he would sing for me to listen. His voice is very pleasant to hear. Every time he sang a song, I would immediately stop crying.”
“Oh.” Jian Yan answered with a tone that was neither cold nor warm.
Xu Ying’s brows wrinkled. This person was simply like He Xiu as a child, not into the oil and salt.1 No matter what was said, he would have no reaction whatsoever.
“I’m telling you…”
“Miss Xu.” Jian Yan suddenly turned her head to look at her with a smile. “Your engagement reception yesterday was very wonderful.”
Xu Ying’s complexion instantly changed. She turned her head away and no longer spoke.
When the elevator door opened, He Xiu was standing outside. He had come to receive Jian Yan, but upon catching sight of Xu Ying, his eyes immediately darkened. “Why are you also here?”
Xu Ying sneered and asked, “So only she can seek you out?”
“Oh? I don’t know what Miss Xu is seeking me out for?”
His cold, estranged, and sarcastic manner made the fire in Xu Ying’s heart burn fiercer. “I came because I wanted to tell you not to be deceived by this woman’s outward appearance! Isn’t she just chasing after your money? These years, have you seen little of these kinds of women?”
He Xiu looked at her with irritation, the anger in his countenance already becoming very apparent. “My money? Didn’t Miss Xu already determined that I didn’t have money long ago?”
Xu Ying’s face paled. “That was my mother…”
Jian Yan pressed a few buttons on her phone and then showed it to Xu Ying. She beamed at her. “This is the balance on my bank card. Miss Xu must not have been thinking that I’ve merely been working these past several years for fun, right? Although several tens of millions may be nothing in the eyes of the Xu Family, but it’s not like I have never seen money before, okay? This is merely the pittance I earned from my work 《 Satisfactory 》. I’m convinced that this work is not the pinnacle of my career at all. Later, I will create many more works that are much better, earning even more money. And you? How much money do you earn as part of Xu Zhi? I previously heard people say that last time, you messed up the project you were in charge of. Perhaps you should first set small goals and let the company not lose money?”
“You!” Xu Ying’s complexion paled as she spoke. She glanced at that long string of numbers that was Jian Yan’s balance again before turning around to the elevator, pressing the elevator button with lightning speed.
After she left, furious, Jian Yan’s heart was very delighted. She turned her head back to see that He Xiu was indeed looking at her with an interested expression.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He Xiu smiled as he looked at her, saying, “Nothing; I just wanted to see how much Teacher Tang Zhi has in her bank balance.”
Jian Yan put away her phone and said to him, “Not letting you look.”
“Why? You showed it to her.” He Xiu’s tone sounded very indignant.
Jian Yan replied, “Don’t worry. I said that you’ll live in a big house and eat delicious food. I won’t go back on my words at all.”
He Xiu smiled and embraced her. Unable to help himself, he lowered his head to kiss her lips for a moment. Startled greatly, Jian Yan hurriedly pushed him away. “This is the workplace! Pay more attention!”
“Oh.” He Xiu nodded and sincerely said, “Then it would be better if we go home to eat dinner. This way not paying attention is okay.”
Jian Yan: “…”
The smile on He Xiu’s face grew bigger. “I’ll cook. It’s enough if you’re only in charge of eating.”
Author’s Note:
A thousand extra characters. Is this considered long? Hahaha ○|￣|_
I had a slight writing block today. Tomorrow, I will continue to write longer. Ku—jiji
Expressing thanks to sponsors
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Notes:
1. Means a very obstinate person ?