Chapter 1058: Chapter 288: The Guard Who Robs His Own House
Chapter 288: Guarding Theft
(Thanks to the brothers who continue to support this book during the New Year! Many thanks for your subscriptions and rewards! Because I went to my father-in-law’s house for the New Year for the first time in many years, there were more social engagements, and the kids also wanted to play, leaving little time for writing. But now that I’m back, I’ll continue to write diligently in return for everyone’s support! Ps: Although it’s cold, it’s a pity there wasn’t heavy snow. I, who have never seen snowfall, only saw a few snowflakes.)
Yurong sighed and slowly said, "I now understand why you can be so leisurely, so unambitious, indifferent to what others think of you."
Li Yan froze.
"Last year, I kept thinking you were mud that couldn’t stick to the wall, a lazy guy with no ambition. I even considered that maybe you thought marrying me meant you didn’t need to strive anymore." She let out a bitter laugh, "Now I understand, you never cared about that bit of salary; you have enough money to enjoy yourself, to live casually. That’s why you feel no pressure, that’s why you never asked me for money, and can maintain a lifestyle of indulgence with just that little income."
Li Yan was a bit embarrassed. Although she didn’t know the true extent of his wealth or how he acquired it, what she described was pretty much accurate. "It’s not indulgence... just normal socializing, with a bit more engagements."
Yurong glanced at him. What was in the past didn’t need further pursuit. Even though she knew he was indulgent at that time, there was no one to blame; she herself didn’t care at all then. Later, he had indeed drastically reduced his social engagements.
"How many more things are you hiding from me?" Yurong asked as if talking to herself.
Li Yan looked at her and seriously said, "There are many things I’m hiding from you; I’m afraid if I reveal them all, you won’t be able to handle it."
Yurong looked at him for a while, then smiled, "Then let it come naturally, like this matter now; when it’s time to surface, I’ll eventually find out. Since it might be hard for me to accept, you don’t need to tell me in advance."
Li Yan tried asking, "Aren’t women particularly concerned about men’s secrets? You know I still have many things I’m hiding; aren’t you curious to pursue the truth?"
Zhang Yurong shook her head, "After a year of being together, I’ve gained many different insights. Some things are better known early, some are better not known early. Take this matter; if I knew last year soon after we got married, my view of you might have been completely different. Maybe I’d think you were pretentious, hence dislike you more; or maybe I’d not have all sorts of bad impressions, seeing some of your strengths instead."
She still had an unspoken analogy in her heart. If she had known about his affairs with Yue Yao earlier, she might have stopped hoping and not been heartbroken. However, considering when they met, they had already been together for months, not exactly early either.
Conversely, if she found out later, or didn’t know now, wouldn’t there be less distress?
"Ha... Anyway, that’s how it is. I’ve decided it’s better to find out naturally. If I force you to disclose, perhaps you’d feel uncomfortable, and I wouldn’t accept it well either."
Li Yan nodded; if she thought this way, he was willing too. If he told her now, his total assets were around 8 billion, mostly from illicit means rather than small investment gains, even calm Yurong might be shocked—how many executions would that cost!
And those secrets deep in his heart, although he tried to reveal to Qiao Huanxuan and Zhang Yurong, he only told them half. Even Yue Yao, who knows him best, isn’t too clear.
"By the way, since you know the truth now, I’d like to invite Yue Yao to work at my company, what do you think?" Li Yan took the chance to propose.
"Yue Yao?" Yurong was surprised. Since Yue Yao herself hadn’t mentioned much about her past, Yurong didn’t ask much either, though they got along well. She only knew that Yue Yao didn’t want to work outside currently, preferring to write online novels at home, without knowing her specific skills.
"You know, my company’s purpose isn’t really to invest much now. I’m just finding people to fill positions, maybe recruit real investment talents later, but not now. Right now, I just need a reliable person; I think it won’t take much of Yue Yao’s time. There’s not much real work to do; didn’t she owe me money before? It could offset the debt..."
His earlier words made Yurong feel there was some sense to it, as he didn’t need professional talents immediately, and even if he went, he’d rather stay in Heavenly Film. Sending Yue Yao was fine; she could still write there. But hearing the latter part, she felt disdain.
"Li Yan, seriously? The little money she spent in the hospital, I already said I’d repay you, but you declined. And now you’re begrudging it! It’s just a few ten thousand, you’re not lacking that money, just cut back on indulgence a few times! Besides, Yue Yao is still recovering, and you want her to work off your debt. Despicable miser!"
"..."
Li Yan was dumbfounded. He thought saying it was a legitimate reason, but it brought Yurong’s disdain instead.
"Well... it’s not that I care about this little bit of money, but even helping someone requires a reason! Even if you pay off her debt, she’ll still feel like she owes you. Look at her now, she’s here with us every day, not going out, not going anywhere else. It’s probably because she’s afraid of spending money! But if she leaves, she’s afraid we’ll think she’s running away, so she can only stay home every day. Even if she’s smiling every day, it doesn’t mean she’s not under pressure."
Yurong slightly frowned, this was indeed a problem. She had tried to persuade Yue Yao to get a job, but to no avail, and felt it was inappropriate to keep pushing, lest Yue Yao thinks it’s about urging her to make money to pay off debts. Like what Li Yan suggested, since he’s offering her a legitimate opportunity that doesn’t interfere with her writing, perhaps it’s the best help.
"But her online novels clearly don’t make much money... It can only be a short-term solution, if she works for you long-term, it would also be a form of pressure and a cage."
Li Yan immediately shared his prepared plan: "You don’t have to worry about that. I’ve thought this through—anyway, the purpose of this money is to appear in my pocket legitimately. So the company will transfer it to me under the guise of paying a manager’s salary. I’ll set a high salary for myself, and since there’s no one else, just Yue Yao, I can give her a salary higher than a normal employee. With me as an example, just saying something about a wealthy, naive foreigner should convince her to accept."
Yurong gave it some thought and found his suggestion quite feasible. That way, it’s not their money but some foreigner’s, which should allow Yue Yao to accept the gift more comfortably.
"That’s not bad at all, but... this wealthy, naive foreigner is you, isn’t it?" she couldn’t help but laugh.
"Doesn’t matter, to avoid being looked down upon by someone, I’ll take being a naive, wealthy person."
"You’re such a character!" Yurong laughed and teased. "Then it’s settled. Have you mentioned this to her yet?"
"I brought up the company situation, but haven’t told her about inviting her yet. You should be the one to tell her. You could say she’s helping me out, that way it’ll be harder for her to refuse."
Yurong thought it over briefly and agreed. "Alright then, let’s talk to her about it over dinner."
...
During dinner, Yurong immediately brought up the suggestion, asking Yue Yao to help out at Li Yan’s company.
Yue Yao, having been prompted by Li Yan, understood the situation. But due to the identity relations among the three, she politely declined, citing her lack of professional knowledge.
Yurong already had a counterplan for her hesitation: "Just treat it as a favor for me. Anyway, it’s just starting up, there won’t be much to do. When things really get busy, he’ll hire more people. Right now, he’s still working at Heaven, and I’m afraid he’ll use this as an excuse to slack off—if he’s lazing around every day, I won’t stand for it, right?"
Yue Yao chuckled, "Isn’t he currently doing well with film investments? Why would he need to slack off?"
"It’s not just that..." Yurong lowered her voice a bit, "You know what he’s like. If he hires a pretty girl, I can’t see him, who knows what might happen? Plus, when he hires more people, with his character, he’ll definitely prefer women. In that case... heh, you could help keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn’t stray!"
"Cough, cough..." Li Yan couldn’t help but start coughing, the reason... aren’t you afraid I’d steal someone from right under your nose?
Yue Yao also realized this issue and felt a bit guilty about the trust placed in her. "Then..."
Seeing her glance at Li Yan, Zhang Yurong thought she might be worried about his displeasure and quickly said, "It’s settled, he’s already said there’s no problem."
"That’s right! Absolutely no problem, if you come, I’ll be very at ease. After all, we’re like family, way more reliable than hiring an outsider. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to see the office, and of course, you don’t have to worry about your novel, there won’t be much to do at the initial stage, I just need you to keep an eye on things so there’s at least someone at the company." Li Yan promptly said.
Seeing that everyone seemed in agreement, Yue Yao felt that dragging this out further might overplay the situation, so she agreed.
While Zhang Yurong had a good sense of law, in this case, Li Yan was merely moving his own money around, exploiting a loophole, so no strict legal procedures were necessary. They weren’t planning any real investments or extensive hiring, so it was just a verbal agreement with Yue Yao, no need for a detailed written contract. As for the fact that he would be paying them both higher than normal wages, there was no need for her to worry about the exact amounts.
With things decided, she felt much more at ease. This also showcased Li Yan’s capability; he had the ability to accumulate such money, proving he could make money. Even if he might have taken some crooked paths before, that was when he lacked capital, channels, and connections. Now with the Paradise Group connection, he’s bound to have more opportunities. (To be continued, for more Chapters, please log in to www.qidian.com, support the author, and support legitimate reading!)
