If the deal hadn’t involved Yan Xixi, if it had been about any other woman in the world, she would have agreed instantly and without hesitation. But he was Xixi’s man—even if they weren’t married, and perhaps never would be. He was still Xixi’s man.
Wan Donglin stared at her fixedly. "Xu Xiaoya, think it over. I’m only offering this opportunity once."
Xu Xiaoya closed her eyes in despair. Should I take it or not? Just this one chance! If I miss this, I might never get another chance to change my destiny. Even family and lovers abandon us, let alone friends. Xixi, should I apologize to you?
Wan Donglin kept his gaze fixed on her, observing the shifting expressions on her face. Her hands were clenched so tightly that veins stood out, clearly revealing her intense internal struggle. He thought, Women, oh women. Xu Xiaoya is just another courtesan. Yan Xixi, what made you think she would be an exception?
Just then, Xu Xiaoya suddenly opened her eyes. "Mr. Wan..."
At that moment, even Wan Donglin felt a tinge of nervousness. Xu Xiaoya was about to make a choice. He subconsciously nudged the suitcase of banknotes a little closer to her, his expression impassive.
"Mr. Wan, I’m sorry, I can’t!"
He stared at her in surprise.
Xu Xiaoya spoke in a faint voice, "If it weren’t for Xixi, I would have definitely agreed. But now, in my heart, Xixi is my only family! It’s true, I desperately need money, but I don’t want to lose Xixi... I’m sorry, Mr. Wan." Her refusal, this time, was unequivocal.
Wan Donglin burst into hearty laughter. It was genuine laughter, not a sneer. And when he looked at Xu Xiaoya again, even that faint trace of contempt in his eyes had vanished. Deep inside, he sighed once more. Xixi, oh Xixi, you truly have a good eye.
Xu Xiaoya hadn’t finished speaking. She paused, looking at him in surprise, not understanding why he had suddenly burst into laughter. However, she didn’t linger for long. She stood up, intending to leave, but then turned back. "Mr. Wan, I can’t agree to this deal. But I do have a presumptuous request."
He agreed readily. "Tell me. I’ll definitely help you!" He didn’t even ask what it was, agreeing instantly. Official source is novel·fire·net
Xu Xiaoya’s eyes lit up. "I hate Zhong Minghui! I supported him through his master’s and doctoral studies, and even gave him 300,000 to buy him a house, yet this is how he repaid me! I want revenge, but I don’t have the means."
"Xu Xiaoya, don’t worry!"
Seeing the look in his eyes, she was so thrilled she almost jumped for joy, but she quickly turned and left.
Having reached the door, she heard Wan Donglin’s voice, "Xu Xiaoya, the boutique is on the first floor of the XX Building in the city center. You can start working there tomorrow. Consider it jointly owned by you and Yan Xixi—she gets seventy percent, you get thirty. Since Xixi isn’t well at the moment, you’ll be in full charge of its operations for now."
She stood in disbelief at the door, completely dumbfounded. Wan Donglin left before her. In her profound shock, she forgot to call out to him, simply watching his retreating figure until he disappeared.
After a long moment, she noticed the suitcase left by the sofa. She wanted to chase after him and call him back, but she didn’t. She just walked over and picked up the suitcase. The suitcase felt surprisingly light. When she opened it, she found only a thin layer of banknotes on top; underneath was nothing but scrap paper.
In that instant, like a flash of lightning, she understood. If I had accepted that vile ’deal’ today, the boutique would have been nothing but a pipe dream, and I would have completely lost Yan Xixi, my only friend. Wan Donglin hadn’t come today for ’that’; he had come to test me.