"That’s my buddy’s photo. But even if you’re interested in him, it’s no use. He has a girlfriend, and she’s incredibly beautiful. I’ve never seen anyone as pretty as her—she’s like a fairy. You’d be amazed if you saw her."
As he spoke about Xue Yang’s girlfriend, Cui Hao couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. Before he knew it, he had typed out a long, rambling ssage.
The person on the other end was silent for a long ti, and Cui Hao’s anxiety spiked.
Did I say sothing wrong? I guess you’re not supposed to praise other girls in front of another girl.
He scratched his head, wanting to apologize but finding himself at a loss for words.
I finally got her to reply, and now I’ve blown it.
Cui Hao collapsed onto his bed and stared blankly at the ceiling, feeling as if his soul had been sucked out of him.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed again.
Cui Hao nearly leaped to his feet. He grabbed for his phone so hastily that his hand trembled, and he almost dropped it. After finally getting a firm grip, he cald his racing heart and unlocked the screen.
A ssage from Bai Yueguang appeared: "Let’s et at the usual place and ti on Saturday."
Seeing the ssage, Cui Hao thought he was seeing things. He blinked hard and looked again. The ssage was still there; she was actually asking to et him.
This was fantastic.
With trembling hands, Cui Hao typed out an "Okay" and sent it. When she replied with an "Okay" as well, a wave of relief finally washed over him.
Placing his phone by his pillow, Cui Hao felt like the whole world was spinning. He had to share this wonderful news with soone, and the first person who ca to mind was Xue Yang. He opened Xue Yang’s WeChat and initiated a video call, but a notification imdiately inford him that the other party was busy, and the call was rejected.
That guy... He must be on another long call with his girlfriend.
Cui Hao decided not to disturb them and made a video call to Yu Kexin instead.
「anwhile, on Xue Yang’s end.」
After returning ho, he imdiately told Si Wen about the TV station’s request for an interview. As a responsible employee, he knew he had to inform the big boss about such an important matter. Although Si Wen had given him full authority over the company, Xue Yang knew he needed to maintain a certain distance from her.
After all, she was just Lin Xi’s best friend. To him, she was, at best, a little more than a regular acquaintance. Even blood brothers keep their finances separate, let alone the two of them.
Upon hearing about the TV interview, Si Wen imdiately gave him a thumbs-up.
"That’s great news."
"Yeah, it really is. With the TV station’s promotion and the angle of a college student entrepreneur, it’s sure to attract widespread public attention."
Originally, the story would have had an even greater impact if it were publicized with Si Wen’s status as a high school student. However, her family background was so powerful that any exposure would shift everyone’s focus elsewhere; they wouldn’t see it as her own achievent. A good background certainly brought many conveniences. At tis, however, it could also beco a barrier, hiding one’s true rits and allowing others to see only the surface, not the substance.
Afterward, Xue Yang briefly updated Si Wen on the company’s recent performance.
Si Wen listened, her amazent growing. "Xue Yang, you’re truly impressive. The company started turning a profit not long after you took over."
Although she hadn’t looked at the detailed reports, the fact that Xue Yang hadn’t asked her for any funds since taking charge was proof enough that the company was indeed profitable.
"The company was already in a position to be profitable," Xue Yang explained. "The losses were simply due to so unnecessary promotions where the costs outweighed the revenue. Besides, you’re not short on money, so you weren’t concerned about it."
"Xue Yang, I’ve made a decision."
A bad feeling suddenly washed over Xue Yang. "What?"
Sure enough, Si Wen declared, "I’ve decided to make you a partner in the company."
Why do I feel like she’s digging a pit for to jump into?
Xue Yang had always thought he was on the path to becoming a capitalist, but now he realized that for so people, a capitalist mindset was simply innate. Making him a full partner was the best way to maximize his value to the company.
Of course, Xue Yang believed Si Wen genuinely wanted him to be a partner. However, if this offer had co from Lin Xi, he might have considered it. But coming from Si Wen, it was sothing he could never accept.
Seeing Xue Yang hesitate, Si Wen threw out another major proposal. "How about this: you’ll be the majority shareholder. We’ll split the profits sixty-forty, with you getting the larger share. That way, you won’t be losing out, right?"
With a deal like that, Xue Yang certainly wouldn’t be at a loss. In fact, it was like being handed a company for free.
"Then wouldn’t you be the one losing out?"
"Hah, if you hadn’t stepped in, who knows how much more I would have lost? This way, I don’t even have to manage it myself, so I’m not losing out no matter how you look at it."
Xue Yang smiled. Not losing out? If the company went bankrupt one day due to poor managent, Si Wen would suffer a massive loss—a loss nonetheless, even if it was just a drop in the ocean for her.
"I won’t accept an equity stake," he said firmly. "How about this: for the period that I’m helping you manage it, we’ll use that profit split. When you’re ready to take over, I’ll step into the background and take a cut of ten or twenty percent. That’s enough for ."
Si Wen was a little surprised. Although she wasn’t skilled in business, she had grown up watching how her father retained the talent he wanted. She had assud an offer like this would surely convince Xue Yang to stay, but he hadn’t accepted.
"You’re a strange one. No wonder Xiao Xi likes you so much. Since you have your own ideas, I won’t force you. Of course, if you ever regret your decision, you can co to anyti."
"I’ll do my best to make sure that day never cos."
Si Wen smiled. She believed Xue Yang would keep his word. It was a sha she couldn’t hold on to such talent. If she could have, she would have recruited him into the Si Corporation in the future. Her father would definitely appreciate a talent like him.
Si Wen was beginning to understand why Chairman Lin had relented.
Oh, well. He belongs to Xiao Xi. In the future, he’ll surely join the Lin Corporation anyway.
***
After hanging up, Xue Yang started a video call with Lin Xi and briefly filled her in on recent events.
"So, the reason you called so late tonight is that you were chatting with Si Wen?"
"Yeah. I an, she is my boss right now. So work matters have to be reported to her first."
Lin Xi pouted. "She is not your boss. By the way, about the villa—I’ll ask her later when she plans to buy it."
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